Europe’s Most Breathtaking Train Journeys, From Switzerland to Scotland

Train travel across Europe is improving rapidly. With enhanced schedules, modernized trains, expanded routes, and new connections, there’s truly no need to take a polluting short-haul flight in 2024.

For night travelers, a sleeper train once again connects Paris and Berlin, while a brand-new service between Austria and Germany offers luxurious sleeping accommodations, including capsule hotel-style pods for solo adventurers. Poland is also benefitting, with 2024 doubling the connections between Kraków and Berlin, and Wrocław now linked to Vienna. A new route from Liège to Maastricht via Aachen opens up Northern Europe for curious explorers eager to see beyond the capitals.

Spending time in airports means missing out on some of Europe’s most stunning countryside. These 10 train journeys traverse some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe, making it hard to want to disembark.

1. Semmering Railway, Austria

As one of Europe’s oldest railway lines, the Semmering Railway was the first to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Construction began in 1848, and it received UNESCO recognition exactly 150 years later. This designation is well-deserved: the railway was an engineering wonder of its time, featuring 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels that have endured through the years. Start your journey in Vienna and travel to Semmering, where the route traverses 41 kilometers of fir-covered mountain passes in eastern Austria, offering breathtaking views of verdant Alpine valleys.

2. U Trinichellu, Corsica, France

This charming vintage train transports you along the northwest coast of Corsica, from L’Île-Rousse to Calvi, making stops in delightful beach towns along the way. It’s a flexible service: most stops are on request. And if you change your mind, don’t worry—the tickets allow for hopping on and off, so you can spend a day exploring all the beaches of the Balagne coast, with the shimmering Mediterranean on one side and rugged pine forests on the other.

3. Cinque Terre Express Train, Italy

The Cinque Terre must be experienced to be believed: five villages featuring a vibrant mix of ochre, yellow, and pink houses clinging to cliffs along the Ligurian coast. Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore are the five “terre” included in this UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can visit all of them in a single day—the train whisks you from one end to the other in just 20 minutes.

4. Train de la Rhune, Basque Country, France and Spain

Can’t choose between a holiday in France or Spain? The Basque Country, a stunning region that spans both countries, allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds with the Train de la Rhune. The Rhune, rising to 900 meters, emerges from the Pyrenees mountain range along the border between France and Spain. This charming “little Rhune train” ascends the iconic peak in 35 minutes, passing by wild grazing ponies and serene groves. At the summit, you’re rewarded with panoramic views of a patchwork of green fields connecting all seven Basque provinces on either side of the border.

5. Belgrade, Serbia to Bar, Montenegro

This journey is a must-do and costs approximately €24. The train ride from Belgrade in Serbia to Bar in Montenegro (or vice versa) traverses 435 bridges over deep gorges, meanders through stunning mountain passes and quaint towns resembling frontier outposts, and follows bright, turquoise lakes and rivers. The trip takes a solid 11 hours, though it may take longer if the train experiences any breakdowns, which unfortunately can occur.

6. Rhodope Railway, Bulgaria

Travel back in time on Bulgaria’s last active narrow-gauge railway, which runs between the quaint towns of Septemvri and Dobrinishte in western Bulgaria. This line connects isolated mountain villages and serves as a routine commuter train for locals, yet its tranquil views of farmland, gorges, and forests attract tourists. Fun fact: The highest train station in the Balkans is Avramovo, sitting at 1,267 meters above sea level, and this train will take you there, giving you a chance to snap a quick photo before you hop back on to continue your journey.

7. Flåmsbana, Norway

Can you think of any other trains that pause for a moment so passengers can marvel at a magnificent, thundering waterfall? Kjosfossen waterfall is just one of the stunning features of the Flåm railway line, which carries travelers from one of Norway’s most breathtaking fjords, starting at just two meters above sea level, up to the mountain station of Myrdal, perched at 876 meters. Frequently acclaimed as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world, it is also among the most dramatic, with 80 percent of the route operating on a 5.5 percent gradient.

8. Bernina Express, Switzerland

This journey can be enjoyed year-round. In summer, you’ll meander through sun-drenched green Swiss meadows, while a winter visit reveals a stunning snowy landscape. The Bernina Express features large windows for optimal viewing, but here’s a handy tip: if you’re okay trading the elegance of the Bernina Express for a more casual experience, consider taking one of the regional trains along the same path, which allows for hop-on, hop-off flexibility with the same ticket. The journey begins in Tirano, Italy, weaving around the famous Brusio spiral viaduct and ascending into the mountains. After reaching the summit over 2,000 meters high, you’ll descend through the stark Bernina Pass and breathtaking Alpine valleys, eventually arriving in Chur, Switzerland.

9. Sarajevo to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This train ride might just be one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. As the train meanders through rolling hills, you’ll be treated to sweeping views reminiscent of Jurassic Park, passing by deep gorges and vibrant emerald lakes. While the journey itself is rewarding, it also links two of the most intriguing cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Discover Sarajevo’s rich history, from the Latin Bridge—site of Franz Ferdinand’s assassination that sparked World War I—to the Tunnel of Hope, which was used for supply transport during the Bosnian War siege. The city is also celebrated for its delicious cuisine, vibrant coffee culture, and diverse architecture. After exploring, make your way to Mostar to see the Stari Most bridge—an experience you must have at least once in your life.

10. Jacobite Express, Scotland

Most people recognize this train as the Hogwarts Express. This steam locomotive elegantly travels over the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct, famously featured in the Harry Potter films. It operates between Fort William and Mallaig, offering passengers breathtaking views of Scotland’s spectacular Highlands, from Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Britain, to Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater lake. Once you arrive in Mallaig, you can extend your adventure by taking a ferry to the Isle of Skye, where you’ll find countless hiking trails amidst enchanting landscapes.