By Dana Perkiss
What’s better than going on just one vacation and crossing multiple places off your travel bucket list?
Probably nothing, which is why we love multi city trips! From immersing yourself in the rich diversity of multiple destinations to enjoying the scenic journeys in between, these vacations provide a treasure trove of memories unlike any other getaway. For the travel enthusiast, here are some amazing multi city trips!
Porto and Lisbon
From the coastal beauty of Porto to the historic allure of Lisbon, it’s easy to visit both top destinations in Portugal in a single trip. Taking the train is by far the best option in terms of cost, security, and time efficiency with the trip taking approximately 3 hours – the perfect amount of time to rest and take pictures of the lovely journey. Beautiful rivers and mountain views make the adventure all the more scenic, and stops in off-the-beaten-path cities add to the overall excitement.
Venice, Tuscany, and Rome
Mamma Mia! There are so many amazing places to visit in Italy, how could you choose just one? Well, thanks to a highly efficient and affordable train system, it’s pretty easy to cross multiple destinations off your Italy bucket list without having to visit the country twice. Experience the charming canals of Venice, exquisite wine and art in Tuscany, and the historic wonders of Rome all in one trip. You can even make it better by heading south to the Amalfi Coast!
London and Paris
Don’t let the idea of a multi-country trip make you nervous – it’s actually way easier than you think to travel from London to Paris. The Eurostar train can take you between these two capital cities in just about 2 hours and 15 minutes, which is shorter than a train ride from New York City to Washington D.C. From Big Ben and afternoon tea in London to the Eiffel Tower and fresh baguettes in Paris, you can easily experience these two bucket list cities with ease and convenience.
Dublin, Killarney, and Galway
Getting around Ireland is pretty easy; with many bus and train routes to major cities, travelers can take their pick of transportation. However, the best way to travel in Ireland is via a rental car. Marvel at the serene beauty of the Emerald Isle as you experience some of the most scenic driving routes in the world, like the Ring of Kerry and Giant's Causeway. Start in the vibrant capital of Dublin, explore the vast Killarney National Park, and finish in musical Galway, enjoying stops at epic castles and small towns along the way.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Make the most of a trip to the United Arab Emirates by visiting two of its most popular cities! From the awe-inspiring skyscrapers and high-tech innovation of Dubai to the beautiful beaches and grand mosques of Abu Dhabi, it’s well worth your travels to visit both. While there aren’t train services like others on this list, getting a bus, taxi, or scheduled transfer isn’t difficult. The drive can take between an hour and 50 minutes to two hours and 20 minutes, which isn’t bad considering the bucket list destinations you get to experience!
San Jose, Monteverde, and Arenal Volcano
Volcanoes, cloud forests, sandy beaches… oh my! There are truly so many reasons to visit Costa Rica, both for its magnificent natural beauty and exquisite cuisine and coffee. Experience the best of this country by exploring some of its top destinations: San Jose, Monteverde, and Arenal Volcano. It takes about three hours to get to each destination, but the transportation is highly affordable (and worth it!) considering public buses are just about $5 and taxis or Uber are about $30.
Madrid and Barcelona
Like other European countries, the rail in Spain is very efficient and cost-effective, so exploring multiple cities is pretty easy. Soak up the capital charm of Madrid and the colorful wonders of Barcelona at ease with a scenic train ride starting around $5, taking anywhere from two hours and 40 minutes to three hours. The Atocha Train Station in Madrid is a main stop for the country, so it’s also easy to make other day trips from Madrid.
Athens, Mykonos, and Santorini
Greece is another remarkable country that’s hard to choose just one destination to visit – you’ve traveled that far, so why not ferry around? Like, literally! Start in the ancient culture capital of Athens and then ferry to Mykonos, where fun parties and scenic beaches await. Next, ferry to the land of epic sunsets and volcanic beaches: Santorini. The ferry prices and durations vary depending on which is chosen, which is why it’s always best to pick a vacation package to Greece that includes transportation.
