The idea of travelling across Europe by train as a family can feel both exciting and slightly overwhelming. It sounds romantic and adventurous, yet the practicalities can feel daunting, especially when travelling with several children. The reality is that a carefully planned rail itinerary can offer a brilliant alternative to the typical fly-and-stay holiday. With no baggage restrictions, no airport queues and city-centre arrivals, train travel allows the journey itself to become part of the holiday.
This two-week itinerary is designed as a realistic, family-friendly route that balances cities, mountains, outdoor adventure and downtime. It avoids rushing, keeps travel days manageable and offers a mix of experiences that work well for both adults and children.
Why train travel works so well for families
Train travel changes the rhythm of a holiday. Instead of long airport waits and stressful transfers, you step onto a train in the centre of one city and arrive in the heart of the next. Children can move around, play games, read, snack and enjoy the scenery. The journey becomes something to look forward to rather than something to endure.
For larger families, train travel can also be surprisingly cost-competitive. Children often travel at discounted fares, older teens can get student rates, and removing the need for car hire, airport transfers and excess baggage fees can make a significant difference to the overall budget.
The perfect two-week route
This route begins in London and finishes in Northern Italy, using efficient rail connections throughout. It includes four bases, allowing enough time in each destination to settle in and explore properly.
The route:
London → Belgium → Germany → Austria → Italian Alps → Fly home.
Stop One: Belgium – the gentle start
The journey begins with the Eurostar from London to Brussels, a simple two-hour journey that feels like the perfect soft landing into European travel. From Brussels, it is just a short onward train to Bruges if you prefer a smaller, more picturesque base.
Belgium is an ideal first stop because it is compact, walkable and immediately enjoyable. After travel, there is no need for complicated planning. Days can be spent exploring canals by boat, cycling through parks, sampling waffles and visiting chocolate shops. The relaxed pace helps everyone settle into holiday mode before longer journeys begin.
Two nights is the ideal length of stay, allowing time to explore without feeling rushed.
Stop Two: Cologne – a lively city break
The next leg is a short and easy two-hour train journey to Cologne. This stop introduces a bigger city atmosphere while still being manageable for families.
Cologne Cathedral creates an instant sense of scale and drama, while the riverside setting makes the city feel open and relaxed. A boat cruise along the Rhine offers a simple and enjoyable way to see the city, and the Chocolate Museum is often a highlight for younger travellers.
Two nights here provides a perfect city break before heading towards the mountains.
Stop Three: Salzburg – lakes and mountains
The journey from Cologne to Salzburg takes around six hours, but high-speed trains make the trip comfortable and scenic. This marks the point where the holiday shifts from city exploration to outdoor adventure.
Salzburg is an exceptional base for families. The historic old town is compact and beautiful, the fortress offers panoramic views, and the surrounding region is filled with lakes and mountains. Cable cars lift visitors to viewpoints and hiking routes, and day trips to Hallstatt or Wolfgangsee add variety.
One of the most memorable experiences in the area is visiting the salt mines, where visitors wear protective suits and slide down wooden chutes into underground tunnels. It is educational, unusual and extremely popular with children.
Four nights in Salzburg allows time to enjoy both the city and the surrounding region without feeling rushed.
Stop Four: The Dolomites – the grand finale
The final rail journey from Salzburg to Bolzano takes around three hours and is one of the most scenic train routes in Europe. This region, known as South Tyrol, sits within the Italian Alps and blends Austrian and Italian culture in a way that feels unique.
This is the slowest and most relaxed part of the trip. Days are spent taking cable cars into the mountains, walking through alpine meadows and visiting turquoise lakes. The Dolomites are incredibly family friendly, with well-marked trails, mountain huts serving simple meals and numerous playgrounds and toboggan runs.
Bolzano works well as a transport hub, while Ortisei offers a more traditional alpine village atmosphere. Either base provides easy access to the surrounding mountains.
Five nights here gives the holiday a relaxed ending and time to unwind before travelling home.
Returning to the UK
From Bolzano, a short train journey to Verona, Venice or Milan provides access to airports with frequent flights back to the UK. Flying home at the end of the trip avoids retracing the entire route by train and keeps the final travel day straightforward.
Why this itinerary works
The success of this route lies in its balance. Travel days are manageable, destinations are varied and the pace allows time to enjoy each place properly. The journey combines canals, rivers, mountains and lakes, creating a sense of adventure without exhaustion.
For families who want something different from a traditional beach holiday, a European rail trip offers a memorable and rewarding alternative. With careful planning and realistic pacing, travelling across Europe by train becomes not only feasible, but genuinely enjoyable.
