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Rail Escape

Western Capitals: London, Paris, Brussels

Rail journey through London, Paris, and Brussels over nine days

Illustration of Western Capitals: London, Paris, Brussels

Rail Escape's Western Capitals tour is a nine-day rail journey linking London, Paris, and Brussels. The tour begins in London with three nights exploring the British Museum, the National Gallery, Buckingham Palace, and royal parks at your own pace using hop-on-hop-off buses. On Day 4, you board the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel to Paris, where three nights allow you to visit the Louvre, climb the Eiffel Tower, and wander Montmartre's charming streets. Finally, a train journey carries you to Brussels for two nights in Belgium's capital, featuring the medieval Grand-Place, the Manneken Pis statue, and the Atomium from the 1958 World's Fair. Rail Escape provides first-class rail travel, four-star hotels near train stations, daily breakfast, and airport transfers. The tour suits first-time rail travelers, couples, history enthusiasts, and independent explorers who prefer self-guided sightseeing over escorted group activities.

What to know before you look closer

  • Entrance fees to museums and attractions are not included and must be booked separately
  • Only breakfast is included; lunch and dinner are your responsibility
  • Local transportation within cities (beyond the airport transfers) is not included
  • Hotel upgrade options depend on availability; the final accommodation tier you receive may vary by city

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: London

    Arrive in London

    Welcome to England's iconic capital! After checking into your hotel for three nights, get oriented by taking a walk through one of London's beautiful royal parks like Hyde Park or St. James's Park. In the evening, you could explore the bustling Covent Garden area with its street performers, restaurants, and pubs.

  2. Day 2overnight: London

    Sights of Central London

    Use a hop-on, hop-off bus tour to see London's top attractions at your own pace. Be sure to hop off at Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard ceremony. Other highlights could include the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and Trafalgar Square.

  3. Day 3overnight: London

    London Museums

    With another day in London, devote some time to its world-class museums. Possibilities include the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Modern, Victoria and Albert Museum, or any others that pique your interest based on the incredible collections.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Paris

    Travel to Paris

    After breakfast, depart London and take the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel to Paris. Upon arrival, check into your Paris hotel for three nights. Spend your afternoon strolling along the iconic Champs-Élysées and seeing the Arc de Triomphe up close.

  5. Day 5overnight: Paris

    The Louvre and Eiffel Tower

    No visit to Paris is complete without seeing the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Start your day at the Louvre to admire legendary works like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. Then head to the Trocadéro for fantastic views of the Iron Lady herself.

  6. Day 6overnight: 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.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Brussels

    Travel to Brussels

    Leave Paris after breakfast and take a train to Brussels, the capital of Belgium. After checking into your hotel for two nights, spend the afternoon strolling through the Grand-Place, one of the most beautiful medieval town squares in Europe.

  8. Day 8overnight: Brussels

    Exploring Brussels

    Today, experience the top attractions in Brussels like the iconic Manneken Pis statue, the Royal Museums of Fine Arts, and the towering Atomium, a remnant of the 1958 World's Fair. You could also visit the excellent Comic Strip Museum or tour the EU institutions.

  9. Day 9

    Depart Brussels

    On your final morning in Belgium's capital, visit any attractions you may have missed or take a side trip to nearby Ghent or Bruges, two of the country's other picturesque medieval cities, before departing.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at Buckingham Palace during a hop-on, hop-off bus tour of central London
  • Day 4Travel on the high-speed Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel from London to Paris
  • Day 5Visit the Louvre Museum to see the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, then view the Eiffel Tower from Trocadéro
  • Day 7Stroll through Brussels' Grand-Place, one of Europe's most beautiful medieval town squares

Included

  • Welcome Package with travel essentials and detailed itinerary information
  • First-Class Rail Travel throughout (some regional trains second-class only)
  • 4-Star Plus Hotel Accommodation in all cities, near train stations
  • Daily Breakfast at all hotel accommodations
  • Airport Transfers on arrival and departure

Not included

  • International Airfare
  • Excursions, Activities and Entrance Fees
  • Meals Beyond Breakfast
  • Local taxes or fees (e.g. hotel tourism taxes)
  • Personal Expenses
  • Tips and Gratuities
  • Local Transportation

Questions travellers ask

Is rail travel included?
Yes. Rail Escape includes first-class rail travel throughout the tour, including the Eurostar from London to Paris through the Channel Tunnel. Some regional trains may operate in second class only.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
The itinerary is independent. You receive a detailed itinerary and hotel accommodations; sightseeing is self-guided using suggested attractions and public transportation.
What is included in the price?
The from-price of USD 3,499 includes first-class rail travel, four-star hotel accommodation near train stations for all eight nights, daily breakfast, airport transfers on arrival and departure, and a welcome package with travel essentials.
What is not included?
International airfare, entrance fees to museums and attractions, meals beyond breakfast, local transportation within cities, local taxes or fees, tips and gratuities, and personal expenses are not included.
How many nights does the tour last?
The tour is nine days and eight nights: three nights in London, three nights in Paris, and two nights in Brussels.
Can I upgrade my hotel?
Yes. Rail Escape offers optional hotel upgrades in all three cities, ranging from Popular Alternative to Luxe Alternative properties such as the Kaya Great Northern Hotel in London or Rocco Forte Hotel Amigo in Brussels.

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