This Was the Most Popular Train Route in Europe for U.S. Travelers-and It Connects 2 Iconic Italian Cities

"Two countries dominated the Eurail rankings this year: Switzerland and Italy. Florence to Rome (Santa Maria Novella to Roma Termini) was the most popular journey of 2025. Switzerland's Interlaken Ost-Lauterbrunnen line and the Visp-Zermatt connection followed-with mountain villages, waterfalls, and alpine views, both routes are stunning. Paris to London via Eurostar came in fourth, and Milan to Florence rounded out the top five."

"Some train stations saw significant increases in American visitors, which could indicate a rise in those destinations' popularity. Amsterdam Zuid (a major hub for those heading into the Dutch capital or for passengers continuing onto other Dutch cities) topped the list of stations that saw the largest growth in American travelers. However, other stations in this category are much smaller and lesser-known-they include Rheine in Germany; Bischofshofen in the Austrian Alps; Bettembourg in Luxembourg; and Mühldorf in the German state of Bavaria."

Switzerland and Italy dominated American rail travel, with Florence–Rome the most popular journey of 2025. Interlaken Ost–Lauterbrunnen and Visp–Zermatt were top alpine routes known for mountain villages, waterfalls, and views. Paris–London via Eurostar and Milan–Florence also ranked among the most visited. Amsterdam Zuid recorded the largest growth in American visitors, while smaller stations such as Rheine, Bischofshofen, Bettembourg and Mühldorf saw notable increases. The uptick in traffic to lesser-known stations suggests Americans are exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations for more authentic experiences. The Balkan Peninsula appeared largely off the radar for most U.S. train travelers.

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