Published on
August 31, 2025
By: Tuhin Sarkar
Slovakia and Greece join Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Scotland and the UK as US Labor Day holiday weekend trip booms continue to grow across Europe in new way. Travellers from America are seeking culture, scenery, and memorable escapes. The European destinations Americans can’t get enough of this season are a perfect mix of tradition, beauty, and accessibility. From alpine trains to island sunsets, these journeys showcase why Slovakia and Greece join Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Scotland and the UK on the must-visit list.
Slovakia offers alpine charm, medieval castles, and the famous Tatra mountains. Greece brings island magic, historic ruins, and warm beaches. Switzerland continues to shine with its scenic train routes and stunning lakes. Germany is alive with river valleys, castles, and vibrant cities. Austria offers classical culture, mountain passes, and breathtaking landscapes. Scotland and the wider UK remain favourites for their heritage, green hills, and cultural festivals. Together, these places show why the European destinations Americans can’t get enough of this season remain the stars of holiday travel.
Importantly, Slovakia and Greece join Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Scotland and the UK at a time when US travellers want short breaks that feel special. The US Labor Day holiday weekend trip booms highlight a growing trend. Americans are using long weekends to explore Europe in quick, powerful doses. The European destinations Americans can’t get enough of this season are more than just holidays. They are escapes into culture, history, and unforgettable experiences.
Europe is home to some of the most scenic train routes in the world. These journeys take travellers across mountains, lakes, rivers, and valleys. From the snowy Alps of Switzerland to the rugged fjords of Norway and the castles of Germany, each route tells a story. For tourists, train travel in Europe is not just about reaching a destination. It is about enjoying the landscapes, the culture, and the history along the way.
This article explains the most beautiful train routes in Europe, country by country. It highlights why travellers are choosing these rail journeys, what makes each special, and how they contribute to tourism. The information is based on official data, UNESCO listings, and railway sources.
Switzerland: The World’s Railway Paradise
Switzerland is famous for its mountains and lakes. It is also home to some of the world’s most famous train routes. The Bernina Express runs from Chur and St Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. It passes glaciers, lakes, and even palm trees. The train climbs high passes, runs over the Landwasser Viaduct, and crosses the famous Brusio spiral viaduct. The line is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Glacier Express is called the slowest express in the world. It links Zermatt and St Moritz in about eight hours. It passes through the Rhine Gorge, crosses the Oberalp Pass, and gives panoramic views from its large windows.
Another popular route is the GoldenPass Line between Montreux and Interlaken. It connects Lake Geneva’s vineyards with the Bernese Alps. New GoldenPass Express services now allow through journeys. The Centovalli Railway connects Locarno in Switzerland with Domodossola in Italy. It crosses deep valleys on 83 bridges and through 31 tunnels. The Gotthard Panorama Express combines a lake cruise with a train ride over the old Gotthard route.
Together, these trains form part of the Grand Train Tour of Switzerland, a 1,280 km circuit that links the country’s best panoramic lines. Switzerland has turned its trains into a complete tourist experience.
Scotland and the United Kingdom: Rails Through History and Highlands
In the United Kingdom, Scotland is home to some of the most iconic rail journeys. The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow to Oban and Fort William, and then to Mallaig. It crosses Rannoch Moor, runs along sea lochs, and passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films.
The Jacobite Steam Train is a seasonal service from Fort William to Mallaig. It uses steam locomotives and recreates the charm of old rail travel. The Kyle of Lochalsh Line runs from Inverness to Kyle, with views of lochs and mountains before reaching the Isle of Skye.
In England, the Settle–Carlisle Line passes through the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. The Ribblehead Viaduct is its most famous landmark. In Wales, the Cambrian Coast Line runs close to the sea, with cliffs, beaches, and the Mawddach Estuary.
These routes show the diversity of the UK landscape, from rolling green hills to wild coasts.
Norway: Rails Over Fjords and Mountains
Norway offers some of the most dramatic train journeys in the world. The Bergen Line runs from Oslo to Bergen. It crosses the Hardangervidda plateau, one of Europe’s highest mountain plateaus.
From the Bergen Line, tourists can connect to the Flåm Railway, a 20 km route that drops from high mountains to the fjord at Flåm. It is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world.
The Rauma Line runs from Dombås to Åndalsnes. It passes the Troll Wall cliffs, crosses the Kylling Bridge, and follows river valleys. The Ofoten Line, also called the Arctic Train, runs from Narvik to the Swedish border. It is Norway’s northernmost railway and crosses Arctic landscapes.
These lines attract tourists year-round, offering snowy winters and green summers.
Austria: UNESCO and Alpine Beauty
Austria has some of the oldest and most beautiful mountain railways. The Semmering Railway, built in the 19th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It crosses 40 bridges and 15 tunnels in just 42 km.
The Arlberg Line connects Innsbruck with Bludenz, running through the Alps and long tunnels. The Mariazell Railway, also called Himmelstreppe or “Stairway to Heaven”, is Austria’s longest narrow-gauge railway. It runs through forests and mountains from St Pölten to Mariazell. The Achensee Railway, one of Europe’s oldest steam cog railways, climbs from Jenbach to Lake Achensee.
Austria shows how engineering and nature can work together to create scenic travel.
Germany: Castles, Forests, and Rivers
Germany has many scenic train journeys that attract tourists. The Rhine Valley Line runs between Mainz and Koblenz. It passes castles, vineyards, and the famous Loreley rock. The Moselle Valley Line runs along the Moselle River from Koblenz to Trier, with vineyard views.
The Black Forest Line, or Höllentalbahn, connects Freiburg with Donaueschingen. It climbs steep gradients and passes lakes and deep forests. In the Harz mountains, the Brocken Railway uses steam locomotives to climb to the Brocken summit. It is part of the Harzer narrow-gauge network.
These lines combine cultural history with natural beauty.
France: Mountains and Heritage Lines
France has both mountain railways and heritage routes. The Mont-Blanc Express links Martigny in Switzerland with Chamonix and St Gervais in France. It climbs steep valleys and offers views of the Mont Blanc massif.
The Train Jaune, or Yellow Train, runs through the French Pyrenees. It is the highest metre-gauge line in France and runs with open carriages in summer. The Cévennes Line, also called Le Cévenol, runs between Clermont-Ferrand and Nîmes. It crosses viaducts and tunnels through the Massif Central.
The Train des Pignes runs between Nice and Digne-les-Bains in the Alpes-Maritimes. It passes through gorges and valleys. Heritage steam trains also run on some days.
France offers variety, from the Alps to the Mediterranean.
Italy: From Coast to Volcanoes
Italy’s railways are both scenic and historic. The Cinque Terre Express links the five villages of Cinque Terre, running along cliffs above the Ligurian Sea. The Centovalli Railway, shared with Switzerland, runs between Domodossola and Locarno.
The Circumetnea Railway runs around Mount Etna in Sicily, passing lava fields and vineyards. The Ferrovia dei Parchi, also called the Transiberiana d’Italia, runs through the Apennines from Sulmona. The Trenino Verde in Sardinia runs heritage services across wild landscapes.
Italy’s trains show both coastal beauty and volcanic drama.
Portugal: The Douro Valley Line
Portugal’s most famous scenic train is the Douro Line, running from Porto to Pocinho. It follows the Douro River, passing vineyards that are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In summer, a Douro Historical Train runs with steam or heritage stock. The line is popular for wine tourism and river cruises.
Spain: From Pyrenees to Green Coast
Spain has several scenic lines. The Tren dels Llacs runs from Lleida to La Pobla de Segur through lakes and gorges. In Mallorca, the Sóller Railway uses wooden trains from Palma to Sóller through the Tramuntana mountains.
Luxury trains such as the Costa Verde Express and El Transcantábrico run multi-day tours along Spain’s Green Coast. These trains combine landscapes with fine dining and luxury cabins.
Sweden: Lapland and the Inland Line
Sweden has long tourist routes. The Inlandsbanan runs 1,300 km from central Sweden to Lapland. It operates in summer with hop-on, hop-off passes. The Iron Ore Line, or Malmbanan, runs through Kiruna to the Norwegian border and down to Narvik. It crosses the Arctic Circle and serves both heavy freight and passenger trains.
Slovenia and the Balkans: Bridges and Canyons
The Bohinj Railway in Slovenia runs from Jesenice to Nova Gorica and on to Trieste in Italy. It crosses the Solkan Bridge over the emerald Soča River.
In Croatia, the line from Zagreb to Split passes karst landscapes and mountains before reaching the coast. In Bosnia, the Sarajevo to Mostar Line follows the Neretva River canyon. The Belgrade to Bar Railway links Serbia and Montenegro, crossing 254 tunnels and more than 200 bridges. It is one of Europe’s most dramatic long routes.
Romania: Oldest Mountain Lines
Romania has several special lines. The Oravița–Anina Line is the oldest mountain railway in southeast Europe. The Mocănița steam railway runs through the Vaser Valley in Maramureș. The main line through the Prahova Valley connects Sinaia with Brașov, passing royal castles and mountain scenery.
Slovakia and Greece: Small but Beautiful
Slovakia’s Tatra Electric Railway connects towns and resorts in the High Tatras. It is a narrow-gauge network with great alpine views.
In Greece, the Odontotós Rack Railway climbs the Vouraikos Gorge from Diakopto to Kalavryta. The Pelion Little Train runs as a heritage service through stone bridges and old villages.
Europe’s scenic train routes are more than transport. They are tourism experiences that combine history, culture, and landscapes. Countries like Switzerland and Norway attract visitors for their panoramic trains, while France, Italy, and Spain offer both heritage and luxury. In Eastern Europe, routes through Romania, the Balkans, and Greece show hidden beauty.
For travellers, these routes are a way to slow down, enjoy the journey, and see Europe’s landscapes in comfort. For countries, they are key to tourism economies, creating jobs and promoting heritage. Scenic train travel is growing in popularity as people seek sustainable and memorable ways to explore Europe.
