With its cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and some of the world’s most beautiful landscapes – Europe is the epitome of picturesque. And yes, that makes travelling there very fun.
The question is how should you go about doing it? Flying from city to city undoubtedly saves a whole lot of time. But do you really want to take shortcuts? We think not. You’re awesome like that.
Here are 10 amazing train rides that’ll help you fully appreciate Europe in all its glory:
Glacier Express, Zermatt to St Moritz – Switzerland
If you’re a ski enthusiast, this rollicking ride through the Swiss Alps will be right up your alley. Take the route between Zermatt and St Moritz, two of Switzerland’s most spectacular mountain resorts. You’ll be rewarded with picture-perfect views of flower-laden meadows, shimmering lakes, and quaint hamlets. Don’t forget to look out for the Oberalp Pass, the journey’s high point (quite literally) at 2043 metres.
Distance: 291km
Duration: 7.5 hours.
West Highland Line, Fort William to Mallaig – Scotland
Ever dreamed of boarding the Hogwart’s Express? Well, here’s your chance. The West Highland Line from Fort William to Mallaig in Scotland might not be magical in any way, but it was where the HP movies were filmed, and we’ll take that over our SMRT rides any day. Keep your eyes peeled for the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Who knows, it might take you through a secret portal to the Harry Potter universe.
Distance: 67km
Duration: 1.5 hours
Trans-Siberian Railway, Moscow to Vladivostok – Russia
Meet the mother lode of all train trips – the epic journey from Moscow to Vladivostok via the Trans-Siberian Railway, a journey that spans 9,258km with a travel time of seven nights, making it one of the longest train rides in the world. The cool thing about it is that you can also travel to Beijing or Mongolia, while passing by gorgeous sites like Lake Baikal – the world’s oldest lake that also happens to be bigger than Belgium.
Distance: 9,258km
Duration: 7 nights
Munich to Innsbruck via Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Germany and Austria
From sparkling lakes to towering mountains, this train ride from Munich in Germany to Innsbruck in Austria is the best way to traverse between both countries, and there are plenty of things to see along the way too – there’s the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest mountain with an apex of 2,962-metres; and the Schloss Ambras – a beautiful white renaissance castle in Innsbruck.
Distance: 157km
Duration: 3 hours
Cinque Terre, Levanto and La Spezia – Italy
Forget about overcrowded Santorini. If you’d like to experience some Mediterranean chill, you won’t go wrong by taking a short train trip from Levanto to La Spezia, where five candy-coloured villages of Cinque Terre are perched prettily on 18km of coastline. After the ride, grab a bottle of wine or two and sit by the beach, or take a stroll from each town to fully soak in the area’s rustic atmosphere.
Distance: 20km
Duration: 40 minutes
Dutch Railways, Groningen to Amsterdam – The Netherlands
Be prepared for a visual feast of the senses when you travel from Groningen to Amsterdam. Two of these Dutch cities are separated by rainbow coloured tulip fields and charming windmills. For the best time to visit, head over in mid-April where the flowers will be in full bloom. Or, an alternative is to take the train from Amsterdam towards The Hague where you’ll be greeted with more pretty tulip fields!
Distance: 147km
Duration: 2 hours
Balkan Flexipass, Belgrade to Bar, Serbia and Montenegro
Don’t go looking for luxury and comfort here. You’re not going to get it. The Balkan Flexipass’s graffiti-stained carriages and old school carriage compartments will attest to that. Instead, look forward to admiring some of Europe’s most wondrous scenery, with the train chugging through 476km of rail between Serbian and Montenegro. Trust us, it’s the perfect way to start your Balkan adventure.
Distance: 476km
Duration: 10 hours
Flåm Railway, Oslo to Bergen – Norway
For Game of Thrones-like scenery, hop on the Flåm Railway in Norway, and you could swear that The Wall is just a short boat voyage away once you see the magnificent fjords that line up against the sea. Head for the train route from Oslo to Bergen, where you’ll be able to climb up the mountain plateau of Finse, Norway’s highest station at 1,222 metres.
Distance: 550km
Duration: 9 hours
TGV Paris, Paris to Nice – France
Paris has many reputations – it’s a real stink hole for some, and the capital of romanticism for others. Well, that’s up for you to decide. It is home however to one of the most stunning train routes in the world. Stretching out like an artery from Paris to the city of Nice is a journey that’ll take you through captivating lavender fields, quaint villages, and of course, the glamorous French Riviera.
Distance: 975km
Duration
Douro Line, Porto to Pocinho, Portugal
One of Europe’s best-kept secrets, the Douro Line in Portugal will take you from the concrete-packed suburbs of Porto to the gorgeous vineyards of Pocinho – a must-visit for wine aficionados, or just anyone who likes a tipple or two, really. Along the way, sit back, relax, and enjoy the view as you zip past twisting fields of almond trees, terraced grape vines, and riverines that just won’t quit it with beauty.
Distance: 160km
Duration: 3 hours
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