They say that using public transport is better for the planet than everybody driving everywhere. However, that’s not the only reason why you should think about hopping on a train more. You can see some of the most incredible sights through a train window, all of which you can enjoy without needing to keep an eye on the road. These are the top scenic train journeys found across Europe that you should absolutely consider exploring.
Explore a fairytale Germany by traveling from Bingen to Koblenz
Want to feel like you’re riding the train through a fairytale land? In that case, you should consider the Central Rhine Railway from Bingen to Koblenz in Germany. Across 38 miles, you’ll encounter historic castles and forested mountains that follow the Rhine River. You’ll also see where legend says that the siren Lorelei once lured sailors into the rocks. At less than an hour long, it’s one of the shorter scenic routes in Europe. However, it’s apparently best enjoyed throughout most of the year, with late fall and winter supposedly the only time it’s not at its best.
Dombås to Åndalsnes in Norway is one of Scandinavia’s most scenic routes
Scandinavia is a gorgeous area in Europe, so it’s no surprise that some of the most scenic train journeys in the continent are here. One of the best is the Rauma Line route from Dombås to Åndalsnes, which reportedly spans 70 miles and lasts 90 minutes. You’ll encounter plenty of jagged rocks and high peaks along this route, which follows the Rauma River and goes through the Reinheim National Park. Be sure to look out for Kylling Bridge and Trolleggen, the latter being Europe’s highest perpendicular rock face.
The Semmering Railway took a lot of work to make, but the sights are worth it
If you want a scenic European train route that you can enjoy at any time of the year, it’s worth flying to Austria. Here, you can spend 45 minutes traveling the 25.5 miles between Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag on the Semmering Railway. Requiring more than half a decade of construction and over 20,000 workers, this line takes in over a dozen tunnels and viaducts. The forested mountains and arched bridges also provide plenty of gorgeous sights along the way.
Take in gorgeous mountain views on the Bernina Express from Switzerland to Italy
As the home of some of Europe’s – if not the world’s – most iconic mountain ranges, there was no way that Switzerland wasn’t going to make it on this list. It’s actually the Bernina Express, which travels from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, that we reckon stands out the most. It reportedly takes four hours to travel the 76 miles, which includes stunning glaciers and a variety of mountain peaks. If you want to enjoy this route at its best, you should apparently consider riding it in the spring, particularly around April.
No matter what time of year you visit Europe, there’ll be a scenic train route worth exploring that will offer you the most amazing sights.
