See 2 European Countries In Under 60 Minutes: 3 Short Train Trips For 2026
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We’re positive you have heard that outdated proverb ‘kill two birds with one stone’ sooner or later?
If we’re pondering worldwide journey, there’s nowhere higher to use it than Europe, a continent that has, for essentially the most half, fully abolished internal passport checks, and the place crossing inner borders feels as clean as using the Amtrak from New York to Boston.
You’ll barely discover you have left France for Germany. Well, till the street indicators begin altering, and also you whoosh previous the primary German beer huis with an elaborate font and flowery motifs.
On this facet of the pond, taking a day journey to a overseas nation is removed from sounding just like the far-fetched concept it could be Stateside—until, after all, you reside near the Mexican or Canadian borders, and even then, main cities are often a few-hours drive.
Thing is, when you’re visiting any of those extremely common cities listed under, you may jump over to a different equally beautiful metropolis in a distinct nation, and be again in dinner time prefer it’s no massive deal:
From Nice, France…
Nice is without doubt one of the hottest summer time locations on the Mediterranean for Europeans and Americans alike:
The attractive, pastel-colored Vieux-Port, with its medieval alleys and decades-old brasseries, the lengthy Promenade des Anglais, unfolding alongside essentially the most turquoise waters you have ever seen, and oh, do not get us began on the superb seafood.
For these staying in the Old Port, Peixes is a well-frequented seafood eatery with a menu constructed round freshly-caught fish, typically served in tapas-style parts. Perfect for an evening out on the town when you’re touring in a gaggle!
Nice is nothing in need of the embodiment of Côte d’Azur appeal, and also you positive would not be mad if this facet of the Riviera is all you bought to see subsequent summer time. There’s loads of charming locations, hidden vias to discover, and monuments to marvel at, anyway.
Old Town Nice is without doubt one of the largest historic facilities in Europe, and in case you are questioning why it seems so inexplicably Italian, effectively, you need to know this a part of France is intently intertwined with the southern vicino. What if we advised you, nonetheless, which you can simply go to precise Italy from Nice?
Behold Ventimiglia, solely 50 minutes by prepare from Gare de Nice-Ville:
…to Ventimiglia, Italy
The first cease after the fairytale French border town of Menton, Ventimiglia is Italy with out the same old crowds, fake politesse, and American-adapted costs.
Split between a sublime Lower Town, reduce by with vast boulevards, lined with Nineteenth-century edifices, and a medieval, less-polished Higher Town, the place cobble-paved lanes framed by arches result in Romanesque church buildings and historic courtyards, it’s a pearl of the Med but to be found.
Don’t miss Belvedere Resentello, a outstanding viewpoint with breathtaking views over the coast, and the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral: unassuming on the surface, it hosts a uncommon built-in baptistery. Usually, they’re separate buildings within the neighborhood of a church.
Before we overlook, Monaco’s after all a fast 25-minute prepare hop from Nice, so when you’ve acquired time to squeeze in a peek on the glitzy little principality en path to Ventimiglia, knock your self out.
Getting From Nice, Italy To Ventimiglia, Italy
- Direct TER trains out there from Gare de Nice-Ville
- The journey takes round 50-55 minutes
- Make positive you carry a passport as there are often police on the border in Menton
- $5–7 one-way
- Trains run each 30–60 minutes
From Vienna, Austria…
Vienna is a bucket checklist metropolis for thousands and thousands of vacationers, and we positively get it. Somewhere between the grand opera homes, the ornate type of the Baroque church buildings, which appear to lurk at each nook, and the hovering spires of Stephansdom, it’s going to steal your coronary heart quicker than you may say bratwurst.
If you are extra of a foodie and essentially the most magnificent output of imperial European structure would not actually do it for you, relaxation assured, Vienna’s nonetheless acquired you coated:
Check out a colourful Naschmarkt for bio-friendly merchandise and one of the best Viennese sausage (würstel) you may most likely have in your life. Over within the sixteenth district, Brunnenmarkt is each wiener‘s go-to spot for worldwide road meals. Kebabs, rolls, sushi: you identify it, they’re going to have it.
For a sit-down meal in conventional Viennese type, Figlmüller is the most secure decide. Known for his or her legendary schnitzel, most likely larger than the common particular person’s head, and an unlimited provide of draft beer, it’s a native favourite proper within the metropolis middle.
Once you have completed consuming your manner by Vienna and exploring each opulent chamber and fountain-dominated backyard in Schönbrunn, how about you high it off with a half-day go to to an offbeat Bratislava?
…to Bratislava, Slovakia
Millions of vacationers will flock to Vienna yearly, and thousands and thousands of them will bypass the Slovak capital, simply 55 minutes by prepare from the Central Station.
There are solely 50 miles separating each capitals, however nothing screams Europe fairly like leaving Vienna’s Habsburg-era palaces behind, and watching because the prepare pulls as much as a much-smaller, Fifteenth-century, copied-and-pasted Bratislava on the shores of the Danube.
Located on the foot of a landmark whitewashed fort, and with a maze-like middle, criss-crossed by winding pathways and surrounded by imposing partitions, Bratislava is the proper antidote to bustling Vienna—and a much-needed finances breather.
We most likely wouldn’t be staying in Bratislava for the weekend, as you may most likely see the highlights in a morning, however you may’t actually keep mad at beneficiant meat-and-potato platters and a complete jug of beer for round $16.
Getting From Vienna, Austria to Bratislava, Slovakia
- Direct trains out there from Wien Hauptbahnhof
- The journey takes round 55–60 minutes
- Passport checks aren’t routinely carried out, however ensure you carry legitimate documentation always
- $15–20 one-way
- Trains run each 30–60 minutes
From Copenhagen, Denmark…
Amsterdam’s non secular sister, Copenhagen, is yet one more picture-perfect lowland capital residence to a colourful harbor, lined with centuries-old buildings painted in daring colours, hippy districts the place libertarianism will not be solely enshrined in regulation, however a way of life, and a thriving café scene that embodies hygge.
If you are questioning what that’s, it is an untranslatable Danish phrase which implies ‘to create a heat, inviting environment‘, or ‘having fun with the nice issues in life with good individuals’.
For Danes, that is the equal of popping spherical to the closest Espresso House, ordering a big mug of creamy, steaming-hot chocolate and a fluffy cinnamon roll that tastes nothing just like the industrialized junk you get at Wendy’s, and wistfully tittle-tattling the afternoon away with a confidant.
Hygge tradition is a good-enough cause to fly out right here, however wait till you have wandered the graffiti-covered streets of Christiania, admired the regal palaces overlooking downtown Copenhagen’s scenic canals, and gone for a trip or two at Tivoli Gardens, one of many oldest amusement parks on this planet.
Oh, until you are a geography buff and you understand your manner round a mapa mundi, you’d most likely anticipate the capital and cultural coronary heart of Denmark, probably the most influential Nordic nations, to be situated someplace across the middle of the nationwide territory… proper?
After all, capitals are supposed to be the precise level the place railway traces stream into, roads converge, and highways funnel.
Well, it seems the capital of the Kingdom of Denmark is situated on the jap fringe of the nation, on the island of Zealand, a stone’s throw away from the Swedish mainland.
To avid explorers on the market, this may solely imply one factor:
…to Malmö, Sweden
Believe it or not, the town of Malmö in Sweden is simply a few 35‑minute prepare trip from Copenhagen, and the good half is you get to cross the long-lasting Øresund Bridge, a component‑bridge, half‑tunnel hyperlink that hops over the ocean between the 2 sister cities.
Once in Malmö, you may tour Malmö Castle, a brick-red sixteenth‑century moated fortress initially constructed underneath Danish rule, or wander the cobblestone streets of Lilla Torg, the town’s atmospheric historic sq..
Here you’ll discover traditional Northern European timbered homes, retailers promoting native handicrafts, and picturesque little squares lined with characterful espresso retailers and bars.
Malmö isn’t any light-weight, both: it’s the third-largest conurbation within the nation, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, with a inhabitants of over 350,000 individuals, so it positively will not really feel like a ‘cheat’ go to to a minor border city simply to say you have ‘been to Sweden’ for just a few hours.
Getting From Copenhagen, Denmark to Malmö, Sweden
- Direct trains out there from København H (Copenhagen Central Station)
- The journey takes round 35 minutes
- Ensure your passport is on you as border checks can happen on the Danish facet
- $12–20 one-way
- Trains run each 10–20 minutes
Other Sister European Cities:
Paris, France → Brussels, Belgium
Paris, France and Brussels, Belgium are separated by a one-hour TGV prepare, making it very handy for vacationers primarily based on both one of many two to go to the neighboring capital for the day. One-way tickets vary from $33 to $82, relying on how far forward you ebook.
Munich, Germany → Salzburg, Austria
If you are in Munich, Germany, and also you would not thoughts trying out Mozart’s birthplace, and prancing round Sound of Music filming areas such as you’re Julie Andrews, the shortest prepare journey takes about 1h30. Tickets value as low-cost as $19 when booked prematurely.
Helsinki, Finland → Tallinn, Estonia
Helsinki and Tallinn sit on reverse sides of the Baltic Sea, however they’re well-connected by frequent quick ferries that function every day. The shortest crossing takes 2h, a tad longer than most journeys cited on right here, however nonetheless possible when you do not need to miss out on Tallinn’s fairytale-like townscape.
Strasbourg, France → Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
By advantage of straddling the German border, Strasbourg is a simple day-trip away from a number of West German cities. However, our top-pick needs to be Freiburg, a postcard-ready historic city simply over an hour away by prepare, reduce by by cobblestone streets and dominated by a hovering Gothic cathedral.
One-way tickets from Strasbourg to Freiburg common $10–30 relying on route and railway operator.
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