20 Popular European Train Routes
2026 Complete Guide: Times, distances, prices, and booking tips for classic routes
Updated June 2026Reading time: 15 minutes
Key Takeaways
- Paris-London: 2h15min via Eurostar (from €50)
- Berlin-Munich: 4h via ICE (from €17.90)
- Rome-Florence: 1.5h via Frecciarossa (from €9.90)
- Barcelona-Madrid: 2.5h via AVE (from €15)
- Scenic routes: Glacier Express (8h), Bernina Express (4h)
1. International Routes
| Route | Time | Distance | Price | Train |
|---|
| London-Paris | 2h15min | 450km | €50-250 | Eurostar |
| Paris-Amsterdam | 3h20min | 500km | €35-150 | European Star Red Line |
| Paris-Frankfurt | 3h40min | 600km | €39-120 | ICE/TGV |
| Brussels-London | 2h | 370km | €40-200 | Eurostar |
| Zurich-Milan | 3h30min | 290km | €29-90 | EC/Gotthard |
2. France Routes
| Route | Time | Distance | Price | Train |
|---|
| Paris-Lyon | 2h | 460km | €10-80 | TGV |
| Paris-Marseille | 3h | 780km | €19-120 | TGV |
| Paris-Bordeaux | 2h | 580km | €15-90 | TGV |
| Paris-Strasbourg | 1h45min | 500km | €15-80 | TGV |
3. Germany Routes
| Route | Time | Distance | Price | Train |
|---|
| Berlin-Munich | 4h | 620km | €17.90-120 | ICE |
| Berlin-Hamburg | 1h45min | 290km | €17.90-80 | ICE |
| Frankfurt-Munich | 3h30min | 360km | €17.90-100 | ICE |
| Cologne-Berlin | 4h20min | 570km | €17.90-110 | ICE |
4. Italy Routes
| Route | Time | Distance | Price | Train |
|---|
| Rome-Milan | 3h | 570km | €9.90-80 | Frecciarossa |
| Rome-Florence | 1h30min | 280km | €9.90-50 | Frecciarossa |
| Rome-Naples | 1h10min | 220km | €9.90-40 | Frecciarossa |
| Milan-Venice | 2h30min | 280km | €9.90-50 | Frecciarossa |
5. Scenic Routes
| Route | Time | Distance | Price | Train |
|---|
| Glacier Express | 8h | 290km | CHF 152 | Scenic |
| Bernina Express | 4h | 170km | CHF 63 | Scenic |
| GoldenPass Line | 5h | 200km | CHF 70 | Scenic |
| TGV Lyria | 4h | 600km | €29-120 | Scenic |
Booking Tips
Early bird: Book 2-3 months ahead for best prices
Scenic trains: Reserve 3 months ahead in summer
International: Check both countries' websites for price differences
Flexibility: Rail passes better for multi-country scenic routes