Europe’s railways aren’t just a way to get around—they’re some of the most breathtaking journeys on the planet. From snow-capped Alpine peaks to dramatic Norwegian fjords, these scenic train routes transform travel into an unforgettable experience. And the best part? They’re all accessible with an Interrail or Eurail pass, making them affordable and easy to add to your European adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned rail traveler or planning your first Interrail trip, this guide covers the 13 most spectacular train journeys Europe has to offer. Grab your pass, pick your seat, and prepare for views that’ll have your camera working overtime.
1. Bernina Express (Switzerland)
The Vibe: Snow-capped peaks, glaciers, and palm trees in one ride. It’s the highest railway across the Alps and a UNESCO World Heritage site that takes you from icy mountain passes to Mediterranean warmth.
Route: Chur ➡️ Tirano (Italy)
Duration: ~4 hours
Best Side to Sit: Sit on the right side going south for the best views of the glaciers, including the stunning Morteratsch Glacier and the iconic Landwasser Viaduct.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation required: ~€20)
What Makes It Special: The Bernina Express crosses 196 bridges and goes through 55 tunnels, climbing to 2,253 meters at the Ospizio Bernina station. You’ll witness the dramatic transition from Swiss Alpine landscapes to Italian vineyards, passing turquoise lakes, spiraling viaducts, and charming mountain villages. The panoramic carriages offer floor-to-ceiling windows for unobstructed views.
Pro Tip: Travel in late spring (May-June) when the contrast between snow-covered peaks and blooming valleys is most dramatic. The Brusio Circular Viaduct—where the train loops around itself—is a photographer’s dream.
2. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
The Vibe: Dubbed “the slowest express train in the world,” this is Switzerland’s most famous scenic railway, connecting two legendary Alpine resorts through Europe’s most spectacular mountain scenery.
Route: Zermatt ➡️ St. Moritz (or vice versa)
Duration: ~8 hours
Best Side to Sit: Both sides offer incredible views, but the right side heading east provides better views of the Rhine Gorge and the Landwasser Viaduct.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation required: ~€49 in summer, less in winter)
What Makes It Special: This legendary journey crosses 291 bridges and goes through 91 tunnels while traversing three mountain passes. The train climbs to 2,033 meters at the Oberalp Pass, offering views of the iconic Matterhorn, pristine glaciers, deep gorges, and picturesque Alpine villages. The panoramic windows extend into the roof, ensuring you don’t miss a single mountain peak.
Pro Tip: The three-course meal served at your seat is surprisingly good. Book the lunch sitting for the best culinary experience. Winter journeys offer snowy wonderlands, while summer reveals lush green meadows dotted with wildflowers.
3. Golden Pass (Switzerland)
The Vibe: A scenic train linking Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva, passing through vineyards, country estates, cheese-making villages, and stunning lakeside scenery. It’s classic Switzerland in all its postcard-perfect glory.
Route: Lucerne ➡️ Montreux (via Interlaken)
Duration: ~5.5 hours (with connections)
Best Side to Sit: Left side heading south for the best Lake Geneva views; right side for Lake Thun views when departing Interlaken.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservations recommended but not always required, varies by section: €8-16)
What Makes It Special: The Golden Pass actually consists of three different train lines with distinct characters. You’ll travel from the cosmopolitan shores of Lake Lucerne, through the traditional Emmental valley (yes, where the cheese comes from), past the pristine lakes of Thun and Brienz, and finally descend through the terraced Lavaux vineyards (another UNESCO site) to the Mediterranean-like shores of Lake Geneva.
Pro Tip: The new Golden Pass Explorer trains feature VIP seats in the driver’s cabin—book these well in advance for an unforgettable front-row experience. Stop in Gstaad for a taste of Swiss Alpine glamour.
4. Gotthard Panorama Express (Switzerland)
The Vibe: A scenic train that connects two lovely parts of Switzerland: German-speaking Central Switzerland and the Italian-speaking Ticino region, passing through the historic Gotthard route.
Route: Lucerne ➡️ Lugano (including a boat ride on Lake Lucerne)
Duration: ~5.5 hours (including boat portion)
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading south for the best mountain views after Flüelen.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation required: ~€16 for train; boat section included with Swiss Travel Pass, supplement for Interrail)
What Makes It Special: This journey uniquely combines a paddle steamer cruise across Lake Lucerne with a spectacular mountain railway. The train portion follows the historic Gotthard route through wild ravines, past thundering waterfalls, and through the iconic spiral tunnels at Wassen, where you’ll see the same church from three different elevations as the train circles upward. After crossing the pass, you descend into palm tree-lined Ticino, where the architecture and cuisine feel decidedly Italian.
Pro Tip: Time your journey to have lunch on the boat portion—the views of the surrounding mountains from the lake are spectacular. The journey operates seasonally (April-October).
5. Flåm Railway (Norway)
The Vibe: One of the world’s steepest standard-gauge railways, this Norwegian masterpiece descends from mountain stations to the stunning Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the Sognefjord (the world’s longest and deepest fjord).
Route: Myrdal ➡️ Flåm
Duration: ~1 hour
Best Side to Sit: Right side going down to Flåm for the best waterfall and valley views.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation required: ~€28)
What Makes It Special: This engineering marvel descends 863 meters through 20 tunnels, much of it hand-drilled over 17 years of construction. The gradient reaches 5.5%, making it one of the steepest non-rack railways in the world. The train stops at the spectacular Kjosfossen waterfall, where you might spot a Huldra (mythical Norwegian forest spirit) dancing on the rocks—actually a performance that adds magical Nordic folklore to the experience.
Pro Tip: Sit on the right side descending for the best views, and definitely take the Bergen Railway connection from Oslo or Bergen to reach Myrdal—it’s equally spectacular. The journey is stunning year-round, but autumn colors (September) are particularly dramatic.
6. Bergen Railway (Norway)
The Vibe: Norway’s most famous railway runs between Bergen and Oslo, showcasing some of the country’s most spectacular scenery—from coastal fjords to Europe’s largest mountain plateau.
Route: Oslo ➡️ Bergen (or vice versa)
Duration: ~7 hours
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading west toward Bergen for the best mountain and lake views.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation recommended: ~€6)
What Makes It Special: This journey crosses the desolate beauty of the Hardangervidda plateau—Europe’s highest and largest mountain plateau—where you’ll spot mountain lakes, snow fields (even in summer), and possibly reindeer. The train climbs to 1,237 meters above sea level at Finse, Norway’s highest railway station, where the landscape feels otherworldly. The route inspired parts of “The Empire Strikes Back”—Finse doubled for the ice planet Hoth.
Pro Tip: Break your journey at Finse for hiking or at Myrdal to connect with the Flåm Railway. The winter journey through snow-covered landscapes is particularly magical, while summer offers endless daylight for extended viewing pleasure.
7. Rauma Line (Norway)
The Vibe: A dramatic scenic train ride over imposing bridges, through winding tunnels, and past Trollveggen—Europe’s tallest vertical rock face—from Dombås to the coastal town of Åndalsnes.
Route: Dombås ➡️ Åndalsnes
Duration: ~1.5 hours
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading toward Åndalsnes for the best views of Trollveggen and the Rauma River.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation recommended: ~€6)
What Makes It Special: The Rauma Line is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful railway journeys despite its relatively short duration. The highlight is the view of Trollveggen (The Troll Wall), a vertical rock face rising 1,000 meters straight up—a mecca for rock climbers. The train crosses the graceful Kylling Bridge, a 76-meter-high stone arch bridge built in 1913, and follows the wild Rauma River through increasingly dramatic landscapes.
Pro Tip: This route works perfectly as a round-trip day excursion from Dombås, or combine it with the Rauma Valley road for a train/bus loop. Visit in summer when the waterfalls are at their most powerful from snowmelt.
8. Inlandsbanan (Sweden)
The Vibe: The Inlandsbanan shows the beautiful, untouched scenery of Sweden’s interior, from Värmland in the south to Swedish Lapland in the north. This is the road less traveled—literally through the middle of nowhere, where nature reigns supreme.
Route: Kristinehamn/Mora ➡️ Gällivare (multiple sections)
Duration: The full journey takes 2 days with overnight stops
Best Side to Sit: Both sides offer wilderness views; choose based on sun position.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (Reservation required: varies by section, ~€10-30)
What Makes It Special: This summer-only railway (June-August) travels through Sweden’s sparsely populated interior, crossing the Arctic Circle and passing through endless forests, past crystal-clear lakes, and through traditional Sami reindeer herding territory. The train makes stops for wildlife spotting, berry picking, and visits to local attractions. It’s less about dramatic mountains and more about the serene beauty of untouched Nordic wilderness.
Pro Tip: The journey is designed with overnight stops in small towns like Östersund or Arvidsjaur—embrace the slow travel philosophy and explore these authentic Swedish communities. Book the “wilderness dinner” option where available for local cuisine featuring reindeer, cloudberries, and other regional specialties.
9. Arlberg Line (Austria)
The Vibe: Travel through the heart of Tyrol via this romantic railway route that connects the Inn Valley with the Vorarlberg region, passing through impressive mountain scenery that defines the Austrian Alps.
Route: Innsbruck ➡️ Bludenz
Duration: ~2 hours
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading west for the best views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (No reservation required for regional trains)
What Makes It Special: This historic route crosses the Arlberg massif through the 10.6 km Arlberg Tunnel (or over the pass on older routes) and passes through classic Tyrolean landscapes of green valleys, traditional villages with onion-domed churches, and dramatic mountain backdrops. The route connects some of Austria’s most famous ski resorts, including St. Anton am Arlberg, making it spectacularly scenic in both winter (snow-covered peaks) and summer (wildflower meadows).
Pro Tip: Consider taking a regional train instead of the express to stop in St. Anton or Langen for hiking or simply soaking in the Alpine atmosphere. The views approaching the Arlberg from either direction are equally spectacular.
10. Semmering Line (Austria)
The Vibe: The world’s first true mountain railway, this UNESCO World Heritage route linking the provinces of Lower Austria and Styria is an engineering masterpiece from the 1850s that remains stunning today.
Route: Gloggnitz ➡️ Mürzzuschlag (typically traveled as part of Vienna ➡️ Graz route)
Duration: ~1 hour for the Semmering section
Best Side to Sit: Left side heading south for the best valley views and viaduct perspectives.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (No reservation required for regional trains)
What Makes It Special: Built between 1848 and 1854, the Semmering Railway was a groundbreaking achievement, featuring 16 viaducts (some two stories high), 15 tunnels, and over 100 stone bridges. The engineering blends so harmoniously with the landscape that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage site. The route offers views of elegant 19th-century hotels and villas that made Semmering a fashionable resort destination for Viennese society.
Pro Tip: Stop at Semmering station to explore the historic resort area and hike parts of the Bahnwanderweg (Railway Trail), which offers unique perspectives on the viaducts and the surrounding Rax and Schneeberg mountains. Autumn foliage season (late September-October) is particularly photogenic.
11. Centovalli Railway (Switzerland/Italy)
The Vibe: Locarno is the eastern terminus of the wonderful Centovalli railway, one of Switzerland’s most scenic rides, connecting the Italian-speaking Swiss canton of Ticino with Italy’s Piedmont region through the “Valley of a Hundred Valleys.”
Route: Locarno (Switzerland) ➡️ Domodossola (Italy)
Duration: ~2 hours
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading toward Domodossola for the best valley and waterfall views.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (No reservation required, but check cross-border validity)
What Makes It Special: This narrow-gauge railway crosses 83 bridges and passes through 34 tunnels as it winds through the Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) and Valle Vigezzo. The route features spectacular views of deep ravines, stone bridges spanning dramatic gorges, cascading waterfalls, and charming stone villages clinging to hillsides. Chestnut forests give way to vineyards, and the architecture gradually transitions from Swiss to Italian styles.
Pro Tip: The journey is spectacular year-round, but autumn (October) is magical when the chestnut forests turn golden. Stop in the village of Intragna to see Switzerland’s tallest church tower (65 meters) and explore the valley on foot.
12. Rhine Valley Line (Germany)
The Vibe: A romantic journey along Europe’s most legendary river, passing medieval castles, terraced vineyards, the famous Lorelei Rock, and charming wine villages that seem frozen in time.
Route: Mainz/Koblenz ➡️ Köln (Cologne)
Duration: ~2.5 hours (Koblenz to Cologne)
Best Side to Sit: Right side heading north (toward Cologne) for castle views; left side for the Lorelei Rock.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (No reservation required for regional trains)
What Makes It Special: The Middle Rhine Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring over 40 castles and fortresses perched on hillsides above the river, along with countless half-timbered villages. The most scenic section runs between Bingen and Koblenz, where the river narrows and the landscape becomes more dramatic. You’ll pass the legendary Lorelei Rock, where according to German folklore, a siren’s song lured sailors to their doom.
Pro Tip: Take a slow regional train (not ICE) to enjoy the views without rushing through tunnels. The journey pairs beautifully with Rhine river cruises—consider doing one direction by train and returning by boat. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) offer the best combination of weather and fewer tourists.
13. Black Forest Lines (Germany)
The Vibe: Linking the upper Rhine Valley with Lake Constance, these railway lines provide access to stunning views and the impressive scenery of the Black Forest—Germany’s largest forest area, famous for cuckoo clocks, traditional farmhouses, and dense, dark woods.
Route: Multiple routes, most scenic: Offenburg ➡️ Konstanz (via Schwarzwaldbahn)
Duration: ~3 hours
Best Side to Sit: Both sides offer forest views; right side heading south provides better valley perspectives.
Interrail/Eurail: ✅ Valid! (No reservation required for regional trains)
What Makes It Special: The Schwarzwaldbahn (Black Forest Railway) is an engineering marvel built in the 1870s, featuring numerous tunnels and viaducts as it climbs through the dense coniferous forests. The route passes traditional Black Forest farmhouses with their distinctive overhanging roofs, through spa towns like Triberg (home to Germany’s highest waterfalls), and provides glimpses of the forest landscapes that inspired countless fairy tales. The contrast between dark forest sections and sunny valley clearings is dramatic.
Pro Tip: Break your journey in Triberg to see the waterfalls, visit a traditional cuckoo clock workshop, and try authentic Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) where it was invented. The Christmas season is magical, with traditional markets in many towns along the route.
Planning Your European Train Adventure
Interrail vs. Eurail: Interrail passes are for European residents; Eurail passes are for non-European residents. Both work on these routes.
Reservation Tips: Swiss scenic trains require reservations and have supplements—book these early, especially for summer travel. Norwegian routes also require reservations but are more affordable.
Best Time to Travel: Late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) offer the best combination of good weather, fewer crowds, and spectacular scenery. Winter transforms Alpine routes into snow-covered wonderlands but limits some Nordic routes.
Photography: Window seats on the correct side make all the difference—research your route beforehand. Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light for photography.
Ready to experience Europe’s most spectacular scenery from the comfort of a train? These 13 routes prove that sometimes the journey truly is more important than the destination. All aboard! 🚂
