One-Week Train Route from Vienna to Paris, Spain, and Portugal

Day 1 · Thu, Oct 1
Paris, France

Arrive in Paris

  1. Train from Vienna to Paris — travel via Munich and Stuttgart; allow about 11–13 hours and leave early. Check connections and book ahead; there is no simple direct train.
  2. Hôtel de Ville — central Paris; take a short look at the historic city hall area after checking in, if you arrive with time.
  3. Seine riverbank near Île de la Cité — central Paris; enjoy an easy first walk beside the river, about 30 minutes.
  4. Bouillon Chartier — Grands Boulevards; try classic French food in a famous, lively dining room, about €15–25 per person.

Early morning: Train from Vienna

Leave Vienna early and travel by train via Munich and Stuttgart to Paris. The trip takes about 11–13 hours, and you may need to change trains, so check the full route and connection times before booking. Reserve seats ahead through ÖBB or Deutsche Bahn. You’ll likely arrive at Gare de l’Est; from there, take the Metro or a taxi to your hotel and drop off your bags.

Evening: A first look at Paris

If you arrive with enough time, head to Hôtel de Ville, Paris’s grand city hall, for a look around the square. Then walk towards the Seine riverbank near Île de la Cité for an easy stroll of about 30 minutes. Both stops are pleasant for a first taste of the city, and you can keep the walk short if you’re tired from the train.

Finish at Bouillon Chartier in the Grands Boulevards area, a lively, old-fashioned restaurant serving classic French dishes. A meal usually costs about €15–25 per person. It’s popular, so expect a possible wait; check its opening hours for your date before you go. If the train runs late, keep the evening simple and visit the sights you have time for.

Day 2 · Fri, Oct 2
Paris, France

Paris

  1. Eiffel Tower — 7th arrondissement; see Paris’s best-known landmark, allowing about 2 hours.
  2. Rue Cler — 7th arrondissement; browse this friendly market street and get a simple lunch, about €10–20 per person.
  3. Musée d’Orsay — Left Bank; see famous paintings in a former railway station, about 2 hours.
  4. Jardin des Tuileries — between the museum and the Louvre; relax among the gardens and fountains, about 1 hour.
  5. Angelina Paris — Rue de Rivoli; try a hot chocolate and pastry, about €10–20 per person.

Morning

Start at the Eiffel Tower and allow about two hours to enjoy the views and take photos. Book a ticket ahead if you want to go up; prices depend on how high you go, and the stairs are usually cheaper than the lift. Afterward, walk about 15 minutes to Rue Cler, a lively street with food shops and cafés.

Lunch

Pick up a sandwich, crêpe, or other simple lunch on Rue Cler. Expect to spend about €10–20 per person. Then take a taxi or public transport to Musée d’Orsay; the trip usually takes around 15–25 minutes.

Afternoon and evening

Spend about two hours at Musée d’Orsay, where you can see paintings inside a beautiful old railway station. It is usually open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and adult tickets are about €16; check the museum’s website for the latest hours and prices. After your visit, walk about 10 minutes to Jardin des Tuileries. Relax by the fountains for an hour, then finish with hot chocolate and a pastry at Angelina Paris on Rue de Rivoli. A treat costs around €10–20.

Day 3 · Sat, Oct 3
Barcelona, Spain

Travel to Barcelona

Getting there from Paris, France
Direct high-speed train (TGV INOUI or Renfe), about 6½–7 hours; roughly €60–€180. Book through SNCF Connect or Renfe. Take a morning departure from Paris Gare de Lyon to Barcelona Sants; it’s a long travel day, so allow for a later arrival.
  1. Train from Paris to Barcelona — direct high-speed trains take about 6½–7 hours; leave in the morning from Paris Gare de Lyon and arrive at Barcelona Sants.
  2. Plaça de Catalunya — central Barcelona; take a short walk around this central square after checking in, about 30 minutes.
  3. La Rambla — central Barcelona; stroll down the famous tree-lined street, about 45 minutes.
  4. Mercat de la Boqueria — near La Rambla; choose a snack or meal from the market stalls, about €10–20 per person.

Afternoon

After the long travel day, check in and take a short, easy walk around Plaça de Catalunya. It is a good place to get your bearings and watch the busy city go by. Then stroll down La Rambla, the famous tree-lined street. Keep an eye on your belongings here, especially in the crowds.

Early evening

Near La Rambla, stop at Mercat de la Boqueria for a snack or simple meal. Try fruit, a small sandwich, or another snack from the stalls; expect to spend about €10–20 per person. The market usually closes around 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays, but hours can change, so check before you go. If you arrive too late, enjoy the walk and find dinner nearby instead.

Day 4 · Sun, Oct 4
Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona

  1. Sagrada Família — Eixample; admire Gaudí’s great church and book a visit ahead, about 2 hours.
  2. Park Güell — Gràcia; see Gaudí’s colorful mosaics and city views, about 2 hours.
  3. Gràcia — northern Barcelona; have lunch in a neighborhood café, about €12–22 per person.
  4. Casa Batlló — Passeig de Gràcia; view the wavy, colorful outside of Gaudí’s famous house, about 30 minutes.

Morning

Start at Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s famous church. Book timed-entry tickets online ahead of time; a visit takes about two hours, and tickets often cost around €25–€40, depending on the visit you choose. Take the metro to Sagrada Família station. Arrive a little before your time slot, since security checks can add a few minutes.

Lunch and afternoon

Next, take a taxi or public transport to Park Güell in Gràcia. Give yourself about two hours to enjoy the colorful mosaics and city views. The main Monumental Zone needs a timed ticket, so book ahead; prices are usually around €18–€20. Afterward, head into Gràcia for lunch at a neighborhood café. Many places serve simple lunch menus for about €12–€22 per person, and the small squares are lovely for a relaxed break.

Late afternoon

Finish at Casa Batlló on Passeig de Gràcia. From Gràcia, it’s roughly a 15–20-minute metro or taxi ride. Take about 30 minutes to admire the wavy, bright façade from outside; entry is optional and costs extra. Before heading back, enjoy a gentle stroll along Passeig de Gràcia—a good way to end the day without trying to fit in one more major attraction.

Day 5 · Mon, Oct 5
Madrid, Spain

Travel to Madrid

Getting there from Barcelona, Spain
High-speed train (AVE, iryo, or OUIGO), about 2¾–3 hours; roughly €20–€100. Book through Renfe, iryo, or OUIGO. A morning departure from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha leaves time for the afternoon in Madrid.
  1. Train from Barcelona to Madrid — high-speed trains take about 2¾–3 hours; leave from Barcelona Sants and arrive at Madrid Atocha.
  2. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía — near Atocha; see modern Spanish art, including Picasso’s Guernica, about 1½ hours.
  3. Parque del Retiro — central Madrid; relax by the lake and walk through the gardens, about 1½ hours.
  4. Museo del Jamón — central Madrid; try a simple Spanish meal or sandwich, about €10–20 per person.

Morning

Take a morning high-speed train from Barcelona Sants to Madrid Atocha. The ride takes about 2¾–3 hours, so you should reach Madrid around lunchtime. Tickets on AVE, iryo, or OUIGO often cost about €20–€100; book early and check which station your train uses. At Atocha, leave your bags at your hotel or a station locker before exploring.

Lunch and Afternoon

Walk from Atocha to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, which is very close by. Spend about 1½ hours inside, especially seeing Picasso’s Guernica. The museum is usually open from late morning until evening, but hours and free-entry times can change, so check before you go; paid tickets are often around €12. Then take an easy walk to Parque del Retiro and enjoy the gardens and lake for about 1½ hours. It’s a lovely place to rest after the train ride.

Evening

For a simple Spanish meal, head to Museo del Jamón in central Madrid. Try a ham sandwich or another small meal; expect to pay about €10–€20 per person. It can be busy, so choose a table or counter spot and take your time.

Day 6 · Tue, Oct 6
Lisbon, Portugal

Travel to Lisbon

Getting there from Madrid, Spain
Direct flight (TAP Air Portugal, Iberia, or Air Europa), about 1 hour 20 minutes in the air; roughly €40–€180. Compare and book with the airline or Google Flights. Choose a late-morning or early-afternoon flight from Madrid-Barajas to Lisbon, allowing about 3 hours before departure and time to reach the airport; this should leave time for an evening arrival in Lisbon.
  1. Madrid city center — have an easy breakfast near your hotel before travelling; allow about 1 hour.
  2. Train from Madrid to Lisbon — there is no practical direct train for this trip; rail connections are very long and may not connect well. A flight is the practical choice, taking about 1¼ hours in the air, plus airport time.
  3. Praça do Comércio — Baixa, Lisbon; enjoy a first look at the large riverside square after checking in, about 45 minutes.
  4. Pastéis de Belém — Belém; try the famous Portuguese custard tarts, about €5–10 per person.

Morning

Have an easy breakfast near your hotel in Madrid city center and allow about an hour. Then head to Madrid-Barajas Airport for your flight to Lisbon. There is no practical direct train for this trip, so flying is the easiest option. The flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes; allow around three hours at the airport before departure. Tickets are often about €40–€180, depending on when you book.

Afternoon and evening

After checking in, go to Praça do Comércio, the large square beside the river in central Lisbon. Spend about 45 minutes enjoying the open space and looking at the grand yellow buildings. Later, take a taxi or public transport to Belém to visit Pastéis de Belém and try the warm custard tarts. Allow about €5–€10 per person; the bakery is popular, so there may be a short queue. Check its opening hours before you go, especially if your flight arrives late.

Day 7 · Wed, Oct 7
Lisbon, Portugal

Return to Vienna

  1. Miradouro de Santa Luzia — Alfama; enjoy a final view over Lisbon’s red rooftops, about 30 minutes.
  2. Sé de Lisboa — Alfama; visit the city’s old cathedral, about 45 minutes.
  3. Time Out Market Lisboa — Cais do Sodré; choose a final meal from the food stalls, about €15–30 per person.
  4. Return from Lisbon to Vienna — a train trip takes well over a day and is not realistic for this one-week plan. A flight is the practical option; allow extra time to reach the airport and check in.

Morning

Start at Miradouro de Santa Luzia in Alfama for one last look over Lisbon’s red roofs and the river. Spend about 30 minutes here; the viewpoint is free, and the morning is often calmer than later in the day. Then walk a few minutes to Sé de Lisboa, the city’s old cathedral. Allow about 45 minutes to look around; opening times can vary, so check before you go. Dress respectfully, as it is an active place of worship.

Lunch and departure

Head downhill to Time Out Market Lisboa in Cais do Sodré for a final meal. Its food stalls offer many choices, with a meal usually costing about €15–30 per person. From there, take a taxi or ride-hailing car to Lisbon Airport, or use the metro from Cais do Sodré with a change along the way; allow roughly 30–45 minutes for the trip, plus extra time for airport check-in and security.

Fly from Lisbon to Vienna—the train journey takes well over a day, so flying is the practical choice for this one-week trip. Check flight times and baggage rules with the airline, and aim to reach the airport about three hours before an international flight.

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