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Euroventure · Self-guided rail tour

The Heart of Europe: 2 Weeks

London to Paris via eight European cities on trains and two night trains

Illustration of The Heart of Europe: 2 Weeks

Euroventure's The Heart of Europe is a 13-day self-guided rail tour starting in London and finishing in Paris, passing through eight European capitals. Travellers take Eurostar from London to Brussels and then travel through Cologne, Prague, Budapest, Vienna, and Zurich before returning to London via Paris. The itinerary balances short city stays of one to two nights, with two night train journeys maximizing time on the ground. Days follow a relaxed city-exploration pattern: day one includes a walk of Brussels's Grand Place; day four brings the Astronomical Clock and Charles Bridge in Prague; day six features a night train to Budapest followed by the Chain Bridge and thermal baths. Accommodation is in centrally located hotels or hostels, and a personalized travel booklet provides maps and local tips. All rail tickets, including reservations and couchette beds, are included. The package suits first-time rail travellers, solo explorers, and history lovers, with optional activities at each stop but no mandatory group tours.

What to know before you look closer

  • The package offers couchette beds in shared cabins on night trains (Prague to Budapest and Vienna to Zurich); private cabin upgrades are available at checkout for an additional cost.
  • Accommodation is in top-rated centrally located hostels or hotels selected by Euroventure; your final property depends on availability and tier.

Day by day

  1. Day 1railovernight: Brussels

    London to Brussels (1 night)

    Eurostar to Brussels (about 2.5 hours). Walk the Grand Place, a UNESCO-listed square, and sample Belgian waffles or chocolate.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Cologne

    Brussels to Cologne (2 nights)

    Train to Cologne (about 2 hours). Visit Cologne Cathedral, stroll the Old Town, and try Kölsch beer.

  3. Day 4overnight: Prague

    Cologne to Prague (2 nights)

    Trains to Prague (about 9.5 hours). Watch the Astronomical Clock, cross Charles Bridge, and explore Prague Castle.

  4. Day 6railovernight: Budapest

    Prague to Budapest (2 nights)

    Night train to Budapest (about 10 hours, shared cabin as standard, private cabin upgrade at checkout). Walk the Chain Bridge, climb to Fisherman's Bastion, and soak in a thermal bath.

  5. Day 8railovernight: Vienna

    Budapest to Vienna (1 night)

    Train to Vienna (about 3.5 hours). Visit Hofburg Palace, the State Opera House, and try a Viennese coffee and Sachertorte.

  6. Day 9railovernight: Zurich

    Vienna to Zurich (2 nights)

    Night train to Zurich (about 9.5 hours, shared cabin as standard, private cabin upgrade at checkout). Explore the Old Town, Lake Zurich, and Bahnhofstrasse.

  7. Day 11railovernight: Paris

    Zurich to Paris (2 nights)

    Train to Paris (about 4.5 hours). Stroll the Seine, visit the Louvre, and take in views from the Eiffel Tower.

  8. Day 13rail

    Paris to London

    Eurostar to London (about 4.5 hours), completing the loop.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1Walk the Grand Place, Brussels's UNESCO-listed square, and sample Belgian waffles or chocolate.
  • Day 2Visit Cologne Cathedral and stroll the Old Town along the Rhine.
  • Day 4Watch the Astronomical Clock in the Old Town Square, cross Charles Bridge, and explore Prague Castle.
  • Day 6Depart Prague by night train; on arrival in Budapest, walk the Chain Bridge, climb to Fisherman's Bastion, and soak in a thermal bath.

Included

  • All overland transport tickets from the first to the last city, as shown in the key
  • Any Interrail or Eurail passes if required, based on the best value for you
  • Compulsory seat reservations on high-speed rail, night trains or ferries
  • Couchette beds in shared cabins on night trains, with private cabin upgrades available
  • Accommodation in top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels, tested by us
  • Walking directions between the stations and your booked accommodation
  • Optional walking tours, pub crawls and other activities at partner hostels
  • A personalised travel booklet with maps, language guides, top tips, and more
  • Exclusive discounts on attractions across Europe
  • Peace of mind with alternative travel included if there is a strike or similar disruption
  • Access to a 24hr emergency phone number while you're away
  • 1GB of free data, with the option to add more anytime with eSIM

Questions travellers ask

Is all train travel included?
Yes. The package includes all overland transport tickets from London to Paris, including Eurostar connections. Interrail or Eurail passes are provided if needed for best value. Compulsory seat reservations and couchette beds on night trains are included.
Is this trip guided or self-guided?
This is a self-guided tour. Euroventure provides a personalized travel booklet with maps, language guides, and directions between stations and accommodation, plus 24-hour emergency phone support.
What kind of accommodation is provided?
Top-rated, centrally located hostels or hotels tested by Euroventure. Walking directions from the station to your accommodation are included.
How do the night trains work?
The Prague to Budapest and Vienna to Zurich legs use night trains. Couchette beds in shared cabins are standard; private cabin upgrades are available as an optional extra.
What is the cost and what does it cover?
From GBP 1,234 (approximately USD 1,648). Included are all rail tickets, accommodation, seat reservations, couchette beds, walking directions, a travel booklet, exclusive attraction discounts, 24-hour emergency support, and 1GB of free data via eSIM.
Is there guided activity included in the cities?
Walking tours, pub crawls, and other activities are optional and available at partner hostels. No activities are compulsory.

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