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2 weeks in Europe Itinerary by Train – 4 detailed options (+ Tips)

Last updated on by Claire Robinson - this article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through them, I get a small commission (more)

Planning a trip to Europe? Want to get a great snapshot in a limited time?
In this article I share my top tips to plan your 2 weeks in Europe as well as 4 detailed Europe itineraries by train : Latin, Eastern, Western and Central.
Discover some of the most beautiful treasures of the continent.

Travel Europe trip itinerary 2 weeks
Table Of Contents
Things to consider when planning 2 weeks in Europe
Best way to travel Europe in 2 weeks - Europe by train
2 weeks in Europe itinerary - My 4 proposals
LATIN EUROPE trip Itinerary 2 weeks
EASTERN EUROPE Itinerary in 2 weeks
WESTERN EUROPE Trip Itinerary 2 weeks
CENTRAL WEST EUROPE Itinerary 2 weeks
2 weeks in Europe by car alternative - intro
TIPS for your City Tour of Europe in 14 days
Typical Scams in Europe

// In this article, no ads, no sponsored posts. Just some affiliate links.
If you purchase through them, I get a commission at no extra cost to you (Disclosure).

Things to consider when planning 2 weeks in Europe

Want to discover as much as possible of Europe during your 2 week trip? Here are a few points to consider when planning your itinerary:

  • SIZE OF EUROPE - the European continent is as big as the USA 
  • VARIETY OF CULTURES - In theory, if you were flying every evening or morning you could change countries everyday and still have a full day to explore. But Europe is full of different fascinating cultures. There is much to see everywhere. So I recommend selecting a portion of Europe and visit only a few countries, to better appreciate each place.
  • SIMPLE TRAVEL - Traveling between large cities is relatively easy in Europe, but once you decide to reach smaller cities, it means more connections and modes of transportation. Considering you "only" have 2 weeks, I recommend sticking to major cities
2 weeks in Europe Itinerary 2 weeks

Best way to travel Europe in 2 weeks - Europe by train

  • BY TRAIN - easy access from cities, direct trains connect most major cities, plus you can see the landscapes changing, spot small villages and appreciate more of each country. CHOICE I RECOMMEND
    Book you train tickets with the SNCF Connect platform!
  • BY CAR - If you want to cover several different countries, I don't recommend renting a car, because distances are significant and parking in major cities is a pain. Rent a car only if you want to do regions that are close to each other i.e. North of France, South of Belgium and Luxembourg
    My favorite platform for renting cars around the world is Discovercars.
  • BY PLANE - between the time to get out of the city to the airport, being early and waiting for flight, the time to get luggage, time to get inside the next city... it may seems faster, but it is often not
    Plus train you can see landscapes changing, spot small villages
  • BY COACH - For those with smaller budget, this is a good alternative to train. But you need to plan more time for transportation
Europe by train - best way to travel Europe in 2 weeks

2 weeks in Europe itinerary - My 4 proposals

Based on all that, I have created 4 possible 2 week Europe itineraries by Train for you to consider depending on your interests.
Below is a map that shows you which parts of Europe are covered with those 4 suggestions:

Map Europe itinerary 2 weeks by trains

OPTION 1 - LATIN EUROPE

OPTION 2 - EASTERN EUROPE

  • European Elegance
  • Prague (Czech Republic) + Vienna (Austria) + Bratislava (Slovakia) + Budapest (Hungary)
  • Go directly to itinerary

OPTION 3 - WESTERN EUROPE

  • Grandiose
  • London (UK) + Paris (France) + Brussels (Belgium) + Amsterdam (The Netherlands) + Berlin (Germany)
  • Go directly to itinerary

OPTION 4 - CENTRAL WEST EUROPE

  • Old Charm
  • Especially good at Christmas, away from the capital cities
  • Luxembourg + Strasbourg (France) + Munich (Germany) + Salzburg (Austria)
  • Go directly to itinerary

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VPN mistake

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What a mess...

Learn from my mistake, make a small investment for worry-free surfing.
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LATIN EUROPE

LATIN EUROPE trip Itinerary 2 weeks

Trip Overview

Latin Europe trip itinerary two weeks

Day 1 to 3 - BARCELONA (Spain)

Highlights / Classics

  • Visit the magnificent Sagrada Familia - it is massive with a unique style. Considered the absolute must-see in Barcelona
  • Admire the architectural work of Gaudi with his emphasis on natural curves and patterns, creating the catalan modernism movement
  • Enjoy the light and music show at the Magic Fountain
  • Go to the top of the Tibidabo Mountain to admire Barcelona from above
  • Visit the Joan Miro Foundation to discover some of the artist's most iconic work
Barcelona stop on Europe itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Barcelona on your 2 weeks in Europe itinerary:

Food Suggestions

  • Try as many tapas as possible. I love this way of eating, to be able to enjoy so many flavors!!!
  • Tortilla, the traditional Spanish Omelette
  • Paella - a good fresh paella cooked in a giant dish Miam!!!
  • And for desert, the Catalan Creme with its cinnamon custard
what to eat in Barcelona Pix-1578965_640

Barcelona Like a local

  • Enjoy a Sunday picnic at Parc de la Ciutadella to enjoy a little bit of greenery, especially on hot summer days
  • Watch sunset at Bunkers del Carmel
  • Chill at the Mar Bella Beach
  • Go for a run at Parc Natural de Collserola
  • Explore the specialty shops in the Gracia district 

Useful words in Catalan

  • Good morning : Bon Dia
  • Hello - Hola
  • Thank you - Merci (similar to French with with emphasis on e)
  • Please - Por Favor

Practical

  • Currency - Euros
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out some of the best rated activities :

Day 4 - TRAIN Barcelona to Paris

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 5 to 8 - PARIS (France)

Highlights

  • Admire the iconic Eiffel tower and its impressive structure
  • Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and travel back in time
  • Visit the underground world at the Catacombs
  • Admire the stained glass windows at Sainte-Chapelle
  • Get up to the Sacré-Coeur to look over Paris
  • Watch a show at one of the cabarets
  • Enjoy an evening cruise on the River Seine to see the lights of Paris
  • Feel royal at the Versailles Castle
  • You can check out my article about spending 3 days in Paris
Paris stop on Europe trip itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Paris on your 2 weeks in Europe itinerary:

Food Suggestions

Since I am French, I could list pages and pages of great food to try. So delicious! But I have to limit myself here...

  • For breakfast croissant and pain au chocolat or some fresh baguette from the bakery
  • Cheese, cheese and cheese 🙂 we even have restaurants that only serve cheese dishes. LOL
  • Find a great bakery to try delicious cakes. The good ones melt and crisp in your mouth and are very light
  • And while you are there, taste the Macarons. They exist with many flavors and will make you gasp.
  • Enjoy the wine too
Food tours Paris

Experience Paris like a local

  • Relax along Canal Saint-Martin, especially in the evening in Summer
  • Sit at a terrace, drink coffee and do people watching
  • Enjoy a weekend picnic in Parc des Buttes Chaumont (with baguettes and wine!)
  • Just go for a walk, take side streets and see where they lead you

Useful words in French

  • Good morning : Bonjour
  • Hello - Salut
  • Thank you - Merci 
  • Please - S'il vous plait

Practical

  • Currency - Euros
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Paris 

Overnight Day 8 to Day 9 - Travel to Venice 

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 9 and 10 - VENICE (Italy)

Highlights

  • Marvel at Saint Mark's Basilica
  • Enjoy a Gondola ride on the canals
  • Get up the Campanile di San Marco
  • For more ideas about things to do in Venice, check out this guide by Suitcase and Wanderlust
Venice stop on itinerary Europe travel by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Venice on your 2 weeks in Europe itinerary:

Food Suggestions

  • Baicoli, historical biscuits that could last long for sailors on ships
  • Sarde in saor - a sweet and sour dish with fried sardine fillets
  • Fritole during the carnival period, a sweet fried pastry
  • The many delicious risottos with seafood

Useful words in Italian

  • Good morning - BuonGiorno
  • Hello - Ciao
  • Thank you - Grazie
  • Please - Per favore

Practical

  • Currency - Euros
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Venice 

Day 11 Venice + Travel to Rome 

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 12 to 14 - ROME (Italy)

Highlights

  • Imagine ancient games at the Colosseum
  • Imagine how life was as you explore the Roman forum
  • Make a wish at the Trevi Fountain
  • Admire the many historical buildings, especially the pantheon
  • Visit another country: the Vatican
Rome stop on itinerary Europe trip by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Rome on your 2 weeks in Europe itinerary:

Food Suggestions

  • The essentials - Pizza, Pasta and ice cream
  • Suppli - fried rice ball
food in rome - pizza

Experience Rome like a local

  • Relax in the park of Villa Borghese
  • Speak with your hands
  • Watch sunset from the Giancolo
  • Take a cooking class

Useful words in Italian

  • Good morning - BuonGiorno
  • Hello - Ciao
  • Thank you - Grazie
  • Please - Per favore

Practical

  • Currency - Euros
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Rome 

Is the railpass worth it?

This itinerary enters inside a Eurail Select Pass 3 countries (5 days of travel within 2 months) - see the railpass options and click on "Pass" tab

According to my calculations, the total of separate tickets is cheaper than the pass for adults. However if you are traveling with families, it could be interesting. And if you plan on taking side trips from the cities, it could be as well.

I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
 Buy me a coffee

EASTERN EUROPE

EASTERN EUROPE Itinerary in 2 weeks

Trip Overview

Eastern Europe itinerary 2 weeks

Day 1 to 3 - PRAGUE (Czek Republic)

Highlights

  • Watch time pass at the astronomical tower
  • Visit the castle
  • Feel dizzy looking at the dancing house
  • Wander in the old town
  • Admire the lights at night
Praque stop on itinerary Eastern Europe by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Prague on your Europe 2 week trip:

Food Suggestions

  • For those not afraid of raw meat, the Beef steak tartare
  • Kulajda, the traditional soup
  • Wiener sausages
  • Dishes with lots of sauce

Useful words in Czech

  • Good morning - Dobré ráno
  • Hello - Ahoj
  • Thank you - Děkuji
  • Please - Prosím

Practical

  • Currency - Czek Koruna
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Prague 

Day 4 morning - TRAIN Prague to Vienna

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 4 afternoon to 7 - VIENNA (Austria)

Highlights

  • Feel royal while visiting the Hofburg or the Schönbrunn Palace or the Belvedere Palace
  • Visit the historical center of Vienna around St Stephen's Cathedral
  • Admire the equestrian arts at the Spanish riding school
  • Feel small in front of Vienna's city hall
Vienna stop on itinerary 2 weeks in Europe by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Vienna on your Europe trip:

Food Suggestions

  • Wiener schnitzel (thin breaded pan fried veal cutlet)
  • Sweet apfelstrudel
  • Classic Wiener Sausage
  • The shredded pancake called Kaiserschmarrn
  • Sachertorte (rich chocolate sponge cake)

Useful words in German (Autrian)

  • Good morning - Guten Morgen or Guten Tag
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Danke
  • Please - Bitte

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Vienna

Day 8 - TRAIN Vienna to Bratislava

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 8 afternoon to 10 - BRATISLAVA (Slovakia)

Highlights

  • Wander in the old town around Michael's gate - pay attention to the colors and details in the facades
  • Visit the Bratislava Castle and the Grassalkovich Palace
  • Hunt the Bronze statues throughout the city
Bratislava stop on itinerary 2 weeks around Europe by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Vienna on your 2-week trip around Europe:

Food Suggestions

  • Halusky the traditional Slovakian meal (potato dumplings in creamy sauce)
  • The Pressburg cuisine : spicy Hungarian stew

Useful words in Slovak

  • Good morning - Dobré ráno
  • Hello - Ahoj
  • Thank you - Ďakujem
  • Please - prosím

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Bratislava 

Day 11 - TRAIN Bratislava to Budapest

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 12 to 14 - BUDAPEST (Hungary)

Highlights

  • Stroll along the Danube and admire the buildings
  • Explore Castle Hill and visit the Buda Castle
  • Marvel at the architectural details of the Parliament buildings
  • Climb to the dome of St Stephen's Basilica
  • Visit the Fisherman's Bastion and its amazing architecture
  • Marvel at Matthias Church of our Lady and learn about its long history
  • Learn more about the war and go underground in the Hospital bunker
Budapest stop on 2 weeks around Europe itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Budapest on your 2 week trip around Europe:

Food Suggestions

  • Goulash (Fulyas), the traditional dish in Hungaria
  • Stuffed paprikas
  • Many soups such as the Jokai Bean Soup (vinegar, sour cream, pork, carrots, beans...) or Lesco (red peppers, tomatoes, onions, lard, paprika)

Useful words in Hungarian

  • Good morning - Jó reggelt
  • Hello - Helló
  • Thank you - Köszönöm
  • Please - Kérem

Practical

  • Currency - Hungarian Forint
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Budapest 

Is the railpass worth it?

This itinerary enters inside a Eurail Select Pass 4 countries (you can reduce its price by choosing the right option for how many days of travel within how many months) - see the railpass options and click on "Pass" tab

According to my calculations, the total of separate tickets is cheaper than the pass for adults. However if you are traveling with families, it could be interesting. And price may change if some of you travel on weekends.

I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
 Buy me a coffee

WESTERN EUROPE

WESTERN EUROPE Trip Itinerary 2 weeks

Trip Overview

Day 1 to 4 - LONDON (United Kingdom)

Highlights

  • Watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace
  • Admire the crown jewels at the Tower of London
  • Visit the many free museums
  • Marvel at Big Ben and the parliament
  • Feel royal at Westminster Abbey
    Have a stroll in Hyde Park
  • Get a bird eye view of London from the London Eye
London stop on itinerary Europe travel by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in London on your 2 week trip in Western Europe:

Food Suggestions

  • Fish and chips late at night
  • A good traditional roast
  • Pie and mashed potatoes with gravy
  • And, of course, the full English breakfast
  • Afternoon tea

Useful words in London

I think you can manage with English LOL

Practical

  • Currency - British pound
  • Plug - 3 rectangles (type G)
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in London 

Day 4 - TRAIN London to Paris

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 5 to 7 - Paris (France)

Highlights

  • Admire the iconic Eiffel tower and its impressive structure
  • Visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and travel back in time
  • Visit the underground world at the Catacombs
  • Admire the stained glass windows at Sainte-Chapelle
  • Get up to the Sacré-Coeur to look over Paris
  • Watch a show at one of the cabarets
  • Enjoy and evening cruise on the Seine River to see the lights of Paris
  • Feel royal at the Versailles Castle
  • You can check out my article about spending 3 days in Paris
Paris stop on Europe trip itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

Since I am French, I could list pages and pages of great food to try. So delicious! But I have to limit myself here...

  • For breakfast croissant and pain au chocolat or some fresh baguette from the bakery
  • Cheese, cheese and cheese 🙂 we even have restaurants that only serve cheese dishes. LOL
  • Find a great bakery to try delicious cake. The good ones melt and crisp in your mouth and are very light
  • And while you are there, taste the Macarons. They exist with many flavors and will make you gasp.
  • Enjoy the wine too
Food tours Paris

Visit Paris like a local on your 2 week in Europe itinerary

  • Relax along Canal Saint-Martin, especially in the evening in Summer
  • Sit at a terrace, drink coffee and do people watching
  • Enjoy a weekend picnic in Parc des Buttes Chaumont (with baguettes and wine!)
  • Just go for a walk, take side streets and see where it leads you

Useful words in French

  • Good morning : Bonjour
  • Hello - Salut
  • Thank you - Merci 
  • Please - S'il vous plait

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activities

Check out the best tours and activities in Paris 

Day 8 Morning - TRAIN Paris to Brussels

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 8 afternoon and 9 - BRUSSELS (Belgium)

Highlights

  • Stand in the middle of the Grand Place (Grote Markt)
  • Laugh at how small the Mannekin Pis is
  • Feel small in front of the Cathedral
  • Admire the buildings around the Place Royale (Koningsplein)
Brussels stop on Europe in 2 weeks itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Brussels on your 2 week trip in Western Europe:

Food Suggestions

  • A delicious freshly cooked waffel
  • Mussels and french fries
  • Meatballs, often a mixture of 2 meats
  • Flemish stew (Carbonnade à la flamande)
  • Grey shrimps, traditionally fished along the coast

Useful words

Belgium has 3 official languages. As you don't know which one the person in front of you speaks, better to use English...

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Brussels 

Day 10 Morning - TRAIN Brussels to Amsterdam

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 10 afternoon and 11 - AMSTERDAM (The Netherlands)

Highlights

  • Stroll the city center and appreciate the its unique style
  • Get flooded by art at the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum
  • Travel back in history at the Anne Frank Museum
  • Visit the Royal palace
Amsterdam stop on Europe Tour in 2 weeks itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

  • Bitterballe, deep fried meatballs
  • Stroopwafel: 2 small thin waffles stuck together with syrup
  • Dutch fries with crazy condiments mixture
  • Oliebollen, deep fried sweet dumplings
  • The traditional ginger Cake: Ontbijtkoek

Useful words in Dutch

  • Good morning - Goedemorgen
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Dank je
  • Please - alsjeblieft

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Amsterdam 

Day 12 - TRAIN Amsterdam to Berlin

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 12 to 14 - BERLIN (Germany)

Highlights

  • Feel peace in front of the Brandenburg Gate
  • Climb in circles to the top of the Parliament dome (book in advance)
  • Remember history at the Berlin wall
  • Forget the city when wandering through the Tiergarten
  • Visit the many museums
Berlin stop on 2 week Europe Tour itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Below are some suggestions of places to stay in Berlin on your 2 week trip in Western Europe:

Food Suggestions

  • Pretzels - I love them! 
  • Kartoffelpuffer - grated potatoes, flour, eggs and onions
  • Currywurst - pork sausage with curry powder
  • Apfelstrudel for dessert
  • Berliner Pfannkuche (similar to a doughnut)

Useful words in German

  • Good morning - Guten Morgen or Guten Tag
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Danke
  • Please - Bitte

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Berlin 

Is a pass worth it?

You would need the Eurail Global Pass to cover 5 countries (you can reduce price by choosing the right option for how many days of travel within how many months) - see the railpass options and click on "Pass" tab

According to my calculations, there is a chance that the pass can be cheaper than the individual tickets depending on the days of your travels. To be calculated.

I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
 Buy me a coffee

CENTRAL WEST EUROPE

CENTRAL WEST EUROPE Itinerary 2 weeks

Trip Overview

2 weeks in Europe Itinerary central

Day 1 to 3 - LUXEMBOURG

Highlights

  • Stroll through the old town and admire the views from Chemin de la Corniche
  • Visit the underground tunnels (under the Bock Castle)
  • Explore the Palace of the Grand Duke
Luxembourg stop on 2 week Europe Tour itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

  • Bouneschlupp - thick soup with green beans, potatoes and bacon
  • Friture de la Moselle - fried freshwater fish from La Moselle region
  • Gromperekichelcher - mixture of grated potatoes, chopped onions, parsley, egg, flour
  • Stews during game season 

Useful words in Luxembourgish

  • Good morning - Gudde Moien
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Merci
  • Please - Wann ech glift

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Luxembourg 

Day 4 morning - TRAIN Luxembourg to Strasbourg

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 4 afternoon to 6 - STRASBOURG (France)

Highlights

  • Take the time to admire the facade of the cathedral before entering
  • Stroll through la Petite France, the old neighborhood and its typical houses
  • Enjoy a boat ride through this area for different perspectives
Strasbourg stop on 2 week Europe Tour itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

  • Pretzels - I love them!  Twisted bread with salt
  • Flammenkuche (tarte flambée) - thin base with cream, onions and various toppings
  • Sausages and Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage)
  • Riesling wine (white)

Useful words in French

  • Good morning - Bonjour
  • Hello - Salut
  • Thank you - Merci
  • Please - S'il vous plait

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Strasbourg 

Day 7 - TRAIN Strasbourg to Munich

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 8 to 10 - MUNICH (Germany)

Highlights

  • Explore the museums and buildings of the Residenz
  • Enjoy the modern and historical vibe of Munich at Marienplatz
  • Be surprised by the architecture of the Cathedral Frauenkirche
  • Breathe in the English Garden (and maybe spot some people surfing on a small river)
  • Feel Royal at the Nymphenberg Palace
  • Take an excursion to the famous Neuschwanstein Palace
Munich stop on 2 week Europe Tour itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

  • Beer
  • Sausages, Schnitzel and Pretzels
  • Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage)
  • Apfelstrudel

Useful words in German

  • Good morning - Guten Morgen or Guten Tag
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Danke
  • Please - Bitte

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Munich 

Day 11 morning - TRAIN Munich to Salzburg

Purchase Train Ticket

Day 11 afternoon to 14 - SALZBURG (Austria)

Highlights

  • Admire the architectural masterpieces from a river cruise
  • Visit the Fortress
  • Stroll the narrow streets of the old town
  • Have fun at the toy museum
Salzburg stop on 2 week Europe Tour itinerary by train

Where to Stay

Food Suggestions

  • The essential - Wiener-Schnitzel
  • Tafelspitz - boiled beef
  • Strudel for dessert as well, or Sachertorte (rich chocolate sponge cake)
  • Mozart balls - pistachio marzipan, nougat and chocolate

Useful words in German

  • Good morning - Guten Morgen or Guten Tag
  • Hello - Hallo
  • Thank you - Danke
  • Please - Bitte

Practical

  • Currency - Euro
  • Plug - 2 rounds
  • Emergency - 112

Activity ideas

Check out the best tours and activities in Salzburg 

Is a rail pass worth it?

This itinerary enters inside a Eurail Select Pass 4 countries (you can reduce price by choosing the right option  for how many days of travel within how many months) - see the railpass options and click on "Pass" tab

According to my calculations, the total of separate tickets is cheaper than the pass for adults. However if you are traveling with families, it could be interesting. And separate ticket prices may change if some of your travels are on weekends.

I don't drink coffee

But I like other drinks and foods!
Do you enjoy the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising...

Claire ZigZag
 Buy me a coffee

2 weeks in Europe by car alternative - intro

You can also visit Europe by car.
However remember that distance are quite important for example:

  • Paris to Zurich = 7h
  • Paris to Munich = 8h30
  • Paris ot Barcelona = 10h
  • Paris to Milan = 9h
  • Paris to Luxembourg = 4h
  • Paris to Brussels = 4h

When renting a car, always check the condition and if crossing a border is allowed! See my favorite platform Discovercars.

And check out all my tips:

TIPS for your City Tour of Europe in 14 days

TIP 1. Choose Central hotels

If hesitating between hotels with only a 5 or 10 dollars difference, choose one that is centrally located (even if more expensive) in order to save time and transportation costs.

Internet while in Europe

TIP 2. Don't book round trip flight

We often think that round trip flights are the cheaper option, but sometimes multi-city tickets are not much more expensive and you will save a day of travel between your end point and your original point as well as travel cost.

TIP 3. Travel with a universal adapter

Sadly, countries are not able to agree on one electrical standard. Most of the countries listed here  use the 2 round plug, but the UK for example uses a different one. Better to travel with a universal adapter 


TIP 4. Be ready for all kinds of weather

This is Europe... You can have all four seasons even in Summer.
So make sure you travel with layers of clothes to be able to vary from stinking hot to rainy to windy and to cold.

TIP 5. Travel with insurance

Be reasonable and travel worry-free. Purchase a travel insurance.
I personally use World Nomads. Get a quote online here.

TIP 6. Wear sensible shoes

In all these old town centers there are a lot of cobbled streets. So wear sensible shoes to avoid twisting your ankles.

TIP 7. Don't bring a huge luggage

Be reasonable when packing. There will be a lot of walking with luggage inside train stations and between train stations and hotels so pack light and reduce the size of your backpack or suitcase. 

TIP 8. Use my Checklists

I will not re-list here all the things to think about - Check out my Travel preparation and packing Checklists

Typical Scams in Europe

Don't worry, there are not scammers at every corner, but it is better to be aware of what they typically do to avoid them altogether.
I once fell for one when I was younger and traveling in Asia, even though it was a very common one, but I was not aware and very trusting back then 🙂

So here are the typical scams you could encounter on your 2 week trip around Europe:

SCAM 1 - The Bracelet

They make a special bracelet just for you and aggressively (and very fast) attach one to your wristt. Once it is attached on your wrist, you don't have the scissors to cut it and they want you to pay. This is very frequent at the bottom of Butte Montmartre in Paris for example (before climbing to the Sacré-Coeur. So cross your arms and keep walking

SCAM 2 - The Found ring

Someone picks up a ring in front of you and asks if you dropped it. You say no. They look at it and pretend it is pure gold and offer to sell it to you.

SCAM 3 - The petition

One of the women distracts you with explaining the cause behind the petition, while the others try opening your bag

There are a few more listed on Rick Steves 's website here, but as a general rule you can still trust people 🙂

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Travel Europe Itinerary 2 weeks
Travel Europe in 2 weeks

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Comments

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi
      Sorry I am not a travel agent so I don’t have package prices.
      And your total cost will depend on the period you travel around, the level of accommodations you will choose, the activities you will book… this is why I don’t mention prices. There are many ways to travel.
      I wish you wonderful travels!

  3. Erin says

    Hello Claire,

    If we went on the 2 week Western European vacation this summer, do you have like an approximate of what you think it might cost? I’m thinking like $10k? Am I crazy😜

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi Erin
      That is totally impossible to say.
      Between staying in a Hostel dorm or at a luxury 5 star hotels, eating out or not, going on tours, visiting paying attractions or not. The price can vary to extremes…
      You have to see what you have in mind (looking at hotel and tour prices) and do the rough calculation.

  4. Tri says

    it was mentioned that : “choose the more central one (even if more expensive) in order to save time and transportation costs.”
    what will be the transportation from ..more central hotel to train station ? and how far is it from central one to the station ?

    Thanks

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      What I mean is to choose a more centrally located hotel in each city, because even if you pay more you will save time and money in term of transportation to all the main points of interest.

  5. Jayson says

    Hi there, if I travel Western Europe based on your suggested itineraries, do you think how many days Europe rail pass should I take? Please advise & many thanks!

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Dear Jayson,
      As I have written, I believe separate tickets might be cheaper than a pass. As passes only include 4 countries, you need to do different tests based on your dates to see what is the most interesting.
      I wish you wonderful travels!

  6. Fakiha says

    Good day
    Thank you very much for such detailed info. With regards to the train for the Latin Europe tour, is it the Eurorail? If yes, are there short trips to tourist destinations in each country with the Eurorail as well? We are a family of 5, so I’m trying to calculate if it’s a good option to purchase the full 1 month family ticket or to purchase individual tickets for the long trips between countries and then utilize Uber to the tourist sites. What’s your suggestion please?

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Yes the passes are the Eurail passes. They have changed the system. Now it is one country or all of them. You can go to side cities. The price depends on the number of days you take trains.
      If you only travel 2 weeks as per the itinerary, I don’t recommend trying to get out of those cities. There is already a lot to see.
      I am confused by your suggestion of Train vs Uber.
      Uber rides to other towns would cost you a lot of money. They can only replace suburban trains not intercity trips. And I don’t think the Eurail cover suburban trains (such as the RER in Paris).
      The best is to define exactly were you want to go and identify the days you would take the train and test the price given online by the Eurail system.
      I wish you wonderful travels!

  7. Fakiha says

    Good day
    Your guide is a great help. Thank you very much for all the information supplied. If I’m planning to travel from Rome to Sorrento to Florence to Venice to Switzerland to Paris, is the Eurorail the best option or are there better fast trains, especially in Italy? I’m doing my tour privately.
    Thank you

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi
      I do believe that you can book high speed trains with some of the Eurail passes.
      But I am sorry I can’t tell you which is the best option. It depends on who travels (age, discount…), when (prices of trains change depending on the months and the days of travel…), on which trains… You have to play with the booking tools to be able to compare.
      Have a great trip!

  8. Lisa says

    Claire,

    Mad respect for your travel itinerary. So well organized and correct with all that I’ve been reading so I trust your judgement. Hubby and I are first time travelers & have never been to Europe. We are going for 2 weeks and leave in a few days and still haven’t figured out the exact itinerary! Here’s what we were thinking: We land in Amsterdam first. swing over to Belgium, over to Nuremberg Germany to Prague, then over to Salzburg Austria to Venice to Florence to Rome to Strasbourgh France to Paris then back to Amsterdam. I told my husband tonight I think we may be trying to bite off more than we can chew. Could you actually hit all of these places, enjoy them for a day or two by train? Thoughts?

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi Lisa,
      That does seem like a lot, especially with Amsterdam and Rome being at 2 opposite ends.
      You are listing 10 towns for 2 weeks!
      You should plan at least 2 or 3 days per town, to really be able to get the vibe of them + traveling times.
      I wish you wonderful travels.
      Claire

  9. Lauren says

    Amazing post! We are interested in Western Europe and wondering if you think Milan or other cities in Northern Italy would be manageable too? Where do you think you would sneak it in?

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Thanks Lauren,
      I am sorry but within the 2 week-timeframe, 5 cities is already a lot. And Italy is not close by. I would not try to fit it in.
      I wish you wonderful travels!
      Claire

  10. Sonia says

    Hi Claire:

    Re: Eastern and Central West

    We are already staying in Prague for 10 days.
    We would like to visit the surrounding Countries after Prague for 9-10 days. We have been tossing around taking one day trips from Prague. or attempting it on our own via air or train.
    We realize air can waste a lot of time.

    Thankfully we found your train suggestions.

    The Eastern is the 1st choice, since we will be in Prague already. Then some of the Central West areas are the Next most appealing. Such as Strasbourg, France and Salzburg, Austria.

    We would be most thankful if you can provide further direction on what would be most realistic.

    Sincerely
    Sonia

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi Sonia
      I am sorry but I don’t have the time to create personalized itineraries.
      I recommend not shortening the days in each city. It will create frustration and be very tiring.
      Better to do less cities but well, rather than jump from one to the other every day.
      I wish you wonderful travels!
      Claire

  11. Terry Moodley says

    I Claire

    Came across your website whilst researching train travel to Europe. I am planning to visit Amsterdam (3 days), Belgium (3 days), Switzerland (2 days), Munich (2
    days), Salzburg (2days), Vienna (2 days), Prague (3 days) and finally Berlin (3 days). Is the order of travel suitable. Is this itinerary a bit rushed? We are a couple in our 60s.

    Secondly, do i need a eurail pass. How does it work? Can I use this pass on local trains.

    I am open to suggestions..

    Many thanks for your help.
    Terry Moodley

    • Claire, the Travel Planning Geek says

      Hi Terry
      Big trip! A few pieces of advice:
      1. That will all depend on the days you are traveling – the more complicated part of the trip are Belgium to the east and Vienna to go back North. So check those first to make sure you find travel plans that are not too complicated (all the others trips you have listed have shorter and frequent lines so you will always be able to make it fit your itinerary).
      2. I would skip Switzerland. With only 2 days and the long trip to get there, you won’t have time to explore the best of Switzerland. It will give you one day to travel between Brussels and Munich and one day between Vienna and Prague
      3. You can use local trains with the pass. I am not an expert but every time I did calculation for itineraries, I have found it was cheaper to buy train tickets directly than to take the pass. It depends on who is traveling and when… you have to calculate to see what is more interesting – I recommend you read their descriptions https://www.eurail.com/en/get-inspired/everything-you-need-know-about-eurail
      I wish you a wonderful trip!
      Claire