10 of the Best Scenic Rail Journeys in Europe

Some train journeys are just a way of getting from A to B. Others are the highlight of the trip. These ten European rail routes cross mountain passes, follow rivers and coastlines and pass some of the most beautiful scenery on the continent.

1. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy

The route from Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano in Italy climbs over the Bernina Pass without rack-and-pinion, passing glaciers and the famous spiral viaduct at Brusio. The Albula and Bernina lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The red train spirals over the Landwasser Viaduct, climbs past glaciers and descends to palm trees in Italy – all in one day.

2. Glacier Express, Switzerland

Running between Zermatt and St. Moritz, the "slowest express train in the world" takes around eight hours to cross 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the Alps. Panoramic carriages and lunch served at your seat make it a classic.

Through panoramic windows, snow-capped peaks, deep gorges and mountain villages slide past slowly.

3. Flåm Railway, Norway

One of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world drops from the mountain station of Myrdal to the village of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord, passing waterfalls and deep valleys in under an hour.

The train descends steeply past waterfalls and stops at Kjosfossen, where the spray soaks the platform.

4. Bergen Line, Norway

The line between Oslo and Bergen crosses the Hardangervidda plateau, Northern Europe's largest mountain plateau. In winter it's a world of snow; in summer, lakes and wild moorland. Connect at Myrdal for the Flåm Railway.

Across the snowy Hardangervidda plateau, lakes and mountains stretch to the horizon.

5. West Highland Line, Scotland

From Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig, the line crosses lonely Rannoch Moor and the curving Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films. In summer, a steam train runs between Fort William and Mallaig.

Over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, past lochs and glens to the sea at Mallaig.

6. Douro Line, Portugal

Leaving Porto, the line follows the Douro River upstream through terraced vineyards to Pocinho. Sit on the right-hand side heading east for the best river views. See more reasons to visit in our guide to why Portugal is the perfect place to visit.

The train follows the river through terraced vineyards, with wine estates on every hill.

7. Cinque Terre Line, Italy

The regional trains between La Spezia and Levanto connect the five colourful Cinque Terre villages, popping out of tunnels for glimpses of cliffs and sea. It's short, but it's the easiest way to explore the coast.

The train pops in and out of tunnels, each time revealing another colourful village above the sea.

8. Semmering Railway, Austria

Built in the 19th century, the Semmering Railway was one of the first true mountain railways and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with stone viaducts and tunnels winding through forested mountains south of Vienna.

The first mountain railway in the world winds over viaducts and through tunnels in the Alps.

9. Rhine Valley Line, Germany

Between Mainz and Koblenz, the railway follows the Rhine Gorge past vineyards, hilltop castles and the famous Lorelei rock. Trains run on both banks, so take one side out and the other back.

Castles on every hill, vineyards on the slopes and the Lorelei rock above the river.

10. Sarajevo to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

This lesser-known route follows the emerald Neretva River through steep gorges and tunnels, finishing in Mostar, famous for its rebuilt Old Bridge.

The train follows the turquoise Neretva river through deep gorges and mountains.

Tips for scenic train travel

• Pick the right side. Research which side of the train has the best views before you book your seat.
• Travel in daylight – obvious, but easy to forget in winter, when days are short in the north.
• Clean windows matter. Panoramic carriages are worth the extra cost on the most famous routes.
• Bring food and water for regional trains without catering.

In December, combine a rail trip with Europe's most charming Christmas markets.