8 off-season train routes to take after summer ends
Rachel Schnalzer and Hugo van Vondelen
Updated May 15, 2025
This summer, maybe you’re dreaming about swimming in the Adriatic or hiking in a lush Baltic forest. Or perhaps you’re thinking about kicking back at cafes across Europe, content with a cappuccino and a good book.
We have some good news: the delights of summer in Europe extend long into the off-season. This means you have plenty of time to plan a carefree holiday in September, October or beyond – often with shorter lines at attractions and lower prices for accommodations than you’d typically find during the middle of summer.
We made a list of our favorite train routes that will allow you to bask in the sun and enjoy a beach walk or two long after summer ends. Just choose your Pass, make any necessary seat reservations, and pack a bottle of sunscreen – the beauty of off-season Europe awaits.
Seville, where temperatures often reach 25 degrees Celsius in October, is an ideal off-season destination for Eurail travelers.
From the capital to the coast: Belgrade — Bar
Pack your beach bag: This famously scenic journey will take you from Serbia's capital city to Bar, a port city on Montenegro's Adriatic coast.
On the 11-hour journey, which can be split into two or more days, you'll catch sight of the teal Lim River, the Mala Rijeka viaduct and the peaks of the Dinaric Alps. In total, you'll pass through well over 250 tunnels and over 430 tunnels, adding to the route's splendour.
Once you reach Bar, venture off to the surrounding beaches and nearby resort towns to soak up some Adriatic sun. Just don't forget your sunscreen.
There are roughly 20 different beaches and swimming areas near Bar, Montenegro, which can be enjoyed by travelers well into September and beyond.
Slow down in seaside towns: Perpignan – Girona
Many travelers opt for high-speed rail when crossing from France into Spain. But, in doing so, they miss a spectacularly picturesque railway line that stretches along the dramatic Mediterranean coast and winds through the foothills of the Pyrenees.
Begin your trip in Perpignan, an ancient city in southern France; then, take the train south, stopping off in seaside towns such as Collioure, Banyuls Sur Mer, and Cerbere. Once you cross the border to Spain, change trains at Portbou and continue on to Girona. Relax among Girona’s medieval architecture and admire this jewel of Spain’s Costa Brava.
Banyuls-sur-Mer is a laid-back French resort town at the foot of the Pyrénées, just 11 kilometres from the border between France and Spain.
Chase the sun in Cornwall: Exeter – Penzance
England might not seem like the most obvious place to catch some off-season warmth – but Cornwall is one of the sunniest regions in the United Kingdom, enjoying a mild climate well into the autumn.
Beginning in Exeter, travel southwest on a direct train for three hours to Penzance, a chic harborside town known for its art scene, sandy beaches and rugged coastline. Along the way, don’t miss the views of the water from your train seat as you pass by Dawlish, a seaside town just south of Exeter.
Mousehole Harbour is a chilled-out place to relax along the Cornish coast in southwest England.
A quiet side of Italy’s coastline: Bari – Lecce
The stretch of Italian coastline from Bari to Lecce may not be as famous as Cinque Terre or Amalfi, but if you look closely, you’ll find plenty of pristine beaches, dramatic cliffsides and ancient towns to explore. A direct regional train takes travelers from waterside Bari to lovely Lecce, known for its Baroque buildings and light stone streets. Stop along your train ride to discover smaller villages and swimming spots.
After experiencing Lecce, take time to see Puglia. Even though Puglia’s railway lines are not part of the Pass network, the region’s coasts, rolling farmland and towns are well worth the extra journey.
The Roman Amphitheater in Lecce is thought to date back to the Augustan age, from roughly 43 BCE to CE 18.
Journey to the Adriatic: Ljubljana – Rijeka
On this adventure, you'll take the regional train from Ljubljana, the lush and mellow capital of Slovenia to Rijeka in Croatia, cutting through the southwestern corner of Slovenia along the way.
After departing from Ljubljana, the train runs through Postojna, known for its 24-kilometer-long cave system. Finish your journey across the border at Rijeka, a picturesque port city on Croatia’s stunning and mild-weathered Adriatic Coast.
The formidable Trsat Castle sits on a forested hill above the city of Rijeka, Croatia.
Explore Portugal’s southern coast: Lagos – Vila Real de Santo António
Portugal’s southern coastline is a summer hotspot for travelers across the world. But our favorite time to visit is after August, when crowds disperse but temperatures stay comfortable enough to swim.
After soaking up some beach time against the backdrop of Lagos’ dramatic sandstone rock formations, swap the sand for the city with a two-hour train ride to Faro. Relax at the city’s waterside cafes and once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing, take the train further east along the coast. Your journey culminates in Vila Real de Santo António, a fishing village ideal for winding down your trip.
Lagos, Portugal is famous for its beaches, surrounded by cliffs and hiking trails.
Discover a wild Baltic island: Greifswald – Świnoujście
Embark on an island adventure when you travel from Greifswald, in northern Germany, to Świnoujście, in Poland’s far northwestern corner.
Begin in Greifswald, a university city with distinctive brick Gothic buildings and a historic harborside. After a transfer in Züssow, take the train across the island of Usedom, located in the Oder Delta, which is home to elk, wolves, seals and many other wild species. Situated on the Baltic coast between Germany and Poland, Usedom – and the delta, in general – is a magical place to hike, bird-watch and spend time admiring the power of nature.
Wrap up your adventure in Świnoujście, which boasts a wide beach, relaxing promenade, and the tallest lighthouse on the Baltic Sea.
The island of Usedom, in the Baltic Sea, is split between Germany and Poland.
An Andalusian adventure: Seville – Cádiz
Wandering through Seville is an experience to be savored, especially after summer, when temperatures drop to 24 and 25 degrees Celsius. With history around every turn and mouth-watering cuisine, it’s a perfect place to begin a Eurail adventure though southern Spain.
From Seville, take the train one hour south to Jerez de la Frontera, a small Andalusian city home to palaces, remarkable gardens and the monumental Alcázar de Jerez. After taking it easy in Jerez de la Frontera, travel for 35 minutes to coastal Cádiz. Said to be the oldest city in western Europe, Cádiz is a place to linger and appreciate for as long as you can before your journey takes you home.
Travelers can climb to the top of the Cádiz cathedral's Torre de Poniente tower for an unforgettable view of the city.
Change of currency
You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.