Europe’s most enchanting destinations often lie beyond the typical tourist trail, waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers. Train travel from London offers an eco-friendly and scenic way to reach these hidden treasures without the hassle of airports. Pack your bags and prepare for unforgettable journeys to fairy-tale villages, medieval towns, and breathtaking landscapes. These thirteen remarkable train routes will transform your European adventure into something truly magical.
1. London to Colmar, France
Colmar captures hearts with its impossibly charming architecture and flower-draped canals that mirror colorful facades.
Your journey begins with the sleek Eurostar to Paris, followed by France’s high-speed TGV to Strasbourg, then a peaceful regional train through Alsatian countryside. The reward awaits in this storybook village.
Wander through Little Venice district, sample world-class Riesling wines, and explore Christmas markets that inspired countless holiday movies. Colmar serves as your gateway to the famous Alsace wine route.
2. London to Dinant, Belgium
Dramatic limestone cliffs tower over the serpentine Meuse River, creating one of Europe’s most striking riverside panoramas. Dinant punches above its weight for such a compact town, offering medieval citadels and musical heritage.
The straightforward route takes you via Eurostar to Brussels, then a comfortable local train winds through Belgian countryside to this clifftop gem. Four hours later, you’ll understand why this place inspired legends.
Climb to the hilltop citadel for breathtaking views, visit the saxophone museum honoring native son Adolphe Sax, and cruise the tranquil river. Dinant proves that Belgium’s treasures extend far beyond Brussels and Bruges.
3. London to Annecy, France
Crystal-clear canals wind through medieval streets while snow-capped Alpine peaks reflect in Europe’s purest lake. Annecy earned its nickname “Venice of the Alps” through centuries of careful preservation and natural beauty.
Your seven-hour journey combines Eurostar efficiency to Paris with TGV speed directly to this Alpine paradise. The route showcases France’s diverse landscapes, from rolling countryside to dramatic mountain approaches.
Stroll along flower-lined canals, explore the fairy-tale Palais de l’Isle prison, and take boat trips across the pristine lake. Summer brings hiking opportunities, while winter transforms Annecy into a snow-dusted wonderland perfect for cozy café visits.
4. London to Giethoorn, Netherlands
Silence replaces traffic noise in this extraordinary car-free village where boats serve as automobiles and wooden bridges connect thatched-roof cottages. Giethoorn offers a glimpse into pre-industrial Dutch life preserved in pristine condition.
The journey requires patience but rewards abundantly: Eurostar to Amsterdam, regional train to Steenwijk, then a scenic bus ride through typical Dutch countryside. This peaceful village feels worlds away from London’s urban intensity.
Rent a whisper-quiet electric boat to navigate narrow canals, photograph impossibly picturesque bridges, and enjoy traditional Dutch hospitality in centuries-old farmhouses. Giethoorn provides the perfect digital detox destination where nature sets the pace.
5. London to Bamberg, Germany
Smoke-flavored beer and UNESCO-protected medieval streets create an intoxicating combination in this Bavarian time capsule. Bamberg survived World War II intact, preserving over 1,000 years of architectural evolution in remarkable detail.
Your eight-hour adventure begins with Eurostar to Brussels, connects via high-speed ICE train to Frankfurt, then concludes with a regional train through Franconian countryside. Each connection brings you deeper into German culture.
Sample unique Rauchbier (smoked beer) in traditional breweries, climb to Michaelsberg Abbey for panoramic views, and wander through the largest intact old town in Germany. Bamberg’s seven hills each tell different stories of medieval prosperity and artistic achievement.
6. London to Český Krumlov, Czech Republic
A Renaissance castle looms over red-tiled rooftops while the Vltava River curves like a protective moat around this UNESCO medieval masterpiece. Český Krumlov survived centuries virtually unchanged, creating Europe’s most authentic time-travel experience.
This overnight adventure begins with Eurostar to Brussels, then aboard a comfortable night train to Prague, followed by scenic bus or train connections southward. The journey becomes part of the destination’s romantic appeal.
Explore the stunning castle complex, raft the gentle Vltava River, and lose yourself in narrow cobblestone alleys lined with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque buildings. Summer brings outdoor theater performances in the castle gardens, while winter wraps everything in magical snow.
7. London to Rüdesheim, Germany
Terraced vineyards cascade down to the legendary Rhine River, where medieval towers and wine taverns create Germany’s most romantic valley landscape. Rüdesheim embodies the Rhineland’s 2,000-year winemaking tradition in concentrated perfection.
Your seven-hour journey flows smoothly: Eurostar to Brussels, high-speed ICE connection to Cologne, then a scenic train ride along the Rhine’s most spectacular stretch. Watch castle-topped hills glide past your window.
Ride the cable car above endless vineyards, explore the famous Drosselgasse alley packed with traditional wine taverns, and cruise the Rhine past fairy-tale castles. Rüdesheim offers liquid history in every glass of Riesling, accompanied by centuries of German hospitality and river valley magic.
8. London to Trento, Italy
Renaissance palaces nestle between Alpine peaks in this sophisticated mountain city where Italian elegance meets Austrian Alpine culture. Trento serves as the perfect base for exploring the dramatic Dolomites without sacrificing urban refinement.
The eleven-hour journey showcases Europe’s diversity: sleek Eurostar to Paris, lightning-fast TGV to Milan, then northward through Italian lake country to this Alpine gem. Each segment reveals different European landscapes and cultures.
Admire frescoed Renaissance buildings in the historic center, ride cable cars to mountain peaks for Dolomites panoramas, and sample Alto Adige wines that reflect the region’s unique Italian-Austrian heritage. Trento combines cultural sophistication with outdoor adventure opportunities year-round.
9. London to Sintra, Portugal
Fairy-tale palaces crown misty hillsides where Portuguese royalty once escaped Lisbon’s summer heat. Sintra’s romantic architecture and mystical atmosphere inspired Lord Byron to call it a “glorious Eden” that continues enchanting modern visitors.
This epic 24-hour journey becomes an adventure itself: Eurostar to Paris, then Portugal’s comfortable overnight train to Lisbon, concluding with a short local train through pine forests to hilltop Sintra.
Marvel at the colorful Pena Palace perched impossibly on rocky peaks, explore the mysterious Quinta da Regaleira with its initiation wells, and wander through Sintra’s romantic town center. The journey’s length makes the magical destination feel even more special and remote.
10. London to Hallstatt, Austria
Pastel-colored houses reflect perfectly in a mirror-like Alpine lake while swans glide past centuries-old salt warehouses. Hallstatt represents Austria’s postcard-perfect village life, where every angle creates Instagram-worthy photography opportunities.
Your 14-hour journey requires patience but delivers extraordinary rewards: Eurostar to Brussels, ICE train to Salzburg through German countryside, then final connections through Austrian lake country to this lakeside jewel.
Explore ancient salt mines that created the town’s wealth, photograph the iconic lakeside church and cemetery, and take boat trips across pristine Hallstätter See. The village’s compact size means every corner reveals new photogenic vistas of Alpine perfection and traditional Austrian architecture.
11. London to Bruges, Belgium
Medieval spires pierce the sky above a network of romantic canals where horse-drawn carriages clip-clop over ancient cobblestones. Bruges preserved its 14th-century appearance so perfectly that the entire city center feels like a living museum.
The quickest route on this list takes just 3.5 hours: Eurostar to Brussels, then a swift connection to Belgium’s crown jewel. This proximity makes Bruges perfect for weekend escapes or longer European adventures.
Cruise peaceful canals past Gothic churches, climb the Belfry tower for panoramic views, and indulge in world-famous Belgian chocolates and beers. Bruges proves that some places live up to every tourist expectation while maintaining authentic charm and medieval atmosphere.
12. London to Zermatt, Switzerland
The iconic Matterhorn pyramid dominates the skyline of this car-free Alpine paradise where electric taxis replace automobiles and mountain air feels pure enough to bottle. Zermatt embodies Swiss perfection in every carefully maintained detail.
Your nine-hour scenic journey begins with Eurostar to Paris, continues via high-speed TGV to Lausanne, then aboard Switzerland’s famous mountain railways through increasingly dramatic Alpine landscapes to this elevated village.
Ride cogwheel trains to glacier viewpoints, hike flower-filled meadows with Matterhorn views, and experience traditional Swiss hospitality in cozy mountain restaurants. Winter brings world-class skiing, while summer offers hiking trails that showcase Switzerland’s legendary natural beauty and precision engineering.
13. London to Bergen, Norway
Fjords and mountains create one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys on the famous Bergen Railway, where Arctic landscapes unfold like scenes from Norse mythology. This epic adventure route rewards patient travelers with unforgettable experiences.
The ultimate 24-plus hour journey combines multiple transportation modes: Eurostar to Brussels, train connections to Copenhagen, overnight ferry to Oslo, then the legendary Bergen Railway through mountains, fjords, and tundra landscapes.
Experience the midnight sun or northern lights depending on season, ride one of Europe’s most scenic railways across the Hardangervidda plateau, and explore Bergen’s colorful Bryggen wharf district. This adventure route transforms travel into the primary destination rather than mere transportation.
