Europe’s diverse landscape is perfect for exploring by rail, and a ‘rail renaissance’ has seen increasing numbers of holidaymakers swapping planes for trains, driven by a desire to travel more sustainably. Lonely Planet has ranked the world’s most incredible train journeys to take in 2025, and several European routes have made the list.
Whether you’re looking for an under-the-radar adventure or a luxurious sleeper train, a journey through snowcapped peaks or a cruise along the coast, there’s something for everyone in this pick of Europe’s most beautiful train routes.
Settle to Carlisle, UK
The stretch of railway between Settle, North Yorkshire, and Carlisle in Cumbria claimed the number one spot on Lonely Planet’s list of the most scenic train rides in Europe. The journey through the Yorkshire Dales passes the Ribblehead Viaduct, a 104-foot structure offering panoramic views across the national park. The route is part of the national rail network, and tickets are priced as low as £10.
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
The Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy
Travelling between the Swiss city of Chur and Italy’s Tirano, the Bernina Express route crosses the Alps via an impressive 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the 65-metre-high Landwasser Viaduct. Through the windows, passengers can drink in views of rugged peaks, quaint villages, and distant coastlines.
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Earn freebies for travelling by train
Some European destinations are offering incentives to visitors arriving by train, including free spas and £50 off hotel rooms. Tourists who choose to explore Switzerland by public transport can enjoy free entrance to over 500 museums with a Swiss Travel Pass, while Alpine ski resorts are offering discounts on lift passes and other services for visitors who arrive by train.
Read the full list of European destinations giving freebies for travelling by train here.
The Bergensbanen, Norway
Northern Europe’s highest railway, the Bergensbanen train travels through lush coniferous forest, past glassy lakes and onto dramatic views of deep fjords. The route’s highest point is Finse Station, about 1222 meters above sea level in a remote village surrounded by unspoiled wilderness.
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
The Caledonian Sleeper, UK
Widely regarded as one of the best sleeper trains in Europe, The Caledonian Sleeper travels between London Euston and Fort William, in the western Scottish Highlands. The overnight journey allows passengers to wine and dine in the buffet car before heading to bed in ensuite rooms, waking up the next morning to the captivating views of rural Scotland’s lochs and moors.
Duration: 12 hours 45 minutes
The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Rolling gently across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, the Glacier Express offers unobstructed views across the heart of the Swiss Alps, including jagged mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls and alpine meadows.
Duration: 8 hours
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Synonymous with glamour, passengers on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express experience world-class food and on-board service in restored 1920s dining cars, featuring plush velvet seating and polished wood panelling with intricate brass detailing — all while taking in postcard views of Europe’s diverse landscapes.
Duration: Two days
Metro insider travel tip
If you find yourself in the northwest of England and want a short journey with stunning views, Metro’s Jon Fellowes says the Chester to Shrewsbury stretch of the Holyhead to Cardiff line will tick all your boxes. Lasting just under an hour, the train trip weaves in and out of North Wales and features dramatic hills cloaked in fog, horses frolicking in rolling fields, and views stretching right down Welsh valleys, disappearing into woodland.
Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia
The regional trains that travel along this route may be modest, but the views across the undiscovered charms of Slovenia’s mountain towns certainly aren’t. The route passes over sparkling blue rivers via old stone bridges as it heads towards the imposing peaks of the Julian Alps, including a highlight involving passing by Lake Bled, a blue-green lake with a Gothic church perched on an island in the middle.
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cannes to Menton, France
Operated by SNCF, France’s state-owned railway company, the route along the French Riviera will only set you back around £12. The train is flanked by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, while on the other side of the track looms the jagged Massif de l’Esterel mountain range, where red rock stands out through the dark green trees.
Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes
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