There is something unique about travelling long distances by train. It offers us the opportunity to slow down, observe the world around us and witness scenes that we may have never gotten to see otherwise. Rather than just getting from one place to the next, we get to appreciate the beauty that exists within the space between the start and end of our journey. The sweet spot of adventure. Whether we find ourselves passing through lush green countryside, towering snowy mountains or the vast sparkling coastline, train travel offers us a unique perspective on the world around us.
Europe in particular is home to an extensive and diverse railway system, each offering its own experience of the landscapes, cultures and communities that make the continent so wonderfully varied. There is so much to discover and learn when we allow ourselves to travel at a slower pace.
For those seeking a little inspiration for their next adventure, or those who are curious about train travel but haven't yet embarked on their adventure, here are a few of the most beautiful train routes to experience across Europe.
The Bernina Express: Switzerland To Italy
Route: Chur or St Moritz, Switzerland, to Tirano Italy
Journey Time: Approximately 4 hours from Chur, or 2 hours 15 mins from St Moritz.
The Bernina Express takes you through the Swiss Alps and into Northern Italy, showcasing a panoramic, ever-changing view of expansive snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, dramatic viaducts, and intensely green valleys.
As the train climbs towards the Bernina pass, the landscape becomes increasingly dramatic, revealing the grandeur of the Alps before gradually descending towards the warmer, mediterranean surroundings of Tirano. The great contrast between these two environments is part of what makes this journey so remarkable. Within just a few hours, you get to experience two distinctively different landscapes, each with its own character and beauty.
Having travelled on the Bernina Express myself, I have to say that it was an incredibly awe-inspiring journey. I felt so grateful to witness such intense beauty and it reminded me of how much wonder there is within the world.
The West Highland Line: Scotland
Route: Glasgow to Mallaig, via Fort William
Journey Time: Approximately 5 1/2 hours for the full journey
For those who prefer a more gloomy rugged landscape, Scotland's West Highland line offers a journey through some of Britain's most atmospheric scenery. The railway travels through open countryside, beside lochs and across remote stretches of the Highlands, where the mountains and moorland create a sense of space and solitude. One of the highlights is the journey across the Glenfinnian Viaduct, which has become a popular highlight of the surrounding landscape. Beyond this, the route continues towards the west coast, passing stunning landscapes that feel beautifully untouched and far removed from the fast pace of city life.
The weather is known to shift between sunshine, rain and mist, transforming the landscape before your very eyes, creating an atmospheric painting like scene that only adds to the already romantic train travel experience.
The Bergen Railway: Norway
Route: Oslo to Bergen, Norway
Journey time: Approximately 6 ½ - 7 ½ hours
Connecting Norway's capital with its second largest city, the Bergen railways offers a long distance journey through a variety of landscapes. Departing from Oslo, the train gradually travels towards the highlands, passing forests, lakes and small settlements before crossing the expansive Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
The scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as the railway climbs into the mountains, where open stretches of land and distant peaks create a sense of vastness. Depending on the season you might see bright green valleys, snow coloured landscapes, or a softer autumn sheen.
The great thing about this long journey is that it gives you time. You have several hours to watch the landscape transform, read a book, write in a journal or simply just admire the continuous landscape. The length of journey soon becomes a part of the appeal when you realise you have time to settle into the experience.
The Paris to Barcelona Train
Route: Paris Guare De Lyon to Barcelona Sants
Journey Time: Approximately 6 hours 30 minutes
With the opportunity to travel between two of Europe's most captivating cities, the train journey from Paris to Barcelona offers an exciting way to experience the physical transition between two countries. Leaving behind the grand boulevards and familiar architecture of Paris, the train travels south through the French countryside, passing quaint towns, clear open landscapes and glimpses of the mediterranean region before eventually arriving in Barcelona.
Unlike some of Europe's more remote scenic railways, this route offers a convenient connection between two vibrant cities, making it a suitable option for those who want to combine cultural exploration with the pleasure of travelling by train.
There are so many ways to experience Europe, and travelling by train gifts us the opportunity to discover the wide continent at a gentler pace. Each journey presents a different landscape, a different atmosphere and a new perspective on the world around us.
So, the next time you are planning a trip, consider taking the train. Choose a route that interests you, take a seat by the window and give yourself permission to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. After all, sometimes the most memorable part of travelling is not where we arrive, but everything we get to experience along the way.