Winter is one of the most underrated times to explore Europe, and travelling by train makes it even more magical. This winter Interrail itinerary takes you through fairytale cities, snow-dusted lakes, festive Christmas markets, and historic old towns — all connected seamlessly by Europe’s rail network. From cosy cafés in Vienna and Prague to alpine scenery in Switzerland and Slovenia, this route is perfect for travellers who want culture, comfort, and stunning winter scenery without the peak summer crowds. As a former travel agent, I’ve seen clients absolutely love this style of trip for its ease, flexibility, and incredible value, especially in the quieter winter months.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Cost rating: $$$$ 4/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Canal cruise, Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark, Jordaan neighborhood, Dam Square, Heineken Experience, bike around the city, Christmas markets
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Ghent, Belgium
3.5 hour train from Amsterdam
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter:Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, Graslei & Korenlei, Patershol neighborhood, Christmas markets (seasonal), Ghent Light Festival (if timing matches), boat tour of canals, local cafes and chocolate shops, Museum of Fine Arts, Belfry of Ghent
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Strasbourg, France
2.5 hour train from Ghent
Cost rating: $$$$ 4/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Strasbourg Christmas Market, Strasbourg Cathedral, La Petite France neighborhood, boat tour of canals, Alsatian museums, Place Kléber, ice skating at Place Broglie, tasting local Alsace wines and pastries, stroll along the Rhine, visit the covered bridges
lUCERNE, sWITZERLAND
2 hour train from Strasbourg
Cost rating: $$$$$ 5/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter: Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Lake Lucerne boat cruise, Mount Pilatus or Mount Rigi excursions, Old Town walking tour, Swiss Museum of Transport, ice skating at local rinks, snowshoeing or skiing nearby, Christmas markets, Fondue tasting in cozy restaurants, scenic winter hikes around the lake
Bolzano, italy
2 hour train from Lucerne
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter: Christmas markets (Piazza Walther), South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology (Ötzi the Iceman), Piazza delle Erbe, Renon Cable Car & Ritten plateau, stroll through the medieval old town, ski or snow activities in nearby Dolomites, visit Castel Roncolo, winter hiking trails
Verona, Italy
2 hour train from Bolzano
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Verona Arena, Juliet’s House, Piazza delle Erbe, Castelvecchio Museum, Ponte Pietra, Christmas markets (seasonal), Basilica of San Zeno, scenic walks along the Adige River, local wine and food tasting, winter festivals and events
ljubljana, Slovenia
1.5 hour train from Verona
Cost rating: $$ 2/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter: Ljubljana Castle, Triple Bridge and Preseren Square, Tivoli Park walks, Dragon Bridge, Christmas markets (seasonal), Central Market, cobbled Old Town streets, National Gallery of Slovenia, boat ride on the Ljubljanica River, cozy cafes and local cuisine tasting
Lake Bled, Slovenia
1.5 hour train from Ljubljana
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter: Bled Castle, Lake Bled walking trail, Pletna boat ride to Bled Island (weather permitting), Ice skating on the lake (seasonal), Winter hiking in the surrounding hills, tasting Bled cream cake, Vintgar Gorge (if accessible), sledding or nearby ski resorts, cozy lakeside cafes, photography of snow-covered scenery
Zagreb, Croatia
4 hour train from Lake Bled
Cost rating: $$ 2/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Ban Jelačić Square, Upper Town (Gornji Grad) walking tour, Zagreb Cathedral, Advent in Zagreb Christmas markets, Museum of Broken Relationships, St. Mark’s Church, Mirogoj Cemetery, Medvednica Mountain for snow activities, cozy cafes and traditional Croatian cuisine, ice skating at King Tomislav Square
Budapest, Hungary
6 hour scenic train from Zagreb
Cost rating: $$ 2/5
Suggested Time: 4 days
Things to do in winter: Buda Castle, Fisherman’s Bastion, Parliament Building, thermal baths (Széchenyi or Gellért), St. Stephen’s Basilica, Christmas markets (seasonal), Chain Bridge, Danube river cruise, ruin bars in the Jewish Quarter, winter walking tours of the historic streets
Vienna, Austria
2.5 hour train from Budapest
Cost rating: $$$$ 4/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna Christmas Markets, Belvedere Palace, Hofburg Palace, Vienna State Opera, Prater Ferris Wheel, Naschmarkt, cozy cafes for Viennese coffee and pastries, winter walking tours of the historic city center
Munich, Germany
4 hour train from Vienna
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 3 days
Things to do in winter: Marienplatz and Glockenspiel, Nymphenburg Palace, English Garden, Munich Christmas Markets (especially Christkindlmarkt), Viktualienmarkt, BMW Museum, Deutsches Museum, Neuschwanstein Castle day trip, cozy beer halls, winter walks along the Isar River
Prague, Czech Republic
4 hour train from Munich
Cost rating: $$$ 3/5
Suggested Time: 2 days
Things to do in winter: Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Old Town Square and Astronomical Clock, Christmas markets (seasonal), St. Vitus Cathedral, Wenceslas Square, Mala Strana neighborhood, Petrin Hill and Observation Tower, boat ride on the Vltava River, cozy cafes and traditional Czech cuisine
