Many travelers begin their exploration of Europe with a plane ticket and then chart their own unique route by rail. Imagine a journey that begins in Paris, extends through the Swiss Alps, and descends to the Mediterranean coast of Italy.
Don't forget to check out the affordable flight ticket options on Bilet.com to take the first step towards your European trip!
Most Popular Scenic Train Routes
Glacier Express – A Slow Miracle in the Heart of Switzerland
- Zermatt – St. Moritz
Duration : ~8 hours
Landscape : Alps, bridges, glacial valleys
Ticket : SBB website or Swiss Rail app
Price : 100–150 CHF
Tip : Seat reservations are mandatory in panoramic carriages with large windows.
Bernina Express – A Postcard-Perfect Route from Switzerland to Italy
- Chur (Switzerland) – Tirano (Italy)
Duration : ~4 hours
Ticket : Rhaetian Railway website
Price : 30–70 €
Note : Interrail is valid!
West Highland Line – The Magical Hills of Scotland
- Glasgow–Mallaig
Duration : ~5 hours
Ticket : ScotRail
Price : ~25–40 £
Cinque Terre Train – Colourful Houses, the Mediterranean and the Rhythm of the Sea
- La Spezia – Levanto
Duration : 30–40 minutes
Price : Daily unlimited ticket 18–25 €
Suggestion : Set off early in the morning and explore all the villages until sunset!
Flåm Railway – A Journey Through the Heart of the Norwegian Fjords
- Myrdal – Flåm
Duration : ~1 hour
Price : 45–60 €
Note : This place may be out of Interrail coverage area, reservation is required.
GoldenPass Line – Switzerland's Golden Route
- Montreux – Zweisimmen – Interlaken – Lucerne
Duration : Approximately 5–6 hours
Ticket : Available via SBB / MOB website
Price : Between 50–90 CHF (Interrail valid)
Tip : Choose the morning train from Montreux, the view is stunning as the sun rises behind the mountains.
Mittenwald Line – A Fairytale Escape from Germany to Austria
- Garmisch-Partenkirchen – Mittenwald – Innsbruck
Duration : ~1.5 hours
Ticket : via DB or ÖBB
Price : Approximately 15–25 €
Note : Don't forget to take a short break in the town of Mittenwald, there are great hiking trails!
Belgrade – Bar Line – The Wild Beauty of the Balkans
- Belgrade (Serbia) – Bar (Montenegro)
This is definitely a far cry from the classic European routes. Built in the 1970s, this route is a true engineering marvel, boasting 435 bridges and 254 tunnels. If you're sitting next to a window as you pass through Tara Canyon, you'll be watching with bated breath. It's adventurous, nostalgic, and equally bohemian.
Duration : 10–12 hours
Ticket : from Belgrade railway station or from the Montenegrin railways website
Price : 25–35 €
Tip : Choose trains that depart at dawn; the best views are in daylight.
Oslo – Bergen – Among Norway's Natural Wonders
- Oslo – Bergen
Duration : ~7 hours
Tickets can be purchased via VY.no
Price : Between 30–80 € (early purchases may be cheaper)
Tip : Can be combined with the Flam Railway – combine the two if you want to experience the full Norwegian nature!
The Trans-Harz Railway – A Tale in Germany's Medieval Forests
- Wernigerode – Brocken
Duration : ~1.5 hours
Ticket : Via Harzer Schmalspurbahnen (HSB) website
Price : Approximately €30–45
Tip : If you buy a round-trip ticket, you'll get a 10% discount. If you want the steam train, pay attention to the times!
Centovalli Railway – A Journey Through 100 Valleys from Switzerland to Italy
- Locarno (Switzerland) – Domodossola (Italy)
Duration : ~2 hours
Tickets : From FART or Trenitalia websites
Price : 10–25 €
Tip : It is wonderful to travel among the flowered valleys and the sounds of birds, especially in the spring months.
Things to Consider When Traveling by Train in Europe
You can buy train tickets in Europe in two ways:- By purchasing individual tickets (from national sites such as SNCF, DB, Trenitalia)
- By using an Interrail or Eurail Pass , you can take unlimited train trips for a certain period of time.
Once you've found the most affordable flight ticket to your first city, it's easiest to shape your train route as you wish!
Why Has Train Travel Become More and More Popular?
Have you noticed this? Lately, we've been hearing a lot of travelers say, "I traveled by train, it was amazing!" Some even prefer hour-long train journeys to flying. So why? Here are a few reasons.1. The Journey Itself Is Part of the Holiday
Traveling by train isn't just about getting from one place to another. The moments in between become part of the experience, too. The landscapes flowing outside your window, tunnels, bridges, lakes, villages... Sometimes the train moves so slowly you lose track of time. You open your book, sip your coffee, or just stare outside. Before you know it, two hours have already passed.I once boarded a train in Switzerland, the windows all the way to the ceiling. I was looking out at the mountains, silently watching the sunset… At that moment, I didn't want to go anywhere. Because that was where I was going: the moment itself.
2. An Environmentally Friendly Alternative
For many travelers, it's not just about getting there, but how we get there as well. Trains emit significantly less carbon than planes. Especially in places like Europe, where environmental awareness is high, traveling by train is a less disruptive way to explore. Travel and enjoy the planet together—why not?3. Intertwined with Local Culture
When you travel by train, there's no airport chaos, no security checks, no baggage worries. Less stress, more time to observe! Getting off at a station and grabbing a warm croissant from a local bakery, or striking up a conversation with someone sitting next to you in your compartment—these things don't happen when you fly. The train transports you not only to a city but also to its soul.4. Take Your Time, Digest It
Planes may be fast, but sometimes being too fast isn't a good thing. A train ride is slow, but that slowness relaxes you. That feeling of "taking your time"... that's what train journeys are all about. Waking up in another country in the morning and watching the sunset in another city at night... Being on the road, truly being on the road!5. Economical Routes and Flexible Plans
Traveling by train has become much more accessible, especially thanks to systems like Interrail and Eurail. You can travel to 33 countries with a single ticket! Plus, there are no surprises like airport transportation or extra baggage fees. Just grab your bag, go to the station, and board the train. It's that simple!In short, traveling by train isn't just a mode of transportation; it's a way of life. It's a simpler, slower, yet more authentic way to explore. That's why so many people choose to travel by train again and again. Because the rails connect not only cities but also dreams.