2 month route from Great Britain
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This journey will take you through 8 distinct countries – England, Wales, Scotland, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Belgium. If you’re looking for a whirlwind highlights trip of these famous destinations, then this circular route will have you covered.
THE ROUTE
The Route
Recommended Rail Pass
For this route, you'll need a 15 days within 2 months Global Pass. With 15 days of travel to use within 2 months, you can venture off the fixed itinerary, or stay longer in certain destinations and use your pass for day trips to nearby attractions.
Days 1 - 4: London, England
London is the English capital, and though steeped in history is every bit as vibrant and cosmopolitan as made out.
Tick off some of London’s famous attractions – Big Ben, Tower Bridge, and Buckingham Palace are all obligatory stops for first-time visitors.
Get the ultimate aerial view of the city from a ride on the London Eye.
Explore some of London's world class art galleries, like the National Gallery and Tate Modern.
How to get there?
Arriving by plane? There are quick and easy train connections from London Heathrow Airport to the city centre that run every few minutes to Paddington station.
Days 5 - 7: Cardiff, Wales
Cardiff is a port city located on the south coast of Wales, and the vibrant capital of the country.
The Victorian Gothic Cardiff Castle is a must for history and architecture lovers – it dates back to the 11th century.
Cardiff Bay is a great urban area alongside the marina packed full of stores, restaurants and beautiful historic buildings.
If there's a game on, a rugby match at Principality Stadium is always an enjoyable affair.
How to get there?
There are direct trains from London to Cardiff approximately every 30 minutes, and the total journey time is just over 2 hours.
Days 8 - 10: Llandudno, Wales
Llandudno is a small town in northern Wales, popular for its beaches, nature, and medieval attractions.
The key drawcard of Llandudno is its natural beauty – you can take in some of this from the spectacular Great Orme, a famous limestone headland that you can explore by tramway.
Prefer to get an aerial view of your surroundings? Take a ride on the Llandudno Cable Car, popular for its incredible panoramic views.
Take a walk down the Llandudno pier – at 2295 feet, it’s the longest in Wales.
How to get there?
There are trains throughout the day between Cardiff and Llandudno. Most require at least one change, but including transfer time the journey shouldn’t take more than 5 hours.
Days 11 - 15: Glasgow, Scotland
Glasgow is a port city on the River Clyde, famous for its art nouveau and Victorian architecture.
Get your fix of arts and culture at the impressive Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum – it’s one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions.
Prefer your museums to be a bit more modern? Head to the Riverside Museum, where you’ll find cutting edge displays of beautiful historic vehicles.
Explore the stunning Glasgow Botanic Gardens – there are more than 27 acres of pristine park open to visitors.
How to get there?
Most trains between Llandudno and Glasgow require one change in Warrington Bank Quay, but even with the transfer the total journey time is under 5 hours.
Days 16 - 18: York, England
York is a walled town in northeast England that was founded by the Romans, has a massive Gothic cathedral, and remarkable medieval buildings.
Seeing as you’re on a train trip, you may as well pay a visit to York’s National Railway Museum – it’s packed full of railway history.
Take a walk through history on the recreated Victorian cobbled streets of the York Castle Museum.
Looking for an adrenaline spike? Head to the York Dungeon, a terrifying ghost house with displays that’ll have you jumping out of your skin.
How to get there?
The train journey between Glasgow and York shouldn’t take longer than 4 hours, with either a direct option or one transfer in Edinburgh.
Days 19 - 24: Paris, France
Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and is every bit as delightful as imagined.
First time in Paris? Acquaint yourself with the city on a river cruise down the Seine.
Tick off a selection of the unmissable Paris attractions – the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame and the Louvre are all essential attractions to visit.
Soak up true French culture by take a slow walk through the city, and relaxing on a terrasse with a coffee – there’s no better way to experience the city.
How to get there?
The most convenient way to travel from York to Paris is to catch the early train to London St Pancras. The journey time is just over 3 hours. From there, transfer to the Eurostar, which requires advance seat reservation. Eurostar trains leave for Paris approximately every hour, and the journey time is just over 2 hours.
Days 25 - 29: Milan, Italy
Milan is the fashion capital of the world, but its history, culture and high-end shopping make it an enthralling destination to visit.
Start your time in Milan with a visit to Piazza del Duomo – it may be one of the city’s busiest attractions, but it’s a truly dramatic sight.
Get a taste of Italian culture by taking in a show at Teatro alla Scala, a lavish 18th-century theatre that plays host to regular ballets and opera.
Want to stock up on ultimate Italian items, or just gawk at how the other half shop? Head to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, a spectacular historical shopping mall in the centre of the city.
How to get there?
It’s easy to travel from Paris to Milan during the day, but the journey can take several hours. Instead, book a sleeper compartment on the night train – the journey is not included in your Interrail Pass, but Pass holders receive a 25% discount on this famous overnight journey.
Days 30 - 34: Interlaken, Switzerland
As its name suggests, Interlaken is a town situated between two pristine lakes, and famous for its stunning natural beauty, proximity to the Alps, and extensive adventure sports options.
Take a boat trip on one of the two lakes after which the town is named – passage on the classic ferries is included in many Interrail Passes at no cost.
Take a day trip up into the valley of Lauterbrunnen, where you’ll find incredible views, endless hikes, and the freshest Swiss mountain air.
Looking for more of an adrenaline rush? Take to the skies in a tandem paragliding trip from the nearby peaks – Interlaken is the adventure sport capital of Switzerland.
How to get there?
The train ride between Milan and Interlaken is beautifully scenic and takes less than 4 hours. There’s a more direct route that requires a reservation, but if you’re happy to break the journey and make three changes you can easily complete the trip without reservation fees.
Days 35 - 38: Lucerne, Switzerland
Lucerne is a bustling Swiss city that still maintains small town charm, owing to its compact size and spectacular natural beauty.
Take a walk along the water’s edge until you reach the famous covered bridges. They’re particularly spectacular at sunset as the evening light catches the water.
Looking for a slightly more elevated view of the city? Head for Museggmauer, the iconic city walls and old watchtowers.
Fan of Swiss transport? Head to the fascinating Swiss Museum of Transport, where you’ll learn all about the trains that you’ll be riding on.
How to get there?
From Interlaken to Lucerne you can experience part of the famous GoldenPass Express line – it’s a dramatic two hour journey that will expose you to some of the best Swiss scenery.
Days 39 - 44: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is the hedonistic Dutch capital that comes with a healthy dose of art and culture.
Take an evening walk through the Red Light District, if only to see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
Visit the moving Anne Frank House to learn about the life of the famous World War II diarist.
Don’t miss a chance to visit the Rijksmuseum – it houses some of the world’s most celebrated artworks.
How to get there?
It’s possibly to travel from Lucerne to Amsterdam over the course of a day, with just two changes in Basel and Frankfurt. The most convenient train for this journey leaves at 08:54 AM and doesn’t require any advance reservations.
Days 45 - 48: Bruges, Belgium
Bruges is a beautiful canalized town in Belgium that is famous for its quaint architecture and delicious beer.
Head to the top of the Belfry of Bruges – it’s an impressive sight from below, but the views from the top are nothing short of spectacular.
Get lost on the quiet canal-side streets – there are few better ways to spend a day than walking aimlessly along the cobbled roads.
Pay a visit to a local bar, and be sure to sample some of the finest Belgian brews available.
How to get there?
There are trains to Bruges throughout the day. Most take between 3 and 4 hours, and require at least one connection, usually in Brussels.
Days 49 - 53: Brussels, Belgium
Brussels is a busy capital city, complete with museums, restaurants, bars and grand streets.
Spend a day savouring Belgium’s famous cuisine - from moules-frites and waffles, to gratin and chocolate.
Feeling thirsty? Head to Delirium for a beer - it may be touristy, but it has some of the world’s best beer fresh and on tap.
Spend a day walking the city – start at Grand Place, and pay an obligatory visit to Manneken Pis.
How to get there?
Direct trains from Bruges to Brussels take under an hour and do not require advance reservations. From Brussels, it’s easy to return to London via the Eurostar for any return flights back home.