Life changed significantly after the invention of the train in 1804. The world got that little bit smaller, goods from faraway lands suddenly found their way to foreign tables, and trains allowed travellers to get from A to B much faster. Today, trains are more than just a mode of transport — they also offer a front-row seat to some of nature’s finest masterpieces and a place where chance encounters spark conversations with fellow travellers. With more than 200,000km (124,274 mi) of railway lines, Europe is a dream for train enthusiasts — or those about to become one! Here are the best train rides in Europe.
Bernina Express
The Bernina Express is often crowned as the best train ride in Europe. This breathtaking route whisks you from Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy, on a 122km (76-mi) journey so spectacular it earned a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list. With 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, the Bernina Express is an engineering marvel, seamlessly blending into its dramatic alpine surroundings. Through the train’s panoramic windows, you’ll witness snow-capped peaks, sweeping valleys, and iconic feats of design, such as the Brusio Circular Viaduct, a spiral bridge that defies gravity as it conquers the steep terrain. Ride in winter and you’ll glide through a snow-draped wonderland. Choose summer and the scenery transforms into lush greenery and glistening lakes. The views are so stunning that one trip might not be enough.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express offers a luxurious eight-hour journey from Zermatt to St Moritz through the Swiss Alps, boasting what it claims are "the most sought-after seats in Switzerland." When you’re not fixated on the unobstructed views from the humongous windows, you can enjoy delicious seasonal and regional cuisine cooked fresh onboard or relax with a drink at the Glacier Bar.
Brenner Railway
The Brenner Railway weaves through Germany, Austria, and Italy, offering one of Europe’s most scenic and historic train journeys. Cutting through the majestic Alps, it follows a path that has been a vital trade route since Roman times. Completed in 1867, the train climbs through narrow valleys and rugged mountain terrain over the Brenner Pass, peaking at 1,371m (4,498 ft) in Brennero (Brenner), which marks the border between Austria and Italy.
Nova Gorica to Jesenice train
If Slovenia has been on your travel list, this spectacular train journey from Nova Gorica to Jesenice might just convince you to book that ticket sooner. Winding through the Julian Alps, this train route was originally built as a strategic link for the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but its phenomenal scenery steals the show. Over the course of two hours, you pass through dramatic gorges, lush valleys, and the Bohinj Tunnel, one of the region’s longest. The turquoise Soča River is so striking it might just be the highlight of your ride.
Montenegro Express
Standing between Belgrade in Serbia and Bar, a town on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro, are 254 tunnels, 435 bridges, and give or take 10 hours on a train. This route certainly isn’t about convenience — it's often delayed — and it’s not about comfort either, as you ride in graffiti-covered train cars. This train ride through Europe is about nostalgia, taking things slow, and enjoying the deep canyons, forests, traditional villages, and turquoise rivers that pass you by.
Bergensbanen
Norway is renowned for its otherworldly landscapes, and what better way to take them in than by sitting back, relaxing, and covering 500km (310 mi) in just seven hours. The Bergensbanen (Bergen Railway) is one of Europe’s most spectacular train rides, linking Oslo and Bergen through a tapestry of fjords, forests, mountain plateaus, and lakes. Climbing to an altitude of 1,237m (4,058 ft), it ranks among the highest railway lines in Europe. While it’s hard to pick a highlight, crossing the Hardangervidda Plateau — a vast, treeless highland often covered in snow, even in summer — is a standout moment of the train ride.
Florence and Venice high-speed train
Travelling from Florence to Venice is a well-trodden path for many, so you might not even realize you’re on one of the best train rides in Europe. The high-speed trains in Italy can get you between these two iconic cities faster than you can say "mamma mia!" The convenience of the two-hour journey is a bonus, but the reason you board should be for the views. Passing through the picturesque landscapes of Tuscany and the Veneto region, you’ll be treated to scenes of rolling hills, sprawling vineyards, and charming Italian villages.
Experience it for yourself on: Rome to Paris: Cobblestones & Cuisine
Rome to Siracusa
Italy was clearly on a roll when it came to building railways because many of the beautiful train rides through Europe can be found here, including the train between Rome and Siracusa on the southeastern coast of Sicily. This journey is not a quick one — it spans nine to 11 hours, depending on whether you opt for a local or high-speed train. But no matter which you choose, the vistas of Italy's countryside keep you captivated the entire way.
Genoa to La Spezia train
The train ride from Genoa to La Spezia in Italy may be short, taking as little as 55 minutes, but it sure packs a punch. As the train hugs the coast of the Ligurian Sea, get lost in the spectacle of the Cinque Terre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rainbow cliffside villages and terraced vineyards.
Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle
They say it’s about the journey, not the destination, and the train ride from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany proves that both can be equally unforgettable. The two-hour regional train takes you through the striking Bavarian countryside, with the Alps rising in the distance, to the charming town of Füssen. From there, a bus or taxi takes you the final stretch to the fairy-tale Neuschwanstein Castle. While the scenic views are impressive, the castle steals the show. Built in the 19th century, it looks like it’s been plucked straight from a storybook. Visit in winter, and the journey becomes even more magical, with snow-capped Alps and frosty landscapes turning the entire experience into a memorable scene. It’s the perfect day trip from Munich.
Balkan Odyssey
The Balkan Odyssey stands apart from any other train journey on this list and is undoubtedly one of the best train rides in Europe if your budget allows for it. Going from Venice to Budapest, this ultra-opulent train journey can last anywhere from 10 to 21 days, depending on the itinerary. At a leisurely pace, you see some of Europe’s most famous cities, including Budapest, Ljubljana, and Sarajevo. Instead of watching these places fly by outside your window, the train stops in each city, giving you ample time to disembark and explore.
Caledonian Sleeper
The Caledonian Sleeper, which takes you from London to Scotland, is a must for any train enthusiast. As Britain’s oldest overnight service, dating from 1873, it offers a timeless experience. Board the train at London's Euston station in the evening, settle in, and fall asleep as the city fades behind you. Wake up to the beauty of misty lochs, rolling hills, and Scotland’s snow-capped mountains. Depending on which class you choose, the quality of your sleep varies, and you can spend the night in a reclining seat, a classic sleeper cabin, or a luxurious club room with en-suite facilities. The train trip takes seven to 13 hours, depending on your final destination, and most passengers will tell you the journey still wasn’t long enough!
West Highland Line
Arrive in Scotland on the Caledonian Sleeper and continue your streak of beautiful train rides with the West Highland Line. For Harry Potter fans, a section of this route is especially familiar: the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a 21-arch bridge that’s part of the Hogwarts Express route. It’s easy to see why it's widely regarded as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world when you pass landmarks like Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and the towering peaks of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. You can choose the regular ScotRail services to traverse the vast landscapes of Scotland’s highlands or indulge in luxury aboard the Belmond Royal Scotsman.
A train ride through the Douro
The Douro Valley Train offers one of Portugal’s most scenic rail journeys, winding through the heart of the Douro wine region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Running from Porto to Pocinho, this historic railway follows the Douro River, passing terraced vineyards, charming villages, and towering cliffs. Built in the 19th century, the route was once vital for transporting port wine from the valley to the coast. Now, you can spend those three hours watching Portugal’s oldest wine region flash past and longing for your next glass of vino.
Lapland's Santa Claus Express
Ever dreamed of witnessing the Northern Lights or meeting the real Santa Claus? You might have the chance aboard the Lapland Arctic Circle Train, also known as the Santa Claus Express. This overnight journey in Finland takes you on a magical adventure through the snowy wilderness, from Helsinki to the heart of Lapland. As you travel, the sight of frozen lakes and rugged Arctic landscapes is captivating. Watch it all while enjoying a hearty bowl of creamy meatballs, a staple onboard. It's an enchanting experience that feels straight out of a winter wonderland.
Experience it for yourself on: Lapland: A Family Winter Adventure
