See more of Europe with these multi-destination vacations
Less is more, they say, and that's sometimes true. But not where travel is concerned. Often, when traveling, more is more. Why visit one European country on vacation when you can hop borders and visit two? Thanks to the advent of faster travel links and nation-straddling super-bridges, it's now possible to pack more than one country into a single vacation–and highly recommended.
So, maps at the ready, here are five we suggest you check out first.
London and Paris
Given their proximity, it now feels strange to think that before 1994, traveling from London to Paris or Paris to London was a journey that took much longer than anyone liked. The two cities stand 288 miles apart, and the quickest route from one to the other was a slow boat across the English Channel or the rail-linking Eurotunnel, which only took you part of the way.
Then, in 1994, everything changed. Eurostar arrived, a truly high-speed rail link connecting London with Paris—and on to the sunshine of the South of France. Now, it's possible to wave goodbye to the cosmopolitan charms of London and say bonjour to super chic Paris—or vice versa—in next to no time, reclining in a comfortable seat with a glass of champagne in hand. Best of all, traveling from London's St Pancras International to Paris' Gare Du Nord, or vice versa, you're delivered straight into the heart of the city.
Fly: United flies to from multiple cities in the U.S. to London and Paris
Train: London to Paris: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Vienna and Budapest
To choose between Vienna and Budapest is a regrettable task. The former is one of Europe's must-see cities, a cultural heavyweight full of romance, opera houses, stately boulevards and delicious cake. The latter is no less impressive, a glittering city of hot thermal springs and imperial architecture that straddles two sides of the mighty Danube. Opting for one over the other is a trying task, but you don't have to choose when they sit just three hours apart.
We suggest basing yourself in Budapest and staying on the Pest side of the river, among the main tourist sites and surrounded by bars, restaurants, and nightlife. From there it's a quick, easy and inexpensive train ride west to Vienna. And if you have the time and can handle three cities in three countries in a single trip, you might also want to add Prague to your travel itinerary for a classic Central Europe trifecta.
Fly: United's partners flies from multiple cities in the U.S. to Budapest
Train: Budapest to Vienna: 2 hours, 44 minutes
Amsterdam and Brussels
Around 130 miles and three hours south of the Netherlands' sits Brussels, a thriving, shiny cosmopolitan metropolis that is all too often overlooked by the international traveler.
Amsterdam, of course, needs no real introduction, a bustling sprawl of canals and museums, history and hedonism. Where the Danes have their 'hygge', Amsterdam is famous for its 'gezellig', a feeling of care-free coziness that infects both locals and tourists alike. Brussels, by comparison, flies under the radar but that may be changing.
Majestically transformed over recent years, the city's 17th-century center is flanked by boulevards that are home to a thriving café culture and restaurant scene. Follow them around until day becomes evening and the nightlife takes over. The fact that Brussels remains compact enough to explore on foot makes it ideal for a leisurely overnight visit with more than enough time to explore the galleries and markets and gorge yourself on the famous chocolate, mussels and frites. Though perhaps not all at once.
Fly: United flies to from multiple cities in the U.S. toAmsterdam and Brussels
Train: Amsterdam to Brussels: 2 hours, 4 minutes
Milan and Zurich
The longest journey on our itinerary is worth going the extra mile—or in this case the extra 175 miles. While Rome enjoys capital status, many believe Milan is Italy's actual heart, where fashion, food, art and architecture mix with effortless ease. From your early morning espresso to Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper, plus a hundred experiences in between, Milan has enough to warrant never leaving the city. But given Zurich's proximity, that would be wasteful.
Make the short journey north, and you'll discover a beautiful city sat astride the Limmat River and overlooking a vast, crystal-clear lake. Zurich's steep cobbled streets house more than 50 museums and twice as many art galleries, while a thriving café culture gives way as night falls to some of Europe's liveliest bars and clubs. The temptation might be to give the Swiss city a night and then head straight back to Milan. When you reach Zurich, however, you may well change your mind.
Fly: United flies to from multiple cities in the U.S. toMilan and Zurich
Train: Milan to Zurich: 3 hours 26 minutes
Malmö and Copenhagen
Separated by just 27 miles and a single stretch of water—the Øresund strait—the fact that Malmö was once part of Denmark hints at how close these two cities are. Visiting both on a single vacation could not be any easier, nor should you need any persuading to do so, with Malmö one of Europe's unsung stars and Copenhagen currently the most popular culinary city on earth. It also helps that both are compact enough to explore on foot.
Perhaps the best part about visiting both cities in a single vacation is the opportunity to experience the journey between the two. Heading from Malmö to Copenhagen takes you across the 10 mile-long Øresund Bridge, at the halfway point of which makes a plunge underground. Finally, you arrive, emerging from darkness into light, and from Sweden into Denmark.
Fly: United's partners flies from multiple cities in the U.S. to Copenhagen
Train or Drive: Malmö to Copenhagen: 35 or 55 minutes
To our customers,
I hope this note finds you and your loved ones healthy and well.
It is safe to say these past weeks have been among some of the most tumultuous and emotional that any of us can remember in our lifetimes. The impact of the coronavirus outbreak has been felt by individuals and families, companies and communities, across the United States and around the world.
The response to this crisis has been extraordinary; as much for what it has required from our society as for what it has revealed of us as a people.
Far from causing division and discord, this crisis and the social distancing it has required, has allowed us to witness something profound and moving about ourselves: our fond and deeply felt wish to be connected with one another.
The role of connector is one we're privileged to play in the moments that matter most in your life – weddings and graduations, birthdays and business trips, events large and small – and it's that responsibility that motivates us most to get back to our regular service, as soon as possible.
That is why it is so important our government acted on a comprehensive relief act to ensure our airline – and our industry – are ready and able to serve you again when this crisis abates.
I want to relay to you, in as deeply personal a way I can, the heartfelt appreciation of my 100,000 United team members and their families for this vital public assistance to keep America and United flying for you.
This support will save jobs in our business and many others. And it allows us time to make decisions about the future of our airline to ensure that we can offer you the service you deserve and have come to expect as our customers.
While consumer demand has fallen, we have seen the need for our service and capabilities shifted. And, we've adapted to help meet those needs.
Right now, aircraft flying the United livery and insignia, flown by our aviation professionals, have been repurposed to deliver vital medical supplies and goods to some of the places that need it most. We're also using several of our idle widebody aircraft to use as dedicated charter cargo flights, at least 40 times per week, to transfer freight to and from U.S. locations as well as to key international business locations. At the same time, we are working in concert with the U.S. State Department to bring stranded Americans who are trying to return home back to their loved ones.
While much remains uncertain right now, one thing is for sure: this crisis will pass. Our nation and communities will recover and United will return to service you, our customers. When that happens, we want you to fly United with even greater pride because of the actions we took on behalf of our customers, our employees and everyone we serve.
Stay safe and be well,
Oscar Munoz
CEO
When and where possible, we are working to repatriate travelers who are stranded abroad in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Our teams are working closely with government officials here in the U.S. as well as in other countries where flying has been restricted to gain the necessary approvals to operate service. In regions where government actions have barred international flying, we have coordinated with the the U.S. State Department and local government officials to re-instate some flights. Additionally, we have been operating several extra flights to countries in Central America and South America as we continue to play a role in connecting people and uniting the world.
This week, we are operating 21 flights from Panama City, Quito, Lima, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and Roatan, to bring nearly 2,500 Americans home. We will continue working with government officials to operate extra flights to Houston from Quito, San Pedro Sula, Tegucigalpa and from Lima to Washington Dulles. We continue to review more opportunities for flights between the United States and other countries to bring citizens home.
Video provided by the U.S. Embassy Ecuador of Americans returning home on United.
Additionally, our Customer Solutions and Recovery team is working with customers in the following markets to rebook them on flights back to the United States as capacity allows, either on our aircraft or on one of our airline partners' planes:
- Quito, Ecuador
- Managua, Nicaragua
- Roatan, Honduras
- San Pedro Sula, Honduras
- Amsterdam
- Brussels
- Munich
- Singapore
- Tokyo-Haneda
- Seoul, South Korea
- Melbourne, Australia
We also recently reinstated several international flights back into our schedule to support customers and essential businesses which depend on these routes. As a result, we will be the only airline to offer service between Newark/New York and London, San Francisco and Sydney, as well as Houston and São Paulo, Brazil.
