Settle to Carlisle, UK

The stretch of railway between Settle, North Yorkshire, and Carlisle in Cumbria claimed the number one spot on Lonely Planet’s list of the most scenic train rides in Europe, with good reason.

The journey through the Yorkshire Dales passes the Ribblehead Viaduct, a 104-foot structure offering panoramic views across the national park. Along the way, the train stops at charming countryside stations.

The route is part of the national rail network and, despite the idyllic views, is not exclusively part of heritage railways. Northern Railway operates a service between both stations, with tickets priced as low as £10. 

Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

The Bernia Express, Switzerland and Italy

One of the most famous train lines in the world, The Bernia Express route is so picturesque that it features on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.

Travelling between the Swiss city of Chur and Italy’s Tirano, the route crosses the Alps via an impressive 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, including the 65-metre-high Landwasser Viaduct.

Through the windows, passengers can drink in views of rugged peaks, quaint villages and distant coastlines.

Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

The Bergensbanen, Norway

A lesser-known route with equally captivating views is the journey between Oslo and Bergen in Norway.

Northern Europe’s highest railway, the train travels through lush coniferous forest, past glassy lakes and onto dramatic views of deep fjords.

The route’s highest point is Finse Station, about 1222 meters above sea level in a remote village surrounded by unspoiled wilderness.

Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

The Caledonian Sleeper, UK

Widely regarded as one of the best sleeper trains in Europe, The Caledonian Sleeper travels between London Euston and Fort William, in the western Scottish Highlands.

The departing views of London’s terraced houses and modern apartment blocks are a stark contrast to the expansive wilderness at the end of the line, after the rolling hills of England give way to more dramatic terrain — including the looming summit of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak.

The overnight journey allows passengers to wine and dine in the buffet car before heading to bed in ensuite rooms, waking up the next morning to the captivating views of rural Scotland’s lochs and moors.

Duration: 12 hours 45 minutes

The Glacier Express, Switzerland

Switzerland is known for its mastery of rail travel, widely considered to be the best in the world.

But few of its routes are as beautiful as The Glacier Express’ journey from the luxury resort town of St. Moritz to Zermatt, found in the shadow of the pyramid-shaped Matterhorn mountain.

Rolling gently across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, the line offers unobstructed views across the heart of the Swiss Alps, including jagged mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls and alpine meadows.

Duration: 8 hours

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The Orient Express is perhaps the world’s most iconic sleeper train, its Paris–Istanbul route immortalised in cinema and TV after featuring in Agatha Christie’s detective novel Murder on the Orient Express.

While the original luxury train was shut down in 1977, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE) runs several routes to cities across Europe including Paris, Geneva, Rome and Venice.

Synonymous with glamour, passengers experience world-class food and on-board service in restored 1920s dining cars, featuring plush velvet seating and polished wood panelling with intricate brass detailing — all while taking in postcardviews of Europe’s diverse landscapes.

In 2023, the Orient Express axed the London-to-Folkestone leg of the route due to travel complications created by Brexit, meaning UK travellers instead hop on the Eurostar to Paris to board the VSOE.

Duration: Two days

Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Most have never heard of this Central European route, but it deserves a spot at the table with the most beautiful train journeys in the world.

The regional trains that travel along the route are modest in comparison to other operators on this list, but the views across the undiscovered charms of Slovenia’s mountain towns certainly aren’t.

The route passes over sparkling blue rivers via old stone bridges as it heads towards the imposing peaks of the Julian Alps.

One of the highlights of the journey involves passing by Lake Bled, a blue-green lake with a Gothic church perched on an island in the middle — one of Slovenia’s most famous beauty spots.

Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Cannes to Menton, France

Passing through Antibes, Nice and Monaco, you’d be forgiven for thinking this train is another luxury journey costing thousands of pounds.

But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Operated by SNCF, France’s state-owned railway company, the route along the French Riviera will only set you back around £12.

The train is flanked by the deep blue waters of the Mediterranean, while on the other side of the track looms the jagged Massif de l’Esterel mountain range, where red rock stands out through the dark green trees.

Make a day trip of this shorter journey by hopping off at some of the coastal towns for a breath of sea air and a taste of French glamour.

Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes

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