Alternative Routes in 2026 from Vienna/Berlin to Paris

Travelling by train through Europe offers a special kind of freedom. Many travellers have enjoyed the direct night train between Vienna or Berlin and Paris. Sadly, this popular route will end in 2026. For those who love slow travel, this might feel like losing a trusted friend. But there is still good news. There are solid alternatives that connect these cities by train, even if it means making a stop or two on the way.

The discontinued Vienna or Berlin to Paris night train ran three nights per week. Starting in 2026, this direct option will no longer be part of the schedule. This change can feel disappointing. A direct journey makes things simple. Board the train, get cozy overnight, and wake up in Paris. No transfers or planning needed along the way.

But train travel in Europe quickly shows its strength when travellers explore a bit deeper. Even without the direct night connection, Paris is still well connected to Vienna and Berlin. Several other train combinations will help travellers reach Paris with only one stop. These routes are available every day, all year. That is a big improvement compared to a train that ran only three nights per week.

Connections from Vienna

Starting from Vienna, travellers have four possible routes. Each option begins with a night train followed by a connecting day train. The first one goes from Vienna to Zurich. This night train takes 9 hours and 52 minutes. From Zurich, a fast daytime train to Paris adds 4 hours and 4 minutes to the journey.

Another combination from Vienna is the Vienna to Stuttgart night train. It takes 9 hours and 10 minutes. Once in Stuttgart, travellers can board a day train to Paris that takes 3 hours and 14 minutes. This route is efficient and makes good use of early morning trains.

A slightly longer route connects Vienna with Brussels. Overnight, this train ride lasts 15 hours and 33 minutes. Once in Brussels, a fast day train can get travellers to Paris in just 1 hour and 25 minutes. This is a good option for those who want to see two capital cities in one trip.

The fourth alternative from Vienna heads north to Amsterdam. This night train runs for 13 hours and 40 minutes. From Amsterdam, travellers can continue by day train to Paris in about 3 hours and 28 minutes. This route is great for anyone looking to add a Dutch flavor to their journey.

Connection from Berlin

For those starting in Berlin, there is a simple and reliable alternative as well. A night train from Berlin to Offenburg takes 8 hours and 43 minutes. From Offenburg, a quick daytime connection gets you to Paris in about 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Each of these routes uses a mix of night and day trains. They offer plenty of flexibility. No need to wait for a specific day of the week. These trains depart daily. This means greater freedom to plan your trip on your terms. Want to visit a second city along the way? These routes make that possible.

Of course, the end of a direct night train is still something to notice. Night trains are special. They let travellers sleep while the train moves. There is a sense of adventure in closing your eyes in one country and waking up in another. Many travellers will miss this simple magic.

Even so, the new choices can add variety and smart connections across Europe. This change might even lead some to discover new train stations, cities, and landscapes they would not have explored before. Who knew that a night train from Vienna to Stuttgart could lead to a smooth ride into Paris the next morning? Or that an overnight trip to Brussels could set up a breezy hour and a half journey into France?

Train travel stays one of the most sustainable ways to explore Europe. It is a relaxing way to move across countries, avoiding the hassle of airports and the environmental cost of flights. Even with changes in the schedule, there are still great ways to reach Paris by rail.

So, while the direct night train from Vienna or Berlin to Paris will soon be gone, the alternatives keep the journey alive. They even offer new ways to combine cities on the way. And maybe that is the charm of train travel: it invites surprise. A random connection might turn into a memorable stop. A few extra hours might be filled with beautiful views of mountains, forests, or rivers.

Happy traivelling ☺️🚅🌿

23.10.2025