Mild climate and good rail network favor multiple cities without extreme high season.
FRANCE / SWITZERLAND / ITALY / AUSTRIA · TRAINS + LANDSCAPES
EUROPE — RAIL GRAND TOUR
To make a great European trip leaving the plane aside.
DURATION12 days
BEST TIMEApr–Jun / Sep–Oct
EXPERIENCETrains + Landscapes
COUNTRYFrance / Switzerland / Italy / Austria
THE JOURNEY
Route map
Paris → Switzerland → northern Italy → Vienna
The map loads when you reach this section.
FEATURED
Key highlights
1Paris
2Swiss Alps
3Northern Italy
4Vienna
5Great railway crossing
Paris, the Swiss Alps, northern Italy and Vienna form a great European crossing made by rail. Central stations, language changes and successive landscapes return prominence to commuting and show Europe as a continuous rail network.
SEASONALITY
When to go
A STARTING POINT
Suggested base itinerary
DAY 1
Arrival in Paris
Arrival and start of the trip in Paris, with a light pace to enter the destination and prepare the next steps without overloading the first day.
DAY 2
Switzerland — identity of the destination
Railway stage progressing to Switzerland, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 3
Switzerland—top experience
Railway stage progressing to Switzerland, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 4
Switzerland — time to deepen
Railway stage progressing to Switzerland, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 5
Switzerland — identity of the destination
Railway stage progressing to Switzerland, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 6
Northern Italy - Main Experience
Railway stage progressing to northern Italy, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 7
Northern Italy —Time to Dig Deeper
Railway stage progressing to northern Italy, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 8
Northern Italy — Identity of the Destination
Railway stage progressing to northern Italy, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 9
Vienna—Top Experience
Railway stage in progression to Vienna, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 10
Vienna —Time to Deepen
Railway stage in progression to Vienna, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 11
Vienna — identity of destiny
Railway stage in progression to Vienna, using the train as part of the experience and prioritizing logical connections, landscapes and scenic stretches when compatible with the route.
DAY 12
End of the trip
Last hours in Vienna and end of the itinerary, with logistics adjusted to the flight, train or continuation of the trip.
THE EXPERIENCE
The spirit of the journey
A great European journey drawn by the rails, in a linear progression from Paris to Switzerland, northern Italy and Vienna. The train is not just transport: it is part of the experience, connecting cities, alpine landscapes and scenic stretches without relying on internal flights.
YOUR WAY
I want to design my trip now!Customize your trip
This itinerary is a foundation of inspiration. Pace, sequence, hotels, experiences and number of days can be adjusted to design the trip that makes sense for you.