One of the most romantic and practical ways to traverse Europe is by rails. Traveling by train offers the unique opportunity to enjoy the changing landscapes at a leisurely pace while comfortably connecting distant parts of the continent. You can connect two points, however, the real charm of traveling is focusing not only on these points but on the route between them too. Read below for some of the best railroad trips ideas in Europe.
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Route from London to Paris
For instance, a traveler might decide to experience the iconic journey by catching a train from London to Paris.
This route not only provides an efficient means of transport between two world-renowned capitals but also presents the chance to witness the evolving scenery—from the bustling modernity of London to the historical elegance of Paris—as you glide beneath the surface of the English Channel. The allure of this journey lies in its blend of convenience, comfort, and the romance of discovering new vistas with every passing mile.
Eastern Europe Railway Routes
Further east, the legacy of Europe’s rail network continues to captivate wanderers with its historical charm and modern conveniences. A notable example is the journey on a Budapest to Vienna train, a route that connects two cities steeped in imperial history and cultural refinement. This rail line not only offers a swift transfer between Hungary’s vibrant capital and Austria’s sophisticated cultural center but also provides a scenic passage through the heart of Central Europe.
Travelers are treated to views of verdant countryside, ancient towns, and the gentle flow of life outside the urban sprawl. Such rail journeys are more than just a mode of transportation—they are a memorable part of the overall adventure, weaving together the past and present in a seamless travel experience.
Coastal railway routes
Seacoast has its unique charm. Watching the endless horizon of the sea from the train provides a specific experience. Yes, usually, the train doesn’t follow the coast tightly but sometimes hides between the nearby hills or penetrates more deeply into the flat land. Then it approaches the sea again, and the blue vastness appears beside the train.
There are a lot of rail routes following the seacoasts of Europe. They connect resorts, large cities with their ports, or small fishing villages. The most spectacular can be found in the French Riviera and Italy- from Toulon (France) to Pisa (Italy). When you travel on this route, you can see Cannes and Nice in France, Monaco, and then Sanremo, Savona, Genova, and La Spezia in Italy. The train curves beside the seacoast, dives in the tunnels through the mountains, and again goes out and reveals a variety of fantastic landscapes. And one of the most iconic places on this route is the fantastic Cinque Terre, not far from La Spezia.
Alpine Railway Routes
The Alps are the tallest mountain range in the middle of Europe. They are famous for their white snowy sharp peaks, alpine glaciers, deep valleys, green pastures, and magnificent landscapes. Shared between France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia, they reveal a unique local culture.
Several railway routes cross various parts of the Alps. The first one starts in Geneva, Switzerland, and ends in Milan, Italy. This route provides not only fantastic mountain landscapes but also beautiful scenic views of Lago Maggiore. A version of this route starts from Bern, Switzerland, and joins the route from Geneva at Visp. A third version starts from Zurich, Switzerland.
Further east you can try the route from Innsbruck, Austria, to Verona, Italy, and a few more routes in the Eastern Alps. But the most spectacular railway is again in the west- the attractive route from Zermatt to Gornegrat (3100 m). Actually, you can start from Visp, stop in Zermatt, and enjoy a unique railway adventure to one of the mountains peaks in the Alps, enjoying the spectacular view of the famous Mt Matterhorn.
Winter Forest Railway Routes
Now, let’s take a look at the north of Europe. More specifically- Finland. It is a land of endless northern forests and lakes. This land is incredibly beautiful whole year round but it is especially spectacular in winter. It is like a snowy fairy tale. The day is short but when the night falls, if the sky is clear, it presents its Northern light show. But if it is cloudy, you can enjoy a beautiful snowfall in the forest. You travel by train, everything is frozen outside but you stay in the warm compartment watching the fantastic scenery outside.
Several railway routes cross Finland, as well as neighboring Sweden, from south to north, from the forest zone to the polar tundra. But the best of them is the route from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is well-known as the hometown of Santa Claus. So, if you travel on this route around Christmas, you can dive into the best natural Christmas environment in the world. The whole journey lasts about 8 hours and you can travel during the daylight, and during the night.
Railway Routes to the eastern frontiers of Europe and beyond
Europe doesn’t end to the border of Russia but expends much further east- to the mountains of Ural, to the steppes of Kazakhstan, and to the Caspian Sea. And here you can try one of the longest railway routes in the world- the Trans Siberian Railway. It starts from Moscow in Europe, reaches the invisible boundary between Europe and Asia (because, physically, Europe and Asia are one continent called Eurasia), and proceeds deep further beyond the horizon, to the eastern coasts of Asia.
The whole distance from Moscow to Vladivostok is 9289 km. There is a non-stop train that takes this distance for 6 days only. But I would not recommend it because you will miss the landscapes from the window at night. So, a slower train with more stops would give you a richer experience.
In its European section, you can watch the vast spaces of the East European plain from the window, as the train chases the distant horizon of the Earth. It is similar in the Western Siberian Plain. After that, the route enters mountainous lands, revealing Lake Baikal- one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. And all the time you can discover not only amazing landscapes but also unique local cultures.
This is Europe. For more adventurous people, it may look “too civilized and urbanized” compared to the other continents. But it is much more than London, Paris, and Rome and still keeps its secrets full of adventures. Although traveling by train is easy, comfortable, and doesn’t have physical challenges, it reveals the beautiful geography of this continent, waiting to be discovered.
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Hi, we are Krasen and Ying Ying. Krasen is from Bulgaria, and Ying Ying is from China. We are passionate about geography and history, and we believe that the best way to experience it is by exploring the Earth in reality, not in a school, and not virtually.
So, we created this blog Journey Beyond the Horizon, where we share geographical knowledge, travel guides and tips how to experience it when you explore our planet, and a lot of inspiration.
And we wish you a happy journey, not just virtually, but most of all- in reality.
Enjoy!
