Six Slow Weekends by Train from the Heart of Europe

Puffin’s idea of a perfect weekend is simple: a window seat, a short train ride, a new city and absolutely no rush. Europe is wonderfully suited to this kind of travel. Many great cities sit just an hour or two apart by rail, close enough to visit without planning a whole holiday, yet different enough to feel like a real change of scene.

This guide from the One More Puff team pairs six cities for slow weekends, with a few ideas for what to do once you arrive. Journey times are approximate and depend on the service you choose. Timetables, routes and fares change, so always check the official rail operators before you travel.

1. Vienna to Bratislava

Journey: around an hour.

The Austrian and Slovak capitals are among the closest pair of capital cities in Europe, and regular trains link them in about an hour. Bratislava is compact and easy to explore on foot. Wander the old town’s pastel streets, look out for the quirky bronze statues tucked into its corners and climb up to the castle for a view over the Danube. The flying-saucer-shaped tower on the SNP bridge, often called the UFO, has a viewing deck that is lovely at sunset. Puffin’s tip: end the day with ice cream on the riverbank.

2. Prague to Dresden

Journey: roughly two and a half hours.

This is one of Central Europe’s most beautiful rail routes. Much of the journey follows the Elbe, winding through a valley of sandstone cliffs in what is known as Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland. Sit on the side facing the river and keep your eyes open. Dresden itself is a city of grand baroque buildings, many carefully rebuilt after the Second World War, including the Frauenkirche with its great stone dome. Walk along Brühl’s Terrace above the river, then cross to the livelier Neustadt for an evening stroll. If you are starting in Prague, our Prague night walk is a perfect warm-up.

3. Munich to Salzburg

Journey: roughly an hour and a half to two hours.

The train from Munich runs east across Bavaria towards the Alps, with the mountains growing larger as you approach the Austrian border. Salzburg is a small city with a huge reputation: the birthplace of Mozart, a baroque old town on the banks of the Salzach and the Hohensalzburg Fortress watching over it all from its hill. Walk through the Mirabell Gardens, take the funicular up to the fortress for a view of the rooftops and mountains, and stroll along the river as the lights come on.

„The best part of a weekend away is the moment the train starts moving and nobody needs anything from you. I always wish the journey had one more stop.“ – Puffin

4. Amsterdam to Antwerp

Journey: well under two hours on the faster services.

Hop across the Dutch-Belgian border to Antwerp, a city with a rich history in art, design and trade. You arrive in style: Antwerp-Centraal station, with its great dome and stone hall, is often listed among the most beautiful railway stations in the world. From there, walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady, with its soaring spire and paintings by Rubens, and visit the Rubens House, the painter’s former home and studio. Antwerp is also known for its fashion and its chocolate, and the riverside along the Scheldt is lovely in the evening.

5. Milan to Turin

Journey: about an hour on the fastest trains.

Fast trains link Milan and Turin in around an hour, though slower regional trains take longer. Turin is one of Italy’s most underrated cities: elegant, calm and full of character. Its long porticoes mean you can walk for kilometres sheltered from rain or sun. Visit the Mole Antonelliana, the city’s landmark tower, home to the National Cinema Museum with a glass lift running up the middle of the building to a viewing terrace. The Egyptian Museum is one of the most important of its kind in the world. Try a bicerin, a local speciality of hot chocolate, coffee and cream served in a small glass, and finish with gelato. Our gelato guide will help you choose well.

6. Copenhagen to Malmö

Journey: around 35 to 40 minutes.

This is the shortest journey on the list and one of the most spectacular. Trains from Copenhagen cross the Øresund, the strait between Denmark and Sweden, first through a tunnel and then over the Øresund Bridge, which opened in 2000. Grab a window seat for the long, low sweep across the sea. Malmö is relaxed and green, with a pretty old town, parks and the Turning Torso, a striking twisting tower. In summer, the long beach at Ribersborg is perfect for a sunset walk. Bring your passport or ID card, as border checks may apply.

Puffin’s tips for slow rail weekends

• Book in advance for long-distance trains, as fares often rise closer to departure. Regional trains are usually fixed price.
• Choose your side of the train. On scenic routes, a quick search for the best side to sit can make the journey.
• Travel light. A small bag makes it easy to wander the moment you arrive.
• Leave a gap in the plan. Do not fill every hour. Some of the best moments happen when you simply sit on a bench and watch a new city go by.
• Take the later train home. Nah… just one more evening walk.

If you would like to go further, our guide to night trains in Europe explains how to fall asleep in one country and wake up in another. Whichever pair you choose, take your time, look out of the window and stay a little longer.