Eight countries. Twelve cities. Fourteen days. All by train. This is the classic Europe rail itinerary — refined for 2026 with current operators, journey times and the cheapest booking strategy for each leg.
The Route at a Glance
London → Paris → Amsterdam → Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Venice → Florence → Rome
This is the backbone route for a first-time Europe by train trip — a logical west-to-east arc that follows the continent's best rail connections. You can do it in either direction; we go west to east so the final destination is Rome, which makes a satisfying endpoint.
Book all legs at least 6 weeks in advance for the best prices. The London–Paris Eurostar and Venice–Florence legs sell out fastest in summer. Use Klook to compare prices across all operators in one search.
Day-by-Day Breakdown
Arrive in London. Base yourself centrally — King's Cross area is ideal for access to the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras next door. Visit the British Museum, Borough Market, Tate Modern and the South Bank. Take the Tube to Greenwich for the National Maritime Museum and the Prime Meridian.
Morning Eurostar to Paris. Afternoon arrival — walk to the Marais, climb Montmartre at sunset. 2 nights in Paris gives you the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and the best café culture in Europe.
Musée d'Orsay, Notre-Dame (reopened 2024), Sainte-Chapelle, Père Lachaise. Take the RER C to Versailles if you have a spare afternoon — 40 minutes from central Paris, far less crowded on weekday mornings.
Direct Eurostar to Amsterdam. Afternoon arrival — drop bags at the hotel and walk straight to the canal ring. The Jordaan neighbourhood at dusk is the best first hour in Amsterdam.
Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum (book ahead), Anne Frank House (must book online, weeks in advance), canal boat tour. Day trip to Haarlem or Delft by local train (30 minutes, no reservation needed).
Morning departure to Berlin. The long train ride is comfortable — bring a book and lunch. Evening arrival into Berlin Hauptbahnhof, one of Europe's most dramatic stations.
Brandenburg Gate, Checkpoint Charlie, East Side Gallery, Museum Island (Pergamon Museum — book ahead), Reichstag (book free dome visit online). Explore Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzberg for food and nightlife.
Afternoon in Berlin, then evening train to Prague. Overnight arrival — Prague's Old Town is magical at night with almost no crowds.
Prague Castle, Charles Bridge at dawn (before the crowds), Old Town Square, Josefov Jewish Quarter. Czech food and beer are outstanding — budget far less than Western Europe.
Morning Railjet to Vienna. Afternoon in the Innere Stadt — Stephansdom, Hofburg Palace, Naschmarkt. Vienna's coffee house culture is UNESCO-recognised; the Café Central is worth a stop.
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Belvedere (Klimt's The Kiss), Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna State Opera. Consider a day trip to Salzburg by Railjet (2h 30m) — easily done as a round trip.
Take the overnight Nightjet (departs ~21:00, arrives ~07:00) to arrive in Venice fresh in the morning — saving a night's hotel. Alternatively the daytime EuroCity through the Alps is spectacular scenery.
Piazza San Marco, Doge's Palace, vaporetto on the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge. Venice is best explored by getting lost — put the phone away and wander. One full day is enough unless you want the islands (Murano, Burano).
Morning Frecciarossa to Florence — a few hours to see the Duomo and Uffizi Gallery (book well ahead) — then afternoon Frecciarossa to Rome. End of the line: Roma Termini, a 10-minute walk from the Colosseum.
Booking Strategy
- Book 6–8 weeks ahead for the best prices on all legs. Eurostar and Frecciarossa sell cheap fares earliest.
- Use Klook to compare operators — on some legs (e.g. Berlin–Prague) there are multiple operators at very different prices.
- Consider the Nightjet Vienna–Venice — it saves a hotel night and the experience of waking up in Venice is unforgettable.
- No Eurail pass needed for this fixed itinerary — individual tickets booked in advance are consistently cheaper. See our Eurail vs point-to-point guide.
- Total estimated ticket cost: €150–€280 for all legs booked 6 weeks ahead (second class, no night train upgrade).
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