US and Canadian Travelers Opt for Rail in 2025 to Discover Multi-City Adventures Across Spain, France, Italy, UK, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary: New Update You Need to Know

In 2025, rail travel emerged as the preferred way for US and Canadian visitors to explore Europe, with multi-city itineraries spanning Spain, France, Italy, the UK, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, and Hungary. Travelers increasingly sought flexibility, scenic routes, and deeper cultural experiences, allowing them to move effortlessly between bustling capitals and picturesque smaller towns. One-way tickets and combined multi-leg bookings became the norm, enabling personalized journeys that balance famous landmarks with hidden gems. From France’s high-speed TGV networks to Switzerland’s stunning alpine railways, train travel offered a seamless, stress-free, and immersive way to experience the continent, perfectly suited for those seeking a slower, more enriching pace.

As the year draws to a close, insights into North American travel patterns highlight their strong influence on European rail. Visitors from the United States and Canada accounted for nearly half of all activity on Rail Europe in 2025, reflecting not only their high engagement but also some of the largest average spend per booking among all international markets. This underscores the growing appeal of rail as a central part of how North Americans explore Europe, combining efficiency, convenience, and unforgettable experiences.

This year, travelers increasingly pursued multi-city itineraries, scenic journeys, and smaller, character-rich destinations, indicating a desire for deeper cultural experiences, relaxed travel rhythms, and a more immersive way to experience Europe beyond its major capitals.

Top Destinations Capturing North American Attention

Among the most popular European cities for North American travelers were Barcelona, Brussels, Edinburgh, Florence, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome, Seville, and Vienna. These cities highlight the strategic advantage of rail travel, enabling seamless and stress-free connections between Europe’s iconic cultural hubs without the challenges of airports or the limitations of domestic air networks.

Emerging Destinations Showcasing Rapid Growth

Several lesser-known cities and regions recorded remarkable growth in 2025. Annecy, Bordeaux, Bolzano, Budapest, Lucerne, and Zermatt drew heightened interest, reflecting an appetite for alpine landscapes, wine regions, lakeside towns, and smaller cities that combine charm with accessibility. These destinations underscore a shift toward experiential travel, where the journey itself—especially scenic rail routes—is as valuable as the destination.

Key Travel Trends of 2025

North American travelers demonstrated distinct booking behaviors this year. Flexibility remained a top priority, with one-way tickets dominating and many passengers combining multiple journeys within single bookings to create bespoke multi-city itineraries. Last-minute travel also played a significant role, with more than 25% of bookings made within seven days of departure, reflecting a willingness to adapt and seize spontaneous travel opportunities.

Summer travel, in contrast, tended to be planned further in advance, typically between 60 and 90 days before departure, aligning with major rail carriers’ booking windows. Solo travel continued to show strong growth, while cross-border itineraries steadily increased, signaling a clear demand for trips that blend different countries, landscapes, and cultural experiences.

Rail Europe continued to offer North American travelers seamless access to more than 250 operators and 25,000 stations, simplifying cross-border travel and enabling the combination of major tourist hubs with quieter, off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Country Highlights: Spain and France

Spain

Rail travel remained central to how North Americans explored Spain, with the Barcelona–Madrid corridor accounting for nearly half of all revenue from U.S. and Canadian visitors. One of the key attractions is the ability to book services from multiple rail operators on the same route, streamlining comparisons and itinerary planning.

Beyond Spain’s primary cities, destinations such as Granada, Seville, and Valencia continued to rise in popularity, reflecting interest in warmer climates, local gastronomy, and culturally rich mid-sized cities that offer authentic regional experiences.

France

France maintained its position as the leading destination for North American rail travelers. Paris held its status as the top choice, while Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, and Nice also saw significant growth. High-speed TGV services remained the backbone of long-distance travel, offering speed, frequency, and seamless connections for both domestic and cross-border journeys.

Behavior Patterns Across Regions

Across Spain and France, several behavioral trends stood out. A vast majority of travelers opted for one-way tickets, with 94% favoring multi-city over traditional round-trip bookings. Over half of all travelers (53%) included multiple journeys within a single reservation, while 26% booked within a week of departure, highlighting the popularity of last-minute travel.

Seasonality adjustments were also evident, with nearly 28% of travelers shifting plans to cooler months to avoid peak summer heat, larger crowds, and rising costs.

Looking Ahead

Looking to 2026, the trends suggest continued expansion in cross-border rail travel, increased interest in lesser-known destinations, and a preference for modular itineraries that prioritize flexibility, cultural discovery, and a more personal, immersive way of experiencing Europe. Rail travel is set to remain a cornerstone for North American visitors seeking an authentic and efficient approach to exploring the continent.

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