Traveling in Europe by Train

Although a shadow of its former self, this list has to be topped by the Orient Express. Originally running from London through Paris, Venice and on to Istanbul the route was shortened after World War II due to the inconvenience of the Iron Curtain. Today it runs from Paris to Venice with a half-hearted extension from London. The train really is the last word in luxury and when this is combined with the romance of seeing Venice and Paris from the windows of your sleeping compartment the experience is complete. It has to be said, the cost of the Orient Express makes it likely to be a once in a lifetime experience for most people, as such it is a favorite for honeymoons and serious anniversaries. As railway journeys go, the Orient Express often tops the list of best in the world, although that of course depends on what criteria are being used.

• The Glacier Express

If the criteria being used to judge a railway journey was simply the scenery, the Glacier Express would surely come top every time. This runs through the Alps (literally in the case of the many tunnels) from St Moritz to Zermatt and gives fantastic views of mountain scenery including the impressive Matterhorn. Taking over seven hours to travel a mere one hundred miles, the Glacier Express is not an express in anything more than name. However, few people take this train purely to get to the destination but rather for the pleasure of the journey. Depending what time of year you travel the view will be either a glittering and gleaming white, or alive with colorful trackside flowers. In addition to the tunnels the track also passes over many bridges with dancing alpine springs gushing past underneath.

• Traveling through Italy by train

In contrast to the majesty of the Alps are the rolling lowlands of southern Italy. The rail journey from Rome to Catania  in Sicily, although little known, is full of character and is a surprisingly reliable way of traveling through Italy. The eight hour journey includes a trip across the strait of Messina, where the train carriages run straight onto the deck of the ferry and passengers do not have to disembark. For most of the journey, the train runs through the vineyards of southern Italy and stops at a variety of quaint villages and picturesque towns. Italy being the way it is train travel can be more erratic than in other countries, but this simply means that when the train comes to an unexpected halt passengers have time to purchase bread, olive oil and salami to eat once the train begins rolling once again.

• Trainhotel

Running overnight from Paris to Madrid, the aptly named Trainhotel contains sleeping compartments, a luxurious restaurant car and well stocked bars. Leaving Gare d’Austerlitz in late afternoon passengers can enjoy cocktails as they watch the suburbs of Paris slip away, then wine and dine as they pass through the countryside of France and fall asleep as they climb up into the Pyrenees. At breakfast, the landscape of central Spain rolls past before the mid-morning arrival into Madrid. This train is almost as well appointed as the Orient Express but without the cache of the name and the price premium this brings. Travelers looking for a railway experience with similar romance but less cliché than the Orient should look no further, while those looking for extra value for money should also consider this route.

• The Trans-Siberian

Although not strictly a European rail journey, the Trans-Siberian has to make an appearance in this list. Although officially beginning in Moscow many people prefer to begin their journey in Western Europe and travel by train to Russia while others begin in St Petersburg. There is similar flexibility at the other end since few people desire to travel to Vladivostok, the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian, and most instead turn south and finish in Beijing. One good reason the Trans-Siberian makes it onto this list is that it is the only chance to travel from one continent to another by train as the rails pass from Europe to Asia in the Ural Mountains. While one of the greatest rail journeys in the world, this is certainly the longest with an entire week required to travel the whole distance, and that is before any city stops are added. For those wanting a railway experience like no other, this is the route to try.

Picture of railway, Switzerland originally posted by Montrasio International

Topic:  General Travel | 4 Comments
Tags:  France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, transportation

About the author

Will Joce is a recent graduate from the London School of Economics who has a morbid fear of working in an office. As well as travelling and writing he has worked in the UK Parliament and as a press monitor. Refusing to follow advice and get a real job he will soon be beginning a Masters degree at St Petersburg State University