# The Best European Rail Journeys You Can Take From the UK

> Europe's rail network connects almost every major city. Here is a guide to the most rewarding long-distance train journeys you can take from the UK.

*Section: Travel — By Priya Anand (Lifestyle & Travel Editor) — Published November 13, 2025 — 1 min read*

Canonical URL: https://dailyjunction.org/travel/best-european-rail-journeys
Tags: train travel, europe, rail, eurostar, sustainable travel

## Key takeaways

- The Eurostar connects London to Paris in 2h15m and to Brussels in under 2 hours
- The Night Jet network of overnight trains is expanding across Europe
- Booking 90 days in advance typically secures the best fares
- Rail Europe and the Trainline are the main booking platforms for multi-country journeys

## Getting to Europe by train

The Eurostar connects London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (2h15m), Brussels-Midi (1h51m) and Amsterdam Centraal (3h52m) directly. From Paris, the European high-speed network opens up: Lyon, Barcelona (6h30m from Paris), Madrid, Marseille, Geneva, Zurich and Berlin are all reachable the same day.

## The great rail journeys

Several European rail routes are acclaimed for scenery and experience as well as transport. The Bernina Express from Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy) crosses the Alps through extraordinary alpine landscape. The El Transcantábrico in northern Spain offers a luxurious multi-day journey along the Atlantic coast. The Bergen Railway in Norway traverses the Hardangervidda plateau. The scenic route from Salzburg to Prague winds through the Bohemian mountains.

## Night trains

The Nightjet network operated by Austrian Federal Railways offers overnight services linking major Central European cities: Vienna, Zurich, Brussels, Hamburg, Berlin, Munich and Prague are all connected. Night trains offer sleeper cabins, couchettes and seated options and represent an efficient way to cover distance without losing a day of travel. Booking opens 180 days in advance; the best fares go quickly.

## Practical booking

Rail Europe and the Trainline handle most European long-distance booking. For complex multi-country itineraries, Seat61.com (a comprehensive guide run by an enthusiast) is an invaluable resource that describes routes, operators, booking strategies and the quirks of different national rail systems.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is this article accurate?

We apply a two-source minimum for factual claims and update articles when information changes significantly.

### When was this published?

See the publication date in the byline above. We note significant updates with a revised date.

## Sources

- [Lonely Planet](https://www.lonelyplanet.com)
- [Conde Nast Traveller](https://www.cntraveller.com)

---
Daily Junction — https://dailyjunction.org/travel/best-european-rail-journeys