Forget planes, buses or automobiles: 2024 is the year of the train. With rail lines in more than 130 countries around the globe, the sustainable, and often fastest, way to travel for many locals and tourists alike is the mighty train.
Trains have long captivated the imagination, allowing us to soak in the scenery from the comfort of a dining car, sleeper car or seat. And with the return of the night train, Europe in particular boasts a wealth of scenic train rides to get you going.
From the snow-capped peaks of Switzerland to the rolling hills of Scotland, we’ve rounded up the top seven rail journeys that will take your breath away in Europe. Get ready for stunning panoramic views, quaint countryside charm, and bucket-list-worthy experiences on Europe’s most scenic train rides.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
If one thinks of scenic train journeys in Europe, the mighty Alps always come to mind. Switzerland is tops with the Glacier Express. This 90-year-old train journey boasts views you’ve only ever dreamed about.
Traverse the Swiss Alps across eight hours en route from glitzy St. Moritz to charming Zermatt or vice versa. Cross 291 bridges, wind your way through nearly 100 tunnels and explore the three cantons of Valais, Uri, and Graubünden. End your trip at the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn, which rises majestically on the border of Switzerland and Italy.
Newly renovated panoramic cars feature retrofitted interiors, power outlets and free Wi-Fi. Guests can also follow along with an audio guide that provides information about the route in a variety of languages. Excellence Class tickets affords guests with guaranteed window views and five-course meals.
Odontotos Rack Railway, Greece
If Odysseus was alive today, he’d probably add the Odontos Rack Railway to his epic journey home to Greece. For more than 120 years, passengers have been boarding this one-hour journey from the seaside town of Diakofto to Kalavrita in the Peloponnese.
A trip through Vouraikos Gorge reveals olive groves, alpine meadows, and dramatic landscapes that exude a rich history. The two-carriage cog train showcases the evolution of railway travel, and lets passengers travel like they did during the heyday of train travel.
Traverse the rugged Vouraikos River Gorge, a protected UNESCO site, and witness the splendor of Helmos Mountain as you wind your way to the Gulf of Corinth past the Mega Spilaio Monastery, which is perched high on a cliff overlooking the valley. End in the historic town of Kalavrita, which is a must-see for WWII history buffs.
The Rhine Valley Line, Germany
Castles and vineyards are a regular site on the 114-mile journey from Cologne to Mainz on the scenic Rhine Valley Line. The Rhine Valley Gorge, a UNESCO site, is the picture-perfect backdrop to this one-and-a-half hour journey, one of the most scenic train rides in Europe.
As the train bends and turns from Koblenz to Bingen and beyond, passengers on the left-hand side of the train are rewarded with views of historic castles such as Marksburg Castle, glimpses of the pyramid-shaped Lorelei rock, and vines growing in the fertile soil in the valleys below. Passengers can expect power outlets, snack trolleys, video screens, Wi-Fi and a great audio system to guide you along.
Venice Simplon Orient-Express, France & Italy
If money is no object, you can’t beat the Venice Simplon Orient-Express. With routes starting in cities such as London, Paris, Lyon and Brussels, guests can expect opulence like no other train journey on earth. Choose the Paris to Venice route for a true bucket-list adventure.
This one-night journey winds its way from the City of Light, through Switzerland’s mountainous valleys, and ends in the romantic City of Water. Admire half-timbered houses and pastoral scenes all while adopting your best mystery novel persona sans the canny Belgian detective and murderous guests.
In Paris, a conductor and porters whisk you away to your carriage, which is a study in Art Deco glamor. Plush upholstery, handcrafted lampshades, and marquetry design await. Spend the evening in the bar car with other guests, savor a bespoke three-course meal, unwind with a midnight brunch and enjoy a decadent French breakfast in your room followed by a gouter (aka light repast) before disembarking in La Serenissima.
West Highland Line, Scotland
Scotland is known for its rugged landscapes and lush scenery that can literally take your breath away. Journey through the Scottish Highlands on the iconic West Highland Line, known for its historic stops at Fort William and Glenfinnan Viaduct. Offering comfortable seating and a dining car, this five-and-a-half-hour ride is perfect for a day trip or overnight adventure.
Choose the Fort William and Mallaig line as you’ll pass heather moors, mirrored lochs, hills and valleys. Start your journey in Glasgow, an industrial town that boasts a great music culture and history. Pass the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Spiel on the Jacobite Steam Train. The former is recognizable to many a cinefile as the route of the Hogwarts Express. This is rugged countryside, so heavy, that mists can often obscure vistas even as they add a sense of history and mystery to the view. An audio companion points out all the most important sites so you don’t miss a thing.
Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy
UNESCO doesn’t just authenticate and protect sites on land. It also protects World Heritage sites on wheels. The Bernina Express, often called “the train that winds its way to the mountain summit” has been transporting passengers literally and figuratively for more than 100 years. Serpentine through 55 tunnels and nearly 200 bridges as you traverse some of the highest train tracks in Europe. The 213-foot-high Landwasser Viaduct, built in 1901 and restored in 2009, and Alp Grüm, withs its close-enough-to-touch views of the Palü glacier, are route highlights for any Instagram aficionado.
The snow-capped mountains of Switzerland give way to the palm trees of Tirano, Italy. Opt for the panoramic first-class car, with its floor-to-ceiling windows, and make sure to listen to the audio companion as they give you facts, tips and highlights of the journey.
Flam Railway, Norway
Western Norway feels like the ends of the earth. One gets a sense of peace and spirituality here. The land of the fjords beguiles with craggy mountain peaks, lush waterways and valleys dotted with red farm houses. The Flam Railway runs only 12 miles from the tiny town of Flam, but boasts some of the most dramatic vistas on earth.
After arriving from Bergen at Myrdal Station, hop on a vintage carriage and make your way down steep valleys, past pastoral scenes and old churches. The railway, much of it constructed by hand, was completed in 1940 after 20 years.
Stop off at Kjosfossen waterfall for a five-minute photo opp with your selfie stick. Cross through 20 tunnels as you traverse the mountain and don’t be surprised to see cyclists following your route along the road.
