Why go by train
Trains leave from city centres, often with comfortable seats and few queues. A Friday-evening departure can mean waking up in a new place on Saturday.
Ideas
- London: Trains to Edinburgh (about 4.5 hours), York, Bath or Paris by Eurostar.
- Paris: TGV trains to Lyon, Strasbourg, Bordeaux or Brussels.
- Berlin: Trains to Prague, Hamburg, Dresden and Vienna (check timetables).
- Vienna: Salzburg, Budapest and Bratislava.
- New York: Boston, Philadelphia and Washington DC by Amtrak.
- Tokyo: Shinkansen to Kyoto, Kanazawa or Nikko.
Tips
- Book in advance for lower fares and guaranteed seats.
- Pack light in a weekend bag.
- Reserve seats on busy trains.
- Book accommodation near the station.
- Plan your return early on Sunday to avoid delays.
Make it special
Bring snacks, a book and music, and sit by a window for scenery. For overnight trains, check sleeper options.
Timetables and fares change, so check official sites.
