Long hailed as an environmentally friendly option compared to planes that emit lots of carbon, train trips haven’t just been about avoiding pollution. Instead, they offer their own delightful charm – efficiency coupled with affordability, making the ride itself a significant part of the adventure alongside reaching your final stop.

As the introduction of a unified European ticketing system for trains approaches over the coming few years, this will undoubtedly solidify the comeback of railway travel.

You can reserve numerous of these trips through the train travel company.

Byway

Which will celebrate in 2025 the 200th anniversary of modern rail travel.

Gaze out the train window to witness some of Europe’s most breathtaking scenery and travels.

To get the ideal Instagram photo, ride the Le Petit Train Jaune in France.

Stretching for 63 kilometers from Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol through the Catalan region,

France’s

The Little Yellow Train provides a touch of Wes Anderson’s quirky charm.

As you travel along its picturesque path dating back to the early 20th century, the vivid yellow train ascends all the way up to Bolquère, which stands as the nation’s highest railway station. During your ride, you’ll be treated to vistas from both a majestic viaduct and a bridge spanning across an impressive 80-meter-deep cliff.

To enjoy a magical journey, take a seat on the West Highland Line in Scotland.

Also referred to as ‘the Harry Potter train,’ due to the Hogwarts Express being inspired by the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct in Inverness-shire. This Victorian-era concrete construction cost £18,000 back then and currently draws thousands of non-magical tourists annually.

The West Highland Line connects Glasgow with Mallaig in Scotland’s Highlands, serving as the entry point to the Isle of Skye. Boasting vistas of lakes, mountains, and animals like red deer, this picturesque journey often appears among top picks for scenic trips.

For the most steep climbs, all of Norway’s Bergensbanen within the fjords area is included.

The Bergen Line is Scandinavia’s highest railway, linking

Norway’s

The trip between the two biggest cities, Oslo and Bergen, lasts around six to seven hours as it takes you up to the isolated Hardangervidda plateau, providing vistas above 1,200 meters in elevation.

Constructed from 1875 to 1909, this railway includes over 180 tunnels bored into Norway’s formidable gneiss rock. However, the journey isn’t just about passing through dark passages; travelers adore the breathtaking vistas of fjords and cascading waterfalls, as well as the opportunity to reach isolated stations accessible solely by rail.

This provides you with entry to the Flåm railway, which ranks among the steepest rail lines globally.

For an excellent day excursion, explore Portugal’s Douro Line by taking the ‘road to nowhere.’

Snaking along the Douro River for over 160 kilometers from Porto in the west to Pocinho in the east,

Portugal’s

The Douro Line is preferred by those who enjoy a leisurely journey.

This particular piece focuses entirely on the voyage rather than the endpoint (do not feel discouraged by the initial hour of mundane landscapes – things improve significantly as you arrive at the river).

This path meanders through the core of the wine region, providing numerous chances to visit wineries and classic ‘quintas’, which are essentially wine farms. With a duration of three hours and twenty minutes for a one-way journey, this makes an ideal plan for a day excursion.

For idyllic station views, opt for England’s iconic Settle to Carlisle railway route.

This 117-kilometer trail in northern England offers great value: it encompasses both the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines, nearly reaching the Scottish border.

The distant, countryside path serves as an entryway to England’s small hamlets and settlements, whereas the train track traverses numerous bridges—including the iconic Ribblehead.

Walkers and ramblers

might consider making stops at numerous small, historically significant stations throughout the journey—many of which have been refurbished to resemble their appearance during the heyday of railway travel.

To enjoy spectacular vistas of the Alps, consider traveling along the Semmering Line in Austria.

Commonly recognized as the globe’s initial genuine mountain railway, Austria’s Semmering Railway became the first rail line to be included in UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites. Renowned for its impressive 19th-century engineering feats, this path traverses perilous Alpine landscapes through a series of loops, tunnels, and bridges.

Covering 16 viaducts, 15 tunnels, and 100 bridges over just 42 kilometers from Gloggnitz to Murzzuschlag, this route offers a leisurely alternative to a rushed ride.

To reach incredible altitudes, make your way to Switzerland’s record-setting Bernina Line.

Switzerland’s Bernina Line, another site with a UNESCO designation, closely follows in terms of scenic beauty: this alpine railway boasts one of the highest tracks in Europe and the steepest incline in the world.

You’ll definitely want to stay awake for this ride. The Bernina Express passes through about 200 bridges, explores Switzerland’s most ancient municipality, showcases various natural wonders like ravines, features impressive human-made constructions including aqueducts, travels past frozen glaciers, and even goes near palm trees in the Italian city of Tirano.

For €5 train tickets, it must be the Cinque Terre Line along the Italian Riviera.

Dotting the Italian Riviera coast, specifically in an area called Cinque Terre, are five charming villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.

Connecting these picturesque locations is the

Cinque Terre Line

, traveling between La Spezia Centrale and Stazione Ferroviaria di Levanto. This ideal stop-and-go trip allows you to enjoy various swimming areas and local delicacies along the way.

When combining an inland city with a seaside destination, one must consider Serbia and Montenegro’s route from Belgrade to Bar.

Starting out in the

Serbian

The capital of Belgrade marks the starting point as the railway, constructed in the 1970s, extends along the Adriatic coastline all the way to Bar, Montenegro, traversing Bosnia-Herzegovina in between.

Throughout this route, which spans an impressive 11 hours and has been ranked among the Top 10 journeys in Europe by CNN, travelers will pass through Montenegro’s dramatic Black Mountains, where monasteries seem miraculously perched atop their peaks. The trip also includes views of lush national parks, pristine lakes, stark brutalist structures, and winding lanes within Bar’s historic district.

If you and your travel buddies can’t agree on which scenery to enjoy, choose this route as it offers something for everybody.

To relive fond memories, take a ride on the Bohinj Railway from Slovenia to Italy.

Another marvel from the 1900s, the stunning Bohinj Railway links Jesenice with

Slovenia

With Trieste in Italy as the destination, travelers will journey through a 6,327-meter tunnel under Mount Kobla and cross the Solkan Bridge — the world’s longest stone railway arch.

Awaiting designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bohinj spans across Slovenia’s idyllic ‘Garden of Eden’ terrain around Nova Gorica. Consider stopping at Lake Bled to sample the area’s renowned cream cakes or remain aboard to enjoy vistas of Vintgar Gorge.