Itineraries

Weekend trips from Paris by train: 10 ideas under 4 hours

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In short: from Paris, trains drop you in the city centre within a few hours, with no airport. For a weekend, aim for under 3 hours of travel: Brussels, Strasbourg, Lyon, Bordeaux or London. With an extra day, Amsterdam, Geneva, Marseille or Zurich. Book early, and leave on Friday evening to enjoy two full days.

Journey times at a glance

Destination Paris departure station Direct journey (about)
Brussels Paris-Nord 1 h 20
Strasbourg Paris-Est 1 h 50
Lyon Paris-Gare-de-Lyon 2 h
Bordeaux Paris-Montparnasse 2 h
London Paris-Nord 2 h 15 (plus checks)
Bruges Paris-Nord, via Brussels 2 h 30 including the change
Geneva Paris-Gare-de-Lyon a little over 3 h
Amsterdam Paris-Nord 3 h 20
Marseille Paris-Gare-de-Lyon 3 h 15
Zurich Paris-Gare-de-Lyon 4 h

Times vary by train and date: check them when you book.

Under 2 hours: Brussels and Strasbourg

  • Brussels: the Grand-Place, the royal galleries, museums, comics and fries. An ideal first getaway. See Things to do in Brussels.
  • Strasbourg: Petite France, the cathedral, winstubs, and in December one of the most famous Christmas markets. See Things to do in Strasbourg.

About 2 hours: Lyon, Bordeaux and London

  • Lyon: Vieux-Lyon and its traboules, Fourvière, Croix-Rousse and traditional bouchons. See Things to do in Lyon.
  • Bordeaux: the water mirror, the quays, the Cité du Vin and nearby vineyards. See Things to do in Bordeaux.
  • London: the Eurostar arrives at St Pancras, right in the centre. Remember your passport and ETA, and arrive early for checks at Paris-Nord. See London in 3 days.

With an extra day: Bruges, Amsterdam, Geneva, Marseille, Zurich

  • Bruges: canals, belfry and béguinage, via Brussels. Very quiet in the evening once the day-trippers have left. See Things to do in Bruges.
  • Amsterdam: canals, museums and bikes; book the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House in advance. See Amsterdam in 3 days.
  • Geneva: the Jet d’Eau, the old town and the lake, by TGV Lyria. See Things to do in Geneva.
  • Marseille: the Old Port, the Mucem, Notre-Dame de la Garde and the calanques. See Things to do in Marseille.
  • Zurich: the old town, the lake and the museums, by TGV Lyria. See Things to do in Zurich.

Our tips for a great train weekend

  1. Book early: fares often rise as departure approaches.
  2. Leave on Friday evening and return on Sunday evening to enjoy two full days.
  3. Stay near the station or in the city centre: you save time on arrival and departure.
  4. Travel light: a cabin bag is enough for two nights.
  5. Check your documents abroad: ID card or passport for Belgium, the Netherlands and Switzerland (for EU citizens); passport and ETA for the United Kingdom.
  6. Outside the European Union (United Kingdom, Switzerland): check your mobile plan, or get an eSIM.

For everything about trains in France, see our guide Trains and buses in France.

Frequently asked questions

Which city can you visit for a weekend by train from Paris?

Brussels (about 1 h 20), Strasbourg (about 1 h 50), Lyon and Bordeaux (about 2 hours) and London (about 2 h 15) are the quickest. Amsterdam, Geneva and Marseille take a little over 3 hours.

Do you need a passport for London?

Yes: the United Kingdom requires a passport (an ID card is no longer enough for most Europeans) and an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). Checks take place at Paris-Nord before departure: arrive early.

When should you book your train?

As early as possible: high-speed train fares often rise as departure approaches, especially on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons.