Bruges, which is a speedy three-and-a-half-hour train ride from London, ranked higher than the likes of Paris and Amsterdam with a city score of 85%.
Visitors loved that they could explore its historic waterways and medieval cobbled streets by foot, remarking on its ‘magical’ and ‘enchanting’ atmosphere.
Get free travel advice and recommendations you can trust from the experts with our monthlyWhy taking the train can be quicker (and cheaper) than flying
Travelling by rail can often work out quicker once you factor in waiting time at the airport and transport to the city centre at the other end.
Even outside London, travel times often make sense – with Birmingham, Portsmouth and even Cardiff all around two hours by train from the capital. You’ll be reducing your carbon footprint by up to 90% too.
The best European cities by train
| Brand | Average hotel rate | Food and drink | Accommodation | Cultural sights and attractions | Shopping | Ease of getting around | Lack of crowds | Value for money | City score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruges Belgium (74) | £138 | **** | **** | **** | *** | **** | ** | **** | 85% |
| Bordeaux France (56) | £91 | ***** | *** | **** | *** | ***** | *** | **** | 84% |
| Amsterdam Netherlands (218) | £141 | *** | *** | ***** | ** | **** | * | *** | 82% |
| Avignon France (39) | £104 | *** | *** | ***** | - | **** | *** | **** | 82% |
| Rotterdam Netherlands (33) | - | - | - | *** | - | - | - | - | 81% |
| Ghent Belgium (48) | £128 | **** | *** | **** | *** | **** | *** | **** | 80% |
| Paris France (276) | £149 | **** | *** | ***** | *** | **** | * | ** | 79% |
| Strasbourg France (44) | £149 | **** | *** | **** | ** | **** | ** | **** | 79% |
| Cologne Germany (50) | £126 | **** | **** | *** | *** | **** | ** | **** | 71% |
| Lyon France (49) | £108 | ***** | *** | **** | - | *** | *** | **** | 71% |
| Brussels Belgium (81) | £111 | **** | *** | *** | ** | *** | *** | *** | 70% |
| Lille France (46) | £135 | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | *** | **** | 70% |
| Basel Switzerland (39) | £178 | *** | *** | *** | - | **** | *** | ** | 68% |
| Frankfurt Germany (30) | £82 | *** | - | - | - | - | - | - | 64% |
| Marseille France (36) | £142 | **** | - | *** | - | *** | ** | *** | 63% |
| Geneva Switzerland (34) | £146 | *** | - | - | - | **** | *** | * | 60% |
Best rail break for food and drink: Bordeaux
Bordeaux was one of only two cities in our survey awarded the full five stars for its food and drink (alongside Lyon).
Sample its full-bodied wines with a vineyard tasting tour in the surrounding M̩doc or Graves region, or visit the Cit̩ du Vin museum Рshowcasing 2,000 years of local winemaking.
The city’s food – such as tender Bazas beef or oysters from the nearby Cap Ferret region – is another reason to visit, with holidaymakers praising the ‘superb restaurants’ that ‘cater to all tastes and pockets’.
How long?Best rail breaks for cultural sights: Amsterdam and Avignon
Amsterdam and Avignon came in joint-third place with 82% – and both clinched the full five stars for cultural sights and attractions.
The Dutch capital is renowned for its beautiful waterways lined with colourful gable-topped town houses.
You can tick off some of the highlights within hours of stepping off the train: the Royal Palace, the Rembrandt House Museum and Anne Frank House are all walking distance from Central Station. The nearby Rijksmuseum is also home to some of the world’s most celebrated artworks (including Rembrandt’s The Night Watch).
Avignon, in the heart of Provence was equally popular with visitors. The Popes’ Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was described as ‘an essential visit’ – marking a unique period in history when Avignon was the temporary papal headquarters. This legacy also lives on in the grand churches and the three miles of defensive stone ramparts that encircle the city.
How long?Rotterdam, by train from the UK
Rotterdam also made our top five. The Netherland’s second city may have been flattened by World War II bombing, but bold architects have breathed new life into its soulless reconstruction.
Striking examples include the mirror-clad Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen museum and the Erasmus Bridge – nicknamed ‘the Swan’ because of its graceful bow-shaped design.
How long?Why you should look beyond Paris for your next Eurostar rail break
Paris is a fast and convenient option, with a direct train taking just two hours 16 minutes from London. However, it struggled to compete with its lesser-visited rivals, finishing mid-table – but above the likes of Cologne and Brussels.
While its cultural sites scored top marks, it fell down on its lack of crowds (one star) and value for money (two stars).
Geneva, Switzerland’s lakeside second city, finished in bottom spot with a city score of just 60% and a one-star rating for value for money. It was described as beautiful but expensive and ‘rather dull’ by one visitor. The train ride from London takes around six-and-a-half hours.
source https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/best-european-cities-to-visit-by-train-axtoT9s4Ccms