There is something wonderfully romantic about discovering Europe by rail. Instead of simply moving between destinations, train travel allows the landscapes themselves to become part of the experience: snow-dusted Alpine peaks appear beyond panoramic windows, Norwegian fjords unfold beneath towering cliffs, and historic steam trains weave slowly through remote countryside. From Switzerland’s legendary mountain railways to lesser-known journeys through the Balkans, these spectacular routes prove that sometimes the most memorable part of a holiday is getting there.
1. Oslo to Bergen, Norway
Connecting two of Norway’s most captivating cities, the Bergen Line offers a seven-hour journey through some of Scandinavia’s most dramatic scenery. Leaving Oslo behind, the railway climbs through lush valleys and mountain landscapes before crossing the remote Hardangervidda plateau and descending towards Bergen. Spring and autumn are particularly beautiful, when changing landscapes can reveal everything from colourful meadows to icy forests and glittering mountain lakes in a single journey.
The Bergen Line travelling beside a mountain lake surrounded by Norwegian wilderness.
2. Belgrade to Bar, Serbia and Montenegro
For travellers looking beyond Europe’s familiar Alpine railways, the journey from Belgrade to the Adriatic coast is an extraordinary alternative. Sometimes known as the Balkan Express, the route crosses an astonishing 435 bridges as it travels from Serbia into Montenegro. Along the way, urban landscapes give way to mountains, valleys and increasingly dramatic scenery before the railway finally approaches the Montenegrin coast.
The balkan express crossing through the mountains
3. Palma to Sóller, Mallorca
Mallorca’s vintage railway between Palma and Sóller began life as a practical route for transporting oranges across the island. Today, its beautiful wooden carriages offer one of the Mediterranean’s most charming railway experiences. The hour-long journey leaves Palma before climbing into the Serra de Tramuntana, passing through tunnels and rugged mountain scenery before descending towards the picturesque town of Sóller. Continue aboard the heritage tram to Port de Sóller for lunch beside the Mediterranean and an idyllic end to the journey.
Vintage wooden Sóller train travelling through Mallorca’s mountainous countryside.
4. Zermatt to St. Moritz, Switzerland
Few railway journeys capture the grandeur of Switzerland quite like the Glacier Express. Connecting the glamorous mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz, the route crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels during its journey through the Swiss Alps. Panoramic windows reveal deep valleys, traditional villages and immense mountain landscapes, transforming a day of travel into one of Switzerland’s quintessential experiences.
Glacier Express crossing a stone viaduct surrounded by snow-covered Alpine peaks.
5. Barcelona to Montserrat, Spain
Barcelona’s architecture and gastronomy may make it difficult to leave, but the spectacular mountain of Montserrat provides an excellent reason to escape the city for a day. Rail connections carry travellers from Barcelona towards the mountain before a cable car or rack railway completes the dramatic ascent. At the summit, breathtaking views and the historic Montserrat monastery reward the journey.
Montserrat rack railway climbing beneath the mountain’s distinctive rock formations.
6. Myrdal to Flåm, Norway
Descending from the mountains towards the magnificent Aurlandsfjord, the Flåm Railway packs an extraordinary amount of scenery into a relatively short journey. The railway negotiates an elevation difference of around 867 metres, revealing steep mountainsides, waterfalls and deep valleys along the way. A stop near the powerful Kjosfossen waterfall adds another memorable moment before passengers eventually arrive in the tiny fjordside village of Flåm.
Flåm Railway surrounded by towering Norwegian mountains.
7. Chur to Poschiavo, Switzerland
Switzerland earns another place among Europe’s great railway destinations with the spectacular journey between Chur and Poschiavo. The railway penetrates deep into the Swiss Alps, where mountain peaks, dramatic valleys and extraordinary feats of engineering unfold beyond the windows. Travellers wanting to extend the experience can continue towards Tirano in northern Italy aboard the Bernina route, turning the journey into a magnificent cross-border Alpine adventure.
Red Swiss train winding through the Alps on the Bernina railway.
8. La Rhune, France
In the French Basque Country, a historic cog railway has been carrying travellers towards the summit of La Rhune since the early twentieth century. Beginning near Sare, the charming train slowly climbs through the Pyrenean landscape towards expansive views from the summit. The combination of vintage railway carriages, mountain scenery and proximity to elegant coastal destinations such as Saint-Jean-de-Luz makes this a delightful addition to a journey through southwest France.
Vintage La Rhune train climbing through the green foothills of the Pyrenees
Rediscover the Romance of European Rail Travel
Europe’s greatest railway journeys encourage travellers to experience the continent at a different pace. Rather than flying over the landscapes between cities, travelling by train turns those landscapes into part of the holiday itself. Historic locomotives, panoramic mountain railways and relaxed restaurant cars provide opportunities to appreciate destinations in a way that faster forms of transport simply cannot replicate. From the Norwegian fjords to the Swiss Alps and the rugged mountains of the Balkans, rail travel remains one of Europe’s most atmospheric ways to explore.
Whether you dream of crossing the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express, steaming through the Scottish Highlands or discovering the fjords of Norway by rail, Matthew Rian Travel Concierge can curate a bespoke European journey around the continent’s most spectacular train routes. From luxury hotels and private transfers to first-class rail arrangements, exclusive excursions and tailor-made multi-country itineraries, every element can be seamlessly arranged to transform the journey itself into an unforgettable part of your European escape.
