One flight, five cities: your European train adventure starts in Brussels
Planning your next great European escape this autumn? Start in Brussels and take the train.
If you’re looking for a holiday that blends café culture, historic cities and hassle-free travel, this incredible rail route is calling your name. Let us fly you direct from Dublin to Brussels, then hop on the train and cruise through the Netherlands, stopping off in cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam and Maastricht, before looping back to Belgium for a final few days in charming Bruges. With no rental car needed and quick travel times between cities, this is a holiday that takes in a lot but moves at a really nice pace.
One return flight, five amazing cities, and no need to hire a rental car. What’s not to like?
Why settle for one country when you can experience two in a single trip?
With great value direct flights to Brussels and a rail network that carries you across European borders in under two hours, this great escape blends Belgian charm with Dutch style. Take it one train journey at a time, as you relax and breathe it all in.
A taste of what’s to come…
Day 1: Brussels
Welcome to Brussels, centre of Europe. After your seamless flight from Dublin to Brussels Airport, it’s time to embark on your rail-based city-hopping adventure. Spend your first day strolling the cobbled streets of the Grand-Place (the city’s central square), marvelling at the surreal Magritte Museum or sampling the flavours of the city’s famous chocolate shops. Grab some frites, order a Trappist beer, and soak up some of that unique Brussels atmostphere.
Top tip: The train station is right in the city centre, meaning you can hop back on board quickly when it’s time to move on.
Brussels: the effortlessly cool capital of Belgium. With world-class chocolate, comic strip murals on the walls, and some of Europe’s best walking streets, it’s a city made for exploring on foot. From grand squares to neighbourhood frites stalls, everything here is easy to reach and worth the stroll.
Day 2: Utrecht
You’ll trade waffles for stroopwafels as you cross the border from Belgium into the Netherlands. A short train ride from Brussels to Utrecht takes you to one of Holland’s most liveable cities.
Quieter than Amsterdam but just as charming, Utrecht offers a slower pace and achingly pretty streets. Its split-level canals are unique, with terraces and cafés tucked in at water level. Climb all 465 steps of the Dom Tower, or just wander around the Oudegracht (old canal) with a coffee.
Good to know: The direct train from Brussels to Utrecht takes around two hours and drops you right in the heart of the action.
Day 3: Rotterdam
Rotterdam is just 40 minutes from Utrecht by train and offers a modern change of pace. This city was almost entirely rebuilt after WWII; instead of focusing on the past, it built a new future. Today, Rotterdam is all clean lines, bold architecture and ambition.
Start your day at the iconic Cube Houses or take in the excellent views from the Euromast observation tower. Wander through the lively Markthal food hall, with its gourmet stalls and colourful murals, or take a water taxi for a breezy ride through the harbour. This is a city made for exploring by foot, bicycle and by boat.
Top tip: Get lunch at Fenix Food Factory, a riverside market packed with local bites and brews.
From leafy canals to bold design, each city on your rain adventure has its own flavour. From Utrecht’s calm canals, you’ll move onto Rotterdam’s creative energy; a place where street art, modern architecture and riverside markets take the focus.
Day 4: Maastricht
Today it’s a direct train south to Maastricht (just over two hours), where the Netherlands blurs into Belgium; the result is a city full of quiet surprises and unmistakable charm.” Life moves at a leisurely pace and the simple pleasures come to the fore. Expect winding lanes, baroque buildings, and the kind of atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Browse indie bookshops, order a glass of wine in a hidden square, and sample the famous Limburgse vlaai (fruit pie).
Good to know: Maastricht is very walkable and many of its main attractions are close together, but don’t miss the bookshop inside a 13th-century church (Boekhandel Dominicanen). It’s one of the city’s most unexpected surprises.
Maastricht is a mood: slow, soft, and full of atmosphere. Spend your morning browsing local boutiques, then settle in for an afternoon of people-watching by the river. It’s the kind of place that makes you really glad you got off the train.
Day 5: Bruges
Time to head back into Belgium for a the perfect finale. Bruges is every bit as charming as the guidebooks promise, with cobbled lanes, peaceful canals and charming architecture at every turn. Hop on a boat to see the city from the water, browse lace boutiques and little galleries, or wander without a map and see where you end up. In the evening, settle into a centuries-old cellar bar for a Belgian beer tasting, the perfect way to toast your last night.
The perfect ending: Stay overnight, then head back to Brussels (just over an hour by train) for your flight home.
Ready to go?
If you’ve been dreaming of a trip that’s easy, inspiring and full of variety, this one delivers. One flight, five unforgettable cities, and no car required — just smooth rail journeys, scenic streets, and all the waffles, beer and culture you could want along the way. Book your return flights to Brussels today!
