The 7 Most Scenic Train Routes in Europe (2026 Guide)
Europe is made for train travel. No queues, no baggage fees, and front-row views of the Alps, the fjords and the Mediterranean coast. These are the seven most spectacular rail journeys on the continent — and how to ride them.
1. Glacier Express — Switzerland
Often called "the slowest express train in the world," the Glacier Express crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels as it winds through the heart of the Swiss Alps. The panoramic carriages give you uninterrupted views of snow-capped peaks, deep gorges and alpine villages. The crossing of the Landwasser Viaduct is one of the most photographed moments in European rail.
2. Bernina Express — Switzerland & Italy
A UNESCO World Heritage line that climbs from glaciers to palm trees in a single afternoon. The Bernina Express tops out above 2,250 metres at Ospizio Bernina before spiralling down to the Italian town of Tirano. It's one of the steepest adhesion railways in the world — and one of the most beautiful.
3. Flåm Railway — Norway
Short but unforgettable. In under an hour the Flåm Railway drops nearly 900 metres through tunnels carved by hand, past thundering waterfalls and sheer mountain walls, ending at the edge of the Aurlandsfjord. It's regularly voted one of the most beautiful train journeys on Earth.
4. Cinque Terre Line — Italy
Five pastel-coloured fishing villages clinging to the Ligurian cliffs, linked by a local train that hugs the coastline. Hopping between Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore by rail is the easiest — and most scenic — way to explore the Cinque Terre.
5. West Highland Line — Scotland
Lochs, moors and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (yes, the Harry Potter bridge). The West Highland Line runs through some of the wildest scenery in Britain, ending at the fishing port of Mallaig with views out to the Isle of Skye.
6. Madrid → Barcelona on the AVE — Spain
Not every great route is slow. Spain's high-speed AVE connects Madrid and Barcelona at up to 310 km/h, gliding past olive groves, vineyards and the plains of Aragón. It's proof that European high-speed rail can be both fast and beautiful — and often cheaper than flying once you add airport transfers.
7. Frecciarossa: Rome → Florence — Italy
Italy's flagship high-speed train links the eternal city with the cradle of the Renaissance in 90 minutes. Rolling Tuscan hills, cypress trees and hilltop towns flash past the window. Step off at Firenze Santa Maria Novella and you're a short walk from the Duomo.
How to plan your route
The hardest part of European train travel isn't the trains — it's juggling a dozen different national railways, timetables and apps. Each country (Renfe in Spain, SNCF in France, Trenitalia in Italy, SBB in Switzerland) has its own system.
That's exactly why we're building WoW Train: live departures across 9+ European countries in one place, with scenic routes built in. Search, compare and head to the platform — all from your phone.