If you have been anywhere near TikTok in the past year, you’ve heard about dupe this and dupe that. ‘Dupes’ are similar alternatives to popular name brand products. They are usually less expensive than the original, yet offer the same level of quality and deliver a similar overall experience. The term ‘dupe’ typically refers to luxury fashion or handbags. But because we are Rail Europe, we see a luxury handbag that costs €3000 and think of the hundreds of train tickets we could buy instead. So swap price tags for train tickets and take care of your 2024 travel bucket list one destination dupe at time.  

What to look for in a travel destination dupe

You will find that like other types of dupes, travel dupes are less expensive than the more mainstream options, but our list includes cities that are much more than just that. We are not suggesting destinations that are a copy of or trying to replicate the essence of another city. Instead, these locations offer a similar feel but are all wrapped up in a unique package all their own. These cities are stand-outs that deserve more love from travellers – with the extra bonus of major savings and fewer crowds. 

So here are 5 European dupes to visit instead of their flashy, more-visited counterparts. 

1. Love Paris? Add Bucharest to your 2024 travel bucket list

Based out of Paris ourselves, it’s hard to find a city that the Rail Europe team loves more than the City of Light. But that does not mean that the crowds, expensive restaurants and general daily grind doesn’t make us yearn for the Paris from movies or a certain Netflix show about a young American named Emily. What is a tired Parisian to do? Head east!

Over 2300 km from Paris is its dupe city of Bucharest, Romania. As you stroll the streets of this capital city with the nickname of the “Little Paris of the East,” when looking at certain buildings, you’ll swear you are in Paris. That is because in the 19th century, French architects designed and constructed buildings in Bucharest in the famed Haussman style. This elegant, unmistakable style earns Bucharest its nickname alone, but the similarities don’t stop there. Bucharest even also has its own Arch du Triuph, or Arcul de Triuf, as it is known in Romanian. 

But it is not just the architecture that gives all of those stunning Paris feels. During the 19th and 20th centuries, upper class Romanians (mostly men) often travelled and studied in France, bringing the language, the fashion and the traditions to the Romanian capital upon their return. This was one of the various reasons why Bucharest became (and still is) a major player in culture, fashion, trends and influence in the region.

What Bucharest does better than the rest!

A night out in Bucharest is like no other. With everything from glamorous clubs to trendy bars, even a homebody won’t be able to resist a night on the town. And after a night Bucharest style, soak up some nature in one of the city's many famed parks or plan an unforgettable day trip to Dracula’s castle. Now, that is something you certainly cannot find in Paris!

Travel to Bucharest:

Get to Bucharest from Vienna on the night train using your Eurail Global Pass. If you are travelling with a flexi Pass, you will only be using one travel day even though you will be arriving the next morning.

• Other travel option: Romania One Country Pass

2. Dreaming of Cinque Terre? Don’t sleep on Split

Swap crowded Cinque Terre for serene Split, Croatia! With the stunning coastline, charming houses of a rainbow of colors and unparalleled focaccia and pesto, it is no wonder that Cinque Terre has become one of the top spots in Italy, not to mention all of western Europe. But this UNESCO Heritage Site situated amongst trails winding through rocky cliffs now has more baseball cap-wearing tourists than locals; more mass-produced souvenirs than fish in the Mediterranean Sea. Sure, we are kidding, but if you want a travel destination dupe for what Cinque Terre was decades ago, then Croatia is your next stop.

Split and Cinque Terre have a lot in common: spectacular coastal scenery, picturesque towns and villages and a connection to nature nearby. What they don’t have in common is the number of tourists that come through each year and the cost of visting – Split wins on both of these fronts any day, but also with other aspects like:

• Water sports like snorkeling in the nearby Kornati Islands.
• Beaches with chill restaurants and bars or luxury resorts – whichever you prefer.
• A Game of Thrones walking tour that takes you to all of the iconic filming locations.
• A day trip to Plitvice Lakes National Park.
• Walks through Old Town. 
• Plenty of excellent shopping.

So enjoy that beach vacation that feels like a ‘getaway’ and doesn’t have you trying to just ‘get away’ from hoards of tourists.

Travel to Split:

• Trains to Split

3. Is Rome a home away from home? Then make Seville your new casa!

The biggest battle of Rome since the days of the gladiators is who loves Rome more: history buffs or foodies. But no need to pick one – because with Rome you can have it all – and by “it all” we mean the history, the cuisine, the architecture and the millions and millions of people photo bombing your snaps every corner you turn. Now by no means is Seville a hidden gem with tourist-free streets, but you’ll experience a similarly rich cultural experience with endless places to visit and things to do, but with shorter lines and more money lining your wallet when the trip comes to an end. 

Now what about the iconic Roman travel destinations? The Vatican? The Colosseum? Seville has an answer to each of them and by the end of the next few paragraphs, you may be wondering why Seville isn’t as flooded with visitors as Rome. 

If you want to see the Vatican, head to the Seville Cathedral

St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see for Catholics and art history buffs alike – but it’s also a “must-wait” – must wait hours in line to get a good look at anything. So instead, head to the Seville Cathedral, the largest Gothic cathedral in the entire world. 

Stepping in the cathedral itself is like travelling through time – the current structure sits atop a former mosque built by the Moors who conquered the region all the way back in the 8th century. And if that isn’t history enough, located inside is the tomb of Christopher Colombus.

If you want the excitement of the Colosseum, try the Real Alcazar instead

The Colosseum is hard to beat. But unlike the gladiator fights held there, there doesn’t have to be a winner today. Instead, we present to you a breathtaking alternative with just as much cultural significance as any site in Rome. The Real Alcazar is a stunning palace of Moorish design made up of gardens, archways, fountains and courtyards of an array of rich colours and intricate Moorish design. And what better review than a thumbs up from the royal family as the Real Alcazar still serves as the residence when the Spanish royals are in town.

If you want to try incredible cuisine, do as the Spaniards do

We love Roman dishes like carbonara and the local pan-style pizza, but Seville offers the more social dining experience of tapas. Fill your plates and tummies with jamón ibérico, chorizo, tortilla, paella, gazpacho and the local delicacy of cola de toro. We will do you the favor of not translating that last one for you.

How Seville stands out

Flamenco, the music and dance genre that features guitar, singing, dancing and castanets, is originally from this region. Head to a tablaos, or place to see flamenco, to take in this captivating art form on a hometown stage.

Travel to Seville:

• Trains to Seville

4. Love to bounce around Berlin? Then add Krakow to your 2024 bucket list 

Berlin attracts visitors from across the globe thanks to its incredible museums, interesting history, beautiful parks, exciting art scene and famous nightlife. But with so many reasons to visit comes so many visitors…and the rise in cost and crowds – which all eventually lead to fewer truly authentic experiences. So instead of fighting the crowds in Germany, embrace the draw of its destination dupe, Krakow.

Why? First of all, you are going to get more bang for your buck in Krakow. In fact, a meal in Berlin is more than 50% more expensive than in Krakow. So take those extra savings and explore all that Krakow has to offer! And to get you off on the right foot, here is our epic 24-hour tour of Krakow that rivals any 24 hours in Berlin, or any other European city for that matter.

24 hours in Krakow, Poland

• 8:30 am - 10:00 am: Our starting point is Rynek Główny, the central square in town that dates all the way back to the 13th century. Here you will find everything from medieval architecture and charming squares to artisanal shops and delicious restaurants. Start the morning off with a coffee and an obwarzanek krakowsk, which is a braided circular dough that is boiled and covered with poppy or sesame seeds. This bagel-like treat hails from Krakow and can be bought in most local bakeries or right from a street vendor. If you are lucky enough to be in Krakow during the holiday season, be sure to stroll the seasonal Christmas markets hosted right in Rynek Główny. 
• 10:00 am-12:00 pm: Next, head to the Wawel Royal Castle, where you can walk the royal halls and see the Polish crown jewels, the coronation sword, the private apartments of the royals and some of the most extensive collections of Flemish tapestries from the 16th century.
• 12:00 pm-1:30 pm: Then, head to Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter of Krakow. This formerly-independent Jewish city is surrounded by the Vistula River. The area and its Jewish people suffered greatly during WWII and is still in the process of rebuilding and preserving meaningful sites. Stroll between synagogues, museums, memorials, shops and more to reflect on the history and importance of the quarter.
• 1:30 pm-3:30 pm: Before you continue your day, first fill up on a big plate of pierogies and kielbasa. Once all fueled up, head towards the water. On a Vistula River cruise, you can take in the classic sights of Krakow aboard a boat. During the cruise you can see the Wawel Castle and Cathedral, the Kosciol na Skalce (Church on the Rock), and the Dragon's Den, which is the cave of the Wawel Dragon that, as legend has it, would terrorise locals until a shoemaker’s apprentice defeated it. 
• 3:30 pm-5:30 pm: Kościuszko Mound - Enjoy an unparalleled view of Krakow from atop the Kościuszko Mound. This man-made hill was constructed with dirt brought from all over the Polish nation in honor of a military leader and Polish national hero. It’s a bit of a huff up but the view is totally worth it.
• 5:30 pm-9:30 pm: Enjoy a classic Polish dinner of Kotlet Schabowy, or breaded pork cutlet, in the Old Town. Then see the talent of Poland on display at a memorable show put on by the Krakow Opera House.
• 9:30 pm-?: If you still have the energy to continue getting to know the town, head to the popping clubs in Kazimierz. Sip on a local vodka, Polish beer or local non-alcoholic compote-based mocktail as you dance the night away.

Getting to Krakow:

As of December 2023, travel between Germany and Krakow got much easier than ever before. Now, you can choose between the two daily EuroCity trains that speed from Berlin to Krakow or the night train from Munich or Salzburg to Krakow. 

Bonus travel destination dupe: Greek island edition

Pick a door. Door one leads to a Greek island with iconic Aegean views, delicious foods, whitewashed houses and a sea of…tourists. Millions and millions of tourists all searching for the same perfect getaway that becomes more and more out of reach after each sweat-induced hour standing in line passes by. The second door gives all the beauty, none of the lines, and none of the hiked-up prices for tourists. If you chose door one, you’re on your way to Santorini. But behind door number two is Folegandros, Greece.

Like Santorini, Folegandros is a mix of iconic Greek architecture fit for a postcard, incredible views of the captivatingly turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea and sunsets straight out of a movie. What Santorini does not have that Folegandros boasts is an authentic Greek island experience. 

Take Chora, Folegandros’ main town, for example. This car-free village in the Cyclades island chain is filled with whitewashed streets and is empty of the endless tourist churn. Want to get that iconic shot that will have all your coworkers drooling over on socials? Walk up the winding path to the Panagia Church nestled atop a hill. From here you’ll get a view that will rival any Santorini postcard.

Getting to the Greek Islands: 

• Greece Passes: With the Greek Island Eurail and Interrail Passes, you can choose between 4 and 6 days of island hopping via ferry. Note that you do need a reservation to ride a fare with your Pass, so book early as they are quite popular. 

The ultimate travel dupe: getting there by train

Travel Europe the most affordable, flexible, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable way: by rail! Add train travel to your 2024 travel bucket list because it truly is the best travel dupe out there. We’ll see you aboard!

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