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Spending a good amount of time in Europe without hopping on a train is one thing cardinal shame.
That was a Pope joke that didn’t land, but we’re not going to Italy after all – we are going to 3 of the most beautiful cities in Europe.
The missing links that this soon-to-be-launched route will finally cover connect cities so insanely beautiful that AI might go haywire in an attempt to conjure them up.
The truth is, much of this exciting route already exists, but the operators realized it needed a flare to take your adventure to the next level.
Without further ado, we are happy to reveal a journey through three countries about Belgium’s largest urban expansion, perhaps France’s biggest heartbreaker, and Switzerland’s showstopper in the Alpsthat all have one thing in common:
They’re all breathtaking places that make the train ride feel like a bonus, not a main event.
A new big three: Brussels ➡️ Strasbourg ➡️ Basel
Train enthusiasts can already chug from Brussels to Strasbourg, but… Basel is new to the party.
Let’s unpack all three cities, shall we?
Starting with Brussels, it’s a good thing this grand city is easy to get to, as many say they can’t wait to leave as it has become a crime hotspot, although it seems to be a mixed bag of results on our Safety Index, which currently has a score of 83/100:
As beautiful as Brussels is for a photo, it’s quite expensive to spend too much time there, with many grabbing a waffle to go and heading out of the way for the next European wonder.
In this case, you can head straight to Strasbourg, one of France’s many acclaimed, timeless gems, especially during the Christmas period, when the city transforms into a magical spectacle of twinkling markets, half-timbered houses and a fairytale holiday feel.
But that’s still a long way off.
Strasbourg in summer is generally warm, walkable and just as beautiful, with the same beautiful canals, cobbled streets and fairytale dreamscapes minus the winter crowds.
Now the big news…
Basel isn’t the easiest city to get to for Americans, but the planned extension of TGV InOui to Switzerland makes it that much more accessible, as Brussels is a common springboard.
Considered one of Switzerland’s dreamiest escapes, it may not be suitable for budget travelers, but it’s undeniably worth a splurge as one of those must-visit places.
Located along the Rhine, tucked away where Switzerland, France and Germany practically shook hands, Basel is packed with colorful Old Town streets, world-class museums, riverside hangouts surrounded by postcards, albeit at premium prices.
Although unlike Geneva and Zurich, Basel flies a little more under the radar, giving travelers all the Swiss beauty and culture they came for without feeling like they’re following the same tired route.
Lille: A hidden gem in between
Once the new route Launching in July 2027, Basel may be the big addition, but Lille deserves some shine too.
Here is the expected full route:
Brussels → Lille → Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport → Champagne-Ardenne TGV → Meuse TGV → Lorraine TGV → Strasbourg → Basel
Any way you look at it, Lille is a vibrant northern French city with Flemish flair, colorful squares, beautiful architecture and one of France’s most awe-inspiring art museums.
Locals love Lille, so while Brussels, Strasbourg and Basel may take the spotlight, this unsung city is the stop that makes travelers feel like they’ve found something they shouldn’t have known about yet.
How to hack this route as an American tourist
You may have noticed something else that affects Americans: you can actually start this route from one of Paris’ most popular airports.
That’s right: Instead of going to Brussels, which has only six direct U.S. flights, according to Flight Connections, Americans can choose to fly to CDG.
This bypasses 2 stops on the route, but you would miss Lille if you were heading to Strasbourg and Basel.
