Train travel is having a moment.
From the famous Caledonian Sleeper train seeing its biggest timetable change in 30 years to the iconic Portuguese Douro Line now running a route from London, there’s never been more choice in the world of rail getaways.
As the rail renaissance continues, with travellers favouring immersive experiences and slower, scenic routes, the Metro Travel team spoke to local experts to find the coolest European cities you can reach by train from Blighty.
Here’s what should be on your train travel bucket list this year.
Prague, Czechia
Prague may be known for its fairytale castles, world-class beer and cobblestone streets, but there’s more to the Czech capital if you dig a little deeper (and explore outside the centre).
Best of Metro Deals
Get exclusive discounts with Metro Deals – save on getaways and spa days. Powered by Wowcher
Bannatyne Spa: Spa day for two with treatments, lunch & prosecco — save up to 57% off.
Mystery Escape: Hotel stay with return flights from as low as £92pp — save on worldwide holiday packages.
Beach Retreat (Lanzarote): 4* Lanzarote beach holiday with flights — save up to 58%.
Kate McCulley, better known by her ‘gram handle @AdventurousKate, is a Forbes Top 10 Travel Influencer and long-time Prague resident — so she knows a thing or two about its hidden gems.
‘The core of Prague is very touristy, but everything further out is not,’ explains Kate.
She recommends pairing ‘Prague 1,’ the UNESCO World Heritage Site home to almost all of the major tourist sites, including Prague Castle, Old Town Square, and the Charles Bridge, with Vinohrady.
‘This is a classic Prague neighbourhood, and one that I like to describe as a cross between the West Village and Upper East Side.’
Kate says the area — which features beautiful tree-lined streets and colourful Art Nouveau buildings — is one of the trendiest places in the city.
‘It’s bursting with restaurants, cafés, and second-hand shops.’
Elsewhere, Kate advises diving into Prague’s food scene, which she says is a traditional and international blend. But most importantly? Very affordable.
Her favourite picks include Aromi, an Italian seafood restaurant famed for its deconstructed fried calamari.
Or, one of the many pho shops that appear on every block. ‘Many people don’t know, but Prague has a huge Vietnamese community.’
How to get to Prague by train and where to stay
How to get to Prague by train
• Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels. (Tickets can be purchased for as little as £57 one-way).
• Take a connecting high-speed train (Deutsche Bahn) through Germany. Change in Frankfurt, Cologne and Berlin, before heading to Prague. The 11-hour journey averages around €74.99 (£65).
When you’re in Prague, Kate says the public transport is a dream. ‘Buses and trams are so reliable, and there are also boats along the river.’
Where to stay in Prague
For somewhere boujie, Kate recommends the newly-opened 5* Fairmont Golden Prague.
Located right on the Vltava River, on the corner of Pařížská Street in the Old Town, Kate says it’s a ‘buzzy place.’ Rooms average around £359 per night.
On a budget? The Grand Hotel International has rooms from £44 per night. The Art Deco-style hotel is just outside the city, but can be reached by public transport within 25 minutes.
Milan, Italy
Northern Italy’s Milan, considered one of the world’s fashion and design capitals, is a city that reveals itself slowly, explains Italian travel influencer Maritia Mazzini.
One of Maritia’s off-the-beaten-path favourites is Palazzo Clerici, a stunning historic palace with incredible interiors. It’s only open to the public occasionally (usually once a month, so plan your trip wisely).
For a more contemporary side, explore the Ortica district, known for its beautiful open-air murals and Via Giuseppe Balzaretti, where every house is painted in bold colours and pop art motifs.
Other lesser-known gems include the Casa degli Omenoni, Milan’s small but fascinating Walk of Fame, and some extraordinary churches such as San Bernardino alle Ossa, Sant’Antonio Abate, and Santa Maria alla Fontana (filled with beautiful frescoes).
Architecture lovers, Casa Galimberti and Villa Necchi are must-sees.
Hungry after all that sightseeing? Maritia recommends Caffè Marchesi for the ‘best panettone in the city.’
‘For truly traditional Milanese food, locals love Osteria alla Grande, a Lombardian restaurant with murals and vintage movie posters.’
Or, try Trattoria Masuelli San Marco, a Piedmontese restaurant for classic Milanese stews and risottos.
How to get to Milan by train and where to stay
How to get to Milan by train
• Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord (prices start from £53).
• Change to Paris Gare de Lyon and catch the train south to Milan. On Trainline, tickets can be purchased for £40 with no changes and a journey time of 6 hours 42 minutes.
Where to stay in Milan
For luxury and design, Maritia recommends Hotel VIU Milan, STRAF Hotel, or Galleria Vik, some of which overlook the Galleria itself. Prices per night range between £200 and £350.
More affordable but comfortable options include Ca’ Bela Pergolesi (£160 per night) and Neo Hotel (£58 per night).
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
OK, so everyone has visited Amsterdam, the Dutch capital, famed for its historic gabled houses and winding canals.
But according to Sara Van Geloven, Amsterdam resident, travel expert at Polarsteps.com and author of Lonely Planet Netherlands, you’ve not experienced it like a local.
Her main advice? Head away from the centre, as the city is currently dealing with overtourism. ‘Take the free ferry to Noord (NDSM), an old ship wharf, now home to street art (Museum Straat), great bars and a stunning view of the river.’
The area also hosts IJhallen, the largest flea market in Europe, a treasure trove of vintage, second-hand furniture, lamps, and toys.
Sara says this area has a vibey social scene, too. Head to PLLEK, a trendy waterfront spot known as the greenest eatery in Amsterdam, for some lunch. (There’s also live music and yoga classes here.)
She spotlights Noorderlicht, too, a greenhouse-style space with a terrace perfect for summer cocktails and seasonal dishes.
Further off the beaten track is a green neighbourhood called Oost, which has botanical gardens and is described as a place where twenty and thirty-somethings come for a getaway.
Plus, there’s Brouwerij ’t IJ, an organic brewery in a windmill, and Dappermarkt, a ‘colourful outdoor market with street food, flowers, and clothing.’
How to get to Amsterdam by train and where to stay
How to get to Amsterdam by train
• Eurostar runs direct trains from London St Pancras to Amsterdam, so you’re just one stop away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site. One-way tickets start from as little as £51, with a journey time of four hours.
Where to stay in Amsterdam
Here are Sara’s best picks:
• Stayokay is a Dutch sustainable chain hostel with three locations in the city. Rates start from €24.70 per night (£21.40).
• Volkshotel for an affordable, quirky stay in old newspaper offices. There’s also a rooftop restaurant. If you stay two nights, you get a third night free. Rooms start from €83 (£72).
• Looking to splurge? Hotel Jakarta is a beautiful and modern, energy-neutral hotel with views of the IJ river, a bright and leafy lobby, and fab wellness facilities. Rooms start from £352.
Berlin, Germany
Last but not least, it’s all about Germany’s capital, Berlin. Known for its legendary nightlife, vibrant arts scene and intense history, it’s a European city with a gritty, modern feel.
Clara Cohen from Eating Europe (which offers two different food tours — including a historical one in East Berlin), shares her favourite, lesser-known side to the city.
‘Visit the RAW Market, an ex-Prussian train yard packed with clubs and leisure venues.’ Code for, you can be rock climbing up the side of a WWII bomb shelter one minute, and dancing in a telephone booth-turned-private disco the next.
On a similar theme, she says Holzmarkt 25 is a quirky spot along the river, next to the East Side Gallery. It’s filled with bars, cafes, art galleries, and a music school.
For great nightlife and authentic neighbourhood vibes, Sara highlights Friedrichshain or Kreuzberg.
Foodies, Berlin is the home of currywurst, with famed venues like Curry 36 and Curry 61 topping TikTok For You pages. However, Sara says that currywurst bought at a hole-in-the-wall shop or a corner cart will be better, cheaper, and much more authentic than one found in a restaurant.
The historic Culture Brewery of Prenzlauerberg is another must-see, especially the Sunday street food fair.
Plus, there’s the Culture Carnival, which this year takes place between 22 and 25 May.
‘It’s a huge international street food festival meets carnival parade, serving everything from Jamaican jerk chicken to a more unusual camel ragout.’
Finally, it’s not all bratwurst and pork knuckle. Berlin is the vegan capital of Europe, with over 100 fully vegan venues.
How to get to Berlin by train and where to stay
How to get to Berlin by train
• Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras to Brussels.
• Then take an ICE train (Deutsche Bahn fast trains) from Bruxelles-Midi to Cologne, and change to Berlin. On Trainline, this journey takes around 9 hours and costs between £140 and £170.
Where to stay in Berlin
Clara says the Generator Hostel is prized by the young party crowd for its nightly karaoke parties, DJ nights, and techno raves, alongside more casual board game evenings. Rooms start from £14 per night.
The Westin Grand offers modern luxuries and mid-range prices, with boutique rooms and comfortable suites, located in an unbeatable location for visiting most of Berlin’s historic highlights. Rooms start from £219 per night.
Looking for something pretty rogue? If you book a Jungle room at the 25hours Hotel Bikini Berlin (€153/£132), you’ll wake up to lions roaring and baboons playing, as the hotel overlooks Berlin’s best zoo.
