The most rewarding scenic train rides in Europe are Switzerland’s Bernina Express and Glacier Express, Norway’s Flåm Railway, and Santa Claus Express. Most of these run year-round, and several cross-border mid-journey. If you already have a rail pass, then very few of them need a seat reservation in advance. One thing you need to keep in mind is that half of these routes take you through 2 or 3 countries and long stretches with no signal. So, your connectivity planning also matters as much as your window seat.
If you are also planning your European trip anytime soon, let me tell you: you will become a sucker for train travel in Europe. Because these are the best ways to explore this continent. No 5 am airport line, no middle seat, no watching the good part of the country slide by from 35,000 feet. You board the train, you settle in, and the Alps unfold in front of you. Here are the 5 scenic train rides in Europe for which you should definitely book a ticket.
At a Glance: 5 Scenic Train Rides in Europe
| Route | Countries | Approx. Duration | Best For | Reservation | Best Season |
| Bernina Express | Switzerland & Italy | ~4 hrs (Chur–Tirano) | A half-day Alpine ride with a border crossing | Mandatory | Year-round |
| Glacier Express | Switzerland | ~8 hrs | A full-day, end-to-end Alpine journey | Mandatory | Year-round (closed ~11 Oct–4 Dec 2026) |
| Flåm Railway | Norway | ~1 hr each way | A short, concentrated fjord-and-mountain ride | Not required (advised in peak season) | Year-round |
| GoldenPass Express | Switzerland | ~3 hrs 15 min | Varied scenery in half a day | Optional (ticket required) | Year-round |
| Santa Claus Express | Finland | ~12 hrs (overnight) | An overnight sleeper into the Arctic | Required (seat or sleeper cabin) | Winter |
1. The Bernina Express, Switzerland
Route: Chur to Tirano with a shorter St. Moritz to Tirano option
Distance & Duration: Around 4 hours from Chur to Tirano; 2 hours 15 minutes from St. Moritz
If there is one train journey that makes you want to press your face against the window, it is the Bernina Express. This spectacular route crosses the Swiss Alps before winding down into Northern Italy. The route takes you from glaciers and snow-capped peaks to palm trees in Tirano. The scenery changes so often that you will pass deep gorges, mountain villages, and the famous Landwasser Viaduct. The train also crosses 196 bridges and travels through 55 tunnels. Then comes the climb towards the Bernina Pass, where glaciers and high Alpine landscapes take center stage.
The route is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Albula and Bernina railway lines. Its panoramic coaches make the most of the views with large windows that stretch almost to the roof. Keep your camera ready for the Palu Glacier and the striking Brusio Circular Viaduct. These are some of the unforgettable sights that make it one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe.
Why Take It?
The Bernina Express is not only about the destination. Give yourself time to enjoy the journey as well. The train has onboard catering and an information service that adds stories to the landscapes outside your window. If you continue beyond Tirano, you can also connect with the Bernina Express Bus to Lugano. The train runs all year-round, offering the scenic beauty of every season.
Good To Know
A seat reservation is compulsory, and a valid travel ticket is also required. Swiss Travel Passes, Eurail passes, and Interrail passes are valid, but seat reservations are mandatory. For anyone searching for scenic train routes in Europe, the Bernina Express is hard to beat. It packs glaciers, mountain passes, and an international border crossing into one memorable rail adventure.
2. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz with shorter sections available between major stops
Distance & Duration: around 291 km, approximately 8 hours
Imagine spending almost an entire day watching the Swiss Alps unfold outside your window. That is the Glacier Express, which connects Zermatt and St. Moritz on an 8-hour journey, cutting across the heart of Switzerland, linking two of the country’s most famous mountain resorts. The route is packed with moments that make you forget you are on the train. The Matterhorn sets the scene at Zermatt while the journey continues through narrow valleys, dramatic gorges, and high Alpine landscapes. You will cross 291 bridges and pass through 91 tunnels, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct, which rises 65 meters above the valley before disappearing straight into a mountainside tunnel.
There is also something wonderfully unhurried about the Glacier Express, where you simply settle into your seat and let Switzerland come to you. Panoramic windows keep the mountains in full view while onboard dining lets you enjoy the scenery over a meal. This is one of the best scenic train journeys in Europe, which takes you through snowy peaks, green valleys, mountain villages, and deep Alpine gorges. The train also travels along the Albula line, part of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes.
How much does the Glacier Express Cost?
For the full Zermatt-St. Moritz’s journey: a 2nd-class ticket costs up to CHF 159, while a 1st-class ticket costs up to CHF 272. A mandatory seat reservation costs CHF 54 in both 2nd and 1st class. That pulls the full journey up to CHF 213 in 2nd class or CHF 326 in 1st class before any applicable travel-card reductions.
If you want to make the journey a luxury experience, Excellence Class takes it several steps further. It includes guaranteed window seating, a concierge service, platform check-in, and luggage assistance. The mandatory reservation alone costs CHF 540, and you also need a valid 1st-class ticket or travel card.
Good To Know
A seat reservation is mandatory on Glacier Express. The 2026 summer timetable runs from 2nd May to 10 October, while the train does not operate between 11 October and 4 December 2026. Upload your first-hand experience on Glacier Express on social media with the help of Maya Mobile global eSIM unlimited internet.
3. Flåm Railway, Norway
Route: Flåm to Myrdal and back, with the option to travel one way
Distance & Duration: Around 20 km, which takes approximately 1 hour each way
The Flåm Railway is a short journey from Flåm to Myrdal in Norway, packed with impressive scenery over those 20 kilometers. Starting beside the Aurlandsfjord in the tiny village of Flåm, the train climbs towards Myrdal through a landscape of steep mountains, rushing rivers, and narrow valleys. By the time you reach Myrdal, you are 867 meters above sea level.
Around 80% of the line has a 5.5% gradient, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. There are 20 tunnels along the route, of which 18 were excavated by hand. One even makes a dramatic 180-degree turn inside the mountain. One of the journey’s highlights is Kjosfossen waterfall, and the best part is that the train even makes a 5-minute photo stop here. You have a chance to step outside, take in the waterfall up close, and click pictures. With the Maya Mobile travel eSIM, which gives you unlimited data in 165+ countries, you can share those pictures instantly.
Why Take It?
The Flåm Railway is ideal if you want a spectacular scenic train ride in Europe without committing an entire day to the journey. The short ride gives you a concentrated dose of Norwegian fjord and mountain scenery, making it easy to fit into your Norway itinerary.
Good To Know?
The Flåm Railway operates year-round, and the round trip takes about 1-2 hours, depending on the connection. Eurail and Interrail pass holders with an active travel day can also receive a 30% discount on single tickets.
4. GoldenPass Express
Route: Montreux to Interlaken Ost passing through Gstaad and Zweisimmen
Distance & Duration: Around 115 km, approximately 3 hours and 15 minutes
Few scenic train routes in Europe manage to pack so many different landscapes into one journey. The GoldenPass Express takes you from the shores of Lake Geneva in Montreux into the heart of the Swiss Alps, passing vineyards, forests, mountain villages, and high Alpine scenery along the way.
The journey begins with views over Lake Geneva before the train climbs towards the Pays-d’Enhaut. Soon, the scenery becomes more rural, with traditional Swiss chalets and green mountain pastures replacing the lakeside landscape. The route continues through Gstaad and Zweisimmen before heading towards Interlaken, with the Bernese Alps providing an impressive backdrop. The GoldenPass Panoramic coaches have specially designed panoramic windows that make the surrounding landscape feel almost like an extension of the carriage. For something more nostalgic, the GoldenPass Belle Epoque offers elegant historic-style carriages on the Montreux-Zweisimmen section.
Moreover, if you take the chocolate train, which goes from Montreux to Broc-Chocolat, you can explore where Switzerland’s delicious chocolates and cheese are made.
Why Take It?
The GoldenPass Express is a great choice if you want to experience Europe by train on scenic routes without spending an entire day on the rails. In just a few hours, the journey takes you from lakeside scenery to Alpine valleys and traditional mountain communities. It is also one of the best train rides in Europe for travelers who want a journey that combines scenery with convenience.
Good To Know
A transport ticket is required for the GoldenPass Express. Seat reservations are available, while Prestige Class offers a more premium experience with dedicated seating. Tickets for the GoldenPass Express can currently be purchased up to 2 months in advance. The chocolate train runs during May and June: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. In July and August, the train will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Moreover, in September, you can take this train on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
5. Santa Claus Express, Finland
Route: Helsinki or Turku to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland
Distance & Duration: Around 12 hours overnight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi
The Santa Claus Express turns the journey to Lapland into part of the adventure. Rather than flying north, climb aboard this double-decker night train in Helsinki or Turku and settle into your own sleeper cabin. As the city lights disappear, the train heads into Finland’s vast northern landscapes, passing snow-covered forests and quiet towns along the way.
By morning, you arrive in Rovaniemi right on the edge of the Arctic Circle. The experience changes completely from night to day. What begins as a cozy overnight journey ends with the chance to explore Finnish Lapland, meet Santa Claus, go looking for the Northern Lights, or continue towards the region’s ski resorts and wilderness. You can choose between a seat and a private sleeper cabin. Cabins can also come with an onboard restaurant to make the long ride easier.
Why Take It?
The Santa Claus Express is less about dramatic mountain views and more about the magic of traveling through the Arctic night. If you have ever wanted to wake up surrounded by snowy Finnish forests, this is a memorable way to arrive in Lapland. Also, instead of spending the night in a hotel, you sleep in the train and wake up in Rovaniemi ready to explore. From the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village to Northern Lights experiences and other Lapland adventures, this scenic train ride in Europe has a lot to offer.
Good To Know
VR operator lists private sleeper cabins from $56, while cabins with a shower start from $85. These are starting prices, so the actual fare depends on the date, availability, and cabin selected. You can travel from Helsinki or Turku to Rovaniemi, while some services continue to Kolari or Kemijärvi. If you are planning to book this scenic train ride for this winter, then booking early is a good idea.
How To Stay Connected While Enjoying Scenic Train Rides In Europe
Scenic train journeys often cross borders, mountains, and areas with patchy signals. A connection that works in Switzerland may drop when you enter Italy, Austria, or Germany. That can make it harder to check maps, share photos, or keep up with travel updates. A Maya eSIM keeps things simpler and stress-free.
With Travel Mode, you can use one eSIM across multiple countries without changing SIM cards at every border. Install the Maya Mobile eSIM app before your trip, activate your plan, and stay connected as the scenery outside your window changes. For travelers exploring Europe by train, it means less time searching for station Wi-Fi and more time enjoying the journey.
FAQs
The Glacier Express is the most scenic for sheer variety, packing 8 hours of snowy peaks, gorges, and Alpine villages into one journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz. If you want the same experience in half the time, plus a border crossing, the Bernina Express is the next closest option.
The Flåm Railway is the easiest first taste of scenic rail travel in Europe, roughly 1 hour each way, with a fjord, waterfalls, and steep mountain valleys packed into 20 kilometers.
It depends on the route, actually. The Bernina Express and Glacier Express both require a seat reservation in addition to a valid ticket. Whereas the GoldenPass Express and Flåm Railway generally don’t require reservations. The Santa Claus Express requires a seat or sleeper cabin to be booked in advance.
Yes, you can use Eurail or Interrail passes, which are valid on the regional or national train routes. However, some train routes require paid seat reservations. With these passes, you can have discounts on train rides and ferries in Europe.
The Bernina Express in Switzerland and Italy is hands down the best scenic train ride in Europe in winter. It crosses snow-covered mountains, frozen turquoise lakes like Lago Bianco, and the iconic Landwasser Viaduct, which offers a full view of the snow-covered valley. Other options include the Flåm Railway and the Santa Claus Express, both showcasing Europe’s winter beauty.
Yes, you can stay connected on scenic train rides in Europe through the Alps and fjords, but expect frequent signal drops. That’s where the Maya Travel eSIM will solve your problem, as it connects to the strongest available signal.
Also Read: Digital Nomad eSIM Guide 2026: How To Stay Connected While You Work Abroad
