Itinerary · Europe
2 weeks in Europe by train
Eurostar to Paris, the TGV to the Med, then down Italy's coast to Rome
Ponte Vecchio, Florence. Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This is the classic first big trip around Europe, done by rail. You leave London on the Eurostar, cross France on a high-speed train and follow the coast into Italy, so the view out of the window changes from vineyards to the Mediterranean to Tuscan hills.
Five stops in 14 days keeps it relaxed: no one-night stands, and every move is a single train ride of six hours or less. Only the flight home needs planning far ahead.
The route at a glance
- UK
- 2h 20m
- 1Paris3 nights
- 5h 45m
- 2Nice2 nights
- 4h 30m
- 3Cinque Terre2 nights
- 2h 30m
- 4Florence3 nights
- 1h 35m
- 5Rome3 nights
- 2h 30m
- UK
Day by day
Paris
Days 1–3 · 3 nights · France
Start with the big hitters, then slow down in the Marais and Montmartre.
- Day 1Arrive at Gare du Nord, drop your bags and walk the Seine to Notre-Dame
- Day 2The Louvre in the morning, the Eiffel Tower at dusk
- Day 3Montmartre and a long lunch, then a sunset river cruise
Book ahead in Paris
Train 5h 45m to Nice: TGV from Paris Gare de Lyon, direct to NiceTrain tickets
Nice and the Riviera
Days 4–5 · 2 nights · France
Swap museums for sea air: the old town, the Promenade and a day in Monaco.
- Day 4TGV from Gare de Lyon, then a swim off the Promenade des Anglais
- Day 5Bus up to Èze in the morning, train to Monaco for the afternoon
Book ahead in Nice
Train 4h 30m to Cinque Terre: Regional trains via Ventimiglia and Genoa, two changesTrain tickets
Cinque Terre
Days 6–7 · 2 nights · Italy
Five fishing villages linked by a train line and cliff paths.
- Day 6Coast trains via Genoa; check in by Monterosso beach
- Day 7Walk the Blue Path from Monterosso to Vernazza, then sunset at Manarola
Book ahead in Cinque Terre
Hike the Blue Path
Walk between villages on the cliff path. Some sections need a Cinque Terre Card.
Find tours and tickets
Vernazza
Perhaps the prettiest village, with a harbour piazza and castle tower.
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Train 2h 30m to Florence: Via La Spezia and Pisa to Firenze Santa Maria NovellaTrain tickets
Florence
Days 8–10 · 3 nights · Italy
Renaissance art, steak on the bone and a day out in Chianti.
- Day 8The Duomo climb and a wander over the Ponte Vecchio
- Day 9Uffizi in the morning, Piazzale Michelangelo for sunset
- Day 10A Chianti wine tour or a day trip to Siena
Book ahead in Florence
The Duomo
Climb Brunelleschi's dome or the bell tower for views over the terracotta rooftops. Dome climbs need booking.
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The Uffizi Gallery
Botticelli, Leonardo and Raphael in one of the world's great galleries. Book a timed ticket.
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Michelangelo's David
The original statue in the Accademia, taller and more striking than any photo.
Find tours and tickets
Train 1h 35m to Rome: Frecciarossa from Florence to Roma TerminiTrain tickets
Rome
Days 11–14 · 3 nights · Italy
The grand finale: ancient ruins, the Vatican and the best pasta of the trip.
- Day 11Colosseum and the Forum, then dinner in Trastevere
- Day 12The Vatican Museums early, St Peter's after
- Day 13Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and a lazy last evening in Monti
Book ahead in Rome
The Colosseum and Roman Forum
One ticket covers the arena, the Forum and the Palatine Hill. Book a timed slot and go at opening.
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The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
Miles of galleries ending under Michelangelo's ceiling. Book ahead or take an early-entry tour.
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St Peter's Basilica
Free to enter, with a climb to the top of the dome for the best view of the city.
Find tours and tickets
Best time to go
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. April to June and September to October: long light evenings, the sea warm enough to swim, and the trains not yet packed with summer crowds.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Nice | 11 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 12 |
| Cinque Terre | 7 | 7 | 10 | 13 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 8 |
| Florence | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 14 | 20 | 23 | 22 | 17 | 13 | 8 | 3 |
| Rome | 7 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 8 |
Average temperature (°C) by month, 2001–2025, NASA POWER. Underlined months are the best time for this route.
Getting around
| UK → ParisEurostar from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du NordTrain tickets | 2h 20m |
| Paris → NiceTGV from Paris Gare de Lyon, direct to NiceTrain tickets | 5h 45m |
| Nice → Cinque TerreRegional trains via Ventimiglia and Genoa, two changesTrain tickets | 4h 30m |
| Cinque Terre → FlorenceVia La Spezia and Pisa to Firenze Santa Maria NovellaTrain tickets | 2h 30m |
| Florence → RomeFrecciarossa from Florence to Roma TerminiTrain tickets | 1h 35m |
| Rome → UKFly home from Rome Fiumicino to most UK airportsFlights | 2h 30m |
Times are typical door-to-platform or driving times without stops. Flight times are for a direct flight.
Good to know
- Book the Eurostar and the Paris to Nice TGV first: they are priced like flights and get dearer close to the date.
- Italian regional trains have fixed fares, so buy them on the day. Paper tickets need stamping in the green machines before you board.
- An Interrail pass rarely beats advance tickets on a route this short, and the fast trains still charge a seat reservation on top.
- Book timed entry for the Uffizi, the Colosseum and the Vatican Museums before you leave home.
- Travel light: you carry your bag up station stairs and onto racks five times.
FAQ
Is two weeks enough for Paris, Nice, Florence and Rome?
Yes, if you stick to five stops. Every move on this route is a train ride of six hours or less, so you never lose more than half a day to travel.
How much are the trains?
Booked a couple of months ahead, the Eurostar and the TGV are usually the biggest costs. The Italian legs are cheap, and the regional trains along the coast cost a few euros each.
Do I need to book Italian trains in advance?
Only the fast Frecciarossa and Italo trains, where early tickets are much cheaper. Regional trains, like those along the Cinque Terre coast, are a fixed price and can be bought at the station.
Can I do the route the other way round?
Yes. Fly to Rome and finish with the Eurostar home from Paris, which saves the airport at the end of the trip.
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