Great Rail Journeys
Glacier Express & the Romantic Rhine
11 daysfrom $6,409
Rail Escape
Grand European Capitals Tour: Amsterdam to Paris
Experience our Grand European Capitals Tour on a 13-day rail journey from Amsterdam to Paris. Enjoy seamless travel and iconic sights. Book your adventure now!
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Amsterdam
Arrive in Amsterdam
Welcome to the Netherlands! After checking into your hotel for two nights, get oriented in this picturesque Dutch city by joining a canal cruise that passes iconic 17th-century merchant houses and leaning gabled buildings. [Night in Amsterdam]
- Day 2overnight: Amsterdam
Discover Amsterdam
Spend today experiencing the highlights of Amsterdam through its world-class museums like the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House. Be sure to also wander through charming neighborhoods like the Jordaan and see lively Dam Square. [Night in Amsterdam]
- Day 3railovernight: Berlin
Travel to Berlin
Leave Amsterdam after breakfast and take the train to the German capital, Berlin. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for a three-night stay. Get your bearings by exploring the area around the iconic Brandenburg Gate and visiting the moving Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. [Night in Berlin]
- Day 4overnight: Berlin
Berlin's Historic Center
Devote today to Berlin's historic heart by visiting sites like the Reichstag, Berliner Dom, and the famous East Side Gallery, a remaining 1.3 km stretch of the Berlin Wall covered in murals. Learn about Berlin's Cold War period with a visit to the Berlin Wall Memorial or Stasi Museum. [Night in Berlin]
- Day 5overnight: Berlin
Museums and Neighborhoods
With so many world-class museums, you'll be spoiled for choice in Berlin. Top picks include the Pergamon Museum, Neues Museum with its famous Bust of Nefertiti, and DDR Museum showcasing East German life. Spend the afternoon in vibrant areas like Kreuzberg or the Turkish district. [Night in Berlin]
- Day 6railovernight: Munich
Journey to Munich
Depart Berlin after breakfast and take the train to the Bavarian city of Munich. After hotel check-in, get your first taste of Munich at the famous Marienplatz square with its New Town Hall glockenspiel show. End your day with a beer at one of Munich's renowned beer halls. [Night in Munich]
- Day 7overnight: Munich
Munich's Attractions
Today, explore top Munich sites like the incredible Nymphenburg Palace and the nearby Englischer Garten, one of the world's largest city parks dotted with beer gardens. You could also visit the BMW Museum and factory to learn about this iconic German automotive brand. [Night in Munich]
- Day 8overnight: Zurich
Travel to Zurich
Leave Munich after breakfast and cross into Switzerland to the city of Zurich. Upon arrival, check into your hotel for two nights. Spend your afternoon strolling along the upscale Bahnhofstrasse shopping avenue and exploring Zurich's atmospheric Old Town. [Night in Zurich]
- Day 9overnight: Zurich
Zurich's Highlights
See the top attractions in cosmopolitan Zurich like a walking tour of the Old Town churches and guildhalls. Visit world-class museums such as the Swiss National Museum or the Kunsthaus art museum. You could also take a scenic cruise on Lake Zurich. [Night in Zurich]
- Day 10railovernight: Paris
Travel to Paris
Depart Zurich after breakfast and take the train to Paris, France. After checking into your hotel for a three-night stay, spend your afternoon strolling along the iconic Champs-Élysées and seeing the Arc de Triomphe up close. [Night in Paris]
- Day 11overnight: Paris
Eiffel Tower and Louvre
No visit to Paris is complete without seeing the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. Start at the Trocadéro for fantastic views of the Iron Lady, then head to the Louvre to marvel at legendary works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. [Night in Paris]
- Day 12overnight: Paris
Montmartre and the Left Bank
Spend the morning in the charming Montmartre neighborhood, strolling through Place du Tertre and seeing the iconic Sacré-Cœur Basilica. In the afternoon, cross to the Left Bank's Latin Quarter to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral and browse the bouquiniste bookseller stalls. [Night in Paris]
- Day 13
Depart Paris
On your final day, visit any Parisian attractions you may have missed, like the stunning Palais Garnier opera house or the artistic Musée d'Orsay. If time allows, you can also squeeze in some final shopping or strolling along the Seine before departing this magnificent city.
Included
- Welcome Package: Receive a personalized welcome package upon arrival, including travel essentials and detailed itinerary information to ensure a seamless start to your journey.
- First-Class Rail Travel: Experience the ultimate in comfort and style with first-class rail travel throughout your itinerary. Please note that some regional trains may only offer second-class seating.
- 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation: Enjoy luxurious 4-star-plus accommodations in all cities, conveniently located near train stations for easy access and maximum convenience.
- Daily Breakfast: Start each day with a delicious full breakfast, provided at all hotel accommodations, offering a variety of local and international options.
- Airport Transfers: Enjoy hassle-free airport transfers upon arrival and departure, ensuring a smooth and stress-free travel experience.
Not included
- International Airfare: Flights to and from Europe are not included in the package price. Rail Escape can offer an additional reservation of flights.
- Excursions Activities and Entrance Fees: Any tours, excursions, or activities are not included and may incur additional costs.
- Meals Beyond Breakfast: While a full breakfast is provided daily, lunch, dinner, and any additional meals or snacks are not included and are the guest’s responsibility.
- Local taxes or fees: The packages do not include additional local taxes or fees, such as hotel tourism taxes.
- Personal Expenses: Personal shopping, souvenirs, and additional hotel services (e.g., minibar, laundry, room service) are not covered.
- Tips and Gratuities: Gratuities for hotel staff, guides, and drivers are not included and are at the guest’s discretion.
- Local Transportation: Transportation within cities, such as taxis, buses, and subways, is not included.
