Top 10 Rail Journeys

The Glacier Express is not just one of the most panoramic train journeys in Europe, but anywhere in the world, and there is no time of year when its mind-boggling beauty cannot be appreciated. We happen to think the route is at its most dramatic during the winter months, when the rolling meadows, silent forests, deep lakes, and traditional villages are blanketed with snow, and the surrounding peaks glisten in the sunlight.
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The ground-breaking Semmeringbahn has been whisking passengers through the beautiful Austrian mountains since 1854, making it Europe’s oldest Alpine railway. Beginning in Gloggnitz, to the south of Vienna, the line climbs over 455 metres and passes through an impressive series of tunnels and double-decker viaducts. It is a monumental feat of engineering, and – in our opinion – a deserved recipient of its UNESCO World Heritage status.
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For us, one of the highlights of visiting the Catalan Pyrenees is the chance to ride the exceptional Vall de Núria Rack Railway. Departing from the village of Ribes de Freser, the train clocks up over 1,000 metres of ascent on its picturesque journey through the Núria Valley. And the final destination is just as worthwhile: the Sanctuary of Núria is one of Catalonia’s holiest and most remarkable sites – a place with no road access, and which is surrounded by a remarkable amphitheatre of peaks. 
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The Nordland Railway between Trondheim and Bodø is the longest – and one of the most spectacular – in Norway, and weaves through great forests, past narrow fjords, and alongside rivers famous for their salmon. About four-fifths of the way through the journey, you cross the Arctic Circle and continue through the majestic Saltfjellet mountains. After 739 kilometres of remarkable scenery, not to mention 293 bridges and 154 tunnels, you finally reach the coast at Bodø.
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The Douro Valley may be best known as the birthplace of Port wine, but it is also home to a rather wonderful railway which clings to the sliver of land between the river and the steep hills above. If you’re catching the train from Porto, we recommend settling into a seat on the right-hand side and waiting patiently (the ‘real’ views begin about an hour into the journey). You will be rewarded with an excellent panorama of this timeless valley, with its silver-green olive groves, half-forgotten villages, and neatly striped vineyards.
Ride the Linha do Douro >

‘Incredible’ is the word that best describes the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Victorian line which transports visitors all the way from Llanberis to the highest summit in England and Wales. The single carriage trains are pushed up the mountain by either steam, diesel, or hybrid locomotives, and the views are exceptional and ever-changing: as you gradually ascend, look out for waterfalls, lush green countryside, and dramatic sheer-edged valleys. Once at the summit, you can descend on foot – we recommend the Llanberis Path, the least technical of Snowdon's six main routes – or return to Llanberis by train. 
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When it comes to memorable rail journeys, there are few to rival the route from Myrdal to Flåm. The fact that this world-famous railway descends some 886 metres over the course of just 20 kilometres makes for a thrilling experience, further enhanced by the thundering waterfalls, deep ravines and innumerable tunnels that it passes on the way. Even when you reach the end of the line, the scenery is just as spectacular – the village of Flåm sits at the head of Aurlandsfjord, one of Norway’s most picturesque fjords.
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Amid the lush green hills, secluded beaches, and colourful fishing ports of Spain’s Costa Verde trundles a very special train. The Cercanías Asturias does not offer a particularly fast nor luxurious mode of transport, but it does provide a delightful means of exploring northern Spain. With no fewer than 100 stops, there are plenty of opportunities for jumping off and enjoying an impromptu coastal walk, some time at the beach, or even a tasty seafood lunch. The decidedly leisurely pace is also perfect for soaking up the sumptuous views outside.
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As a contender for England’s most scenic railway, the Settle-Carlisle line thoroughly deserves its place on this list. The fact it services Inntravel's home county of North Yorkshire? Purely coincidental. This was one of the last lines in the UK to be built almost entirely by hand – including the remarkable Ribbleshead Viaduct, a 400-metre-long structure which rises more than 30 metres above the valley floor and boasts no fewer than 24 arches.
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A personal favourite of Inntravel’s rail specialist, Kylie, the Bernina Express is a narrow-gauge railway which weaves from St Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy, and is named after the Piz Bernina mountain that towers above the route. With an incredible 55 tunnels, 196 bridges, and ever-changing views – think green valleys, snow-capped mountains, pine forests, glaciers, and waterfalls – this is a truly spectacular way to cross the Alps, and perhaps the most scenic train journey of them all.
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