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Best Train Rides In Europe

The Glacier Express is often considered one of the best train rides in Europe, taking travellers between Zermatt and St. Moritz over 291 kilometres of Alpine scenery. Dubbed the slowest express train in the world, it takes approximately eight hours to complete, allowing passengers to savour every twist of the route. The train climbs high passes, crosses deep gorges, and glides past glaciers that sparkle in the sunlight. Panoramic windows ensure that no view is missed, whether snow caps the mountains or summer meadows stretch endlessly.

Passengers holding a Swiss Interrail Pass or booking through Switzerland tour packages will find it simple to book seats, with first and second-class options available. Onboard catering serves multi-course meals at your seat, complementing the visual feast outside. Every hour offers a new perspective, from the Oberalp Pass to the Rhine Gorge, making the journey feel immersive rather than hurried. Travelling the Glacier Express is a full-day experience where the rhythm of the train mirrors the grandeur of the Alps, leaving a lasting impression long after the destination is reached.

The Bernina Express connects Chur or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, a four-hour journey that winds through glaciers, alpine lakes, and soaring viaducts. Its UNESCO-listed route showcases engineering at its finest, with the Brusio spiral viaduct as a highlight, allowing the train to manage steep descents gracefully. The carriages are equipped with panoramic windows that frame every dramatic scene, from the Morteratsch Glacier to the sunlit valleys of Lombardy.

The journey is both a passage through nature and a connection between cultures, with Swiss precision giving way to the warmth of Italian towns. Every curve and tunnel offers an ever-changing perspective, making it a memorable experience that balances engineering ingenuity and natural beauty.

The Jacobite Steam Train is a summer highlight for those who enjoy heritage railways. Running between Fort William and Mallaig, the 84-mile journey takes passengers along the West Highland Line, steaming across mountains and over viaducts that have inspired countless photographers. The vintage carriages, polished wood interiors, and rhythmic chugging of the engine evoke the nostalgia of 20th-century travel.

Stops are rare but strategic, allowing passengers to photograph the dramatic landscapes, including the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. While the trip is relatively short, the experience is immersive, combining history, engineering, and some of the finest scenery in Scotland.

The Flåm Railway is a must for those exploring Europe by train, descending 900 metres over a 20-kilometre route from Myrdal to Flåm. Waterfalls, cliffs, and tiny farms cling to the mountainsides, creating an almost theatrical presentation of Norway’s fjord landscapes. Passengers can step out at Kjosfossen waterfall to feel the spray up close, adding an interactive element to the journey.

The railway often pairs with fjord cruises along the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, creating a day of visual richness. Carriages are equipped with wide windows, and commentary helps highlight features that might otherwise be missed. This short ride demonstrates how even a compact journey can be profound, combining adventure, nature, and culture seamlessly.

The Cinque Terre Train connects the five cliffside villages of Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. Stations are close to one another, but each stop opens onto a vista of colourful houses and the Ligurian Sea. Between tunnels, the train passes terraced vineyards and dramatic coastlines that have been cultivated for centuries.

Trains are frequent, inexpensive, and included in local passes, making it the easiest way to explore all villages in a single day. Travellers quickly appreciate how efficiency and scenery merge, with the rhythm of the ride complementing the charm of the towns themselves.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is an icon of European train tours, celebrating the glamour of early 20th-century travel. Art deco carriages, polished wood panels, and attentive staff create a sense of occasion that extends from Paris to Venice. Passengers dine on gourmet cuisine at their tables and retire to elegant cabins, making each moment feel carefully curated.

The route is leisurely, with panoramic windows revealing landscapes that shift from the French countryside to northern Italy. While the cost is high, the experience blends luxury, history, and scenic travel in a way few modern trains can.

Stations Covered: London – Paris – Verona – Venice (seasonal extensions to Vienna, Prague, Istanbul)

Duration: 24–36 hours depending on route

Fun Facts: Luxury restored 1920s carriages; inspired Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.

Operating Season: Seasonal, usually March to November.

The Rhine Valley Line provides a classic train ride through Europe, running between Mainz and Koblenz along the banks of the Rhine River. Passengers glide past vineyards, medieval castles, and charming riverside towns where spires rise above the water. The Lorelei Rock is a highlight, steeped in legend, and every bend in the river presents a new perspective of Germany’s romantic landscape.

Regional trains offer large windows for uninterrupted views, and journey times are around ninety minutes. Many travellers hop on and off to explore towns such as Bacharach or Boppard, making the line a flexible yet scenic addition to any itinerary. This route demonstrates how everyday trains can become immersive experiences when combined with dramatic landscapes.

The Trans-Siberian Railway is legendary among train routes in Europe, despite spanning all the way into Asia. Starting in Moscow, it stretches more than 9,000 kilometres to Vladivostok, crossing forests, mountains, and vast steppes. Most passengers break the trip into stops at cities like Yekaterinburg and Irkutsk, exploring Russian history, culture, and natural beauty along the way.

Carriages vary from standard sleeper compartments to private cabins with dining included. The long journey allows passengers to witness the scale of a continent, experiencing time differently as the landscapes pass slowly by. Travelling the Trans-Siberian offers both challenge and reward, turning transport into an epic narrative of discovery.

The Douro Valley Line, recognised among the best train trips in Europe, takes travellers from Porto to Pocinho through Portugal’s wine country. The railway hugs the Douro River, with terraced vineyards climbing steep hillsides and quaint wine estates dotting the landscape. The most scenic stretch between Régua and Pinhão offers views that seem to unfold with each bend of the river.

Carriages are simple but comfortable, and the journey lasts about three and a half hours. Many combine the ride with wine tastings or river cruises, turning a single route into a full day of exploration. The Douro Valley Line shows how railways can connect heritage, agriculture, and natural beauty seamlessly.

Although often compared to Switzerland’s Golden Pass Railway, Norway’s Rauma Line provides a uniquely dramatic experience. The 114-kilometre route from Dombås to Åndalsnes crosses stone bridges, steep cliffs, and the Kylling Bridge, offering close-up views of the Trollveggen cliff, Europe’s highest vertical rock face.

Trains run for about ninety minutes, with panoramic windows highlighting the intensity of the landscape. The line is short but theatrical, carrying passengers through dramatic scenery that feels deliberately composed. Åndalsnes serves as a gateway to western fjord country, making the Rauma Line a perfect combination of practicality and spectacle.

The Centovalli Railway, accessible using a Swiss Interrail Pass, runs between Locarno and Domodossola through 83 bridges and deep valleys. Nicknamed the “Hundred Valleys,” the route showcases waterfalls, forests, and high-altitude villages perched above the tracks.

The journey lasts under two hours, yet each curve reveals new landscapes. Carriages are simple but offer wide windows, allowing uninterrupted views. This cross-border line is ideal for travellers looking to combine practicality with striking scenery, blending Swiss engineering with Italian charm.

The Inlandsbanan line in Sweden is perfect for holders of the Eurail Continuous Global Pass, running for 1,300 kilometres from Kristinehamn to Gällivare. The seasonal journey crosses lakes, forests, and small settlements far from urban centres, offering a sense of remote calmness.

Onboard commentary enriches the experience, and wildlife such as reindeer and moose are often visible from the windows. Services are designed for leisure rather than speed, making the trip an immersive experience where the landscape is the focus. Inlandsbanan demonstrates how long-distance rail travel can highlight hidden regions with authenticity.

The Renfe Al Andalus combines luxury and heritage for travellers using multi-country passes, often aligned with Europe trains itineraries. Linking Seville, Córdoba, Granada, and Cádiz, the train offers a moving hotel experience with elegant lounges, fine dining, and comfortable suites.

Stops in each city allow exploration of Moorish architecture, olive groves, and regional culture. The pace is unhurried, letting passengers absorb both scenery and city life. This journey is less about speed and more about indulging in Spain’s history, gastronomy, and landscapes from the comfort of the rails.

The Semmering Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is recognised as one of the world’s first mountain railways. Running 41 kilometres between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag, it crosses 16 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and more than 100 bridges, all framed by alpine meadows and wooded hills.

Trains are regular and used by both commuters and tourists, offering a glimpse into 19th-century engineering alongside stunning scenery. For travellers interested in historic routes, the Semmering Railway combines practicality with remarkable design and vistas.

The Arlberg Line is a classic Alpine route, celebrated among European trains for its dramatic mountain scenery. Linking Innsbruck with Bludenz, it includes the 10-kilometre Arlberg Tunnel and numerous viaducts that reveal deep valleys and snowy peaks.

Journey times are about two hours, making it a practical yet striking connection across Austria. The line captures the grandeur of the Alps while serving regular passenger services, offering both utility and visual reward.

The Little Yellow Train runs from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol, climbing nearly 1,600 metres through the French Pyrenees. Its narrow-gauge, bright yellow carriages pass over viaducts, through tunnels, and across high mountain valleys, providing dramatic perspectives at every turn.

Open-air summer wagons allow travellers to feel the mountain air and hear the rumble of wheels on rails. The journey lasts around three hours, blending regional transport with memorable alpine views, making it an exceptional experience for both casual tourists and rail enthusiasts.

The Maloja Line connects St. Moritz with Chiavenna, descending through the Maloja Pass and revealing a spectrum of alpine landscapes. The regional service runs just over two hours, passing lakes, meadows, and small villages tucked into valleys.

This line serves locals and travellers alike, offering an authentic perspective on Switzerland’s quieter rail routes. The changing scenery gives each window a new story, making the journey quietly spectacular despite its modest profile.