25 scenic train routes to try in 2025
Rachel Schnalzer
27 December 2024
In my experience, friends have the best travel recommendations. Some of my fondest travel memories of 2024 – from camping in Wicklow to savouring baklava at a family-run bakery in Naxos – happened thanks to the recommendation of a trusted friend.
Earlier this year, we turned to our travellers to ask: "What is the most scenic train ride in Europe?” To celebrate the beginning of 2025, here are 25 of our favourite route recommendations. Some are regional routes, taking only an hour or two to complete, while other routes span multiple countries.
Incorporate them into your 2025 Interrail adventures or simply use them for inspiration as you plan your dream train holiday. Regardless of where 2025 takes you, we hope you enjoy the ride.
Canfranc Station, constructed in 1928, is now a luxe hotel.
The route from Stockholm to Narvik is the northernmost route in Interrail's Pass network.
The West Highland line offers some of the finest views of the Scottish Highlands.
1. Banská Bystrica to Margecany (Slovakia): In the mood for a mountain escape? This train line takes travellers into Slovakia’s Low Tatras mountains, crossing several viaducts and tunnels along the way.
2. Sarajevo to Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina): Relax and take in the sight of rolling hills and villages on this train journey from the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Mostar, a city on the banks of the Neretva River.
3. Glasgow to Mallaig (Scotland): Watch the Scottish Highlands roll past your train window on this journey along the West Highland line from Glasgow all the way to Mallaig, where ferries set off for the Isle of Skye.
4. Interlaken to Lauterbrunnen (Switzerland): Travel from Interlaken’s twin Alpine lakes into the mountains and valleys of the Bernese Alps. Keep your eyes peeled for the jaw-dropping waterfalls in Lauterbrunnen.
5. Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes (France): France’s famous Cévennes rail line, constructed in the 1800s, whisks travellers past pristine lakes and forests on the way to Nîmes.
6. Stockholm to Narvik (Sweden to Norway): Take a night train from Stockholm and wake up to snowy views above the Arctic Circle as you travel on the northernmost route in Interrail’s Pass Network.
7. Rosslare to Dublin (Ireland): Experience the natural beauty of southeast Ireland on this journey from seaside Rosslare through the forests and mountains of Country Wicklow on your way to Ireland’s biggest city.
8. Porto to Pinhão (Portugal): Travel through 26 tunnels and across 30 bridges on Portugal’s Douro Line as you soak up views of the region’s terraced vineyards, which produce world-famous Port wine.
9. Mainz to Cologne (Germany): Count the many castles you pass on the train as you travel along the Rhine from Mainz, a picturesque university city, to Cologne.
10. Dombås to Åndalsnes (Norway): Pass stunning mountains – and the mighty Trollveggen rock face, which towers 1,000 metres over the train track – on this journey on Norway’s Rauma Line.
11. Jesenice to Nova Gorica (Slovenia): This two-hour journey takes travellers through Slovenia’s northwest and past Triglav National Park, home to the highest peak in the Julian Alps.
12. Naples to Palermo (Italy): Venture from mainland Italy to the shores of Sicily on this unique train journey. At Villa San Giovanni, the train is rolled onto a ferry and transported across the Strait of Messina – a feat that must be seen to be believed.
13. Pisa to Nice (Italy to France): Soak up the sun and sea views on this journey from Tuscany to the French Riviera, passing Italy’s Ligurian coastline along the way.
14. Latour-de-Carol to Villefranche-Vernet-les-Bain (France): Take a ride on France’s iconic “Yellow Train,” which climbs more than 1,000 vertical metres to a ski station.
15. Ústí nad Labem to Warsaw (Czech Republic to Poland): This train journey takes travellers through the heart of the Czech Republic and Poland, passing by the Elbe River and nature reserves such as Poland’s Eagles' Nests Landscape Park.
16. Belgrade to Bar (Serbia to Montenegro): Get an up-close look at the Dinaric Mountains on this train journey from Belgrade, Serbia’s capital, all the way to Bar, a small port city on Montenegro’s Adriatic coastline.
The famous "Yellow Train" in France climbs more than 1,000 vertical metres.
The Rauma line pulls away from its station in Åndalsnes, Norway.
The Semmering Bahn offers travellers sweeping views of Austria's mountains.
The Bernina Express' panoramic cars allow travellers to take in unforgettable views of the Swiss Alps.
17. Berlin to Copenhagen (Germany to Denmark): Travel by train from one famous capital city to another; and along the way, take in the scenery of northern Germany and water views as you cross the Little Belt and Great Belt straits of Denmark.
18. Prague to Děčín (Czech Republic): After experiencing all the artistic beauty Prague has to offer, travel less than two hours by train along the Elbe River to Děčín, a small city that acts as the gateway to the Bohemian Switzerland National Park.
19. Vatra Dornei to Bistrița (Romania): Bask in the lush, natural beauty of northern Romania on this regional journey past the hills and countryside along the Someșul Mare River.
20. Jaca to Canfranc (Spain): Explore the peaks of the Spanish Pyrenees on this train journey that culminates at a historic train station now operating as a luxury hotel.
21. Copenhagen to Malmö (Denmark to Sweden): Copenhagen and Malmö are only about 30 kilometres apart, but to go by train from one to the other, you’ll cross one of the longest bridges in the world. At nearly 16 kilometres long, the Øresund Bridge is an unforgettable feat of engineering.
22. Vienna to Graz (Austria): Taking the train from Vienna to Graz involves riding along the Semmering Bahn scenic train route, which crosses over 16 viaducts and through 15 tunnels.
23. Zagreb to Split (Croatia): Venture across a wide swath of Croatia on this 250-kilometre journey from its capital to Split, on the Adriatic Sea.
24. Chur to Tirano (Switzerland to Italy): The grand dame of scenic train rides, the Bernina Express has panoramic windows and other amenities that allow travellers to fully absorb the jaw-dropping beauty of the Alps.
25. Helsinki to Kolari (Finland): This night train route takes travellers from Finland’s capital city to the country’s northernmost train station. Keep your eyes on the night sky – you may catch sight of the aurora borealis on this adventure.
Meet the writer
Rachel Schnalzer is a senior writer at Eurail, based in Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Favourite train route of 2024:
In January, I travelled on the northernmost route in Interrail's Pass network, from Stockholm all the way to Abisko, Sweden. I loved waking up on the night train to the sight of a pink sunrise reflecting on the snow outside my train window..
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