best train trips in austria

The 3 Most Beautiful Scenic Train Routes in Austria

Walter Geiersperger / Getty Images

Austria is an interesting mountainous country wedged between the Western European countries of Switzerland, Germany, and Italy. It also borders on the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia.

Mountainous territories offer lots of technical challenge to railroad designers, as well as a high degree of danger to those who work on rail routes. Of course, it is this difficult landscape which produces the most awe-inspiring views from the window of a train car.

The three scenic rail routes described in here were first built in the mid-1800s, a pioneering phase of railroad construction, and represent some of the greatest feats of civil engineering of their time.

Two of the scenic routes, the Semmering and the narrow gauge Mariazellerbahn are in eastern Austria near Vienna , the third, Arlberg , is found in western Austria near Innsbruck . The routes offer fine opportunities for hiking in the summer and skiing in the Winter.

How to Buy Tickets

Most Austrian trains are run by the state-operated Österreichische Bundesbahnen (Austrian Federal Railroad or ÖBB). There are nineteen small privately owned railroads operating primarily narrow-gauge lines.

You can buy point-to-point rail tickets and see schedules on Rail Europe. You will also find seasonal specials on rail travel there. 

A number of Austria rail passes are available. For the traveler interested in scenic rail journeys, the combined Eurail Austria-Switzerland Pass is probably the most interesting, because Switzerland contains some great scenic railways, including the Bernina Express , the Centovalli Railway, the Glacier Express, and the Wilhelm Tell Express.

Austria is also included in the European East Pass, which includes the Czech Republic and Hungary, as well as the Eurail Germany/Austria Pass.

The Semmering Railroad

The Semmering Railroad, running between Gloggnitz and the winter resort town of Semmering, passes through some extraordinary Austrian mountain scenery. Built between 1848 and 1854, the Semmering is considered to be one of the greatest feats of civil engineering from this pioneering phase of railway building and was acknowledged by UNESCO World Heritage Center in 1998.

The Semmering railway line is part of the Südbahn railway that runs between Vienna and Graz, continuing on to Maribor, Ljubljana and eventually to Trieste.

Built by the Carl Ritter von Ghega between 1848 and 1854, the scenic Semmering route was quite daring for the time; it had a maximum gradient five times that of previous railways.

What You'll See Along the Semmering Scenic Route

• 16 viaducts supported by several arches
• The main tunnel, 1,430 meters long, at the time, considered the most famous construction of its kind.

The Semmering railway was listed as a World Cultural Heritage by the UNESCO in 1998.

Rail World Photography offers a fine Photo Tour of the Semmering Scenic Route.

Semmering has long been a mountain health resort, known for its clean air. Winter sports and Summer hiking are the top draws for the town.

The Semmering Railway site: Die Semmeringbahn .

Arlberg Scenic Train Ride

After the Semmering route was finished, engineers considered a route through the Arlberg range as part of an England to Egypt route. Construction was started in 1880 and the route finished in 1884--if you had the money, you could now take the Arlberg Orient Express from London to all the way to Bucharest.

The scenic train ride seen on the map above takes you between Innsbruck and the Lake Constance area of Switzerland.

What to Do Along the Arlberg Scenic Train Route

Arlberg is the birthplace of modern Alpine Skiing, so winter sports will top the list. But scenic routes mean the train ride is your primary entertainment.

• Snowboarding
• Skiing at St. Anton (St. Anton offers Austria's largest ski school and perhaps the best skiing for intermediates in the region.
• Hiking and Trekking

See Mike's Railway History: Progressive Development in a Mountainous Country

The Mariazell Railway:Narrow Guage Scenic Route in Eastern Austria

The Mariazell Railway is a narrow gauge track rail route running between the towns of St. Poelten and Mariazell. See this spectacular virtual tour with a detailed route description of the Mariazellerbahn Scenic Route.

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Austria Itinerary: 11 Days by Train

Updated March 19th, 2019

This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links from my site. I appreciate your support! 

Are you looking for an Austria itinerary? Do you hope to include the must-see cities of Salzburg and Vienna as well as some smaller towns in-between? This Austria itinerary by train includes the country’s most well-known cities and some lesser known gems. It’s perfect for anyone who is hoping to start and end their time in Vienna. 

Even though we would have loved more time at each location and of course wanted to visit more places, my mom and I were both very happy with this Austria itinerary for the 11 days, including flying days, that we had in in the country.

General Train Information

For all our transportation between cities we used trains, the express railjets and the regional trains. To buy train tickets ahead of time use oebb Austrian rail site . All the different types of transportation, including buses, are used on this site and can be bought together. It conveniently shows all of your options.  

You can buy your tickets from machines at the train station, but it is typically cheaper to buy ahead of time and get the ‘sparschiene’ discounted rate.

There is a small extra charge for reserved seating on railjet trains. We never did this and there was only one time we wished we did, from Innsbruck to Vienna. If you do not have a reserved seat you need to make sure you do not sit in a reserved seat. Above the seats and just below the overhead luggage racks you can see an electronic strip with the seat number. The cities written next to it tell when the seat is reserved. If nothing is there is means the seat is not reserved.

Rail platforms are easy to find within every station. Almost everyone we met spoke English well and was more than willing to help with directions whether at a train station or on a city bus.

Remember that Bahnhof means train station and Hauptbahnhof means the main train station in the city. Also note that Wien is Vienna.

There is one or two larger luggage racks in each car as well as the overhead luggage space. As long as you can drag it onboard, you can bring it.

On both regional and railjet trains there are toilets. Railjet trains have a dining car with a fairly good selection of decent meals and snacks.

Within the train electronic screens show the upcoming stops. On the railjets they give precise information with the times in English and German.

Day 1: Flying Day into Vienna & Train to Gmunden

Vienna International Airport is probably the easiest to fly into and out of . Right at the airport is the train station, which provides easy connections to anywhere else you want to go in Austria. You could spend time in Vienna at the end or beginning of your trip. We decided to stay in Vienna at the end because it worked better for obtaining ballet tickets.

Day 2 : Exploring Gmunden & Train to Salzburg

The first stop on our Austrian itinerary was Gmunden, a small town between Vienna and Salzburg within the Salzkammergut region on Lake Traunsee.

From Vienna International Airport to Gmunden Bahnhof it is about a 3 hour trip on two trains. We took a railjet train to Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof and then a regional train to Gmunden Bahnhof, but there are other options available as well. There are buses within the city, but there would be nothing available at our evening arrival so we pre-booked a taxi with our hotel. They booked us with Taxi Prehm, which was very reliable. If you plan on taking a taxi back to the train station make sure to pre-book. We left it until the last minute and there wasn’t enough time to get a taxi. The kind owners of the hotel gave us a ride instead….but I wouldn’t count on that!

The lake and the main part of town is walking distance (~10 – 20min) from Hotel Magerl.

Hotel Magerl : Ackerweg 18, 4810 Gmunden, Austria

I loved the feel of this hotel with old world charm alongside modern convenience.

Activities 

Kayaking and Walking around Lake Truansee

Take a Steamboat on Lake Traunsee

Exploring the Town

Grunberg Cable Car   to Grunberg Mountain for hiking, biking, paragliding and more

Gmunder Keramik for a tour of the ceramic factory

Within the main part of town along the lake there are several options. We were not disappointed with our Italian meal at Vienna Cafe DP Gastro GmbH :  Sparkassegasse 1, 4810 Gmunden, Austria.

Days 3 – 6: Salzburg

From Gmunden we took a regional train back to Attnang-Puchheim Bahnhof and switched to a railjet to Salzburg. We arrived in Salzburg at the main train station ( Hauptbahnhof). The city buses stop directly outside of the train station. From our pre-booked tickets I knew which platform to stand and wait.

We bought the Salzburg card which included free transportation. Other than the initial bus ride, the rest of our time in Salzburg that we needed transportation was within the two day pass time frame. With the pass you do not need to do anything, simply board the bus.

Alstadt Hotel Hofwirt : Schallmooser Hauptstraße 1, Schallmoos, 5020 Salzburg, Austria

Convenient location to the New Town and about a 15 minute walk to the old town. A modern and clean hotel with friendly staff and large selection of breakfast items.

I recommend buying the Salzburg City Card that gives you free transportation and entrance to all of the activities below except the Sound of Music Tours.

Sound of Music Tour – I suggest Fräulein Maria’s Bicycle Tour s if you want an active tour. If not there The Original Sound of Music Tour is another great option for a bus tour.

Museums : Christmas Museum , Mozart’s Birthplace , Mozart’s Residence , Panorama Museum , Salzburg Open Air Museum

Hohensalzburg Fortress – one of the largest medieval castles in Europe

Salzburg City Cruises

Guided Tours of the Festival Halls

Dom Quartier Salzburg

Untersberg Mountain – enjoy a beautiful hike in the snow after taking the cable car

Hellbrunn Palace, Trick Fountains, Folk Art Museum & Salzburg Zoo  

Gasthof Alter Fuchs :  Linzer G. 47-49, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.  Located on the other side of the river from the old town, this cozy place with classic dishes on the menu had a traditional Austrian feel.

Pretzel Stand in Kapitelplatz :  The square with a man standing on top of a big gold sphere.  During our Sound of Music tour our guide recommended this pretzel place to everyone and announced that it had the best pretzels in Salzburg. Sometimes I am skeptical of tour guide recommendations mid-tour, thinking that they are only trying to promote a specific business. Our guide was right about this one! With almost ten different varieties of pretzels as big as your head, you are sure to find a flavor you will enjoy.

Die Wiesse:  Rupertgasse 10, 5020 Salzburg, Austria.  We didn’t know if our hunger could hold on long enough to reach this locally recommended biergarten and were about to give up when we heard music. By following the sound of a tuba we made it to this biergarten that was full of Austrians in their traditional dirndls and lederhosen. As it was a national holiday we were treated to a festive and authentic display of music, dancing, and eating. Even if you don’t luck out with the festive atmosphere we experienced, the outdoor garden and food are still worth a visit. Another great recommendation from our tour guide that is a little off the beaten path.

Hochalm am Untersberg:  Located on top of Untersberg Mountain, this traditional looking restaurant offers classic fare at reasonable prices and close up views of the surrounding alps.

Café Latini :  Judengasse 17, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. This café is good if you want something a little quicker within the old town close to all the sights. I particularly recommend the ice cream and a nice outdoor table for prime people watching.

Days 7 – 8: Seefeld & Mittenwald

To get to Seefeld from Salzburg we took a railjet train to Innsbruck , which I would recommend spending some time in if your schedule allows. There is so much to see and do in Innsbruck . Then we took a regional train to Seefeld. Within Seefeld we walked everywhere. Either google maps seemed a little strange or I wasn’t following the map correctly, because it was a tad difficult finding our hotel initially, but easy every time after that. 

To get to Mittenwald from Seefeld I recommend taking a train. It is about a 22 minute journey. Tickets can be bought ahead of time or at the machine in Seefeld. The cost is so low, about 5 euros, that unless you are positive of your departure times you might as well buy them at the station. Like any train journey, make sure to plan ahead with times. On the way back from Mittenwald there were no machines selling our particular journey back to Seefeld so we bought tickets on the train.

Landhaus Klausnerhof Hotel : Alte Leutascher Straße 57, 6100 Seefeld in Tirol, Austria

A well kept alpine hotel with a friendly and helpful manager. The hotel is close to restaurants in town, the train station and Lake Wildsee.

Seefeld: Visiting Lake Wildsee

Seefeld: Hiking – Many trails in the area.

Mittenwald:  Leutaschklamm Gorge Hike  

Mittenwald: Take a stroll around the town to see the beautifully painted buildings and maybe visit the violin museum.

Restaurant Seefelder Stube:  Innsbrucker Str. 23, 6100 Seefeld in Tirol, Austria.  Our pizza and pasta dishes here arrived exactly as we ordered them and full of rich flavors.

Mittenwald : Several restaurants, cafés and bakeries along the main street around the square.

Day 8 – 11: Vienna

From Seefeld we took a regional train back to Innsbruck and then the high-speed railjet to Vienna , the last stop on our Austria Itinerary. The whole journey takes about 5.5 hours. It is the longest train journey of this itinerary and the one I would recommend booking reserved seats for. Perhaps it was our particular time we traveled, but the train was incredibly booked and it was initially hard to find single seats open, much less two seats together.

We had tickets for a tram that stopped a couple of minutes away from our hotel. Within Vienna we mostly walked. To take the metro you need to buy a ticket from a machine before boarding. Make sure you validate the ticket, by sticking it inside a little box, before going down the escalators to the metro train.

Suite Hotel 900 m zur Oper :   Wiedner Hauptstraße 44, 04. Wieden, 1040 Vienna, Austria

The hotel is an pleasant 10 minutes or so walk from the Opera house and other central attractions. The tram stops only a couple of minutes from the front door.

Sisi Museum : Learn about the intriguing life of Empress Sisi.

Albertina Museum : An art museum known for its print rooms.

Vienna Museum : Overview of the history of Vienna with some special exhibitions.

Schönbrunn Palace : More on the life of the Imperial family and fun gardens to explore.

Free Walking Tou r : Good to do your first morning in the city as it gives an overview of Vienna.

Austrian National Library : Where you can visit the impressive great hall.

Spanish Riding School : Along with seeing a show you can buy tickets for the morning practice or for a guided tour.

Vienna Opera House : For a night on the town this is a classic and elegant choice. Guided tours are also available some days.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral : Visit the gorgeous interior or pay to walk up the tower for a view of the city.

Bierhof:  Haarhof 3, 1010 Wien, Austria

We weren’t quite ready for lunch when we stumbled upon this restaurant, but it was too good to pass up. It was almost hidden within a little courtyard. I had a chicken salad here. It sounds really basic, but the spices in it made me scarf down my salad at the rate of which I would usually eat a piece of chocolate cake.

Restaurant in the center with green boards:  Intersection of Ballgasse & Blumenstockgasse  

Another slightly more secluded area with several cafés. Although we typically ate outdoors only for lunch when it was warm enough, we wanted to experience the area outdoors for dinner as well. We were given blankets as we enjoyed our top notch salmon and schnitzel dishes.

Ristorante San Carlo:  Mahlerstraße 3, 1010 Wien, Austria

This ristorante near the Opera House has a slightly more elegant feel so when we came in drenched from the rain we wondered if they would even let us get a table. When the waiter led us to a table and then turned around we were left standing awkwardly in the middle of the room starting to get concerned that we wouldn’t get a table for real. It was our last meal in Austria so we were starting to get the hang of the Austrian restaurant world so we kept calm and waited until we finally got a drafty table near the door to the rainy weather outside. Soon enough we were served our food and my luscious pasta dish made me quickly forget about the temperature.

Salud Restaurant and Bar:  Johannesgasse 23, 1010 Wien, Austria

Don’t go here if you want attentive service, but do go here for some good tex-mex food.

Viennese café culture:  Most importantly don’t leave Vienna without having cake. So many cafés to choose from!

I hope this suggested Austria Itinerary by train will help you prepare your travels throughout the country! 

Not quite what you are looking for? Don’t worry, I can help! Through my Personal Travel Planning service I can plan the perfect Austria itinerary to meet your travel needs…or any other place you dream of visiting! 

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11 comments.

What a great itinerary. I live in Austria – but whenever someone asks me what can I visit , I suddenly am at a lost. So you provided me with a solution, that I will just send this link to someone who asks. Nice tips on the restaurants as well , that I will be using it for myself 🙂

Thank you, that is so nice to hear from someone who lives in Austria! I would love it if you share this Austria itinerary with anyone planning to visit and I hope it is helpful to you too! Where do you live in Austria?

I live in Villach – great location at the border of both Slovenia and Italy – do holler If you are ever in the region and we can have a cuppa coffee

Will do, I have never heard of Villach, but the google images look beautiful!

Follow My Anchor

Very informative post with useful details. I love touring journeys by trains and see different places on the same trip. I have been to a few places in Austria like Salzburg, Innsbruck and Kitzbuhel but I definitely need to go back and visit Vienna. I’ll make sure I’ll visit Gmunden too as it looks a very cute town on your picture!

I always enjoy exploring different places on the same trip too and getting to know a country by visiting both the larger and smaller cities.

Wow! You’ve really covered everything here. I love Austria and have been there many times. Your in-depth comments are really valuable for everyone.

Thank you! I would love to go back and visit again.

This is a great itinerary and fabulous tips! I’ve wanted to go back to Austria to explore it more but didnt know how to get around and definitely didn’t want to drive. Great information.

I don’t like to drive abroad, so I was happy that Austria is really easy to get around on your own without a car!

This looks like a great itinerary. I’ve only visited Salzburg and Vienna as part of a larger trip to Europe but would love to go back to Austria and see some smaller towns.

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Austria’s Scenic Rail Journeys: Travel by Train

• March 23, 2023

Nick Harvey

• Travel Guide Austria

Table of Contents

Austria’s Scenic Rail Journeys

Introduction to innsbruck.

Austria is known for its picturesque landscapes, rich history, and vibrant culture. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of this European gem is by taking a scenic rail journey. Sit back and relax as you embark on a captivating adventure through breathtaking mountain vistas, verdant valleys, and charming towns. In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of Austria’s most scenic train routes and provide helpful tips for planning your unforgettable rail journey. Let’s get started!

Austrian Railways Overview

The evolution of austrian railways.

The history of Austrian Railways dates back to the early 19th century when the first horse-drawn railway began operation in 1824. The steam-powered Northern Railway, opened in 1837, marked a significant milestone in the development of the country’s rail network. The latter half of the 19th century saw remarkable advancements in railway construction, with the inauguration of the Semmering Railway in 1854 and the Arlberg Railway in 1884. The formation of the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) in 1947 led to the nationalisation and consolidation of the rail system, paving the way for modernisation and expansion.

Austrian Railways Today

Today, Austrian Railways boasts an extensive and efficient rail network that connects major cities, quaint towns, and picturesque landscapes across the country. The ÖBB Railjet, Austria’s flagship high-speed train, provides fast and comfortable travel between cities such as Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. Additionally, Austria is home to numerous scenic train routes, like the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway and the charming Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, which showcase the country’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Modern amenities, accessibility features, and a variety of ticket options ensure that travellers can enjoy a convenient and unforgettable rail experience in Austria.

5 Key Takeaways

• Austria is home to numerous scenic train routes that showcase the country’s picturesque landscapes, charming villages, and historical landmarks, such as the Semmering Railway, Arlberg Railway, Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, Montafon Railway, and Mariazell Railway.
• Each scenic train route offers unique highlights and experiences, such as the UNESCO-listed Semmering Railway’s impressive engineering, the Arlberg Railway’s stunning Klostertal Valley, and the breathtaking Krimml Waterfalls along the Pinzgauer Lokalbahn.
• To make the most of your rail journey in Austria, consider purchasing an ÖBB ticket or a Eurail Pass for convenient and cost-effective travel, and make reservations in advance, especially during peak travel seasons.
• Austrian trains, including the high-speed ÖBB Railjet, offer modern amenities such as Wi-Fi, power outlets, air conditioning, and food services, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.
• Austria’s rail network provides excellent connections to neighboring European countries, with scenic international routes like the EuroCity train between Vienna and Venice, and the GoldenPass Line between Lucerne, Switzerland, and Montreux.

The Semmering Railway

The Semmering Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1998, holds the title of Europe’s first mountain railway. Opened in 1854, the 41-kilometer-long route connects the towns of Gloggnitz and Mürzzuschlag. The railway is an engineering marvel, boasting 16 viaducts, 15 tunnels, and 100 bridges that traverse the picturesque landscape. For more information check out the Unesco Semmering Railway website.

Scenic Highlights

Travellers aboard the Semmering Railway can marvel at the panoramic views of the Semmering Pass, dotted with elegant villas, lush forests, and mountain peaks. The journey provides a fantastic opportunity to appreciate the unique architecture of the railway’s viaducts and bridges. Don’t miss the 20 Schilling View, a famous vantage point that was once featured on Austria’s 20 Schilling banknote.

The Arlberg Railway

Inaugurated in 1884, the Arlberg Railway stretches 138 kilometers between Innsbruck and Bludenz. The railway’s impressive engineering features include the 10.6-kilometer-long Arlberg Tunnel, which was the longest railway tunnel in the world at the time of its construction.

As the train traverses the Alps, passengers are treated to awe-inspiring views of the rugged mountains, verdant valleys, and charming Alpine villages. The Arlberg Railway crosses the Tyrol, Vorarlberg, and the Arlberg Pass, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks and meadows. One of the highlights is the breathtaking Klostertal Valley, a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

The Pinzgauer Lokalbahn

The Pinzgauer Lokalbahn, affectionately known as the “Pinzgauer Schmalspurbahn” is a narrow-gauge railway that opened in 1898. The 53-kilometer-long route connects the towns of Zell am See and Krimml in the Austrian state of Salzburg.

This scenic journey takes passengers through the heart of the picturesque Pinzgau region, with its charming villages, lush meadows, and towering mountains. The train winds along the Salzach River, offering breathtaking views of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the Krimml Waterfalls, the tallest in Austria. A visit to the Krimmler Achental, a stunning valley with numerous hiking opportunities, is highly recommended.

For more information on tickets and the route visit the official website

The Montafon Railway

Established in 1905, the Montafon Railway is a 12.7-kilometer-long route that runs between the towns of Schruns and St. Anton im Montafon in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.

The Montafon Railway showcases the natural beauty of the Montafon Valley, with its vibrant green pastures, rugged mountain peaks, and idyllic Alpine villages. The journey offers a unique opportunity to experience the region’s striking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Along the way, you’ll pass by the impressive Lünersee, a turquoise Alpine lake surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery.

The Mariazell Railway

The Mariazell Railway, also known as the “Himmelstreppe,” or Stairway to Heaven, opened in 1907. This 84-kilometer-long narrow-gauge railway connects the city of St. Pölten with the famous pilgrimage site of Mariazell in Lower Austria.

As you travel along the Mariazell Railway, you’ll be captivated by the enchanting landscapes of the Lower Austrian Alps. The journey offers splendid views of lush valleys, sparkling lakes, and quaint villages. The train passes through the spectacular Ötscher-Tormäuer Nature Park, with its impressive Ötscher Mountain and the stunning Ötschergräben gorge, also known as the “Grand Canyon of Austria.” For more information please visit the official website 

Austria's Rail Travel Tips

Train tickets and reservations.

For the most convenient and cost-effective rail travel experience in Austria, consider purchasing an ÖBB ticket or a Eurail Pass. ÖBB, the Austrian Federal Railways, offers a variety of ticket options and discounts, including the flexible “Sparschiene” tickets. The Eurail Pass is a popular choice for international travelers, allowing unlimited train travel across multiple European countries. Remember to check the official ÖBB website for up-to-date ticket prices and reservation information.

The ÖBB Railjet

Austria’s flagship high-speed train, the ÖBB Railjet, provides fast and comfortable travel between major cities, such as Vienna, Salzburg, and Innsbruck. The Railjet features modern amenities, including Wi-Fi, power outlets, and air conditioning, making it an excellent choice for longer journeys.

Traveling with Luggage

Austrian trains typically provide ample luggage storage space, with overhead racks and designated areas for larger suitcases. For added security and convenience, some trains offer a luggage service that allows you to check your bags and collect them at your destination. Be sure to check luggage restrictions and fees on the ÖBB website .

Food and Beverage Options

Most long-distance trains in Austria offer dining cars or onboard food service, featuring a selection of snacks, beverages, and hot meals. Regional trains may have vending machines or a snack cart, so it’s a good idea to bring some snacks and drinks with you, just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the best time of year to take a scenic train journey in Austria? Austria’s scenic train routes offer breathtaking views year-round, but the best time to visit largely depends on your personal preferences. Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying lush green landscapes and pleasant weather, while autumn offers stunning foliage and fewer tourists. Winter train journeys showcase the beauty of the snow-covered Alps, perfect for those who love a winter wonderland.
• Is it necessary to book train tickets in advance? Booking train tickets in advance is recommended, especially during peak travel seasons and for popular routes. Advanced booking often allows you to secure better prices and seat reservations, ensuring a more comfortable journey.
• Are scenic train routes in Austria accessible for people with disabilities? Austrian trains are generally accessible for people with disabilities, featuring wide doors, ramps, and designated wheelchair spaces. Be sure to check the specific accessibility features of your chosen route and inform the railway company of any special requirements when booking your ticket.
• Can I bring my bike on the train in Austria? Many Austrian trains permit bicycles, but you may need to reserve a space and pay a small fee. Be sure to check the specific bike policy for your chosen route and make any necessary reservations in advance.
• Is there a scenic train route that connects Austria with other European countries? Yes, several scenic train routes connect Austria with neighbouring countries. The EuroCity train between Vienna and Venice offers spectacular views of the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolomites, while the GoldenPass Line between Lucerne, Switzerland, and Montreux passes through the stunning Swiss Alps. These international routes provide a fantastic opportunity to explore the beauty of Europe by train.

Final Thoughts

A scenic rail journey through Austria is an unforgettable experience, offering unparalleled views of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and historical landmarks. Whether you’re traversing the Semmering Pass, exploring the Montafon Valley, or marveling at the Krimml Waterfalls, traveLling by train allows you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of this remarkable country. With a variety of scenic routes, modern amenities, and convenient ticket options, Austria’s rail network is the perfect way to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

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Rail travel in Austria will leave you breathless. Trains run along jagged mountains, through lush valleys, and around crystal-clear lakes. The Alps are perfect for viewing from your train window. Austria is also a cultural highlight of Europe. From beautifully preserved old towns to grand castles, and world-famous composers, this charming country will put you under its spell!

Itinerary highlights 

Cities visited in this trip:.

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Vienna (Wien), Austria

Vienna is bursting with beauty and culture. It’s consistently voted as the most livable city in the world. From its Old Town to the MuseumsQuartier complex, historical and contemporary creations coexist with inspiring results. Make sure you add these areas to your Vienna itinerary. Enjoy classical music by local composers Mozart and Strauss at the Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper). To truly experience Vienna’s splendor, tour Hofburg Palace , the residence of the former Austrian Monarchy. Then feast on a Wiener Schnitzel fit for a king!

From Vienna to Graz

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Vienna, Austria

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Graz, Austria

Graz is a bustling student city with a stunning Old Town . Go up the Schlossberg , the site of a fortress with amazing views over the city. Its Clock Tower (Uhrturm) is a local icon. Schloss Eggenberg is a Baroque palace with roaming peacocks and an extensive art collection. Graz has an active nightlife in the old town and near Karl-Franzens University , founded in 1585. If that’s not enough to entice you, let the name Arnold Schwarzenegger sink in. The actor and former Governor of California grew up in the village Thal, just a few miles from Graz.

From Graz to Klagenfurt

Klagenfurt, austria.

Klagenfurt Hbf 

Klagenfurt am Wörthersee, Austria

Klagenfurt is a popular gateway to neighboring countries. It’s also the eastern portal to Wörthersee , a beautiful alpine lake with clean, warm, turquoise water. The lake invites a range of water activities like canoeing and waterskiing. Hire a bike, ride to the shore, and cycle around the entire Wörthersee! Stop off at the different lakeside villages along the way. Back in the city center, see the 16 th century Dragon Fountain (Lindwurmbrunnen). Legend has it, a dragon terrorized the city before being slain by knights.

From Klagenfurt to Salzburg

Salzburg, austria.

Salzburg Hbf

Salzburg, Austria’s gem of a city was the birthplace and home to Mozart. Check out the 2 fascinating museums dedicated to the city’s prodigy, both of which he once lived in. Wander aimlessly through the old town and step back to a period of magnificent architecture and riches. From atop the Hohensalzburg Fortress enjoy enchanting views of the city and the Salzach river as it radiates through the city.

A trip to Salzburg wouldn’t be the same without joining the Sound of Music Tour , taking you on a whistle-stop tour of the film’s key locations, passing the snow-capped mountains, sprawling green meadows and crystal blue lakes of Salzburg’s Lake District. You’ll also be let into the facts and fiction of the Von Trapp family as portrayed in the Hollywood movie.

From Salzburg to Innsbruck

Innsbruck, austria.

Innsbruck Hbf

The first thing you’ll notice on stepping out of Innsbruck train station is the mountain vista that surrounds the entire Austrian town. The old town is the city’s beloved center, dressed in bright-coloured medieval buildings and home to the Goldenes Dachl (Golden Roof) – an intricately-detailed gothic balcony.

For great views of the Tyrolean capital you’ve got plenty of options – take the Hungerburg Funicular up the mountain side, or visit the Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium where you can also take in views of the jump used in the 1976 Winter Olympics. Alternatively take the sightseeing bus to Ambras Castle perched up on the Innsbruck mountainside. For the adrenaline junkies there are heaps of adventure sports to partake in, come snow or shine.

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• Austria by train

Welcome to our guide how to save money, time and confusion when travelling in and from/to Austria by train.

Travelling by train in Austria is generally a joy! On the majority of journeys you’ll be passing through stunning scenery and most of the stations look as though they were built or modernized yesterday. Also the ticketing and trains are comparatively uncomplicated; though something to keep in mind that all travellers will need a form of photo identification with them such as I.D. cards or passports, so remember to have them with you even when making a rail jouney solely within Austria.

These are the ninethings that are particularly useful to know about Austrian rail travel:

• ÖBB is the national rail operator in Austria, though many of the long-distance trains it operates, including the daytime Railjet trains travel between Austria and international destinations including Budapest, Munich, Prague, Venice and Zurich.
• ÖBB also operates the Europe's largest network of overnight trains, which are provided by the Nightjet services - which link Austria with multiple cities including, Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Florence, Hamburg, Milan, Paris, Rome and Venice.
• Seat reservations are optional when travelling on the express trains for journeys wholly within Austria.
• When booking tickets with ÖBB for journeys by the express trains, seat reservations and travelling 1st/Business Class are sold as 'extras' which need to be proactively added to a booking.
• Tickets for journeys by the Railjet and IC trains are typically placed on sale from 6 months ahead of the travel date.
• The discounted tickets are branded Sparschiene tickets - and an adult booking this type of ticket for 1st or 2nd class, can take up to four children aged 15 and under with them at no extra cost.
• Trains operated by Westbahn compete with the Railjet trains operated by ÖBB on the main Vienna - Linz - Salzburg - Innsbruck route.
• The main central stations in each city are known as hauptbahnhofs, so on timetables these stations are named Innsbruck Hbf and Salzburg Hbf etc.
• The signage at OBB’s stations is bi-lingual, it is in English and German, as are the announcements on the Railjet and Westbahn trains, but the station announcements will be in German only.

Good to know about the trains:

ÖBB is the national operator and it provides the majority of Austrian trains, except for: (1) some independent scenic mountain railways (2) the Westbahn trains, which provide alternative services to the ÖBB trains on the Wien/Vienna – Linz – Salzburg - Innsbruck route.

ÖBB daytime train services are broadly categorised as: (1) Railjet Express (RJX): the fastest trains on the Wien/Vienna - Salzburg - Innsbruck - St Anton - Bregenz route (2) Railjet (RJ): the other express trains between major cities (3) IC: the less frequent express trains to tourist resorts (4) REX: the regional trains and the local trains outside the major cities (5) S-Bahn: the local trains in Austrian cities (not including the Vienna Metro)

ÖBB also operates the Nightjet network , which comprises most, but not all, overnight train services from and to Austria.

The Railjet (RJX and RJ) services from and to Wien/Vienna tend to operate to fixed schedules, departing hourly or every other hour. Many Railjet routes also extend over the border, so these trains also link Austria to Budapest, Munchen/Munich, Praha/Prague, Venezia/Venice and Zurich.

The pride of ÖBB are the Railjets which depending on your point of view are either hideously ugly or wonderfully futuristic. However, what they definitely are is comparatively comfortable, with a wide range of catering options available, including a restaurant service.

Railjets were initially only used on the top tier express routes in Austria, but now the overwhelming majority of express train journeys are by Railjet.

On the main Wien - Linz - Salzburg - (Innsbruck) route some Railjets are faster than others, because they skip more stations; and OBB has now branded these services as 'Railjet - Express'. On the OBB ticket booking site and on some departure screens at stations, RJX is used to designate these faster trains.

Railjets are also used on international journeys to/from:

• Budapest via Gyor
• Prague/Praha via Breclav (some Railjets on this route are provided by CD, the Czech national rail operator).
• Zurich via Buchs
• Munchen/Munich
• Venedig/Venice

Seats don’t HAVE to be reserved on Railjets on journeys solely within Austria and in SMTJ's experience finding a spare seat is unlikely to be a problem; unless you’re travelling at peak business hours (particularly on Fridays) OR on summer weekends. Though OBB's ticketing service, now indicates which departures will be exceptionally busy.

Reservations are also available, but optional, on the Railjet routes to Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Switzerland, but are mandatory and therefore included when booking tickets for journeys to and from Italy.

German ICE-T trains can also be used to travel between Wien/Vienna and Wels via Linz; a route they share with Railjet and Westbahn trains.

They are deployed on these routes between Austria and Germany: (1) Wien – Linz – Nurnberg – Wurzburg – Frankfurt – Koln (2) Wien – Linz – Nurnberg – Wurzburg – Kassel - Hannover - Hamburg (1 x train per day) (3) Wien - Linz - Nurnberg - Erfurt - Halle - Berlin (1 x train per day)

Reservations are optional, but highly recommended when travelling on these ICE trains.

IC trains are more typical of standard, but comfortable, European express trains, and prior to the arrival of the Railjets, they were the top tier trains on ÖBB. Though these IC train services are becoming quite rare, because on many routes and services, they have been replaced by Railjets in recent years. They are now mainly used on less frequent services; some tourist destinations have only one or two direct trains per day from Wien/Vienna and IC trains are used on these services.

Austrian IC coaches are also used for the international EC (EuroCity) trains on these routes:

(1) Munchen - Innsbruck – Bolzano – Verona – Bologna/Venezia (2) Munchen – Salzburg – Villach – Ljubljana – Zagreb (3) Wien – Graz – Maribor - Ljubljana and Zagreb

Reservations are compulsory when travelling to Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia.

Non express trains operated by ÖBB have differing categories depending if they operate in big cities or not. Longer distance regional trains and the local trains are branded 'REX'. Local trains to and from the larger cities are the S-Bahn services.

1st class is not usually available on REX trains or local trains, including the S-Bahn trains.

Trains operated by Westbahn compete with OBB's Railjet trains, in both drections on the Wien - Linz - Salzburg - Innsbruck route.

Nightjet trains are operated by Austria’s national rail company, OBB, and it sets a specific and consistent standard of service for these trains on its domestic and international routes . All international Nightjet trains convey compartment seats, couchettes, standard sleeping cabins (no showers) and deluxe sleeping cabins (with showers). Nightjets also have a dedicated section on the OBB website .

Notes on the ticketing:

When looking up journeys on the OBB website the only price you will initially see is the cheapest 2nd class price per departure. You need to click on this 2nd class price in order to access a range of upgrades, which include;

• 1st class tickets
• Seat reservations
• Adding 'highest flexibility' to your booking; do that and your ticket won't be tied to a specific departure and will be able to claim a refund if you subsequently alter your travel plans.

Tickets are typically made available up to 6 months ahead of the travel date, but this booking period can be shorter when looking up journeys which involve travelling after the second Sunday in each December. The nationwide and international train timetables / schedules have a major annual update, which takes effect from the second Sunday in December. However, tickets can't be placed on sale until the new timetable is confirmed and this confirmation tends to occur around mid-October, there isn't a set date for this. So if you will be be looking up a journey for travel after the second Sunday in December and can't find any tickets on the route you want to take, it will be because the tickets haven't yet been made available.

How far you will be travelling matters when booking second class tickets in advance online, on the OBB ticket booking service ; OBB is the national rail company in Austria.

Different types of second class ticket are available for journeys which involve crossing länder / state boundaries compared to journeys wholly within a länder / state

Austria has nine länders / states one of which is the greater Vienna/Wien area, but when taking journeys by train wholly within each of the boundaries of the other eight länders, how second class tickets can be booked and used differs in comparison to taking a longer-distance journey, which involves crossing at least one boundary that separates the länders.

That's because each länder manages its public transport through its own transport authorities, VVV, VVT, SVV etc, and that includes the sale of tickets for journeys by train when travelling in second class. The tickets are sold on the OBB, national rail, website, but as explained in greater detail on the guide to booking tickets for Austrian rail journeys the terms for how these tickets are sold and how they can be used, differ from the discounted Sparschiene tickets that OBB makes available for the longer-distance journeys. The two universal differences are:

• the tickets aren't discounted, so you won't save by booking online in advance
• the tickets can be cancelled and therefore refunded up to before the travel date.

What's also worth knowing is that the transport company, SVV, in the länder of Salzburg, which includes Bad Gastein, Radstadt and Zell-am-See; and the transport company, VVV, in the länder of Vorarlberg, which includes, Bregenz, Bludenz, Dornbirn and Feldkirch, both don't release second class tickets for sale more than around a month in advance. However, because OBB takes responsibility for selling first class tickets, it's possible to look up journeys more than a month ahead when travelling between stations that are wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg. If you do so:

• for departures and connections by the express train services, EC, IC, RJ, or RJX, you will only find first class tickets
• for departures and connections by the local (S-Bahn) and regional (REX) train services, you will see 'tickets are not available', because these trains don't include first class. It doesn't mean that second class tickets for the express trains and all of the tickets to travel by the REX trains have sold out, instead it's because the tickets haven't yet been released for sale. So if you want to book second class tickets in advance for journeys wholly within Salzburg or Vorarlberg, you will need to look up the journeys no more than a month ahead.

The discounted tickets for journeys by RJX, RJ and IC train services, which involve cross state boundaries within Austria, and on international trains from Austria are branded as ‘ Sparschiene’ tickets These tickets can be booked online or on the OBB app . They're usually available from 6 months ahead of the travel date, but note that they can't be booked at all at stations.

Though the discounted ‘Sparschiene’ tickets may not be available so far in advance, or made available on every departure on the route you will be taking. Also the specific departure you will be taking and the date/day of the week you will be travelling, can matter more to the ticket prices, than how far in advance you will be booking.

The price of ‘Sparschiene’ tickets can increase depending on how popular a departure is, the limited numbers at the very cheapest prices will inevitably sell quickly. So it can be a good idea to search through departures to find the cheapest fares - particularly when travelling between Wien/Vienna and both Salzburg and Innsbruck.

Note the restrictions when booking Sparschiene’ tickets; both 1st and 2nd class. These tickets will be specific to the departure you selected when making a booking and can't be refunded at all if you subsequently change your travel plans. They also can't be exchanged to alternative, later departures.

Seat reservations are available, but optional on journeys within Austria by express RJX, RJ, IC, ICE and EC train services, but are not available on REX trains.

Reservations are compulsory when travelling to Croatia, Italy, Poland and Slovenia, but not on the RJX, ICE and EC services to Czechia, Germany and Switzerland.

Note that seats don't have to be reserved on the Railjets on all routes within Austria. Unless you’re travelling at peak business hours (particularly on Fridays) or on summer and winter weekends a, finding a spare seat is unlikely to be a problem. Though for peace of mind, you can opt to pay a reservation fee on Railjets and ICs when booking online; the OBB booking service now indicates if a specific departure will be exceptionally busy.

Because seat reservations aren't mandatory, you have to be proactive and add them when booking Also reservations are available if the express train services are an option when making journeys within lander/state boundaries

On the OBB trains children aged 5 and under travel for free Children aged 6 – 14 travel at half-fare, except when travelling with adults who have booked Sparschiene tickets - when up to four children can travel at no charge.

You can’t just hop on a train with your bike in Austria. To travel by regional REX trains you will need to purchase a special bicycle ticket, which costs 10% of the full price 2nd class ticket; a minimum fee of €2 applies. For journeys by Railjet trains; IC trains and on international EC trains within Austria, you will need to reserve a space for your bike prior to boarding; the reservation fee for bikes on these trains is €3.50.

Though be aware that bike space reservations on the Railjet trains in particular can sell out days in advance. On the Innsbruck to Feldkirch via St Anton route the Railjet and EC trains are the only services available west of Landeck-Zams, so if the bike space reservations are sold out, no alternative trains will be available.

More info about how to book these bicycle tickets is available here .

Discounts for Seniors aren't automatically applied to Austrian rail tickets .

A Vorteilscard Senior card for those aged 65 and over costs €29 and can be purchased at station ticket counters. It then gives a 50% discount on most Austrian rail tickets.

The super smart and useful ÖBB website also has its quirks

• Salzburg <> Villach via Bad Gastein
• Innsbruck <> Brennero
• Wiener Neustadt <> Villach via Klagenfurt
• Feldkirch <> Innsbruck
• Innsbruck - Jenbach - Zell am See - Stainach-Irdning - Leoben - Graz
• Wiener Neustadt <> Graz
• Attnang-Puccheim - Hallsat - Bad Ischl - Stainach-Irdning
• Innsbruck <> Mittenwald

The journey guides include access to booking links and information about the trains, tickets and destination stations. Plus for the scenic routes there are insights on how to make the most of the rides on the trains.

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Tips for using the stations:

Five Things that are good to know when using the main stations in Austria:

1 . Austria’s major stations (the hauptbahnhofs) including those in Graz , Innsbruck , Linz , Salzburg and Wien/Vienna are comparatively simple to use. They all follow a similar pattern of having underground passages that are located beneath the tracks that give access to the trains above.

There are always lifts and escalators, which connect the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) that the trains arrive at/depart from, with these passage ways. You never have to use the stairs at a hauptbahnhof (major station) to access the trains.

2 . The signage at OBB’s stations is bi-lingual, it is in English and German, but the announcements will be in German only.

3 . Announcements are generally made to alert travellers to something out of the ordinary, such as delays If you think the announcement may be referring to your train watch the departure screens closely.

Particularly pay attention to any scrolling text to the right of the ‘nach’ column, which shows the train’s final destination. The English translation should follow the German text, so you may need patience to find out what you need to know.

4 . The major stations don’t have paper departure sheets, so you have to depend on the electronic departure screens. Though at busy times the smaller screens will only show trains departing in around the next 25 mins.

5 . If you will be changing trains at a hauptbahnhof (major station) there will be blue electronic departure summary screens on the bahnsteig (platform/track). Though if you will be changing trains and can’t see your next train on this departure screen, the best option is usually to make your way to the main departure hall and wait there for the details of your next train to be confirmed.

You may then need to re-trace your steps, but you can often avoid this if you will be travelling on a Railljet, IC train, or on some EC trains. While you're on the train, check the paper guide to the departure you’re travelling by, which you should find by your seat. It will list the details of connections from your train, including the number of the bahnsteig (platform/track) which your next train should be departing from.

It's worth being aware of these six steps:

1 . When looking at the main departure screens ‘Abfarht’ = departures and ‘Ankunft’ = arrivals

2 . The bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) at the hauptbahnhofs (major stations) are divided into zones - A to E. Most trains only occupy some of these zones, they tend to be shorter than the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks).

3 . On the blue departure screens, small and large, the NUMBER of the bahnsteig (platform/track) will be listed to the right, of the list of stations that the train will be calling at. To the right of this ‘bahnsteig’ number will be some letters and these letters are the zones on the bahnsteig (platform/track) where the train will depart from.

4 . When you arrive on the bahnsteig you will see other blue screens; from a distance they look similar to the smaller version of the departure screens, but they show different information.

Those screens show the ‘Wagenreihung’, which are the formations of the next three trains to depart from the bahnsteig (platform/track). They indicate which zone each specific coach of a train will occupy when it arrives. So they’re very useful for working out in which zone you should wait for 1st class, or for a specific coach/wagen where a reserved seat will be located.

5 . The departure indicators on the bahnsteigs (platforms/tracks) can show the details of arriving trains. So don't be surprised if you don't initially see the details of the train you will be taking.

6 . If you have a reservation or a Sparschiene ticket it will have a Zug (train) number on it; a four digit number beneath the departure date and time. This number will also be shown in the ‘Zug’ column on the blue departure screens.

If you will be taking an international train and aren’t sure of its final destination, you may need to rely on this ‘Zug’ number to work out which bahnsteig (platform/track) your train will be leaving from. The stations that international trains call at can be omitted from the departure screens, but you can use the ‘Zug’ number to find your train.

Click the buttons below to discover how to travel to and from the stations by public transport, plus links to additional info including the station and city websites.

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Travelling by train is the ideal way to get the most out of your trip to Austria. With your Interrail Pass, you can discover the refreshing city of Vienna, take the ‘Sound of Music’ tour in Salzburg and explore snow-capped mountains in Innsbruck. During your journey, admire the stunning natural beauty and spectacular scenery from the train window.

Austria quick facts

Population: 8.9 million

Language: German

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Dialing code: +43

Trains in Austria

Find out all you need to know about Austria’s rail network, different train types and reservation requirements.

More about trains in Austria

Interrail passes for Austria

Interrail austria pass.

The Interrail Austria Pass is your ticket to discover famous cities in Austria by train, as well as jaw-dropping scenery as you travel between destinations

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The Interrail Global Pass is the flexible and budget-friendly way to get around up to 33 countries in Europe. Travel by train from one cool destination to the next. One day you're on a pub crawl through Amsterdam and the next you're white-water rafting in Interlaken, Switzerland.

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Pass benefits in Austria

Check out the extra discounts and offers for Interrail Pass holders in Austria.

Places to visit

Attractions not to be missed

Spend half a day browsing around the Hohensalzburg Castle – the crown jewel of Mozart's birth city Salzburg. Built in 1077 this well-preserved castle has a medieval royal room, a palace, a church and a number of towers to keep you eagle-eyed. While you’re in the area, don't miss Austria’s cheesiest attraction: the Sound of Music Tour. You’ll be taken to some of the key film locations, where the story of the all-singing von Trapp family was brought to life, including Hellbrunn Palace and Mondsee Cathedral.

Crystal lakes and crashing waterfalls

Visit Austria’s salt mining region of Salzkammergut and set your eyes on bewitching blue lakes and wooded mountains. Take a hike, go cycling or relax around Grundlsee or Toplitzsee lake , then take a dip in the crystal waters. Finally savour a local culinary delight: Kaiserschmarrn (pancake pieces with raisins). Also, try and fit in a trip to one of Austria’s top beauty spots: Krimml Falls at the National Park Hohe Tauern. With a combined height of 380 metres, this three-levelled waterfall is Europe’s biggest and makes for picture-perfect photography.

Pumping night clubs and sumptuous cocktail bars

Salzburg isn’t alive and kicking only during the ski season there’s also a great nightly offering all year round. Built in the Rainberg mountain, the Cave Club pumps out techno and other hard sounds into the early hours. Alternatively, take a train to Austria’s second largest city, Graz for a night to remember. This student city has a great choice of bars, but it’s the cocktail bars that are the best-loved nightly attraction in this city. One of them, the Pharmacy Bar Lounge, has a vibrant atmosphere, along with a mouth-watering selection of cocktails.

River and mountain activity

Austria’s main river, the Danube is a great place to enjoy water sports – especially popular is wakeboarding and cable wakeboarding. There are a number of reputable wakeboarding camps along the river where you can sign up for an intensive short course. Salzburg is the birthplace of the Austrian musical maestro Mozart. It's also one of Europe’s top alp ski destinations, with a variety of runs for beginners and the more experienced skiers and snowboarders. The après-ski is also one of the wildest on the European ski circuit

Vienna: a top European city destination

Vienna (Wien), Austria’s endearing capital has been voted one of the most liveable cities in the world – a few days there and it will be easy to see why. The city is laden with green space, architectural jewels passed down through Austria’s rich heritage, plus an enigmatic injection of modern-day cool. Visit the city’s MUMOK (MUseum of MOdernKunst) and set your eyes on major works from the likes of Pablo Picasso and Andy Warhol. Or simply take a stroll around one of the pretty parks.

Christmas markets

Nearly every Austrian town puts on spectacular outdoor Christmas markets, complete with food, mulled wine and gifts of all shapes and sizes. Vienna and Salzburg are two cities that go all out during Christmas!

Amazing trip!

​Amazing trip, we visited almost entirely Austria! I recommend Interrail for sure. ​TrustPilot from Laure, France ​ View Review> 

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Scenic Rides: A Guide to Tirol’s Best Bus & Train Trips

Ride Tram #6 from Innsbruck to Igls

To connect Tirol’s capital Innsbruck and the former climatic health resort Igls, the railroad’s 1900s builders constructed tracks that winded up more than 280 meters in elevation through forest. Tram #6 is aptly named “Forest Streetcar” by locals. From “Bergisel” Stop at Wilten Basilica, take a scenic journey through lush pine forests, past Ambras Castle and up across verdant countryside to Igls. Once up there, you are recommended to take a lovely walk from Igls to Lansersee Lake, where you can refuel at the lakeside restaurant or take a refreshing dip on a hot summer’s day. Get aboard the historic streetcar again at the “Lanser See” Stop, which is within a few minutes’ walk from the lake, and ride back to Innsbruck.

• Route: Innsbruck (“Bergisel” Stop at Wilten Basilica) – Aldrans – Lans – Igls
• Times: Departs on the hour during school holidays (please see schedule for details)
• Trip Duration: 20 minutes (one way) 
• Rates: Euro 5,80 (round trip)
• Scenic Highlights: Lansersee Lake (take a walk or a bath); visit Ambras Castle; stroll around Igls
• Learn More: www.ivb.at

Winding and Turning Into Stubaital Valley by STB Tram

In Innsbruck, climb aboard the Stubaitalbahn, Fulpmes-bound STB Tram for a memorable journey into scenic Stubai Valley. You will leave Tirol’s vibrant capital towards Brenner Pass and soon the tram will start climbing. The grades are severe as is the curvature in places. The line serves small communities in Wipptal Valley, such as Natters and Mutters, before winding into Stubai Valley. En route, it also goes through dense forests and there are several tall curved viaducts. Get your camera ready for breathtaking views of Bergisel Ski Jump, rugged Sillschlucht Canyon, lofty Europabrücke Bridge and gorgeous Serles Peak. Deer and cattle often graze railroad side and are accustomed enough to visitors in the area that they’ll usually lazily stare back at you as you snap a picture. Mountain idyll at its best.

• Route: Innsbruck (various stops around town) – Natters – Mutters – Telfes i. St. – Fulpmes
• Times: Departs on the hour (every 30 minutes to Mutters)
• Trip Duration: 1 hour (one way)
• Rates: Euro 6,30 (one way)
• Scenic Highlights: Take a walk across lovely Telfer Wiesen meadows

Riding a Train from Innsbruck up to Seefeld across Martinswand

Innsbruck lies at an elevation of 550 meters, Seefeld is situated at 1,200 meters. Thus, the railway connecting Innsbruck and Seefeld has to gain 650 meters of elevation on its 20-kilometer long trip. The most remarkable thing about the route of the Mittenwald Railway is the long section with many tunnels along the edge of the Martinswand (Martin’s Wall), a perpendicular rock face, including the passage of the almost 2-kilometer long Martinswand Tunnel through the rock wall. The spectacular Mittenwaldbahn Railway links Innsbruck to Seefeld and continues to the west over Scharnitz Pass and the Austria-Germany border to Garmisch-Partenkirchen and eventually Munich. It is an exciting experience to ride in a train over such a route. The long climb up to Seefeld in severe grades and 200 meter curvatures, the glimpses of rushing torrents far below, and the frequent viaducts and tunnels—which, save for the darkness and the drip from the roof, are not unpleasant in these days of electric working—combine to make the journey an eventful one. If you want to take a picture of the spectacular view down into the Inntal Valley, you better not hesitate, otherwise you are in the next dark tunnel. Viewing up you will see jagged cliffs and faces, viewing down canyons and ditches. The Mittenwald Railway follows a bold route, planned by pioneering railway engineers and was opened more than 100 years ago. Many commuters take the train from Seefeld to Innsbruck every day, so you will meet and mingle with locals on this adventurous rail trip.

• Route: Innsbruck (various stops around town) – Kranebitten – Hochzirl – Leithen b. Seefeld – Reith b. Seefeld – Seefeld in Tirol
• Times: Daily in 30-minute intervals from 8:00am to 8:00pm
• Trip Duration: 36 minutes (one way)
• Scenic Highlights: Amble down the pedestrianized main street of Seefeld, which is buzzing with shops & restaurants
• Learn More: www.oebb.at

Make Your Way across Timmelsjoch Col by Bus

Austria’s highest international border happens also to be the country’s highest paved road open to motorized vehicles. The spectacular serpentine drive reaches the summit of 2,509-meter Timmelsjoch Col (called Passo Rombo in Italian) and connects Ötztal Valley in the Austrian Tirol to Passeier Valley in the Italian Province of South Tyrol. Second only to Col d’Agnel, Timmelsjoch is the second highest international border of Europe. And it is readily accessible by public transportation in the summer. The Timmelsjoch High Alpine Road is a toll road, thus going there by bus saves you the toll fee and you will be whisked up to the mountain without the hassle of driving the serpentines up yourself, giving you time to catch views of glacier-carved valleys, daunting peak summits and distant crystalline lakes. Each year, the Timml, as it is lovingly dubbed by the locals, welcomes thousands of leisure drivers, motorcycle riders, cyclists and all others hungry for a taste of Tirol’s history and scenic beauty. If grandiose nature inspires you, just take a look around! Stop by the Pass Museum atop Timmelsjoch Col for stories of colourful characters and insights into the pass road’s history. A lovely walk in this area is the loop trip to Kummersee Lake, which takes some 3 to 4 hours to complete. The rock cairns atop the col, a short walk from the parking lot, are spectacular and definitely worth visiting to everyone making the journey up here; no sturdy boots are required for this stroll.

• Route: Obergurgl – Hochgurgl Cross Point – Timmelsjoch Col – ‘Smuggler Memorial’ – Timmelsjoch International Border (and on to Moos/St. Leonhard in Passeier Valley, South Tyrol)
• Times: Buses run four times a day from mid-June through mid-September
• Trip Duration: 30 minutes to the top of Timmelsjoch International Border/the highest elevation of the col
• Rates: Euro 7 (round trip); free for Ötztal Premium Card or Ötztal Card holders
• Scenic Highlights: “Timmelsjoch Experience” (consisting of five architectural sculptures, including the Pass Museum); Top Mountain Cross Point with Europe’s highest-lying Motorcycle Museum; loop walk to Kummersee Lake (3-4 hour walk); rock cairns atop the col (a short walk from the parking lot)
• Learn More: www.obergurgl.com

The Bus Route across Hahntennjoch

Famous for its sharp ridges, jagged peaks and the solitude its rugged terrain offers, the lofty Lechtal Alps create a dramatic setting of unparalleled splendour and beauty. Building a road across this terrain is a challenge, as is road maintenance. The road is normally open by May, but closures are common through summer due to spring snowstorms and heavy thunderstorms. The pass road is prone to avalanches, falling rocks, and mudslides. Nevertheless, the Hahntennjoch Pass Road is an important drive as it connects the upper valley of Inn River with Tirol’s Lechtal Valley during the summer months. The high Alpine road leads from Imst (Inntal) to Elmen (Lechtal) and is popular with motorcyclists and cyclists as well. Plus, there are buses operating along this scenic drive. Coming from Imst, you’ll pass through rugged Salvesental Valley past barren rock, scree and scrub. As you near the top, the scenery turns more and more picturesque and lovely, with Maldon Alpine Pasture Hut and cheese dairy to the right and grazing cattle and amazing wildflower galore as far as the eyes can see. The pass has great access points for hikers, such as the scenic hike to Anhalter Hut. The 1.5-hour walk reveals this otherworldly landscape in all its glory, and the trail leads through flower fields and past thundering waterfalls. This is one of Tirol’s top spots for spring wildflower viewing! From Anhalter Hut, you can either retrace your steps to get back to the pass or walk down to Bschlabs along Plötzigtal Valley, where you can catch a bus to get you back. Bschlabs, Boden and Pfafflar are not words that come easily off the tongue, but in these tiny hamlets of Bschlabertal Valley the wow factor far exceeds the “ow” factor; gorgeous scenery awaits in this remote wilderness and the three chocolate-box villages have no more than 130 residents altogether. The historic wooden homes, which are typical of Pfafflar, are constructed of round tree trunks; some of them date back to the 13th century.

• Route: Imst – Hahntennjoch Pass – Pfafflar – Boden – Bschlabs – Elmen
• Times: Buses run three times a day between mid-June and late September
• Trip Duration: 48 minutes (one way)
• Rates: Euro 9 (round trip)
• Scenic Highlights: Maldon Alpine Pasture Hut; walk to Anhalter Hut; the three chocolate-box villages of Bschlabs, Boden and Pfafflar in Bschlabertal Valley
• Learn More: www.vvt.at  (Note: Enter Imst and Bschlabs to make sure you get the route across Hahntennjoch and not the one across Fern Pass)

From Jenbach Railroad Station up to Achensee Lake

The small town of Jenbach itself is not especially spectacular, but its railroad station is a true gem for railway enthusiasts as it has the proud distinction of having one of the very rare triple gauge tracks in the world. Jenbach is the place where three different carriers using three different traction engines and three different track gauges come together: Achensee Cog Railway with a metre gauge line (1,000 mm), Austrian Railways with standard gauge line (1,435 mm) and Zillertal Train using narrow gauge (760 mm). Thus the running lines here are for standard and two different narrow gauge rolling stock, making Jenbach the perfect place for two truly memorable, historic train ride adventures. Jenbach is as well placed on the international railway network so getting here is easy with regular train services from Innsbruck and from most major European cities.

The Achensee Cog Railway is a 7-kilometer long meter gauge railway running between Jenbach and Seespitz. Within its length, it gains some 440 meters in elevation, with the steeper sections using the Riggenbach rack system. Underneath and between the wheels is a giant gear – a third rail – that is used by the train for traversing steep gradients. It is Europe’s oldest cog railway, which is still steam operated, and continues to provide a sense of adventure and history as it carries passengers from the Railroad Station at Jenbach up the hill to scenic Achensee Lake. Experience the adventure of travelling by a coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive and enjoy Tirol at its best…stunning scenery and majestic peaks, all from the view of a historic 1880s passenger car, called Theodor, Hermann, Georg or Hannah. Relive history with the sights and sounds of yesteryear for a truly spectacular 30-minute journey on board the Achensee Narrow Gauge Cog Railway. Up at Seespitz on the shores of Achensee Lake, you may choose to continue your memorable journey in a boat of Achensee Lake Fleet. If the weather is fine, you are recommended to take the boat to Gaisalm, which is the trailhead for a wonderful, partly rugged and exposed trail that follows the shores of Achensee Lake to Achenkirch. The return trip to Seespitz will be by boat rather than by shoreline. The scenic walk from Gaisalm to Achenkirch takes some 1.5 hours to complete. Those opting for a longer hike should leave the boat at Pertisau and walk to Achenkirch via Gaisalm. The trail linking Pertisau to Gaisalm is less demanding than the one connecting Gaisalm to Achenkirch. The lovely 9-kilometer hike takes some 2.5 to 3 hours to complete (without stopping for lunch at Gaisalm).

• Route: Jenbach Railroad Station – Burgeck – Eben – Maurach – Seespitz-Station
• Times: Trains run three times a day during the season (late April to late October)
• Trip Duration: 50 minutes
• Rates: Euro 31 (round trip)
• Scenic Highlights: Achensee Lake cruise; walk to Gaisalm
• Learn More: www.achenseebahn.at

From Jenbach Railroad Station into Zillertal Valley

The Zillertal Train travels between the towns of Jenbach and Mayrhofen in Zillertal Valley. The line is much appreciated by tourists but is also well used as an ordinary transport method by locals. During the warm summer months (June through October), historic steam-powered locomotives operate with heritage veranda rolling stock for special trains targeting tourists two times a day; in the winter the passenger train services operate using modern diesel locomotives and railcars. The splendour of a bygone era awaits you aboard the Crystal Car, one of the most outstanding cars to ever grace the narrow gauge rails, decorated with thousands of sparkling Swarovski crystals. A wonderful day trip for cyclists is to take a ride on the gorgeous Zillertal Cycle Path. The flat terrain, gentle elevation gain and beautiful scenery make it the ideal option for leisure cyclists and families. Ride the Zillertal Train to Mayrhofen and follow the Ziller River downstream to Strass. If you have the time and energy, you can continue cycling along the Inn Cycle Path to Jenbach. However, the excellently signed Zillertal Cycle Path passes several train stations across Zillertal Valley where you can get aboard historic Zillertal Train to shorten your journey and get back to Jenbach if you wish. The train provides free bicycle transport and cycling equipment is available for rental from all train stations (city bikes, children’s bikes, child seats and helmets).

• Route: Jenbach Railroad Station – Strass. i. Z. – Hart i. Z. – Stumm i. Z. – Aschau i. Z. – Zell am Ziller – Ramsau i. Z. – Hippach – Mayrhofen
• Times: Daily in 30-minute intervals; the historic steam-powered locomotive departs Jenbach daily at 10:42am (return trip departs Mayrhofen at 2:33pm)
• Trip Duration: 50 minutes / 1.5 hours (steam engine)
• Rates: Euro 8,80 (one way)
• Scenic Highlights: Zillertal Cycle Path
• Learn More: www.zillertalbahn.at

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Dazzling lights and beautiful cityscapes: Ines Mayerl loves the exciting, fast-paced big city life. But no matter how far she may travel, she always returns home to escape to the mountains, to discover stylish, new cafés in Innsbruck and to hit the slopes.

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The best train rides in Europe: 10 amazing journeys for 2024

Jan 16, 2024 • 8 min read

Incredible scenery awaits traveling through the Bernese Alps; Jungfrau, Switzerland © Thomas Barwick / Getty

There’s something magical about a journey by train.

Sometimes the magic is inside – on a train you have room to move and meet people, dine in a restaurant car with white tablecloths, and sleep in a private compartment between crisp, clean sheets with the sound of steel wheels swishing on the rails beneath you. Sometimes the magic is outside, in the landscape the train traverses – an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.

Below are some of the most beautiful train rides in Europe – some well known, some less so, some luxurious and expensive, others true bargains. From countryside views and mountain villages to alpine passes and landmark bridges (with a little wildlife spotting thrown in for good measure), the continent offers up some of the most scenic train rides in the world.

The best European train trips include the fabulous Bernina Express, the most enchanting Swiss Alpine ride of all, and the spectacular railway from Belgrade to Bar through the mountains of Montenegro . The latter is one of the most scenic train rides you’ve probably never heard of, with a bargain fare of just €21. So here they are, the 10 best train journeys in Europe, extracted from Lonely Planet's Amazing Train Journeys .

1. Settle to Carlisle, England

Route: Settle to Carlisle Best bit? Marveling at the Ribblehead Viaduct, one of the great views of northern England , preferably as a steam train thunders over. Distance:  113km (73 miles) Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

England’s Settle-to-Carlisle line has long been synonymous with the fight to preserve beautiful and historic stretches of railway. But this is no heritage line. Proudly part of the British rail network and served by regular mainline trains, the railway enjoys a double life as a frequent host of steam specials and, even rarer, steam-hauled mainline services.

Whether you have the whiff of steam in your nostrils or the hard-working growl of diesel-hauled regular trains in your ears, the views from the carriages are pretty much unmatched on the English railway network.

Passengers can feast their eyes on mile after mile of magnificent Yorkshire Dales and North Pennines scenery, interrupted only by stations so sweet you would expect to find them pictured on a box of biscuits.

2. Le Petit Train Jaune, France

Route: Villefranche-de-Conflent to Latour-de-Carol Best bit? Holding your breath as you cross the gravity-defying Pont Gisclard. Distance:  63km (39 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

Since 1910, the dinky, sunflower-yellow carriages of the Ligne de Cerdagne have been rattling and clattering their way through the rolling forests and saw-toothed mountains of the Pyrenees , and they have secured a special place in the hearts of many French travelers.

Affectionately known as the Canary, or Le Petit Train Jaune (Little Yellow Train), this mountain railway is frequently cited as the most scenic in France , but it’s definitely not a luxury service – it’s a rollercoaster ride on which you will feel the wind in your hair and the chill of the mountain breeze as you ratchet your way up to the highest train station in France. On y va!

3. Belgrade-to-Bar Railway, Serbia and Montenegro

Route: Belgrade to Bar Best bit? Levitating atop the 499m-long (1637ft), 198m-tall (650ft) Mala Rijeka Viaduct, one of the planet’s highest railway bridges, before the train glides over the Balkans’ largest lake, Skadar. Distance: 476km (296 miles) Duration: 12 hours

Dramatic is the operative word for this route, which rumbles over an unsullied, mountainous landscape from Serbia 's capital, Belgrade , to Montenegro ’s Adriatic Coast . During the 12-hour journey, the train disappears into the Dinaric Alps, charges through canyons, teeters on stilted bridges spanning river gorges and skims atop an ancient, tectonic lake.

Like the region it serves, the railway, which chugs across the heart of the Western Balkans , eludes most tourists’ maps. The reward for treasure-hunting travelers, who are informed (or lucky) enough to know where to dig: an embarrassment of authentic culture and pristine geographic riches at every bend.

4. The Bernina Express, Switzerland

Route: Chur to Tirano Best bit? Marveling at the astonishingly turquoise Lago Bianco from the route’s highest station, Ospizio Bernina (2253m/7392ft). Distance: 156km (96 miles) Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes

We can wax lyrical about the glacier-capped mountains, waterfall-draped ravines, jewel-colored lakes and endless spruce forests glimpsed through panoramic windows on Switzerland ’s Bernina Express – but, trust us, seeing is believing.

Rolling from Chur in Graubünden to Tirano in northern Italy in around four hours, this narrow-gauge train often tops polls of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys. It's certainly one of the most scenic train journeys in Switzerland.

Beyond the phenomenal Alpine landscape, the railway itself is a masterpiece of early 20th-century engineering, taking 55 tunnels and 196 bridges in its stride. The line is on the UNESCO World Heritage List – and with good reason.

5. The Heart of Wales Line, Wales and England

Route: Swansea to Shrewsbury Best bit? Disembarking at lonely Sugar Loaf Station for a walk or picnic around the iconic nearby knoll of the same name. Distance: 194km (121 miles) Duration: 4 hours

This is Swansea to Shrewsbury the slow and, frankly, surreal way. This one-carriage train traverses track through Wales and England that might easily have been consigned to a museum or an out-of-print book, but that has somehow defied time and logic to survive as a passenger route.

Expect a spectrum of scenery, alternating from the sand-edged estuaries of South Wales, via bucolic farming towns and tracts of forest and hill country you probably never knew existed, through to one of England’s prettiest medieval cities. This four-hour, 34-station zigzag passes almost no major sights or countryside villages, but a very high concentration of spectacularly zany ones.

6. Munich to Venice on the Brenner Railway, Germany, Austria and Italy

Route: Munich to Venice Best bit? Stretching your legs at 1371m (4498ft) Brenner Pass, the highest point on the trip. Distance:  563km (350 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

The Brenner Railway is attractive for two key reasons: mountains and wine. There may be more technically astonishing high-altitude trains, but this was the first to cross the Alps, in the 1860s.

On a surprisingly speedy day trip, you pass through three countries – Germany , Austria and Italy – and descend from the snow line to sea level. You’re rarely far from highways, but the vineyard views are still stunning. Bonus: great European cities with historic architecture – Munich and Venice – are at either end.

7. The Kyle of Lochalsh Line, Scotland

Route: Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh Best bit? Passing under the gentle grassy slopes of Fionn Bheinn – a munro rising high over Achnasheen. Distance:  135km (84 miles) Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

Scotland has an abundance of windswept railways – the West Highland Line and the Far North Line to Thurso among them. Though comparatively unsung, perhaps the loneliest of all is the Kyle of Lochalsh Line – with trains rumbling doggedly from Inverness through desolate glens and past snowy munros, connecting the cold shores of the North Sea to the furious whitewater of the Atlantic.

It is a railway line full of poetry and beloved by aficionados – but it’s also a useful way for independent travelers to access remote nooks of the Highlands, and make a journey to the Isle of Skye.

8. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia

Route: Nova Gorica to Jesenice Best bit? Catching a glimpse of picture-perfect Lake Bled’s church, castle and bright-blue water. Distance: 89km (55 miles) Duration: 2 hours

Here is a near-perfect railway adventure that most people have never heard of. Then again, you could be forgiven for missing it. The Bohinj Railway, after all, connects two places whose significance can be lost to modern travelers. Europe’s shifting borders and politics may have rather marooned the Nova Gorica–Jesenice line, but that only adds to the appeal.

An unassuming regional train rattling out of a faded-grandeur halt on the Italy– Slovenia border doesn’t even hint at what’s to come. The journey is a spectacular tour of Slovenia’s upland highlights, climbing through mountain towns and villages along the Soča River, passing through superb Alpine scenery close to Lake Bohinj , and past world-famous Lake Bled , offering photo opportunities galore.

9. The Centovalli Express, Switzerland and Italy

Route: Domodossola to Locarno Best bit? Taking in the Isorno viaduct, the site of Switzerland’s first bungee jump. Distance:  52km (32 miles) Duration: 2 hours

Often eclipsed by Switzerland’s more famous rail rides, this two-hour trundle from Locarno on the palm-rimmed shores of Lake Maggiore to Domodossola over the Italian border in Piedmont is something of an unsung beauty.

Brush up your Italiano to swoon in sync with fellow passengers as the dinky train clatters across 83 bridges and burrows its way through 34 tunnels. The views make for spirit-lifting stuff: waterfalls shooting past cliffside views, hillside vineyards, gracefully arched viaducts, slate-roofed hamlets, glacier-carved ravines and mile after mile of chestnut and beech forests, all set against the puckered backdrop of mountains that are snow-capped in winter.

10. Bergensbanen, Norway

Route: Oslo to Bergen Best bit? Gazing over the soul-stirring landscape of Hardangervidda between Geilo and Finse. Distance: 496km (308 miles) Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes

This astonishing train is one of the wonders of 19th-century railway building, and yet outside Norway hardly anyone knows about it. In just over six hours and some 490km (300 miles), it covers the spectrum of Norway ’s natural splendor: climbing canyons, crossing rivers, burrowing through mountainsides, swooping past fjords and traversing barren icescapes. All aboard for the Oslo to Bergen trainline, Bergensbanen: a mainline into Norwegian nature.

This article was first published August 2019 and updated January 2024

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10 of the best train journeys in Europe, chosen by Lonely Planet

A new book on rail travel across the continent showcases gorgeous scenery, historic routes and adventures at a slower pace

R ailways in Europe are many things. With their grand stations, history and evocative destinations, they evoke a timelessness that is absent from the uniform experience of flying. In recent decades, high-speed services have complemented classic routes, while the demand for more climate-friendly travel has grown and new options have sprung up, including a recent wave of night trains.

Lonely Planet, which for nearly 50 years has championed a down-to-earth, connected style of travel, has produced a new Guide to Train Travel in Europe aimed at unlocking adventures by rail from any starting point on the continent. Here the authors pick fantastic journeys from the book.

Paris to Berlin – fast or slow

A well-established network of high-speed trains and a huge choice of slower options connects two of Europe’s great cities. A glorious three-country tour would allow you to head from Paris to Brussels, travelling on to Cologne via the space-age architecture of Liège-Guillemins station. Cologne’s cathedral is so close to the station you can hardly miss popping in before boarding an onward ICE German fast service to the capital, which takes less than five hours. To see more than the immediate surroundings of the station buildings in each city, book separate tickets for each leg at trainline.com , or add in a stop of a few hours or an overnight booking via Deutsche Bahn ( bahn.de ). A high-speed connection from Paris via Frankfurt is also possible.

Amsterdam to Vienna on the Nightjet

One of several recent additions to Europe’s sleeper train scene, the Nightjet service operated by Austrian Railways ( oebb.at ) departs every evening at 7pm or 7.30pm from Amsterdam. As you doze off, the train will trundle alongside the Rhine, passing Cologne and Koblenz, then continuing south-east through Germany and entering Austria at Passau. A 9.19am arrival in Vienna ensures time for a lie-in and breakfast. This train can easily be combined with the Eurostar service from London or a ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam , or from Harwich to Hoek van Holland .

Loop the loop in North Wales

Some of the world’s most beautiful narrow-gauge railways can be found in Wales and two of the best can be combined in a loop that takes in the mountains and coastal scenery of Snowdonia. Catch a service from Llandudno Junction – which has main line connections – down the Conwy valley to Blaenau Ffestiniog . Change for the celebrated Ffestiniog Railway , a distinctive steam-hauled service that winds 13 miles down to the coast at Porthmadog. Return via the sublime steam service of the Welsh Highland Railway under the summit of Snowdon to Caernarfon, where you can catch a bus to Bangor and main line services.

From Bastia to Ajaccio through the Corsican interior

The Chemins de Fer de la Corse ( Corsican Railways ) is a narrow-gauge railway centred on Ponte Leccia – from where three main lines head to Ajaccio, Bastia and Calvi, all providing incredible views of beautiful and rugged terrain. The route linking Ajaccio and Bastia is the longest and most celebrated, taking three and a half hours, so is best done with an overnight stop, rather than attempted as a day trip. Corsica is well served by ferries from mainland France such as Toulon, Marseille and Nice, opening up a tempting train-and-ferry route from the UK.

Dublin to Madrid by train and ferry

It is possible to head from Dublin direct to mainland Europe. A largely single-track line skirts the Irish Sea heading south as far as Wicklow before veering inland and stopping in the appealing county town of Wexford, set on the estuary of the River Slaney. It’s a short hop along the tracks from there to the port of Rosslare for the twice-weekly ferries to Bilbao , which take about 30 hours. Then it’s a five-hour rail journey on to Madrid. Recommended stops take in Burgos’s treasured cathedral, the former Spanish capital of Valladolid and Segovia’s Roman aqueduct and Alcázar fortress.

Venice to Palermo – across the water in Italy

Heading from top to toe in Italy, this dramatic journey’s potential stopping points need no introduction. Fast Frecciarossa trains connect Venice to the gastronomic centre of Bologna in 90 minutes, with Florence 40 minutes down the line. An hour and a half further on you’re in Rome. From here the south of Italy opens up. For one of Europe’s most unusual rail experiences take a train service all the way to Sicily. At Villa San Giovanni in Calabria, you and your carriage board a dedicated ferry to Messina, in Sicily, from where the hectic fun of Palermo is a slow-rolling four and a half hours’ ride away along the coast. There are several daily intercity and night services that run from the mainland, via the ferry, through to the Sicilian capital including sleepers direct from Milan, Genoa and Pisa.

From coast to coast, via a mountain high – Oslo to Bergen

A contender for Europe’s best train trip, the Bergen Line ( Bergensbanen ) thunders past southern Norway’s mountains and lakes between Oslo and Bergen, reaching 1,222m at Finse station, where a snowball fight is generally on offer. The trip takes nearly seven hours, which passes quickly in a blur of incredible scenery on a comfortable intercity service. There’s scope to do a longer version of this route taking the Norway in a Nutshell tour, which includes the Flåm Railway – possibly the world’s most scenic branch line – and a boat journey through Nærøyfjord and Aurlandsfjord.

Paris to Barcelona on the slow train

These cities are linked by a fast train , but there’s a leisurely route south through France to the Pyrenees via Limoges, Toulouse and through magnificent rural and mountain scenery to Latour-de-Carol. While it’s possible to reach Latour-de-Carol by direct night train from Paris, you would miss the slowly unfolding views you can enjoy when doing this journey in daylight. From Latour-de-Carol a commuter line runs all the way to Barcelona and takes just over three hours. Possible stops along the way include fortified Ribes de Freser and Ripoll, home to an ancient monastery and a good starting point for hiking trails.

Budapest to Split on a sleeper

During the summer there’s a tempting night service between Hungary’s capital and the Adriatic. In recent years the train has left Budapest at midnight, getting into Split after lunch. En route it passes the Hungarian holiday playground of Lake Balaton and Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. Once on the Adriatic coast, buses head south to Dubrovnik, while ferries and catamarans radiate out to nearby islands.

Locarno to Domodossola through the Swiss Alps

Pretty much any journey in Switzerland promises jaw-dropping scenery, and on several routes trains run slowly specifically to show off the mountains, rivers and lakes that can be seen from the window. Travelling between Locarno in Switzerland to Domodossola in the Piedmont region of Italy, the Centovalli (Hundred Valleys) Railway is a short but scenic service past 52km of waterfalls, chestnut groves, church-topped villages, deep ravines and vineyards. Highlights include the Isorno Bridge near the village of Intragna and Intragna’s gorge.

These routes, plus tips on rail travel, are featured in Lonely Planet’s Guide to Train Travel in Europe by Tom Hall, Imogen Hall and Oliver Smith (£19.99), available at shop.lonelyplanet.com

• Europe holidays
• Rail travel

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