The best European cities to visit by train

A rail holiday has never looked so appealing as conflict in the Middle East continues to disrupt jet fuel supplies. 

Not only will you avoid rising air fares, but you can swerve disruption fears as some airlines trim their schedules in a bid to save fuel.

Aviation analyst Cirium has reported that 13,000 flights have been cut worldwide in May alone.  

Taking the Eurostar will safeguard your holiday against much of that uncertainty. Just remember that there are many other options to consider besides Paris when planning your trip.

Bruges was rated the best European destination to visit by train in a survey of more than 1,000 Which? members.

The Flemish favourite, which is a speedy three-and-a-half-hour train ride from London, ranked higher than the likes of Paris and Amsterdam with a city score of 85%.

Visitors loved that they could explore its historic waterways and medieval cobbled streets by foot, remarking on its ‘magical’ and ‘enchanting’ atmosphere.

Jet fuel crisis? Will your European holiday still go ahead?

Why taking the train can be quicker (and cheaper) than flying

Travelling by rail can often work out quicker once you factor in waiting time at the airport and transport to the city centre at the other end. 

Even outside London, travel times often make sense – with Birmingham, Portsmouth and even Cardiff all around two hours by train from the capital. You’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by up to 90% too. 

Rail travel can even cost less than flying, if you follow our insider tricks to get the cheapest train tickets for the Eurostar and beyond. Catch a Eurostar sale and return tickets to Paris and Brussels can be found for £70 return, with onwards travel in Belgium, to places like Bruges just €12

The best European cities by train

Best rail break: Bruges

Is it any wonder that picture-perfect Bruges, dripping with Golden Age splendour, took top spot? Here, colourful townhouses crowd fairytale cobbled streets and painted boats glide down glassy canals shaded with willows - with each humpbacked bridge and lamplit square more romantic than the last.

Make sure to climb the 366 spiral steps to the top of the Belfry to take in the Markt square and all of its surrounding spire-dotted drama. 

The Groeningemuseum is another must: a medieval abbey which showcases six centuries of Belgian art, from the Flemish Primitives to the modern expressionists. 

There are also chocolate shops aplenty: including the intoxicating Spegaleare, a traditional family-run chocolatier where almost everything is made on site. 

You awarded Bruges four stars for value for money: perhaps in part because you can get change from a €5 note when ordering a beer. A strong Trappist brew will set you back a few euros more.

Europe's best-rated scenic railway journeys

Best rail break for food and drink: Bordeaux

Bordeaux was one of only two cities in our survey awarded the full five stars for its food and drink (alongside Lyon). 

Sample its full-bodied wines with a vineyard tasting tour in the surrounding Médoc or Graves region, or visit the Cité du Vin museum – showcasing 2,000 years of local winemaking. 

Hop between upscale cafés and boutiques on the city centre’s gilded avenues and neoclassical squares. Here you’ll also find the gargoyle-adorned Cathédrale Saint-André with its freestanding bell tower and Gothic royal entrance.

Bordeaux's food – such as tender Bazas beef or oysters from the nearby Cap Ferret region – is another reason to visit, with holidaymakers praising the ‘superb restaurants’ that ‘cater to all tastes and pockets’. 

How long? The city in southwestern France is a six-hour train journey from London.

These are the best city breaks in Europe – as rated by you 

Best rail breaks for cultural sights: Amsterdam and Avignon

Amsterdam and Avignon came in joint-third place with 82% – and both clinched the full five stars for cultural sights and attractions. 

The Dutch capital is renowned for its beautiful waterways lined with colourful gable-topped town houses. 

You can tick off some of the highlights within hours of stepping off the train: the Royal Palace, the Rembrandt House Museum and Anne Frank House are all walking distance from Central Station. The nearby Rijksmuseum is also home to some of the world’s most celebrated artworks (including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch). 

Avignon, in the heart of Provence was equally popular with visitors. The Popes’ Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was described as ‘an essential visit’ – marking a unique period in history when Avignon was the temporary papal headquarters. 

Marvel at its cavernous ceremonial halls and giant religious frescos by Italian painter Matteo Giovannetti.This legacy also lives on in the grand churches and the three miles of defensive stone ramparts that encircle the city. 

How long? Amsterdam is a direct four hour trip, Avignon six hours. 

Rotterdam, by train from the UK

Rotterdam also made our top five. The Netherland’s second city may have been flattened by World War II bombing, but bold architects have breathed new life into its soulless reconstruction. 

Striking examples include the mirror-clad Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen museum and the Erasmus Bridge – nicknamed ‘the Swan’ because of its graceful bow-shaped design. 

Piet Blom’s tilted banana yellow cube houses have become an emblem of the city: designed to resemble an urban forest. Take a peek inside this novel living space at the Kijk-Kubus Museum-house. 

For more art, follow the sculpture route along the Westersingel canal to find works by Rodin and Picasso.

How long? Just three hours 30 mins by direct train. 

Why you should look beyond Paris for your next Eurostar rail break

Paris is a fast and convenient option, with a direct train taking just two hours 16 minutes from London. However, it struggled to compete with its lesser-visited rivals, finishing mid-table – but above the likes of Cologne and Brussels. 

While its cultural sites scored top marks, it fell down on its lack of crowds (one star) and value for money (two stars). 

Geneva, Switzerland’s lakeside second city, finished in bottom spot with a city score of just 60% and a one-star rating for value for money. It was described as beautiful but expensive and ‘rather dull’ by one visitor. The train ride from London takes around six-and-a-half hours.

For more expertly researched destination ideas and unbiased travel advice and recommendations, subscribe to Which? Travel

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