🚂 Leaving for Easter holidays without taking a plane becomes reality. European rail networks have become denser, offering direct connections from Paris to five unmissable capitals. From Brussels in under 1h30, Amsterdam in three hours, Luxembourg in two hours, London in 2h17 and now Berlin in eight hours, sustainable urban getaways have never been so accessible. Relaxing journeys where reading, dreaming or watching the landscape roll by replace the stress of airports. Competitive fares, from €29 to Brussels. A new way of travelling, in tune with the concerns of our time.
✈️ Key points for planning your city trip by train: The 2025 calendar offers an ideal configuration with four consecutive days around May 1st and Ascension Day on May 29th. Five European capitals are directly accessible by train from Paris, with no changes. Fares start between €29 and €59 depending on the destination. Travelling by train allows you to depart from the urban center and arrive in the heart of your destination, without wasting time on airport shuttles. An alternative to traditional tourism with its air links, more respectful of the planet and your peace of mind.
🚄 The charm of train travel, another form of discovery
There is something profoundly human about rail travel—a rhythm that soothes, unlike the urgency that pervades airports. From the central station, you can settle in, open a book or drift off to sleep while the French countryside and then foreign landscapes pass by. The stress of security queues, shuttles, unpredictable delays fades away. This embraced slowness corresponds to a way of travelling that is gradually returning to favor, particularly among those who seek meaning in their Easter holidays rather than merely ticking boxes on a list.
European rail infrastructure has matured considerably in recent years. Direct lines now connect Paris to several capitals, eliminating the need for tedious transfers. This development creates a rare opportunity: to escape for a few days without compromising your annual carbon budget. The contrast is striking with previous generations, who had to accept fragmented journeys or give up on these destinations.
Fares that rival Parisian restaurants
The price competitiveness of rail journeys often surprises travelers used to paying a premium for immediacy. Brussels is reached in less than one hour thirty for €29, Amsterdam in three hours twenty from €35, and Luxembourg in two hours twelve for similar fares. Even Berlin, the farthest, can be reached in eight hours for €59 if you book far enough in advance.
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These advantageous prices reflect a volume logic: the more people choose the train, the cheaper it becomes for everyone. Unlike aviation, where each additional kilometer increases the fare exponentially, rail offers a gentler curve. Easter holidays by train are gradually becoming accessible to a variety of budgets, democratizing the European urban getaway once reserved for wealthier travelers.
🇧🇪 Bruxelles : quand la lenteur révèle l'essence d'une ville
In 1h22, the TGV takes you from Paris-Nord to Bruxelles-Midi. It's time to read a few chapters of a novel, slowly drink a coffee, observe the passengers around you. This short journey makes Bruxelles the ideal gateway for those discovering European rail travel.
La Grand-Place asserts itself as the beating heart of the city. Surrounded by houses with gilded façades, this harmonious square testifies to the wealth accumulated by Brussels guilds in past centuries. Every two years in August, a huge flower carpet covers it entirely—a spectacle so impressive one wonders why it only happens once every twenty-four months. Nearby, the Manneken Pis remains a modestly sized tourist curiosity, whose wardrobe counts more than 900 different costumes. This little figure symbolizes Belgian self-mockery, the ability to smile at one's own monuments rather than take them too seriously.
The European Parliament offers free tours from the eponymous district, accessible by metro from the station. There you will discover the complex workings of continental governance—a less spectacular experience than a cathedral but infinitely more useful to understand how the world really works. The Royal Museums of Fine Arts bring together Bruegel and Magritte in a dialogue between surreal strangeness and 15th-century Flemish realism.
At the end of the day, look for a traditional estaminet. Order mussels marinières with crispy fries and a local gueuze—this spontaneously fermented beer that divides unaccustomed palates. For those with a sweet tooth, a Brussels waffle (lighter than its Liège cousin) elegantly concludes the culinary experience. These sensory details are, after all, what travel really consists of: not ticking off sites visited, but storing memories of tastes, textures, moments.
🇬🇧 Londres : la capitale britannique sans détour aérien
London is reached in 2h17 aboard an Eurostar, of which twenty minutes run under the Channel. Up to 16 direct departures daily link the two capitals depending on the season, with fares from €44. St Pancras station, with its restored Victorian glass roof, welcomes you like a gate between two worlds.
Westminster marks the collective imagination: Big Ben, the Gothic Houses of Parliament, the Thames flowing majestically. Further east, the Tower of London fascinates with its mix of medieval brutality and legend—the castle's ravens which, according to tradition, must remain there forever, otherwise the kingdom would collapse. This superstition comes to life when you really observe these birds, slightly wing-clipped to prevent them from flying away, symbols of a nation attached to its myths.
Borough Market, under the railway arches near London Bridge, comes alive on Sundays. Londoners meet there to graze among Indian curries, Jewish bagels and Portuguese pastries—the multiplicity of culinary influences condensed into a single area. A few steps away, the Tate Modern has transformed a former power station into a temple of contemporary art with an amazing view of St Paul's Cathedral.
A practical detail: your passport and an electronic authorization (now mandatory to enter the United Kingdom) are essential. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, but keep some pounds sterling for small shops and iconic black cabs whose drivers learn the entire city layout painstakingly for two years before obtaining their license.
🇳🇱 Amsterdam : la Venise du Nord en trois heures
Amsterdam is reached in 3h20 from Paris via Eurostar and Thalys, from €35 on promotion. Book early, as these preferential fares disappear quickly, especially around the May bank holidays when everyone dreams of escaping.
Amsterdam's canals are not just a tourist charm—they form the city's urban skeleton. Dug in the 17th century to drain the marshes, these waterways structure urban planning, commerce and social life. The houses lining them stand out for their deliberate narrowness and characteristic gables. Their intentionally tilted façades make it easier to hoist furniture through the windows, an old logistics practice still visible in the urban fabric. This unique perspective creates an atmosphere that cannot be copied elsewhere.
The Rijksmuseum houses Rembrandt's “The Night Watch”, that monumental painting which captures the kinetic energy of a civic militia with a revolutionary use of shadow for its time. Nearby, the Van Gogh Museum traces the transformations of this tormented artist, from his dark Brabant paintings to the color explosions of Provence. These works breathe emotional intensity—exactly what one hopes to find in a museum.
Amsterdammers mainly get around by bike; their bicycles crowd streets, bridges and sidewalks in a daily choreography. Rent a two-wheeler from one of the many providers scattered across the city (around €15 a day) and follow their example. Pedal to Vondelpark, where residents picnic at the first rays of spring sun, or explore the bohemian Jordaan neighborhood with its independent shops and brown cafes—those traditional establishments whose walls were aged by decades of tobacco smoke before the ban.
🇱🇺 Luxembourg : la petite capitale souvent oubliée
The TGV INOUI connects Paris-Est to Luxembourg City in 2h12, with 11 daily services making planning your getaway easy. This small-scale city offers a pleasant break far from the usual tourist flows that saturate large metropolises.
Luxembourg was built on a rocky spur surrounded by the deep valleys of the Pétrusse and the Alzette. This singular topography earned the city the old nickname “Gibraltar of the North” and explains its strategic importance through the centuries. The Corniche, often described as “the most beautiful balcony in Europe”, offers an overall perspective that captures this dramatic geography in a single glance.
In the old town, the Grand Ducal Palace draws the eye with its Renaissance façades. During the summer, guided tours allow visitors to discover some state rooms—places where the Grand Duke receives his official guests. Under the city extends a network of defensive galleries: the Bock casemates. Dug into the rock in the 17th century and later enlarged, they could shelter thousands of people in case of a prolonged siege.
The Kirchberg plateau, connected to the old town by the Grande-Duchesse Charlotte bridge (which locals simply call “the red bridge”), now hosts European and financial institutions. The architecture changes radically there: glass and steel towers designed by renowned architects like Christian de Portzamparc. The MUDAM presents contemporary art exhibitions in a bright building designed by I.M. Pei, the man behind the famous Louvre pyramid.
At the end of the day, join Luxembourgers on the terraces of Place d'Armes. Order a glass of Luxembourg crémant—this little-known but elegant sparkling wine—accompanied by Gromperekichelcher, those crispy potato fritters served with apple compote. Each destination has its gustatory rituals; it is by honoring them that one truly understands a culture.
🇩🇪 Berlin : la nouvelle destination directe depuis décembre 2024
A daily TGV/ICE service now connects Paris to Berlin without changes since December 2024. This train departs Paris at 9:55 and arrives in the German capital at 18:03 after a roughly 8-hour journey crossing the French, Belgian and German countryside. Tickets start at €59 if you book far enough in advance, making this destination finally accessible for a long weekend.
The Brandenburg Gate stands at the junction of former East and West Berlin. This neoclassical monument, inspired by the Propylaea of Athens, has seen protests, military parades and concerts. Nearby, the Reichstag surprises with its striking contrast between historic façade and contemporary dome. The latter, designed by Norman Foster after reunification, symbolizes democratic transparency: visitors circulate above the parliamentary chamber, literally observing their representatives at work.
Berlin bears the visible scars of its turbulent history. The East Side Gallery preserves a segment of the Wall covered in murals, including the famous fraternal kiss between Brezhnev and Honecker. Checkpoint Charlie materializes the old crossing point between sectors, with its simple white booth and sandbags that evoke the geopolitical tension that reigned at this spot during the Cold War.
Berliners have transformed old industrial buildings into alternative cultural venues. Former factories now house techno clubs, artists' studios or food courts like Markthalle Neun in Kreuzberg. On Sundays, the Mauerpark flea market attracts the curious and bargain hunters before the open-air amphitheater turns into a giant karaoke stage where brave amateurs perform in front of hundreds of enthusiastic spectators.
Give yourself a break in one of Berlin's many cafés to enjoy a slice of Käsekuchen (German cheesecake) while leafing through a magazine or simply watching the locals—more relaxed and eclectic than in other German cities.
🇪🇸 Barcelone : l'échappée méditerranéenne en six heures
Barcelona is not a national capital but that of Catalonia, a region with a strong sense of identity. In a minimum of 6h44 (average 6h55), the TGV INOUI connects Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants, with two daily round trips crossing the French countryside and then skirting the Mediterranean coast in a visual progression that primes your arrival.
From the moment you arrive, Gaudí's influence is striking. The Sagrada Familia continues to rise toward the sky, still unfinished after more than 140 years of work. Its slender towers and façades teeming with detail illustrate the architect's singular vision, mixing natural forms inspired by dunes and implicit religious symbolism. Less known but equally remarkable, Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia evokes a dragon with its undulating balconies and scale-like colorful roof.
The Ramblas form the main artery linking Plaça de Catalunya to the port. This tree-lined avenue comes alive from the morning: florists, newsvendors and street performers share the space in a colorful informal economy. On either side open contrasting neighborhoods: to the west, El Raval, a former red-light district turned multicultural; to the east, the Gothic Quarter with its medieval alleyways where laundry dries from windows while conversations echo between close walls.
For a meal between visits, La Boqueria market offers stands of fresh produce and counters where you can have immediate tapas. More authentic and less touristy, the Gràcia and El Born neighborhoods are full of small bars where Barcelonians meet at the end of the day. Order a ración of jamón ibérico and some pimientos de padrón—those small fried green peppers some of which, randomly, turn out to be spicy. “Unos pican, otros no”, as the Spaniards say, encapsulating the philosophy of flavorful unpredictability.
The urban beaches of Barceloneta, a stone's throw from the historic center, allow a seaside break after cultural visits. The water remains cool in May, but the sun already pleasantly warms the fine sand. The chiringuitos—those temporary beach bars—serve cold drinks and tapas under their colorful parasols.
🌍 Travelling by train is choosing a different pace—one that leaves room for contemplation, chance encounters, rest even before arrival. These five European capitals, accessible without flying, offer as many mirrors to observe how peoples build their daily lives, celebrate their histories, and share their tables. Easter holidays then become not a box to tick, but a true breathing space. Cultural discoveries that begin already on the station platform, before the train has even left Paris.
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