The best European rail journeys for a beautifully scenic holiday
For incredible views, a touch of nostalgia and a wonderfully hassle-free way to travel, nothing beats a railway holiday in Europe.
A train journey is one of the best ways to discover everything that Europe has to offer, from idyllic mountain landscapes to its rich, fascinating history.
Holidaymakers are increasingly turning to train travel as an alternative to flying. It can often be a more relaxing way to travel, avoiding long queues at the airport and with the benefit of minimising the environmental impact of a holiday.
On a railway holiday, the journey can become part of the overall experience, rather than a simple hassle to get out of the way. There are awe-inspiring views to be enjoyed as you steam through Europe’s many lovely landscapes and, in some cases, luxury dining and supremely stylish to be enjoyed on board.
You’ll often find that the train itself holds a fascinating history to be discovered. Take the Mont Blanc Express, which travels through Alpine scenery in Switzerland and France. This red train has connected the Swiss town of Martigny, in a lush valley, with France’s famous ski resort Chamonix for over 100 years, and is one of the most picturesque railway trips in the world.
This is just one of the many exciting railway journeys you can take on the continent. With so many options available, the choice can sometimes seem a little overwhelming.
To help you decide where to go on your rail holiday, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite European train trips here.
Experience Lake Como, St Moritz and the Bernina Railway
The Bernina Railway starts in the Swiss town of St Moritz, and takes you along the east of the country on a scenic four-hour journey. This idyllic train will take you through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges and over the UNESCO-protected Landwasser Viaduct. You can expect 90 miles of glorious Alpine vistas to soak in through the train’s panoramic windows.
Try it: Ride the spectacular Bernina Express on Silver Surfers’ exclusive eight-day holiday in May, October and December 2023.
CALL – 02039 934 067
Enjoy the spectacular Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express
Another good choice for anyone attracted by the idea of riding through the dramatic landscapes of the Swiss Alps is a ride on the Glacier Express.
This train is known for being the world’s slowest express train – it’s an eight-hour experience with highlights including a climb to 2,033 on the Oberalp Pass and feasting on a three-course meal as the winter wonderland scenery passes by.
Try it: Discover the winter wonderland of Switzerland with Silver Surfers on a four-day winter break in March and October 2023, including a ride on the Glacier Express.
CALL – 01858 390 104
Ride the little trains of the Pyrenees through beautiful peaks
Vall de Nuria Hiking Trail, Catalonia, Spain
Nestled between the south west of France and Catalonia, the spectacular Pyrenees are home to some of Europe’s most amazing mountain scenery.
Luckily, they are also home to plenty of charming, traditional train lines. Here you can ride the Roses Express up into the hills of the Cap de Creus National Park, take one of the world’s great railway journeys on the Little Yellow Train of the Pyrenees and admire stunning mountain peaks while aboard Spain’s Núria Valley Rack Railway.
Try it: You’ll do all of this and more on Silver Surfers’ eight-day Pyrenees rail adventure in May, June or September next year.
CALL – 02039 931 637
Explore Corsica, the Mediterranean’s ‘isle of beauty’, by rail
Village of Corte, Corsica island, France
Basking in the Mediterranean sun, Corsica is home to some of the most picturesque railways in Europe. These little trains run on single tracks and pass breathtaking scenery as they travel across mountains and along the coastline, stopping at quaint villages along the way.
The route from Corte to Ajaccio is considered one of the most scenic in the world, crossing the Vecchio viaduct engineered by Gustav Eiffel, of tower fame.
Try it: You can ride this route on our nince-day tour of Corsica, which will also give you plenty of insight into the history of the ile de beaute.
CALL – 01858 390 144
Ride the Mont Blanc Express to Chamonix
Annecy Lake
Hop on board the idyllic Mont Blanc Express and you’ll witness magical snow-covered landscapes as you whizz from Gervais-les-Bains to charming Chamonix. This outstanding rail journey will take you through the magical Trient Valley, with its rocky outcroppings, forests, wild gorges and glaciers.
The line has connected Martigny in Switzerland to Chamonix in France for more than a century and it’s a great way to travel between fairytale alpine villages.
Try it: Our six-day tour of Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy includes a ride on the Mont Blanc Express, with departures from May to October 2023
CALL – 02039 935 977
Discover the little trains of the Dolomites
Amazing view of Molveno blue lake in Trentino Alto Adidge province, northern Italy
Exploring the magnificent Dolomites by train, cable car and funicular railway is a fabulous way to get to know this sensationally scenic part of northern Italy.
Here you can take one of the steepest funicular railways in Europe to explore the Mendola mountain ridge and hop aboard the historic narrow-gauge railway for views that will take your breath away.
Try it: Silver Surfers’ no-fly holiday to Northern Italy in May or September 2023 includes four unforgettable journeys by rail, offering a unique way to appreciate the scenery of the Dolomites
CALL – 02039 932 425
Ride from Madrid to Marrakech
Park Guell by architect Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona, Spain
Discovering two of the most elegant and history-rich cities in Morocco is made very convenient by a speedy express train that runs between them. You can spend time in Casablanca, visiting its Medina and the incredible Hassan II Mosque, the seventh largest mosque in the world, before hopping on a two-hour train journey to Marrakech, with its historic ramparts, ornate mosques and bustling souks of Marrakech.
Try it: You can visit both of these wonderful cities on Silver Surfers’ ten-day railway journey, which will also take you to the buzzing capital of Spain, Madrid, and the coastal capital of Catalonia, beautiful Barcelona.
CALL – 02039 931 663
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