Terrific train trails aka where to go with your European travel pass

Last updated on Monday, 13/11/2023

Here you will find 8 suggestions for your upcoming trips, all scattered across the continent and all pretty breath-taking.

The steady noise of the wheels on the tracks, the irresistible charm that comes from sitting next to the window thinking about the mysteries of the universe, the satisfaction of being able to read without getting dizzy. Many are the perks of a good old train journey!

And you know what they say, the journey itself is the destination... So why not explore Europe passing through some of the most amazing train routes?

Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Back in the times of the Austro-Hungarian Empire this road led to Italy’s Trieste. Right now is the perfect time to catch a glimpse of the naturalist landscape of Slovenia in 62 kilometres! Not to be missed: Lake Bled with its island and stunning castle. 

Kalavryta Railway, Greece

Open in 1896 this railway will literally take your breath away. Ever thought of hopping on a train which runs on a track which is  less than a metre wide (precisely 0.75) while going over waterfalls? Check out these 22.5 kilometres of adrenaline and beauty while exploring the Northern part of Peloponnese in Greece!

Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy

Let’s calm down and breath a little now by going on a journey through the Alps using a railway line listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In 123 kilometres you’ll go directly from Chur in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, from the glaciers to the Mediterranean fauna. Fun fact: you’ll pass over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels!

Inlandsbanan, Sweden

Back to Scandinavia and into the wild. This 1,288 kilometres line from Kristinehamn to Gällivare will bring you across the central and northern Sweden. 
Highlight: the Polar Circle, need to say more?

The Bridge, Denmark to Sweden

New millennium, new bridge! That’s what happened in 2000 when Denmark and Sweden got connected thanks to an 8 kilometres railway and motorway called Öresund bridge. Sit down, cross the Baltic sea and in 45 minutes you’ll be transported from Copenhagen to Malmö! 

Cinque Terre, Italy

Literally translated as “Five Lands”, this 18 km train route goes from La Spezia in the direction of Levanto, passing by 5 Instagram friendly gorgeous villages facing the sea: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso. Into seafood and focaccia? That’s your place.

Linha do Douro, Portugal

Feeling the need for some warmness now, right? Head to the North of Portugal and take this line, connecting the centre of Porto, the town of Peso da Régua and the villages in the Douro Valley. A dream made of Portuguese viniculture and lovely terraces. In total, the line runs for 160 km but the waiting is worth it since the last part is the best one.

Credits for the images: 

1) Neven Krcmarek - Unsplash.com
2) Matt Artz - Unsplash.com
3) Andreas Stutz - Unsplash.com
4) Geran de Klerk - Unsplash.com
5) Philaweb - Wikimedia Commons
6) Petr Slováček - Unsplash.com
7) Jpedromac - Wikimedia Commons