Europe's most scenic train rides

Since the heydays of the Orient Express, a train trip through one or more European countries conjures up images of alpine peaks, glittering lakes, and stunning cities. There are ways to recapture that magic, regardless of your budget. You just need to choose some picturesque train routes. Thankfully, there are so many to choose from that I did really struggle to come up with my shortlist. So, without further ado, here is a sample of some of Europe's most scenic train rides

The European train network is well developed and reaches some unexpected destinations. Swiss trains climb the Alps, Italian trains follow spectacular coastlines, Norwegian trains go through fjords, German trains cross forests and gorges.

I also love admiring skylines as trains head into Europe's most iconic cities, or getting ideas for my next trip when I notice a delightful town, castle, or landscape I did not know existed. I have not been everywhere in Europe - I wish!! - so while I strongly recommend a train ride through the fjords of Norway, I felt I could not put in on this list. But I am sure when I finally visit it will!

Here are my current top ten European scenic train trips.

Countryside between Rome and Florence © Engjell Gjepali/Unsplah

My experience of travelling through Europe by train

My introduction to the magic of the European rail network was a night train between Milan and Paris in late autumn. The Alps were covered in snow, and that journey through silent ancient forests is still a special memory for me. There have been many more trips through Europe since, and I have loved discovering the most incredible and varied landscapes. The glittering Adriatic coastline, the French Loire Valley, the meanders of the Moselle, the rosy wonders of the Dolomites ...The list grows longer every year, with my new journeys.

1: Why travel through Europe by train?

2: Europe's most scenic train rides

3: Discover Europe, one train journey at a time 

Zurich train station© Jenny Wagner/Unsplash

1: Why travel through Europe by train?

The reason the Interrail is becoming so popular again is because people are starting to realise that the train is the best way to see Europe, to appreciate its diversity and the beauty of its landscapes, which frankly rivals that of its architecture and historical landmarks.

Besides, travelling through Europe by train is easy. It requires a bit more planning, but it also gives you a lot of flexibility.

It is kinder to the environment in many ways. It reduces CO2 emissions compared to flying. It also gives you the opportunity to wander off the beaten track, to stop in places not served by an airport but just as beautiful - and often less overridden with tourists.

Europe is a train traveller's paradise. The rail network is well developed and countries well connected with each other. One of my favourite experiences is catching a slow 'regional' train - the trains local people use to cross the border for shopping or working. The routes are slower, which means more time to enjoy the views.

At the other end of the spectrum, the fast trains can be a fabulous experience, with great services, comfortable seats with wifi, and the possibility of reaching far-flung destinations in a time equivalent to catching a flight there,

Trains also connect with ferries and buses to open up new opportunities. There are parts of Europe, such as Switzerland, Suedtirol, Germany, and Austria, where tourists are encouraged to travel by public transport, by dropping prices or even making regional trains free. So depending on where you go and how long you are staying, you may not even need to pay for some of these journeys!

Ordinary view from a Swiss train © Danyu Wang/Unsplash

Each European country has their national railways, and in some cases competitors too, but they all have easy to navigate websites, where you can research routes and prices. If you want a holistic view, check the Trainline, where you can research connections between far-flung countries. If you are looking at going to a more remote destinations, Rome2Rio is useful as well, as it shows connections with buses too.

The Interrail website, or Eurail if you are resident outside Europe, gives you the opportunity to buy passes of different durations.

No matter where you buy your ticket, it makes sense to check the websites of the different train companies in each country, as there are differences. A clear example is travelling with children. In Italy you are considered a child until age 10, in Switzerland until 16!

Each rail operator also has its own rewards programmes, special offers, and deals for specific destinations or with specific accommodation providers that can be useful for organising your journey.

My last thought has to be for the night trains. Their network is going through a bit of a renaissance at the moment. Night trains tend to be slower services, and while you may find yourself travelling through pretty dull areas for parts of the journey, you will also enjoying incredible rides. A sunset over the Chianti hills or the sun rising from the Eastern Alps can make for quite a view!

So, without further ado, here are my 10 favourite European rail trips

2: Europe's most scenic train rides

My principles for inclusion in the guide are: a variety of landscapes, from the Alps to the the lakes and the Mediterranean; travelling through at least 2 countries; a mix of nature and culture. Warning: in some cases the route is so incredibly beautiful that it makes sense to get off, explore and resume your journey.

1. Munich to Verona

Munich is actually much closer to Italy than non-locals may think. Only about 40km of Austria separating the southern-most tip of Bavaria from the Brenner pass into Italy. The first part of your ride will be through Bavarian countryside, but after Flintsbach the tracks run along the river Inn, and and you will be travelling through alpine scenery of peaks, waterfalls, and castles. Interestingly, past Flitntsbach the Inn river is the border between Germany and Austria, so for a while you will be riding in Germany but looking at Austria across the river! The last stop in Germany is the alpine village of Kiefersfelden, surrounded by magnificent mountains.

Tyrolean Alps near Kufstein © Paul Pastourmatzis/Unsplash

After Kiefersfelden, you will enter the Austrian Tyrol. Steep slopes dotted by delightful villages, castles such as the mighty fortress at Kufstein, and tiny white belltowers, will flank the tracks all the way to Innsbruck and Brennero.

In 3 hours 20, you can be in the beautiful South Tyrolean village of Brixen/Bressanone, exploring its delightful centre, sampling the local wines, or hiking to one of the nearby castles or mountains. Or you can continue straight on to Trento ( total journey time 4 hours 30) and journey through the Dolomites from your seat! I cover the 3-country journey in more detail in my post about Italian scenic train rides.

The Alps near Bressanone © Andreas Felske/Unsplash

You can get off at Trento and discover its delightful medieval centre, or continue onward to fair Verona, another 40 minutes down the line.

2. Marseille to Ventimiglia

The charms of Antibes © Jane Ackerley/Unsplash

The local train between Marseille and the Italian border town of Ventimiglia travels one of the most wonderful routes in the world. On one side, hills scattered with terracotta-coloured villages; on the other, at every corner, the blue wonder of the Cote d'Azur.

This journey of 3 hours and 50 minutes, will take you through glitzy Cannes and out-of-time Antibes before a change in Nice. If you have time, turn the train connection into a stopover, and explore Nice's old town, its museums or soak in the marine mood, before catching your connection. After Cap Ferrat, you'll glimpse the stunning medieval hilltop village of Èze and enter the principality of Monaco before continuing onward to pastel-coloured Menton.

Menton © Alex Mesmer/Unsplash

When you reach the Italian border, you can return the same way or treat yourself to more seaside beauty by catching a train to Santa-Margherita Ligure and hike to Portofino the next day.

3. The Bernina Express

Are you looking for an incredible way to enter Switzerland from Italy? The Bernina express service from Tirano in Italy to St Moritz (or Chur) in Switzerland is even included on the UNESCO World Heritage list does. 55 tunnels and 196 bridges; the highest railway tracks in Europe; and the steepest in the world; a masterpiece of engineering for a journey that takes you from the palm trees of Tirano past some of the most spectacular alpine scenery of peaks, waterfalls, turquoise lakes and glaciers.

Bernina Express © Walter Federi/Unsplash

The one-way journey takes 4 hours. The service is run by Rhetian Railways and you can book your tickets in advance here.

You can also do it as a return trip to enjoy the scenery. It will be just as beautiful the second time!

Morteratsch Glacier © Andreas Stutz/Unsplash

Alternatively, the Bernina Express bus takes you from Tirano to Lugano, via lake Como, so you can appreciate another bit of Italy before discovering another corner of Switzerland.

4. Milano to Geneva

If glaciers are not your thing, there is another journey between Italy and Switzerland that I never get enough of.

You start in Milan, and after negotiating the suburbia and some industrial landscapes, and after about one hour you are catapulted on the shores of Lake Maggiore at Arona. The train follows the west side of the lake to Stresa and Verbania, allowing you to enjoy its timeless beauty. You'll even get to glimpse the jewel-like Borromean Islands in its middle before heading inland towards Domodossola.

Lake Maggiore at Verbania © Federico Tasin

After negotiating the Simplon rail tunnel, the train makes its way through the canton of Valais. Think alpine vineyards in what is considered the sunniest canton in Switzerland, and the waters of the river Rhone, in the shadow of the Matterhorn,

As the alpine peaks fade in the distance, the vineyards stretch into the next canton, Vaud. There the UNESCO-Heritage Lavaux Vineyards give way to gentler landscapes as you approach Lac Leman at the height of the iconic Chillon Castle, before reaching the lush shores of Lac Leman at Montreux.

Montreux © Ilja Hantsch/Unsplash

After Montreux the train continues along the lake, all the way to Lausanne and Geneva. When the train came to a halt in Geneva Cornavin train station, I was so glad I had booked a return ticket, and could repeat the same journey 3 days later!

There are a few direct trains between Milano and Geneva, which take about 4 hours, I have tried indirect services too, and this is one of those journeys where you'll want to get off at every stop, so it does not really matter.

I have written a longer post dedicated specifically to this journey and how to fit it into a trip from London or Brussels. You can find it here.

5. Zurich to Graz

There are a number of awe-inspiring north-south routes through the Alps, such as the Bernina Express and the Munich Verona lines. For longer east east-west routes, the Transalpin train from Zurich to Graz in Austrian is probably the most scenic - nine hours of unspoiled alpine beauty. The train itself does its best at immersing you in nature as the windows stretch into part of the roof.

One of my favourite moments of the journey is riding through the tiny alpine country of Liechtenstein, where the train has to slow down because the citizens voted against upgrading the single-track railway.

Vaduz, Lichtenstein © Enrique Ferreira/Unsplash

The train then follows the Arlberg valley, the great European geological divide between the waters that drain west via the Rhine to the North Sea and those flowing east via the Inn and the Danube.

More gentle landscapes lead you to Innsbruck, and then you are in for another magnificent alpine stretch through the Austrian Tirol, riding past alpine resorts such as Kitzbuehl and the magical lakeside setting of Zell-am-See before entering the green bucolic beauty of the Austrian province of Styria and reaching Austria's second city.

6. Vienna to Rome

The night train between Vienna and Rome is one of Europe's ultimate train rides. You will get some sleep on the 13-hour journey, but dreams and reality may feel like they are mixing. Imagine leaving the graceful yet majestic capital of Austria behind on a long summer evening.

You'll catch sunsets and dusk over the Steiermark region of Austria, catching glimpses of the Gesäuse mountains until your first stop at Klagenfurt. It will most likely be dark by then, and the body of the lake only a glitter under the moon, but you'll see it again on the way back.

Klagenfurt and its lake © Lukas Tennie/Unsplash

The train will snake its way through the Eastern Alps, reach Villach and then cross into Italy at Tarvisio, close to the Slovenian border. It will be dark by then, but if you are travelling in winter the night may be brightened by snow. If it is summer, it may be a good time to go to sleep.

You'll wake up as the train docks into Bologna, catch a glimpse of the terracotta roofs and the towers of its medieval centre. Say awake if you can, You are about to cross the Apennines. There will be tunnels, but the landscape will change quite dramatically, from peaks and chestnut forests to cypress and rolling hills, with the occasional Medicean villas on top, before you glimpse the unmistakable Brunelleschi dome as the train approaches Florence.

Tuscan views © Taylor Smith/Unsplash

After Florence, the train rides through the quintessential southern Tuscan and Umbrian countryside of hilltop villages, rising from wheat and poppy fields, until you approach Rome and enjoy the beauty of the Eternal City.

7. Copenhagen to Lund

To me, the 50-minute train ride on the Øresundsbron (Oresund Bridge) that connects Denmark and Sweden is one of the most spectacular short journeys in Europe. The bridge is modern, it was completed in 2000, and caters both to cars and trains. Catching the sunset on the bridge on a Nordic evening is a memorable experience, as is crossing it in the blistering midday light, when the blue of the sea is at its most intense.

Infinite Oresund Bridge © Julian Hochgesung/Unsplash

After admiring this pride of Scandinavian engineering, immerse yourself in some peaceful views of the Nordic countryside, before disembarking in Sweden's most important medieval city, Lund. It is a historical gem, with a beautiful cathedral, cobbled streets and medieval houses, and a vibrant university town. If you can, stay overnight. Otherwise, try and time your return train with a sunset over Oresund!

The towers of Lund cathedral © Samuel Bryngelsson/Unsplash

8. Geneva to Paris

Leave the glittering shores of Lac Leman behind and head to the City of Lights via the delightful villages and hills of Burgundy!

Grand cru vineyard © Free Nomad/Unsplash

Your TGV Lyria will ride through Grand Cru vineyards south of Dijon then enter the wonderful Auxois region, whose hilltop villages are postcard-perfect Burgundy, before taking you to the peaceful, bucolic region of Chablis. All in w hours and 20 minutes!

Semur en Auxois © Mr Xerty/Unsplash

Equally charming is the slightly longer(just over 4 hours) indirect route via Lyon. You can use the train change to explore the beautiful centre of the city, or continue onwards. Your train will follow the course of the Saone river to Villefranche, the medieval centres of Macon and Cluny and the city of Autun (one of the most ancient in France) before treating you to the delightful villages of Auxois and Chablis like the fast route.

Wheat fields of Burgundy © Alps2Coast

9. Berlin to Stockholm

The Swedish Railways run a daily EuroNight sleeper train between Berlin and Stockholm all year round. The train often leaves fully-booked, especially in sleepers, so plan ahead if you want to experience this memorable journey!

Hamburg © Lukas Menzel/Unsplash

You'll leave Berlin in the early evening, so in summer you'll enjoy sunsets over the forested plains of Saxony as the train makes its way to Hamburg before crossing the Danish border. You'll probably want to catch some sleep by then, and may be in Sweden when you wake up.

Lakes and forests of Sweden © Magnus Oestberg/Unsplash

The train arrives in Malmö at 4.20 am, and in summer it will be light already, so you can admire the gentle wilderness of Swedish forests, dotted with postcard-perfect villages and jewel like lakes, all the way to Stockholm. It is hard to describe the Swedish landscape, there is something remote, almost mythical about it, and this ride through the green soul of the country truly gives you a chance to appreciate it, before being dazzled by the sparkling beauty of the Stockholm archipelago!

Stockholm in summer © Yang Yang/Unsplash

The train arrives in Stockholm at a very civilised 10am.

10. The Centovalli

Here is yet another incredible way to travel between Italy and Switzerland or viceversa. The Vigezzina - Centovalli Railway runs between Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola in Italy. In 50 km you go from the lush lemon-scented shores of Lago Maggiore, to vine-covered hills and thick deciduous forests.

Locarno © MIchael Gorog/Unsplash

To add to the magic these forests have grown over the dividing line between the African and European continental plates. It is wonderful at every time of the year. Waterfalls, forests and rocky outcrops whisks you literally away from modern life. But it is arguably one of Europe's best train rides for foliage, so if you are planning to visit Switzerland or northern Italy in autumn do bear it in mind.

Vigezzo valley © Giorgio Cantoni/Unsplash

The journey, run by the Vigezzina -Cent0valli Railways, takes under 2 hours, and you can buy the ticket here.

If you are coming from Italy, you can begin your journey in Milan, take a regional train do Domodossola (ca. 1h30), which follows for quite a while the western side of Lake Maggiore, so you can catch a glimpse of its blue waters and clusters of islands before heading inland to Domossola. Or you can get off the train in Stresa, and catch a lake ferry to Locarno from there before enjoying your Centovalli experience in the afternoon.

If you are coming from Switzerland, you can make this an add-on to the Lucerne-Lugano scenic ride.

3: Discover Europe one train journey at a time

As you can see, thanks to the size of its countries, it is very possible to ditch the plane and enjoy a scenic train ride between different European countries instead. Or take a day trip from the city you are using as a base and discover some incredible sights.

I have listed some of the most popular multi-country journeys but there are a number of single country scenic train journeys that should be on your bucket list too. A train ride through the Loire Valley of France, or the Italian Cinqueterre, or the Moselle...Check out my posts on German, Swiss, and Italian train rides for inspiration.

If you have any questions reading this post, do get in touch through the contact form. And do not forget to subscribe to the blog to get my weekly posts on train and road trips through Europe directly into your inbox.