Europe Train Travel Guide: Rail Passes & Best Scenic Routes

Travelling by train is one of the best ways to experience Europe, connecting cities quickly and comfortably while offering scenery that flying simply can't match — from Alpine passes to coastal stretches.

Understanding Rail Passes

A Eurail Pass allows unlimited train travel across multiple countries within a set number of days, and is generally worth it if you're covering three or more countries or making frequent long-distance hops.

Best Scenic Routes

The Glacier Express in Switzerland, connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, and the Bernina Express, crossing into Italy through UNESCO-listed Alpine scenery, are among the most iconic scenic rail journeys in the world.

Booking Tips

Book seat reservations for high-speed trains (like the TGV, ICE or Frecciarossa) well in advance, especially during peak summer season, since some routes sell out days ahead and reservations are often mandatory rather than optional.

Why Choose Trains Over Flights

Train stations are almost always centrally located, cutting out the airport transfer time and security queues that come with flying, and offering a more scenic, relaxed way to move between cities.