Rail tracks crisscross the continent of Europe, covering sweeping mountain ranges, coastal cliffs, and historic cities. Various trains, from Alpine cogwheel lines to the sleek Frecciarossa and high-speed TGV, invite travelers to experience Europe’s natural and cultural splendor through the thrill of rail travel.
A recent study from student travel company Rustic Pathways named Europe’s most beautiful train journeys. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express took the top spot, with Swiss and British routes highly favored, as well. To find the top 10, the company analyzed the number of Tripadvisor reviews containing beauty descriptors, such as “beautiful,” “lovely,” and “spectacular,” for 29 European train journeys.
These top-ranked routes captivate Tripadvisor reviewers, each offering a distinctive look at Europe’s diverse beauty.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Topping the list of Europe’s most beautiful scenic train journeys is The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, with 64.4% of its total 822 Tripadvisor reviews containing keywords describing the route’s beauty. Over one-third — or 275 — of its reviews describe the Orient Express as “beautiful,” while 264 reviews describe it as “wonderful.”
This train epitomizes luxury with polished woods, Champagne receptions, plush upholstery, and antique features that transport passengers back to the 1920s. The iconic train offers many magnificent European journeys, with twin cabins starting at around $4,500 per night.
The Vale of Rheidol Railway
The charming steam trains of Vale of Rheidol Railway claim the second spot, with 63.9% of its Tripadvisor reviews describing the journey’s beauty. Of 1,280 reviews, 346 describe the train as “lovely,” 249 describe it as “beautiful,” and 191 describe it as “stunning.”
The locomotives and carriages currently in use, built between 1923 and 1938, bring passengers on an unforgettable 12-mile voyage through some of Wales’ most spectacular scenery. Begin at Aberystwyth in West Wales and journey to Devil’s Bridge at an estimated $50 per adult return ticket.
The Kyle Line
Rustic Pathways ranks The Kyle Line as the third-most beautiful scenic train journey in Europe, with 61.9% of its 190 reviews highlighting its scenery. Adult return tickets cost an estimated $33, and though prices vary by season, the views are worth the fare.
This 57-mile railway stretches from Dingwall to Kyle of Lochalsh, offering breathtaking views of the Scottish Highlands’ lochs, mountains, moorland, and shores, including the Isle of Skye. You may want to hop off at Plockton, a picturesque village dubbed “The Jewel of the Highlands.”
The Flam Railway (Flansbana)
Fourth on the list is the Flam Railway, an amazing engineering feat and a leading tourist attraction in Norway. As one of the world’s steepest railways, 61.7% of Tripadvisor reviews refer to the train journey’s scenery as “beautiful,” “spectacular,” and “stunning.”
This Norwegian train runs from the small village of Flam to the mountain station, Myrdal. It takes a five-minute photo stop at the Kjosfossen Falls, where passengers can disembark and enjoy the view. The journey includes a dramatic elevation change of 2,838 feet from sea level to the mountains and costs approximately $48 for an adult return ticket.
The Bernina Express
The Bernina Express follows in fifth place, with 61.1% of its 1,658 Tripadvisor reviews complimenting the train’s beautiful journey.
The train journey begins in Chur, a well-preserved old town in Switzerland, and travels to Tirano, a tiny, charming Italian town near the Swiss border. Along the way, it crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels, winding through the Swiss Alps and reaching a peak altitude of 7,391 feet. A second-class adult return ticket costs an estimated $153.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway
Despite The Settle-Carlisle Railway being part of the national rail network and not exclusively a heritage rail line, it ranks sixth place for most “beautiful, “with 60.1% of its Tripadvisor reviews remarking on the journey’s lovely views.
This historic line travels through Northern England from Settle in North Yorkshire to Carlisle in Cumbria, with views of the Yorkshire Dales, the North Pennines, and Lakeland Fells. It costs approximately $46 for an adult return ticket.
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways
The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways, which claims to be the world’s oldest independent railway company, takes seventh place. Around 59.6% of its reviews mention the journey’s beauty.
These two interconnected narrow-gauge heritage railways run from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog in North Wales. Catch views of the Snowdonia mountains, tranquil pastures, magnificent forests, waterfalls, and lakes. A return journey ticket will cost passengers an estimated $64.
The Gotthard Panorama Express
Taking it back to central Europe, The Gotthard Panorama Express is a unique combination of boat and train journeys in Switzerland. It ranks eighth, with 57.7% of its total 111 Tripadvisor reviews containing keywords related to its beauty.
Starting in Lugano or Bellinzona, this Swiss train combines a rail route with a lake cruise, offering passengers views of the Alps and stunning lakes. While closed for the winter, it will return on April 18, 2025, with tickets and online reservations available from next March.
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway
The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is the second English locale to appear among Europe’s most beautiful scenic train journeys. The railway earns the ninth spot, with 56.5% of its 1,171 reviews referencing the stunning train journey.
This narrow-gauge steam railway is located in the Lake District in Northern England and journeys through the scenic landscapes of the Eskdale Valley. Enjoy festive events, including the Santa Express and Winter Warmer Trains, for an estimated $30 per adult return ticket.
The Brecon Mountain Railway
Wales makes the list again, this time at Brecon Mountain Railway. Its charming steam locomotives round out Europe‘s most scenic train journeys, with 54.5% of its 1,476 Tripadvisor reviews complimenting the route’s beauty.
This heritage railway offers a scenic journey through South Wales, where passengers can enjoy the landscapes of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The short stop beside a picturesque reservoir on the return journey makes an ideal picnic spot. An adult return ticket costs approximately $28.
