What Countries Can You Take a Train to From Paris?

By Alice Nichols

If you’re planning a trip to Paris, you might be interested in exploring other nearby countries by train. Luckily, Paris is well-connected to many European destinations by rail. Here’s a rundown of some of the countries you can easily reach by train from Paris:

Belgium

Belgium is just a short train ride from Paris. The high-speed Thalys train will get you there in just over an hour.

Once in Belgium, you can explore the cities of Brussels, Bruges, and Antwerp.

The Netherlands

The Netherlands is also easily accessible by train from Paris. The Thalys can take you to Amsterdam in just over 3 hours.

Rotterdam and The Hague are also popular destinations within the country.

Germany

Germany is a bit further away from Paris but still reachable by train. You can take the high-speed ICE train to Cologne, which takes around 3 hours.

From there, you can connect to other German cities like Berlin and Munich.

Switzerland

Switzerland is another popular destination that’s accessible by train from Paris. The TGV Lyria will take you to Geneva or Zurich in around 4 hours.

Italy

Italy is a bit further away from Paris but still reachable by train. You can take the TGV or Thello trains to Milan or Venice in around 7-8 hours.

Spain

Spain is also accessible by train from Paris, but it’s quite far away – expect a journey time of around 12-13 hours on the high-speed TGV trains. However, once you arrive in Spain, cities like Barcelona and Madrid are within easy reach.

United Kingdom

Although the United Kingdom is not technically part of Europe, it’s still possible to reach London by train from Paris. The Eurostar will take you there in around 2-3 hours via the Channel Tunnel.

  • Tip: If you’re planning to travel to multiple countries by train, consider getting a Eurail Pass. This can save you money on individual tickets and make your trip more convenient.

In Conclusion

Paris is a great starting point for exploring nearby European countries by train. With so many destinations within easy reach, it’s easy to plan a multi-country itinerary that includes some of Europe’s most iconic cities and landmarks.