How to Travel Europe by Train: A Guide for UAE Travellers (2026)
Travelling Europe by train is one of the world’s great travel experiences — and one that most UAE residents have never considered. The assumption is that flying between European cities is faster and cheaper. For many journeys, neither is true. The Paris–Amsterdam train takes 3 hours 20 minutes and drops you in the city centre. The equivalent flight, when you include getting to and from airports, security, boarding, and baggage, takes 4–5 hours and costs more.
This guide covers everything UAE residents need to know to travel Europe by train: how the rail network works, which routes are best, how to book, which passes are worth buying, and the specific journeys that are transformative travel experiences in their own right.
Why Train Travel in Europe Makes Sense for UAE Travellers
Speed on the right routes. European high-speed rail (France’s TGV, Spain’s AVE, Italy’s Frecciarossa, Germany’s ICE) covers intercity distances at 250–320km/h. Paris to Lyon: 2 hours. Madrid to Seville: 2.5 hours. Rome to Florence: 1.5 hours. Milan to Venice: 2 hours 20 minutes. These are genuinely faster than flying when total door-to-door time is counted.
City-centre to city-centre. European train stations are in city centres. European airports are 30–60 minutes from city centres. On a Paris–Brussels journey (1 hour 22 minutes by Eurostar/Thalys), the train wins by 2 hours when total travel time is compared.
The scenery. European train journeys pass through landscapes that aerial travel makes invisible. The Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The coastal route from Nice to Monaco and into Italy. The Rhine Valley from Cologne to Koblenz. These are journeys worth taking for their own sake.
One ticket, no baggage fees. On most European trains, your luggage travels with you in the carriage — no checked baggage fees, no luggage weight limits on most intercity services, no waiting at carriage belts on arrival.
The experience. Arriving at Paris Gare du Nord and stepping onto the Boulevard de Magenta is a different introduction to a city than landing at CDG, taking a 45-minute taxi through the périphérique, and checking into a hotel three hours after your wheels touched down.
How European Rail Works: The Basics
National Rail Networks
Each European country operates its own national rail network:
- France: SNCF (sncf.com)
- Germany: Deutsche Bahn (bahn.de)
- Italy: Trenitalia and Italo (trenitalia.com, italotreno.it)
- Spain: Renfe (renfe.com)
- Switzerland: SBB (sbb.ch)
- Netherlands: NS (ns.nl)
- Belgium: SNCB (belgiantrain.be)
- Austria: ÖBB (oebb.at)
Cross-border trains connect countries — Eurostar (London–Paris–Brussels), Thalys (Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam), TGV (Paris–Geneva–Barcelona), Nightjet (overnight trains across Austria, Germany, and Switzerland) are operated jointly or under separate agreements.
Train Categories
High-speed trains (TGV, ICE, AVE, Frecciarossa): The fastest intercity trains. Seat reservation usually compulsory. Often require a specific ticket rather than just a rail pass.
Intercity trains (IC, EC): Fast intercity services. Comfortable. Seat reservation sometimes required, sometimes optional.
Regional trains (RE, RB): Slower local services. No reservation required. Not suitable for long-distance travel.
Night trains (Nightjet, Caledonian Sleeper): Overnight trains between major cities. Options include a couchette (shared sleeping compartment, basic), a private sleeper cabin (with a proper bed), or a seat. The Nightjet network has expanded significantly across Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, and into France and Italy.
Seat Reservations
Important for UAE travellers: In many European countries, having a valid ticket or rail pass does not automatically guarantee you a seat. On high-speed trains (France, Spain, Italy), a seat reservation is mandatory and costs an additional fee beyond the pass. Always book seat reservations as soon as your dates are confirmed — popular trains sell out.
The Eurail Pass: Is It Worth It for UAE Travellers?
The Eurail Pass (eurail.com) is the European rail pass for non-European residents — it allows unlimited train travel across Europe on a set number of travel days within a defined period.
Types of Eurail Pass
Global Pass: Travel across all 33 Eurail member countries. Available in:
- Consecutive day versions: 15 days, 22 days, 1 month, 2 months, 3 months
- Flexi versions: 4, 5, 7, 10, or 15 travel days within a 1 or 2-month period
One Country Pass: Travel within a single country only (France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, etc.)
Two Country Pass: Travel between two neighbouring countries.
Is the Eurail Pass Worth Buying?
It depends on your itinerary. The Eurail Global Pass is worth it when:
- You’re visiting 4+ countries on one trip
- You’re making multiple long-distance journeys
- You want flexibility to change plans without rebooking
It may not be worth it when:
- You’re visiting 1–2 countries with a fixed itinerary
- The specific trains you need require mandatory seat reservations (which cost extra even with a pass)
- Point-to-point tickets for your specific routes work out cheaper
The correct calculation: Add up the cost of individual tickets for every train journey on your planned itinerary. Compare this to the Eurail pass cost plus estimated seat reservation fees. Choose the cheaper option.
For a 10-night Europe trip (e.g., Paris → Amsterdam → Brussels → Paris): Point-to-point tickets are usually cheaper than a Eurail pass for a short itinerary.
For a 3-week Grand Europe tour (Paris → Berlin → Prague → Vienna → Venice → Florence → Rome): A Eurail Global Pass almost certainly saves money and provides flexibility.
Buy Eurail passes before arriving in Europe — they’re available online at eurail.com and through travel agents in the UAE. Prices are fixed globally.
The Swiss Travel Pass: The Best Value Single-Country Pass
For UAE travellers visiting Switzerland, the Swiss Travel Pass (swisstravelsystem.com) is the most valuable single-country rail pass available:
- Unlimited travel on all Swiss trains, buses, lake steamers, and trams
- Free or discounted entry to most mountain railways, cable cars, and museums
- Available in 3, 4, 6, 8, or 15 consecutive day versions
- Pays for itself in 1–2 days of Swiss travel
For a 7-night Switzerland itinerary covering Zurich, Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt, the Swiss Travel Pass covers all transport between cities and substantially reduces mountain excursion costs.
Europe’s Best Train Journeys for UAE Travellers
1. Paris to Amsterdam (Thalys/Eurostar, 3 hours 20 minutes)
Paris Nord → Amsterdam Centraal — one of Europe’s most civilised journeys. Rolling French countryside gives way to Dutch polders, windmills, and canals. Arrive in the centre of Amsterdam without touching an airport.
Book via: Eurostar.com (now merged with Thalys) Cost: AED 150–400 per person
2. London to Paris (Eurostar, 2 hours 15 minutes)
St. Pancras International → Paris Gare du Nord via the Channel Tunnel. Under the English Channel at 300km/h. One of the world’s most remarkable pieces of transport infrastructure. The Eurostar check-in and border process takes 30–40 minutes — add this to your travel time calculation.
Book via: Eurostar.com Cost: AED 200–600 per person
3. Rome to Florence (Frecciarossa, 1 hour 30 minutes)
Rome Termini → Florence Santa Maria Novella on Italy’s flagship high-speed train. Crosses the Apennine Mountains through tunnels and viaducts. The fastest point-to-point in Italy’s urban core.
Book via: Trenitalia.com or Italotreno.it Cost: AED 80–200 per person
4. The Bernina Express (Chur to Tirano, 4 hours)
The most spectacular train journey in Europe — a UNESCO World Heritage railway through the Swiss Alps, crossing 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, reaching 2,253 metres above sea level at the Ospizio Bernina. The engineering is extraordinary; the scenery is transformative.
Book via: Sbb.ch Available: Year-round, though snow closures affect some months — check before booking
5. The Glacier Express (Zermatt to St. Moritz, 8 hours)
The “slowest express train in the world” — a full day’s journey through the Swiss Alps from the Matterhorn to the Engadin valley. Panoramic windows, dining car service, and 291 bridges. One of the world’s definitive train experiences.
Book via: Glacierexpress.ch Tip: Book the VIP Excellence Class for panoramic upper-deck seating and included meals — it significantly enhances the experience
6. Madrid to Seville (AVE, 2 hours 30 minutes)
Spain’s AVE (Alta Velocidad Española) high-speed network is among the finest in the world. Madrid Atocha → Seville at 300km/h across the plains of La Mancha and Andalusia. The equivalent road journey takes 6 hours.
Book via: Renfe.com Cost: AED 100–250 per person
7. The Rhine Valley Route (Cologne to Mainz, 2 hours 30 minutes)
The ICE or regional train running along the Rhine between Cologne and Mainz passes through one of Europe’s most concentrated stretches of medieval castles, vine-covered hillsides, and river towns. Over 40 castles visible from the train in 65km. Best on a regional train (slower, more scenery visible) rather than the ICE.
8. The Cinque Terre Coastal Route (La Spezia to Levanto, 30 minutes)
A short local train line connecting the five fishing villages of the Cinque Terre — one of Italy’s most beautiful coastlines, with views of the Mediterranean between each stop. The train is the primary way to move between the villages (the hiking trails between them take considerably longer). A day pass for the Cinque Terre rail line is excellent value.
Booking European Trains from the UAE
Book as early as possible for the best prices. European rail fares follow airline-style dynamic pricing — the cheapest seats go first. For high-speed trains on popular routes (Paris–London, Rome–Florence, Madrid–Barcelona), booking 90 days ahead secures the lowest fares.
Booking platforms:
- Trainline (thetrainline.com): The best single platform for booking trains across Europe — covers most national networks and cross-border services in one place. English-language, accepts international credit cards.
- Rail Europe (raileurope.com): Good for Eurail passes and cross-border booking
- National rail websites: Often the cheapest for domestic journeys within each country (SNCF for France, Renfe for Spain, Trenitalia for Italy)
- Your travel agent: Orient Holidays can incorporate train bookings into a Europe holiday package
What you need to book:
- A valid credit card (Visa or Mastercard — all European rail booking sites accept these)
- Passport details (required for high-speed trains in France, Spain, and some other countries)
- Email address for e-ticket delivery
E-tickets: Most European trains now use electronic tickets — QR codes on your phone or printed. Download tickets to your phone before departure in case of connectivity issues.
Practical Tips for First-Time European Rail Travellers from UAE
Validate your ticket where required. In Italy (and some other countries), regional train tickets must be validated (stamped) at yellow machines on the platform before boarding. High-speed tickets with a seat reservation don’t require validation. This trips up many first-timers — an unvalidated ticket on an Italian regional train results in a fine.
Be on the platform early. European trains depart on time — often to the second. Most platforms are announced 15–20 minutes before departure. Find your platform from the departures board and be positioned by the correct carriage.
Check your carriage number. Your ticket specifies a coach (carriage) number and seat number. Board the correct carriage — you cannot always move between carriages on a moving train in some countries.
Large luggage storage. Most European trains have overhead racks and luggage areas at the ends of carriages. Massive suitcases can be awkward on regional trains. For extensive European rail travel, a rolling carry-on (max 55cm tall) is far more practical than a large checked-size suitcase.
Food and drink on trains. Most high-speed trains have a bistro car — snacks, sandwiches, coffee, and drinks. Quality and price vary. For long journeys (Glacier Express, Bernina Express), a dining car reservation is worth making. For shorter journeys, buying snacks before boarding is cheaper.
Night trains: what to expect. Nightjet and other overnight trains have three accommodation options:
- Seat: Reclining seat in a shared compartment — uncomfortable for sleeping, suitable for shorter overnight routes
- Couchette: A fold-down bunk in a shared 4 or 6-berth compartment — pillow and blanket provided, basic but functional
- Private sleeper cabin: 1, 2, or 3-berth private room with a proper bed, bedding, and sometimes breakfast included — the recommended option for couples and families
Night trains save a hotel night and transport costs simultaneously — particularly attractive on routes like Vienna–Brussels (15 hours) or Amsterdam–Vienna (14 hours).
Sample Europe by Train Itineraries for UAE Travellers
10 Nights: Classic Western Europe by Rail
- Days 1–2: Fly Dubai → Paris. Explore Paris (Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre)
- Day 3: Paris → Amsterdam (Eurostar/Thalys, 3 hrs 20 min). Afternoon in Amsterdam (canals, Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House)
- Day 4: Amsterdam → Brussels (1 hr 50 min). Belgian chocolate, Manneken Pis, Grand Place
- Day 5: Brussels → Paris (1 hr 22 min). More Paris — Versailles day trip
- Day 6: Paris → Lyon (TGV, 2 hrs). Lyon food scene (UNESCO gastronomic city)
- Day 7: Lyon → Nice (TGV, 2 hrs 50 min). French Riviera
- Day 8: Nice day trips (Monaco, 25 min by train; Eze village)
- Day 9: Nice → Florence (scenic coastal route via Genoa, 5 hrs). Arrive evening
- Day 10: Florence. Fly home from Florence or Rome
14 Nights: Grand Europe Rail Tour
- Days 1–2: Paris
- Day 3: Paris → Amsterdam (Thalys, 3 hrs 20 min)
- Day 4: Amsterdam → Cologne (ICE, 2 hrs 38 min). Rhine Valley scenery en route
- Day 5: Cologne → Frankfurt → Zurich (ICE + IC, 4 hrs total)
- Days 6–7: Switzerland (Lucerne, Interlaken, Jungfraujoch)
- Day 8: Zurich → Milan (EC train, 3 hrs 40 min)
- Days 9–10: Milan and Lake Como (train to Varenna, 1 hr)
- Day 11: Milan → Venice (Frecciarossa, 2 hrs 20 min)
- Days 12–13: Venice
- Day 14: Venice → Rome (Frecciarossa, 3 hrs 45 min). Fly home from Rome
7 Nights: Swiss Rail Focus
- Day 1: Fly Dubai → Zurich
- Day 2: Zurich → Lucerne (IC, 50 min)
- Day 3: Lucerne → Interlaken (2 hrs, via Lake Brienz)
- Day 4: Interlaken → Jungfraujoch and back (cogwheel railway)
- Day 5: Interlaken → Zermatt (2 hrs 30 min, change at Visp)
- Day 6: Zermatt — Matterhorn views, Glacier Express segment
- Day 7: Zermatt → Zurich (3 hrs 30 min). Fly home
Frequently Asked Questions
Is European train travel safe? European rail travel is among the safest transport in the world. Trains are well-maintained, crime is low, and the rail network is one of the most reliable in any region globally.
Do I need to print train tickets in Europe? Most European trains now accept e-tickets on your phone. A few older systems (some Italian regional trains, some smaller rail companies) prefer printed tickets or validated physical tickets. Always download your tickets to your phone offline before travel, and carry a printed backup for important journeys.
Can I take my luggage on European trains? Yes — luggage travels in the carriage with you at no extra charge on most European trains. There are no size or weight limits on intercity trains (though common sense applies). Overhead racks accommodate standard carry-on sized bags; larger bags go in the luggage area at the end of the carriage.
What is the Eurail pass and where do I buy it? The Eurail pass is a multi-country European rail pass available to non-European residents. Buy at eurail.com or through a UAE travel agent before travel. It cannot be purchased once you’re in Europe.
Is the Glacier Express or Bernina Express worth the cost? Yes — these are among Europe’s finest travel experiences and genuinely worth budgeting for. The Glacier Express (8 hours, Zermatt to St. Moritz) and Bernina Express (4 hours, Chur to Tirano) are not primarily transport — they are experiences. Book months ahead during summer.
Plan Your Europe Rail Holiday with Orient Holidays
Orient Holidays builds Europe rail itineraries for UAE residents — incorporating train bookings, Eurail and Swiss Travel Passes, hotel bookings at each destination, and the logistical connections that make multi-city European rail holidays seamless rather than stressful.
European rail holidays from UAE start from AED 6,999 per person for 10 nights including return flights, rail passes, hotel accommodation and selected transfers.
WhatsApp our team with your Europe destinations and travel dates — we’ll build a specific rail itinerary and quote within 2 hours.
Train schedules, fares, and pass conditions are subject to change. Book rail tickets and passes as early as possible for best prices and seat availability. Pricing is approximate and based on 2026 rates.