5 Coolcation Spots You Can Reach by Train from Germany
5 Coolcation Spots You Can Reach by Train from Germany
Southern Europe is home to many iconic summer vacation destinations. However, as temperatures rise, these spots are becoming uncomfortably hot. Here are some Coolcation spots you can reach by train from Germany.
1. Malmö, Sweden
Relatively unknown among travelers compared to Stockholm or Copenhagen, the southern Swedish city of Malmö is gaining a reputation as one of the Nordics’ most underrated cities. It’s a small and very green city that allows guests to have a Northern European experience without the large crowds and higher costs seen in larger cities. With average daily temperatures ranging between 14 and 22°C even in July and August, it’s a great place to escape the heat.
How to Get there?
Copenhagen, Malmö, and Stockholm are all accessible from Germany by car or train. Sweden’s Snälltåget train offers a direct night train connecting Hamburg, Berlin, and Dresden. Departures from Germany leave Dresden at 5:26 p.m., stopping in Berlin around 8 p.m. and Hamburg around midnight. The train reaches Copenhagen by 7 a.m. the next morning and Malmö by 7:25. From there, it continues to Stockholm by 1:20 p.m. The complete train schedule is available on the Snälltåget website.
2. The Alps
Central Europe’s tallest mountains are probably the first place that comes to mind when most Germans think about a coolcation, and for good reason. The Alps offer cooler temperatures, stunning hiking trails, natural views, and crystal clear lakes for a refreshing dip. The mountain range is extensive enough that you can avoid the crowds by traveling beyond the main tourist hubs.
How to Get there?
Some parts of the Alps are only accessible by car and then by foot for remote areas. However, there are train routes from Germany to great coolcation destinations in the Alps in Switzerland, Austria, or Italy. The Nightjet, operated by Austrian railways (ÖBB), has a line that connects Berlin to Zürich, stopping through Leipzig. Alternatively, there’s a night train from Amsterdam that stops in Bonn around midnight, and another from Hamburg that stops in Karlsruhe around 6 a.m.
On the Austrian side, many trains from Munich head into the Alps via Innsbruck or Salzburg. There’s a Nightjet train from Amsterdam that goes directly to Innsbruck from Düsseldorf, Würzburg, or Nuremberg, and another from Hamburg that connects to Hannover and Göttingen. Some trains from Munich to Innsbruck also continue to the Italian Alps. From Munich Hauptbahnhof, you can catch an EC train toward Bologna and get off at Bolzano or Trento. The ride from Munich takes about four and a half hours.
3. Slovenia
Less developed than its northern neighbors and with less coastal access than its southern neighbors, Slovenia remains a hidden gem among European travel destinations. Lake Bled, with its castle on a cliff overlooking a crystal blue alpine lake, is among Slovenia’s best-known attractions. The Bohinj Valley offers similar sights and experiences, including an equally beautiful lake and summer sports galore. Another coolcation draw is the Soča River, which offers activities like river rafting and fly fishing.
How to Get there?
You can get to Bled in Slovenia in about six hours by train from Munich. Typically, you’ll have to transfer twice in Villach and Jesenice. From the station at Bled Jezero, you can catch a local bus to your destination at Lake Bled or Lake Bohinj.
4. Poland’s Baltic Coast
For a budget-friendly vacation and one a bit off the beaten track, Germany’s neighbor to the east shouldn’t be overlooked. Poland’s southern mountains offer hiking, summer sports, and rafting. However, for escaping the heat, the Baltic Coast is the best option. Szczecin, near the Baltic Sea and accessible from Berlin in about three hours with the Deutschlandticket, is an easy city for a quick overnight or weekend getaway. Further along the coast is Gdańsk, from where you can access plenty of beaches.
How to Get there?
Trains connect Berlin to Gdańsk in about seven hours, depending on transfers. The fastest route is via Frankfurt Oder, with transfers in Poznań. Another route through Szczecin takes about nine hours. Alternatively, you could take a Flixbus to Gdańsk, transferring in Poznań, in about 10 hours.
5. Germany’s Coolcation Locations
If you don’t have the time or energy for an international train journey, a domestic coolcation is possible. The coast near the Baltic Sea (Ostsee in German) is where the coolest temperatures are recorded in summer, and the region’s white sandy beaches are among Germany’s top summer destinations. If you’re closer to the south, you can explore the edge of the Alps along Germany’s border, including the country’s highest peak, the Zugspitze. Almost anywhere in Germany, you can find a refreshing lake to cool off in, with the coldest waters near the mountains. Rivers like the Isar in Munich carry snowmelt from the Alps directly into Bavaria.
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