european rail trips

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Train & Rail Tours & Trips in Europe

Explore Europe with a train adventure that will take through world-renowned locations such as France (Paris), Italy (Rome, Venice and Florence) or the beautiful city of Prague. If you feel like going even further, Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) are a great choice. While you're in Europe, don't miss out on London and discover everything it can offer.

112 Train & Rail tour packages in Europe with 978 reviews

• Train & Rail
• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Berlin to Venice (15 Days) (including Salzburg)

• In-depth Cultural

Berlin to Rome

Overal a great experience, the guides ensure you have an authentic experience and take care of the difficult parts of traveling. It's a long trip and designed for those wanting to see much of central Europe in a short amount of time. I have taken away many good memories with the people I travelled with, and have formed a deeper understanding of western art, history and culture. Highly recommend.

Glacier Express & Porsche 911 Rail & Drive Experience

Mediterranean Express: Rivieras & Railroads

Hey is anyone going on the Mediterranean Express trip on 8th September, looking to get to know my fellow travellers a little before I arrive! :)

Paris to Barcelona: Tapas & Train Rides

Central Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

I have just been on the Central Europe trip, which was my first time solo travelling and joining a group. I can honestly say that this trip has been one of the best experiences of my life. It has been incredible to see Europe with the new friends I made in my group, who were all so lovely. Our leader Tom has also been amazing, and his knowledge and positivity while leading us through different cities to see as much as we could really helped to make the experience even better. I will definitely be recommending Euroventure to my friends, and hopefully I will be able to sign up for another tour in the future.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

European Romance

Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

Our tour guide was always on hand when we needed him. Everything was organised from getting us to each destination and getting our daily travel tickets. All the activities were great but the gondolas in Italy (venice) were my highlight! Richard was always on hand when we needed him from getting lost around places and being a phone call away in helping. It was a good way to meet people when a solo traveller and everything is done for you! 5/5!

Highlights of Europe (Classic, Summer, Start Amsterdam, End London, 13 Days)

Eco-Comfort - Tour Of Italy By Train

Overall the tour was very good, hotel very central, clean and some beautiful ones. I really loved Palazzo dal Borgo in Florence. Naples is the most beautiful town in Italy! a real surprise. We meet Claudia for the welcome briefing, she was very helpful and we were in touch with her by phone almost everyday. Thank you for your patience! My suggestion is not to buy the return transfer from Venice, there is a comfortable public boat connecting the center to the airport for £15.

• €50 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Contrasts of Switzerland (8 Days)

The tour was excellent. Our tour guide, Agnas, was excellent. She was very informative, sweet , and accomodating.

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice in 7 Days

We had so much fun on this tour. It's amazing how much we saw in just a week! We learned a lot about the cultures and different types of food and paintings/architecture which was really cool. Emma/Jean/Francesca were amazing guides :) Pros: - most of the time we were by ourselves to do whatever we want - the 2 of us were the only ones on the tour lol - really affordable - hostels were all good, people were all friendly - the tour guides were locals and really passionate about their city Cons: - the optional activities are expensive and they were booked early in the morning :/ - there is only 2 dinners included - our Rome guide didn't put in time for lunch, so we were very hungry and walking for 4 hours in the heat. We also didn't have time to go to St. Peter's Basilica :/ - we only had an afternoon in Venice Overall, it was really memorable and I would recommend it :)

Italy By Train

Overall what was on offer, was delivered. The hotels in Florence and La Spezia were hed out as 4 star, but e beieve they were at best 3 star. The hotel in One was advertised as 3 star and that was accurate.

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure + Cappadocia Extension

What people love about train & rail tours in europe.

Overal a great experience, the guides ensure you have an authentic experience and take care of the difficult parts of traveling. It's a long trip and designed for those wanting to see much of central Europe in a short amount of time. I have taken away many good memories with the people I travelled with, and have formed a deeper understanding of western art, history and culture. Highly recommend.

The highlight of our year so far! ? Me and my partner loved the Central Europe Tour ?(2 weeks), we would recommend it to ANYONE! And we would even suggest doing the Whole of Europe tour (4 weeks), as we could have easily carried on travelling with this company and the amazing people we met! ?The whole trip was thoroughly planned and so enjoyable! Such a stress free experience, especially for someone like myself who gets quite anxious when travelling - I would 100% do again!?? I met some incredible individuals, and the group planned activities were just what we needed to establish really strong bonds straight away! We have definitely made some lifelong friends and memories we will forever cherish! ??? The creation of the WhatsApp group chat with all our fellow travellers beforehand was so beneficial!? It broke the ice and put our minds at ease about the uncertainty of the upcoming trip ? And our guide Cristina ? - was brilliant, super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable - educating us all. She was available 24/7, and we had the pleasure of spending our last day in Venice with her! ??? She deserves a lot of credit for making all our experiences amazing and unforgettable! Thank you Cristina ?? We look forward to our future bookings with Euroventure! ??

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10 of the best train journeys in Europe, chosen by Lonely Planet

A new book on rail travel across the continent showcases gorgeous scenery, historic routes and adventures at a slower pace

R ailways in Europe are many things. With their grand stations, history and evocative destinations, they evoke a timelessness that is absent from the uniform experience of flying. In recent decades, high-speed services have complemented classic routes, while the demand for more climate-friendly travel has grown and new options have sprung up, including a recent wave of night trains.

Lonely Planet, which for nearly 50 years has championed a down-to-earth, connected style of travel, has produced a new Guide to Train Travel in Europe aimed at unlocking adventures by rail from any starting point on the continent. Here the authors pick fantastic journeys from the book.

Paris to Berlin – fast or slow

A well-established network of high-speed trains and a huge choice of slower options connects two of Europe’s great cities. A glorious three-country tour would allow you to head from Paris to Brussels, travelling on to Cologne via the space-age architecture of Liège-Guillemins station. Cologne’s cathedral is so close to the station you can hardly miss popping in before boarding an onward ICE German fast service to the capital, which takes less than five hours. To see more than the immediate surroundings of the station buildings in each city, book separate tickets for each leg at trainline.com , or add in a stop of a few hours or an overnight booking via Deutsche Bahn ( bahn.de ). A high-speed connection from Paris via Frankfurt is also possible.

Amsterdam to Vienna on the Nightjet

One of several recent additions to Europe’s sleeper train scene, the Nightjet service operated by Austrian Railways ( oebb.at ) departs every evening at 7pm or 7.30pm from Amsterdam. As you doze off, the train will trundle alongside the Rhine, passing Cologne and Koblenz, then continuing south-east through Germany and entering Austria at Passau. A 9.19am arrival in Vienna ensures time for a lie-in and breakfast. This train can easily be combined with the Eurostar service from London or a ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam , or from Harwich to Hoek van Holland .

Loop the loop in North Wales

Some of the world’s most beautiful narrow-gauge railways can be found in Wales and two of the best can be combined in a loop that takes in the mountains and coastal scenery of Snowdonia. Catch a service from Llandudno Junction – which has main line connections – down the Conwy valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog . Change for the celebrated Ffestiniog Railway , a distinctive steam-hauled service that winds 13 miles down to the coast at Porthmadog. Return via the sublime steam service of the Welsh Highland Railway under the summit of Snowdon to Caernarfon, where you can catch a bus to Bangor and main line services.

From Bastia to Ajaccio through the Corsican interior

The Chemins de Fer de la Corse ( Corsican Railways ) is a narrow-gauge railway centred on Ponte Leccia – from where three main lines head to Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi, all providing incredible views of beautiful and rugged terrain. The route linking Ajaccio and Bastia is the longest and most celebrated, taking three and a half hours, so is best done with an overnight stop, rather than attempted as a day trip. Corsica is well served by ferries from mainland France such as Toulon, Marseille and Nice, opening up a tempting train-and-ferry route from the UK.

Dublin to Madrid by train and ferry

It is possible to head from Dublin direct to mainland Europe. A largely single-track line skirts the Irish Sea heading south as far as Wicklow before veering inland and stopping in the appealing county town of Wexford, set on the estuary of the River Slaney. It’s a short hop along the tracks from there to the port of Rosslare for the twice-weekly ferries to Bilbao , which take about 30 hours. Then it’s a five-hour rail journey on to Madrid. Recommended stops take in Burgos’s treasured cathedral, the former Spanish capital of Valladolid and Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and Alcázar fortress.

Venice to Palermo – across the water in Italy

Heading from top to toe in Italy, this dramatic journey’s potential stopping points need no introduction. Fast Frecciarossa trains connect Venice to the gastronomic centre of Bologna in 90 minutes, with Florence 40 minutes down the line. An hour and a half further on you’re in Rome. From here the south of Italy opens up. For one of Europe’s most unusual rail experiences take a train service all the way to Sicily. At Villa San Giovanni in Calabria, you and your carriage board a dedicated ferry to Messina, in Sicily, from where the hectic fun of Palermo is a slow-rolling four and a half hours’ ride away along the coast. There are several daily intercity and night services that run from the mainland, via the ferry, through to the Sicilian capital including sleepers direct from Milan, Genoa and Pisa.

From coast to coast, via a mountain high – Oslo to Bergen

A contender for Europe’s best train trip, the Bergen Line ( Bergensbanen ) thunders past southern Norway’s mountains and lakes between Oslo and Bergen, reaching 1,222m at Finse station, where a snowball fight is generally on offer. The trip takes nearly seven hours, which passes quickly in a blur of incredible scenery on a comfortable intercity service. There’s scope to do a longer version of this route taking the Norway in a Nutshell tour, which includes the Flåm Railway – possibly the world’s most scenic branch line – and a boat journey through Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord.

Paris to Barcelona on the slow train

These cities are linked by a fast train , but there’s a leisurely route south through France to the Pyrenees via Limoges, Toulouse and through magnificent rural and mountain scenery to Latour-de-Carol. While it’s possible to reach Latour-de-Carol by direct night train from Paris, you would miss the slowly unfolding views you can enjoy when doing this journey in daylight. From Latour-de-Carol a commuter line runs all the way to Barcelona and takes just over three hours. Possible stops along the way include fortified Ribes de Freser and Ripoll, home to an ancient monastery and a good starting point for hiking trails.

Budapest to Split on a sleeper

During the summer there’s a tempting night service between Hungary’s capital and the Adriatic. In recent years the train has left Budapest at midnight, getting into Split after lunch. En route it passes the Hungarian holiday playground of Lake Balaton and Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Once on the Adriatic coast, buses head south to Dubrovnik, while ferries and catamarans radiate out to nearby islands.

Locarno to Domodossola through the Swiss Alps

Pretty much any journey in Switzerland promises jaw-dropping scenery, and on several routes trains run slowly specifically to show off the mountains, rivers and lakes that can be seen from the window. Travelling between Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola in the Piedmont region of Italy, the Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) Railway is a short but scenic service past 52km of waterfalls, chestnut groves, church-topped villages, deep ravines and vineyards. Highlights include the Isorno Bridge near the village of Intragna and Intragna’s gorge.

These routes, plus tips on rail travel, are featured in Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe by Tom Hall, Imogen Hall and Oliver Smith (£19.99), available at shop.lonelyplanet.com

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Luxury European Train Tours & Luxury Train Vacations Europe

Luxury european train holiday destinations & places.

Our range of luxury train tours in Europe lets you explore this fascinating continent in comfort and style. The slow pace of luxury rail travel in Europe gives you time to see the countries you pass through rather than just the tourist sites, and we think there is nothing like European luxury train vacations as a way to travel in Europe. Most luxury European train holidays focus on East and Central Europe, including the Balkans. Spain and Portugal also have luxury trains in Europe. Below you can browse all the destinations visited by our luxury train trips in Europe. Under each destination, you can view the luxury European train tours that visit each destination.

Luxury train holidays in Europe visit the well-known sites but also pass through places that are less visited and can make short stops to visit these places that regular luxury rail tours to Europe might miss. As the luxury sleeper trains in Europe act as a hotel on wheels, there is no need to pack and unpack, and the European luxury train trips allow for short visits to many places. This gives the passenger a more rounded experience of the countries they pass through. Taking a luxury train through Europe is a rewarding and relaxing way to travel with like-minded people.

Luxury Rail Tours In Europe

Just click on any of the tours listed below to open up or download a PDF file with the tour’s full details including dates and pricing.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

7 Nights from UK £ 14,295 / US$ 17,595 / € 16,195

Contact us for a quote in other currencies

France ● Switzerland ● Austria ● Slovenia ● Serbia ● Bulgaria ● Turkey

Turkey ● Bulgaria ● Serbia ● Slovenia ● Austria ● Switzerland ● France

11 Nights from UK £ 14,795 / US$ 18,495 / € 16,795

Venice ● Trieste ● Ljubljana ● Sarajevo ● Mostar ● Dubrovnik ● Belgrade ● Skopje ● Sofia ● Plovdiv ● Istanbul

Venice ● Trieste ● Ljubljana ● Sarajevo ● Mostar ● Belgrade ● Bar ● Podgorica ● Skopje ● Sofia ● Plovdiv ● Istanbul

6 Nights From UK £ 8,995 / US $ 11,195 / € 10,195

Istanbul ● Veliko Tarnovo ● Sinaia ● Brasov ● Sighisoara ● Sibiu ● Kecskemet ● Lajosmizse ● Budapest

10 Nights From UK £ 13,695 / US $ 17,095 / € 15,495

Budapest ● Vienna ● Lake Achen ● Innsbruck ● Zürich ● Lake Como ● Milan ● Verona ● Trieste ● Lake Bled ● Ljubljana ● Venice

Budapest ● Vienna ● Semmering Pass ● Lake Achen ● Innsbruck ● Zurich ● St Gotthard Pass ● Lake Como ● Verona ● Trieste ● Lake Bled ● Ljubljana ● Postojna ● Venice

7 Nights From UK £ 9,395 / US $ 11,795 / € 10,695

Budapest ● Keszthely ● Tapolca ● Sopron ● Eger ● Lillafured ● Aggtelek ● Hortobagy National Park ● Tokaj ● Opusztaszer ● Szeged ● Budapest

5 Nights from UK £ 6,210 / US$ 7,590 pp

Contact us for quotes in other currencies

Epernay ● Reims ● Beaune ● Annecy ● Avignon ● Les Alpilles ● Arcachon ● Saint-Emilion ● Chenonceau ● Puy Du Fou

7 Nights From UK £ 7,995 / US $ 9,995 / € 9,095

A festive journey westbound across Europe from Budapest to Munich via Vienna & Salzburg

A festive journey eastbound across Europe from Munich to Budapest via Salzburg & Vienna

11 Nights From UK £ 14,795 / US $ 18,495 / € 16,795

Budapest ● Krakow ● Warsaw ● Malbork ● Gdansk ● Berlin ● Dresden ● Prague ● Salzburg ● Vienna

8 Nights From UK £ 11,195 / US $ 13,995 / € 12,695

Budapest ● Keszthely ● Graz ● Vienna ● Cesky Krumlov ● Prague ● Kosice ● Budapest

2 Nights From UK £ 4,400 per person

Travel straight into the heart of the Scottish Highlands, visiting enchanting sites of natural beauty and making the most of the thrilling outdoor activities

3 Nights From UK £ 6,400 per person

Explore the rugged landscapes of the West coast of Scotland

Embark on a captivating journey through Scotland’s untamed beauty.

4 Nights From UK £ 8,300 per person

Discover the wild wonders and picturesque scenery that Scotland has to offer

4 Nights From UK £ 8,900 per person

Dive into Scotland’s finest estates with untold stories and guided tours

Embark on an adventure with the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, our partner for this unique journey through Scotland

5 Nights From UK £11,200 per person

Discover Scotland through the ages with unique sceneries and intriguing experiences

5 Nights From UK £ 10,400 per person

Be spirited away as you retrace part of the famed West Highland Line

A combination of the traditional Highland and scenic Western journeys

7 Nights From UK £ 14,700 per person

Explore the many wonders of the Scottish Highlands at a leisurely pace

Head West and explore the many wonders of the Scottish Highlands at a leisurely pace

9 Nights From UK £ 8,690 / US $ 11,830

Santiago De Compostela ● Ourense ● León ● Ávila ● Toledo ● Córdoba ● Seville

6 Nights From Euro 5,600 per person

Málaga ● Granada ● Úbeda ● Baeza ● Córdoba ● Ronda ● Jerez De La Frontera ● Cádiz ● Seville

Seville ● Cádiz ● Jerez De La Frontera ● Ronda ● Córdoba ● Baeza ● Úbeda ● Granada ● Málaga

7 Nights From Euro 8,900 Per Person

Santiago De Compostela ● Viveiro ● Ribadeo ● Luarca ● Gijon ● Oviedo ● Llanes ● Santillana Del Mar ● Cabezon De La Sal ● Potes ● Santander ● Carranza ● Bilbao ● San Sebastian

7 Nights From Euro 8,900 per person

San Sebastian ● Bilbao ● Carranza ● Santander ● Potes ● Cabezon De La Sal ● Santillana Del Mar ● Llanes ● Oviedo ● Gijon ● Luarca ● Ribadeo ● Viveiro ● Santiago De Compostela

13 NIGHTS FROM £ 18,295 / US$ 24,695

BASEL ● ST MORITZ ● TIRANO (ITALY) ● ANDERMATT ● ZERMATT ● BERN ● INTERLAKEN (JUNGFRAU REGION) ● LAKE COMO (ITALY) ● PILATUS KULM ● ZURICH

Luxurious Train Rides Europe: Austria

Austria has some of the best mix of scenery and cities in Europe and is a popular destination for European luxury train travel. It has a well-developed and beautifully engineered rail network making luxury rail holidays in Europe reliable and exhilarating with routes through places like the Semmering pass. Vienna and Salzburg are the most popular cities visited in Austria visited on our luxury European train tours. Click on the European luxury train vacations below each Austrian destination for full details.

The Capital of Austria and the former Habsburg Empire is a city with a rich culture and some superb imperial architecture.

The birthplace of Mozart and, of course, setting for the Sound of Music, beautiful Salzburg is a centre of culture in Austria.

Semmering Pass

This rail pass connects Lower Austria and Styria. The Semmering Railway built from 1848–54 was the first mountain railway in the world.

Lake Achen is a beautiful alpine lake with stunning clear turquoise waters and a popular area for water sports and hiking.

Located close to both Germany and Italy Innsbruck is famed as a ski resort but also has many historical buildings in the centre of the city.

New Year in Vienna is a magical time of festivities and often snow. It is also famed for the classical Vienna New Year concert.

European Luxury Train Vacations: Bosnia Herzegovina

Bosnia Herzegovina is a relative newcomer on luxury train rides in Europe itineraries and is a country that would often be overlooked. The beauty of a luxury train across Europe is that it can pass through these less visited places and take in the better-known destinations. Sarajevo and Mostar are the most popular places visited on these luxury European train holidays, and both these destinations have recovered well from the war in the 1990s.

Sarajevo is the capital of Bosnia and known for its diversity of Christian Roman Catholic, Orthodox and the Muslim Ottoman.

Still shaking off its damage from the war in the 1990s the city is famous for its beautiful stone bridge which was rebuilt in 2004.

Luxury European Train Tours: Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located at a key point geographically between Europe and the near Orient and so features in quite a lot of luxury train vacations in Europe. The country has much to see and a good rail network for the European luxury train to use. Bulgaria has a long history and has been a pivotal country between Turkey and the rest of Europe. The main cities visited on luxury rail holidays in Europe are the coital of Sofia and the culturally rich cities of Veliko Tarnovo and Plovid.

Plovdiv is one of the oldest cities in Europe located on a large plain between the Rhodope Mountains and Balkan Range (Old Mountains).

Bulgaria’s capital is a dynamic place to visit with an architectural mix of Communist, Orthodox and European buildings.

Veliko Tarnovo

Veliko Turnovo was the capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire and is culturally rich in museums and historical sites.

Luxury Train Travel Europe: Croatia

Croatia is a Balkan country with a long and beautiful coastline. Its rail network is not as extensive as other Balkan countries. Still, it more than makes up for this with some outstanding destinations, not least Dubrovnik, making it a popular place to visit for luxury rail journeys in Europe. As well as Dubrovnik, other cities visited are Zagreb and Rijeka. Overall, Croatia is a welcome stop for luxury trains in Europe.

Zagreb’s chief attraction is the medieval ‘old city’ with architecture and cobbled streets reminiscent of Vienna, Budapest and Prague.

Rijeka is the main seaport of Croatia, located on Kvarner Bay, an inlet of the Adriatic Sea. It is compact and walkable city.

Once rivalling Venice, beautiful Dubrovnik is an UNESCO World Heritage city on the Adriatic Sea coast in the south of Croatia.

Luxury European Train Holidays: Czech Republic

The Czech Republic has one of Europe’s most famous cities, Prague, which is a must-see and featured on several luxury train journeys in Europe. The country has long been a stalwart for European tourism in the heart of Central and East Europe and has a well-developed train network. As well as the much-visited Prague, the luxury European train holiday also visits Cesky Krumlov, which has just as beautiful architecture as Prague but is far less well known.

CZECH REPUBLIC

Prague is one of the largest cities in Central Europe and has served as the capital of the historic region of Bohemia for centuries.

Cesky Krumlov

Český Krumlov is a beautiful town little changed over centuries full of Baroque buildings and with a castle and old-town square.

Experience Luxury Train Travel: France

Taking a luxury train in France offers an unparalleled travel experience, combining the romance of rail travel with opulent comfort. The journey itself becomes a highlight, not just a means to reach a destination. Luxury trains, like Le Grand Tour, provide sumptuous accommodations and fine dining, allowing travellers to relax in a refined ambiance reminiscent of a bygone era. The scenic routes traverse through France’s breathtaking landscapes, offering views of picturesque villages, vineyards, and historical sites, often inaccessible by other means of transport. It’s an immersive cultural experience, where travellers can enjoy French cuisine and wines while mingling with an international clientele. This mode of travel appeals to those seeking a leisurely pace, luxury, and a unique way to explore France’s rich heritage and stunning geography.

Enchanting lakeside gem with medieval charm, vibrant markets, and stunning Alpine vistas—a serene and picturesque fairy-tale escape.

A captivating seaside retreat boasting pristine beaches, renowned oyster farms, and the majestic Dune du Pilat.

Step into history with its majestic Papal Palace, vibrant cultural scene, and the iconic Pont Saint-Bénézet

Immerse in Burgundy’s heart, famed for world-class wines, historic Hospices de Beaune, and charming medieval architecture.

The Champagne capital, offering exquisite tastings, grand vineyards, and miles of underground cellars to explore.

A sensory delight with lavender fields, sun-drenched vineyards, ancient villages, and a deeply rich cultural heritage.

A historic city renowned for its magnificent cathedral, Champagne houses, and a rich tapestry of French heritage.

Luxury European Train Tour: Hungary

Hungary is a pivotal country in East Europe with an extensive and well-developed train network providing one of the best luxury train vacations Europe offers, fascinating cities and beautiful scenery. Some of the most luxurious train rides in Europe tour this country extensively to take advantage of this. The capital of Budapest is actually two cities Buda and Pest which are divided by the river. This city has some impressive architecture. The rest of the country has many towns and sights worth visiting on your luxury European train tour, and the nature of luxury train rides in Europe means that short stops can be made throughout your European luxury train trip.

Aggtelek is famous for its karst caves with the highlight being the Giants’ Hall 125 meters long, 55 meters wide and 30 meters high.

The capital of Hungary is a vibrant city noted for its classical music scene and nightlife as well as thermal baths and architecture.

Debrecen is the second largest city in Hungary and a centre for Hungarian Protestantism as well as a large science university.

Eger is known for its castle, thermal baths, baroque buildings, the northernmost Ottoman minaret, cuisine and red wines.

Hollókő is a preserved traditional settlement and a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a good way to understand local culture.

The Hortobagy National Park is in the Hungarian plain in the eastern part of the country known for it’s wildlife and traditional culture.

The city is well known for its secessionist architecture, museums, and for being the birthplace of composer Zoltan Kodály.

Located at the southern tip of lake Balaton the town is 750 years old. Gothic, baroque and Transylvanian architecture abounds.

Lajosmizse is a town in Bács-Kiskun county. It is located at the end of a railway line from Budapest and has a museum of folk culture.

Lillafüred close to Lake Hamori is a beautiful small town built as a holiday resort and centred around the Place Hotel and gardens.

Opusztaszer

The Ópusztaszer National Heritage Park is an open-air museum of Hungarian history most famous for the Feszty Panorama.

Sopron is a pleasant town very close to the border with Austria with winding streets and history dating back to medieval times.

Szeged is the third-largest city in Hungary known or the cathedral and a wealth of Art Nouveau buildings, and for the fish soup Halászlé.

Tapolca is known for its cave system as well as the beautiful Mill Pond. Due to the limestone karsts of this area the water is very pure.

Tokaj is a famous wine growing region dating back nearly 1,000 years and the main square of the town even has a the Bacchus fountain.

European Luxury Train Vacation: Italy

From a tourism perspective, Italy needs little introduction. The country has been seducing travellers for centuries. It is relatively less well known though, for its trains aside from being the endpoint of the Orient Express, the crème de la crème of luxury train travel in Europe. The rail network in Northern Italy is extensive; this is where the luxury train travel through Europe focuses on. Who wouldn’t want to take a European luxury train trip that visits such stunning places as Venice, Milan and Lake Como. Under each destination, you can explore the European luxury train vacation options for Italy below.

Beautiful lake in Lombardy surrounded by mountains. There are numerous pretty towns and villages around the shore.

Milan is famous for fashion and shopping and has some beautiful architecture as well as the famous La Scala opera house.

Once a very influential and powerful centre of politics, literature, music, art and culture under Austrian-Hungarian dominion.

Venice needs little introduction. Its sheer wealth of architecture and unique cancel system make it one of the world’s most visited cities.

Verona is rich in history with an abundance of Roman roots still evident today along with world class art and architecture – and gelato!

Luxury European Train Tour: Montenegro

Tiny Montenegro only takes a few hours to cross, but this is not a problem for luxury train trips in Europe which can fit this mountainous country in on their schedules before railing on to the following country. Luxury European train tours visit the dramatically located coastal town of Bar and the capital of Podgorica before continuing to explore the rest of the Balkans.

The capital of Montenegro is an interesting mix of old and new, Mediterranean and Balkan and is known for its cafe culture.

Bar has a wonderful setting on the coast backed by steep cliffs and mountains. Close by are the striking ruins of Stari Bar.

European Luxury Train Vacations: North Macedonia

Macedonia is another small Balkan country that most tourists would overlook. However, your “luxury interrailing Europe” trip can fit into their schedules as they do not need to overnight in hotels with the train acting as a hotel on wheels. This allows your European luxury train vacation to offer a short visit to fascinating Skopje, which features son several of Golden Eagle’s Danube Express train tours, including the very popular Venice to Istanbul route – one of the great luxury train rides in Europe.

NORTH MACEDONIA

Skopje is an old city with Ottoman and Byzantine era sights. The Tvrdina Kale Fortress has guarded the city since the 5th century.

Luxury Train Tours Europe: Poland

Most luxury sleeper trains in Europe focus on the southern part of East and Central Europe, but the southern Polish city of Krakow does make it into some of these itineraries, and rightly so. Krakow is one of Europe’s architectural masterpieces and is well worth a visit on any fancy train rides in Europe.

This former capital of Poland has plenty of medieval architecture which combines with a more youthful student population and culture.

Luxury Rail Tours in Southern Europe: Portugal

Opting for a luxury train journey in Portugal offers an unforgettable experience that blends the charm of vintage travel with modern indulgence. As you traverse through Portugal’s stunning landscapes, you’re treated to a visual feast of rolling vineyards, historic towns, and dramatic coastlines. Onboard, experience unparalleled comfort, exquisite dining featuring Portuguese cuisine, and impeccable service. It’s more than just travel; it’s about embracing the slower pace and elegance of a bygone era, while exploring Portugal’s rich cultural tapestry and scenic beauty in a uniquely luxurious setting.

Luxury European Train Holidays: Romania

Like neighbouring Bulgaria and Hungary, Romania is a popular destination for the most luxurious trains in Europe. This enigmatic country has a long history and spectacular scenery to enjoy on your luxury European train holiday. The fantastically named Danube Express train tour “Castles of Transylvania” encompasses a range of places, including Sighişoara and Bran and Râșnov, which are all tied up with the legend of Vlad the Impaler, whose bloodthirsty history inspired Bran Stoker’s Dracula!

A city of gothic spires, Brasov is the base to visit the castles in Bran and Râșnov and listen to stories about Vlad to Impaler!

Cluj Napoca

Recently ‘discovered’ by tourists Cluj has a vigorous mix of galleries, gardens, cafes, Gothic Churches and medieval towers.

Sibiu has a mix of big architecture and bohemian flair and this city has long been a cultural destination in Romania.

The alleged birth place of Vlad Ţepeş (the Impaler), Sighişoara is a beautiful town full of narrow lanes and medieval architecture.

Located in a dramatic valley the town is visited by hikers in summer and skiers in winter and also for the chief attraction of Peleş Castle.

This large city has an attractive layout of squares and gardens as well as a good range of restaurants and museums.

European Luxury Train Travel: Serbia

Offering some of the best luxury train tours Europe offers, Serbia is a pivotal rail junction in the Balkans and a stop for many of the most luxurious trains in Europe. A landlocked country in the Balkans, Serbia came into being out of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990s.

Located where the Sava and Danube Rivers meet Belgrade is where the old world meets the new in this forward looking city.

Sargan Vitasi

This place is all about trains and the unusual narrow gauge railway that ran from Sarajevo to Belgrade with the section here restored.

Luxury Rail Holidays In Europe: Slovakia

Slovakia is a landlocked and mountainous country in Central Europe with beautiful cities and incredible natural sights. Slovakia can be visited on the Central European Classics and New Year In Vienna luxury train rides in Europe. The old town of Kosicce is a highlight, as well as Poprad, known as the gateway to the High Tatra mountains.

The old town is the attraction of this city with the greatest collection of Gothic towers, medieval bastions and baroque sculpture in Slovakia.

Poprad is a known as the Gateway to the stunning scenery of the High Tatras and this town makes for a good place to base and explore.

Luxury Train Travel Europe: Slovenia

Slovenia lies in South-Central Europe in the Julian Alps at the northern end of the Adriatic Sea, bordered by Austria to the north and Italy to the west. The country is a stalwart of the best luxury rail travel Europe offers. Slovenia can be visited on the Grand Alpine Express, Venice to Istanbul luxury European train holidays.

Picture perfect and very popular Lake Bled is surrounded by the highest peaks of the Julian Alps and attractive churches and castles.

Slovenia’s capital green and liveable with a pedestrianised centre and fine architecture and bridges crossing the Ljubljanica River.

The Postojna Cave system is the thing to see here. Visitors can walk along 5km of the total 24 km of tunnels full of formations.

Luxury Train Holidays Europe: Spain

The Mediterranean country of Spain needs little introduction and is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations for its stunning history, cities and culture. Lesser known is its extensive rail network used by luxury overnight trains in Europe. Spain can be visited on the Al Andalus luxury train tours of Europe, visiting Santiago to Seville and the Portuguese capital of Lisbon to Barcelona. More details can be found below.

The old city walls consist of 8 huge gates, 88 watchtowers and 2500 turrets, is one of the best-preserved medieval in Spain.

Discover timeless beauty in its well-preserved medieval quarter, historic monuments, and a rich blend of cultural influences.

Home to some extraordinary islamic architecture, not least the Mezquita, this city also is quintessential Spain and not to be missed.

Leon’s cathedral is one of Spain’s most impressive and largest and at night this city comes alive with bars and restaurants.

Experience the pulsating heart of Spain with world-renowned museums, lively plazas, and an unrivalled culinary scene.

Ourense is known for its hot springs and thermal waters as well as its 12th-century Cathedral and Roman era bridge, the Ponte Romana.

Santiago de Compostela

The final stop on the famed pilgrimage trail of the same name 300,000 pilgrims still walk here to visit the cathedral each year.

Seville is one of Spains most impressive and pleasant cities with grand architecture and an Andalusian culture of food and drink.

Toledo is dramatically sited atop a gorge overlooking the Río Tajo, it was known as the ‘city of three cultures’ in the Middle Ages.

A harmonious blend of futuristic architecture, lush gardens, vibrant festivals, and a rich, historic Old Town.

Luxury Rail Journeys Europe: Switzerland

Landlocked Switzerland offers unique luxury rail journeys in Europe with stunning mountainous scenery and cities and towns rich in a culture influenced by the surrounding countries, including Italy, France, Germany and Austria. Swiss rail is famous for its punctuality and breathtaking engineering feats over mountain passes. Although there are few luxury night train Europe rail tours, the trip does use luxury rolling stock for day trips with nights spent in hotels. Switzerland can be visited on the Grand Alpine Express and Swiss Rail Spectacular tours, making them great luxury European train holidays to be remembered.

SWITZERLAND

Andermatt is a village in the Ursern Valley in the Swiss Alps. The train station is on the route network of the Matterhorn Gotthard Bahn.

Located astride the mighty Rhine river the city is popular for it’s wealth of galleries, museums and iconic buildings.

Switzerland’s capital has a beautiful listed old town of cobbled streets with 6km of covered arcades, cellar shops and bars.

A traditional village overlooking the lake of the same name, this is the quintessential Alpine setting among forests and mountains.

The steep Furka Pass at 2,431m) offers superb views and a memorable train ride during the summer months when the pass is snow free.

The Jungfrau, at 4,158 meters is one of the main summits of the Bernese Alps. From here the views across the Alps are stunning.

Popular with the likes of Goethe, Queen Victoria and Wagner Lucerne is as charming today as in the 19th Century and not to be missed.

Reichenbach Falls

The Reichenbach Falls (of Sherlock Holmes fame) drop over a total height of about 250 metres and are reached by a funicular train.

St Gotthard Pass

The St Gotthard Pass at 2,106 m (6,909 ft) is a mountain pass for road and rail connecting northern with southern Switzerland.

The ultimate Swiss winter resort loved by celebrities and the well-heeled alike. Year round the beautiful lake and scenery can be enjoyed.

Vitznau lies in an idyllic bay of Lake Lucerne at the foot of the Rigi making time well spent to explore the lake and the mountain area.

Zermatt lies at the foot of the famous Matterhorn. The town has preserved its original character and is a car free zone.

The lakeside city of Zürich has the classic Swiss old town (Altstadt) and plenty of bars, art galleries and shopping opportunities.

Luxury Train Journeys Europe: Turkey

Turkey is a country full of wonder and history that straddles Europe and the near Orient and has long been a place of fascination for tourists. Some of the best luxury trains in Europe start of finish in Istanbul, and Turkey can be visited on the Balkan Explorer, Castles of Transylvania, Venice to Istanbul tours.

Istanbul is one of the world’s great cities sitting on the strategic Bosphorus with a skyline that speaks of its long history.

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Our luxury train rides in Europe cover a wide range of destinations from the Iberian Peninsular to the East, Central Europe and the Balkans. Above you will see all the luxury European train holiday destinations covered by our luxury European train tours, and each destination has the tours that visit it below.

How Much Do Luxury Sleeper Trains In Europe Cost?

The luxury train Europe price depends on both the trip chosen and the class of cabin you require. You can find all pricing by clicking on any luxury European train tour above, which will open up the European luxury train trip dossier, which contains pricing, dates, details of the itinerary and cabin classes available for that train. There is a lot of information, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us about the European luxury train vacations you are interested in.

What Is The Most Luxurious Train In Europe?

It is often said that the most luxurious train in Europe must be the Orient Express which travels from London to Venice. However, this is a short train trip, and we recommend booking that as a means to get to Venice and start another European luxury train tour on a train like the Danube Express operated by Golden Eagle. These luxury train trips in Europe are much more extensive and complement the Orient Express. We mustn’t forget the luxury trains in Portugal and Spain known as the Al Andalus which we like for its old work decor – to some these could be the most luxurious trains in Europe.

Why Book A European Luxury Train Trip With theluxurytraintravelcompany.com?

We have been offering luxury train vacations in Europe for many years. Our experience in dealing with Luxury Train travel companies and operators allows us to point you towards the best luxury train travel Europe offers. Price, cabin class and route are all important decisions, and we have vast experience and good connections with the luxury rail operators to secure the highly sought-after cabins. We are delighted to assist you in booking your European luxury train and experiencing the best possible luxury train vacation in Europe.

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Destinations

Club eurostar, eurostar travel classes, lounge access, eurostar recapped.

Eurostar offers high-speed train travel between the U.K., Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Germany. Its trains can reach 186 mph, which means a train from London to Paris takes only 2 hours and 16 minutes. Eurostar merged with Thalys — another European high-speed train company — in 2023.

Taking a Eurostar train between these five countries can be more seamless than flying because you get a solid baggage allowance and don’t need to deal with airports, liquid restrictions in your carry-on and long security lines.

Here’s what you need to know about Eurostar’s destinations, cabin classes, lounges, loyalty program, amenities and pricing.

Eurostar offers direct train service to London, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam and Rotterdam, Netherlands. For all other destinations, you must connect to a different train, potentially with another carrier.

The fastest train journeys are the following:

Paris to Brussels - 1 hour, 22 minutes.

London to Lille, France - 1 hour, 22 minutes.

London to Brussels - 1 hour, 53 minutes.

Brussels to Amsterdam - 1 hour, 53 minutes.

London to Paris - 2 hours, 16 minutes.

London to Rotterdam - 3 hours, 13 minutes.

Paris to Amsterdam - 3 hours, 20 minutes.

Paris to Cologne - 3 hours, 20 minutes.

London to Amsterdam - 3 hours, 52 minutes.

Depending on where you’re headed, taking the train may take less total time than flying. For example, the train from London to Paris takes 2 hours and 16 minutes, while a flight takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. Though the train takes almost an hour longer, other factors involved with flying, including early airport arrival, travel time to/from the airport, security and boarding, make the train the faster option.

The Eurostar operates out of St. Pancras International Station, located in central London and easily accessible by several tube (underground) lines and buses. By contrast, London’s main airports, Heathrow Airport and London Gatwick Airport, are located outside the city and can take an hour or more to get to depending on where you’re traveling from and your mode of transport.

Furthermore, Eurostar’s rules are arguably more traveler-friendly than those of airlines. On even the cheapest tickets, Eurostar allows adults to bring two pieces of luggage and one carry-on with no weight limit. Children can bring one piece of luggage and one carry-on.

You also don’t have to worry about paying for a seat or dealing with liquid restrictions. You can make fee-free changes to your ticket as many times as you like until seven days before departure. Ticket changes within seven days of departure incur a $40 fee unless you’re in Business Premier.

Club Eurostar is Eurostoar’s loyalty program and you can sign up for a free account to start earning points. You earn 1 point per $1 spent on Eurostar tickets. Train + hotel packages also earn points, albeit at a lower rate (1 point per $2).

Eurostar has four membership levels, and with each increasing level you earn more points on travel and get access to additional perks.

All levels can pool points with friends and family, use points to pay a portion of their tickets and upgrade their seats from Standard to Standard Premier/Comfort. If you’re going for elite status with Eurostar, the biggest advantages are companion vouchers, lounge access and priority benefits when traveling.

Rewards can be used for as low as 100 points on various experiences from free tickets to upgrades.

Standard cabin on the train from Amsterdam to Brussels. (Photo by Elina Geller)

Eurostar offers different travel classes, and these travel classes vary by destination. All trains offer Wi-Fi, but in my experience, the Wi-Fi has been awful, with upload and download speeds of less than 1 Mbps.

Trains to/from London

A Eurostar train to/from London offers three travel classes: Standard, Standard Premier and Business Premier. All seats offer U.K. and EU plug sockets. You can also choose your seat when traveling on this route.

Standard: This travel class offers the lowest priced tickets and food and drinks are available for purchase.

Standard Premier: You get free magazines and a more spacious seat, along with a light meal and drinks.

Business Premier: You get the same seat as in Standard Premier, plus additional perks including three pieces of luggage, a carry-on, hot meals created by Raymond Blanc OBE served with champagne, free newspapers and magazines and a dedicated fast-track ticket gate. You also get access to Eurostar lounges and NS International lounges.

Trains between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany

Premium seats on the train from Brussels to Amsterdam. (Photo by Elina Geller)

When traveling between Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Germany, there are three travel classes: Standard, Comfort and Premium. All seats include EU plug sockets.

You also have access to Eurostar’s taxi booking service, which allows you to arrange transport to/from the train station. Unfortunately you cannot choose your seat when traveling between these destinations.

Standard : This travel class has the cheapest tickets. Food and drinks are not included but can be purchased onboard.

Comfort : You get a more spacious seat, but still need to pay for food and drinks. Comfort seats have access to premium Wi-Fi, but I found that Wi-Fi to be just as slow as in Standard class.

Premium : You have the same seat as in Comfort class and some additional perks including a gourmet cold meal served at your seat, access to Eurostar lounges and NS International lounges. 

The Eurostar amenities you receive depend on which class you travel in. You receive a complimentary meal in Premium, Standard Premier or Business Premier. Those in Business Premier (only available on London routes) receive three-course meals created in collaboration with Michelin-star chef Raymond Blanc OBE. Passengers in Premium get a meal designed by Belgian chef Frank Fol.

Passengers in other travel classes don’t receive a complimentary meal but can purchase drinks or snacks from the Eurostar Cafe.

Eurostar lounge in Brussels. (Photo by Elina Geller)

Travelers in Premium can visit the Eurostar lounge in Paris and Brussels, and NS International lounges in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Those traveling in Business Premier can use the lounge in London, Paris and Brussels.

Club Eurostar elites traveling on any fare class can access certain lounges depending on their elite status:

Avantage, Carte Blanche and Etoile members : Eurostar lounge in Brussels and Paris.

Carte Blanche and Etoile members : Eurostar lounge in London, Paris and Brussels; DB lounges in Cologne, Düsseldorf and Essen; NS International lounges in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Schiphol airport; Railteam lounges in France, Belgium, Switzerland and Austria.

Check each lounge’s information page for opening hours. Generally, you can expect to find various seating spaces, complimentary newspapers and magazines, free Wi-Fi as well as food and drinks to enjoy.

Eurostar allows you to book tickets up to 120 days in advance, and the sooner you book the better. You’ll generally find the cheapest tickets on Tuesday and Wednesday. Since you can change your ticket fee-free as many times as you want until seven days before departure, you might as well book as soon as possible.

There are also special or discounted fares for the following groups:

Children under age 4

Kids ages 4-11

Passengers under 26 or over 60

Travelers in a group

Wheelchair passengers and companions

The availability of discounts depends on your destination, so you’ll want to check Eurostar’s page for guidance.

If you have a credit card that earns travel rewards, you’ll want to use it for this purchase since trains are part of the travel category. Here’s a sampling of cards that earn extra rewards for travel and don’t charge foreign transaction fees.

on Chase's website

• 2 points per $1 spent on travel, including train travel.

• 3 points per $1 spent on travel, including train travel.

• 2 miles per $1 on every purchase.

• 3 points per $1 on transit, including train travel.

Terms apply.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

Earn 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

You can pay in U.S. dollars when buying Eurostar tickets online. However, if you plan to buy anything on board the train, and you’ll be in Europe anyways, you’ll want to use a card that waives foreign transaction fees .

» Learn more: Best travel credit cards

Is it cheaper to fly or take Eurostar?

The answer to this question depends on how far in advance you purchase your ticket, your day of travel, whether you need to pay for luggage, and the difference in costs between traveling to the airport and to a Eurostar train station.

Here’s a sampling of Eurostar fares in September 2024 from London to Paris.

Here’s a selection of flights from London to Paris on the same day.

Although the cheapest flight is $13 less than the train, bag fees are not included in that price. And since Eurostar stations are generally more centrally located, your overall cost may be cheaper on the train after factoring in a rideshare or taxi to the airport.

Eurostar offers a convenient way to travel between the U.K., Belgium, Netherlands, France and Germany. If you’re deciding whether to fly or take a Eurostar, factor in the cost, travel time (including the time spent getting to and from the airport, as well as the time spent at the airport) and how many bags you're bringing as part of your decision.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Matador Original Series

This Map Shows How Far You Can Travel Europe by Train in 8 Hours or Less

T here’s plenty to say about riding the train being a better way to travel than flying, especially in Europe: It’s more convenient, it’s more comfortable, there’s no luggage restriction, there’s no security line, it’s better for the planet , etc. One aspect of train travel that worries travelers, however, is how long it takes to get from one place to another. While some train routes, like the Eurostar between London and Amsterdam , or the high-speed train that runs between Paris to Zurich , are just as fast as flying, riding the rails can sometimes be slow.

Pressed-for-time travelers who like to plan their train trips well ahead, as well as those who fancy spontaneous day trips to unknown destinations, can make good use of Chronotrains’ fantastic interactive map which shows how far you can travel in eight hours or less by train anywhere in Europe. By just hovering your mouse above a point on the website’s isochrone map, you can see the areas you can visit by train within a certain time period, with one hour being the minimum and eight hours being the maximum.

Once you’ve chosen your point of departure, you can zoom in on the area and see all the destinations at your disposal within the time frame you selected, with the route highlighted in blue, the exact time it takes to get there displayed, etc.

The maps below show all the train travel options from Paris within an eight-hour time period, including lesser-known and underrated French cities like Brest and Reims, as well as international destinations like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Luxembourg, etc.

Once you’ve chosen your destination, Chronotrains will give you an idea of the price that your trip will cost and provide the links to the websites you need to make a booking.

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Traveling to Europe? Book one of these new train trips.

Europe is in the midst of a great rail revival. An increased awareness of environmental issues , the many hassles of air travel and the mental effort required to drive long distances are all reasons for people to get back onto trains. European passenger numbers are on the rise again, if not quite at pre-pandemic levels .

In response, operators across the continent are investing in new services, tracks and special offers. And it’s only going to get better: Dozens of projects are in motion from the Baltic states to Portugal, with the European Union aiming to double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and supporting “10 pilot projects to establish new rail services or improve existing ones” right now .

My family’s summer will involve a train journey from Paris to Barcelona, down the Rhône valley and along the Mediterranean coast, but you don’t have to travel at 200 miles an hour to get the best out of Europe’s rail network.

From slow trains to high-speed bargains, there are plenty of options if you’re traveling in Europe in the next few months.

1. New sleepers from Belgium and Sweden

The sleeper train revival is picking up speed. They seemed to be on the way out in 2016, when the government of France, their last stronghold, decided to cut funding for a number of services. Happily, many of those have since been restored, and other countries around Europe — most notably Austria, under the brand name Nightjet — are investing heavily in night trains.

This summer sees the debut of a service between Brussels and Berlin, two key political centers, run by a new company called European Sleeper . Customers can leave Brussels at 7:22 p.m. (or Amsterdam at 10:34 p.m.) on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and arrive in Berlin at 6:48 a.m. Return trips depart on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. There are three types of tickets, starting at $85: a seat, a bed in a six-berth compartment or a bed in a three-bed compartment.

Other night trains have also recently been introduced, such as Stockholm to Hamburg , which started in the fall, or Paris to Vienna , which began in 2021.

I’ve traveled on night trains from Paris to the south of France on a number of occasions. The experience is not luxurious, but it’s generally cheaper than the cost of a flight and a room — and the beds, while slim, are surprisingly comfortable. Be warned, though: The romance of trundling across Europe in the dead of night can make it hard to sleep.

2. German rail pass for $50 a month

Last summer Germany’s national rail company, Deutsche Bahn, offered monthly passes for the country’s huge network for under $10, a response to cost-of-living problems caused by a sharp rise in costs for electricity, food, heating and mobility. The success of that project has led to the introduction of the Deutschland-Ticket , which will cost around $50 a month and allow unlimited travel on all trains, buses and city subway services, with the exception of the most direct and speedy intercity services.

The possibilities are enticing. Beer lovers, for example, could travel from Düsseldorf to Cologne to Bamberg and onward to Munich, hopping off for distinctive local brews along the way. Those in search of scenery, meanwhile, might prefer the West Rhine Railway, stretching down the Rhine from Cologne in the north to Mainz.

One thing to remember: The Deutschland-Ticket is only available as a rolling, app-based subscription. British train expert Mark Smith, better known online as the Man in Seat 61, recommends canceling by the 10th of the month to avoid being charged for more than a month.

3. The first 100-mph locomotive, in the U.K.

Given locomotives are a British invention, the rail network in the United Kingdom can be a disappointment. Yes, it’ll get you where you need to go, eventually, but services are often late, and there’s only one high-speed line, used by Eurostar and domestic services, from London into the Kentish countryside. The current national debate over ongoing construction of HS2 (High Speed 2) offers a reason: NIMBY -ish attitudes tend to triumph over the greater good.

No wonder Britons are wont to retreat into the past for comfort. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the world’s first fully authenticated 100-mph passenger locomotive, the Flying Scotsman; as a result, a number of special excursions are planned. For those who can afford it, the Centenary Weekender looks like the most appealing trip, from London to York and then Edinburgh, followed by a jaunt up Scotland’s beautiful East Coast.

The Flying Scotsman may be unique, but Europe is full of historical interest. There’s another anniversary, too: The Wuppertal Schwebebahn , a remarkable suspension railway that continues to operate, was completed in 1903 . And then there’s the Beaux-Arts Canfranc Station, opened as the crossing point from Spain to France in 1928, which was revived as a hotel this year .

4. A $7 high-speed train in Spain

Budget services are increasingly common in Europe, but no one is moving so fast as Spain’s Avlo , which runs high-speed, low-cost trains between Madrid and Barcelona, with tickets starting around $7. The network is expanding: From the start of June , there’s a new route from the Spanish capital to Andalusia, taking in Cordoba, Seville and Malaga.

In France, there’s Ouigo , which provides high-speed and standard services from Paris to cities all around the country, including Bordeaux, Marseille and Strasbourg. The advantage of the standard service — which offers tickets starting around $11 — is that prices don’t change, so you can get a last-minute bargain. The U.K., too, has a low-cost service , from London to Edinburgh via Newcastle, although tickets are not always such good value.

5. New subway lines in Turkey and England

Few cities have seen such huge investment and rapid improvement in subway provision as Istanbul. Earlier this year, a line connecting Istanbul Airport to the city opened, while other new lines and extensions are entering service all the time. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a city that had virtually no underground transport until 1989.

It’s not the only capital to be investing in underground trains, though. The experience of visiting Copenhagen has been transformed by the 2019 opening of the City Circle Line . Since last summer, visitors arriving at London Heathrow can reach the city center, and much besides , far quicker courtesy of 2022’s Elizabeth Line.

Paris, meanwhile, is in the foothills of a significant expansion program, Grand Paris Express , which will provide new connections in the city’s long-neglected suburbs. You can expect to see those services start to come online next year, when Paris hosts the Olympics and when Metro Line 14 will be extended to Orly, Paris’s second-largest airport.

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Europe's Most Spectacular New Hotel Is Set in a Former WWII Railway Station

High in the mountains between Spain and France, a long-neglected train station has become an opulent hotel.

Simon Willis is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. For the magazine he has crisscrossed Europe, Asia and Latin America. Particularly drawn to remote places, he has filed features from Patagonia, Laos and the Southern Ocean among other destinations.

Denisse Ariana Pérez

A few years ago , I was flicking through a magazine when I saw a photo essay about abandoned train stations. They were images of sublime squalor. The grand Greco-Roman columns of Michigan Central Station in Detroit were covered with graffiti. The Art Deco posters on the walls of the St.-Martin Métro in Paris were gradually peeling away. But the most haunting place in the collection was Estación Canfranc, high in the Spanish Pyrenees.

From the outside, this 790-foot-long Beaux-Arts palace looked like it had been transplanted from a fashionable Parisian boulevard. When it was completed in 1925, Canfranc was the second-largest rail station in Europe, after the one in Leipzig, Germany. Inside, the structure had cathedral-like proportions, as though it had been erected not merely to facilitate train travel but to worship it. Huge arched windows let in shafts of beneficent light. The ticket counter could almost pass for an altar. But by the time the photo essay was published, the congregation was long gone. The building closed in 1970 and had been empty ever since. Its vaulted ceiling was slowly moldering, and the floor was covered in dust and debris.

Related: This Little-known Wine Region Is a Hidden Gem of Spain — and It Has a Gorgeous New Luxury Hotel

Now the travelers are back. One recent afternoon I arrived in Canfranc to check in to the station, which has been transformed into one of Europe’s most spectacular new hotels. Its scale and grandeur are incongruous, given that Canfranc is a remote mountain hamlet near the border of Spain and France. The town, which sits in a narrow valley enclosed by steep, forested slopes, has a population of only 600. 

After the station closed, Canfranc lured only a trickle of adventure lovers, drawn by glorious summer hiking and two tiny ski resorts farther up the valley. But today, the hotel is a destination in itself. The renovation is the work of the Barceló Hotel Group, who took over the derelict building in 2021. The Spanish firm has given the place a train-centric revamp that balances old-world glamour with contemporary style. As I checked in, I stood gaping at the old ticket hall, which now serves as the hotel lobby. Its polished wooden beams shone with a deep luster, and the ornate plasterwork on the walls was as clean and white as confectioner’s sugar.

When it was completed in 1925, Canfranc was the second-largest rail station in Europe, after the one in Leipzig, Germany. Inside, the structure had cathedral-like proportions, as though it had been erected not merely to facilitate train travel but to worship it.

In the station’s locomotive heyday, its north and south wings were occupied, respectively, by French and Spanish customs officials. Now the southern wing houses a bar and restaurant tricked out in Art Deco shades of green and gold; the bar is illuminated by pendant lamps that resemble train wheels. In the rooms, antique station windows have been refurbished as quirky wall art.

Yet the hotel’s brand of nostalgic luxury is only one reason to visit; the other is its history. The village of Canfranc may be tiny and remote, but its border location has given it an outsize strategic importance for centuries. The evidence is everywhere. After I arrived at the hotel I headed outside and looked north up the valley. Perched on a ridge high above me was a 16th-century fortress that the Spanish rebuilt after Napoleon’s invasion in 1808; they wanted to defend against another possible incursion through this mountain pass. At the other end I could see concrete bunkers, erected for the same reason by the Franco regime in 1944. As well as being a luxurious stop on the route between Paris and Madrid, the station has played a prominent role in the valley’s history of intrigue and espionage. 

Later that afternoon, I met with Ana Badino and Marcelo Boveri, an Argentine couple who moved from Madrid to the Canfranc region in 2020 to enjoy a quieter life in the mountains. Since then, they have immersed themselves in the station’s extraordinary history and now run tours around the valley.

Until the 20th century, this corner of northern Spain was seen as poor and backward. The main economic activity was smuggling: alcohol and cigarettes went from Spain to France, and clothes, clocks, tea, and embroidery went the other way. But the locals wanted more opportunity than contraband provided, and the government wanted to take this roguish part of the country and turn it into a legitimate, modern commercial hub. So in 1912, the government commissioned the station as a statement of ambition and advancement. Fernando Ramírez de Dampierre, a Madrid-born engineer, was hired to design it. Both the president of France and the king of Spain were present at the inauguration ceremony in 1928.

For a few years, life in Canfranc was full of commercial activity. Daily trains from Portugal delivered port wine, cocoa, and coffee imported from Brazil. Industrial goods like coal and aluminum arrived from France. Badino and Boveri pointed out the rusted, obsolete cranes behind the station; they once loaded and unloaded this cargo. 

But when war broke out in 1939, everything changed. As Bodina and Boveri explained, the head of the station’s French customs department was a man named Albert Le Lay. He was more than a mere border official. He was a vital member of the French resistance who used his position at the station to help Jews and allied fighters fleeing persecution and capture in Germany and Vichy France. Now remembered as an Oskar Schindler–like figure, Le Lay provided these fugitives with forged papers to help them cross into Spain and on to Portugal. From there they traveled to safety. The identities of Le Lay’s beneficiaries are hard to trace, but according to some historians, those who passed through Canfranc included Max Ernst and Peggy Guggenheim.

Bodina and Boveri led me a little farther down the valley, which is still crisscrossed by old railway lines. Eventually we came to a row of derelict warehouses, their heavy wooden doors bent and buckled from decades of neglect, their roofs full of holes where high winds had ripped the tiles away. Through the gaps we peered into the dark interiors. In one of the buildings, in 2000, a cache of Nazi paperwork was found that listed items the Germans had moved through Canfranc after the Gestapo occupied the station in 1942. They included looted gold bars and opium.

His job as a customs official gave Le Lay the cover he needed to continue his resistance work. He would receive information from agents masquerading as passengers as they arrived at the station. From there, messages were transported by a network of spies down the train line to Zaragoza, the nearest city. Canfranc, then, was a crucial node in a pan-European network of spies that helped disrupt the German war machine.

Like many travelers to Canfranc today, I arrived via the airport in Zaragoza, the regional capital. Zaragoza is an underrated destination compared with Barcelona, Madrid, and Seville. Following the Umayyad invasion from North Africa in the eighth century, it became a major city in the north of Muslim Spain. At its center is a Moorish fortress, the Aljafería Palace, which is built in a magnificent architectural fusion of European and Islamic styles known as Mudejar. On the bank of the Erbo River, which courses through Zaragoza, stands a monumental Baroque basilica whose central dome is surrounded by four towers. But for me, the biggest lure was the opportunity to admire the art of the area’s most famous son, Francisco Goya.

After spending the night at the NH Collection Gran Hotel de Zaragoza, I walked over to the Goya Museum. It’s a small institution that packs a big punch. The star attractions are Goya’s etchings, displayed in a large, crepuscular room that protects these delicate artworks from light damage.

Goya’s etchings rank among his strangest and most personal pieces. “Los Caprichos,” a series of 80 prints, is a pitch-black satire on religious hypocrisy, corruption, and superstition. These images feature grotesque goblins dressed as clergymen; a donkey in an aristocrat’s silk coat studying his family tree; a woman pulling teeth from the mouth of a hanged man to be used as lucky charms. In another series, “The Disasters of War,” the devilish comedy of “Los Caprichos ” is replaced by documentary horror. The etchings captured the violence of conflicts like the Peninsular War, which ravaged Spain between 1808 and 1814.

From Zaragoza I drove two hours across the tinder-dry plains of northern Spain to Jaca, a compact city with a Romanesque cathedral. It dates from the 11th century, when the king of Aragon decided to turn his territory into a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, 500 miles to the west. Pilgrimage was good business: you had to be wealthy to take several months off work and pay your way across Europe. Jaca did well from the foot traffic. In the Middle Ages, the road outside the cathedral passed 16 shoe shops.

Related: How To Plan the Perfect Trip To Madrid

After a meal of venison carpaccio at a small restaurant, La Cocina, I drove into the mountains to Canfranc. Having been cooped up in the car, I wanted to explore the landscape, so the following morning I met up with Fernando Garrido, a wiry mountain guide with silver hair and a deep tan. Garrido, a partner in a Jaca-based company, Aragon Aventura, is a serious mountaineer. For 30 years he has held the world record for spending the most time at high altitude: he stayed, alone, for two months straight on the summit of Mount Aconcagua, in Argentina, at an altitude of more than 22,000 feet. 

Thankfully, our plan was more down to earth. It was a blue and shimmering Sunday, and we decided to head to Ordesa & Mount Perdido National Park, a 90-minute drive southeast of Canfranc. We hiked into a deep canyon, following the course of a river that had been reduced to a slow trickle by a two-month drought. The canyon’s sheer limestone walls rose almost 3,000 feet, and birds of prey circled on the thermals. 

Yet the hotel’s brand of nostalgic luxury is only one reason to visit; the other is its history. The village of Canfranc may be tiny and remote, but its border location has given it an outsize strategic importance for centuries. The evidence is everywhere.

As we walked, Garrido pointed out the fajas, the narrow paths that run along the cliff edges. Looking at the thin lines they traced across the rock, I couldn’t help thinking about those wartime refugees I had heard about in Canfranc. During the German occupation, the route became more perilous, and despite Le Lay’s help, many were arrested at the station. In hopes of avoiding the authorities, thousands walked across the Pyrenees on foot, clinging to these narrow, cliff-edge paths as they searched for safety.

That night, I sat down to dinner at Canfranc Estación’s Restaurant Internacional, which is run by Eduardo Salanova and Ana Acín. Chef Salanova’s food is a fusion of local ingredients and avant-garde presentation. That evening’s 15-course tasting menu included foie gras with strawberries, local caviar, a terrine poached in mulled wine, and sous-vide eggs. (Another restaurant, Canfranc Express, opened after my visit in a restored train car outside the hotel, and has since been awarded a Michelin star.)

As I ate, a fog descended over the valley and a gentle rain began to fall. Through the window I could see the silhouettes of Canfranc’s old cargo warehouses and, beyond them, the wooded hillsides. Sitting there in the warm glow, I thought back to the stories my Argentine guides had told me — about the secret agents running messages through this building, about the villagers sewing notes into the linings of their clothes to protect them from the Gestapo. The setting was worthy of a wartime spy thriller, and as I sat in the opulent dining room I imagined myself waiting not for my dessert to arrive but for a tap on the shoulder from a clandestine contact bearing important papers and, along with them, a chance of freedom. 

Where to Stay

Canfranc estación, a royal hideaway hotel.

This spectacular mountain hotel is worth a trip in itself. Tours of the property and the surrounding valley can be arranged through the concierge.

NH Collection Gran Hotel De Zaragoza

Previous guests at this imposing hotel in the center of town include Walt Disney and Ernest Hemingway. Stop by the excellent restaurant, La Ontina, for seasonal dishes like braised white asparagus.

Where to Eat

Jaca la cocina.

A small but stylish restaurant in Jaca that serves regional dishes like venison carpaccio and olla jacetana, a stew of beans and pork.

Aragon Aventura

Fernando Garrido, my hiking guide, co-owns this Jaca-based adventure company . He offers walking excursions as well as a range of other mountain activities, including canyoning and snowshoeing.

Goya Museum

This small museum in Zaragoza has the world’s finest collection of Goya’s etchings.

Pirineo Esencial

Knowledgeable guides Ana Badino and Marcelo Boveri offer tours of Canfranc and the surrounding valley .

A version of this story first appeared in the May 2024 issue of  Travel + Leisure  under the headline "Full Speed Ahead."

The Red Square and beyond: a guide to Moscow’s neighbourhoods

Apr 23, 2019 • 6 min read

The Red Square, Kremlin and St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow at night © Mordolff / Getty Images

One of the world’s largest cities, Moscow is a true metropolis whose ancient neighbourhoods are interspersed with newly built high-rises, inhabited by people from all over the former Soviet Union.

It’s also the city of rings: the innermost is the Kremlin itself; further away are the former defensive rings, Boulevard Ring and Garden Ring; still further are the Third Ring Road and the MKAD, which delineates the city’s borders. There’s an ongoing joke that Moscow Mayor is the Lord of the Rings. Most sights are contained within the Garden Ring, although for some more authentic neighbourhoods one has to venture further out. To help you explore Moscow’s diversity, we picked our favourite ’hoods – but this list is by no means exhaustive.

The Red Square and around

It can be argued that Moscow, or even the whole of Russia, starts at the  Red Square  – it’s an absolute must-see for any visitor. After standing in line to check out Lenin’s granite  mausoleum , go to GUM , Moscow's oldest department store. Full of luxury shops, it’s famous for the glass roof designed by one of Russia’s most celebrated architects, Vladimir Shukhov. Apart from architectural wonders, GUM has several places to eat including the Soviet-style cafeteria Stolovaya No 57 where you can sample mysterious-sounding delicacies such as the ‘herring in a fur coat’.

On the opposite side of GUM, Kremlin ’s walls and towers rise above the Red Square. Walk through the Alexander Garden  and past the grotto to the Kremlin’s entrance. It’s a treasure trove for any art and history lover: ancient gold-domed churches, icons galore and the resting place of Moscow tsars.

On the other side of the Red Square is Moscow's symbol,  St Basil's Cathedral with its multi-colored domes. Right behind it is the newly built Zaryadye Park , which showcases flora from all over Russia; another attraction is the floating bridge jutting out above the embankment and the Moscow river. A glass pavilion nearby hosts Voskhod , a space-themed restaurant with dishes from all 15 former Soviet Union republics. It’s a perfect spot for a classy evening meal and there’s often live music.

Patriarch’s Ponds

The Patriarch’s Ponds (aka Patriki) is a historical neighbourhood, celebrated in Mikhail Bulgakov’s novel Master and Margarita . Located right off Tverskaya street, Moscow’s main thoroughfare, Patriki recently became the city’s most happening quarter. It has some of the most elegant architecture, including several buildings by art-nouveau genius Fyodor Shekhtel. Narrow streets here have a cozy feel, with recently widened sidewalks and bike lanes. In the summer it becomes party central.

Start by checking out free exhibitions or one of the cutting-edge performances at the experimental theatre Praktika . But make no mistake, the neighbourhood’s main attraction are its bars and restaurants. Patriki’s residents are well-off Russians and expats, so it’s no wonder that  Moscow’s recent culinary revolution started here. Uilliam’s , one of the pioneers of this foodie movement, still rules over the scene with its floor-to-ceiling windows. Also try AQ Chicken  for everything chicken-related, Patara  for a taste of Georgian cuisine, and Cutfish for some great sushi. Finish your gastronomic tour with original cocktails at Pinch or the Moscow outpost of NYC restaurant Saxon+Parole .

Around Kursky train station

For a long time, Kursky train station was surrounded by semi-abandoned factories and the area was best avoided. It all changed in the late 2000s, when a dilapidated wine factory was turned into Winzavod , a mecca for fans of contemporary art. Today these red-brick buildings are occupied by some of Moscow’s leading galleries. After taking in all the art, pop in the small wine bar Barrell  for a glass from burgeoning wineries of Russia’s south or grab a bite at Khitrye Lyudi  cafe.

Right next to Winzavod is Artplay , another refurbished factory full of design and furniture shops and large exhibition spaces.  It’s also home to  Pluton , one of the latest additions to Moscow’s dance scene. Other Pluton residents are the multimedia art gallery Proun  and another lunch option,  Shanhaika , with authentic Chinese cuisine.

A short walk away is Arma, where a cluster of circular gas holders has been turned into offices, restaurants and clubs including Gazgolder  (it belongs to one of Russia’s most famous rappers, Basta). Apart from hip-hop concerts, Gazgolder organises regular techno parties that sometimes go non-stop from Friday to Monday.

If you’re interested in religious architecture, Taganka is the place to go. First of all, see the old Moscow at Krutitskoye Podvorye – one of those places where nothing seems to have changed in centuries. The monastery was founded in the 13th century, but in the 16th century it became the home of Moscow metropolitans and most of the surviving buildings are from that epoch. Take a tour of the grounds, and don’t miss the interior and icons of the Assumption Cathedral.

Your next stop is the Rogozhskoe settlement of ‘old believers’, a branch that split from Russian Orthodoxy in the 17th century. The settlement is dominated by an 80m-tall bell tower. The yellow-coloured Intercession Church, built in neoclassical style with baroque elements, has an important collection of icons. Next to the church grounds is the popular Trapeznaya cafeteria, with Russian food cooked using traditional recipes – a perfect spot for lunch.

A short ride away is Andronikov Monastery, which today houses the Rublyov Museum  in the old monks’ quarters. There’s a great collection of ancient Orthodox icons although none by Andrei Rublyov, who was a monk here in the 15th century. The main attraction at the monastery is the small Saviour’s Cathedral, considered the oldest surviving church in Moscow.

Finish the day at the craft-beer cluster around Taganskaya metro station. Varka offers both Russian and imported labels, with the Burger Heroes stand serving arguably the best burgers in town. Craft & Draft looks more like a respectable old-fashioned pub, with decent food, 20 beers on tap and a hundred types of bottled brews.

Khamovniki is Moscow’s ancient textile district, named after the word kham  (a type of cloth). Two main thoroughfares, Ostozhenka and Prechistenka, cut through the neighbourhood parallel to each other. The former turned into the so-called ‘Golden Mile’ of Moscow in the 1990s, with the highest real-estate prices and some of the best examples of new Russian architecture, while the latter is still mostly lined up with impressive 19th-century mansions.

Khamovniki is somewhat of a literary quarter, as several museums devoted to Russia’s best-known writers – among them  Leo Tolstoy , Alexander Pushkin  and Ivan Turgenev – popped up here during the last century. There’s also plenty to see for an art lover. The  Multimedia Art Museum regularly hosts exhibitions by some of the best photographers from all over the world, as well as contemporary art. Several galleries, including RuArts  and Kournikova Gallery , have also found home in Khamovniki.

When you’ve had your fill of literature and art, stop by Gorod Sad on Ostozhenka, an outpost of a local health-food chain, and order dishes such as pumpkin soup or grilled vegetables salads. Afterwards, head to Dom 12 , which is located just off Ostozhenka street. This restaurant and wine bar is frequented by the city’s intellectuals and its schedule includes lectures, book presentations and film screenings, while in the summer guests migrate to a lovely courtyard.

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UK’s most expensive train journeys – and how we spend more than rest of Europe

A rail trip from cardiff to aberdeen costs £290, when tickets are bought the day before, while a berlin-dresden ticket is priced at just £9.

Rail costs for passengers in the UK are among some of the highest in Europe, with the most expensive single fare costing close to £300.

All 10 of the most expensive fares for a next-day, standard-class single in rush hour were higher than £200 when i searched on the Trainline website on Wednesday night.

Meanwhile, passengers travelling in mainland Europe usually pay significantly less. According to analysis by Euronews, Germany, Denmark and Sweden are among the cheapest western European countries offering the most affordable tickets on the same day as the journey.

Our list of the 10 most expensive tickets in the UK: Cardiff to Aberdeen £290 Edinburgh to Exmouth £285.70 Edinburgh to Digby & Sowton £285.70 Edinburgh to Neath £250.30 Edinburgh to Bridgend £250.30 Edinburgh to Pontypridd £250.00 London Kings Cross to Inverness £227.40 London Euston to Aberdeen £226.20 Manchester Piccadilly to Didcot Parkway £221 London Kings Cross to Dundee £213.20 All prices are for a next-day, standard-class single ticket in rush hour.

Trains in Spain, Italy and Portugal were also significantly less expensive, with Latvia, Poland and Hungary offering the cheapest tickets in Europe.

i found travelling between Madrid to Barcelona costs just £53 when a standard-class single ticket is bought the night before leaving the Spanish capital.

Passengers in the UK, though, have to pay up to double (£106) when making the equivalent trip in miles from London to Edinburgh.

In Germany, it costs just £9 to travel 120 miles from Berlin to Dresden, while for a similar journey from London to Birmingham , passengers have to spend £35.

Elsewhere, in France, a train ticket from Paris to Lyon costs £98, while an equivalent journey from Edinburgh to Bath could set you back up to £135.

Travellers can get from Paris to Bordeaux for £73, while the equivalent UK trip from Glasgow to Oxford costs £119.

Lisbon to Faro costs £23, while a similar journey from Liverpool to Durham costs £49.

Labour's rail nationalisation plan will put our trains back on track

And, while rail passengers have to pay over £100 for a trip from Rome to Milan, a ticket from Milan to Venice is priced at just £51 during rush hour – when an equivalent trip from London to Cardiff would cost around £56.

Crossing two borders from Amsterdam to Paris can be done for £77, while the Eurostar journey from London to Paris – which covers 30 miles less – costs £218.

In the UK, a study released by the Trades Union Congress in 2019 showed how rail fares had risen by 46 per cent over the previous 10 years, while nominal weekly earnings increased by only 23 per cent.

“We’re already paying the highest ticket prices in Europe to travel on overcrowded and understaffed trains,” said TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady at the time.

In a bid to dampen the soaring prices, Labour will commit to bringing Britain’s railways back under public ownership for the first time in 30 years within weeks of coming to power, i revealed on Wednesday.

The party will include a new Railways Act in its first King’s Speech , to demonstrate to voters that it will deliver on its promise to renationalise the rail system within a first term of government “without the taxpayer paying a penny in compensation costs”.

Under the plans, the legislation will set the legal framework to enable a future Labour government to allow existing rail contracts to expire and be taken under the control of a new arm’s-length body, Great British Railways

Such a move would allow the new publicly owned rail system to offer a “best-price ticket guarantee”, bringing an end to the practice of rail firms setting inflated ticket prices, Labour proposes.

The proposals will be backed by a new consumer watchdog, called the Passenger Standards Authority.

Prices were sourced the day before for a rush-hour single ticket standard fare on Trainline or Omio and national rail operator websites for European journeys. Prices do vary from day to day and depending on when you buy your tickets.

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• Travel Updates

Venice now charging tourists $8 to enter city

Aussies planning on visiting a major European city will have to pay a fee or cop a hefty fine of up to $450 in a move that’s sparked outrage.

Photo of men standing on rock sparks outrage

Chaos expected: ‘70% of flights cancelled’

‘Respect our culture’: Visitor ban at lake

Aussies planning on visiting Venice as part of their Europe trip will have to pay $8 before entering the popular city.

The Italian hotspot is the first city in the world to charge tourists an entrance fee in a bid to tackle mass tourism.

The cover charge came into effect on Thursday with visitors required to buy a five-euro ($8.20) ticket, enforced by spot checks at key points of entry into the UNESCO World Heritage site.

If tourists don’t pre-register to obtain a QR code, they will cop a hefty fine of up to $450. There are some exceptions, though, such as if you’re staying overnight in a hotel as those people already pay a tourist tax. However they too will have to register their presence to request an exemption to the fee.

Essentially, anyone entering the city on dates the fee is charged must carry either a ticket or an exemption, unless you’re a resident or born in Venice, but they too will need to show their identity documents.

For now it is a trial with a ticket required during the day between 8am and 4pm. Tickets can either be purchased online or at the new ticket office at the train station.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said 15,700 people bought tickets on Thursday and while he hailed it a smooth launch, it has already sparked major backlash with locals who participated in a protest saying the new scheme treats the historic Italian city like a museum.

Signs were held near the Santa Lucia train station on Thursday morning that read ‘Stick it to the ticket!’ and ‘Venice is not for sale!’.

“This is not a museum, it’s not a protected ecological area, you shouldn’t have to pay – it’s a city,” Marina Dodino, from the local residents’ association ARCI, told AFP.

Protesters say that at its largest the group was 1,000 strong, while the authorities said that only 300 attended.

Ruggero Tallon, one of the main protest organisers and the spokesperson for anti-cruise ship campaign group No Grandi Navi, told CNN that the group had planned to erect a banner spelling out “Welcome to Veniceland” and hand out fake “tickets” to passers-by, but were stopped by police. Instead they marched to Campo Santa Margherita, one of the city’s main squares.

“We rose up against the mayor’s idea of a closed city, a museum city,” Mr Tallon told the publication.

“A ticket does nothing. It doesn’t stop the monoculture of tourism. It doesn’t ease the pressure on Venice. It’s a medieval tax and it’s against freedom of movement.”

According to the publication, Mr Tallon also expressed concern that the project is being managed by a private company, which will receive people’s data, and suggested that other moves by the authorities – including angling for the return of cruise ships to the lagoon, and not yet restricting Airbnbs – are adding to the problem.

Venice has long had its problems with the mass arrival of cruise ships and in 2021, banned cruises from Venice lagoon over concerns about the environmental impact of the huge liners on the city.

Meanwhile, the mayor believes the “Venice Access Fee” is “not an expense” but a way to “make people understand that we need to change”.

“[And] therefore dilute visits to the city,” Mr Brugnaro said in a statement.

The city has faced ongoing struggle with mass tourism in turn having affected residents living with the congestion, environmental damage and affects on their lifestyle.

Venice’s population is around 50,000 and has been consistently falling, from a peak of 175,000. If the population falls below 40,000, there is concern that Venice will cease to be a viable living city, according to The Conversation .

The ticket idea had long been debated but repeatedly postponed over concerns it would dent tourist revenue and compromise freedom of movement.

“The aim is to find a new balance between tourism and the city of its residents,” Simone Venturini, the local councillor responsible for tourism, told AFP.

Ashish Thakkar, an American tourist visiting Venice with his wife, questioned how much of an effect the day pass would have.

“If I’m coming all the way from out of the country, five euros just to get access to the city — I wouldn’t mind paying it,” he said.

Some residents complain the measures fail to address another major issue – the expansion of short-term apartment rentals through websites such as Airbnb, which are squeezing out long-term tenants.

“You have to start with the houses if you really want to solve the problem of tourism in Venice,” said Federica Toninello, a local campaigner.

Sylvain Pelerin, a French tourist who has been visiting for more than 50 years, believes it a good idea and will help slow down the numbers of tourists in Venice.

Others have also taken to social media to weigh in on the move.

“That’s not going to stop anyone from wanting to go there on their Italian vacation. Just a money grab, who’s gunna (sic) say we’ll I came across world to see Italy, but I’ll pass on Venice cause of 5 bucks,” one person wrote on TikTok.

Another said it was “fair” and it was a “great idea” while one person said because of the fee, they won’t be visiting.

Venice, spread over more than 100 small islands and islets in northeastern Italy, was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1987.

But at peak times, 100,000 visitors stay overnight in the historic centre, double the resident population of just 50,000.

More Coverage

Last year, UNESCO threatened to put Venice on its list of heritage in danger, citing mass tourism as well as rising water levels in its lagoon , which are attributed to climate change.

However, it escaped the ignominy only after local authorities agreed the new ticketing system.

– with AFP

A photo of three young men standing on a rock in the Queensland bush has sparked furious controversy online.

Travellers are being warned to expect major disruptions at French airports, with an anticipated strike threatening to cause chaos.

Visitors could soon be banned from one Australia’s most popular outback tourist destinations under a plan to protect the “sacred place” for its traditional owners.

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The trains and stations of the Moscow Metro

2 Comments · Posted by Alex Smirnov in Cities , Travel , Video

The Moscow Metro is the third most intensive subway system in the world after Tokyo and Seoul subways. The first line was opened on May 15, 1935. Since 1955, the metro has the name of V.I. Lenin.

The system consists of 12 lines with a total length of 305.7 km. Forty four stations are recognized cultural heritage. The largest passenger traffic is in rush hours from 8:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 19:00.

Cellular communication is available on most of the stations of the Moscow Metro. In March 2012, a free Wi-Fi appeared in the Circle Line train. The Moscow Metro is open to passengers from 5:20 to 01:00. The average interval between trains is 2.5 minutes.

The fare is paid by using contactless tickets and contactless smart cards, the passes to the stations are controlled by automatic turnstiles. Ticket offices and ticket vending machines can be found in station vestibules.

Tags:  Moscow city

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Tomás · August 27, 2012 at 11:34 pm

The Moscow metro stations are the best That I know, cars do not.

Alberto Calvo · September 25, 2016 at 8:57 pm

Great videos! Moscow Metro is just spectacular. I actually visited Moscow myself quite recently and wrote a post about my top 7 stations, please check it out and let me know what you think! :)

http://www.arwtravels.com/blog/moscow-metro-top-7-stations-you-cant-miss

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Moscow International Business Center (Moscow City)

• Guide to Russia

What can you do at Moscow City?

• Dine in style: Moscow City is home to 100+ cafes and restaurants, including Europe’s highest restaurant and ice-cream shop
• See Moscow like never before: Ascend to one of Moscow City’s observation decks for an unparalleled panorama of Moscow
• Admire world-class architecture: Each of Moscow City’s skyscrapers has distinctive architecture and design
• Learn something new: Visit the Museum of High-Rise Architecture in Moscow or the Metro Museum

Moscow City is a multifunctional complex in the west of Moscow, which has come to represent the booming business of Russia’s capital. Its skyscrapers enrich Moscow’s skyline, contrasting the medieval cupolas and Stalinist high-rises. Visitors to Moscow City can enjoy entertainment high in the sky, as the complex is home not just to offices, but to restaurants, cinemas, viewing platforms, and museums.

Photo by Alex Zarubi on Unsplash

History of Moscow City

Moscow City was first conceived in 1991 by honoured Soviet architect Boris Tkhor, who proposed to construct a business center in Moscow. It would be complete with gleaming skyscrapers rivalling those of New York and London, to reflect the new life and growing ambitions of post-Soviet Russia.

The chosen site was a stone quarry and disused industrial zone in western Moscow, in between the Third Ring Road and Moskva River. Initially, the territory was divided into 20 sections arranged in a horseshoe shape around a central zone. The skyscrapers would increase in height as they spiralled around the central section, with shorter structures built on the waterfront to give the taller buildings behind a view of the river. 

Architect Gennady Sirota, who contributed to iconic projects such as the Olympic Sports Complex on Prospekt Mira, was selected as the chief architect, and many other world-famous architects were attracted to Moscow to realise their visions in Moscow City.

What can you see and do at Moscow City?

Where Moscow’s cityscape was once dominated by Stalin’s Seven Sisters skyscrapers , this is no more. Moscow City is home to eight of Russia’s ten tallest buildings, six of which exceed 300 metres in height. More buildings are still under construction there today, including the One Tower (which will be Europe’s second-tallest building). Once completed, Moscow City will comprise more than 20 innovative structures.

Each of Moscow City’s skyscrapers was designed by its own architect, lending the cluster of skyscrapers a unique appearance. Aside from being a site of architectural wonder, Moscow City is a place for leisure and entertainment with over 100 cafes and restaurants, exhibition spaces, cinemas, viewing platforms, and more.

Photo by Nikita Karimov on Unsplash

Federation Tower

• East Tower: 374m, 97 floors; West Tower: 243m, 63 floors
• Completed in 2017
• Architects: Sergey Tchoban and Peter Schweger

The East Federation Tower is the tallest building in Moscow, and the second-tallest building in Europe after the Lakhta Centre in St Petersburg. Visitors can enjoy a luxurious meal of seafood, truffles or steak at restaurant ‘Sixty’ on the 62nd floor of the West Tower, or visit Europe’s highest observation deck, ‘Panorama 360’, on the 89th floor of the East Tower.

Did you know? The ice cream and chocolate shop on the 360 observation deck are the highest in the world!

• South Tower: 354m, 85 floors; North Tower: 254m, 49 floors
• Completed in 2015
• Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP

The South OKO Tower is the third-tallest building in Russia and Europe. Here, you can visit ‘Ruski’ to dine on hearty Russian cuisine cooked on a real Russian stove, and have a drink in the ice bar. Alternatively, visit restaurant, nightclub and performance space ‘Birds’; the restaurant is the highest in Europe, situated on the 86th floor roof terrace alongside an observation deck. The OKO Towers are also home to karaoke club ‘City Voice’.

Did you know? Underneath OKO Towers is the largest underground parking in Europe, with 16 levels and 3,400 parking spaces.

Mercury Tower

• 339m tall, 75 floors
• Architects : Mikhail Posokhin, Frank Williams, Gennady Sirota

Another multifunctional skyscraper, which was designed as the first truly ‘green’ building in Moscow. The Mercury Tower has a distinct geometric shape and copper-coloured glazing, and was the tallest building in Europe upon completion. Visit ‘More i myaso’ (Sea and meat) on the first floor of the tower to enjoy European and Mediterranean cuisine whilst surrounded by greenery. On the 2nd and 40th floors a modern art gallery, the ‘ILONA-K artspace’, has just opened.

City of Capitals

• Moscow Tower: 302m, 76 floors; St Petersburg Tower: 257m, 65 floors
• Completed in 2009
• Architect: Bureau NBBJ

The unique geometric design of the City of Capitals towers resembles stacks of rotating blocks, and is rooted in Constructivism of the early Soviet period (many Soviet Constructivist buildings can be found in Moscow). Visitors to the Moscow Tower can enjoy a range of cuisines – traditional Italian dishes on the summer terrace of ‘Tutto Bene’, Panasian cuisine in the tropical luxury of the ‘Bamboo Bar’ on the 1st floor’, and poke or smoothie bowls at ‘Soul in the Bowl’ cafe on the 80th floor.

Tower on the Embankment

• Tower A: 84m; Tower B:127m; Tower C: 268m, 61 floors
• Completed in 2007
• Architects: Vehbi Inan and Olcay Erturk

After completion, the Tower on the Embankment was the tallest building in Europe, and is now the 13th tallest. It houses the headquarters of several large Russian and international  companies, including IBM and KPMG. There are two cafes located on the 1st floor of Tower C – self-service café ‘Obed Bufet’ (Lunch Buffet) and Bakery Chain ‘Khleb Nasushchny’ (Daily Bread).

Evolution Tower

• 255m tall, 54 floors
• Architects: Philip Nikandrov and RMJM Scotland Ltd

Evolution is Moscow City’s most recognisable tower, and the 11th tallest building in Russia. Its façade is a true architectural marvel, comprising continuous strips of curved glazing spiralling high into  the sky. According to the architect, Philip Nikandrov, the spiral shape of the tower honours centuries of architectural design in Russia, from the onion domes of St Basil's Cathedral to Vladimir Shukhov’s Tatlin Tower, a masterpiece of Constructivist design. Outside the Evolution tower is a landscaped terrace and pedestrian zone descending to the Presnenskaya Embankment, which was also designed by Nikandrov.

Did you know? Moscow’s largest wedding palace was supposed to be built on the site of the Evolution tower, though the project was abandoned.

• 239m tall, 60 floors
• Completed in 2011

Imperia’s interesting design has a curved roof and an arched glass façade. Inside the tower are various cafes including ‘City Friends’ for all-day breakfasts and light lunches, ‘Mama in the City’ for simple meals of Russian cuisine, and ‘abc kitchen’ for European and Indian-inspired dishes. Alternatively, visit ‘High Bar’ on the 56th floor for cocktails with a view. In Imperia you’ll also find the Museum of High-Rise Construction in Moscow (suitably located on the 56th floor), and the Camera Immersive Theatre.

Did you know? Inside Vystavochnaya metro station is the Metro Museum , dedicated to the history of the beautiful Moscow Metro!

• 130m tall, 26 floors
• Completed in 2001
• Architect: Boris Tkhor

Tower 2000 was Moscow City’s first tower. It stands on the opposite bank of the Moskva River, and houses a viewing platform from which visitors can admire an unparalleled panorama of Moscow City. The Bagration Bridge reaches across the river from the tower to Moscow City, and underneath are piers from where you can take boat trips.

Photo by Alexander Popov on Unsplash

Afimall is Moscow’s largest entertainment and shopping complex, home to 450 shops, cafes and restaurants, a cinema, and a virtual-reality game park. The shopping centre is located in the central section of Moscow City, and a cinema and concert hall are currently under construction there.

What’s nearby?

Sechenov Botanical Gardens: The botanical gardens of the First Moscow State Medical University was created for students’ training and research in 1946. Today it is open for free visits, and is home to a large arboretum.

Park Krasnaya Presnya: This park belonged to the Studenets estate of the Gagarin princes. It is a monument of 18th and 19th century landscaping, with Dutch ponds, ornate bridges, and tree-lined alleys. There are also sports facilities, sports equipment rental, and cafes.

Photo by Akkit  on Wikipedia

Essential information for visitors

Website: https://www.citymoscow.ru/

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +7 (495) 730-23-33

Nearest metro: Mezhdunarodnaya (closest to the skyscrapers), Delovoy Tsentr (underneath Afimall), Vystavochnaya (closest to Expocentre)

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This tour covers the best sights of Moscow and St. Petersburg along with a trip to the Golden Ring - a group of medieval towns to the northeast of Moscow. Ancient Kremlins, onion-shaped domes and wooden architecture is just a small part of what awaits you on this amazing tour.

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