{"id":18547,"date":"2023-07-12T07:06:10","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T07:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/?p=18547"},"modified":"2024-05-30T10:35:08","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T10:35:08","slug":"10-of-the-best-european-rail-journeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/10-of-the-best-european-rail-journeys\/","title":{"rendered":"10 of the best European rail journeys"},"content":{"rendered":"Approx read: <\/span> 4<\/span> mins<\/span><\/span>
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Whether <\/span><\/span>you\u2019re a train enthusiast or travel aficionado, you\u2019re bound to enjoy the ride.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
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With an extensive railway <\/span><\/span>network, Europe offers breathtaking vistas and memorable experiences. Here are our top ten rail journeys in <\/span><\/span>Europe for 2023, a blend of historic routes, picturesque landscapes, and cultural highlights.<\/span><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Glacier Express, Switzerland<\/span><\/span>
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Embark on a mesmerizing 8-hour journey through the heart of the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express. This iconic <\/span><\/span>train ride connects Zermatt and St. Moritz. Offering panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, dramatic gorges, and <\/span><\/span>enchanting alpine villages. Be sure to indulge in local delicacies on-board and capture the beauty of the Landwasser <\/span><\/span>Viaduct along the way.<\/span>
https:\/\/www.glacierexpress.ch\/en\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Bergen Railway, Norway<\/span><\/span>
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Embark on a breathtaking journey from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Railway, considered one of Europe\u2019s most <\/span><\/span>scenic train routes. Traverse the rugged landscapes of the Hardangervidda plateau. Witness gushing waterfalls, and <\/span><\/span>marvel at snow-capped mountains. As you approach Bergen, the train descends through magnificent fjords, <\/span><\/span>providing stunning views.<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>https:\/\/www.vy.no\/en<\/a>
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El Transcant\u00e1brico Cl\u00e1sico, Spain<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

A 643km journey from Le\u00f3n to Santiago de Compostela. Never has the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela felt <\/span><\/span>so indulgent. El Transcant\u00e1brico\u2019s lavish compartments and excursions make for an enlightening ride. The Cl\u00e1sico <\/span><\/span>itinerary hugs the northern coast, <\/span><\/span>with stop-offs at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and seafood suppers in <\/span><\/span>Santander. On longer trips, you can hike in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Picos de Europa National Park.
https:\/\/www.renfe.com\/es\/en<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Bernina Express, Switzerland\/Italy<\/span><\/span>
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Embark on a truly international adventure aboard the Bernina Express. This journey traverses the breathtaking <\/span><\/span>landscapes of Switzerland and Italy. Departing from Switzerland, this train journey takes you across the UNESCO <\/span><\/span>World Heritage-listed Rhaetian Railway. This scenic route showcases majestic glaciers, turquoise lakes, and charming <\/span><\/span>alpine villages. Finally reaching Tirano in Italy as your final <\/span><\/span> destination.<\/span><\/span>
https:\/\/www.rhb.ch\/en\/home<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Inlandsbanan, Sweden<\/span><\/span>
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This is slow travel at its finest, heading up past the Arctic Circle and into Swedish Lapland. In fact, its drivers love an <\/span><\/span>excuse to stretch their legs. Scheduled stops to take a dip in Lake Siljan or visit Sami villages and their reindeer herds <\/span><\/span>along the way are worth it. Before you know it, you\u2019re cooing over a moose and foraging for berries. All thoughts <\/span><\/span>of the timetable long forgotten. Order fresh dishes from local restaurants at each stop such as lingonberry crumble.<\/span><\/span>
<\/span>Yummmmmmy!<\/span><\/span>
https:\/\/inlandsbanan.se\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

La Ligne des C\u00e9vennes, France<\/span><\/span>
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Every twist and turn of this train line is an engineering marvel. It ticks off a mighty 106 tunnels and over a thousand <\/span><\/span>bridges. The lofty (46m high) Chamborigaud viaduct is a scene-stealer. Although the track reaches its pinnacle on <\/span><\/span>the summit at La Bastide (1,023m). Gentler pleasures can be found in the rolling vineyards of the Auvergne and the <\/span><\/span>chestnut forests of C\u00e9vennes National Park. Sit back and enjoy the track\u2019s picturesque dalliance with the River Allier.
https:\/\/www.ligne-des-cevennes.com\/<\/span><\/a><\/span>
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<\/span><\/span><\/span>Linha do Douro, Portugal<\/span><\/span>
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This train line from Porto ploughs deep into the heartlands. Sweeping past magnificent rock walls and rambling <\/span><\/span>quintas (wine estates). Better yet, the track swaps between shores, so there\u2019s no such thing as a bad seat. Pinh\u00e3o <\/span><\/span>Station must be one of Europe\u2019s prettiest terminals, trimmed with intricate azulejo tilework. Look out, too, for the <\/span><\/span>towering gorge around R\u00e9gua and the ancient rock art of the C\u00f4a Valley at Pocinho.
https:\/\/www.cp.pt\/passageiros\/en<\/span><\/a><\/span>
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Rhine Valley Line, Germany<\/span><\/span>
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Explore the picturesque Rhine Valley by boarding a train that winds along the Rhine River. Pass through enchanting <\/span><\/span>medieval castles, vineyards, and charming towns. This amazing route between Mainz and Koblenz offers ample <\/span><\/span>opportunities to witness the mesmerizing landscapes that have inspired poets, painters, and composers throughout <\/span><\/span>history.<\/span><\/span>
https:\/\/bahn.com\/en<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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The Jacobite, Scotland<\/span><\/span>
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Departing from Fort William to Mallaig this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. Harry <\/span><\/span>Potter fans get to see the 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct (made famous in the films). Described as the greatest railway <\/span><\/span>journey in the world! Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain\u2019s most westerly mainland <\/span><\/span>railway station, Arisaig. The route passes the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in <\/span><\/span>Britain, River Morar. Finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch <\/span><\/span>Nevis!<\/span><\/span>
https:\/\/westcoastrailways.co.uk\/jacobite\/steam-train-trip<\/span><\/a><\/span>
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Ffestiniog Railway, Wales<\/span><\/span>
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A short 21.7km; one hour, 15 minutes journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog. Operated by the oldest <\/span><\/span>surviving train company in the world. The Ffestiniog Railway has run for almost 200 years through Snowdonia National <\/span><\/span>Park. The route is a rich feast of rivers, waterfalls, mountains and ancient woodlands. There\u2019s also a great looping <\/span><\/span>spiral section lending thrills. Add on the Welsh Highland Railway ( Ffestiniog\u2019s sister route) between Porthmadog and <\/span><\/span>Caernarfon to extend your <\/span><\/span>fun.<\/span><\/span>
https:\/\/www.festrail.co.uk\/<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Whichever train journey tickles your fancy, they all provide amazing vistas. Each promises an immersive <\/span><\/span>experience of stunning landscapes, cultural heritage, and unforgettable moments. Whether you\u2019re seeking <\/span><\/span>alpine scenes, coastal charm, or a glimpse into history, these train journeys offer an unparalleled perspective <\/span><\/span>on the diverse beauty of the European continent. Grab your camera, sit back, and let these rail journeys <\/span><\/span>transport you to a world of natural wonders and cultural treasures.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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2023 Travel trend: slow, immersive travel<\/span><\/em><\/a><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it comes to discovering Europe\u2019s beauty, nothing compares to the magic of a rail journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":18842,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1636,186],"tags":[1558,1607,1398],"class_list":["post-18547","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure-travel","category-storyteller-spotlights","tag-european-cities","tag-train","tag-travel-in-europe"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18547"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18547\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18844,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18547\/revisions\/18844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18842"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.battleface.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}