Spending any hefty amount of time in Europe without hopping aboard a train is a cardinal sin.
That was a Pope joke that didn’t land, but we’re not going to Italy anyway — we’re going to 3 of Europe’s most gorgeous cities.
The missing links this soon-to-launch route will finally cover are connecting cities so insanely pretty that AI might crash out trying to conjure them.
The truth is, a big chunk of this exciting route already exists, but operators realized it needed a glow-up to level up your adventure.
Without further ado, we’re stoked to reveal a tri-country journey covering Belgium’s largest urban sprawl, arguably France’s biggest heartthrob, and Switzerland’s alpine showstopper, all having one thing in common:
They’re all the kind of jaw-dropping places that make the train ride feel like a bonus, not the main event.
A New Big Three: Brussels ➡️ Strasbourg ➡️ Basel
Train enthusiasts can already chug along from Brussels to Strasbourg, but Basel is new to the party.
Let’s unpack all 3 cities, shall we?
Starting with Brussels, it’s a good thing this grandiose city is easy to reach, because many say they can’t wait to leave, as it’s become a hotspot for crime, though it does seem to be a mixed bag of results on our Safety Index, currently seeing an 83/100 score:
As gorgeous as Brussels is for a photo op, it’s quite expensive to spend too much time there, with many grabbing a waffle to go and getting out of dodge onto the next European wonder.
In this case, you can go straight to Strasbourg, one of France’s many acclaimed, timeless gems, especially come Christmastime when the city transforms into a magical display of twinkling markets, half-timbered homes, and storybook holiday cheer.
But that’s a ways away.
Strasbourg in summer is generally warm, walkable, and just as beautiful, with the same beautiful canals, cobbled lanes, and fairytale dreamscape minus the winter crowds.
Now for the big news…
Basel isn’t the easiest city to reach for Americans, but the planned TGV InOui extension to Switzerland makes it so much more accessible, considering Brussels is a common springboard.
Considered one of Switzerland’s dreamiest escapes, it may not be for budget travelers, but it’s undeniably worth a splurge as one of those places you have to visit once.
Set along the Rhine and tucked right where Switzerland, France, and Germany practically shake hands, Basel is loaded with colorful Old Town streets, world-class museums, riverside hangouts surrounded by postcard scenery, albeit at premium prices.
Though, 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 itinerary.
Lille: A Hidden Gem Sandwiched In Between
Once the new route launches in July 2027, Basel may be the marquee 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 slice it, Lille is a lively 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 hog the spotlight, this unsung city is the stop that makes travelers feel like they found something they weren’t supposed to know about yet.
How To Hack This Route As An American Tourist
You may have noticed something else that impacts Americans: you can actually start this route from one of Paris’s most popular airports.
That’s right — instead of making your way to Brussels, which, according to Flight Connections, only has 6 direct U.S. flights, Americans can opt to fly into CDG.
This bypasses 2 stops on the route, though you would miss out on Lille if you’re set on heading to Strasbourg and Basel.
