7 Best Day Trips from Paris to Other Countries by Train

Do you know how easy it is to plan day trips from Paris to other countries?

That’s right – if you’re traveling to the French capital, you can also visit several of its neighbors for a day.

I’m here to show you exactly how you can organize 7 of the best international day trips from Paris by train. You can easily travel to Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, and the UK from Paris and uncover their top attractions in a day.

Ready to explore?

Let’s dive right in!

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7 Best International Day Trips from Paris by Train

You can visit several countries and countless European cities by train from Paris. To make the most of your French adventure, I’ve compiled this list of the 7 best destinations for you.

Here are the trip durations for the best day trips from Paris to other countries by train:

Destination	Average Trip Duration	Book Via
London, England	2:20 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Rotterdam, Netherlands	2:40 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Amsterdam, Netherlands	3:30 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Brussels, Belgium	1:50 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Antwerp, Belgium	2:30 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Geneva, Switzerland	3:15 hours (in each direction)	Omio
Cologne, Germany	3:40 hours (in each direction)	Omio

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1. Day Trip from Paris to London, England by Train

The most popular international day trip from Paris is to the British capital, London. Eurostar operates the line under the English Channel.

The trains from Paris to London depart from Paris Gare du Nord and arrive at London St Pancras International train station. The trip duration is 2:18 hours to London and 2:17 hours on the way back. You can check the current timetable and prices on Omio’s website.

The trains depart every half to one hour throughout the day, so you have a ton of options to choose from for your day trip from Paris to London.

Book your tickets in advance to snatch the cheapest prices for one of the best day trips from Paris to other countries. I recommend doing it about 2 to 3 months before your trip.

You must arrive at least 45 minutes before your train’s departure time to go through the ticket gates, security, and passport control. The ticket gates close 30 minutes before departure, so if you’re late, you won’t be able to board your train.

Keep in mind that France is in the EU, while England is no longer in the EU or Schengen. Check out the entry requirements before leaving and take your passport with you.

When in London, here are the things I recommend you do on your day trip from Paris by train:

• Buckingham Palace and changing of the guards
• The London Eye
• Westminster Abbey
• St Paul’s Cathedral
• London Dungeon

The easiest way to optimize your time in the English capital is by joining an organized tour. You can book my recommended tour from GetYourGuide here.

2. Day Trip from Paris to Rotterdam, Netherlands by Train

The Eurostar-operated direct trains leave from Paris Gare du Nord and arrive at Rotterdam Centraal.

The journey from Paris to Rotterdam takes between 2:37 and 2:42 hours. You can check the current schedule and ticket prices on Omio’s website.

You can choose from several options in the morning and afternoon. Make sure to purchase your tickets at least 30 days in advance for the best availability and lowest prices.

Remember to arrive at the train station at least 20 minutes earlier to find your platform and board the train hustle-free.

In Rotterdam, there are several peculiar attractions you shouldn’t miss exploring:

• Harbour Cruise
• Rotterdam Zoo
• The Cube Houses
• Van Nelle Factory
• Kinderdijk Windmill Village

I recommend joining this fun sightseeing “splash” tour to learn as much as possible about this fascinating Dutch city in a unique way.

3. Day Trip from Paris to Amsterdam, Netherlands by Train

Eurostar operates the direct line between Paris Gare du Nord and Amsterdam Centraal.

The ride’s duration is between 3:28 and 3:32 hours from Monday to Saturday. On Sundays, some trains take up to 3:56 hours for the journey.

To plan one of the best day trips from Paris to other countries by train like a pro, check the current timetable and ticket prices on Omio’s website.

Keep in mind, that Gare du Nord in Pars is huge, so arrive at least 20 minutes earlier to find your train.

In Amsterdam, these are the things I recommend you do:

• Canal cruise with tastings
• Rijksmuseum 
• Van Gogh Museum
• Anne Frank and World War II Walking Tour
• Heineken Experience

To explore the Dutch capital like a local, join a guided bike tour of Central Amsterdam.

4. Day Trip from Paris to Brussels, Belgium by Train

The Eurostar direct trains depart from Paris Gare du Nord and arrive at Brussels Midi/Zuid Station.

The average trip duration from Paris to Brussels is between 1:22 and 2:19 hours, depending on the time of the day and week. Check the current timetable and rates on Omio’s website.

Over 20 trains run daily in both directions, even on Sundays. Buy your tickets in advance to make sure you pay the lowest fare possible.

You must arrive at the train station at least 20 minutes before your departure to have time to find your platform and board without stress. Both countries are EU and Schengen members, so you won’t have any problems crossing borders.

When in Brussels, here’s what you should check out:

• The Grand Place
• Manneken Pis
• The Royal Palace of Brussels
• Park du Cinquantenaire
• Atomium

To optimize your time and learn all the quirky details about Brussels’ top attractions, I recommend joining this guided walking tour.

And to sample all the great foods and drinks Belgium is famous for, go on this food tour.

5. Day Trip from Paris to Antwerp, Belgium by Train

You can take the Eurostar direct trains from Paris Gare du Nord to Antwerp Central.

The average ride from Paris to Antwerp, Belgium’s second-largest city, lasts between 2:03 and 2:46 hours, depending on the day and time of your trip. For the current timetable and prices, go to Omio’s website.

Several trains per day serve this line so you’ll have a few options for your day trip from Paris to Antwerp. I recommend getting your tickets in advance once you know your travel dates to secure the cheapest prices.

Once in Antwerp, the Dimond Capital of the World and the birthplace of Paul Rubens, here are the must-see attractions:

• St Paul’s Church
• Rubenshuis
• Antwerp City Hall
• The Diamond District
• Het Steen

To make sure you don’t miss any of the fun places in Antwerp, join this informative walking tour. And if you’re looking for something unusual to do on your international day trip from Paris, check out this boat tour of the historic harbor.

6. Day Trip from Paris to Geneva, Switzerland by Train

TGV Lyria operates the international route from Paris Gare de Lyon to Geneva, Switzerland.

The direct trains take between 3:11 and 3:18 hours. You can check the current timetable and prices, and book your tickets on Omio’s website.

The trains run several times per day. I recommend you take the earliest one to spend as much time in the gorgeous Swiss city as possible. And to secure the cheapest tickets, book them in advance.

When you arrive in Geneva, here’s what you should visit:

• Lake Geneva
• The Geneva Water Fountain
• The Castle of Prangins and Nyon
• St. Pierre Cathedral
• CERN

Don’t forget to stuff your face with Swiss cheese and Swiss chocolate. They’re to die for!

7. Day Trip from Paris to Cologne, Germany by Train

Last but not least on this list of international day trips from Paris is Cologne, Germany. You can take the Eurostar direct train from Paris Gare du Nord to Köln Hbf.

The train ride duration is between 3:21 and 3:33 hours. Several trains per day run between Paris and Cologne. However, in order to have enough time to explore the German city, leave as early as possible. You can check the current timetable and prices on Omio’s website.

Here’s what you should explore in Cologne:

• Cologne Cathedral
• River Rhine Cruise
• Cologne Zoo
• The Old Town and the Old Market
• Chocolate Museum Cologne

Make sure you don’t miss anything fun in the Old Town by joining this walking tour. The knowledgeable guides share incredible facts about one of my favorite German cities.

✔️ Tip: If you’re a beer lover, I advise you to skip tasting Kölsch, the local brew. It’s truly the most disgusting type of beer you can imagine. Just don’t tell the locals or you’ll get into a lot of trouble.

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FAQs about the Best Day Trips from Paris to Other Countries

What is the most popular day trip from Paris?

The most popular day trip from Paris by train is to London. However, the British capital deserves a lot more than a day in my opinion. The other amazing cities on this list are better suited for train day trips from Paris.

Can I take day trips from Paris to other countries by bus, too?

While it’s possible and sometimes cheaper to travel by bus from Paris to several cities in nearby countries, it usually takes a lot longer than by train. The reason for this is the higher speed of the trains and traffic jams on the highways. On top of that, I find train travel a lot more comfortable, that’s why I recommend it.

How early should I arrive at the train station?

Arrive at least 45 minutes before departure time to go through security, find the platform, and board your train on time. Calculate a bit more time if you prefer to use the bathroom and stock up on drinks and snacks at the train station. Although not necessary, this will make your day trips from Paris to other countries more enjoyable.

Now You Know How to Plan the Best International Day Trips from Paris

And here you have it – the 7 best day trips from Paris to other countries.

Now you know how to explore France’s neighbors hassle-free. It takes a bit of preparation to plan your train rides and book your tickets in advance but I’ve got you covered.

You learned which trains to take and what to do on your international day trips from Paris. So, even if you only have 3 days in Paris, you can still fit one of these trips on your itinerary.

Now, tell me:

Which of these day trips from Paris to other countries strike your fancy the most?

Let me know in the comments below!