Rail Europe has teamed up with top travel journalist and rail expert Anthony Lambert to produce its guide to the best scenic rail routes in Europe. Anthony has chosen his ten favourite journeys covering countries including Norway, France, Slovenia and Italy.
With more and more people looking for greener ways to travel, the train offers not only an environmentally sustainable mode of transport, but also one of the most scenic. Sit back and enjoy the ride with some of Europe’s most beautiful countryside passing by and make the journey an enjoyable part of the holiday.
The full Scenic Routes Guide is available at www.raileurope.co.uk/scenicroutes, with details of all the journeys, must see highlights of each destination, journey times and fares.
Oslo to Bergen, Norway
Travel through some of Norway’s most spectacular scenery on this 489km journey. Passing fjords and mountains you’ll understand why the line was used as a location in The Empire Strikes Back.
One way fares start at £93.50 per person
Nîmes to Clermont Ferrand, France
Crossing the wild country of the Cevennes in southern France this line passes through 106 tunnels and over almost 1,300 bridges, including the impressive 41 arch Chamborigaud Viaduct.
One way fares start at £34 per person
Cologne to Frankfurt, Germany
Train lines run along some of the most scenic stretches of the River Rhine between Cologne and Frankfurt. To make the most of the views and to see all of the many castles that line the route, it’s worth travelling both the east and west bank routes.
One way fares start at £45 per person
Glacier Express – Zermatt to St Moritz, Switzerland
One of Europe’s most famous scenic rail routes, the Glacier Express offers panoramic carriages to make the most of the amazing Alpine scenery. At a height of 2033m above sea level, the crossing of the Oberalp Pass is one of the many highlights of this journey.
One way fares start at £92 per person
Geneva, Switzerland to Milan, Italy
Although taking just 4 ½ hours, this international route is full of contrast, passing Lake Geneva, the World Heritage Site of the Lavaux Vineyard Terraces, the Rhone Valley and Lake Maggiore on its way between Switzerland and Italy.
One way fares start at £17.50 per person
Le Petit Train Jaune – Villefranche to Latour de Carol, France
True to its name, this little scenic train really is bright yellow. Crossing the Pyrenees, the open carriages that run in the summer months allow the best views of the mountains, gorges and rolling pasture lands, as well as spectacular viaducts that cross the river valleys.
One way fares start at £17 per person
Jesinice to Sezana, Slovenia
If you’re visiting Slovenia, its worth moving away from the Slovenian capital Ljubljana to follow the route from Jesinice to Sezana, known as the Bohinj Railway. Passing the beautiful Lake Bled and crossing numerous rivers and the wild Kras plateau, this is one of Eastern Europe’s best railway journeys.
One way fares start at £20 per person
Verona, Italy to Innsbruck, Austria
On its way through the foothills of the Dolomites, this international line passes the vineyards of the Trentino, reputed to produce some of Italy’s best wines. Picture postcard Tyrolean villages dot the landscape on the way to the Brenner Pass, one of the main rail routes through the Alps.
One way fares start at £17.50 per person
Marseille, France to Rome, Italy
Much of this journey hugs the coastline, travelling along the French Mediterranean coast and the Italian Ligurian coast. Beautiful views of the Riviera and the colourful villages of the Cinque Terre make this journey a must, but it’s worth taking a few days to make the trip.
One way fares start at £83 per person
Ronda to Algeciras, Spain
The hills and mountains of Andalusia provide the backdrop for this journey, linking Ronda, one of southern Spain’s most popular tourist sites with the port town of Algeciras. Typical whitewashed towns and villages line the route along with fields of wheat, sugar cane and cork trees.
One way fares start at £16.50 per person
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