Dreaming of a seaside holiday but dreading the long hours behind the wheel? We’ve got a comfortable and eco-friendly alternative for you – train travel, which is becoming more popular than ever. And the best part? For your next holiday, there are plenty of train holiday destinations to choose from, all easily accessible by rail. Let’s explore where you can travel by train to the sea, how to plan your journey, and what not to forget.
TL;DR
- Benefits of train travel: comfort, no driving stress, safety, eco-friendliness, unique experiences, and no luggage restrictions
- Recommended destinations:
- Croatia – accessible via Vienna, journey to Split from around €85
- Polish Baltic Coast – direct Baltic Express to Gdynia in about 10 hours, from around €40
- Italy – accessible via Vienna/Munich, journey to Venice from around €125
- German Baltic Coast – via Berlin to Rostock, from around €27
- Bulgaria – longer journey (35 hours), three transfers, partial fare from around €30
- Belgian Coast – accessible via Germany and Brussels, journey approx. 16 hours
- Palić Lake in Serbia – a unique alternative to the sea with thermal water
- Practical tips:
- Book tickets well in advance (at least a month ahead)
- Consider overnight trains to save time and money
- Don’t forget travel insurance (e.g. SafetyWing)
- Booking tickets: Use websites of European rail operators such as TrenItalia, Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB (Nightjet), or third-party platforms like Trainline and Omio for easy comparison and booking
Benefits of train travel to the sea
Travelling by train has numerous advantages over driving or flying, making the journey itself a pleasant experience:
- Comfort and space – Trains offer significantly more room than a car. You can walk around, stretch your legs, or visit the dining car. On overnight journeys, you’ll appreciate comfortable sleeper berths where you can get a proper night’s rest and arrive refreshed.
- No driving stress – Forget about exhausting driving, the danger of drowsy driving, frustrating traffic jams, or hunting for parking. On a train, you can fully enjoy time with family, friends, or simply relax with a book or a film.
- Safety – Rail travel is one of the safest modes of transport. No need to worry about road accidents or driver fatigue.
- Eco-friendliness – For environmentally conscious travellers, the train is the clear choice. Rail travel has a much lower carbon footprint than travelling by car or plane.
- Unique experiences – A train journey offers unforgettable moments. From your window, you can watch the changing landscapes, passing through mountains, valleys, and historic towns. Every ride becomes part of your holiday adventure.
- No luggage restrictions – Unlike flying, you don’t have to worry about strict weight limits or liquid restrictions in your hand luggage.
TIP: If you’re looking for organised train holidays, Invia offers several packages to choose from.
7 best train holiday destinations in Europe for 2026
If you’d rather skip the long drive or avoid flying altogether, we’ve picked 7 brilliant train holiday destinations where you can enjoy the seaside without the hassle.
Croatian Coast
Croatia remains one of Europe’s most popular seaside destinations. While there aren’t many direct trains from Western Europe to Croatia, there are comfortable ways to get there by rail.
How to get there: From London, you can travel via the Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, then onwards through Munich or Vienna, from where direct services run to Rijeka, Zagreb, or Split. The journey from Vienna to Split takes approximately 12 hours and tickets start from around €85 one way. Alternatively, the ÖBB Nightjet offers overnight connections through Austria.
Recommended resorts:
- From Rijeka, you can easily reach Istria (Umag, Poreč, Rovinj) or the island of Krk
- From Split, you have excellent access to the Makarska Riviera (Brela, Baška Voda, Makarska) or the islands of Hvar and Brač
- From Ogulin, you can continue to resorts from Zadar all the way to Gradac
💡Read also: Where to holiday in Croatia
Polish Baltic Coast
The Polish Baltic Sea coast has been growing in popularity in recent years. It offers beautiful sandy beaches, pine forests, and pleasant summer temperatures without the extreme heat of the Mediterranean.
How to get there: From London, you can travel via the Eurostar to Brussels, then onwards to Berlin, and from there take a direct train to Gdynia, arriving in about 5-6 hours from Berlin. The train also stops in Gdańsk, from where you can continue to the popular Hel Peninsula. Tickets from Berlin to Gdynia start from around €20 when booked in advance.
Recommended resorts:
- Hel Peninsula (towns of Hel, Jastarnia, Władysławowo)
- The Tri-City (Gdynia, Sopot, Gdańsk)
- Łeba and the surrounding Słowiński National Park
💡TIP: Polish Maldives – everything you need to know about them
Italian Mediterranean
Italy is a country where you’ll find stunning beaches, rich history, world-class gastronomy, and vibrant culture. Travelling by train to Italy also offers unforgettable views of the Alps and the Italian countryside.
How to get there: From London, you can take the Eurostar to Paris and then a high-speed TGV to Milan or Turin, or travel via the scenic route through Switzerland. Alternatively, travel via Brussels and Germany to Munich or Vienna, from where direct – often overnight – services run to Italian cities. The journey from Paris to Venice takes about 10-12 hours, and tickets can be found from around €50 when booked early on TrenItalia or Deutsche Bahn.
Recommended resorts:
- Venetian Riviera (Bibione, Caorle, Lido di Jesolo),
- Rimini and the surrounding area,
- Cinque Terre.
💡Read also: Most beautiful places at Lake Garda
German Baltic Coast
The German Baltic Sea coast offers idyllic seaside scenery, historic Hanseatic towns, and excellent standards of service.
How to get there: From London, take the Eurostar to Brussels and then an ICE train to Berlin in about 6 hours. From Berlin, you can continue to Rostock, which is roughly 2.5 hours away by regional train. The entire journey from London can be done in a day, and tickets from Berlin to Rostock start from around €20.
Recommended resorts:
- Rostock and its seaside district of Warnemünde,
- The island of Rügen with its stunning white sandy beaches,
- The historic town of Stralsund.
Bulgarian Black Sea Coast
Bulgaria remains a popular holiday destination for European travellers thanks to its beautiful sandy beaches, warm sea, and very affordable prices.
How to get there: The train journey to Bulgaria is a longer adventure, passing through Hungary and Romania. From Central Europe, it takes approximately 35 hours with several transfers to reach Varna. This is truly one for the adventurous train traveller, but the journey through the Balkans is scenic and memorable.
Recommended resorts:
- Golden Sands (Zlatni Piasatsi),
- Sunny Beach (Slanchev Bryag),
- Sozopol for history lovers.
Belgian Atlantic Coast
The Belgian coast offers a lovely alternative to the crowded Mediterranean resorts. Here you’ll find long sandy beaches, promenades lined with restaurants, and charming historic towns.
How to get there: This is one of the easiest train holiday destinations from the UK. Take the Eurostar from London to Brussels in just 2 hours, then hop on a domestic train to the coastal towns – the Belgian Coast Tram connects all the seaside resorts. The whole journey from London takes around 4-5 hours, making it perfect for a weekend break too.
Recommended resorts:
- Zeebrugge (the port of Bruges),
- Ostend,
- Blankenberge or Knokke.
Palić Lake in Serbia
If you’re looking for something truly off the beaten track, consider Palić Lake in Serbia. It offers a similar experience to a seaside holiday but in a unique setting with thermal water.
How to get there: The easiest route is to travel through Central Europe to Budapest and from there continue to Szeged in Hungary. From Szeged, it’s just a short hop to Palić Lake across the Serbian border.
Practical tips for train travel
- Book in advance – Especially during peak season, sleeper compartments sell out quickly. Buy your tickets at least a month ahead. Websites like Trainline, Omio, and Deutsche Bahn are great for comparing routes and finding cheap train tickets.
- Take advantage of special offers – Many European rail operators offer advance-purchase discounts. Look into Interrail passes if you plan to visit multiple destinations, or check ÖBB Nightjet deals for overnight journeys to Austria, Italy, and Croatia.
- Consider overnight trains – Save time and money on accommodation. You sleep on the train and wake up at your destination the next morning.
- Don’t forget travel insurance – Even when travelling by train, accidents or illness can happen. Good travel insurance protects you from high medical costs abroad. We recommend SafetyWing for comprehensive coverage.
- Pack food and drinks – While most trains have dining cars or trolley services, it’s always wise to bring your own snacks, especially in case of delays.
- Book your accommodation early – Once you’ve sorted your train tickets, secure your stay with Booking.com for the best selection and flexible cancellation options.
Frequently asked questions
How to buy international train tickets?
You can purchase international train tickets through booking platforms like Trainline, Omio, or Rail Europe, as well as directly on the websites of national rail operators. For routes through Germany, use Deutsche Bahn; for Austria, ÖBB (nightjet.com); and for Italy, TrenItalia. Booking in advance typically gives you access to the cheapest fares.
How do sleeper and couchette carriages work?
Sleeper carriages offer comfortable beds in compartments for 1-3 people with proper bedding and linen. Couchette carriages are a more affordable option with simpler berths in compartments for 4-6 people. In both cases, compartments can be locked for privacy and to keep your belongings safe.
When is the best time for train travel to the sea?
The best time for a train holiday to the sea is from May to September, when temperatures at coastal destinations are most pleasant. If you’re looking to save money, consider travelling outside the peak season (May, June, or September), when prices are lower and tourist spots are less crowded.
Can I travel by train with a dog?
Rules vary by operator. Most European rail companies allow smaller dogs in carriers and larger dogs with a muzzle and lead, though an additional ticket may be required. Some services, such as certain overnight trains to Croatia, do not permit dogs (with the exception of assistance dogs). Always check the specific operator’s pet policy before booking.
What to do if your train is delayed or cancelled?
If your train is delayed or cancelled, you are entitled to compensation under the operator’s terms and conditions and EU passenger rights regulations. On international routes, longer delays can occur, so it’s wise to allow buffer time for connections and consider trip cancellation insurance for added peace of mind.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
