Train Rides That Beat Flying and Routes Where Flying Still Wins

Most of the time you spend traveling isn’t actually up in the sky. It is the long drive to the airport, standing in endless security lines, waiting at the gate, and dealing with crowded boarding groups. On the right trips, trains completely remove all that extra stress.

Instead of dropping you miles outside of town, a train takes you right to the middle of the city. You just show up, find your comfortable seat, and watch the world roll by outside your window.

But let’s be honest – trains are not magical teleporters. There are still plenty of trips where taking the rail is just too slow, the route makes no sense, or the distance is simply too far. Sometimes, getting on a plane is exactly what you need to do.

To help you plan your next big adventure, here are 10 train rides that easily beat flying, followed by 10 routes where booking a flight is still your best bet.

1. London To Paris

Taking the train from London to Paris is a total win – and it makes flying look a bit silly. The Eurostar zips you from the middle of the UK right into France in just about two hours and 16 minutes. You travel straight from one busy city center directly to the other without missing a beat.

There is zero need to drag your heavy bags miles out of town just to catch a super short flight.

Once you try it, you will see exactly why taking the rail makes so much sense here. You get to skip the annoying airport rules and stretch out with plenty of legroom instead. As soon as you step off the train, you are instantly close to all the action.

You can just grab your bags, find a fresh snack, and start walking around town right away.

2. London To Amsterdam

Taking a plane might look faster when you check the ticket, but it usually eats up your whole day. The train from London to Amsterdam changes the game entirely. Riding the Eurostar takes just under four hours – about three hours and 52 minutes to be exact.

That might sound long, but you spend all that time actually moving toward your goal instead of standing around in crowded lines.

By picking the rail over a flight, you completely skip the slow crawl through airport security and the annoying wait at the gate. You just hop on, grab a snack, and hang out while zooming across Europe. The absolute best part is where you end up.

You roll right into the heart of the city, ready to rent a bike or eat some hot fries the second you walk outside.

3. Paris To Brussels

Traveling from France to Belgium is so fast that you barely have time to get comfortable. The Eurostar train connects Paris to Brussels in about one hour and 22 minutes. By the time you find your seat, text your friends, and eat a quick snack, you are already pulling into the station.

Trying to fly this short distance makes zero sense because you would spend way more time just getting to the airport.

Airplanes force you to start and end your trip far outside the city limits – which is a huge waste of time. Taking the train drops you right in the middle of the action instead. You step off the railcar and you are instantly surrounded by awesome waffle shops and cool streets.

It is the absolute best way to hop between these two capitals without spending half your day standing around in boring lines.

4. Paris To Lyon

Getting on a plane for this route just does not make sense. The high-speed rail races from Paris to Lyon in about one hour and 44 minutes. Before you even have a chance to get bored, you are already pulling into the station. It feels way more like a quick daily commute than an actual travel day.

Trying to fly would actually slow you down – which totally defeats the purpose. By the time you ride to the airport, deal with security, and wait at your gate, the train would already have you exploring Lyon. You get to skip all the typical travel headaches and just enjoy a super smooth ride.

Rolling right into town means your fun begins the exact second you step outside the station doors.