Summer ticket release: Europe is calling!
Travel dates starting in July. Book your summer holiday now for the best rates!
It’s that time of year again. Summer holiday planning is in full swing! And when it comes to booking during the high season, it pays to be proactive. Our tip? Take advantage of ticket releases. Early booking can help ensure that you’ll have the seats you need, at low prices, and without the hassle for those in-demand summer destinations. Ready? Here are some journeys we love for summer 2023.
Amsterdam is an easy 3-hour trip from Paris. It may not be the first destination that comes to mind for fun under the sun. But a summer trip to the Dutch capital gives you the freedom to idle in the city’s lush parks, dine outdoors, and explore some of Europe’s best festivals (Grachtenfestival, Taste of Amsterdam). Temperatures hover around 20° C (70°F), so you can be out and about without worrying about overheating and tiring out (but don’t skip the sun cream!).
It's the perfect weather for a river cruise on the city’s world-famous canals, a relaxing afternoon at an urban beach, or a stroll through Vondel Park or Amsterdamse Bos (the city’s answer to Central Park). From July to September, outdoor entertainment is on offer all over the city: from Vondel Park’s outdoor performance venues (free!) to open air cinema at some of the city’s most iconic sites and rooftops. Even the ARTIS Royal Zoo is in on the fun with Zoomeravonden, a Saturday evening event offering up entertainment, picnics, and night-time visits.
🚅 Departs from: Paris Gare du Nord (accessible with metro lines 4 and 5)
⏲️ Fastest journey time from Paris: 2 hours 59 minutes
✔️ Number of trains per day: 24
Barcelona is a classic summer destination, and it’s now accessible via a direct train from Paris! Though not intended as a scenic train, you’ll be treated to plenty of striking views as the train travels along the Mediterranean coast. It’s a great way to see two completely different highlights of Europe (the artsy French capital and the quirky Catalan beach town) in an easy-to-plan and wallet-friendly way.
You can, of course, visit the must-sees if you’re a first timer: Sagrada Familia, Parc Guëll, La Rambla (Barcelona’s signature shopping and dining street), and Barceloneta beach. Summer-specific activities include your choice of festivals: performances at the Grec outdoor amphitheatre, the Brunch in the Park music festival, and the Festa Major de Gràcia neighbourhood block party in August. Temperatures can reach up to 30° C or more, so don’t hesitate to take a dip in the Mediterranean or even at a local city pool. (They’re nicer than you may think!) Keep indoors around midday and indulge in a nice refreshing horchata (a drink made from Tiger nut milk), or head to Barcelona’s Ice Bar for a chilling subzero experience. There are plenty of offbeat activities to help you beat the heat!
🚅 Departs from: Paris Gare de Lyon (accessible with metro lines 1 and 14)
⏲️ Fastest journey time from Paris: 6 hours 19 minutes
✔️ Number of trains per day: 20
Visiting the Côte d’Azur has made it onto many bucket lists and for good reason. The crystal-clear blue waters, stark cliffs, and colourful villages routinely delight travellers from all walks of life. The trip from Paris is a good six hours, but much like the Paris – Barcelona line, the journey is peppered with beautiful sea views. So, you can sit back and enjoy the scenery as the train travels along the Mediterranean coast.
Nice’s stone beaches are, of course, a draw, but the city is much more than just an oversized beach town. Nice is the cultural capital of the PACA region and boasts a wide variety of museums (including one dedicated to Matisse and another to Chagall), a pastel pink Old Town with winding pedestrian streets, and stunning lookout points like the Colline du Château (Castle Hill) and Parc du Mont Boron. July is filled with outdoor events and activities: celebrate Bastille Day on the 14th, attend the Nice Jazz festival, or watch a film at the open-air cinema in the Cimiez amphitheatre.
🚅 Departs from: Paris Gare de Lyon (accessible with metro lines 1 and 14)
⏲️ Fastest journey time from Paris: 5 hours 34 minutes
✔️ Number of trains per day: 45
Sale details: TGV INOUI tickets released for travel dates from 08 July to 03 September 2023, Ouigo trains for travel dates from 08 July to 09 December 2023, and France international trains for travel dates until 08 September 2023. Thalys tickets released for travel dates from 17 July to 03 September 2023.
Standard after sales policies apply.
Powered by Froala Editor