6 of the best scenic train rides in Europe
Europe’s well-connected rail network offers some of the most scenic train rides in the world. These postcard-perfect journeys are often the best way to explore Europe’s most impressive scenery: from glacial mountains in Switzerland to terraced vineyards in Portugal, pastel-hued villages in Italy, or lush glens in Scotland.
Here are six of the top scenic train journeys in Europe.
Thomas Tucker
West Highland Line
Considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in the UK, the West Highland Line travels for 164-miles through Scotland’s ancient Highland landscapes. Large windows frame shifting scenes of mirrorlike lochs and craggy peaks, as the train carves through deep glens and across desolate moors. From Glasgow, the single-track railway sidles alongside Loch Lomond, before splitting into two branches at Crianlarich. Westward to Oban, you’ll catch a glimpse of the crumbling silhouette of Kilchurn Castle as you skirt Loch Awe. On the more famous route to Fort William and Mallaig, the expansive Rannoch Moor, where the track is floated without solid foundations, is a highlight. As is sweeping over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (of Harry Potter fame), its arches bending around Loch Shiel.
The perfect place to break the journey is Oban: a lively seaside town famous for its fresh seafood (try the Oban Seafood Hut as you watch the ferries depart to the Inner Hebrides), and Scotland’s oldest distillery. Meanwhile, from Mallaig you take the boat to visit Britain's most remote pub, The Old Forge, on the wild Knoydart Peninsula.
Read more about the West Highland Line.
Andri S
Bernina Express Route
One of the most famous train journeys in Europe, the Bernina route climbs Switzerland’s mountains, twisting through Alpine valleys and past glacial lakes. It crosses snowfields and limestone ridges, ascending to 2,253 metres before dropping into sunlit Italian valleys. This scenic train ride, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in its own right, is made up of two railway lines: the Albula and Bernina. The journey starts in Chur, Switzerland’s oldest city, and ends in the Italian town of Tirano. On the way, the train threads through the Albula Valley, crossing the Landwasser Viaduct and traversing cliff edges. Ospizio Bernina, the highest point, is a pale plateau ringed with peaks with the station on the banks of Lago di Bianco. On the dramatic descent, the tight coils of the Brusio spiral viaduct are a highlight.
Best stations to pause at? Alp Grüm, perched high in the mountains with panoramic views of the Palü Glacier, or Poschiavo, a lively Italian-speaking town that is the perfect place to grab an artisan gelato at Bio-Bistro Semadeni.
Read more about the Bernina Express route.
Kevin Schmid
Glacier Express Route
This scenic train ride along the Glacier Express route is an epic crossing of the Swiss Alps, with 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz. One of Europe’s most famous train journeys, the route cuts through high passes, deep valleys and forest-covered mountainsides. The train crosses the Landwasser Viaduct near Filisur, curving above a sheer drop, then crawls through tunnels towards the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the line at 2,033 metres. On the descent, the Rhine Gorge (known as Switzerland's Grand Canyon) suddenly opens up, revealing a huge rock corridor carved by ice and water with pale cliffs surrounding the river below.
The famed ski resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz are the headline towns. Alternatively, stop at Disentis/Mustér for its Benedictine monastery, or Andermatt, a former mountain garrison turned winter sports hub, high in the Urseren Valley. Top tip: connect local services to experience this celebrated Alpine route without the premium price tag of the Glacier Express.
Read more about the Glacier Express route.
Justin Owers
Douro Line
The Linha do Douro (Douro Line) is Portugal’s most scenic railway. Running from Porto to the small town of Pocinho, this famous rail route follows the Douro River east into Portugal’s UNESCO-listed wine-growing region. Inside, the train carriages themselves feel like a Wes Anderson film, with retro panelling, bold colours, and wide windows framing the river. This picturesque train ride is a leisurely, looping journey. The train hugs the river for much of the route, especially after Peso da Régua, where the scenery sharpens: terraced vineyards rising from riverbanks, hillside farms, and villages high above the tracks.
Pinhão is the best place to stop, with its famous blue-tiled station and easy access to river cruises and local wineries, such as Quinta do Bomfim, Quinta das Carvalhas and Quinta do Noval. A lesser-known spot is a small picnic area with a fancy wine bar and river views. Use the what3words address, ‘//copper.jingle.soundset’, to find it.
Read more about the Douro Line.
Tom Podmore
Cinque Terre Express
The Cinque Terre Express links the five candy-coloured Cinque Terre villages (Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso) between La Spezia and Levanto, in the UNESCO-listed Cinque Terre National Park. While the track spends much of its time in tunnels, it’s the stops that steal the show and the intervals on this scenic train ride reveal flashes of Ligurian coastline.
Each village has its own rhythm: pastel houses stacked like dominoes and clinging to cliffs, fishing boats lazing on stone harbours, and café tables perched above the sea. The convenience of this famous train journey makes it the best option for navigating this hilly terrain and means you can easily explore multiple villages in a single day (or take your time to linger a little longer). For ease of access, seaside piazzas and sunset viewpoints, Vernazza and Manarola are ideal stops. Corniglia, the only village built away from the sea, rewards the climb from the station with a quieter vibe and easier coastal trails.
Read more about the Cinque Terre Express.
Liberaler Humanist/CC BY-SA 3.0
Brenner Pass route
One of the most scenic train rides in Europe, the Brenner Pass railway is one of the oldest trans-Alpine routes in Europe (and one of the least known to travellers). Linking Munich to Venice, this beautiful train journey passes through a patchwork of landscapes: Bavarian countryside, Alpine ridges, Italian wine valleys, and old imperial cities with a foot in two cultures. As the train climbs from Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass, the highest point on the line, the scenery shifts. Forested slopes give way to jagged mountain summits. Then, as you pass South Tyrol, German signs give way to Italian, and vineyards spread out in rows, before the flat plains of the Veneto transport you into Venice.
This scenic rail route is rich in contrasts, from landscapes to languages, culture to cuisine. Stop at Bolzano, known for its wine production and hiking in the Dolomites (if you’re staying over), or pause in Verona to explore the city’s Roman amphitheatre and elegant piazzas.
Read more about the Brenner Pass.
If you want to learn about Europe's local trains (and why they're the best way to explore the most scenic rail routes across the continent), read our blog post.