Many people don't know it, but there are incredible gems far from the crowds. And the good news is that they are very easy to reach by train! So if you want to get off the beaten track and have a memorable experience, here is the ideal itinerary for exploring Europe's most overlooked cities, without a plane or a car.
High speed train
(≈ 3h20)
Night train
(≈ 9h00)
Night train
(≈ 11h30)
Day bus
(≈ 1h30)
Regional train
(≈ 7h26)
Night train
(≈ 11h00)
High speed train
(≈ 7h33)
France → Germany → Switzerland → Slovenia → Italy → France
To start this European rail itinerary, take a Eurostar to Germany. In less than 3.5 hours, you'll arrive in Cologne, a city still too little known.
Known for its UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral, the city is also known for its alternative atmosphere, creative neighborhoods such as Ehrenfeld and friendly Rhine-side atmosphere.
From Cologne, board the night train ÖBB Nightjet. Travelling by night in Europe allows you to optimize your time while reducing your carbon footprint. When you wake up, you'll discover Zurich, a Swiss nugget nestled between lake and mountains, often overshadowed by Geneva.
An unspoilt historic center, bathing in the lake, Alpine panorama: an ideal stopover for a slow-travel train tour.
We then head off on one of Europe's most beautiful rail journeys aboard the EuroNight. Crossing the Swiss and Austrian Alps is one of the highlights of this train itinerary.
On arrival: Ljubljana, arguably one of Europe's most underrated capitals. Its pedestrian-only city center, iconic bridges and peaceful atmosphere make it the perfect destination for a long-lasting city break.
Then off to Italy! To optimize the journey, a direct bus links Ljubljana to Trieste in around 1h30 (compared to over 6h by train with connections). An efficient alternative for saving time on site.
Trieste surprises with its unique identity, a blend of Italian and Austro-Hungarian influences. Facing the Adriatic, its monumental squares and historic cafés give it an incomparable charm. A truly underrated city in Europe.
From Trieste, head south with a direct train operated by Italo (one daily departure). Often described as chaotic, Naples is in fact one of Europe's most vibrant cities.
Its UNESCO-listed historic center, lively alleyways, Vesuvius as a backdrop and mythical gastronomy make it an unmissable stop on this train journey. It's also an opportunity to discover another side of Italy, far from the clichés.
To head north, come aboard the Intercity Notte (direct night train recommended). Turin is probably one of Italy's most unfairly underrated cities.
An elegant Baroque capital, the city's majestic palaces, historic cafés and, above all, monumental arcades give it the air of an open-air gallery.
A perfect way to end your European rail tour on a refined note.
To get in, there are several rail options:
This Europe by Train tour completes a varied rail adventure, combining high-speed and night trains.
This itinerary proves that a rail travel in Europe can be practical, spectacular and responsible. It's the ideal tour for :
Departure around 10pm, wake up at Zurich HB at 8am.
It is one of the most beautiful routes : you cross the Swiss and Austrian Alps.
⚠️ If you want to book this train, don't do Zurich–Ljubljana on Nightjet or sites like Trainline, but look for Zurich–Zagreb in "Night Train", and choose Ljubljana as the drop-off station. (Often, the train doesn't appear well if you search Zurich–Ljubljana directly, but it's just a sales system issue, not a connection!)
For this step, the bus is the simplest solution (several changes and more than 6 hours of train travel).
Make sure to take the direct one in Milan for a comfortable night!
