Best Scenic Train Rides in Europe?
 

I've got Europe on my mind as I think about planning a potential summer or fall trip. While I'm big on road trips in the U.S., I'd love to do some train travel when I'm in Europe.

In terms of the best views, what are your favorite train rides in Europe? The Switzerland ones seem really great but I'm open to suggestions!

The IC/EC and regional trains throught the Rhine Valley are very scenic, especially the section between Bonn and Mainz or Frankfurt. Total riding time is about 2:30, with splendid views of the river, the river gorge, castles and picturesque towns. You may stop in some towns and explore them more deeply.

Note: The ICE trains from Cologne to Frankfurt are NOT scenic.

Another scenic train ride is the regional train from Freiburg to Seebrugg. It goes through the Höllental (Hell's Canyon) and into the Black Forest. Total riding time is about one hour.

The Bernina express was my fav!

another vote for Bernina Express.

I also love the Bernina Express. Have taken it 3 times.

I'm excited to be taking the Norway in a Nutshell ferry+train in 2 weeks. I hope it is as beautiful.

The train ride from Oslo to Bergen across the "spine" of Norway is beautiful.

Ask me again in two months. By then I will have been on these:

1. Stansted Express Stansted-London
2. Eurostar London-Paris
3. Lyria Paris-Visp
4. Swiss Visp-Zermatt
5. Glacier Express Zermatt-Chur
6. Bernina Express Chur-Tirano
7. Trenitalia Tirano-Milan
8. Trenitalia Milan-Venice
9. Night train Venice-Zagreb
10. BiH Mostar-Sarajevo

I have read mixed reports on the Swiss Express trips, but decided to keep the bookings although some say the local trains with windows that can be opened for photos may be better. I am also expecting numbers 3, 4, 7 and 10 to be excellent for scenery. I'm not expecting much from the Stansted Express :)

Cheers, Alan, Australia.
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (Where Do You Want To Go and What Do You Want To Do and See?)

Glacier Express is a 7 ½ hour journey across the Western Swiss Alps and is famous for its panoramic views of the Alps and for its exceptional hospitality
Especially attractive for families and adventurers
Operates between St. Moritz, Chur or Davos (summer only) and arrives in Zermatt

The Bernina Express
Famous for its most spectacular alpine crossings.
Departs daily from Switzerland’s R Chur and travels through the Alps arriving in the small Italian town of Tirano.

Stansted express LOL.. nice if you like to see the backs of terraced housing in London.

"Stansted express LOL.. nice if you like to see the backs of terraced housing in London."

Yep. Forget the others, that's the one likely to be a trip highlight :)

Cheers, Alan, Australia.
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com (Travel, Money, Cards and Cheques in Foreign Lands)

well the one along the SW coast to Plymouth is prety good with the sea breakiing close to the line.

Then the one north of Newcastle to Edinburgh is glorious

And finally the steam train through the North York Moors is lovely.

Well I haven't been on too many

Frankfurt to Koblenz and return (both sides of river) - I really enjoyed this and lots of snow around when I went.

Vienna to Venice - quite scenic, especially the bit through the Alps (pity we had to go through so many incredibly LONG tunnels)

Venice to Florence - pretty boring.

Florence to Rome (return) was dark both ways unfortunately, so saw nothing.

Florence to Cinque Terre - from memory this was quite good.

I'm surprised no-one has mentioned the Fort William to Mallaig route.

http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/Jacobite.cfm

This has been voted one of the top railway journeys in the world.

Actually the whole West Highland line from Glasgow to Fort William or Oban has pretty excellent view throughout the route.

Apart from Dumbarton!

Inverness to Kyle Of Lochalsh
Oslo-Bergen with side trip to Flåm

Another vote for the Glasgow to Fort William route. Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness to Edinburgh was pretty good, too, as was Edinburgh to Durham. London to Paris, however, is NOT scenic, even when you're not in the tunnel.

Also:
Bayonne to St. Jean Pied-a-Port
Santander to Leon, when not in tunnels
Up the Duoro valley from Porto, although the highlights were the mountain railways, Tua to Mirandela, and to Amarante, and I'm not sure they're still running.
Domodossolo to Locarno on the Circumvalli
Pretty much any train in the Swiss and Austrian Alps, and another vote for Innsbruck to Bolzano
And, of course, the Trans-Siberian

My dated copy of Thomas Cook's Railway Map of Europe has the scenic routes highlighted. Not sure about the latest edition - it's in the mail. If you're planning rail travel in Europe that's a good starting point - it shows you where you CAN go by rail.Then you check bahn.de to see if you WANT to - sometimes the schedules just don't work out. (For my mammoth 17,000 mile train trip including Europe see http://wilhelmswords.com/rtw2004/index.html )

Also note that the fast trains tend to turn the scenery into a blur, and you may find said scenery blocked by walls and tunnels.

these fantastic sites IMO have lots of tips on scenic trains in Europe - www.budgeteuropetravel.com; www.ricksteves.com and www.seat61.com.

My top scenic trains are
Bernina Express
Oslo to Bergen in Norway
The West Highlands line in Scotland

most overhyped scenic train - the Glacier Express, a daylong marathon that bores most folks after an hour or so.

Wow, thanks for all your great responses! I'm impressed with all your personal experiences (and just a little bit jealous).

Are there any favorite train rides in France?