If you fly somewhere in Europe for a long week end, you normally need to get to the airport 2 hours before, spend between 1 and 3 hours in the air, get out of the airport at the other end, and make your way to the centre of the city you are visiting. That takes between 5 and 7 hours.
Geneva lies in a central position on the map of Europe and you can reach interesting cities in all directions without catching a plane. From the modern and efficient Gare de Cornavin, in 6 hours and under, you can get to some of the most loved destinations in France, Germany, and Italy - or discover some others off the beaten path.
Instead of spending 6-7 hours travelling to and from an airport and in the air, you will spend them admiring the Alps. the French countryside, the Swiss and Italian lakes, the German rivers, the Black Forest etc. from the comfort of your seat all the way to your final destination!
20 great long weekends abroad from Geneva by train
Ready to plan a flightless long weekend from Geneva to somewhere in Europe? The Trainline and SBB are the logical places to start researching your travel options. Make sure to check the national rail operators of Germany, Italy, Austria, and France if you need more flexibility in designing your break, or want to benefit from some special offers.
Below is a list of journeys abroad starting from Geneva, with a travel time of 6 hours or under:
So, without further ado, here are my suggestions for wonderful long weekends abroad from Geneva by train, and why and how to get there.
1. Bologna
Palazzo di Re Enzo © Lorenzo Megna/Unsplash
With a quick change in Milano Centrale, you can get from Geneva to Bologna in just under 6 hours.
The capital of Emilia Romagna and the seat of the oldest university in Europe, Bologna boasts a beautifully preserved medieval centre, a rich creative scene, excellent museums, and is considered by the Italian themselves as the pinnacle of Italian food!
Typical bolognese pasta store © Nik F/Unsplash
The heart of the centre runs from Piazza Maggiore, with its medieval cathedral of San Petronio and medieval palaces such as Palazzo di Re Enzo, to the Due Torri (medieval 'two towers') that you can climb for incredible views, Between them is a grid of characterful tiny medieval roads brimming with artisan food stores, leather and fashion boutiques. The unmissable late Roman/Lombard/early medieval complex of Santo Stefano boasts a 2000 year old late Roman Christian church.
The extraordinary Bologna Porticos, now on the UNESCO World Heritage list. were built as an extension to city dwellings throughout the middle ages and the Renaissance, and they are a journey (literally as well as symbolically) through the city's creativity. They also make sure you do not get wet when going out and about in the city. I studied in Bologna and can attest that if you confine yourself to the centre you can easily get by without an umbrella.
San Petronio seen from one of Bologna's UNESCO Heritage portici © Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash
For more ideas of what to see and do in Bologna over a long weekend, check my blog post.
If you have one extra day, combine it with a day trip to Ravenna or Ferrara. These two cities, both one hour away from Bologna, will dazzle you with their Byzantine mosaics (Ravenna) and Renaissance art (Ferrara).
2. Paris
Notre Dame © Martin Gilbert/Unsplash
Getting to Paris from Geneva is incredibly easy. There is a direct fast train connecting Geneva Gare de Cornavin to Paris Gare de Lyon. All it takes is 3 hours and 13 minutes!
So, if you are not visiting large museums, even an overnight is feasible. Imagine getting out of Geneva on a Saturday morning, arriving at lunch time, and then treating yourself to 24 hours in the city of lights!
If your time is limited, you may need to book inadva nce for some of the most popular attractions. Or you can explore smaller museums not so crowded but equally fascinating. Or just strolling around the centre, and along the Seine. One of my favourite activities in Paris is a walk from the Eiffel Tower to the Latin Quarter, stopping wherever I fancy.
And if you have time to stay longer, you can explore in depth. World-famous museums, great patissiers, literary hangouts, the choice is yours. You can book tickets to the top attractions on line at Paris Je t'aime.
3. Brussels
Arcade du Cinquantenaire, Brussels © Wix
From the heart of Geneva to the heart of Brussels without catching a plane....It is possible!
Geneva is well connected with Paris Gare de Lyon (the journey is 3 hours and 13 minutes) From Paris Gare de Lyon, you can make your way to Paris Gare du Nord for the service to Bruxelles Midi (1 hour and 45 minutes).
If you prefer not to change station, you can make your way to Lyon Part-Dieu (2 hours) and then catch the service to Brussels from there. There are two such options a day,
Once you are there, think a stroll in the stunning eclectic mix of gothic and Renaissance/Baroque styles of the UNESCO-listed Grand Place, a climb up the twentieth century Atomium, a visit to one of the city's museums, an immersion into its comic book culture, while enjoying delicious beer stew or waffles, and of course some chocolate, and understand the reasons why Brussels is considered one of the gourmet capitals of Europe.
Grand Place, Brussels © Tomas Tuma/Unsplash
4. Antibes
A view of Antibes © Jane Ackerley/Unsplash
Antibes is just under 6 hours from Geneva, with a change in Avignon.
A long weekend gives you the time to wander through Vieil Antibes (the Old Town, sample local produce at the Provencal Market, catch a view of the Côte d'Azur from the Fort Carré, and go for a swim at Juan-les-Pins. The painter Picasso, who certainly knew how to live well, worked in Antibes for a while, and some of his work is on display at the Picasso Museum.
If you are feeling active, there are plenty of hiking opportunities, such as the breathtakingly scenic walk to Cap d'Antibes. Only slightly further is the hilltop village of Biot, famous for its glassblowing workshops and art galleries.
5. Chartres
One of Chartres cathedral's rose windows © Arnaud Papa/Unsplash
Chartres is home to what is probably the most famous cathedral in France, a country famous for its spectacularly beautiful cathedrals. And the fame is well deserved. Chartres's majestic Romanesque church, visible from the distance because of its position on the top of a hill, boasts magnificent stained glass windows.
My first visit to Chartres happened on a grey November day, and even so when I stepped into the sacred space the light filtering through the rose window was truly other-wordly. I can only imagine what it would have looked like on a sunny day.
Around the cathedral is a graceful ancient village, which I enjoyed exploring, with great little shops.
You can reach Chartres from Geneva in 5 hours and 40 minutes, changing station in Paris, from Gare du Nord to Montparnasse.
The change gives you an excuse for a stroll or lunch in the Latin Quarter before boarding a train that takes you through lovely French countryside to the hillside city of Chartres.
6. Versailles
A palatial garden view © Elena Rabkina/Unsplash
This is a trip I did with a toddler. It is super easy and a weekend gives you the time to truly appreciate Versailles without rushing through the sights.
You get off your train from Geneva at Gare de Lyon (journey time 3 hours `13 minutes), and get on the metro to connect with the RER ligne C at either Javel or Champ de Mars (depending on the connection you choose). You will be at the court of the Sun King in just under one hour.
Versailles is an extremely beautiful city. The city centre was designed by the same architect that designed the royal palace, and is filled with quirky antique shops, lovely restaurants and at week ends a mouth-watering farmers' market.
The formal gardens are free at sunset in the summer months, so you can go and watch the sun go down and drop into the magnificent fountain at the bottom of the formal gardens. Staying for the week end also means you can visit the palace one day and the gardens and the Trianon the next, without rushing. And there are other beautiful buildings and museums in the city centre which I did not have time to visit.
It is also worth mentioning that beyond the formal markets there is a vast park where you can sit down for a picnic by the lake or go for a hike in the woods to round off your sightseeing!
7. Colmar and Alsace
Colmar © Aswathy N/Unsplash
You can get from Geneva to the quintessential and delightful Alsatian village of Colmar in under 4 hours. You will need to change twice, either in Biel and Basel or Bern and Basel, but it will be quicker than flying!
Colmar, is surrounded by other equally interesting villages such as Eguisheim. (16 minutes by bus).
If you love medieval history, you will be in heaven. An 11-minute train ride to Sélestat, plus a 30-minute bus ride, will take you to the 900-year-old Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, perched on top of a mountain overlooking the Rhine valley.
Haut Koenigsbourg in winter © Ronan Potier/Unsplash
If you prefer large cities to villages but still want to soak in the Alsatian vibe, you can stay on the train from Basel 30 minutes longer and get off in the stunning medieval wonder that is Strasbourg.
Strasbourg © Harvid Heidahl/Unsplash
Alsace is a year-round destination, and the Christmas markets in both Strasbourg and Colmar are world-famous.
8. Marseille
The Port Vieux © Wix
Unique is how I would define Marseilles, one of the most ancient European cities - it was a Greek colony - and France's gateway to the Mediterranean. It has a gritty edge, and even in winter blinding sunshine, which seems reflected in the colour of its buildings, all white or yellow.
From ancient neighbourhoods to architect Le Corbusier's utopian dream of La Cité Radieuse (now a UNESCO World Heritage site), from a hilltop cathedral to the charming Port Vieux and the enigmatic Chateau d'If (or maybe I read too much Dumas), this is a city you will not forget. A perfect getaway from Geneva.
The journey is direct and takes 3 hours and 30 minutes.
9. Avignon & Provence
Le pont d'Avignon © Wix
From Geneva, you can get to Avignon TGV in just over 3 hours (and from there to the centre of town takes only 5 minutes on a local train. You can also get to Aix en Provence in 3 hours and 15 minutes.
And once you get to Provence, if you stay more than a couple of nights, you will be able to reach some of Provence's most charming villages by local train.
Aix en Provence © Delfina Galani/Unsplash
10. Dijon and Beaune (La route des grand crus)
Close-up of the façade of Notre Fame de DIjon © Fred Clery/Unsplash
Fancy a Burgundian getaway? Burgundy is one of France's most fascinating historical regions, a former duchy and before that an independent kingdom! And Dijon is its worthy capital, and easily reachable from Geneva (under 4 hours, change in Lyon). The distinctive polychrome roofs, toits bourguignons, add character to the architecture of a city brimming with building ranging from medieval Gothic to art deco.
Visit the Palais des Ducs, also home of one of France's great museums, the Musée de Beaux Arts, pause to admire the stunningly elegant Notre Dame de Dijon with its slender gothic columns, or step inside to admire Notre-Dame de Bon-Espoir (Our Lady of Good Hope), one of the most ancient French statues of the Virgin Mary. Visit the cathedral of Saint Bénigne, walk through the ancient streets to soak in the atmosphere, or if you are feeling more epicurean visit the Cité Internationale de la Gastronomie et du Vin.
Surrounded by vineyards, Dijon is the starting point of the the "route des Grands Crus", where eight of the world's top ten most expensive wines are produced.
The 'route des grand crus' ends in stunning Beaune, which you can also reach from Geneva in between 3 and 4 hours (change in Lyon).
Wander through the half-timbered houses of the Old Town, admire the Hospices de Beaune (Hôtel-Dieu), and hike or cycle the Chemin des Grand Crus to visit wine cellars the active way.
Beaune's toit bourguignon © Herve' Marmillot/Unsplash
11. Épernay, Reims and the Champagne region
Reims Cathedral © Pascal Bernardon/Unsplash
From Geneva you can get to Épernay in the heart of the Champagne region, in 5 and a half hours. You will need to change station, and walk for 10 minutes from Gare du Nord to Gare de l'Est (or catch the metro for 1 stop).
You can base yourself in Épernay, the main centre in the legendary Champagne producing area of La Montagne de Reims, or catch another train to Reims itself (20 minutes away) and base yourself in the cathedral city where the kings of France used to be crowned.
If you need inspiration, check my post on a long weekend to Champagne by train.
12. Freiburg
The cathedral at nighttime © Kankan/Unsplash
The vibrant university town of Freiburg, 3 hours and 40 minutes from Geneva, thanks to a change in Olten, or 2 changes in Biel/Basel, is a lovely year-round destination, with fantastic medieval architecture, literary reminiscences, one of the best German Christmas markets, and its proximity to spa towns and the Black Forest.
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.
Cyclists and pedestrians in the Altstadt © Marco Pregnolato/Unsplash
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).
13. Milan
Milan's Duomo © Sophia Karageorgiou/Unsplash
The direct train from Milano to Geneva takes between 4 and 4 and a half hours, making the trip very feasible even as an overnight - you can have a late lunch in Milan and time for a stroll around Piazza del Duomo or to visit a museum or art gallery, followed by the Milanese ritual of aperitivo by the Navigli.
Speaking of the Duomo, Milan's majestic cathedral, which took five centuries to complete, make sure you step inside, and get yourself a ticket to the rooftop terrace, from where you can catch an incredible view of the city and beyond, with the Alps in the distance.
You can admire the Duomo itself from the Museo del Novecento (while walking through the Kandinskijs, Modiglianis and Picassos, or from the top floor of the Rinascente department store.
If you are into Italian fashion, be it as a buyer or as a window shopper, the 19th-century Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is a must, as are Via Montenapoleone and Via della Spiga.
Milano's Navigli , popular for aperitivo © Cristina Gottardi/Unsplash
Milan is famous in Italy and beyond for its opera, and the La Scala theatre is one of the temples of the genre. together with the Arena of Verona. Amongst my personal highlights are the Basilica di Sant'Ambrogio, built when the city was the capital of the Western Roman empire, and the Pinacoteca di Brera, a fantastic art ciollection in one of Milan's most bohemian districts. With a bit of planning, you can also book yourself to see Leonardo's Last Supper at Santa Maria delle Grazie. Keep an eye on their website, as bookings are only open on specific days every three months and and are snapped up immediately.
Milano's Brera district © Simone Daino/Unsplash
14. Verona
Verona's Roman bridge, Ponte Pietra © Patrick Pahlke/Unsplash
There are early morning direct trains between Geneva and fair Verona, or you can change in Milano and still get there in under 6 hours.
Thanks to its compact city centre, Verona is an ideal short break destination.
You can follow the Adige for incredible views of the city, crossing the Roman Ponte Pietra, visit the Arena, its iconic Roman amphitheatre, linger in Piazza Bra for a pre-opera dinner, visit Castelvecchio, the medieval residence of the lords of Verona, or its 4 great churches (the cathedral, San Zeno, San Fermo and Sant'Anastasia) or watch the world go by in Piazza delle Erbe, built over Verona's Roman forum, and still the city's official meeting place, with its outdoor cafés and colourful market.
Food in Verona is hearty and delicious. One of my most treasured travel memories is a November night in Verona, with the fog turning the medieval and Roman buildings into an impressionist dream, and then sitting down in a traditional osteria to a meal of polenta and Valpolicella.
Juliet's balcony © Maksym Harbar/Unsplash
15. Heidelberg
A view of Heidelberg © Maria Lopez Jorge/Unsplash
Germany is one of the most underrated tourist destinations in Europe. There is so much to see along its western side, which is very well connected with Switzerland by train.
Picturesque Heidelberg, between 5 and 5 and a half hours from Geneva (changing in Biel and Basel) is a case point. The seat of Germany's most ancient university, Heidelberg is a lively city on the Neckar river, with stunning architecture, an imposing castle, lovely town squares and surrounded by lush forests,
A walk on the Philosophenweg, a path on the sun-bathed hills facing the old town beloved of poets and philosophers, will give you a feel for a city where nature and culture seem to fuse,
Heidelberg is a great winter escape too, as its Christmas market is one of the most celebrated in Germany.
Basing yourself in Heidelberg, you can also visit the elegant spa town of Baden Baden, whose waters have been popular since the days of the Romans (1 hour away), or the stunning 11th-century UNESCO-listed medieval cathedral of Speyer (51 minutes by train).
16. Villefrance-sur-Saone and the Beaujolais villages
The Église Notre-Dame des Marais of Villefranche sur Saone © George Elermann
The pretty Villefranche sur Saone is the capital of the Beaujolais region and a great base for exploring the area's picturesque villages and landscape. It is 3 hours and 30 minutes from Geneva, with a swift change in Lyon.
The area's stunning villages and delicious wines are the ingredients for a wonderful break to recharge your batteries. Once there, the Tuscany-like Val d'Oingt, and the delightful Beaujolais historical heart of Beaujeu are both reachable by bus, as are many other Beaujolais villages.
17. Modena and Maranello
The Ghirlandina tower, part of Modena's Duomo © Micharl Sala/Unsplash
You can get from Geneva to Modena in between 6 and 7 hours. You will either change once (in Milan), or twice (In Milan and Bologna).
As their tourist office website puts it, Modena is a land of art, engines, and flavours. While Ferrari has been a magnet for decades, foodies have recently put the city and its surroundings firmly on the tourist map, And if you cannot book yourself a table at world-famous Osteria Francescana, do not worry, the quality is superb wherever you go, because the locals demand it! The tourist office shares a helpful list of tasting and learning experiences you can sign up to, or you can simply explore on your own and see what grabs your fancy. The locals expect nothing but the best so the standards are incredible anyway.
Modena is not just a foodies destination though. The medieval historical centre boasts one of the absolute masterpieces of Italian Romanesque architecture, a UNESCO-listed cathedral complex . Wiligelmo, who sculpted its façade in the late 11th century, was a trailblazer - the first Italian sculptor to sign his work since Roman times.
Now, the engines, the stuff of Modena's legend. You can reach Maranello by public transport (Bus 800 runs hourly) and visit the Ferrari Museum there.
There is also a Ferrari Museum in Modena, which you will see from your train as you enter the train station. It is on the site of Enzo Ferrari's birth home and his father Alfredo's mechanics business.
The entrance to the Ferrari factory in Maranello © Alessio Montemurro/Unsplash
From Modena you can also reach the delightful Castelvetro, sitting among Lambrusco vineyards, and the medieval abbey of Nonantola.
18. Torino
Torino is the kind of gem the Italians keep to themselves, and the perfect size to visit over a long weekend, although you will end up wishing you could stay a week!
It will take you between 4 and a half and 6 hours to get there from Geneva, depending on which type of train you choose, and all you need is a change in Milan.
The former capital of Italy, criss-crossed by two rivers, saw light as a Roman city, and the centre has preserved the typical Roman grid ('Quadrilatero') layout, so it is almost impossible to get lost!
Torino's famous harbour © Alps2Coast
Stroll around the elegant Piazza Castello and Piazza San Carlo, follow Via Po through to the river, with its beautiful bridges and green banks. Walk under an authentic Roman gate ('Porta Palatina'), visit the Cathedral, where the Holy Shroud is guarded, and the incredible Baroque Church of the Consolata, with its early medieval belltower, and admire the details of the many baroque and art nouveau palaces.
Pause for an aperitivo, or for a glass of bicerin in one of the historic cafes, and indulge in the amazing food scene (Torino is part of Piedmont and the first large city to embrace the slow food movement.
If it rains or snow, like when I last visited, enjoy the Baroque interiors of Palazzo Madama, which also boasts an art and design collection comparable to London's V&A, or the world-famous Museo Egizio (Egyptian Museum) - to be booked in advance.
The Mole Antonelliana, from the Roman tower of Palazzo Madama © Alps2Coast
And if you are into cinema, Torino is the birthplace of Italian cinema, and museum dedicated to it is housed inside the Mole Antonelliana (above), which also happened to be the tallest building on earth when it was built in in 1889.
For more ideas of what to do in Torino, check out my blog post.
The Lux is one of Torino's historic cinemas © Alps2Coast
19. Blois-Chambord and the Loire Valley
The castle of Amboise © Inha Bae/Unsplash
Blois-Chambord, the main TGV station to visit the Loire Valley and its magnificent castles, is 5 hours and 45 minutes from Geneva. Another great option is Amboise. 20 minutes away from Blois. Both destinations require a change of station in Paris (You arrive at Gare de Lyon and depart for the Loire from Gare d'Austerlitz) which is always an opportunity for a lovely meal or walk through the centre if you want to stretch your legs between trains.
Once there, you can move around by local train, or make the most of the Loire landscape and renting a bicycle - like I hope to do next time I am in the area.
Personally, being Italian, I have a soft spot for Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci spent the last years of his life. Visiting his last home, and his tomb in the royal chapel, can be deeply moving. The city itself is delightful, and a great base to visit Blois, Chambord, Tours, Azay le Rideau, Chenonceau and enjoy the natural landscape of the majestic river - the longest in France.
Azay le Rideau © Veronica Reverse/Unsplash
The whole region is UNESCO-listed, and while the presence of castles creates a common thread, each setting and village has its own character and uniqueness, in terms of architecture, food, wine and vibe. You can scratch the surface in 3 days, although 4 days will let you enjoy more of this amazing part of the world.
The castle of Chambord © AXP Photography/Unsplash
20. Venice
La Serenissima © Joshua Stannard/Unsplash
This journey takes 7 hours, but I need to mention it. From Geneva, you can head straight to Venice with a direct train. So even if the trip takes a bit longer than the others, get yourself a good book, admire the views from your seat, turn the trip into a grand tour and enjoy the ride to the Serenissima, without feeling responsible for its rising waters!
The train station of Venezia Santa Lucia is so well placed, that once you disembark you can walk to Piazza San Marco in about 40 minutes. I could think of worse ways of stretching my legs! And the moment you step out of the train station, you can begin the sightseeing in earnest.
The Rione Cannaregio with the Jewish Ghetto as well as the Rialto Bridge are en route, and you can easily hop across to the delightful and slightly less visited San Polo.
The tourist office offers helpful suggestions for 'respectful itineraries' that allow you to enjoy the city at a slower pace. The only means of transport you will need is a Vaporetto if you want to head to one of the more distant islands such as Burano, Murano, or my beloved Torcello.
Torcello © Maria Laura Gionfriddo/Unsplash
So much is possible from Geneva by train
The suggestions above are just the beginning. What do you love, what makes you travel, what inspires you? Make a list, and before browsing flights, check if there is a train that can take you there!
For more inspiration on how to travel by train from anywhere in Europe by train, sign up to my blog.
Also, if you are planning to discover more of Switzerland, rather than travel abroad from Geneva, check out my post on Switzerland's most scenic train rides.
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