14 great European city breaks from Milan by train

I am thrilled about the launch of the new night train route between Milan and Amsterdam! Imagine going to bed in Milano Centrale and waking up in Amsterdam Centraal, city centre to city centre, without travelling to airports and no waiting for 2 hours. Bookings are not even open yet, but the first European Sleeper night service is planned for June 18 this year!

With this new service, Amsterdam joins a growing list of European cities you can reach from Milan by train, even just for the weekend!

If being kind to the planet and avoiding an evening flight (they tend to be late) are not enough reasons to travel from Milano by rail instead of plane…here it is:

Any train trips from Milan to other European countries require crossing the Alps, and in many cases, skirting the Italian and Swiss lakes. Choose the train over the plane, and you will be rewarded with one of Europe’s most scenic train rides.

14 European cities you can visit from Milan by train

As this article focuses on short break destinations, I have included destinations with realistic travel times from Milan. All the cities in my list are reachable from Milan by train either:

• in under 6 hours of day time travel. (6 hours is roughly the time it takes to travel to a European airport, flying, and reaching the city centre at the other end)

or

• by night train. Night journeys take longer, but you spend the first night on the train and arrive refreshed at your destination the next morning.

So, without further ado, here are my recommended train trips from Milan:

1. Munich
2. Zurich
3. Bern
4. Lyon
5. Nice
6. Lucerne
7. Basel
8. Freiburg
9. Geneva
10. Vienna
11. Montecarlo
12. Salzburg
13. Amsterdam
14. Paris

1. Munich

Daytime connections between Milan and Munich have always been complicated, although the route is incredibly scenic. The introduction of the overnight Nightjet service a few years ago has been a game-changer.

The Munich city centre is compact, and you can squeeze a decent amount of sightseeing even in a day: Marienplatz, the Frauenkirche, and the elegant Konigsplatz, with its green expanse surrounded by neo-classical buildings, stopping for lunch or finishing your day at historic brewery. or discovering Bavarian delicacies at the Viktualienmarkt.

During Advent, discover Munich’s Christmas markets and, at any time of the year, go for a stroll in the vast Englischer Garten, Munich’s largest park.

You will definitely need more than a day if you plan to visit any of its grand buildings and museums.

I enjoyed the sprawling Residenz, the former royal palace gradually developed by the kings of Bavaria from the Renaissance to the nineteenth-century, and the delightful Nymphenburg, the kings’ summer residence surrounded by a delightful formal garden.

There are 18 museums in the art district alone, and if you are into science and technology the Deutsches Museum is a must! And you do not need to be a car lover to enjoy the BMW Welt.

2. Zurich

There are direct trains between Milano Centrale and Zürich and the journey only takes 3 hours and 17 minutes. If you are happy to contemplate a change in Arth, you will have plenty of additional options, with journey times of between 4 and a half and five and a half hours,

When you step off your train in the elegant Hauptbanhof, you will soon appreciate that Zurich is far more than a financial centre and the largest Swiss city. there. Wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town (Altstadt), take a stroll along the peaceful shores of Lake Zürich, visit the Kunsthaus, one of Switzerland’s most important contemporary art collections, or the FIFA Football Museum.

If the weather’s nice you can go hiking on the Uetliberg, Zürich’s mountain, and reconnect with nature. It is a city for all seasons too. There is a lovely Christmas market, foliage in autumn, and glittering waters all around you.

Culture, relaxation, and a proper break from the hustle and bustle of Milan, Zürich has it all.

If you have an extra day, you could also organise a day trip to Schaffhausen. You will travel one of Switzerland’s most scenic rail routes, as your train will ride by the Rhine Falls!

3. Bern

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a hidden gem, a pearl where culture merges with nature at every step. Its size makes it the perfect weekend destination, and you can get there direct from Milano Centrale, in just over three hours! There are numerous and only slightly slower options with an additional change in Zürich or Brig,

Whichever option you choose, the journey will be a holiday for your eyes. You will be coasting Lake Maggiore before travelling through pristine Swiss peaks and lakes.

And when you get there, you will discover a capital city you would not expect, lively and yet relaxed, cultured and adventurous. From admiring the views from the Rosengarten, to strolling through the medieval Arcades, to swimming in the green waters of the Aare river like the locals love to do, from visiting Einstein’s house to bear spotting in the Bärengraben, your weekend will be full and refreshing at the same time.

Bern prides itself on being one of the sustainability capitals of Europe too, and thanks to the Bern ticket, tourists travel free on public transport!

4. Lyon

Thanks to high-speed services from both Trenitalia and SNCF, you can travel from Milano Centrale to Lyon Part-Dieu directly in under 5 hours!

The journey through the western Alps with views of Mont Blanc is a real treat, and so is Lyon, a stunning city that deserves to be better known as far more than the gourmet capital of France.

Check out my post on a long weekend in Lyon for ideas on what to do.

5. Nice

Nice‘s palm-fringed Promenade des Anglais and Baie des Anges are between 5 and 6 hours from Milano Centrale, thanks to a change in Ventimiglia. The final part of the journey will feel like a dream. Your train will snake through the hills of the French riviera, one of Europe’s most stunning train rides.

Nice is a perfect weekend destination. Explore Vieux Nice, the vibrant Old Town, with its narrow winding streets, and the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate, enjoy a lunch of local specialities such as Salade Niçoise or Ratatouille, andenjoy the sunshine on one of the pebble beaches. On a rainy day, the city’s museums, such as the Musée Matisse and the Marc Chagall Museum will provide a different kind of inspiration.

6. Lucerne

Another super easy Swiss escape from Milano: in roughly 3 and a half hours, you can reach the picturesque city of Lucerne (Luzern). Luzern’s centre is quite compact. In one day you can easily visit the famous Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), a overed wooden bridge adorned with paintings, which offers fantastic views of the Reuss River, and wander through the cobbled streets of Lucerne’s Old Town,

7. Basel

The journey between Milano and Basel takes 4 hours and 12 minutes and is direct.

Basel may not be the first Swiss city break destination that comes to mind, but it is well worth a visit! You can easily spend a day or two visiting the city centre, the medieval cathedral, the cobbled Altstadt, the Minster, the many museums, and make your way to Dreiländer Deck, where your gaze spans over three countries (France, Germany, and of course Switzerland).

Then there’s the Rhine, the lifeblood of Basel. You can cycle or walk along it, book a boat tour, and in summer try that unique and unforgettable Basel – swimming in the Rhine!

Basel is also a great destination for an active break, with your tourist BaselCard, you can hire a bicycle to explore the town centre for 20 CHF. Or you can hike the 5km Rehberger-Weg which connects Basel and Weil am in Germany.

8. Freiburg

The vibrant university city of Freiburg, under 6 hours from Milano Centrale thanks to a change in Basel, is a lovely year-round destination, with fantastic Medieval architecture, literary reminiscences, one of the best German Christmas markets.

You can spend a weekend exploring the cobblestone streets of the Altstadt, crossing the Medieval gates, making your way to the bustling market square (Münstermarkt) in front of the iconic Gothic Freiburger Münster (the Gothic cathedral) with its spire and stained glass windows, and visiting the Augustiner Museum, a medieval monastery turned into a museum.

Feeling active? You can hike the Schlossberg hill and reward yourself with a beer and fantastic views of the Black Forest.

Freiburg has been at the forefront of sustainability since the 1990’s so it is no surprise that you can hire bikes for free to move around. And now you are on your bike, you can cycle to the Solar Settlement of Vauban (a city quarter redeveloped with sustainability in mind, which produces more energy than it consumes.

If you have more than a couple of days, you can use Freiburg as a base and venture into the Black Forest. Local train lines can get you to Titisee, and onward to Donaueschingen, where you can see the symbolic source of the Rhine (in the park of a princely residence).

Going in winter? Don’t miss the Christmas Market in the Ravenna Gorge (Ravennaschlucht) under a viaduct in the middle of the Black Forest.

9. Geneva

Like Zurich and Lucerne, here is another Swiss destination which doubles as a lake escape.

Wherever you are in Geneva, you are never far away from Lac Leman, the largest freshwater body in Europe! Explore its glittering beauty, stroll through the buzzing lakeshore promenades, and make your way to the Jet d’Eau, the tallest water fountain in the world,

If you go in summer, you can perfect your tan or enjoy a swim at Bains des Pâquis, a Geneva institution.

The pebbled hilltop Old City is charming, a testament to Geneva’s long and fascinating history. Visit the cathedral of Saint Pierre – the birthplace of Calvinism, and catch the amazing views from the top of the old city.

If you love history and politics, a guided tour of the European headquarters of the United Nations in a must.

You can travel from Milan to Geneva directly with SSB in just over 4 hours.

10. Vienna

Constantly ranked as one of the top cities in the world to live in, Vienna is that perfect balance of old-world culture and innovation, a metropolis that remains human, also in size. It is also one of Europe’s grand historic capitals.

Visit Saint Stephen‘s Cathedral or the great imperial palaces of Hofburg and Schönbrunn, enjoy Sacher Torte and hot chocolate, discover the Haugsburg dynasty’s art collection at the Kunsthistorische Museum or catch a glimpse of Klimt at the Belvedere.

Love music? Step into the houses of Beethoven, Mozart, Johann Strauss, stroll or cycle along the River Wien or one of the canals flowing from the Blue Danube…

There are daily overnight services between Milan and Vienna, thanks to the Austrian Railways’ Nightjet service.

Ready to eat Sachertorte for breakfast?

11. Montecarlo

Fancy living the high life for a day? The principality of Monaco, playground of the rich and famous, perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, is between 4 and a half and 5 hours from Milano.

Step into the Belle Époque Casino of Montecarlo, featured in numerous movies, walk through the streets where F1 holds the legendary Montecarlo Grand Prix, admire the elegant hotels and the superyachts in the Harbour,

Visit the State Apartments where Grace of Monaco lived her glamorous life (Prince’s Palace, summer months only).

For a more serene kind of beauty, step into the Romanesque-Bizantine cathedral of Saint Nicholas, take a stroll through the rare cacti paradise that is the Exotic Garden, or hike along the Sentier du Littoral.

12. Salzburg

ÖBB Nightjet services between Milan and the stunning Austrian city of Salzburg run every night of the week.

Salzburg is an ideal long weekend destination because the city centre is compact, and yet there is so much to see. The city’s baroque churches and palaces, the mighty Hohensalzburg Fortress, built in 1077, and never taken by foreign troops, the houses in the Getreidegasse, decorated with important dates in their history, the names of former owners, including, at no, 9, the birthplace of Mozart, Salzburg’s immortal wunderkind…

13. Amsterdam

Coming soon to a station near you. From the 18th of June, direct European Sleepers night trains will connect Milan with Amsterdam. Swap the Navigli with the canals of the Venice of the north!

I have had the luck of visiting Amsterdam in all seasons, and it is a fantastic destination at any time of the year.

In summer, with the good weather, you soak in the vibrancy of the city, as the Amsterdammers celebrate good weather by spilling outdoors. In spring, it may still be chilly, but the city is a triumph of flower displays.

I love the off-seasons, when it is less busy but equally magical. Autumn coats the canals in fallen leaves, and in winter, if it is cold enough, the canals freeze, which creates a real winter wonderland.

Winter and autumn also bring misty weather, which makes the grand houses look haunted and right out of some grand master painting.

Speaking of Grand Masters, Amsterdam’s museums are unmissable. Book in advance for the Van Gogh Museum, as it is so popular. I love the Rijksmuseum; it is slightly less busy, and a beautiful journey through Dutch history and art.

14. paris

This trip takes 7 hours, so I should not include it in the selection, But I feel it deserves an exception. The two capitals of European fashion are connected multiple times a day by high-speed trains, offered by both SNCF and Trenitalia. If you leave Milano early on a Saturday morning and come back on Sunday afternoon, you can even go for an overnight stay!

Besides, the journey will not feel as long as it is, because of its beauty. The train will travel through the magnificent western Alps and Burgundian countryside before delivering you into the heart of Paris.

What to do in Paris? The list is endless. Visit the restored Notre Dame, one of Europe’s most iconic medieval cathedrals. Or walk through one of the most beautiful city centres on earth, taking in its unique personality and style. discover some of the world’s best-known museums or some under-the-radar cultural peral. Or simply enjoy its Joie de vivre!

For inspiration, check out Paris Je t’Aime.

Design your own European train escape

You are based in Milan, you’ll know a thing or two about design! So, are you ready to design your trip?

If you are feeling more adventurous, or have a week rather than a long weekend, there is a lot more you can do. For example, I have travelled from Milan to London a few times, and the route along Lake Maggiore and Lac Leman is so spectacular you will be grateful you are on a train!

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