The fact is that you do not need “the perfect” European train itinerary. The rail systems that connect Central and Western Europe together are all so incredibly well connected, that virtually any plan you can think of will work out; as long as you know what type of trip you want.
For some people, the goal is to see beautiful scenery, for others it is to see beautiful cities, and for some merely the experience of waking up in a new country without stepping on an airport tarmac. Trains can provide you opportunities to do all 3, in situations where flying does not.
For example, there is an overnight train route between Paris and Vienna run by Nightjet. After you board the train in Paris and fall asleep in your private cabin or couchette, you will wake up to a completely different culture. It will not be the fastest option, but probably the most enjoyable.
If you’re looking for some great scenic train rides in Switzerland, consider that trains are less a way to transfer between places than they are a way to see an area and it’s surroundings. For example, you can start your trip in Geneva for breakfast, then travel to Zurich for lunch, and finally to St. Gallen for dinner without breaking a sweat! The reason for this level of convenience is the extensive train network throughout Switzerland. With so many train stations and so many trains, you’re almost guaranteed not to have to wait long to catch a connecting train or find a complicated connection. You can buy a one-day pass for unlimited rides throughout the country (yes, that’s even if you have to change trains), and when you do, it’s like taking the bus in a small town with beautiful views of the Alps, beautiful clear lakes, and charming little postcard villages.
If you would rather have a more traditional journey (i.e., a long, drawn out ‘story’) you could take the train from Paris south to Sicily. This trip is mostly an opportunity to transition from one part of the world to another while seeing some pretty amazing scenery. This trip includes train travel in the Swiss Alps, into and through Italy, and includes taking a train that actually goes on a boat (ferry) across the ocean! This method of transporting trains and their passengers is a long gone experience for most train travelers in Europe.
For travellers to Europe, there are no shortage of cities to visit and even a few that provide additional adventure if you’re willing to take the train. There is no other region in Europe than Europe that will give you city hopping as an opportunity and there is no other region that provides you the opportunity to have breakfast in Paris, lunch in Amsterdam, and arrive in Berlin in a couple of days without feeling rushed or stressed out at any point during the travel process. You will find trains operating at high rates of speed, which allow you to effectively complete each of the cities you want to see, and each city has its own unique feeling. For example, Paris has a more traditional feel; Amsterdam has a more laid-back/artistic feel; and, Berlin has a more raw/creative feel.
Another option travellers don’t normally consider is heading to Croatia from Paris by train. The cost is surprisingly low as compared to travelling through the usual Western European circuit. You leave Paris, go through Germany, get on a sleeper train in Munich, and wake up in the city of Zagreb. In addition to being an economically sound way to get from point A to point B while also experiencing a number of different cultures (including scenery, landscapes, architecture, and types of art) as you travel overnight, it is very interesting to see what many people are surprised to see if they visit Zagreb for any period of time.
There is no one “best” route to take. Whether you decide to do a fast paced city run, go for a leisurely scenic glide or do an overnight trip that crosses borders, all are possible routes to choose from. What you ultimately choose to do will depend on your desired experience; do you want your trip to be efficient, ultra-relaxing or somewhat movie-like?
Traveling in Europe by train is more about how you get around than the actual end location.
