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6 of the best scenic train rides in Europe

Tips

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Tips

Cinque Terre by rail: a complete guide

3rd Apr 2025 • 7 min read

The Cinque Terre Express cuts through cliffs to pastel-hued villages in the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park. Read our guide to find out all about it.

Unpacked

Introducing Byway Maps

3rd Apr 2025 • 3 min read

Harriet sits down with Product Designer, Kurt, to discuss Byway Maps: the latest product launch that allows users to design their own itinerary onto a map.

Tips

EU/UK 2025: rules, regulations and events

14th Mar 2025 • 6 min read

Everything you need to know about new rules, regulations and events in Europe 2025, and how they might affect your plans.

Tips

Visiting Scotland: A Guide

7th Mar 2025 • 13 min read

Everything you need to know about visiting Scotland, the land of glens, lochs and peaks—where and when to go, things to see and do, and how to get around.

Inspiration

A fortnight in the Highlands

4th Mar 2025 • 9 min read

Glens, munros, and lochs: Byway travellers Hannah and Ben share their itinerary for a week-long jaunt to the Highlands and the Isle of Skye. 

Inspiration

Top honeymoons

25th Feb 2025 • 3 min read

Honeymoons are the height of the romantic getaway. From classic spots to alternative destinations, read on for our top honeymoon itineraries.

Tips

The Brenner Pass route

21st Feb 2025 • 5 min read

One of Europe's most scenic train journeys, the Brenner Pass route from Munich to Verona spans Germany, Austria and Italy. Read on to find out all about it.

Tips

The Douro Valley by train

14th Feb 2025 • 6 min read

Read about travelling the Douro Line, one of Europe's most scenic railways through Portugal's Douro Valley, complete with Wes Anderson-esque carriages.

Inspiration

Katie Edwards: capturing tulips by train

13th Feb 2025 • 4 min read

Katie Edwards has found her niche capturing the world through train windows. We chatted with her about her colourful Tulips by Train series.

Tips

The Glacier Express route

7th Feb 2025 • 8 min read

Billed as the 'slowest express train in the world', the Glacier Express route is one of the best in the world, but why is the local train is the way to go?

Inspiration

7 Hours in Lille

6th Feb 2025 • 3 min read

Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or simply craving a unique and less obvious destination, it’s the perfect spot for a day of discovery.

Tips

A dog-friendly trip through the Netherlands

5th Feb 2025 • 7 min read

Dog-friendly travel expert, Lottie, presents her curated itinerary for exploring the Netherlands with your dog.

Tips

A dog-friendly trip through France

5th Feb 2025 • 7 min read

Dog-friendly travel expert, Lottie, presents her curated itinerary for exploring France with your dog.

Tips

A dog-friendly trip through Northern Italy

5th Feb 2025 • 10 min read

Dog-friendly travel expert, Lottie, presents her curated itinerary for exploring northern Italy with your dog.

Tips

A guide to dog-friendly travel in Europe

5th Feb 2025 • 8 min read

Dog-friendly travel expert, Lottie Gross, dives into how to plan for a trip across Europe by train, dog in tow.

Tips

Meet the Seat61 chatbot, powered by Byway

4th Feb 2025 • 4 min read

Byway and Seat61 announce a new chatbot collaboration to help people plan holidays around Europe by land and sea.

Inspiration

In praise of winter travel

3rd Feb 2025 • 2 min read

Harriet Matthews dives into the wonder of winter travel.

Inspiration

Overland to Tunisia

31st Jan 2025 • 10 min read

Travel journalist Diana Jarvis puts Byway's latest region offering to the test: Tunisia, overland.

Inspiration

The joy of off-season travel

29th Jan 2025 • 2 min read

Harriet Matthews spotlights the cool and quiet of classic summer destinations during the off-season.

Tips

The Rhaetian Railway: the Bernina route

29th Jan 2025 • 5 min read

Discover the best way to travel along one of Europe's most scenic railways, the UNESCO-World Heritage listed Bernina route.

Inspiration

Where to go in April by train

27th Jan 2025 • 3 min read

From tulip fields to tapas feasts

Tips

The West Highland Line

22nd Jan 2025 • 9 min read

The West Highland Line is one of the most celebrated railways in the world, but which train should you take to explore it and what will you see on the way?

Inspiration

A manifesto for wonder

16th Jan 2025 • 4 min read

Many are familiar with the seven wonders of the world. But in pursuit of travel must-dos, could wonder - the feeling - be something we’ve lost along the way?

Inspiration

Byway x First Choice

1st Jan 2025 • 2 min read

First Choice and Byway have partnered up to provide First Choice customers with flight-free holidays. Read on to find out more about our partnership.

Inspiration

Sarah’s dream Croatia trip

1st Jan 2025 • 1 min read

Read about (and book) Sarah's dream, flight-free Croatia trip by sleeper train, with sunset views of Swiss mountains from cosy cabins.

Inspiration

Where to go in March by train

18th Dec 2024 • 4 min read

Carnivals, moderate weather and nature putting on a show. Here are the best things to do in March

Inspiration

Where to go in February by train

4th Dec 2024 • 4 min read

From ice skating to carnivals, here are the best places to visit in February.

Inspiration

In search of ‘the other side’ of Tuscany

27th Nov 2024 • 9 min read

Tuscany conjures images of vineyards, cypress trees and Renaissance art. But the westernmost edge of Italy’s most loved region remains untapped by tourists.

Tips

Where the Byway team are booking for themselves

23rd Nov 2024 • 3 min read

In the spirit of inspiration and early booking, we pass the pen around the office to hear what the Byway team are booking for the year ahead.

Inspiration

Travel trends 2025

4th Nov 2024 • 9 min read

Looking ahead to 2025, the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, it’s the perfect time to rekindle a love for rail

Tips

Why take the local train?

30th Oct 2024 • 6 min read

Regional trains are the backbone of local rail networks. But why might opting for local trains over high-speed offer a better travel experience? Read on.

Inspiration

How to: Christmas markets

25th Oct 2024 • 3 min read

Christmas markets: the merry, winter long weekender. Magical, sweet, and delightfully kitsch. But how do you *do* Christmas markets by train??

Unpacked

Should there be a frequent flyer tax?

24th Oct 2024 • 3 min read

A report by Stay Grounded and the New Economics Foundation has found that a frequent flyer levy could reduce flight emissions by 21% and raise £54bn a year.

Tips

Best travel apps: top 22

23rd Oct 2024 • 1 min read

Wondering how to get the most out of your trip? Read on for our list of the best travel apps to make your adventure even smoother.

Inspiration

In conversation with Hidden Europe

17th Oct 2024 • 10 min read

Harriet Matthews speaks to the brains behind Hidden Europe in celebration of the 18th edition of Europe by Rail: the definitive guide.

Tips

What is Interrailing: a complete guide

16th Oct 2024 • 7 min read

What is Interrailing and how does it work? Read on for our guide to Interrail, setting up your passes and how to get the most out of your Interrail experience.

Unpacked

How our carbon labelling works

16th Oct 2024 • 4 min read

Travellers can now see the impact of any Byway trip. Read more to find out how our carbon calculations work.

Inspiration

How the train became scary

26th Sep 2024 • 3 min read

We're unearthing the sinister side of trains. What is it about the train carriage that's been such an inspiration for ghost stories, who-dun-its & thrillers?

Inspiration

Inside the train carriage

20th Sep 2024 • 3 min read

Trains were made for more than the daily commute. Read on for our insider deep-dive into the train carriage: the weird, and the wonderful.

Inspiration

The top 10 most beautiful train stations

11th Sep 2024 • 6 min read

From relics of the Railway golden age to contemporary architectural wonders, read on for our top ten most beautiful stations.

Inspiration

In praise of lateness

10th Jul 2024 • 3 min read

Lateness gets a bad rep. But late isn't always bad.

Unpacked

Sustainability and social impact

7th Jul 2024 • 5 min read

Can travel and tourism support social sustainability and have a positive social impact on local communities?

Inspiration

An ode to British island idyll

14th Jun 2024 • 3 min read

Harriet Matthews on how to get a hit of island escapism right on your doorstep.

Unpacked

What to expect: sleeper train 101

16th May 2024 • 8 min read

A guide to sleeper trains (and overnight ferries) answering some of the most common questions we get asked about overnight journeys.

Tips

9 of the best sleeper trains and ferries in Europe

16th May 2024 • 27 min read

With more and more sleeper routes popping up across Europe, which are the best ones? And where can they take you?

Tips

Europe train travel 101

8th Apr 2024 • 6 min read

Step aboard Europe’s trains for a journey through landscapes—skip the skies and discover wonder by land and sea.

Tips

An American’s guide to vacations in Europe

11th Jan 2024 • 10 min read

Planning a trip to Europe? From visas to tipping, here’s everything you need to know for a hassle-free, unforgettable vacation.

Inspiration

2024 travel trends

24th Nov 2023 • 5 min read

Our 2024 predictions celebrate this accelerated shift towards sustainable and off-the-beaten-path travel.

Unpacked

Sustainable ski, unpacked

4th Oct 2023 • 5 min read

An in-depth review into the future of Europe’s ski resorts and asking whether skiing can ever be sustainable.

Inspiration

Socioeconomic travel

31st Jul 2023 • 4 min read

Harriet Matthews explores the meaning of social sustainability, and five places harnessing the power of travel for good.

Unpacked

How not to be an overtourist

6th Apr 2023 • 4 min read

Hotspot tourist destinations are groaning under the weight of too many visitors. How do we make sure we don’t contribute to overtourism?

Inspiration

The Highlands: as seen by Megan and Scott

21st Sep 2020 • 6 min read

Byway customers Megan and Scott, from London, have recently returned from their slow travel adventure in the Scottish Highlands.

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