Train journey is a fabulous solution to expertise Europe. Not solely does prepare journey reduce down in your carbon footprint, nevertheless it additionally lets you see some epic surroundings whereas making your means between locations. As a bonus, in case you’re touring with a canine, most are allowed on board trains! I teamed up with some fellow journey bloggers to compile this listing of probably the most epic prepare rides in Europe. While some range solely barely from one another, every can provide one thing particular to your journey expertise.
in a rush? pin it for later!
Belgrade to Bar
Contribution: Kami, My Wanderlust
The Belgrade to Bar prepare journey is among the many most scenic railway journeys in Europe. Still, not so many vacationers learn about it. The line connecting the Serbian capital with the Adriatic seaside city Bar in Montenegro stretches for 476 km. The journey between these two locations takes 11 hours (or extra as delays are frequent).
During the journey, the prepare passes 254 tunnels and 435 bridges. This contains the Mala Rijeka viaduct which, till not too long ago, was the very best railway bridge on the earth with a top of 200 meters. Along the way in which, you’ll be able to admire the gorgeous surroundings of Serbia, Montenegro, and even briefly Bosnia and Herzegovina (the prepare goes through its territory however doesn’t cease there). The most breathtaking views are in Montenegro once you undergo the Dinaric Alps vary or reduce the Skadar Lake.
There are two day by day trains in every path, one in the course of the day and one night time prepare. If you’re going from Belgrade it’s higher to take the night time prepare and from Bar the day prepare. This means, you will notice probably the most gorgeous landscapes in your journey.
The prepare isn’t full nevertheless it’s higher to purchase the ticket upfront, particularly within the summertime. Unfortunately, you may get the tickets solely on the prepare station.
Bernina Express
Among probably the most epic prepare rides in Europe (and the world) is the Bernina Express. This prepare line runs from Chur/St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy by way of the Bernina Pass, linking areas of various cultures and totally different languages. The prepare climbs up the icy, polished glaciers of Switzerland earlier than winding again all the way down to temperate, sunny Italy.
The prepare passes by way of 55 tunnels, over nearly 200 bridges and climbs to a peak of two,250 meters above sea degree. At its highest level is the Ospizio Bernina. This is the place guests can bask within the bountiful pure environment and admire the Alps at their most spectacular.
Part of the prepare line (Thusis – Valposchiavo – Tirano) has truly reached UNESCO World Heritage Status. The up to date prepare vehicles provide sweeping panoramas to understand unrestricted views of the Alpine surroundings.
Budapest to Sibiu
The prepare journey from Budapest, Hungary to Sibiu, Romania is sort of the expertise. While not historically scenic compared with prepare routes by way of Scandinavia or Switzerland, for instance, the route gives some stunning views of the Hungarian and Romanian countryside.
There are two totally different routes you’ll be able to take when touring between Budapest and Sibiu – one departs at 9 within the morning, one at 7 within the night. Depending in your preferences and necessities, you’ll be able to take an in a single day prepare or a day-long prepare. Both trains take just below 11 hours whole journey time.
The route passes from the Hungarian Great Plains into Romania’s hilly terrain. If you are taking the day prepare, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of some wonderful Romanian fortresses and chateau ruins.
An vital factor to recollect when departing on a global prepare in Hungary is that you simply CANNOT print tickets on-line! International prepare tickets have to be claimed at a chosen station in Hungary or bought in-person at Keleti.
Also price noting is that Romania shouldn’t be a Schengen state, so there will likely be a border examine. This is one thing to consider when deciding whether or not to take the in a single day prepare or the day prepare.
Chur to Arosa
Contribution: Maureen, So Many Places! So Little Time!
If you wish to expertise all that the nice Swiss Rail Trips provide, reminiscent of gorgeous surroundings and wonderful engineering wizardry, however have restricted time, then look no additional than the Arosabahn. This is a one-hour prepare journey from the town of Chur, by way of the mountains to the picturesque spa city of Arosa.
It begins from the Chur railway station and winds its means like a tram by way of the town itself, following the native stream which borders the sting of city, winding by way of just a few tunnels on the way in which. Next factor you understand it’s climbing and twisting, and twisting and climbing by way of mountains and tall snow-laden pine bushes.
It travels over quite a few bridges together with the spectacular Langweiser Viaduct and thru small rural villages. In whole, in that one hour journey, it crosses 41 bridges,19 tunnels, and 12 avalanche-protection galleries.
There’s a superb café/bar referred to as Guterschuppen at Arosa railway station. Here, you may get a snack and drink earlier than your subsequent cease.
Flam Railway
Contribution: Dhara, It’s Not About the Miles
Norway’s spectacular Flam Railway runs between the tip of Aurlandsfjord, one among Norway’s fjords, and the mountain city of Myrdal. This quick prepare journey is ranked as one of many most scenic on the planet, and needs to be a part of any Scandinavia itinerary!
Over only one hour, the prepare features a bit of over 2,800 ft in altitude, making it one of many steepest customary gauge railways on the earth. It took over 20 years to construct! Along the journey, you might be handled to among the most gorgeous surroundings Norway has to supply.
Admire mountains and hillsides, forests and waterfalls, and tiny little homes on the route. Go by way of over 20 tunnels. The prepare even makes a cease alongside the path to can help you get down and snap images of a thundering waterfall proper by the tracks.
You can journey the prepare a method or in each instructions, and a few individuals journey it greater than as soon as, to soak up the superior vistas time and again. At Myrdal, trains connect with Bergen and Oslo.
Glacier Express
Contribution: Allan, It’s Sometimes Sunny in Bangor
Found within the excessive peaks of the Swiss Alps, the resort city of Zermatt marks the beginning of one of the crucial epic prepare rides in Europe.
The Glacier Express is dubbed “the slowest fast train in the world,” on account of it being a high-speed prepare tackling treacherous terrain. The journey between Zermatt and St Moritz takes a complete of close to 8 hours.
It is an extended journey, however it’s under no circumstances a boring one, with among the most majestic mountain surroundings you will see that alongside the way in which. This contains the Rhine Gorge marking the beginning of Europe’s River Rhine, and crossing the Landwasser Viaduct, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and sure the postcard image of the entire journey.
It is an specific prepare journey which means there are next-to-no stops bar a fast one half-way on the city of Chur, so meals and drinks could be ordered to seats on-board. There is a restaurant and bar bogey if it’s essential stretch your legs.
Switzerland alone is an costly vacation spot, sure. But, this route is included on native passes together with the Interrail/Eurail Passes!
Jacobite Railway
Contribution: Cazzy, Dream Big, Travel Far
Have you ever needed to journey the Hogwarts Express? Well, you’ll be able to…(kind off!). The Jacobite Railway service run by WestCoast Railways in Scotland provides you the possibility to expertise what a journey on the Hogwarts Express can be like. They truly supplied the prepare for the precise Hogwarts Express used within the motion pictures!
Starting subsequent to the very best mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis), you’ll be taken on a visit to probably the most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig, to the deepest seawater loch in all of Europe, Loch Nevis. You’ll additionally cross over the famous and iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. The viaduct is well-known for its options within the Harry Potter motion pictures. (Remember when the automobile is flying over the prepare in Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets?).
When driving the Jacobite steam prepare you’ll be able to even e-book a Harry Potter-style cabin! Opt for a day tea so you’ll be able to really benefit from the stunning views supplied in model.
Even in case you’re not a Harry Potter fan, this prepare journey continues to be thought to be one of the crucial stunning in all of Europe. It holds fairly a excessive status! The prepare journey is an 84-mile journey and lasts round 1 hour and half-hour every means.
Oslo to Bergen
Contribution: Manouk, Groetjes uit Verweggistan
The prepare journey Bergensbanen from Oslo to Bergen in Norway is taken into account one of the crucial epic prepare rides in Europe. And with good motive! The prepare goes from Oslo at sea degree up by way of the mountains, making the views spectacular.
Both Oslo and Bergen are widespread locations in Norway. So why not mix the 2? And as an alternative of flying you’ll be able to take the well-known Bergensbanen. The prepare journey takes nearly 7 hours, however each minute is price it.
The prepare monitor was opened in 1909 and passes Hardangervidda National Park. It can be the highest trainline in Europe, going to 1222 meters above sea degree.
Along the way in which are breathtaking views of mountains, lakes and valleys. If you journey within the winter season most of it is going to be lined in fairytale-like snow, particularly round Finse. The finest views are seen from the left aspect of the prepare (in case you journey from Oslo to Bergen).
Not executed with prepare rides but? If you exit the prepare at Myrdal station, you can even take the well-known prepare to Flåm. That prepare journey has been referred to as the perfect on the earth by Lonely Planet, so may be definitely worth the detour!
Rhodope Narrow Gauge
Contribution: Bilyana, Owl All Over the World
The Rhodope Narrow Gauge is a scenic prepare journey in Bulgaria and one of the crucial epic prepare rides in Europe. The prepare runs from the city of Septemvri to the resort city of Dobrinishte on the foot of Pirin Mountain. Its monitor gauge is just 760mm.
The route has a complete size of 124,7 km. On its means, the Rhodpe Narrow Gauge passes by way of the gorge of Chepisnka River, Avromovo Saddle that divides the mountains of Rila and the Rhodopes, then continues following the Mesta River till it reaches the Razlog Valley on the foot of Pirin Mountain.
Autumn is the perfect time to journey the prepare. Rhodopes Mountain is wonderful in the course of the Fall and probably the greatest locations to go to in Bulgaria basically. You can get off at Avramovo prepare station – the very best one on the Balkan Peninsula at an elevation of 1,267 above sea degree. From there, you’ll be able to hike to the stunning village of Ortsevo and proceed the prepare journey on the following day.
The total prepare journey from Septemvri to Dobrinishte takes about 5 and a half hours and a one-way ticket prices solely 3,30 EUR! You merely cannot go on a greater prepare journey for that low-cost.
Rome to Palermo
Photo & Contribution: Emily, WanderLush
Rome to Palermo, on the island of Sicily, is among the most uncommon and memorable railway journeys in Europe. This prepare is one among few on the earth that’s shunted onto a ship for a part of the journey.
Once the prepare reaches the coast, it’s transferred onto a particular ship. For 25 minutes, you sit on the prepare contained in the boat because it’s ferried over the Straits of Messina. The prepare doorways fly open, and passengers have half an hour to go to the ship’s deck for sea views and seize an espresso on the onboard cafe.
Two trains depart Rome on this route day by day, passing first by way of the town of Naples then persevering with direct to Sicily. There are additionally nightly sleeper companies out there, nevertheless it’s finest to journey throughout daylight in an effort to benefit from the surroundings.
Highlights embrace panoramas of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples, and naturally the views of the island as you method Sicily. Choose a seat on the right-hand aspect of the prepare for the perfect views. In whole, it takes 12 hours to achieve Palermo from Rome, making this one epic European prepare journey.
Rome to Vienna
The in a single day sleeper prepare from Rome, Italy to Vienna, Austria is a tremendous expertise! Falling asleep to views of Northern Italy and waking as much as Austrian alps is really a dream-come-true.
With a single-sleeper compartment costing solely 179 euro, you’ll be able to cowl the price of each lodging and your transport between cities in an unforgettable expertise.
The prepare departs from Roma Termini within the night and arrives the following morning at Wien HBF. The prepare attendants will set you up with prosecco, a towel, travel-sized toiletries, water, and a few snacks upon departure.
Come morning, you’ll be able to get pleasure from a complimentary breakfast in your room whereas watching the mountains go by out of your window. When you arrive in Vienna, you’ll really feel refreshed and able to begin the day.
Santa Claus Express
Contribution: Katalin, Our Life, Our Travel
Santa Claus Express is the sleeping prepare between the Finnish capital, Helsinki, and Rovaniemi, Lapland. The title additionally refers to that vital element, that Santa Claus additionally resides in Rovaniemi, so after the prepare journey, you’ll be able to meet with him personally.
The prepare journey itself takes about 13 hours in a single day and prices about 80€. You can sleep in one of many two or four-berth cabins, and the prepare also can transport vehicles, though guests from overseas not often use that chance.
If you are taking the prepare in the course of the summer season – as you’ll be able to meet with Santa at the moment too – you’ll be able to admire the lakes and forests even in the course of the night time as you go increasingly more north. You can spot reindeer and different wildlife too. In wintertime, the nights are darkish and lengthy. You will solely see the snowy bushes rapidly disappearing on the opposite aspect of the home windows.
Santa Claus Express is among the most snug methods to achieve Lapland from Helsinki, to not point out one of the crucial epic prepare rides in Europe.
St. Petersburg to Moscow
Photo & Contribution: De Wet & Jin, Museum of Wander
The Red Arrow, or the Krasnaya Strela because it’s identified in Russian, is the perfect in a single day prepare operating between St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Red Arrow has been operating each night time in every path between the 2 cities because the 1930’s. Services have been solely interrupted throughout WWWII.
While there are a number of in a single day trains, and even quick trains, to select from between St Petersburg and Moscow, the Red Arrow stays the most well-liked possibility due its historic significance and luxury.
A Red Arrow leaves from Leningradsky station in Moscow and Moscovsky station in St Petersburg each night time at 23:55, and the journey takes 8 hours. The prepare travels continuous till it reaches both Moscow or St Petersburg, so passengers are positive to get an honest night time’s sleep.
In the previous, the Red Arrow was used to shuttle communist leaders between Leningrad and Moscow, and solely the perfect would do for these social gathering members. Today the Red Arrow stays the most luxurious night time prepare, with solely VIP, first and second class carriages. There can be an excellent eating automobile.
Compartments in second class encompass 4 snug sleeping berths; two higher berths and two decrease. The ticket worth contains bedding and a breakfast of both blinis (Russian pancakes) or porridge earlier than arrival.
St. Petersburg to Murmansk
Photo & Contribution: Ellis, Backpack Adventures
Russia is Europe’s largest nation and these huge distances are finest executed by prepare. Therefore it’s no shock that Russia is house to among the most epic prepare rides in Europe. One of them is the Arktika specific from St Petersburg to Murmansk, the largest metropolis on the earth above the arctic circle.
This 24 hour prepare journey is filled with spectacular surroundings all year long. In winter it’s a magical winter wonderland with frozen lakes and plenty of snow lined landscapes. In summer season, you’ll benefit from the forests of Karelia and the wild nature of the distant Kola peninsula. 24 hours may sound rather a lot, however with views like this, time merely flies by.
The journey begins in St Petersburg. The former capital of Russia that’s well-known for its wealthy cultural heritage that the tsars left behind. You may preserve your self busy for days whereas exploring the town’s palaces and museums. It makes for an important begin earlier than heading north.
Murmansk is the tip level of the Arktika specific. Being the biggest metropolis above the arctic circle there are additionally loads of issues to do right here. One of the highlights is the possibility to see the northern lights in winter. Other winter actions embrace ice fishing or snowmobiling. In summer season you’ll be able to merely benefit from the stunning nature on this distant space of Europe.
Stockholm to Kiruna
Contribution: Raluca, Travel With a Spin
The prepare journey from Stockholm to Kiruna, one of the crucial epic prepare rides in Europe, takes roughly 16 hours. It could appear lengthy, however the prepare stops each half-hour or so to permit passengers to get off and stretch their legs. Time flies as you sit again, chill out, and benefit from the view.
The prepare departs from Stockholm, one among Europe’s most stunning capital cities, deep into the center of Swedish Lapland. The route is gorgeous at any time of yr, however significantly from November to April.
As you allow the intense lights of Stockholm and head north, the Aurora Borealis might resolve to make an look. What higher view to go to sleep to?
In the morning, get up to a sky of probably the most spectacular pale blue hue. Frozen lakes, wild rivers that refuse to surrender and freeze, countless expanses of forests and remoted pink homes become visible. Maybe you’ll get fortunate and catch a glimpse of a moose or reindeer on the fringe of the forest.
Nearing Kiruna, you’ll discover increasingly more snow as you head into the territory of snowmobiles, conventional spas, snowboarding, and ice fishing.
Zermatt to Gornergrat
Photo & Contribution: Allison, Eternal Arrival
Want to take one of the crucial epic European prepare rides? Head to the picturesque Swiss city of Zermatt to journey the Gornergrat railway. This brings you as much as a high-altitude mountain space good for seeing views of the Matterhorn!
Seeing the Matterhorn in individual is a should on any Switzerland itinerary – think about the views you expertise driving the Gornergrat prepare as much as the station at 3,089 meters of altitude! It’s the highest out of doors prepare station in all of Europe and it’s additionally house to the highest-altitude lodge in Europe.
The journey will take you previous a number of stations, at which you’ll disembark at will. Wander round totally different scenic landscapes, such because the waterfall exterior of city, or one of many 5 stunning alpine lakes you’ll discover on the way in which. One of probably the most stunning lakes, Riffelsee, even displays the Matterhorn superbly on a sunny day.
pin it!
