Top Train Rides in Europe: 10 Incredible Journeys for 2024

There’s a certain enchantment to traveling by train.

Sometimes the enchantment lies within – aboard a train, you can stretch out, socialize, enjoy meals in a restaurant car with elegant table settings, and rest in a private compartment with fresh linens, lulled by the sound of wheels gliding along the tracks. Other times, the magic unfolds outside, showcasing the breathtaking landscapes the train passes through – an adventure and a glimpse into the soul of a nation.

Here are some of Europe’s most stunning train rides – some famous, others hidden gems, some luxurious and pricey, while others are excellent value. From pastoral scenes and mountain villages to alpine trails and iconic bridges (with a chance to spot wildlife along the way), the continent boasts some of the world’s most picturesque train journeys.

Highlighting the best train experiences in Europe are the remarkable Bernina Express, the most captivating Swiss Alpine journey, and the breathtaking railway from Belgrade to Bar that winds through the mountains of Montenegro. The latter is one of the most scenic rides you may not have heard of, offering an incredible fare of just €21. Here are the 10 finest train journeys in Europe, drawn from Dinogo Planet's Amazing Train Journeys.

1. Settle to Carlisle, England

Route: Settle to Carlisle Highlight? Admiring the Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the most stunning sights in northern England, ideally while a steam train rushes overhead. Distance: 113 km (73 miles) Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

The Settle-to-Carlisle line in England is well-known for its efforts to protect beautiful and historic railways. However, it is not merely a heritage line. It is an integral part of the British rail network, regularly serviced by mainline trains and frequently featuring special steam excursions, as well as the occasional steam-hauled mainline service.

Whether it's the scent of steam wafting through the air or the rumble of diesel engines in the background, the vistas from the carriages are truly unparalleled on England's railway network.

Passengers can gaze upon endless stretches of breathtaking Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines landscapes, punctuated only by charming stations that seem like they belong on a biscuit tin.

2. Le Petit Train Jaune, France

Route: Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol Highlight: Holding your breath while you traverse the astonishing Pont Gisclard. Distance: 63km (39 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Since 1910, the charming, sunflower-yellow coaches of the Ligne de Cerdagne have been clattering through the picturesque forests and jagged mountains of the Pyrenees, endearing themselves to countless French travelers.

Endearingly nicknamed the Canary, or Le Petit Train Jaune (Little Yellow Train), this mountain railway is often hailed as the most picturesque in France. It's not a luxury experience, but rather a thrilling ride where you’ll feel the wind in your hair and the brisk mountain air as you climb to the highest train station in France. On y va!

3. Belgrade-to-Bar Railway, Serbia and Montenegro

Route: Belgrade to Bar Highlight: Suspending above the 499m-long (1637ft), 198m-tall (650ft) Mala Rijeka Viaduct, one of the tallest railway bridges in the world, before gliding over Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans. Distance: 476km (296 miles) Duration: 12 hours

Dramatic best describes this journey, which rolls through an untouched, mountainous terrain from Serbia's capital, Belgrade, to Montenegro’s Adriatic Coast. Over the course of 12 hours, the train delves into the Dinaric Alps, surges through canyons, balances on stilted bridges crossing river gorges, and glides over an ancient tectonic lake.

Like the region it traverses, this railway that weaves through the heart of the Western Balkans remains off the radar for many tourists. For those adventurous enough to seek it out, the journey offers a wealth of authentic culture and untouched natural beauty at every turn.

4. The Bernina Express, Switzerland

Route: Chur to Tirano Highlight: Gazing at the stunning turquoise waters of Lago Bianco from the route’s highest point, Ospizio Bernina (2253m/7392ft). Distance: 156km (96 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

We could rave about the glacier-covered peaks, waterfall-laden gorges, gem-like lakes, and sprawling spruce forests visible through panoramic windows on Switzerland’s Bernina Express – but experiencing it firsthand is truly essential.

Traveling from Chur in Graubünden to Tirano in northern Italy in roughly four hours, this narrow-gauge train frequently ranks among the world’s most picturesque rail journeys. It’s undoubtedly one of the most scenic train rides in Switzerland.

Beyond the breathtaking Alpine scenery, the railway itself is a marvel of early 20th-century engineering, featuring 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. This line is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site – and for good reason.

5. The Heart of Wales Line, Wales and England

Route: Swansea to Shrewsbury Highlight: Getting off at Dinogo Sugar Loaf Station for a stroll or picnic around the famous knoll that shares its name. Distance: 194km (121 miles) Duration: 4 hours

Experience the journey from Swansea to Shrewsbury in a wonderfully slow and, to be honest, surreal manner. This single-carriage train travels through Wales and England on tracks that could easily be from a museum or an out-of-print book, yet they have somehow survived as a functioning passenger route against all odds.

Prepare for a diverse range of landscapes, shifting from the sandy estuaries of South Wales, through charming farming towns and hidden forests, to one of England's most picturesque medieval cities. This four-hour journey, covering 34 stops, might not hit major landmarks, but it showcases a delightful array of quirky sights along the way.

6. Munich to Venice on the Brenner Railway, Germany, Austria and Italy

Route: Munich to Venice Best bit? Taking a break at Brenner Pass, soaring at 1371m (4498ft), the trip’s highest elevation. Distance: 563km (350 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

The Brenner Railway captivates with two main attractions: its majestic mountains and delightful vineyards. While there are technically more impressive high-altitude trains, this was the first to traverse the Alps back in the 1860s.

On a surprisingly quick day trip, you’ll journey through three countries—Germany, Austria, and Italy—descending from snow-capped peaks to sea level. Though highways accompany you, the vineyard vistas remain breathtaking. Plus, you’ll start and end in remarkable European cities rich in history: Munich and Venice.

7. The Kyle of Lochalsh Line, Scotland

Route: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Best bit? Gliding beneath the soft, grassy slopes of Fionn Bheinn, a munro towering over Achnasheen. Distance: 135km (84 miles) Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Scotland boasts a wealth of rugged railways, including the West Highland Line and the Far North Line to Thurso. Among them, the Kyle of Lochalsh Line stands out as perhaps the most solitary, as trains steadfastly travel from Inverness through barren glens and past snowy peaks, linking the frigid North Sea shores to the tumultuous Atlantic waters.

This railway line is a lyrical treasure cherished by enthusiasts, offering a vital route for independent travelers to explore remote areas of the Highlands and journey to the Isle of Skye.

8. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Route: Nova Gorica to Jesenice Best bit? Spotting the idyllic church and castle by the sparkling blue waters of Lake Bled. Distance: 89km (55 miles) Duration: 2 hours

This nearly flawless railway journey is a hidden gem few have discovered. It's easy to overlook, as the Bohinj Railway connects two locales whose importance might be lost on contemporary travelers. The shifting borders and politics of Europe have somewhat isolated the Nova Gorica–Jesenice line, enhancing its allure.

A modest regional train departs from a faded, grand station on the Italy–Slovenia border, offering no hint of the wonders ahead. This route is a spectacular journey through Slovenia's mountainous highlights, climbing through quaint towns and villages along the Soča River, traversing magnificent Alpine landscapes near Lake Bohinj, and passing the renowned Lake Bled, providing endless photo opportunities.

9. The Centovalli Express, Switzerland and Italy

Route: Domodossola to Locarno Best bit? Admiring the Isorno viaduct, the location of Switzerland’s inaugural bungee jump. Distance: 52km (32 miles) Duration: 2 hours

Often overshadowed by Switzerland’s more renowned train journeys, this two-hour ride from Locarno, nestled on the palm-fringed shores of Lake Maggiore, to Domodossola across the Italian border in Piedmont is a hidden gem of breathtaking beauty.

Practice your Italiano and harmonize with fellow travelers as the charming train rattles over 83 bridges and tunnels its way through 34 passages. The vistas are uplifting: cascading waterfalls alongside cliff views, lush hillside vineyards, elegantly curved viaducts, quaint slate-roofed villages, glacier-formed gorges, and endless stretches of chestnut and beech forests, all framed by snow-capped mountains in winter.

10. Bergensbanen, Norway

Route: Oslo to Bergen Best bit? Taking in the breathtaking scenery of Hardangervidda between Geilo and Finse. Distance: 496km (308 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

This remarkable train represents one of the marvels of 19th-century railway engineering, yet it remains largely unknown outside of Norway. In just over six hours, covering approximately 490km (300 miles), it showcases the diverse beauty of Norway: ascending canyons, crossing rivers, tunneling through mountains, gliding past fjords, and navigating desolate icy landscapes. Climb aboard the Oslo to Bergen train line, Bergensbanen: a gateway to Norway's breathtaking nature.