scotland highlands train

The Most Scenic Train Routes in Europe

There is an abundance of spectacular sights in Europe, and the railway is probably the best means to experience those breathtaking views.

Get settled in your seat, strap on your seatbelt and gaze out the window to see the magic unfold. We have compiled a list of the ten best routes, which transport passengers from one destination to another, and also make them marvel at the wonderful sites they are passing through.

10. Venice-Munich Railway, Italy, Germany

If you hop on the direct train taking you from Venice to Munich, you will certainly be rewarded with outstanding views.

The train goes through Italian valleys, and the snowy mountains and arrives at Bavaria, which is said to be pretty stunning itself. The best part about this route is the journey alongside a river and amidst the Dolomites.  

Route: Venice-VeronaTrento-Innsbruck-Munich

Time Interval: The route is 7 hours long and has a distance of 450 km.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is in spring, summer, and fall.

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Image by Johannes Plenio from Pixabay
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9. Balkan Flexipass, Serbia, Montenegro

The Balkans are an extremely remarkable part of Europe, and Belgrade is the trendy capital of Serbia. After experiencing some intense nightlife, you must go see Bar, which is an old historical city on the Adriatic coast in Montenegro. The Balkan Express also comes with many other choices, which makes traveling extremely easy.

Route: Belgrade-Bar

Time Interval: The route is 10 hours long and has a distance of 550 km.

When to go:  The best season to experience this route is in summer.

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8. Train des Pignes, France

Train des Pignes is a private railway, which travels between the most striking places in France. As Provence is renowned for its beautiful nature and picture-perfect views, this trip should be a must on your bucket list.

The train passes through bridges, rivers, and small villages like Entrevaux and St Andre Les Alpes, and then finally reaches its true target, the capital of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region, Digne Les Bains.

Route: Nice-Digne les Bains

Time interval: The route is 3 hours long and has a distance of 145 km.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is in spring, summer, and fall.

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Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash
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Photo by Léonard Cotte on Unsplash

7. The Great British Heritage Route, United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has a plethora of historical sites, the most significant being the castles. The BritRail provides the service to amalgamate with the past of the Great British Heritage.

You can also select your journey from an abundance of fascinating routes. To see 580 sites, takes almost 15 days. You can also choose a short interval trip that best suits your interest.

Route: Inverness-Gwynedd

Time Interval: The entire route is 15 days long and has a distance of 500 km.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is spring and summer.

If you do ever make it to the UK make sure to check out Great Yarmouth

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6. The Chocolate Train, Switzerland

For all those food lovers, this is the train for you. This classic train provides luxurious service and travels amongst the beautiful Swiss Riviera and Lake Geneva, the train then makes a stop in Gruyère, famed for its cheese and castle. Lastly, the passengers arrive at the Cailler-Nestlé factory for the deluxe Swiss chocolate sampling.

Route: Montreux-Gruyères-Broc-and back

Time Interval: The route is 10 hours long and has a distance of 100 km.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is in summer and fall.

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5. The Scottish Highlands, Scotland

The most picture-perfect routes are the ones that are extreme. The Scottish Highlands goes through Ben Nevis; the tallest mountain in Britain, lakes Loch Morar and Loch Nevis, and River Morar.

You might be surprised to see some familiar routes, let us fill you in; you might have seen them in the Harry Potter saga. You can then have a scrumptious meal in Mallaig, known for its fresh seafood.

Route: Fort William-Glenfinnan-Arisaig-Mallaig-and back

Time Interval: The route is 2 hours long and has a distance of 135 km.

When to go: The best time to experience this route is from the 19th of May to the 25th of October.

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Photo by Jack Anstey on Unsplash
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4. The West Rhine Railway, Germany

The West Rhine Railway passes through the river Rhine and unveils the unrealistic beauty of Germany. The bumpy slopes right underneath old historic castles are certainly a treat to the eyes.

You can also hop off from the train, and explore the famous Lorelei rock in St. Goarshausen. Overall, it’s an extremely picturesque route, as it travels through the perfect German cities.

Route: Cologne-Bonn-Koblenz-Bingen-Mainz

How long is the route?  The route is 185 km long.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is in spring and fall.

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3. Madrid and Oviedo, Spain

This route takes you from the capital of Spain, Madrid to the Principality of Asturias capital, Oviedo. The entire trip is loved by all of its passengers.

The train passes through tiny Spanish villages, which is a common southern European countryside. When you pass through Asturias, the views become spectacular, even so, that you are entirely engrossed in it.

However, the landscape is beyond divine, when the train travels amidst the Picos de Europa Mountains.

Route: Madrid-Oviedo

Time interval: The route is 5 hours long and has a distance of 450 km.

When to go: The best season to experience this route is spring and autumn.

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2. The Rauma Railway, Norway

You definitely would not want to miss the breathtaking views of the Nordic country, especially through those huge crystal clear windows of the train.

As you might know, Norway is extremely renowned for its marvelous unspoiled nature, so experience the green valleys, emerald green River Rauma, and rocky peaks from your own eyes.

The train also travels through the highest vertical rock in Europe, Troll Wall. The altitude of the route ranges from 4 m to 659 m above sea level.

Route: Åndalsnes-Dombås

Time interval: The route is 1.5 hours long and has a distance of 114 km.

When to go: The best time to experience this route is from 29th May to 26 August.

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1. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy

The Bernina Express travels through picturesque nature, bridges, tunnels, and striking villages. The journey is from the Swiss to Italian Alps, and words don’t justice to the views you’ll witness on your way. The route from Chur to Tirano is also known to be a World Heritage Site.

Route: Chur-Thusis-Tirano-Lugano

Time interval: The route is 4 hours long and has a distance of 123 km.

When to go: April is the best month to experience this route.

Must read -> Best places to visit in Switzerland during Winter

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