The 10 best European countries for a rail holiday in 2026
As summer holidays for 2026 look in doubt for many travellers with a weather eye on jet fuel costs, border control delays and war-related disruptions – this could be the ideal year for more people to branch out and experience what Europe has to offer by rail.
Countries across Europe have been heavily investing in railway infrastructure, spending billions of pounds upgrading to faster trains, and more direct routes – in a bid to support green, sustainable tourism.
The EU is also pushing to halve travel times between major cities by 2040, as Europe embraces a ‘rail renaissance’, with new routes connecting Paris, Berlin, Brussels, and Milan – creating a quick and easy way to holiday across the continent.
Skip the airport, Europe’s rail hotspots revealed
Travel insurance experts at Quotezone.co.uk have research some of Europe’s finest options that won’t break the bank – compiling a list of the top spots to visit this summer by rail, ranking them for value, accessibility and variety.
The index looked at Brits holiday favourites, then cross referenced each country against the cost of rail travel, the volume of operating train lines available, the speed of the trains and the cost of staying near some of the most iconic rail routes.
France came out on top as the number one country to try this summer for rail holidays, with stunning rail routes through Provence and the Loire Valley. This renowned destination has the second largest network of railway routes to explore at over 18,000 miles, connecting tourist hotspots Bordeaux, Nice and of course, Paris – all easily accessible by train.
One of the most celebrated routes in France is the Le Cevenol, crossing breathtaking gorges, viaducts and dormant volcanoes, with some of the most affordable accommodation at nearby hidden gem Ales, at just £100 a night. France by rail offers so many flexible holiday choices for exploring.
Second on the list is Spain, with the largest high-speed network and also the fastest trains making the list at 193mph, reaching holiday favourites Madrid, Barcelona and Malaga with views across lush green northern coastlines, and Andalusian olive groves.
Holidaymakers will not want to miss the stunning Transcantábrico train, running alongside the Bay of Biscay – travellers can stay and visit Bilbao with quality hotel accommodation from just £133 a night.
Rounding off the top three is Italy, with its legendary Tuscan countryside and breathtaking coastal views. The Cinque Terre Express is another must-see along the dramatic Italian Riviera coastline, where travellers can start or finish the trip with a stay in La Spezia at a reasonable £151 a night. Italy’s high-speed trains and affordable rail passes connect some of the most popular tourist spots in the world, from Florence to Milan and of course Rome.
Railway holidays are a sustainable and affordable way to travel with four-day flexible rail passes ranging from £112 in the Czech Republic, to £246 in the Netherlands. These passes allow travellers to choose four routes over the course of a month, making it easy to take in multiple countries and cities on a budget, with further reductions for students and young people.
Trains also allow for a more relaxing method of transport without the need to arrive several hours in advance as you do for air travel. Once inside the Schengen area, passports are normally only checked enroute. There’s also more freedom over what luggage passengers choose, and apart from seat reservation fees on high-speed trains, there’s very few additional hidden fees.
A recent Quotezone survey showed 39% would be prepared to try a rail holiday across Europe this summer, in light of recent airport disruption.
When asked what appeals most about rail travel, the top answer, with 20%, was not having to arrive at the train station hours in advance of departure, closely followed by an easy arrival/departure process at 15% and more flexibility to visit a larger range of countries and cities easily, 13%.
Helen Rolph, travel insurance expert at Quotezone.co.uk said: “Rail holidays might just be the answer a lot of travellers are searching for this summer. As tensions at airports rise, many holidaymakers are seeking an affordable plan B to help them explore new destinations across Europe and still get a much-needed dose of sunshine.
“The rail network across Europe is impressive, with iconic scenery and thousands of miles of railway connecting some of the finest holiday spots with high-speed trains, affordable travel passes and reasonably priced local accommodation – making it easy for travellers to explore multiple countries and experience several cultures in just one holiday.
| Ranked | Country | Operating train lines – miles | Fastest Operating Speed | Rail pass (valid one month)* | Scenic rail route/train service | Hotel cost in / near iconic rail journey** | Tourist Hotspots by Train |
| 1 | France | 18,580 | 190mph | £170 | Le Cévenol | £100 Ales | Paris, Bordeaux, Nice |
| 2 | Spain | 9,958 | 193mph | £196 | Transcantábrico | £133 Bilbao | Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga |
| 3 | Italy | 10,495 | 190mph | £171 | The Cinque Terre Express | £151 La Spezia | Florence, Rome, Milan |
| 4 | Germany | 20,753 | 186mph | £220 | Cologne to Mainz | £113 Cologne | Munich, Berlin, Frankfurt |
| 5 | Austria | 3,805 | 143 – 155mph | £171 | Salzburg to Innsbruck (via Bischofshofen) | £150 Salzburg | Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck |
| 6 | Belgium | 2,320 | 186mph | £144 | Luxembourg – Troisvierges | £165 Luxembourg | Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp |
| 7 | Hungary | 5,006 | 143mph | £112 | Budapest to Siofok | £176 Budapest | Budapest, Eger, Lake Balaton |
| 8 | Netherlands | 2,003 | 186mph | £246 | Leeuwarden – Sneek – Stavoren | £88 (Leeuwarden) | Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht |
| 9 | Czech Republic | 5,977 | 124mph | £112 | Brno to Prague | £176 Prague | Prague, Cesky Krumlov, Brno |
| 10 | Switzerland | 3,308 miles | 125mph | £244 | Bernina Express | £159 Chur | Interlaken, Zermatt, Montreux |
*Global passes, one second class adult ticket, seat reservation costs not included, flexible, valid for 4 days across 1 month.
**Average cost was taken of the top 10 hotels in that area from online customer review websites.
Rail Travel Tips
- High-speed trains normally require an additional booking fee of around 10 Euros to reserve your seat. Seat reservations on some of the popular high-speed routes can sell out pretty quickly in summer, even if you’ve already got a rail pass, so it’s best to reserve early
- Double check luggage specifications between train companies as variations can apply
- Some trains split and go in different directions, so make sure the carriage you’re in is headed towards your final destination
- If you start your journey from the Eurostar in London, you’ll need to allow up to 90 minutes before departure to clear security and border control
- Families/couples might want to consider paying extra for a private sleeper carriage if travelling overnight
- Some train doors close 1-2 minutes before departure so make sure to leave yourself plenty of time to scan your ticket, find the platform and locate your seat
- Check for rail strikes or engineering works before travelling and allow yourself extra time if there are disruptions, as delays or platform changes can make connections more stressful
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