Discovering Europe By Train – Paris

Paris – Europe's Romantic Hub

The City of Light as Europe's Rail Epicenter

Paris is Western Europe's top transportation hub. Its many train stations connect to different regions: Gare du Nord for Northern Europe, Gare de l'Est for Germany and Austria, and Gare de Lyon for Italy and the South. Paris brings together North, South, East, and West. If you want to explore Western and Southern Europe, Paris gives you excellent connections and the charm of a famously romantic city.

The magic of Paris-based train travel extends beyond mere logistics. Imagine boarding a morning train from the Île-de-France countryside, arriving refreshed in a new European capital by afternoon. Or consider the romance of an overnight sleeper train departing from under the iron span of the Eiffel Tower's shadow, awakening in Venice, Barcelona, or the Swiss Alps. Paris makes such dreams a practical reality.https://www.raileurope.com/en-us/blog/european-train-travel-from-paris

Why Base Yourself in Paris?

Paris is more than just a place to catch a train. The City of Light is worth spending 2-3 days exploring. Instead of treating Paris as only a stopover, make it your home base for a week in Western Europe. This way, you can get to know a neighborhood, find favorite cafés, and enjoy unexpected discoveries while using the trains for day trips.

Paris is about the same distance from London, Amsterdam, Zurich, and Barcelona. This makes it a great starting point for trips to several cities without having to backtrack.

The Routes from Paris

To Amsterdam (2 hours 59 minutes): Thalys and Eurostar trains connect Paris and Amsterdam quickly and often, with several departures each day. The trip gives you great views of the Dutch countryside and is one of the easiest and most popular routes in Europe.

To London (2 hours 15 minutes via Eurostar): The Eurostar crosses the English Channel through the Chunnel, connecting Paris and London city centers from Gare du Nord. There are several trains each day, with reserved seats and onboard snacks. It's often more comfortable than flying, especially when you consider airport transfers and security.

To Barcelona (6 hours 45 minutes): Direct trains from Gare de Lyon take you straight to Barcelona, where you can enjoy the city's lively culture, beaches, and unique architecture. This trip shows how train travel can be both romantic and efficient.

To Venice (11-15 hours with one change): You can reach Venice by train, usually changing in Milan or Turin. The daytime trip offers beautiful views of the Alps and Italian countryside. Or, take an overnight train and wake up in Venice ready to explore.

To Milan (about 10 hours with one change): Several trains each day connect Paris to Milan, usually through Switzerland or Austria. The slower daytime train from Gare de Lyon takes you through the Alps and along the Italian Riviera for a scenic trip.

To Nice and the French Riviera (5.5 hours): Regional TER and high-speed trains link Paris to the Mediterranean, so you can easily enjoy both city sights and time at the beach.

To Lyon (2 hours): High-speed TGV trains take you to France's second-largest city, known for its great food and as the center of Burgundy wine country.

To Dijon and Burgundy wine country (3-4 hours via Lyon): Take a train from Paris to Dijon through Lyon to visit France's famous wine region, see medieval buildings, and experience local culture.

Sample Itinerary 1: Parisian Escape to the Riviera (5 Days)

Paris → Nice → Paris

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, settle into a Left Bank neighborhood. Evening stroll along the Seine.

Day 2: Full day exploring Paris, Louver, Notre-Dame, Latin Quarter, Montmartre.

Day 3: High-speed train to Nice (5.5 hours). An afternoon arrival allows exploration of the Promenade des Anglais and the old town (Vieux Nice).

Day 4: Full day on the Riviera with beach time, Musée Matisse, local markets, perhaps a day trip to nearby Cannes or Antibes by regional train.

Day 5: Return train to Paris (5.5 hours), arriving early evening.

Why this works: The 5.5-hour train ride is easy to manage both ways, so you have plenty of time to explore each place. Nice gives you Mediterranean style, which is a great change from Paris's elegance.

Sample Itinerary 2: Wine and Culture (6 Days)

Paris → Dijon (Burgundy) → Lyon → Paris

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, explore the Latin Quarter and Île-de-Cité.

Day 2: Morning in Paris, afternoon TGV train to Dijon (3-4 hours via Lyon). Evening exploration of this medieval Burgundy capital.

Day 3: Full day in Dijon to explore the Palace of the Dukes, medieval streets, and book a small-group wine tour of the surrounding vineyards (Beaune and Burgundy wine region).

Day 4: Train to Lyon (2 hours from Dijon via TER connection). Explore this gastronomic capital and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Renaissance architecture, and world-class restaurants.

Day 5: Full day in Lyon or take a day trip to nearby medieval towns or wine estates. The regional train network offers flexibility.

Day 6: Return TGV train from Lyon to Paris (2 hours), arriving mid-afternoon.

Why this works: You get to experience three different sides of France—Paris, Burgundy, and Lyon—without spending too much time traveling. Wine lovers can really explore the region, and the trains make it easy to be flexible.

Sample Itinerary 3: Paris to the Alps and Beyond (8 Days)

Paris → Zurich → Innsbruck → Vienna (overnight) → Zurich → Paris

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, settle in, evening exploration.

Day 2: Full day in Paris for museums, monuments, neighborhood wandering.

Day 3: Morning in Paris. Afternoon train to Zurich (6.5-7 hours). Evening in Zurich.

Day 4: Train to Innsbruck (2h 52m from Zurich). Afternoon exploration of this Austrian Alpine gem.

Day 5: Full day in Innsbruck, cable cars for mountain views, old town exploration, and surrounding valley excursions.

Day 6: Overnight Nightjet train from Innsbruck to Vienna (approximately 8h 50m). Arrive refreshed in Vienna.

Day 7: Full day exploring Vienna and its palaces, cafés, the Danube, and classical music venues.

Day 8: Return train to Zurich (7h 50m), then evening train back to Paris (arriving late night or next morning).

Alternative: Stay longer and extend the Vienna itinerary, or add Prague via train (4.5h from Vienna).

Why this works: This trip shows how Paris is a great starting point for seeing more of Europe, and you still get the special feeling of long train rides. The overnight train is part of the adventure, not just a way to get somewhere.

Sample Itinerary 4: The Classic Western European Loop (7 Days)

Paris → Amsterdam → Brussels → Paris

Day 1: Arrive in Paris, settle in.

Day 2: Full day Paris exploration.

Day 3: Morning in Paris. Afternoon Thalys train to Amsterdam (3 hours). Evening exploring Amsterdam's canals.

Day 4: Full day in Amsterdam for museums, bike rentals, canal tours, and neighborhoods.

Day 5: Train to Brussels (1h 30m). Afternoon exploration of the Grand Place, Belgian waffles, and Art Nouveau architecture.

Day 6: Full day in Brussels, including the Atomium, museums, Belgian chocolate shops, and beer cafés.

Day 7: Train back to Paris (3 hours). Afternoon arrival, evening in your favorite Parisian neighborhood.

Why this works: You can visit three famous cities without spending too much time on the train. Each trip gives you a different view of Europe. This is a great plan for first-time visitors who want to see a lot.

Practical Considerations for Paris-Based Journeys

Train Station Navigation: Know which station you need for your trip. Use Gare du Nord for the UK, Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany; Gare de l'Est for Germany and Austria; and Gare de Lyon for Italy, Switzerland, and the Mediterranean. If you need to change stations, give yourself extra time.

Dining Culture: High-speed trains from Paris have excellent dining cars. French TGV trains are known for great food, so you can enjoy a meal as you travel through the countryside. Try to plan your trips to enjoy these meals.

Luggage Strategy: Train stations in Paris are easy to use with luggage, but the metro can be tricky with big bags. For day trips, leave your large bags at your hotel and travel light on regional trains.

Neighborhood Selection: Pick your Paris hotel based on your travel plans. Left Bank hotels are close to Gare Montparnasse for trips to southwestern France. Right Bank hotels near Gare du Nord are best for going to Amsterdam and Northern Europe.

Culinary Experiences on Paris Routes

Train dining from Paris is a great way to enjoy French food. On the Paris-Zurich route, you can see the Alps while you eat. The Paris-Nice train gives you coastal views and good meals. Try to plan your trips so you can have a meal on board and watch the scenery go by.

Why Well-Tailored Travel Recommends Paris as Your Hub

Paris is more than just a place to change trains. It's one of the world's best cities and worth exploring on its own. With so many connections and so much to see, eat, and experience, Paris is the perfect base for your European trip.

Whether you want to spend weeks exploring Italy from Paris or take shorter trips to Amsterdam or the Riviera, Paris makes it easy to travel in a way that fits your interests and schedule.