Last Update: August 2026
Europe is made for rail travel. A train can take you from Norwegian fjords to Alpine passes, historic viaducts, and coastal cities without turning the journey into a race between airports.
Below are ten memorable train routes to consider for your next European trip. Some are regular railway lines, while others are panoramic, heritage, or luxury experiences. For each one, you’ll find the route, a good time to go, and the details that make the journey worth taking.
Index
10 Iconic Train Routes in Europe
Each of these scenic train journeys offers a different way to experience Europe, from dramatic mountain passes to coastal landscapes and historic railway lines.
Rauma Line, Norway
- Route: Åndalsnes to Dombås
- Best Time to Go: June to September
The Rauma Line is a compact scenic journey through some of Norway’s most dramatic mountain landscapes. The route between Åndalsnes and Dombås is about 115 km long and takes roughly 1.5 hours, depending on the service.
Along the way, look out for Trollveggen, Kylling Bridge, the Rauma River, and the wilderness around Reinheimen National Park. The line crosses 32 bridges and six tunnels. Summer brings long daylight hours and green valleys, while colder months can transform the route into a snowy mountain journey.
The train has large windows so you can admire all the beautiful sites in this Nordic country. Stay alert to witness Trollveggen, Europe’s highest perpendicular rock face, stunning green valleys, rocky peaks, and the emerald green River Rauma. The Rauma Line train carriages are modern and have air conditioning to make your journey comfortable. You can easily access the restrooms. The train also has a wheelchair lift for passengers with health impairments.
Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy
- Route: Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy
- Best Time to Go: May to October, or winter for snowy Alpine views
The Bernina Express crosses the Swiss Alps and descends into northern Italy on one of Europe’s best-known panoramic rail journeys. From Chur, the route passes over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels before reaching Tirano.
Highlights include the Landwasser Viaduct, the Bernina Pass, glaciers, mountain lakes, and the Brusio Circular Viaduct. The Albula and Bernina railway landscapes have been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. A separate seat reservation is required for the Bernina Express panoramic service.
The route is a real treat with scenic views of the Swiss Alps, the Italian Alps, tunnels, bridges, beautiful villages, lush green valleys, snow-filled mountains, and blossoming flowers. You can access short-notice seat reservations on both classes of service on Bernina Express. The train has huge panoramic windows that go up to the ceiling so you can view the highest peaks of the Alps.
Bergen Railway, Norway
- Route: Oslo to Bergen
- Best Time to Go: May to September for long daylight; winter for snow
The Bergen Line connects Oslo and Bergen across Norway’s high mountain country. The railway is about 471 km long, and the full journey usually takes around 6.5 to 7.5 hours.
The train climbs across the Hardangervidda plateau and passes Finse before descending toward western Norway. If scenery is your priority, choose a daytime departure. Vy also publishes seat-side advice for different sections of the route, which can help when you book.
Some days, if you get lucky, you may see the biggest wild reindeer herd in Europe along the train line. The reindeer herd has over 9,000 animals that move like a surging carpet over the landscape. Start the train ride in the morning to enjoy the scenes throughout the journey.
Travel Tip: For the best Hardangervidda views from Oslo, choose a seat on the left side of the train. If the western fjords and valleys are your priority, the right side is usually better. The sides are reversed when traveling from Bergen.
Semmering Railway, Austria
- Route: Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag
- Best Time to Go: All year round
The Semmering Railway is a UNESCO-listed mountain railway built in the mid-19th century. It holds the world record for the first mountain railway line. The historic section runs for about 41 km between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag through a dramatic Alpine landscape.
Its engineering is part of the attraction: the route includes 14 tunnels, 16 major viaducts, and more than 100 smaller stone bridges. Unlike a dedicated sightseeing train, the Semmering route is part of Austria’s working rail network, so it is easy to build into a wider itinerary.
Besides the spectacular landscapes, there are beautiful views of 57 outstanding cottages for railway staff spaced out along the train line. Semmering Railway offers children’s entertainment if you are traveling with kids, power sockets, disabled facilities, a snack trolley, and a toilet.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
- Route: Zermatt to St Moritz
- Best Time to Go: May to October or December to March
The Glacier Express links Zermatt and St. Moritz on an approximately eight-hour panoramic journey through the Swiss Alps. The train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels.
The route includes the Rhine Gorge, the Oberalp Pass, and sections of the UNESCO-listed Albula Line. Panoramic windows make this one of the easiest ways to spend a full day watching the landscape change. Seat reservations are mandatory, and the train has seasonal operating breaks, so check the current timetable before booking.
Alongside the breathtaking views, Glacier Express offers you luxury dining if you travel in the Excellence Class carriage. You get a five-course meal complemented by French or Swiss wine. A popular menu is the cheese tart, smoked trout, and beef tenderloin.
Travel Tip: A valid ticket is not enough for the Glacier Express; a seat reservation is mandatory. For 1st and 2nd class, reservations open up to 93 days before departure, so set a reminder if your travel dates are fixed.
Venice Simplon Orient-Express, UK, France & Italy
- Route: Paris to Venice on selected departures
- Best Time to Go: Spring to fall; check the current departure calendar
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is less about getting from A to B and more about the journey itself. Restored Art Deco carriages, formal dining, and private cabins turn the overnight trip into a classic luxury rail experience.
Paris–Venice remains one of its signature itineraries, although Belmond also operates selected journeys between other European cities. Departure dates and routes vary by season, so this is one trip to plan around the train’s calendar rather than adding the train to a fixed itinerary at the last minute.
The Venice Simplon Orient Express offers you stylish and private sleeping cabins and luxury dining to allow you to enjoy every hour of your full-day travel. Besides the luxurious facilities, you also get amazing views of the European scenery, such as historic attractions, scenic villages, and rolling hills. The train has outstanding Art Deco themes and top-notch customer service standards. You can explore the three exquisite dining carriages and the dreamy champagne car with live piano music and drinks.
Cévennes Line, France
- Route: Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes
- Best Time to Go: April to June or September to October
The rail route between Clermont-Ferrand and Nîmes crosses a quieter part of France through the Massif Central and the Cévennes. Expect river valleys, stone viaducts, wooded slopes, and small towns rather than a polished panoramic-train experience.
The most scenic sections pass through places such as Langeac, Langogne, Villefort, and Chamborigaud. Through services and connections can vary by date, so check the exact SNCF itinerary before you book. Spring and early fall are especially appealing if you want milder weather and greener landscapes.
North York Moors Railway, England
- Route: Pickering to Whitby
- Best Time to Go: Spring to fall; check the seasonal timetable
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a 24-mile heritage railway through the North York Moors. Services run between Pickering and Whitby, with stops including Levisham, Newtondale Halt, Goathland, and Grosmont.
Steam and heritage diesel services are part of the experience, and Goathland Station is recognizable as Hogsmeade from the first Harry Potter film. Operations are seasonal and can change because of engineering work or special events, so use the railway’s current timetable rather than relying on fixed annual dates.
The picturesque rolling scenery of the beautiful North Yorkshire Moors and the outstanding Pullman carriages used in Downton Abbey will leave you with lingering memories. Even though the NYMR trains lack modern facilities, the steam trains work conveniently. You can dine in transit and request goodies like flowers, chocolate, champagne, and fine wines. The railway has an annual ticket of £45 and is free for children with pass holders.
Brocken Railway, Germany
- Route: Drei Annen Hohne to Brockenbahnhof-set
- Best Time to Go: Year-round; winter for snowy scenery
The Brocken Railway climbs through the Harz National Park to the Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany. The 19 km section from Drei Annen Hohne takes about 50 minutes and is still regularly worked by steam locomotives.
The combination of forest, mountain weather, and steam traction gives the journey a strong sense of nostalgia. Winter can be especially atmospheric, but conditions on the Brocken change quickly. Check the operator’s timetable and service updates before heading to the station.
If you take the Brocken Railway, expect to experience tight turns, snowy landscapes, and dramatic valleys. In the train, passengers sit in cozy carriages with bench-style seats, with each space accommodating two people. The train windows are operable, allowing you to breathe clean mountain air as the train climbs the line. The experience is quite nostalgic due to the steam engine noises, the clacking of the tracks, and the hissing of the engine.
Golden Eagle Danube Express, Turkey to Hungary
- Route: Istanbul to Budapest via Bulgaria and Romania
- Best Time to Go: Selected spring and fall departures
The Golden Eagle Danube Express offers multi-day luxury rail journeys across Central and Eastern Europe. Its Castles of Transylvania itinerary runs from Istanbul to Budapest through Bulgaria and Romania.
This is a rail cruise rather than a point-to-point train. The itinerary combines overnight travel, private cabins, meals, and organized excursions, including stops in Transylvania. Departures are limited to selected dates, so it works best as the centerpiece of a trip rather than a spontaneous add-on.
The Golden Eagle Danube Express train allows passengers to explore some of the most scenic parts of Eastern Europe. It also allows them to experience the thrill of a luxurious hotel on wheels. You can order drinks and food from the first-class Bar Lounge car and the other two restaurant cars. There are numerous staff on board and cabin attendants to cater to the guests’ needs. The train has an amazing atmosphere with piano recitals and comfortable compartments with private bathrooms. Ensure you spend some time in the cocktail lounge socializing with fellow guests.
Ready for a European Rail Adventure?
Europe’s most memorable train journeys are about much more than getting from one place to another. On routes through the Alps, Norwegian mountains, or the English countryside, the journey becomes part of the experience.
Choose a route that fits the kind of trip you want to take, whether that means panoramic mountain views, a nostalgic steam train, or an overnight journey in classic luxury. Europe’s extensive rail network connects major cities with smaller towns, mountains, and coastal destinations, making it easy to build a wider trip around one unforgettable train ride.
Sometimes, the best part of a rail journey is simply having the time to sit back, watch the landscape change, and enjoy the distance between one destination and the next.
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