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Four long-distance, good-value rail trips from the UK to Europe

Our rail travel expert picks the best routes for exploring mainland Europe by train and ferry London to Morocco by train | Why rail is the best way to travel

T wenty years ago, as my partner and I prepared to launch Hidden Europe magazine , we both thought we knew Europe pretty well. It was only after we swapped planes for trains that we discovered how much we still had to learn. Two decades on, I am still routinely making long journeys across the continent that rely entirely on trains, ferries and buses.

Those who do likewise will discover that journeys matter. There is something recuperative about spending a day or two in transit. It reshapes our appreciation of time and distance. I have learned to escape the tyranny of too much planning and no longer see the journey as something merely to be endured between leaving home and arriving at my destination. I have also discovered that fine journeys don’t need to cost the earth. Here are four favourite slow travel ideas.

To Tuscany and beyond

Take the 9.31am Eurostar from St Pancras, with an onward connection from Paris’s nearby Gare de l’Est via Stuttgart to Munich. An early evening arrival in Munich allows for a comfortable connection to the overnight train to Tuscany. That direct Nightjet link from Munich to Florence is restored from 10 September. Arrival in Florence is at 6.36am, giving a travel time from London of under 24 hours. Or stay on the Nightjet beyond Florence to reach Rome at 9.10am.

Use this itinerary via Munich to join direct overnight trains to other Italian destinations, including Venice, Milan, Genoa and the Cinque Terre coast. For those who value overnight comfort on the Nightjet train, it’s worth upgrading to a sleeping car, but hardy souls on a budget can opt for a normal seat and hope to catch glimpses of the Alps by moonlight.

How to do it Eurostar to Paris from £51 single or £88 return. Paris to Munich from €39.90 single. Nightjet from Munich to Florence (or other Italian destinations) from €29.30. So the lead-in single fare from London to Tuscany is £114, with returns starting at £198.

Newcastle to Germany

The DFDS overnight ship from Tyneside to the Netherlands is a godsend for travellers from the north of England and Scotland bound for the continent. It’s simple to use that ferry to travel in style from almost anywhere in mainland Scotland to distant German cities with just one night en route. From Glasgow, for example, it’s a short hop to Edinburgh for the fast train to Newcastle. It is then a quick ride on the metro to Meadow Well and an interesting one-mile walk to the ferry terminal at Royal Quays, where passengers board the DFDS ship.

I use this route several times a year on rail-sea journeys from Scotland to Germany and the long ferry ride is a joy. Disembarkation from the 5pm ferry in the Dutch port of IJmuiden is around 10am next morning.

There is a transfer coach to Amsterdam, but I usually skip that and walk to the Oranjestraat bus stop for the 74 local bus to Beverwijk station. There are then good onward rail connections to cities across Germany; I can arrive in Munich or Berlin by about 8.30pm, which is a travel time of about 33 hours.

Fare facts A return trip from Scotland to Germany is best made using Interrail, allowing two days outward, and three days homeward, giving scope for an overnight stop in the Rhineland. A pass for five days’ travel within a month costs £256. Passage from Newcastle to Amsterdam and back costs from £102. With an allowance for port transfers (metro and bus) that gives give an overall fare of about £410 return. The price per person tumbles with more travellers. For a family of four (two adults and two children under 12), passes will cost £520 in total. Add the ship and transfers to give a total price from £820 return travel for four.

To Corfu via Padua

Of course there are plentiful direct flights from across the UK to Corfu. But that’s the boring option. Better to travel by rail and ferry, stopping off along the way. Make your way to London to connect to an afternoon Eurostar to Brussels, continuing on a German ICE to Cologne. You’ll have time to wander through Cologne before boarding the Nightjet to Innsbruck at 10.16pm.

Have a leisurely breakfast in Innsbruck, before continuing on local trains to Padua, changing along the way in Brenner and Verona. You’ll have a night in Padua, then, next morning, hop on the local train to Venice to board the weekly Anek Lines sailing to Corfu. Assuming you leave London on a Friday afternoon, you’ll be stepping ashore in Corfu at lunchtime on Monday after a night on a train, a night in a hotel and a night on a ship.

How to do it An Interrail pass valid for seven days in a month will cover the outward journey from most British stations to Corfu and allow for a much more leisurely return, with stops on the inbound journey. A day or two in the Alps perhaps? The pass costs £304. Allow €30 each way for the passholder fare on Eurostar, €13.90 for the Nightjet to Innsbruck and then €38 on the Anek ship, with a special fare for holders of Interrail global passes. All in all, reckon on total travel costs of £440 for that return journey from the UK to Corfu.

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To Poland’s Baltic coast

How about a return trip from London to Poland for just £144? It’s possible by using Germany’s €49 Deutschland Ticket. This allows unlimited travel on local and regional public transport for a calendar month. You do, however, have to avoid any fast long-distance trains, where this cheap ticket isn’t valid.

This wonderful deal is sold as an ongoing monthly subscription, but you can cancel without penalty after getting the first monthly ticket. Check the small print and you’ll discover that the Deutschland Ticket allows cross-border adventures into southern Denmark, to Basel and Schaffhausen in Switzerland, to Salzburg in Austria, to two towns in Alsace (France) and to selected stations in Poland and the Czech Republic close to the German border. One of those Polish stations is Świnoujście Centrum on the island of Uznam (Usedom).

For price-conscious travellers from Britain heading to Świnoujście, the best option is to use Eurostar’s great-value return fare, the Any Belgian Station (ABS) ticket to travel from London to Athus in Belgium. Athus is included in Luxembourg’s national free travel scheme, so from Athus you can ride for free through Luxembourg to start using the Deutschland Ticket when you enter Germany at Igel in the Moselle valley.

How to do it Book in advance and you can pick up Eurostar’s ABS ticket for £102 return. This covers return travel on Eurostar to Brussels with onward connections to Athus (or any other Belgian station) on domestic SNCB trains. Then there’s just the cost of your Deutschland Ticket (£42).

So for £144 you can roam Germany for a whole calendar month, and enjoy a few cross-border hops. Or just make a simple out-and-back trip from London to the Polish seaside at Świnoujście.

Nicky Gardner is co-author of Europe by Rail: the Definitive Guide , available from Guardian Bookshop for £16.71

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Hazel Plush | 07 December 2022

23 of the best rail journeys in europe.

See Europe how it was meant to be seen: from the window of a train! From mountain climbs to luxury sleepers, here's the rail adventures you must add to your bucket list...

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland 

Glacier Express, Switzerland (Shutterstock)

Best for… Seeing Switzerland in the slow lane

The journey: Zermatt to St Moritz (290km; seven and a half hours)

We say… Don’t be fooled by its name: the Glacier Express averages 38kph, but who wants to rush when the scenery is this spectacular?

Linking two of Switzerland’s best-loved ski resorts, the route is an opus of snowcapped peaks, rugged valleys, 291 bridges and wild tangles of alpine forest. The view will keep you glued to the train’s panoramic windows – though the traverse of the towering Landwasser viaduct might have you reaching for a second glass of Valais wine.

Top tip: In Zermatt you can extend your trip by taking Europe’s highest cog railway to the summit of Gornergrat (3,089m). The view of the Matterhorn is worth it.

Read next  Switzerland's most stunning rail journeys

2. odontotos rack railway, greece .

Odontotos Rack Railway, Greece (Shutterstock)

Best for… Peaks and valleys

The journey: Diakopto to Kalavrita (22.5km; one hour)

We say… Making delightfully slow work of a wild Peloponnese gorge, this heritage railway – built in 1895 – is one of southern Greece’s final remaining narrow gauge lines.

It starts in the seaside town of Diakopto and weaves up to the mountain town of Kalavrita through hand-carved tunnels and plane-tree forests. En route, you’ll cross 49 bridges in total, as the Vouraikos River roils far below.

Top tip: To visit nearby Olympia’s ancient temples and stadium, take the small train from Katacolon – yet another narrow-gauge survivor.

3. Rhine Valley Line, Germany

The Rhine Valley Line, Germany (Shutterstock)

Best for… A riverside ramble

The journey: Cologne to Mainz (152km; two and a half hours)

We say… The Rhine Valley Line finds its muse just after Bonn, where it starts to tightly hug the waterline. Sure, you could take the high-speed intercity route and save yourself an hour on your journey, but then you’d miss out on the patchwork of vineyards, Koblenz’s hilltop fortress and the legend of Lorelei Rock.

Top tip: Interrail passes are valid on this line – and get you a discount on KD Rhine Line boats.

4. Venice Simplon Orient-Express, UK, France & Italy

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Shutterstock)

 Best for…The ‘golden age’ of rail

The journey: London to Folkestone; Calais to Venice (1,636km; 24 hours)

We say… While the final descendent of the real Orient Express met its end in 2009, a US businessman had long since bought up 1920s and ‘30s carriages (many belonging to the original service) and resurrected its route to Venice.

This journey is played out on two heritage trains – the British Pullman on the UK leg and the VSOE between Calais and Venice – and as the mountains and meadows slip by, you can sip martinis in the piano bar, devour lobster in its Étoile du Nord restaurant car and just dream.

Top tip: Though the southbound journey is popular, the northbound experience is just as fabulous – and doesn’t book up so quickly.

Read next The best new rail routes around the world for 2022

5. west highland line, scotland.

Glenfinnan Viaduct on the West Highland Lane, Scotland (Shutterstock)

Best for… The wildest of Scottish rides

The journey: Glasgow to Mallaig (264km; five and a half hours)

We say… After slipping away from Glasgow, the West Highland Line weaves some of Britain’s wildest scenery: to lonely moorlands, forest-bound lochs and crumbling castle ruins.

Up here, you’re more likely to spot red deer than humans – though the Glenfinnan Viaduct is familiar thanks to its cameo in the Harry Potter films. If travelling southwards, sit on the right-hand side of the train for the best views.

Top tip: The Royal Scotsman and Jacobite Steam Train are rather luxurious – if pricey – alternatives to this £16.80 (one-way) ScotRail journey.

6. Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy 

Bernina Express (Shutterstock)

Best for… Jaw-dropping (and ear-popping) views

The journey: Landquart to Tirano (163km; five hours)

We say… Starting this summer, you get even more bang for your buck on the Bernina Express , as its trans-alpine journey has been extended for around 50km. It now starts (or terminates) at Landquart before looping through the Prättigau mountains and over Zügen Gorge’s sheer-sided ravines.

Running between May and October, its climax is the 2,253m-high Bernina Pass, the gateway to Italy. It’s a smooth ride but one that’s big on drama, encompassing dizzying and panoramic views from the Brusio Spiral viaduct along the way.

Top tip: For the best views, grab a seat on the rig.

7. Mariazell Railway, Austria

The Narrow Gauge or Mariazell Railway in the Austrian Alps (Shutterstock)

Best for… Alpine hikes and hijinx

The journey: St Pölten to Mariazell (78km; two and a half hours)

We say… Traversing one of the wildest regions of the Austrian Alps, this narrow-gauge service is officially split into two sections: ‘Valley’ and ‘Mountains’.

The former stretches from St Pölten to Frankenfels, a land of pretty grazing meadows and gentle pathways (tickets allow you to hop on and off), while the latter climbs up through the ruggedly handsome Erlauf gorge and the peaks of Ötscher-Tormäuer Naturpark. Allow a full day – at least.

Top tip: For widescreen views, grab a first-class panorama carriage (May to October on weekend and holiday services), while heritage rail fans love the 100-year-old Ötscherbär train that runs from June to late September.

8. Inlandsbanan, Sweden 

Inlandsbanan train pulling into Mora, Sweden (Shutterstock)

Best for… A jovial jaunt

The journey: Kristinehamn to Gällivare (1,288km; from two days)

We say… The Inlandsbanan is slow travel at its best, heading up past the Arctic Circle and into Swedish Lapland. In fact, its drivers love an excuse to stretch their legs, and scheduled stops to take a dip in Lake Siljan or visit Sami villages and their reindeer herds along the way are worth it.

Before you know it, you’re cooing over moose and foraging for berries under midnight sun (June to early July) – all thoughts of the timetable long forgotten.

Top tip: At each stop you can order fresh dishes from local restaurants, such as smoked Arctic char and lingonberry crumble.

 9. Trenino Verde, Sardinia, Italy

The Green Train travelling through Italy (Shutterstock)

Best for… Island adventures

The journey: Palau to Tempio (59km); Sindia to Bosa (33km); Mandas to Laconi (37km); Mandas to Sadali (58km); Arbata to Gairloch (62km); times vary

We say… The best way to get under the skin of Sardinia is by catching the Trenino Verde – or Green Train – for a picturesque pootle around the island. The Mandas-Laconi line weaves through wild woodlands, the Palau-Tempio track culminates in a town famed for its cork groves, and Sindia–Bosa forges from the island’s untamed interior out to its western coast.

Top tip: Don’t be surprised if the conductor hops out to shoo sheep off the line, or to stop traffic at level crossings. Slow travel at its purest.

Read next Italy's most spectacular rail journeys

10. la ligne des cévennes, france.

La Ligne des Cévennes, France (Shutterstock)

Best for… Gallic grandeur

The journey: Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes (304km; six and a half hours)

We say… Every twist and turn of this train line is an engineering marvel: it ticks off a mighty 106 tunnels and over a thousand bridges, as well as the seriously lofty (46m high) Chamborigaud viaduct.

With 29 long-legged arches arranged in a semicircular loop, Chamborigaud is a scene-stealer – although the track reaches its pinnacle on the summit at La Bastide (1,023m). There are gentler pleasures still to be found in the rolling vineyards of the Auvergne, the chestnut forests of Cévennes National Park and the track’s picturesque dalliance with the River Allier.

Top tip: Visit in springtime to see the area’s wildflowers in bloom.

11. Derry/Londonderry to Coleraine, Northern Ireland

Derry/L:ondonderry, Northern Ireland (Shutterstock)

Best for… A budget Irish beauty

The journey: Derry/Londonderry to Coleraine (55km; 38 minutes)

We say… This route doesn’t need five-star cabins or steam locomotives for wow-factor: it’s all about the scenery. Explore a banquet of windswept beaches, razor-edged cliffs and wild views on the no-frills Translink service.

Sit on the left-hand side (if travelling eastwards) and settle in for a ride that Sir Michael Palin hailed in his Great Railway Journeys series as “one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world”, as you hop-skip peregrine falcon habitats and the thread the longest railway tunnels in Ireland.

Top tip: Stop for a yomp on the wide, wild sands of Benone beach.

12. Linha do Douro, Portugal 

Pinhão Station, Portugal (Shutterstock)

Best for…Giving the city the slip

The journey: Porto to Pocinho (160km; three and a half hours)

We say… Don’t take a day cruise from Porto: hop on the Linha do Douro instead. Most boat trips only venture as far as the port-producing village of Pinhão, but this train line ploughs further into the heartlands, past great walls of rock and rambling quintas (wine estates).

Better yet, the track swaps between shores, so there’s no such thing as a duff seat. Pinhão Station must be one of Europe’s prettiest terminals, trimmed with intricate azulejo tilework, but look out, too, for the towering gorge around Régua and the ancient rock art of the Côa Valley at Pocinho.

Top tip: In Pocinho, linger over lunch and local port at Taberna da Julinha (+351 965 398 826) – its steaks are worth the trip alone.

13. Septemvri to Dobrinishte, Bulgaria

Tsepina on the Septemvri to Dobrinishte, Bulgaria (Shutterstock)

Best for… Making new friends

The journey: Septemvri to Dobrinishte (125km; five hours)

We say… Bulgaria’s only operating narrow-gauge railway is a lifeline to its remote south-west, so make room for the babas (grandmothers) heading to market.

The train travels at a glacial speed (you can walk beside it in parts), but it’s a journey to savour, with stops for hiking in Bansko, Velingrad’s hot springs and Belitsa’s dancing bear sanctuary.

Top tip: The train only has a simple café on board, so bring a picnic.

14. El Transcantábrico Clásico, Spain

León, Spain (Shutterstock)

Best for… Exploring the north

The journey: León to Santiago de Compostela (643km; four to eight days)

We say… Never has the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela felt so indulgent. El Transcantábrico ’s lavish compartments and plentiful excursions make for an easy, enlightening ride.

The Clásico itinerary hugs the northern coast, with stop-offs at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, seafood suppers in Santander and, on longer trips, hiking in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Picos de Europa National Park.

Top tip: The rail network actually runs between San Feliz and Ferrol – a few kilometres shy of León and Santiago de Compostela – so the trip is bookended by brief coach journeys.

Read next  6 of the world's most luxurious sleeper trains

15. belgrade to bar, serbia, bosnia & montenegro.

Mala Rijeka Viaduct, Serbia (Shutterstock)

Best for… A cross-country caper

The journey: Belgrade to Bar (476km; 10 hours)

We say… This Balkan line can’t be booked online with national operators, so you’ll need to get tickets at the counter, but once on board you’ll hop ravines and rivers with the greatest of ease, thanks to its 254 tunnels and 435 bridges.

It took railway engineers decades to blast through the Dinaric Alps, traverse the thick birch forests, skirt the shores of Lake Skadar and build the 200m-high Mala Rijeka viaduct, which, until 2001, was the tallest railway bridge in the world.

Top tip:  Local sources state this train is currently only operating a night time service. Boo we say! But look out for the return of its day time schedule. 

16. Golden Eagle Danube Express, Turkey to Hungary 

Golden Eagle Danube Express (Shutterstock)

Best for… The east with ease

The journey: Istanbul (Turkey) to Budapest (Hungary) via Bulgaria & Romania (1,832km; seven days)

We say… On the Danube Express ’s ‘Castles of Transylvania’ route, you’ll whizz between two of Europe’s most beguiling cities in the lap of luxury.

Off-train excursions allow for easy exploration of medieval towns and Romanian castles, while the onboard experience includes opulent perks: think plush double cabins, starched linens and piano recitals.

Top tip: Spend your time socialising in the cocktail lounge; this journey tends to attract fascinating souls.

17. North York Moors Railway, England

Vintage passenger train on the North York Moors Railway (Shutterstock)

Best for… A time-travelling treasure

The journey: Whitby to Pickering (38.6km; one hour, 45 minutes)

We say… With a shrill whistle and a scorching blast, this steamy trip into the North York Moors National Park begins in lively Whitby, so spare time to visit its recenty reopened Abbey.

From there, it travels windswept dales, lush carpets of heather and, so it seems, time itself. Though devoid of most mod cons, the NYMR’s hundred-year-old steam trains make surprisingly quick work of these rolling moors, as you stop off for picnics and village walks along the way.

Top tip: For a taste of life at the steamy end, join the railway’s ‘experience days’ and ride on the footplate.

18. Bohinj Railway, Slovenia & Italy

Bohinj Railway, Slovenia (Shutterstock)

Best for… Slovenia made simple

The journey: Jesenice to Trieste (approx 150km; three hours)

We say… To ford the peaks of the Julian Alps to the northernmost sliver of Italian coastline, the Bohinj Railway must slice a route it has plied for over 110 years.

It was built as a strategic network for the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, but these days it’s catnip for hikers and cyclists who revel in the easy connections to Most na Soci, Lake Bled and Nova Gorica’s wineries.

Top tip: For a special trip, catch the heritage steam train (May to November) between Jesenice and Nova Gorica, where staff still don the uniforms of the old Austro-Hungarian Empire.

19. Semmering Railway, Austria

Semmering Railway, Austria (Shutterstock)

Best for… UNESCO-listed joys

The journey: Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag (41km; 40 minutes)

We say… Praised by UNESCO as ‘one of the greatest feats of civil engineering’, the Semmering teeters on two-storey viaducts and narrow mountain passes, with twists and steep inclines aplenty.

The reward for your fortitude? Swoon-worthy views of the Austrian Alps, and opportunities for great hiking or skiing. It took six years and 20,000 labourers to build this track, and this pioneering project from the 1850s became the blueprint for mountain railways all over the world.

Top tip: Gloggnitz is just an hour by train from Vienna, so don’t miss out.

20. Bergen Railway, Norway 

Bergen Railway, Norway (Shutterstock)

Best for… Scandi splendour

The journey: Oslo to Bergen (500km; six and a half hours)

We say… Even in the cosy comfort of your compartment, Norway’s desolate Hardangervidda plateau will send a shiver down your spine. While the forests and lakes outside Oslo are beautiful, it’s the Bergen Railway ’s eerily empty mountain passes that steal the show.

Stretch your legs at Finse, the highest station on the line (1,222m), to see where Robert Falcon Scott and his crew trained in advance of their infamous 1912 South Pole expedition. A lonely spot indeed.

Top tip: Hop off at Myrdal and pick up the extraordinary 20km branch line to Flam (one hour), whose spiral tunnels and steep gradient will sweep you up further into these breathtaking mountains.

21. Brocken Railway, Germany 

Brocken Railway, Germany (Shutterstock)

Best for… Saving your legs

The journey: Drei Annen Hohne to Brocken (19km; 51 minutes)

We say… The summit of Brocken (the Harz mountains’ loftiest point) is a doddle for these steam trains (which, if you book online, you'll have to do in German). They climb thick pines and wildflower meadows up to the 1,141m peak, forming one of three lines on the Harz Railway, Europe’s longest network (140km) still running daily steam trains.

Top tip: Buy a one-way ticket and hike back down, walking the famed trail to Torfhaus.

22. Ffestiniog Railway, Wales 

Ffestiniog Railway, Wales (Shutterstock)

Best for… Steaming Snowdonia

The journey: Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog (21.7km; one hour 15 mins)

We say… Operated by the oldestsurviving train company in the world, the Ffestiniog Railway has run for almost 200 years through Snowdonia National Park, and has a gleaming troupe of steam locomotives. The route is a rich feast of rivers, waterfalls, mountains and ancient woodlands, with a looping spiral section lending some thrills.

Top tip: Add on the Welsh Highland Railway – Ffestiniog’s sister route – between Porthmadog and Caernarfon to extend your fun.

Read next Britain's most scenic rail journeys

Discover more incredible rail journeys:, switzerland's most stunning rail journeys, spectacular rail journeys in the usa, interrailing on europe's orient express, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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11 best European train trips from London

You don’t need to fly to flee London: touring by train is a relaxing and pretty way to travel. Here are eleven European train trips with vistas to write home about

It’s hard to embrace the romance of the railway when your standard interaction with it involves pushing your way onto a delayed service during rush hour . But travelling by train can be a relaxing way to get around, especially when the views outside the window are this good. Plus, London has fantastic transport links , which means that finding an aesthetically-pleasing new adventure is easy. Our city’s trains are well-linked to other parts of the UK and across Europe, so you can forget about schlepping to the airport for your next break. For beautiful train journeys, through picturesque mountain ranges, past rugged castles and over sparkling rivers just take your pick from the list below. Here’s just a handful of the most scenic train journeys in Europe, starting in London and ending somewhere new. No Oyster card needed.

RECOMMENDED: the best day trips from London

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Beautiful European train journeys from London

1.  London St Pancras to Avignon via Eurostar

Look out for  Once you hit France it’s all rolling fields and quaint little villages. After passing through the charming, gastro-city of Lyon and on to the vineyard-strewn Rhône Valley, look out for the Massif Central mountains to the right and the snowy French Alps to the left before arriving in the incredibly beautiful, walled medieval city of Avignon.

Journey  London St Pancras to Avignon TGV station, changing at Paris (via Eurostar), to Avignon city centre (via shuttle train).

Journey time 6 hours

Approx cost  £196 (one-way, standard class, advance booking)

2.  London Paddington to St Ives via the Night Riviera Sleeper

Look out for  En route to Penzance, try and spot the giant Westbury White Horse, carved out of chalky Salisbury Plain. Cross engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s famous bridge over the river Tamar and keep a look out for the sign welcoming you to Cornwall in actual Cornish. Trundle along the breathtaking clifftops of St Ives Bay before arriving at the seaside town with its postcard-perfect harbour.

Journey  London to St Erth via the Night Riviera Sleeper, St Erth to St Ives (by bus).

Journey time 8 hours 19 minutes Approx cost £79-£165 (one-way, single sleeper)

3.  London St Pancras to Barcelona via Latour-de-Carol & the Pyrenees

Look out for  More scenic and cheaper than the TGV high-speed equivalent – rolling through the Rhône valley you’ll see countless pretty villages. Notice the Foix Castle emerge on the right before winding your way through the snowcapped Pyrenees. From the grand Latour-de-Carol station it’s a three-hour wobbly descent down the mountains to Barcelona. Look out for cascading waterfalls, tiny houses perched precariously on the hills and ancient ruins.

Journey  London to Paris (via Eurostar), Paris to Latour-de-Carol (via Intercité de Nuit couchette train), Latour-de-Carol- Enveitg – Barcelona (via Rodalies de Catalunya train).

Journey time 2 days

Approx cost £200 (one way, advance tickets)

4.  London St Pancras to Milan

Look out for  Race alongside the banks of Lake Como and into luscious green mountains. From Tirano, enjoy views of the mist-covered Alps, then it’s a fir-tree-lined descent past the vast Lake Poschiavo and over the six-arched curved limestone Landwasser Viaduct. Once in Milan you can hotfoot it on to a high-speed train and take a trip to Florence, Rome or Venice.

Journey  London to Paris (via Eurostar), Paris to Zurich (via TGV plus overnight stay), Zurich to Milan (via local train).

Journey time 2 days Approx cost £116 (one way, standard class, excluding overnight stay)

5.  London Euston to Fort William via Caledonian Sleeper

Look out for Waking up on board the Caledonian Sleeper in Bonnie Scotland is pretty special, but the return leg is even nicer. Unspoilt Scottish scenery will have you glued to the window until bedtime. Pass by Loch Lomond bordered by craggy mountains and make sure you keep your eyes peeled for deer on the marshy flatlands of Rannoch Moor. Add on a train trip to Mallaig at the end of the line, to travel over the Glenfinnan Viaduct – the 21-arch bridge featured in the Harry Potter movies. 

Journey time 13 hours

Approx cost £55 seat/£270 single-bed bunks/£405 double bed (one way advance ticket)

6.  London Euston to The Welsh Coast via Cambrian Railway

Look out for Taking you all the way from Shrewsbury to the edge of North West Wales, you’ll pass the top of the Shropshire hills, the Cambrian Hills, and then Snowdonia. If you want to exit the train, your route takes you near to Ynys-hir Nature Reserve, where you can take a stroll whilst overlooking the Dyfi estuary. Don’t miss Harlech Castle, an impressive Medieval structure situated on the edge of a near-vertical cliff face.

Journey  London Euston to Shrewsbury changing at Birmingham (via Avanti West Coast), Shrewsbury to Pwllheli (via Cambrian Railway).

Journey time 7 hours

Approx cost  £60–180 (one-way, advance booking)

7.  London St Pancras to The Black Forest via Eurostar

Look out for Apparently the sunniest city in Germany, Freiburg is a quant area with delicate miniature streams and cobbled streets. On the journey there, you’ll fly across the vibrant French countryside, through the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine, and then across the border into Southern Germany where you can expect incredible views of The Black Forest. We recommend hopping off and visiting the Forest on foot, or riding in a cable car to get a bird’s eye view of the incredible dark treetops. If you fancy extending your trip, there’s also a Black Forest train route running between Offenburg (30 minutes from Freiburg) and Konstanz.

Journey London St Pancras to Paris Nord (via Eurostar), Paris Nord to Paris Gare de L'Est (via Paris RER), Paris Gare de L'Est to Karlsruhe Hbf (via TGV),  Karlsruhe Hbf to Freiburg. 

Journey time  7 hours 35 minutes

Approx cost £120 (one way, 2nd class)

8.  London Victoria to Venice via Orient Express

Look out for Let’s be honest, once you’re on board the Belmond Orient Express you’ll struggle to take your eyes off the art deco interiors in your vintage cabin. But if you can, you’ll see spectacular views of imposing mountains and lush valleys. Your journey starts as you whizz through the French countryside whilst enjoying a four-course meal and fizz. When you rise in the morning, you’ll be greeted by the all-encompassing Swiss Alps over your morning coffee, just like Hercule Poirot.

Journey  London Victoria to Folkestone (via Belmond British Pullman), Folkestone to Paris (via shuttle), Paris to Venice (via Orient Express).

Journey time  32 hours (overnight, sleeper)

Approx cost  £ 4,500 (single, one way)

9.  London Euston to Carlisle via The Cumbrian Mountain Express

Look out for  On this steam train service, you’ll begin travelling across a patchwork of pretty English hills and farmland towards the Yorkshire Dales. As you weave across the country and towards Carlisle, you’ll pass through tunnels and over impressive viaducts, such as Ribblehead. The train also travels through Mallerstang, home to Pendragon castle, past the River Eden and up to Ais Gill, the highest railway summit in England.

Journey  London Euston to Carnforth (via Electric), Carnforth to Carlisle (Steam).

Journey time  1 day

Approx cost  £110 (one way, advance standard class)

10.  London St Pancras to Budapest via The Balkan Odyssey

Look out for Beginning in Venice, where you’ll see the romantic Venice Lagoon and Grand Canal, the super luxurious Balkan Odyssey follows the Adriatic coast to Budapest, stopping off at beautiful and intriguing European spots. You’ll be taking your time to explore the different places along the way, but when you’re on board make sure you keep your gaze out the window to spy gothic castles, gawp at the Carpathian Mountains in Romania and see the glistening Danube in Hungary.

Journey  London to Paris (via Eurostar), Paris to München (via SNCF), München to Venice (via Nightjet sleeper), Venice to Budapest (via The Balkan Odyssey).

Journey time 10  days

Approx cost  £9,983 (single, one way)

11.  London St Pancras to Prague via Czech Railways

Look out for As you whiz through Germany look for the Elbe River, one of Europe’s major rivers, as you travel south of Dresden. You’ll also spy Bad Schandau, a scenic spa town located on the bank of the river, and Děčín Castle where the Elbe meets Ploučnice river, before travelling alongside the incredible River Vltava on the way into the historic city of Prague.

Journey  London St. Pancras to Frankfurt (via Eurostar), Frankfurt to Berlin (via DB), Berlin to Dresden (via DB), Dresden to Prague (via Czech Railways).

Journey time two days

Approx cost  £215 (one way, not including overnight stay)

More amazing weekend breaks from London

Live the Dreamland in Margate

Recently, 1920s theme park Dreamland has reopened after an 11-year campaign by locals. The UK’s answer to New York’s hyper-kitsch Coney Island, it boasts a mix of retro rides, seaside sauciness and a Tracey Emin-endorsed rollerdisco. Entry costs £17.95 and covers all rides. Skating is £4.95 Fri-Sun and £4.50 Mon-Thurs. With ‘Dreamland’ spelled out like the Hollywood sign across the back wall, it’s the most Instagrammable pleasure beach I’ve ever been to.

Margate retains an eccentric seaside spirit though. We paid £3.50 to pop into the Shell Grotto, a series of caves discovered in Victorian times (FYI, there’s a shell phallus), then visited the Mad Hatter, a tearoom in the old town, which has been covered floor-to-ceiling in Princess Diana memorabilia for the past 20 years. 

And that’s the thing – Londoners are always chasing trends, when we could be heading to Margs for some properly old-fashioned fun. A walk on the beach, a ride on the Ferris wheel, maybe even a stick of rock… Exactly the same things your nan enjoyed on holiday.

By Kate Lloyd

www.dreamland.co.uk

Getting there : By train from St Pancras or Victoria to Margate: around one hour 30 minutes. 

Go post-apocalyptic at Dungeness

Doomsday is upon us, and you are one of the few survivors! At least, that’s how it feels visiting this Kent coastal desert. Splintered remains of old boats litter the large shingle expanse, rusty train tracks run to the middle of nowhere, and a nuclear power station looms over you in the middle distance. Bring your camera and watch out for zombies. 

Getting there: By train from King’s Cross to Appledore (change at Ashford): around one hour 30 minutes. Then taxi.

Sculpt a castle at Sunny Sands

One of the few sandy beaches within an hour of London (and a lovely one it is too), Sunny Sands hosts the annual Folkestone Mermaid Festival and Sandcastle Competition, where the Michelangelos and Da Vincis of the sand-crafting world go head to head. You’d best get practising. www.folkestonefestival.org Getting there: By train from King’s Cross to Folkestone Central: around one hour.

Get down and dirty on a sewer tour in Brighton

You don’t really know a city until you’ve seen its shitty underside. This Southern Water tour (£12 adults, £6 children) will take you beneath the streets of Brighton, through a network of impressive Victorian tunnels that channel waste and water out of the city, before emerging from a manhole into a busy street!  www.southernwater.co.uk/brighton-sewer-tours

Getting there: By train from Victoria to Brighton: around one hour. 

Have a punt in Cambridge

A short train ride away from hordes of sweating sightseers, I find myself setting off on a two-mile punt down the river Cam. Scudamore’s punts can be hired at Mill Lane (£100 a day, £25 an hour), from which point you can drift out of town. Go far enough and you’ll reach the Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester, once frequented by Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, EM Forster and other dead types. As promised, everywhere is pleasantly scented, truly beautiful and – since the students have gone home for summer – nice and empty. 

The theory of punting is thus: drop the end of a metal pole to the riverbed, push and it will propel you forwards. The journey’s hard going (Scudamore’s also runs one-way guided trips up to Grantchester for the pole-shy) but ultimately worth it. We moor up by the tea room; there’s a charming, sun-dappled little orchard full of deckchairs and nattering locals. As I bite into a carrot cake, I let the tranquillity wash over me. And I’ve got the perfect way to hold on to this feeling: on the way back, I’m not doing the punting. 

By Alexi Duggins

www.scudamores.com

Getting there: By fast train from King’s Cross to Cambridge: around 45 minutes. Then walk (25 minutes) or taxi to Mill Lane. 

Raise a glass at Denbies in Dorking

As well as sampling award-winning wines produced by England’s largest vineyard, you can take indoor and outdoor tours of the estate (£6-£16). 

www.denbies.co.uk

Spoil yourself at The Grove in Hertfordshire

Queen Victoria used to ‘weekend’ at this country estate, 18 miles from central London. It’s now a fancy hotel with luxurious day packages on offer at its spa (£195-£350). Treat yo’self. 

www.thegrove.co.uk

Getting there: By train from Euston to Watford Junction: around 20 minutes. Then taxi.

Chug out West on the Dorset Coast Express

Getting there: Next train, July 22.

Take the plunge in Pangbourne

Pangbourne is a picturesque village with two or three nice pubs – and some of the best wild swimming within reach of London. We arrived in time for a riverside lunch at The Swan, then strolled down the Thames Path to the water meadows, a prime bathing spot (goose shit notwithstanding) with a slipway providing easy access to the river. 

Yes, it was bloody freezing. But only a few minutes in, I was surprised by a genuine feeling of being ‘at one with nature’. I was more literally bonded with some squishy mud near the bank, but a few feet out the bottom dropped away. Suddenly I was doggy-paddling in the clean, clear waters of Big Daddy Thames. 

It was glorious: enough to make you never want to dip a toe in chlorinated water again. On a sunny day I’d have been there all afternoon; but given the weather, a pint at The Cross Keys was a decent alternative. And we were back at Paddington by half six. Next time I go, I might even check the weather forecast.

www.wildswim.com

By James Manning

Getting there: By train from Paddington to Pangbourne: direct, around one hour 30 minutes; change at Reading for a journey of less than an hour.

Grin and bear (Grylls) it in the New Forest

Want to be able to survive in the most inhospitable environment? The place to start is… the New Forest. These family-friendly bushcraft courses (£70 adults, £55 12-18s) will teach you the basics of outdoor survival: how to build a shelter, make a fire, find water and wrestle bears to the death (well, the first three at least). www.newforestactivities.co.uk Getting there: By fast train from Waterloo to Brockenhurst: around one hour 35 minutes. Then taxi. 

Join the wolf pack in Berkshire

You’ll be howling with approval after a visit to the UK Wolf Conservation Trust. Open to the public every Wednesday (£8 adults, £5 children), the centre is home to ten wolves from places including North America and the Arctic. They’re all kept in enclosures, but maybe still err on the side of caution and avoid wearing any sheepskin. 

Getting there: By train from Paddington to Midgham (change at Reading): around one hour. Then taxi. 

www.ukwct.org.uk 

Take a walk on the wool side with llamas in Surrey

Dogs are soooo 2014! When you go for a walk in the countryside these days, you want a freakin’ llama by your side. Lead one of the friendly furries through the beautiful Surrey Hills on a day-long trek (£75 adults, £38 nine-15s), stopping for a picnic en route. Just don’t piss your llama off or you’ll learn the true meaning of ‘spitting distance’. 

www.surrey-hills-llamas.co.uk

Getting there: By train from Waterloo to Milford: around one hour. Then taxi.

Go to shellfish heaven on Mersea Island

The little island of Mersea (pronounced ‘Mersey’) is one of those places you don’t want to shout about. Let everyone else go to twee-on-sea Whitstable, with its bunting and overpriced oysters. Mersea has crept on to the food map in the past few years, but it’s still down-to-earth.

Seafood shack The Company Shed is exactly that – a big shed that grew out of the family oyster-farming business, with cheapo furniture, kitchen rolls plonked on tables and angry lobsters and crabs awaiting their fate in a tank on the back wall. 

Order at the counter then sit back like a Roman emperor as ridiculous piles of shellfish are brought to you. We go for the famous Company Shed seafood platter (£15 per person): a monster smorgasbord of crab, locally cured salmon, smoked peppered mackerel, prawns, crevettes and mussels. 

There’s plenty to do on the island – crabbing, a country park, cycling, boat trips, a tour of Mersea Island Vineyard and its microbrewery. But to be honest, we’re really here to feed our faces.  

By Cath Clarke

www.thecompanyshed.co  

Getting there: By train from Liverpoool Street to Colchester: around 50 minutes. Then taxi (30 minutes), bus or bicycle. You can also pick up a passenger ferry to Mersea from Brightlingsea.

Catch a moving film at the Floating Cinema

London’s favourite (and presumably only) canal boat cinema has gone cruising out west this summer, on a tour from Brentford to Bristol, along the Kennet & Avon Canal. You can take easy day trips to any of the places where it’s mooring for a range of workshops, talks and free outdoor screenings.  www.floatingcinema.info

Getting there: Transport and timings vary. See the website. 

Play the imitation game at Bletchley Park

Follow in the footsteps of Alan Turing (statue pictured) and his legendary team at the very place where brainy Brits cracked the Nazi Enigma code (£16.75 annual adult ticket, £10 12-16s, free under-12s). After taking in the incredible wartime history of the park at its fascinating museum, visit the huts where maths whizzes worked around the clock on German ciphers – work that is estimated to have shortened the war by two years.  www.bletchleypark.org.uk

Getting there: By train from Euston to Bletchley: around 45 minutes.

Stand the chance of a ghost in Pluckley

Steel yourself and head for Britain’s most haunted village. A screaming man, a suicidal schoolmaster, a burning lady and a murdered highwayman are among the 12 spectres said to hang out in this unassuming corner of the Kent countryside. 

www.pluckley.net

Getting there: By train from Charing Cross to Pluckley: around one hour ten minutes. 

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Just a reminder... Seat61.com is not a company or a travel agency, but a personal site originally started as a hobby.  Ads & affiliate commission support the site and my travel habit (er... I mean research), and buy me a beer or two.   The information on this site aims to help, but I can't take responsibility for any inaccuracy.  All pages & photos © Mark Smith 2001-2024, except where shown.  Please donate!   If this site helps you, please consider donating to UNICEF or maybe contribute a photo or two .

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Train & Rail Tours & Trips in Europe

Explore Europe with a train adventure that will take through world-renowned locations such as France (Paris), Italy (Rome, Venice and Florence) or the beautiful city of Prague. If you feel like going even further, Spain (Barcelona and Madrid) are a great choice. While you're in Europe, don't miss out on London and discover everything it can offer.

112 Train & Rail tour packages in Europe with 978 reviews

• Train & Rail
• Sightseeing
• Christmas & New Year

Berlin to Venice (15 Days) (including Salzburg)

Glacier Express & Porsche 911 Rail & Drive Experience

• In-depth Cultural

Berlin to Rome

All the places were amazing,but the hotels on Italy were not the same quality standards. They could be better.

Mediterranean Express: Rivieras & Railroads

Hey is anyone going on the Mediterranean Express trip on 8th September, looking to get to know my fellow travellers a little before I arrive! :)

Paris to Barcelona: Tapas & Train Rides

Central Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

I am so happy I took this trip! I love that there is a planned activity in each city but you also get free days to explore on your own or with new friends. Every city was stunning and I met some great people as well. The thing that made me want to leave a review the most was honesty our tour leader , Cristina was a delight and a perfect balance for our group. She made this trip more memorable then I could have imagined and had great tips for each city too!!!!! Truly an unforgettable experience I would highly recommend. I wish I did the whole Europe tour instead of just central Europe.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

European Romance

Highlights of Europe (Classic, Summer, Start Amsterdam, End London, 13 Days)

Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-35)

I have just returned from the whole of Europe tour trip and honestly it was one of the most amazing experiences ever!!! This trip has really helped boost my confidence in solo travelling in the future. I have made some lovely new friends and made many memories in each city we visited. Our tour guide Tom was very professional, lovely and great to have a laugh with! The tour was extremely well organised and definitely worth the money.

Contrasts of Switzerland (8 Days)

My wife and I had a really fun time on the tour. We saw a great deal and enjoyed experiencing the different regions of Switzerland. Our tour guide Stephanie was excellent. She was always available for questions

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Rome, Florence, Cinque Terre & Venice in 7 Days

Overall for a budget tour, this was a great tour. The tour guides were very knowledgeable. The accommodation was clean and spacious. The included meals were delicious. My only criticism is that there was not enough free time in Cinque Terre considering how much travel time was required.

Italy By Train

The communication with Tour Radar was excellent. They were very responsive and helpful at all times. The train travel was seamless and easy to negotiate. The quality of the hotels was variable. Some were excellent and some only adequate. It may have been in the documentation, but I hadn't realised that a city tax needed to be paid at each hotel.

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure

London to Istanbul Rail Adventure + Cappadocia Extension

Train tours Italy: Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento by train

Excellent value and our Guide, Constantino was knowledgeable and accommodated many little extras. Tino is good at what he does!

What people love about Train & Rail Tours in Europe

Overal a great experience, the guides ensure you have an authentic experience and take care of the difficult parts of traveling. It's a long trip and designed for those wanting to see much of central Europe in a short amount of time. I have taken away many good memories with the people I travelled with, and have formed a deeper understanding of western art, history and culture. Highly recommend.

The highlight of our year so far! ? Me and my partner loved the Central Europe Tour ?(2 weeks), we would recommend it to ANYONE! And we would even suggest doing the Whole of Europe tour (4 weeks), as we could have easily carried on travelling with this company and the amazing people we met! ?The whole trip was thoroughly planned and so enjoyable! Such a stress free experience, especially for someone like myself who gets quite anxious when travelling - I would 100% do again!?? I met some incredible individuals, and the group planned activities were just what we needed to establish really strong bonds straight away! We have definitely made some lifelong friends and memories we will forever cherish! ??? The creation of the WhatsApp group chat with all our fellow travellers beforehand was so beneficial!? It broke the ice and put our minds at ease about the uncertainty of the upcoming trip ? And our guide Cristina ? - was brilliant, super friendly, helpful, considerate and extremely knowledgeable - educating us all. She was available 24/7, and we had the pleasure of spending our last day in Venice with her! ??? She deserves a lot of credit for making all our experiences amazing and unforgettable! Thank you Cristina ?? We look forward to our future bookings with Euroventure! ??

Travel Styles

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11 of the best value train journeys in Europe (Starting from €9! )

The best and cheapest way to see Europe ? How about travelling by train across Europe. While it is not as cheap as coach travel, trains in Europe, if booked in advance, can offer some incredible deals. It beats flying anyway and also is the most sustainable and one of the cheapest ways to travel across Europe. While for peace of mind and ease of travel, an Eurail pass is incredible, if you do have a rough itinerary in mind and prepared to book the long distance routes 90 days in advance ( or 9 months for trains in France) , there are some incredible  cheap train tickets for Europe. Following my revised guide to the best budget bus companies to see Europe, I’ve compiled a list of the 11 best tips and hacks to find cheap trains in Europe.

1. Use the stopover feature on Deutsche Bahn’s international tickets to travel from Berlin to Prague with stopover in Dresden for €18.90

Plan a stopover at no extra cost thanks to this incredible feature from deutsche bahn.

If you are visiting Berlin for example with plans to continue to Prague, via the Deutsche Bahn website, you can add a 24 hour stopover in Dresden at no extra price.

For example, searching in March 2022, you can buy a ticket from Berlin to Prague for as little as €18.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Dresden.

Or if you are planning to visit Budapest, you can book a ticket from Berlin to Budapest for €46.90 with a 24 hour stopover in Prague.

PS: If you are planning a trip to Prague, checkout my guide to the best budget places to stay in Prague ,  Prague on a budget and also my guide to the best things to do in Prague

These are Deutsche Bahn’s Sparpreis advance-purchase cheap fares.

For an extra €19.90 you can also upgrade your ticket to 1st class where you’ll get a slightly better seat and legspace but honestly in my opinion, there is not really a big difference between travelling 1st and 2nd class on these trains.

2. Prague to Budapest- €16 and Vienna to Budapest- €9 with Regiojet

One of the best value cheap train europe deals- tick off three classic europe destinations with one incredible fare.

Formerly the Student Travel Agency which started out offering low-cost luxury bus services within Czech Republic, the agency has now rebranded as Regiojet offering incredible value low-cost train services within Czech Republic and beyond.

The best value deal of the lot, was launched last summer when Regiojet started a new train service that linked up three key European capitals that are a staple of every Eurotrip- Prague, Vienna and Budapest. Currently there are 2 trains servicing the route daily. Tickets start from as little as €16 between Prague and Budapest and just €9 from Vienna to Budapest.

A quick search pulled up a few of the €16 Prague and Budapest fares in March 2022. The basic fare includes seat reservations and WiFi. For an extra €2.30 you get a better seat, free newspaper water and access to their built-in LCD screens.

3. Prague to Budapest with Czech Railways for €21 in advance

Another slightly more expensive and alternative option is to book Eurocity train from Prague to Budapest for as little as €21 or 514 CZK. You can only book this ticket in advance only via the

Czech Railways website.

4. Prague to Munich for €15 via Czech Railways

Czech railways, portal for czech trains can sometimes offer some great deals on train travel…..

If you are travelling from Czech Republic to Germany, I would also strongly urge you to look up fares on Czech Railways website where they can be often a third cheaper than when booking via Deutsche Bahn website.

For example on 30th March, travelling from Prague to Munich on the direct train, ( 11.38am ) the fare shows up as €42 one way via bahn.de website but if you look at the Czech Railways website, same train and fare shows up as 360 CZK which is €14.76 which is a massive saving.

Promenade Anglais, Nice

5. Paris to Nice €19 with the French low cost train service Ouigo

A low-cost, high-speed train service operated by sncf .

Visiting France soon? While many are familiar with their amazing TGV trains, Voyages SNCF also has a low-cost train service called Ouigo which offers fares as cheap as €10 between Paris Marné la Vallée and Lyon or Bordeaux & €19 from Paris to Nice. These super cheap fares open 9 months in advance so you should book early to get these fares.

For example, a quick search on en.oui.sncf, I can see a bunch of fares for €10 from Paris to Bordeaux in June 2022. It is worth noting that this fare is valid from Marné la Vallée which is the TGV outpost for Disneyland Paris and is a 12 minute , €15 ride from Paris CDG airport. Or you can take the underground to Châtelet-Les-Halles from where you take the RER-line A to Marne-la-Vallée. Journey time is 35 minutes and costs €7.50.

If you are planning to travel to Paris and Nice, Ouigo also operate a low-cost service on this popular route. In June 2022, I can see fares for as little as €19. Trains leave from the more central Gare de Lyon to Nice.

Ouigo also has a few extras to keep in mind. If you want a seat with electric sockets for an extra €2 and if you want to be in the quiet carriage, there is an extra €5 fee.

Trainline’s cheap fare finder feature is a really handy feature to find out the cheapest fares in the next month

PS: Another brilliant value train deal to also keep in mind is the Milan to Paris route. Being offseason, there is a bunch of their cheap €29 fares on sale now on the route ( Trainline’s excellent low fare calendar is a very handy tool )   Journey time is 7 hours. Extra €10 snags you a seat on 1st class.

6. Barcelona to Madrid by €9 with Ouigo Spain

Low-cost, high speed rail service revolution comes to spain.

Last summer ( 2021) Ouigo brought their unique low-cost train services to Spain. From May 2021, Ouigo started offering a 5 times a day, daily return service between Barcelona and Madrid. The service also serves the cities of Zaragoza and Tarragona.

Simple search on Ouigo website, reveals a bunch of the bargain €9 fares on the Barcelona to Madrid route for dates in June and July 2021. Ouigo applies low cost airline dynamic pricing so the sooner you book, the better the fares so keep that in mind.

Worth noting that for the basic €9 fare, passengers can bring a small bag/ handbag and a carry on cabin sized luggage. If you have a rucksack or suitcase, there is an extra €5 fee.

7. Stockholm to Gothenburg with Flixtrain for €12.99

If Sweden is on your itinerary and you are planning to travel between the two main cities, Stockholm and Gothenburg, have a look at Flixtrain who offer fares for as little as €12.99/135 kronor between Stockholm and Gothenburg. To give you a comparison, main operator in Sweden SJ offer fares of 194 kronor/ €18.60 so you make a big saving.

8. Berlin to Frankfurt for €9.99 with Flixtrain Germany

Flixtrain also operates on a number of routes in Germany and is the main competitor to Deutsche Bahn. Frequency is less and they operate on a handful of routes but their fares are much cheaper.

To give you an idea, fares with Flixtrain cost as little as €4.99 from Hamburg to Berlin ( Journey time 2 hours 39 minutes ) €9.99 Berlin to Stuttgart ( Journey time 5.56 hours ) and €9.99-Berlin to Frankfurt ( 4.09 hours )

9. Deutsche Bahn Länder ticket/ Regional day tickets

Unlimited train travel across any of germany’s 16 federal states for as little as €22.

If you are visiting Germany, especially with your partner or a group of friends, another brilliant deal is the Lander regional tickets which offer you unlimited travel within the state for as little as €22. This ticket is valid only on local and regional trains and excludes the faster ICE/IC trains. You can travel with up to four fellow passengers per ticket for as little as EUR 3 per additional passenger.

The tickets are valid from Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 03:00 on the following day.

We used this ticket when visiting Munich last year for a day trip to Zugspitze, beautiful Lake Eibsee and Garmisch Partenkirchen.

The other great thing worth remembering is that you can buy these tickets on the day from any Deutsche Bahn ticket machine in the train station.

10. Paris to Vienna for €60 with Nightjet train service

Night trains in europe a great way to save money on accommodation plus time if you are on tight itinerary.

If you are on a tight budget and travelling between countries, I would highly recommend looking into booking an overnight sleeper train to help you save money on 1 nights accommodation and also you are not wasting the whole day in a train.

For example you can travel from Paris to Vienna on the Nightjet service. It leaves Gare de l’Est at 6.58pm and reaches Vienna at 10.12am in the morning.

The basic fare for a seat in a 6 seat compartment carriage is €60. From the picture above, as you can see, not the most comfortable seat to be cooped up and try and sleep.

I f you are on a tight budget, it will get you from A to B. If you splurge on a couchette , you pay an extra €20 which might be worth the investment if it means getting a decent night sleep.

I’ve taken the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Edinburgh and also the Helsinki to Kolari ( Prices start from €49 for private cabin and with shower, €69 ) overnight train on my way to the 7 Fells Hostel in Finnish Lapland- ( Read more about my trip to Finnish Lapland here ) great way to travel and the journey itself is an experience that will remember.

Other great services on Nightjet train worth keeping an eye include the Munich to Zagreb service ( leaves Munich at 23.20pm and reaches Zagreb at 8.32am) -booking in advance, you get a seat in the compartment for as little as €29.90 or for an extra €45 on top, you can get a sleeper bed.

11. Buy a Eurail pass

The first entry on my first Interrail pass from 2012: ICE 36, Copenhagen to Hamburg, The journey begins…

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Best night trains in Europe

Growing in popularity, sleepers offer the perfect combination of travel and accommodation in one

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Long-distance train travel is having a moment it seems. Whether the appeal is the old-school romance of being rocked to sleep on the rails, perhaps waking up in another country, concerns about climate change and the carbon footprint of flying, or a desire to experience slow travel and take in more of your surroundings on your journey, a sleeper train offers the perfect combination of travel and accommodation in one. 

Taking a night train across Europe "is an exceptionally convenient, efficient and budget-friendly way to explore the region", said Rail Europe . That's because the price of your ticket also covers the cost of a night's accommodation. "So take the money you would have spent on a hotel and add another leg onto your trip or splurge at your next destination."

Here are some of Europe's best night train journeys.

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London to Venice

The Venice Simplon Orient Express is the "grand dame of sleeper trains", said The Times . Since being immortalised by Agatha Christie it's "become the byword for yesteryear elegance", as "one of the few surviving chariots of the golden age of travel". Luxe to the max, its interiors feature "wood panelling and lush drapes, antique lamps and art deco mirrors, and a Bar Car with live music". If money is no object, "splash out on one of the six grand suites for marble en suites, butler service and as much champagne as you can glug". Nowadays, you travel from London Victoria "aboard the luxury private Belmond British Pullman" to Paris, before joining the Orient Express for the overnight leg to Venice.

Find out more: belmond.com

Trondheim to Bodo

"Under normal circumstances, the jaw-dropping views offered by any Norwegian rail journey would make a night train a wasted opportunity," said Lonely Planet . However, travel this 430-mile route into the Arctic Circle in summer and "you needn't miss anything – the sun will hardly set". This means you can "enjoy views of woodland, lakes, mountains and tundra at any time of the night", said The Times. In winter it "looks like an understudy for the Polar Express" as it "snakes past pine forests laden with snow". And between September and March there's the chance of seeing the northern lights.

Find out more: sj.no

Brussels to Prague

The European Sleeper leaves Brussels Midi station at around 7.20pm and pulls into Prague just before 11am, "perfect timing for passengers to enjoy lunch and a stroll around the Czech capital before checking into a hotel", said CN Traveller . This route is an extension of the Brussels to Berlin service and "it's an ideal starting point for UK-based travelers looking to snooze their way deeper into Europe", said Lonely Planet, "since there's no need in Brussels to change stations (as in Paris)".

Find out more: europeansleeper.eu

Paris to Vienna

The French capital is "gradually restoring its reputation as a hub for overnight services", said The Times , with plans for multiple routes from 2025. For now, try the Nightjet from Gare de l'Est, a short walk from Eurostar's Gare du Nord, to Vienna. With "perhaps the most perfect timings of any overnight sleeper, leaving mid-evening and arriving just before elevenses", there's plenty of time to "savour this cross-section of Europe". In the evening, you're "traversing Champagne country to Strasbourg", then "sashaying along the Danube from Salzburg in the morning, with a big chunk of Germany in between".

Find out more: nightjet.com

Milan to Palermo

"Long and skinny", Italy is "ideal for train travel", said The Telegraph . And it's "still quite an odyssey" to leave Milan, "one of Europe's grandest railway palaces" and "go all the way to the toe of the boot and cross over to Sicily". This represents "the chance to ride a train and a boat at the same time", said The Times. After leaving the northern capital in the evening, and "heading south through the hours of darkness" it's time to enjoy "coffee and a croissant in your cabin" while "admiring the coastal views". The train is "shunted on to a special ferry" to cross the Strait of Messina to Sicily, and you'll reach Palermo late that afternoon.

Find out more: trenitalia.com

Zurich to Zagreb

Crossing five countries in around 15 hours, this is "one of Europe's most scenic routes", said Lonely Planet. It is particularly "worth taking" in summer, as it passes through Austria and Slovenia – "both countries where you're hard-pressed to find an unattractive railway line". The train leaves Zurich at 7.40pm and, next morning, "be sure to wake up before 8am", said The New Zealand Herald , "as the last section between Ljubljana and Zagreb, when the train snakes alongside the Sava River, is one of the most picturesque".

London-Scotland

One of the UK's two sleepers, both of which "have recently benefited from major upgrades" that "many see as a vote of confidence in the country's overnight services", said Lonely Planet. Departing from London Euston, the "legendary" Caledonian Sleeper heads north "via a series of carriage shuffles unnoticed by the snoozing passenger, reaches Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen, Fort William and points in between". On a moonlight night you can expect "sweeping views of stately castles and remote Highland wilderness", said The Times. These new trains "provide proper 21st-century comforts" including Wi-Fi, room service and complimentary sleep kits. Accommodation options include en-suite double cabins, twin bunks and "comfort seats". And in the morning "the menu features everything from porridge to a cooked full Highland breakfast".

Find out more: sleeper.scot

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Love Exploring

We’ve Tracked Down Europe’s Most Scenic Rail Routes to Try

Posted: February 9, 2024 | Last updated: February 9, 2024

Terrific trains

With so many countries to explore – each offering vastly different landscapes and scenery – Europe almost seems custom-built for train travel. So it’s little wonder that the continent is covered in a huge network of brilliant railways, most of which are affordable and easy to navigate. From routes along the alpine slopes of Switzerland to Italian coastal villages and dramatic Nordic fjords, here are our favorites. (Ticket prices are correct at the time of writing, but do check individual operators for the most up-to-date information.)

Trenino Verde, Sardinia, Italy

Translating to 'little green train', the Trenino Verde is a sublime – and surprisingly little-known – way to see the Sardinian countryside. This 130-year-old vintage railway has five different routes across the country, totaling 272 miles (438km) of track, which pass through a treasure trove of landscapes, including olive groves, quaint villages, glittering seas, craggy coastlines and steep peaks. 

West Highland Line, Scotland, UK

It’s little wonder that ScotRail's  West Highland Line is often dubbed Britain's most scenic train route, with rugged Highland landscapes, rolling hills and windswept moorlands galore. But the most picture-perfect (and famous) section of the rail line, which runs between the cities of Glasgow and Mallaig, is the part where the train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct. Recognize it? That’s because it’s the same bridge the Hogwarts Express crosses in the Harry Potter films.

For an even more authentic Harry Potter experience, you can travel across the famous viaduct on the Jacobite steam train , which is used in the films. The seasonal service typically runs between early April and late October each year, covering the 84-mile (135km) round trip between Fort William and Mallaig in leisurely style. It’s a little more expensive than the ScotRail line, with an adult return costing $61. The ScotRail service line starts at around $19 for an off-peak day return.

Belgrade, Serbia to Bar, Montenegro

There aren’t a whole lot of options for exploring the famously bus-heavy Balkans by rail, but this legendary 10-hour journey takes in some of the best scenery Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro have to offer. That includes this eye-wateringly high bridge, which teeters 656 feet (200m) above the Mala Rijeka viaduct (until 2001 it was the highest railway bridge in the world). But it’s one of just 435 bridges along the route – necessary to cross all the mountains and gorges. 

Beginning at the Serbian capital, the train rattles past wide, flat fields and distant mountains, before stopping at Užice in the country’s southwest. Next, it hurtles towards Podgorica in Montenegro, skimming along the shores of Lake Skadar before finishing up at the coastal town of Bar. There's a daytime departure and a night train too, and tickets are reported to cost just $21, although you can’t book online. 

The Glacier Express, Switzerland

Connecting the mountain resorts of Zermatt and St Moritz, the Glacier Express is a brilliant way of seeing some of the most beautiful views in the Swiss Alps. The scenic route takes in sights including the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the journey, and the Landwasser Viaduct (pictured) – a six-arch bridge which stands at 213 feet (65m) and plunges straight into a tunnel that leads through the mountain. 

The day-long trip covers 91 tunnels and 291 bridges, and offers the chance to take in alpine meadows, mountain lakes and chalets. You might expect such a stunning train ride to cost huge sums of money, but the journey will only set you back around $156 for a one-way, second-class ticket. Now the only decision is whether to travel in summer, when you’ll get to see the region covered in vibrant green trees and colorful wildflowers, or winter, when the alpine landscapes are blanketed in frost and snow. 

Barcelona to Montserrat, Spain

The storied mountaintop monastery of Montserrat is one of the most gorgeous parts of Catalonia – but did you know you can reach it by train? The ToT Montserrat is an ultra-scenic route which runs between Barcelona and the foothills of the peak, at which point you can choose between taking the cable car (Aeri) or the rack railway (Cremallera) up to the Montserrat Monastery. Whichever option you go for, you’ll be rewarded with sweeping vistas across the rugged valley.

A round-trip ticket, which includes either the Aeri or Cremallera option, costs $65 and takes around an hour and a half in total. If you want to go even higher, hitch a ride on the Saint Joan funicular (pictured) which is included in the price of your ticket and takes you from the monastery right up to the top of the mountain.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, UK to Italy

For a no-expense-spared, once-in-a-lifetime trip, look no further than this route between London and Verona. With an aim to evoke the romance and grandeur of old-school railway journeys, the stunning Art Deco  Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a chance to see rolling Italian countryside and iconic European cities in style. The new European ‘Grand Tour’ routes also include stops in Rome and Florence, and stretches to Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands too, with options to add hotel stays.

There are six Grand Suites on the train and each one is uniquely decorated to reflect a different city (Vienna, Prague, Paris, Istanbul, Venice and Budapest). Expect plenty of period features, delicate light fixtures, polished cherrywood marquetry and marble en suite bathrooms. Michelin-starred food (including Brittany lobsters and salt marsh lamb from Mont St Michel) is served from three dining cars. As if all that wasn’t decadent enough, there’s also a 24-hour butler onboard.

Flåm Railway, Norway

Traveling between Myrdal and Flåm in western Norway, the Flåm Railway is among the most historic and beautiful journeys in Europe. The route was built between 1923 and 1940 to serve villages along the Sognefjord. In fact, it’s one of the steepest rail journeys on the planet, dropping 2,844 feet (867m) during its 12-mile (20km) route, with 20 tunnels traveling through the steep mountains. Along the way, you’ll get to see everything from waterfalls to mighty lakes and mountains.

Mariazell Railway, Austria

Captured here in the golden-tinged glory of early fall, Austria’s Mariazell Railway is a fine way to see the picturesque Pielach Valley. The journey begins at St Pölten, the capital of the Lower Austria region, snaking its way southwards through 21 tunnels and across 19 viaducts before arriving at Mariazell. The so-called ‘Stairway to Heaven’ is Austria’s longest narrow-gauge railway, covering a distance of around 56 miles (91km) in just over two hours.

There are three options for those wishing to experience the storied route. Either take the modern Himelstreppe (pictured), which departs daily and starts from just $19. Or book a ticket on the first-class panorama carriage, which runs April to October and over Christmas, boasting 360-degree views and a first-class catering service. Alternatively, for a historic experience check out the historic Ötscherbär adventure train, powered by a century-old electric locomotive, with themed journeys for families.

Rauma Line, Norway

Few places on Earth have as much dramatic scenery as Norway and the Rauma Line is a great way to experience it. The one hour and 40-minute journey begins in the village of  Dombås, taking in the historic towns and mountain farms of the Gudbrandsdalen valley before entering the steep and rugged Romsdalen valley. It then passes over the famous Kylling Bridge and cruises past Trollveggen mountain before arriving at its final destination, Åndalsnes.

If you’re ending your journey in Åndalsnes, there’s no shortage of things to do in the fjord town. Hop on the Romsdalen Gondola for more epic views across the valley, enjoy a bite to eat at the panoramic Eggen Restaurant or lace up your hiking boots and explore one of the region’s many walking trails. Tickets can be purchased from SJ NORD and start from around $20 each way.

Mountain Spirit, Wales, UK

 Dating back more than 150 years, North Wales’  Mountain Spirit  service was rejuvenated in 1982, following a three decade-long restoration. The nostalgic steam train journey begins in the charming village of Blaenau Ffestiniog, crossing over the Cob embankment and climbing up the valley past woodlands and fields, before stopping at pretty Tan-y-Bwlch. The scenic 13.5-mile (21.7km)  journey ends in Porthmadog, a port town and narrow-gauge railway hub.

Those who board the historic train will be rewarded with its gorgeous vintage interiors, complete with comfortable seats and huge windows for admiring the scenery. Tickets start at $93 for a return ticket for two adults, with a there-and-back journey taking around three hours. 

La Rhune, France

You’d be hard-pressed to find a much more adorable train journey than this. Located in France’s captivating Basque Country, the Rhune Railway (or Le Petit Train de la Rhune) is a fabulous cog railway which takes passengers on a 35-minute ascent up to the 2,969-foot (905m) summit of its namesake mountain. The picture-perfect chestnut-wood carriages have been navigating this steep section of track since 1924.

Odontotos Rack Railway, Greece

Operating on the world’s narrowest gauge track – just a hair-raising two-and-a-half feet (0.75m) wide – southern Greece’s Odontotos Rack Railway is a stunning and historic way to experience the Peloponnese Gorge. Starting in the coastal town of Diakopto, it runs alongside the Vouraikos River, through rock-hewn tunnels and next to adrenalin-pumping sheer drops before arriving at the mountain town of Kalavrita. 

The leisurely one-hour journey covers a total distance of 14 miles (22.5km) but there are an impressive 49 bridges in total, plus six tunnels which have been carved directly into the rock. As well as being jaw-droppingly scenic and historic (the train has been in operation for over 120 years), Odontos Rack Railway is also a total bargain, costing just over $9.50 for a single or $19 for a return trip. 

Inlandsbanan, Sweden

Slicing through Sweden from top to bottom, the Inlandsbanan should be top of all rail buffs’ wish lists. This epic 807-mile (1,200km) track stretches between Kristinehamn in the south and Gällivare in the north, passing from relatively flat green fields through alpine forests and the perennially snowy mountains of Lapland. Naturally, such a monumental journey takes a while to complete, with the typical itinerary taking nine days to cover the full route.

North York Moors Railway, England, UK

Whisking you back to the golden era of train travel, the 24-mile (39km), 1h 45min journey between Whitby and Pickering in the north of England promises to be a trip to remember. This steam-powered railway has been around since the 1830s and received a new lease of life in 1967, when a group of local volunteers took on the task of restoring it. 

For the ultimate luxury experience, hop aboard the Pullman dining carriage, where you can enjoy either a four-course dinner service or three-course lunch as the train ambles through the countryside. Unmissable attractions along the way include the 1930s-era Pickering station, Goathland, which served as Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone , as well as the historic port of Whitby where the journey ends. The train runs from April to October every year and tickets on the dining car start at $84. 

The Brocken, Germany

Named after the 3,747-foot (1,142m) mountain which it traverses, central Germany’s Brocken Railway is all sweeping panoramas and serpentine bends. This 11-mile (19km) branch of track, connecting the mountain to the Harz railway, is still operated by historic steam locomotives, since this part of Germany was behind the Iron Curtain for decades and its trains were never modernized. But that’s good news for rail buffs, who come here to experience the decades-old carriages in all their glory.

The 50-minute ascent packs in plenty of mesmerizing views, across towering forests, vibrant green meadows and distant peaks, traveling at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour (40km/h). Inside, carriages have back-to-back seats with large windows for gazing out of – or you can head to one of the open-air viewing platforms for optimum vistas. The journey between Drei Annen Hohne and Brocken starts at $50 for an adult return. 

Now take a look at beautiful images of the world's train stations

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Britain by train – top 10 UK rail journeys (+ map & tips)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: October 21, 2022

Are you planning to take some rail journeys around Britain in the future? Are you confused about using the UK rail network? Not sure where to start to put together your train trip itinerary? Perhaps you have limited experience of rail travel or are unsure of where to go in Britain via train?

In this article you will find all the help you need to start your planning. Reflecting on a background of 25+ years working (and 50+ years travelling) on the UK rail network we have picked 10 of the top UK rail journeys to take around the country and the journeys which will enable you see the best of Britain by rail .

Tip – If you are considering travelling around the UK by train it may be cost effective to purchase a BritRail Pass to cover your rail travel. There are a variety of different passes available – click here for more information about the BritRail Pass.

1. London Paddington to Penzance Cornwall

2. london euston to glasgow central, 3. london liverpool street to birmingham new street via cambridge & ely, a. london kings cross to edinburgh waverley, b. london st pancras to edinburgh waverley via sheffield, complete guide to uk train travel written by doug and tracy collins.

• 6. Birmingham New Street to Llandudno via Hereford, Shrewsbury & Chester (+optional return to Shrewsbury via the Blaenau Ffestiniog Independent Narrow Gauge Railway)

7. Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly (extend to Liverpool Lime Street)

8. glasgow to fort william and mallaig (west highland line), a. edinburgh waverley to inverness via dundee or aberdeen, b edinburgh waverley to inverness via stirling, listen to our introduction to uk train travel podcast, read our guide to travelling on the uk train network, where can i book tickets for these journeys, how can i save money on uk train travel, enjoy your rail journeys in the uk and beyond.

London Paddington > 3 hours > Reading > Taunton > Tiverton > Exeter > Newton Abbot > Totnes > change at Plymouth > 2 hours > lots of small stations including Liskeard St Austell Truro St Erth (change for St Ives) > Penzance 305 miles from London Paddington to Penzance Cornwall (via Plymouth)

This journey takes around 5 hours from London Paddington to Penzance in Cornwall (with a change of train in Plymouth).

The train operating company for this journey is Great Western Railway.

The first part of the journey takes you from the hustle and bustle of London on Brunel’s Great Western route to the West Country . At Plymouth you change trains from the faster modern service to a smaller regional service which features regular stops at smaller quaint stations.

Beautiful scenery typifies this route as it passes through several counties including Somerset, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Devon and into Cornwall .

Places of historical interest on this journey include the cathedral city of Exeter.

If you to wish to include a visit to the beautiful city of Bath in your itinerary it is possible to take an alternative route. Catch a CrossCountry train service from London Paddington to Bath then onto Bristol (1 hours 20 mins to Bath and an additional 15 minutes to Bristol)

Trains to Plymouth from Bristol/Bath take approximately 2 hours. At Plymouth connect with the Penzance train.

Good to know – To provide an additional option there is a Cornwall sleeper train service called the Night Riviera . This leaves from London Paddington 6 times a week starting on Sunday evenings with Penzance its final destination. There are around 15 stops in-between.

It departs London Paddington at 23:45. Cabin passengers can board at 22:30 pm. It arrives at Penzance the next morning at around 8 am. Seating options are available as well as sleeper cabins. The Night Riviera is operated by Great Western Railway .

Alternatively travel back to London via train. The Night Riviera leaves Penzance at 21:45 (21:15 Sundays) and arrives into Paddington at around 5:30 am.

Click for ticket prices

London Euston > 4 hours 50 minutes > Glasgow Central 343 miles from London Euston to Glasgow Central

The train journey takes you up the West Coast Mainline . This is a fast service which is perfect if you want to get from London to Glasgow quickly.

This 4 hour 50 minute trip has no changes. There are a limited number of stops which includes principal stations only so as to decrease travel time.

At present this route is operated by Avanti West Coast . There are new trains on order for this route.

The route incorporates some of the most beautiful countryside in northern England including the Lake District .

This service takes you into the centre of Glasgow perfect to pick up other train services in Scotland.

Good to know – Travel during daylight hours (leave early in the day) to enjoy the scenery en route.

London Liverpool Street > 1 hour 15 mins > Cambridge > 15 minutes > Ely > 30 mins > Peterborough > 60 mins > Leicester > 50 mins > Birmingham New Street

Trains leave roughly every 15 minutes (Monday to Friday/less frequently during weekends and public holidays) from London Liverpool Street direct to Cambridge. This takes approximately 1 hour 15 minutes and is currently operated by Greater Anglia .

Stop off in Cambridge as it is worth exploring. The station is about 45 minutes from the main centre though buses are available outside the station (directly outside and to the left)

The train from Cambridge to the historic cathedral city of Ely takes approximately 15 minutes. This is a CrossCountry service and the train’s final destination will typically be Birmingham New Street (total travel time Cambridge to Birmingham New Street is 2 hours 45 minutes)

The first calling point after 15 minutes is Ely. Even if you don’t plan to get off keep an eye out for beautiful 12th century Ely Cathedral on the hill on the left hand side of the train as you approach the town. It is a 10 minute walk from the train station into Ely town centre.

After Ely the train calls at Peterborough. This is a stopping point on the East Coast Mainline so you could hop onto that line at this point for travel to York/Durham/Newcastle and Edinburgh.

After Peterborough the train calls in at Leicester then onto Birmingham New Street.

This is not a fast route and you will be using more regional services with a multitude of station stops but it is a great way to see the country.

Good to know – At Ely there is also a lovely train trip to Norwich over the Norfolk countryside.

4. London to Edinburgh

There are various routes to take from London to Edinburgh depending on your preferences. I am going to talk about 2 possible routes.

London Kings Cross > 2 hours > York > 50 mins > Durham > 15 mins > Newcastle > 1 hour 45 mins > Edinburgh

London Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley is along the East Coast Mainline route.

This is the most direct route to Edinburgh from the capital and takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes. The route is operated by London North Eastern Railway (LNER)

General stopping points include Peterborough, York , Darlington, Durham and Newcastle. The route is best for speed and new modern trains tend to service this line. This is the route of the famous Flying Scotsman steam train.

The route from Newcastle to Edinburgh is particularly scenic as you hug the Northumberland coastline. Sit on the right for views of Bamburgh Castle and the Holy Island of Lindisfarne .

Good to know – This journey is about the rail experience and getting to Edinburgh quickly from London. It zooms through the cities and countryside so you don’t get time to absorb the countryside as you travel.

London St Pancras > 2 hours > Sheffield > 3 hours 50 mins > Edinburgh

An alternative route to that above is from St Pancras (next to Kings Cross) using East Midlands Railway Service .

On this journey from London to Edinburgh you will see different scenery as it takes you on the cross country route via Sheffield and the Derbyshire Dales .

This journey will give you more a sense of the countryside in central England and passes through the cities of Leicester, Derby and Chesterfield (look for the crooked spire as you travel into Chesterfield)

You need to change trains at Sheffield from the East Midlands trains onto an Edinburgh service run by CrossCountry. The slower service from Sheffield to Edinburgh goes via Leeds. A faster route bypasses Leeds but may mean a change of trains in York or Newcastle .

Check which train operator you have a ticket with as they are generally not interchangeable between each other.

(Please note if you have booked your ticket through a retailer such as thetrainline.com you will have a valid ticket for the entire journey as you will have selected the relevant tickets and seat reservations)

The cross country route joins the East Coast Mainline at Doncaster (south of York).

Learn more – 19 beautiful destinations in Scotland for your bucket list

5. Leeds (Settle) to Carlisle Line

Leeds > 2 hours 45 minutes > Carlisle 72 miles

This is a famous route which joins the cross country lines to the West Coast mainline. Cross the Pennines surrounded by rugged countryside and stunning views.

The train passes through a number of beautifully restored train stations. This line came within a whisker of being closed down but only a lobby group prevented its permanent closure.

From Leeds the train passes through Saltaire a model Victorian town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Two stops further you pass through Keighley (the home of the famous steam railway the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway)

After Settle Junction you head north through stations such as Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Kirkby Stephen, Lazonby & Kirkoswald and Langwathby. The station at Dent is the highest mainline train station in England at 1150 feet.

After Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ribblehead the train passes over the famous Ribblehead Viaduct . With 24 arches set on a curve (and an incline) the Ribblehead Viaduct is instantly recognisable in iconic steam train images (along with the Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland)

There are several tunnels along the line including the Bleamoor Tunnel which is 2629 yards long. The entire line was a massive achievement of Victorian engineering.

6. Birmingham New Street to Llandudno via Hereford, Shrewsbury & Chester ( +optional return to Shrewsbury via the Blaenau Ffestiniog Independent Narrow Gauge Railway )

Birmingham New Street > 1 hour 25 mins > Hereford > 60 minutes >Shrewsbury > 1 hour 5 mins > Chester > 1 hour 10 mins > Llandudno Junction > 10 mins > Llandudno > 10 mins > Llandudno Junction > 1 hour 10 mins > Blaenau Ffestiniog (private railway) > 30 mins > Penrhyndeudraeth > 3 hours > Shrewsbury

This is a potential two to three day trip depending on where you decide to stop off along the way.

The journey from Birmingham New Street to Hereford takes approximately 1 hour 25 mins via West Midlands trains . Train passes through Worcestershire and the picturesque Malvern Hills into Hereford.

The journey from Hereford to Shrewsbury along the Welsh marches line (one of the England’s most scenic railway routes) takes around an hour and passes through many places of historical interest including the famous market town of Ludlow.

In Shrewsbury change trains to Llandudno via Chester. If you decide to head into Shrewsbury you will find half timbered houses in the Tudor centre of town.

The journey time from Shrewsbury to Chester on Transport for Wales services is about 1 hour 5 mins. The train line passes into Wales and then back into England before pulling into the beautiful walled city of Chester.

It is worth planning to spend the day in Chester as there are lots of things to do and see in the city including the cathedral, Roman walls, the Tudor timbered buildings, and the Rows (a medieval two level covered arcade)

From Chester to Llandudno change at Llandudno Junction where it is a further 10 minutes into the Welsh seaside town .

For those of you who would like to explore further we recommend you take the train to Blaenau Ffestiniog where you can catch the narrow gauge private heritage railway which runs for 21 kms and is located within Snowdonia National Park.

Frequency of these services depend on the time of year so do check before traveling to avoid disappointment.

Sheffield > 1 hour 20 mins > Manchester Piccadilly > 1 hour > Liverpool Lime Street

The Sheffield to Manchester Piccadilly line is operated by multiple train operating companies . This route takes you up and over the Pennines and down across the Hope Valley and Edale in the Peak Distric t. This is beautiful all year round scenery. Temperature and weather changes can be rapid.

On this train journey you will witness the contrast between the industrial heart of the country and the beautiful lush countryside.

I recommend taking the slowest possible train journey with stops at all of these fabulous stations Dore & Totley, Grindleford, Hathersage, Hope, Edale and Chinley to name but a few.

Change at Manchester Piccadilly for services to Liverpool Lime Street.

Glasgow Queen Street > 1 hour 45 mins > Crianlarich > 1 hour 45 mins > Fort William > 1 hour > Mallaig

There are a few trains a day that run this route. From Glasgow Queen Street to Fort William it takes 3 hours 45 minutes. For services to Oban and ferry services to the Inner Hebrides Islands of Mull, Tiree, Barra, and Coll etc change at Crianlarich.

For the best views as you leave Glasgow sit on the left hand side of the train.

This is a ScotRail service. Take this trip in the daylight as the scenery is stunning. North of Crianlarich the train crossed over the bleak wilderness of Rannoch Moor. Look out for Ben Nevis (the UK’s highest mountain) as you approach Fort William.

Change trains at Fort William for Mallaig. This journey takes about 1 hour and takes you over the famous 21 arch Glenfinnan curving viaduct (as seen in Harry Potter) with views of Loch Shiel and the Jacobite Monument.

Further along this route you reach the coast at Arisaig – the western most train station in Britain. As the train turns north enjoy views of the Sound of Sleat and the islands of Aigg, Rum and Muck .

It is vitally important to plan your travel in advance so you don’t get stranded. There are very limited trains from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William and Mallaig.

The Jacobite is another train service from Fort William to Mallaig. This is a private service that only runs in the summer months and is extremely popular (and pricy). Many photographs you will see of the Glenfinnan Viaduct feature the Jacobite steam train service puffing its way across the arches.

Good to know – If you are starting your journey in Edinburgh you will find a multitude of trains every half hour. It takes roughly 50 mins between the two cities.

9. Edinburgh to Inverness (via Dundee or via Stirling)

Edinburgh > 1 hours 10 mins > Dundee > 2 hours 20 mins > Aberdeen > 2 hours 15 mins > Inverness

This is a ScotRail service. It takes 1 hour 10 minutes to Dundee from Edinburgh Waverley train station where you can change trains for Inverness or you could stay on the train and change at Aberdeen.

This route will take you over the Forth Rail Bridge. (Also as you leave Edinburgh look upwards for a view of Edinburgh Castle)

I would only recommend taking this route in daylight or during the summer months. This is the slower route to Inverness but it takes you along the coast and through rural Scotland.

Edinburgh > 40 mins > Stirling > 3 hours > Inverness

The fastest routes from Edinburgh to Inverness are via Stirling and Perth. These take 3 hours 35 mins. If you want to go via Stirling you will need to change trains there for a service to Inverness via Perth.

Around 25 minutes into the journey to Inverness via Stirling look out of the right hand side of the train and you may catch a glimpse of the Kelpies at Falkirk. You will also see Stirling Castle on your approach into the city.

From Stirling the route takes you through Perth, Pitlochry, Kingussie, Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park. This route is typified by beautiful scenery all year round.

Good to know – For a surprising contrast in terrain and scenery take the train up to Thurso and Wick from Inverness.

10. Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

Inverness > 2 hours 30 mins > Kyle of Lochalsh It is 82 miles from Inverness to the Kyle of Lochalsh

This is a beautiful train journey with scenic and dramatic views over the Highlands of Scotland .

There are many highlights along this route. Look out for the mountain of Ben Wyvis between the Muir of Ord and Dingwall. You may also be lucky to spot deer between Loch Luichart and Garve.

The train passes through Plockton where Hamish Macbeth (the TV series) was filmed in the 1990s.

As you head into the Kyle of Lochalsh enjoy spectacular views of the Isle of Skye .

Good to know – there is an Isle of Skye bus tour which operates every day at 11.45 am. The tour returns in time to catch the last train to Inverness. Alternatively take a day tour from Inverness to Skye (but you would miss this lovely train journey)

Do check for train times and frequency in advance as there are a limited number of daily services.

Plan your UK train travels

If you are unfamiliar with the UK rail network you will find our in-depth guide invaluable. You may also find our guide to getting around London useful too as it details all methods of public transport.

Written by Doug Collins (the co-founder of UK Travel Planning ) who has over 25 years experience working and traveling on the UK train network) the article answers all the questions you may have to help you plan your train journeys in the UK.

It is important to follow any advice around train travel in the UK from train operating companies as well as legal requirements in the light of Covid-19.

Note that it is the law that you  must wear a face covering when travelling in England  on a

• train or tram
• bus or coach
• ferry or hovercraft or other vessel

Reservations should also be made in advance where possible via contactless payment.

If you are planning train travel in the UK and you are not a UK permanent resident I would recommend checking out BritRail Passes .

There are 7 different passes available and you can choose depending on where you plan to visit. For example there are 3 different passes for Scotland – a Spirit of Scotland pass, a Scottish Highland Pass or a Central Scotland Pass.

Alternatively you can purchase the BritRail Pass which covers the entire UK.

Click the button below for more information.

As you can probably tell we love train travel and it is always our chosen method of transport.

Where possible we include at least one train trip into our holiday plans so you will find lots of train related tips, inspiration and resources for UK train travel on both this website and its sister site tracystravelsintime.com

• Discover 12 great day trips by train from London.
• Our best of Britain by rail 14 day itinerary – see 3 countries and 7 top destinations following our detailed itinerary

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Historic bath, join the belmond british pullman luxury train on a delightful journey to britain’s best-preserved georgian city..

Departs Wed, 17 Apr 2024 , 09:40

Arrives Wed, 17 Apr 2024 , 19:45

- only 4 seats left -

From £560 per passenger

• Brunch with Bellini
• Free time to explore Bath
• Four-course dinner with wine and champagne

The Garden Of England

Prepare for a journey of sublime flavour on this glorious immersion in the kent countryside..

Departs Thu, 18 Apr 2024 , 10:55

Arrives Thu, 18 Apr 2024 , 16:10

- only 8 seats left -

From £485 per passenger

• Round-trip aboard the train
• British Fizz reception
• Five-course lunch with sommelier’s selection of wines

A Moving Murder Mystery

DEAD ON TIME

There’s been a murder in our midst! Step aboard an immersive mystery on Britain's most iconic train.

Departs Fri, 19 Apr 2024 , 10:55

Arrives Fri, 19 Apr 2024 , 16:10

- only 12 seats left -

From £535 per passenger

• Interactive Murder Mystery event
• Five-course lunch with wine and champagne

Departs Wed, 24 Apr 2024 , 09:40

Arrives Wed, 24 Apr 2024 , 19:45

From £1,010 per passenger

The Golden Age Of Travel

Step back in time to the glamorous 1920s aboard the famous belmond british pullman train..

Departs Thu, 25 Apr 2024 , 10:55

Arrives Thu, 25 Apr 2024 , 16:10

- only 2 seats left -

From £645 per passenger

Departs Fri, 26 Apr 2024 , 10:55

Arrives Fri, 26 Apr 2024 , 16:10

- only 14 seats left -

Clan Line 50th Anniversary Pullman

Celebrate clan line's 50th return to the mainline with a thrilling steam-powered journey to bath..

Departs Sat, 27 Apr 2024 , 09:10

Arrives Sat, 27 Apr 2024 , 21:15

- Sold out -

From £635 per passenger

• Visit of Bath at leisure
• A four-course dinner on your journey home

Champagne Afternoon Tea

Add sparkle to your day with our sumptuous afternoon tea excursion as the belmond british pullman train takes you on a round-trip through britain’s beautiful countryside..

Departs Sun, 28 Apr 2024 , 12:20

Arrives Sun, 28 Apr 2024 , 16:00

From £350 per passenger

• One bottle of Veuve Clicquot for two
• Festive afternoon tea
• Round-trip travel on the British Pullman train

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New European train set to launch dubbed the world’s ‘most luxurious’ with private cabins and cocktails

• Hope Brotherton , Travel Reporter
• Published : 13:01, 14 Apr 2024
• Updated : 8:50, 15 Apr 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

A NEW luxury train service with an onboard cocktail bar, private cabins and other lavish touches is set to launch.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express recreates the atmosphere of 1960s Italy , all while passing through some of the country's most popular holiday hotspots.

Onboard there are 12 deluxe cabins and 18 cabin suites, including the train's La Dolce Vita signature suite.

All of the cabins boast features like cosy bedding, wood detailing, carpeted floors and huge windows to admire the unmissable views.

On the website , the cabin suites have been described as "true master bedrooms" thanks to their large bed, armchairs and private bathroom.

Guests can also order room service on tablet devices from the comfort of their rooms, including a selection of savoury Italian delicacies like olives and taralli.

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Before departing guests will be invited to the Orient Express  La Dolce Vita  Lounge where they'll watch a "mysterious ballet" complete with Turkish guitars and Italian sweets.

Italian music will be played in the onboard Bar Car where guests can relax with a cocktail or play chess , Backgammon or Scopa - a famous Italian card game.

On their first night onboard, guests will receive a handwritten letter inviting them to the restaurant , where a Storyteller will reveal "secrets and mysteries of the world" between each dish.

According to Travel + Leisure , holidaymakers will soon be able to book tickets for La Dolce Vita Orient Express.

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They wrote: "La Dolce Vita Orient Express announced that it will soon be ready for guests to book tickets for what could arguably be called the most luxurious train journey in the world."

While departure dates have yet to be set in stone, there are nine journeys potential passengers can choose from, some of which are seasonal.

One route takes passengers from Venice to Portofino, another from Matera to Palena, while another journeys from Palermo to Rome, with its first departures operating from next spring .

Tickets for one-night stays cost €3,500 (£3,000) per person for a deluxe cabin, and €4,700 (£4,026) per person for a suite.

A virtual ticket window is slated to open on April 24, with reservations already being taken over the phone.

Gilda Perez-Alvarado, the CEO of Orient Express, said: "We are thrilled to officially open the doors to a new era of travel with La Dolce Vita Orient Express.

"This endeavor embodies the essence of exquisite exploration, where sophistication meets adventure. As we embark on this journey together, we invite travellers to experience the pinnacle of elegance and excitement, immersed in the charm and splendor of Italy."

The UK leg of the Orient Express

The UK leg of the Orient Express , which had connected London with Istanbul, via several other destinations on the continent since the 1900s will cease to operate this year.

A spokesperson from the line's operator Belmond said: “We’re adjusting operations in 2024 ahead of enhanced passport and border controls.

“We want to avoid any risk of travel disruption for our guests – delays and missing train connections – and provide the highest level of service, as seamless and relaxed as possible."

Passengers will need to take the Eurostar to Paris where they'll be able to board the famous train.

Other luxurious train journeys

At the end of last year, the Royal Scotsman in Scotland was named one of the best train journeys in the world by Conde Nast Traveler.

The Scottish train made the list thanks to its indulgent and intimate atmosphere.

Another fancy train journey in the  UK is the four-night Welsh Dragon holiday, run by Steam Dreams Rail Co.

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Travelling from London Paddington through  Wales , there is an onboard bar as well as a dining car with a specially made menu.

Starting from £995pp, the steam train trip is set to run this September.

Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK

Cornish Coast - One trip that rail enthusiasts seem to love is along a stretch of the  Cornish  coast and takes just 10 minutes to complete.

The route from St Erth to  St Ives  only stops at Carbis Bay en route to its final destination, but the views out the window for the whole journey are pretty spectacular.

Another highlight of the journey is that St Ives station is situated right next to  Porthminster beach , meaning the sand and sea can be accessed almost immediately.

Meanwhile, the station is less than a ten minute walk into town, where the harbour, shops, galleries and  pubs  can be explored.

Durham to Edinburgh - Another train route that people in the UK love is the East Coast train line between Durham and Edinburgh, with coastal views and city landscapes among the sights that can be seen out the window.

Newcastle , Berwick, Lindisfarne and Durham Cathedral are all among the highlights on that route.

Scotland's West Highland Line - While  Scotland  is home to plenty of famous landmarks and top attractions, it also has one of the most breathtaking train routes in the world.

Scotland's West Highland Line has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world by  Wanderlust  - and it's easy to see why.

The journey from Glasgow to Fort William is one of my favourite train routes - and I've  interrailed through mainland Europe .

With mountain landscapes, serene lochs, wistful moors, and wildlife all visible through the  train window , it's certainly a route all holidaymakers should consider doing at least once.