Rome to London by Train

Rome — Florence — Venice — Lucerne — Paris — London

This itinerary connects six of Europe's most celebrated cities in a single journey, traveling entirely by train. It was developed and conducted many times as a guided tour and is presented here so you can follow it independently. Detailed guides to each destination are linked in the headings.

The key principle is staying two to three nights in each city rather than moving daily — enough time to see the essential sights properly and discover the character of each place at a relaxed pace.

This page is an outline of the itinerary, with links to the longer pages about each place. There you will find detailed information for walking tours, richly described with pictures, text and videos that show you how to find the main sites and out of the way places.

Rome — 3 nights

The tour begins in Rome, one of the most layered and rewarding cities in the world. A centrally located hotel puts the main sights within walking distance.

The first day covers the historic center on foot — Piazza Navona with Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps — a walk of about two miles that takes in 2,000 years of history.

Day Two focuses on ancient Rome: the Colosseum and Roman Forum in the morning, then St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican Museums in the afternoon, with the Sistine Chapel as the unmissable climax.

Day Three explores the quieter historic neighborhoods — the Campo de' Fiori market, the Palazzo Farnese, the lanes around Via Giulia and the Ponte Sant'Angelo with its Bernini angels — the most authentic and least touristy part of the city center.

Florence — 2 nights

The 90-minute train ride from Rome passes through the Tuscan countryside before arriving in the center of Florence. The essential sights — the Duomo and Brunelleschi's dome, Giotto's Bell Tower, the Baptistery doors, the Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi Gallery — are all within a ten-minute walk of each other.

The hillside viewpoint of Piazzale Michelangelo, reached by bus, gives one of the great urban panoramas in Europe. Back into town for the Accademia with Michelangelo's David. An optional afternoon trip to Pisa by train — about an hour each way — fits easily into the second day.

Venice — 2 nights

The train from Florence arrives at Venice in under two hours, crossing the causeway into one of the most extraordinary places on earth. Two nights is the minimum to get beyond the surface.

Day One covers the essential Piazza San Marco, the Basilica and the Doge's Palace, with an evening at Café Florian or a concert in one of the historic churches.

Day Two is for getting lost: the back lanes of Dorsoduro and Cannaregio, the Rialto market, the Frari church with its Titian altarpiece, and a sunset gondola ride through the small canals.

Lucerne — 3 nights

The train from Venice to Lucerne winds through the Swiss Alps on one of the most scenic rail routes in Europe.

Lucerne is the most popular city in Switzerland — a medieval Old Town of painted facades and covered bridges, set on a lake ringed by mountains.

The Kapellbrücke, a 14th century covered wooden bridge with painted panels inside, is the city's most recognizable landmark. The Old Town is compact and entirely walkable.

Several optional excursion choices can make the most of the Swiss Alps: a train and cable car journey to Mount Titlis (or boat to Pilatus, or Rigi) for snow, and a half-day excursion to Zurich, one hour away by train.

Paris — 3 nights

The TGV from Lucerne reaches Paris in under four hours. Three nights allows a decent exploration without rushing.

Day One covers the Latin Quarter on foot, Notre Dame cathedral, the Île St-Louis and an open-top bus tour of the major monuments at dusk.

Day Two begins with a morning at Versailles — a 30-minute train ride, but be sure to make reservation online ahead of time to avoid the very long lines to get in. It is worth the effort to see this grand palace of Louis XIV.

Follow up with the Louvre in the afternoon, and an optional evening excursion to Montmartre.

Day Three covers the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe, the Marais district and Place des Vosges, and the Musée d'Orsay's collection of Impressionism.

An evening boat ride on the Seine, with the monuments illuminated, makes a fitting conclusion to Paris.

London — 3 nights

The Eurostar train passes under the English Channel and arrives at St. Pancras station in central London in just over two hours. Three days covers the essentials comfortably.

Day One takes in the West End neighborhood on foot — Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden, Leicester Square — then an afternoon panoramic bus tour and a visit to the Tower of London.

Day Two includes the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace, the National Gallery and free time for the theater district along Shaftesbury Avenue.

Day Three explores Bloomsbury, the British Museum and the lively streets of Soho and Covent Garden. Fly home on Day Four.