Crossing borders by rail

With the help of “Europe by Rail: The Definitive Guide”, the following cross-border trips have been hand-picked. They each having something special about them - great inspiration for a holiday by rail.  

Explore Lake Constance by train

Travel around one of Germany’s most famous lakes and take in three European countries along the way. The journey by train is not even 40 mins, starting from St. Margrethen, Switzerland and ending in Lindau, Germany. You change trains in the Austrian city of Bregenz, adding the third country to this route. The fact that this is a quick cross-border trip makes it no less spectacular. During both legs of the journey, you’ll be treated to a non-stop supply of stunning lake and mountain views. This journey is a great example of the ways trains can help you explore Europe and its different cultures to a greater extent. Sit back, relax and take in the amazing sights from your window.

Lille to Cologne by train

The route from Lille to Cologne is a great example of the flexibility that train travel offers. Lille, in France, and Cologne, in Germany, are vibrant cities that are particularly popular choices for train travellers because of their excellent rail connections. These two cities are brought together thanks to fast trains; it is possible to travel from Lille to Cologne in just 3 hrs.

Speed is not the only reason to travel from Lille to Cologne by train, as this route can easily be turned into a longer holiday. There are some really great places which you can stop, such as Brussels (where you will change trains) and the university city of Aachen in Germany, also known for its spas. The options don’t stop here as you can also travel between Lille and Cologne on slower trains. These give you more time to take in the surroundings in a journey that takes around 5 hrs 30 mins.

Cologne itself is a major hub for international and domestic rail services and makes an excellent jumping-off point for other adventures. For trips within Germany, you can catch direct, high-speed trains to Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, all taking 5 hrs or less.

Travel from Schaffhause to Zürich

This short trip from Schaffhausen to Zürich in Switzerland cuts through Germany although it doesn't stop there. Don’t let this journey’s simplicity deceive you: though it only takes 40 mins, it provides one of Europe’s best ever views from a train. Just 5 mins after leaving Schaffhausen you’ll be treated to a spectacular view of Rhine Falls, Europe’s largest waterfall. Take a seat on the left-hand side to enjoy a world-class view. It’s sure to be a European train journey that you won’t forget.  

Zurich offers visitors a few surprises. Cut through the main sights and you’ll discover a city that made space for Lenin, James Joyce and the European avant-garde. In 2016, Zurich marked the centenary of its own homegrown art movement. Spend a day or two exploring Zurich’s unique delights.

Trains between Amsterdam and Lausanne  

The train from Amsterdam to Switzerland takes around 12 hrs 30 mins and traverses the Netherlands along the way. This European cross-border route through Belgium, Luxembourg, France and then into Switzerland gives the traveller a chance to experience a range of different places and cultures.

This journey gives you the chance to power through the 1000km stretch between Amsterdam and Lausanne in just over a day. You through a large chunk of Europe and find yourself in the tranquil south of Switzerland. Alternatively, you could take a slower train that might easily turn this into a weeklong trip. You can stop in a range of excellent places such as Maastricht, Metz and Strasbourg.

Image credits: Lake Constance, CC0 Creative Commons, Cologne, CC0 Creative Commons, https://pixabay.com/en/rhine-falls-schaffhausen-water-912950, Rhine Falls, CC0 Creative Commons, Sunset over Lausanne by Gabriel Garcia Marengo, CC0 2.0 Public Domain,  Moscow, CC0 Creative Commons 

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