What are some great alternatives to the Trans-Siberian railway?

At Dinogo Planet, our dedicated team of writers and editors tackles your travel queries and shares tips to ensure a smooth journey. For any train-related questions, we rely on our resident rail expert, Tom Hall.

Question: I had intended to embark on a Trans-Siberian train journey in late 2023, but it seems unlikely now. Can you suggest other incredible routes in Europe?

Tom Hall: While Europe does feature some lengthy train journeys, nothing quite matches the cross-continental adventure of traveling east from Moscow for a week or more. As you've mentioned, that's currently off the table. Nevertheless, there are numerous fantastic routes available that will keep you on the move for a while.

A network of slender rail lines links the far-flung regions of the European continent. The longest route belongs to the Snälltåget train, which travels from Malmö, Sweden, to Innsbruck, Austria. This service primarily caters to Swedish skiers heading to the Alps, making the 1,075-mile (1,720 km) journey weekly in approximately 22 hours, stopping at various key Austrian towns that provide access to ski resorts.

Considering Sweden’s size and geography, you’ll discover two more long-haul heavyweights setting off from Stockholm in different directions. The robust daily service to Narvik in Norway, situated 137 miles inside the Arctic Circle, covers 916 miles (1,467 km) in 18 hours. Additionally, there are at least one and sometimes two sleeper trains linking Stockholm with Berlin, taking between 15 to 17.5 hours to traverse southern Sweden, Denmark, and northern Germany.

The longest train journey in the UK is the seemingly modest Cross Country service, which connects Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall. This 13-hour adventure spans nearly 800 miles (1,280 km) across a significant portion of Britain. It doesn’t have to be the final stop, though; from Penzance, the Scillonian ferry sails to the picturesque Isles of Scilly.

The essence of the Trans-Siberian – and possibly the experience you seek – is a journey full of surprises where you might enjoy a unique train picnic with fellow travelers as the scenery grows increasingly unfamiliar. For this kind of adventure, consider traveling to Turkey.

Beginning in Istanbul – which you might reach via a rail journey from somewhere else in Europe (Sofia, anyone?) – lies the captivating region of Anatolia. Istanbul’s Marmaray train swiftly glides beneath the Bosphorus to Söğütlüçeşme station on the Asian side, where a high-speed train then whisks you eastward to Ankara. Once in the Turkish capital, the Dogu Express (Doğu Ekspresi) takes 26 hours to travel 818 miles (1,310 km) to Kars in the country’s northeast, showcasing breathtaking views of Anatolian mountains and rivers. A tourist-oriented version of this train makes several stops on a 30-hour journey, but the regular service offers the classic experience.

Interestingly, the longest train journey by duration in Europe is the irregularly scheduled and privately operated train from Villach in Austria to Edirne in Turkey. Lasting around 34 hours – possibly longer due to border checks – this service is designed for Turkish expats traveling with their cars. It represents one of the last vestiges of a once much larger auto-train network in Europe, a fact you’ll have plenty of time to contemplate as you and your vehicle make your way across the southeastern part of the continent.