It's possible to spend a weekend in Europe without blowing up your annual carbon footprint ! After all, France is well connected to its neighbors. So it's not only feasible, but very easy, to take a city-trip abroad after just a few hours by train. Whether you're on a 3, 4 or even 5-day weekend, you can reach Italy, Spain or even the UK, without losing any sightseeing time. Interested? Discover 10 European destinations easily accessible by train over a long weekend.
1- London, one of the destinations easily accessible by train over a long weekend
Welcome to London! The English capital is certainly one of the easiest destinations to reach by train from France. London is linked to France by the Channel Tunnel, which Eurostar takes more than ten times a day, leaving you spoilt for choice when it comes to timetables. The shortest journey from Paris takes less than 2 hours 20 minutes . You'll arrive right in the city center, ready to enjoy a fish & chip before strolling through Camden.
- Departure stations: Paris, Lille.
- Journey time : approx. 1h25 from Lille; approx. 2h20 from Paris.
Read this article to plan your 3-day stay in London.
2- Amsterdam
Travelers from Paris, take a direct train to Amsterdam! With 13 journeys a day averaging exactly 3 hours 29 minutes, travel to the capital is easy. In fact, you'll take less time than by plane, if you take into account transit journeys from city centers to airports. Don't hesitate to use the time you save to discover the city's most beautiful spots.
- Departure station : Paris.
- Journey time: approx. 3h28.
Read this article to plan your 2 or 3-day stay in the city.
3- Brussels, Belgium just a train ride away
With 27 train journeys a day, Brussels is the easiest city-trip destination to reach from France. The Belgian capital is less than an hour from Lille and around 1h30 from Paris. Recently, an OUIGO train has also made the journey. Admittedly, it takes a little longer (around 3 hours), but it's a much more affordable way of getting to Brussels than the high-speed trains. We'll happily spend the euros we save on a punnet of Belgian fries or a beer on the terrace.
- Departure stations: Paris and Lille for the TGV and Eurostar; Paris, Creil (60) and Aulnoye-Aymeries (59) for the OUIGO train.
- Journey time : approx. 35 minutes from Lille, 1h25 from Paris by Eurostar and 3h05 by OUIGO train.
Read this article to plan your long weekend in Brussels.
4- Geneva, one of the destinations easily accessible by train over a long weekend
In just a few hours by train, you can enjoy Lake Geneva, views of the Alps and a highly cultural city where life is good. Reach Geneva in no time at all from Paris and Bourg-en-Bresse by LYRIA, or from Lyon by TER. This train also serves several regional villages along the way. On each line, more than a dozen trains a day leave you spoilt for choice when it comes to timetables.
- Departure stations : Paris, Lyon and Bourg-en-Bresse.
- Journey time: approx. 3h30 from Paris; 2h10 from Lyon and 1h40 from Bourg-en-Bresse.
5- Barcelona, for a sunny weekend
At last, a sunny destination to go to without taking a plane! To reach Barcelona, southerners are the lucky ones. Overall, you'll need between 1h20 and 4h30, depending on where you are in the south of France. Further north, you can reach the Catalan capital in around 6h50 from Paris and Bordeaux. On this route, telecommuters can enjoy a half-day's work on the train, before enjoying tapas on arrival.
- Departure stations: Perpignan, Narbonne, Sète, Montpellier, Nîmes, Valence, Bordeaux and Paris.
- Journey times: 1h20 from Perpignan; 2h from Narbonne; 3h from Sète; 3h20 from Montpellier; 6h50 from Bordeaux and Paris.
Good to know: some companies are starting to introduce TTR, or "responsible travel time". These extra days off are granted to employees who prefer less polluting, but more time-consuming, forms of transport. Ask your employer for details!
Related article : What to do in Barcelona in 3 days? Itinerary tips.
6- Cologne, at the gateway to Germany
VisitGermany off the beaten track by discovering the small city of Cologne, accessible after an average train journey of just 3 hours 20 minutes. The cherry on the black forest is the magnificent Cologne Cathedral, the symbol of the city. A total of 6 trains make the journey every day between 7:54 a.m. and 6:53 p.m. The train journey will take you less time than by plane, as the Paris-Cologne route is usually made with a stopover
- Departure station: Paris.
- Journey time: approx. 3h20.
Read this article to plan your 3-day weekend in Cologne.
7- Turin, one of the destinations easily reached by train on a long weekend
If you'd like to travel to Italy by train rather than by plane, in order to limit the environmental impact of your trip, it's possible, but it will take longer. At the shortest, allow 4 hours from Chambéry, 5 hours 40 minutes from Lyon and around 5 hours 30 minutes from Paris (after March 31, 2025). We therefore advise you to choose this destination for an extended weekend of around 4 or 5 days. It's also the perfect opportunity to discover Piedmont and its mountain lakes.
- Departure stations: Lyon, Chambéry, Paris.
- Journey time: approx. 4h from Chambéry, 5h40 from Lyon and 5h30 from Paris.
8- Bruges
The first connecting route on our list, Bruges is a destination you can reach by quickly transiting Brussels. As mentioned above, there are many ways to get to Brussels, some more expensive than others, some quicker than others. Once there, the journey to this charming little town in northern Belgium takes just over an hour. Many trains make the journey every day, so you can easily adapt your connections.
- Departure stations: Paris and Lille for the TGV and Eurostar; Paris, Creil (60) and Aulnoye-Aymeries (59) for the OUIGO train.
- Journey time: between 35 minutes and 3h05 depending on your train and departure station to Brussels, then around 1h to Bruges.
Read this article to plan your 3-day weekend in Bruges.
9- Frankfurt am Main, one of the destinations easily accessible by train on a long weekend
Historic, cosmopolitan and captivating, Frankfurt am Main is also easily accessible by train. From Strasbourg, the journey takes around 2 hours 40 minutes, 5 times a day. From Paris, 8 trains a day will take you to this modern, dynamic German city. You'll find plenty to keep you busy for a 3-day city-trip .
- Departure stations : Paris, Strasbourg.
- Journey time : approx. 2h40 from Strasbourg and 4h from Paris.
10- Milan, Italy by train
The good news is that the high-speed line between Paris and Milan will resume service on April 1, 2025 , after a 19-month interruption caused by a landslide. The Lombardy metropolis, capital of fashion and luxury, will be accessible from Paris in around 7 hours. From Chambéry, the journey takes around 4h15, and an average of 4h45 from Lyon. The line is operated by both SNCF and Italian railways, allowing you to compare fares.
- Departure stations: Paris, Lyon, Chambéry.
- Journey time : 4h15 on average from Chambéry, as well as 4h45 from Lyon and 7h from Paris.
Read this article to plan your 2 or 3-day weekend in Milan.
How to save on train fares?
As we all know, train travel can be expensive. In fact, price is one of the main reasons why people prefer air travel, despite its greater environmental impact. But if you want to protect the planet without hurting your wallet too much, here are a few tips on how to cut the bill:
- Get a loyalty card. In France, the SNCF offers loyalty and advantage cards that can quickly give you discounts on your tickets and those of your companion, so be sure to ask about the options.
- Be flexible about departure days and times. If you can, don't hesitate to shift your departure time to a day less popular with travelers. This is the most cost-effective solution, as you'll pay much less.
- Find out about night trains. More and more destinations are accessible by night train. Fares are often lower, and this option also saves you a night's hotel accommodation. It all adds up to a quick win.
- Use a comparator. Many travelers use comparators for plane tickets. Why not do the same for trains? What's more, some routes are now open to competition, making it easier to find more affordable prices.
- Buy tickets directly on the airline's website. If you use a comparator, don't hesitate to leave it and buy your tickets directly on the company's website. You'll often save a few euros in fees.
Tempted by a weekend in Europe? Take advantage of lower fares by booking your train tickets now!
