A steam train crosses the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct through the green Scottish Highlands.

Short getaways by train

Which? Recommended Provider - Rail Holidays

Short on time but dreaming of adventure? Make the most of a long weekend or a few spare days on these escapes by train across Europe and the UK, pairing simple journeys with easy-to-explore places.

France

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Sunlit Aix-en-Provence street with pastel townhouses, shuttered windows, and outdoor cafe tables.

Pause in Provence

Travel south to Aix-en-Provence for a short break. Soak up the relaxed vibe of the city as you stroll through colorful outdoor markets and the elegant, mansion-lined Cours Mirabeau.

Pedestrians pass pink Belle Époque buildings reflected in the Place Masséna reflecting pool, Nice.

Easy beach trip to Nice

The classic glamour of the Côte d’Azur is just a train ride away from Paris, with palm-lined promenades, beach bars, and coastal walks.

The illuminated Eiffel Tower rises above Left Bank rooftops along the Seine, framed by fall leaves.

Paris getaway

A short Eurostar trip will take you to Paris for gallery hopping, boulangerie-hunting, and jaunts along the Seine.

A charcuterie and cheese platter with a glass of local Moulins d'Ascq beer at a Lille cafe.

Lille getaway

Discover Lille’s creative neighborhoods, Flemish food, design shops, and vintage markets around former mills.

Dijon getaway

Dijon’s compact center reveals medieval and Renaissance streets, mustard shops, and Burgundian food in a UNESCO setting.

Avignon short getaway

Fortified hilltop Avignon pairs papal history with Rhône walks, evening bistros, and lavender fields beyond the city walls.

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The UK

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Edinburgh Castle looms above stone stairways and tenements in the Old Town on an overcast day.

Glasgow and Edinburgh

Two Scottish cities. Enough galleries, restaurants, and live music to make you go back for more.

Snowdonia

The heart of Snowdonia sports ancient woods, lakes, and mountains blanketed by wildflowers in spring and snow in winter.

Cattle graze in a golden-hour Yorkshire meadow, framed by overhanging tree branches.

York and Malton

An ode to God's own country. Explore York and Malton, both Yorkshire towns that inspired classic authors like Dickens.

A white suspension footbridge crosses the River Ness in Inverness, with a church spire rising behind it.

Inverness by sleeper train

Travel overnight by sleeper train to Inverness, then enjoy riverside walks, Loch Ness boat trips, castles, bookstores, and pubs.

Two wetsuit-clad surfers carry boards along a Cornish beach as waves roll in behind them.

Wellness weekend in Falmouth

Enjoy a wellness getaway in Falmouth, mixing spa time, cold-water swims, and creative classes by Cornwall’s sheltered coast.

Norwich Cathedral's spire rises above the city's rooftops and trees at golden hour.

Norwich and Hoveton

The Broads is Britain’s largest wildlife-rich wetland. Spend a weekend exploring fens and woodlands along waterways.

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Belgium

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Belgian art cities

Kortrijk and Ghent combine compact medieval centers, canals, and galleries with a lively café culture rooted in local markets.

A quiet tree-lined canal winds past brick houses and red-tiled roofs in Bruges, Belgium.

Getaway to Bruges

Spend time in Bruges among canals and cobblestones, discovering lace history and a beer culture recognized as UNESCO heritage.

Namur and Spa by train

Explore Namur's riverside citadel before unwinding in Spa, the spa town that gave the world its name.

Rows of red tulips and daffodils bloom in front of the moated Groot-Bijgaarden Castle near Brussels.

Short getaway to Brussels

Spend time in Brussels enjoying galleries, nightlife, and gastronomy, from Michelin dining to moules-frites and local beer.

Liège on the Meuse

Climb Liège's 374-step Montagne de Bueren, browse the Sunday market, and admire Calatrava's striking station.

Gabled historic houses in white, brick, and mustard tones line a canal in Ghent.

Short trip to Ghent

Spend time in Ghent, a largely car-free city shaped by canals, parks, medieval streets, and Belgium’s Veggie Thursday movement.

A train at the platform under Antwerp Central Station's ornate glass dome and stone facade.

Short getaway to Antwerp

Arrive at Antwerp’s grand station for a city getaway in Belgium’s diamond capital, known for fashion studios, roasteries, and design.

Coastal Belgium

Belgium’s coast surprises with wide beaches and maritime history, from the ship museum to North Sea resort towns.

Diners fill outdoor cafe terraces on Mons's Grand Place beneath the belfry at dusk.

Short getaway to Mons

Spend time in Mons among belfry views and mining heritage, home to the UNESCO-listed Doudou festival.

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Rest of Europe

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Rowers cross the Po River in Turin at sunset, passing a stone bridge and the domed Gran Madre church.

Getaway to Turin

Authenticity meets glamour: Turin’s charming Roman old town opens up to palatial squares and elegant parks.

Amsterdam city getaway

Explore canal towpaths and Amsterdam’s lesser-known neighborhoods by bike, with superb coffee and stroopwafels.

Gabled old-town houses and the twin spires of Gross St. Martin church rise above a park in Cologne.

Cologne getaway

One of Germany’s diverse cities, with museums from chocolate to perfume, modern art to Roman history.

Colorful 17th-century townhouses and moored sailboats line Copenhagen's Nyhavn canal.

Copenhagen city getaway

Explore Copenhagen, UNESCO’s 2023 capital of architecture, rich with galleries, breweries, and cafe culture by bike.

St. Peter's clock tower rises above the Limmat River and Fraumunster spire in Zurich.

Zurich getaway

Discover Zurich beyond finance, from West district galleries and bars to lake swims and Alpine views reached by tram and train.

Rotterdam's skyline with the Maastoren tower rises beyond Museumpark's green lawns and canal.

Rotterdam getaway

Stay in Rotterdam to explore bold postwar buildings, riverfront districts, inventive housing, and a growing food scene.

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Byway excursions

Bite-sized short breaks

Short on time? Trip already booked?

Explore our slow travel excursions: classic routes distilled into short breaks that slot neatly into your holiday.

Whether you're after a single region to explore or a scenic route through several, these trips make an ideal add-on to an existing stay. Choose from the Bernese Oberland and GoldenPass Express from Zürich, the West Highland Line from Glasgow or Through the Bernina Pass from Turin.

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Top destinations

Countries

Routes

Short getaways by train

France

The UK

Belgium

Rest of Europe

Expertly routed

Support, not supervision

More sustainable, by design

Looking for something else?

Prefer to book it yourself?

Top destinations

Countries

Routes

Short getaways by train

France

The UK

Belgium

Rest of Europe

Expertly routed

Support, not supervision

More sustainable, by design

Looking for something else?

Prefer to book it yourself?