Northern Europe by Train: Rail Line

Europe boasts an incredible network of airports, no doubt, but let’s be real—its railway system takes the cake when it comes to serving a ton more cities, towns, and even those quirky little spots that are off the beaten path. Trains give you way more flexibility and destination options for your European escapade.

And who would pass on zooming past countryside ruins and charming coves from a wide window. Just imagine stepping out of Edinburgh Waverley and directly into the heart of the Scottish capital.

To be fair, train travel can seem intimidating for first-timers in Europe, but you’re just going to come out of the experience better for it.

A Eurail Pass is an all-in-one train ticket giving you flexible access to most trains across Europe.

You’ll have to download Trainline, which will help you plan and book train travel in Europe at best prices.

Here’s a rail line you can take to visit Northern Europe. This route will help you cover all the important places in the region within a week, without missing the canals and the chocolates.

Amsterdam → Bruges → Paris → Chur → Milan

This train journey takes you through some of Northern Europe’s highlights – from its cosmopolitan capital cities to its storybook canalside towns and on through the mountains of the Alps on board one of Europe’s most spectacular train journeys.

Day 1: Amsterdam – The City of Canals

Your adventure will kick off in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s most picturesque towns. Amsterdam with its 30 miles of canals and 1500 bridges is a beautiful city for the mindful travelers. Bike or take a walk around the UNESCO-listed Canal Ring. Cruising past stunning architecture and vibrant tulip gardens like a local, will be one of the best experiences you will have lived. And don’t forget to visit Amsterdam’s art and culture galleries and museums.

Day 2: Bruges

Next you have to take a 3 hour train ride to the pretty Belgian city of Bruges. Cobblestoned streets, iconic canals, local chocolate and traditional beers. Bruges is like stepping into a storybook with its stunning architecture and historic vibe. You can add climbing to the top of the Belfort tower to your itinerary, or alternatively, take a boat trip along the Bruges canals. As the sun began to set, we found a cozy café to indulge in some Belgian waffles, before catching an afternoon 3 hour train ride to Paris.

Day 3: Paris

Paris is a City of Lights, but it’s also a city of priorities. It has the big-name monuments and museums for the history buffs, the galleries and fashion shows for the art aficionados, for food-lovers: all the deserts you can possibly eat, and the perfect, easy-to-find thrift stores and flea markets for the fashion and decor lovers.

Grab a baguette and some cheese from a local market and go have a picnic by the River Seine. From there, it’s very easy to just wander through the charming streets of Paris, maybe you’ll accidentally stumble upon your favorite cafe, bar or even store in Paris.

Day 4: Paris to Chur

The next pitstop is in Switzerland’s oldest city, Chur. After 5 hours of views of rolling hills and charming villages, you’ll reach Chur, where you’ll spend the rest of the day completely away from pollution, with Chur being a mostly car-free city. Take a leisurely stroll, enjoying the fresh mountain air, and maybe even sample some (more) Swiss chocolate. As the sun sets behind the mountains, you realize this place has a special charm.

Catch the Bernina Express the next morning—it’s one of the most scenic train rides in Europe. This four-hour trip takes you through the breathtaking Swiss Alps, crossing bridges and viaducts while gliding past lush Alpine meadows and quaint mountain villages.

Day 5: Chur to Milan – The Grand Finale

The Bernina Express will stop in Tirano in Italy, where you have to change to a local train to Milan. This short one week trip is coming to an end, so we spend our last leg of the trip in Italy’s fashion capital. Once in Milan, you can dive headfirst into the bustling city life; visit the stunning Duomo, wander through the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, indulge in some gelato and Italian pizza.

As the trip came to a close, I couldn’t help but reflect on this incredible journey from Amsterdam to Milan. Each train ride opened up a world of experiences, charming towns, and delicious bites. Traveling by train was an adventure in itself, offering the perfect way to soak in the beauty of Europe. So, if you’re up for some wanderlust, grab your tickets and let the trains take you on an unforgettable ride! All aboard!