Quick answer
Europe’s best train routes come in two kinds: scenic journeys such as the Glacier Express and Bernina Express, where the ride is the experience, and fast connectors such as Paris to Geneva or Zurich to Milan. The Glacier Express takes about eight hours for 291 km between Zermatt and St. Moritz, so give it a full day.
In this guide 16 sections
- The 11 Routes at a Glance
- 1. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
- 2. GoldenPass Express (Switzerland)
- 3. TGV Lyria (Paris–Switzerland)
- 4. Paris to Nice (France)
- 5. Venice to Milan (Italy)
- 6. Zurich to Milan EuroCity (Switzerland–Italy)
- 7. The West Highland Line (Scotland, UK)
- 8. The Bernina Express (Switzerland–Italy)
- 9. London to Edinburgh (UK)
- 10. Flåm Railway (Norway)
- 11. Rauma Line (Norway)
- Passes, Reservations and Visas for Indian Travellers
- How to Choose the Right Train Routes for Your Trip
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Plan Your Europe Rail Journey
Europe has some of the most rewarding train journeys in the world, but not every famous route suits every trip. Some, like the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express, are the experience itself: you board for the view, not to get somewhere quickly. Others, like Paris to Geneva or Zurich to Milan, are fast connectors that happen to be comfortable and pleasant. Knowing which is which saves you from spending a full day on a train when you wanted a city, or rushing past mountains you came to see.
Below are 11 of the best train routes in Europe, with journey times checked against the railways and tourism boards that run or promote them, plus what Indian travellers should know about passes, seat reservations and visas before booking. Timings are typical and can change with each season’s timetable, so always confirm on the operator’s site before you travel.
The 11 Routes at a Glance
| Route | Country | Typical time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glacier Express (Zermatt–St. Moritz) | Switzerland | About 8 hours | A full day of Alpine scenery |
| GoldenPass Express (Montreux–Interlaken) | Switzerland | About 3 hours 15 min | Lake Geneva to the Bernese Oberland |
| TGV Lyria (Paris–Geneva/Basel/Zurich) | France, Switzerland | About 3–4 hours | Joining Paris and Switzerland |
| Paris–Nice TGV | France | About 5 hours 40 min | Ending on the French Riviera |
| Venice–Milan | Italy | From about 2 hours 15 min | A quick city-to-city hop |
| Zurich–Milan EuroCity | Switzerland, Italy | About 3 hours 15 min | Crossing the Alps into Italy |
| West Highland Line (Glasgow–Mallaig) | Scotland, UK | About 5 hours 30 min | Lochs, moors and Glenfinnan |
| Bernina Express (Chur–Tirano) | Switzerland, Italy | About 4 hours | Glaciers to palm trees in one ride |
| London–Edinburgh | England, Scotland | From about 4 hours | Coastline on the way to Scotland |
| Flåm Railway (Myrdal–Flåm) | Norway | About 1 hour | A short, steep fjord descent |
| Rauma Line (Dombås–Åndalsnes) | Norway | About 1 hour 25 min | Romsdalen valley and Trollveggen |
1. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
The Glacier Express links Zermatt, below the Matterhorn, with St. Moritz in the Engadin, running through Brig, Andermatt and Chur. It is slow by design. According to Switzerland Tourism, the 291 km trip takes about eight hours and crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, with panoramic windows built for sightseeing.
- Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz (runs in both directions)
- Journey time: About 8 hours
- Distance: 291 km
- Booking note: A seat reservation is compulsory, even with a Swiss Travel Pass. Some dates in November and December have no service, so check the timetable for winter trips.
Eight hours is a long day. It works best as a travel day between two bases rather than a return trip. Couples who want the full experience can look at Excellence Class, which adds guaranteed window seats, meals and drinks for a sizeable surcharge.
Naviora Journeys also crafts Switzerland tour packages for families
2. GoldenPass Express (Switzerland)
The GoldenPass route runs from Montreux on Lake Geneva up through vineyards and the Pays-d’Enhaut to the Bernese Oberland. Since December 2022, the GoldenPass Express runs directly from Montreux to Interlaken Ost in about 3 hours 15 minutes. Its coaches change track gauge at Zweisimmen, so you no longer need to switch trains there.
- Route: Montreux to Interlaken Ost, with onward trains to Lucerne
- Journey time: About 3 hours 15 minutes to Interlaken
- Highlights: Lake Geneva views as the train climbs above Montreux, alpine pastures and chalet villages around Gstaad
This is a natural fit for itineraries that start near Geneva and move on to Interlaken for Jungfraujoch, and it is a gentler half-day alternative to the Glacier Express.
3. TGV Lyria (Paris–Switzerland)
TGV Lyria is the high-speed link between Paris Gare de Lyon and Switzerland. It is less about scenery and more about saving a flight: Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) lists Geneva to Paris at about 3 hours 18 minutes, Basel at about 3 hours, Lausanne at about 3 hours 40 minutes to 4 hours, and Zurich at about 4 hours.
- Route: Paris to Geneva, Lausanne, Basel or Zurich
- Journey time: About 3 to 4 hours depending on the city
- Booking note: Seat reservations are compulsory and included in the ticket price
For the classic Paris–Switzerland–Italy itinerary that many Indian couples choose, this train replaces an airport transfer, security queue and flight with a centre-to-centre journey.
Naviora Journeys also crafts a Switzerland and Paris tour package from India
4. Paris to Nice (France)
The TGV from Paris to Nice runs down the Rhône valley and through Provence before following the Mediterranean coast. Rail guide The Man in Seat 61 puts the fastest trains at roughly 5 hours 40 minutes, with the best scenery after Toulon, where the line runs past headlands and marinas towards Antibes and Nice.
- Route: Paris Gare de Lyon to Nice
- Journey time: About 5 hours 40 minutes to 6 hours
- Tip: Choose an upper-deck seat on the double-decker TGV for clearer views of the coast
It suits travellers who want to end a France trip on the Riviera without an internal flight, and it pairs well with a few slow days in Nice, Èze or Monaco.
Naviora Journeys also crafts a Paris tour package
5. Venice to Milan (Italy)
Venice to Milan is a practical high-speed link rather than a scenic showpiece. Frecciarossa and Italo trains connect the two cities, with the fastest direct services taking about 2 hours 15 minutes, according to Trainline’s timetable data.
- Route: Venezia Santa Lucia to Milano Centrale, via Verona
- Journey time: From about 2 hours 15 minutes
- Good to know: Board at Venezia Santa Lucia, not Venezia Mestre, if you are staying in the historic centre
Its value is in the itinerary: you can leave Venice after breakfast and be in Milan for lunch, or stop in Verona on the way.
Naviora Journeys also crafts an Italy tour package
6. Zurich to Milan EuroCity (Switzerland–Italy)
The EuroCity trains between Zurich and Milan cross the Alps through the Gotthard Base Tunnel, then descend past Lugano towards the Italian lakes. SBB lists 14 direct trains a day, with a journey time of about 3 hours 17 minutes.
- Route: Zurich HB to Milano Centrale, via Lugano
- Journey time: About 3 hours 15 minutes
- Highlights: Lake Zug and the Reuss valley before the tunnel, then the Ticino lakes and Lugano on the Italian-speaking side
It is the simplest way to move from Switzerland to Italy on a multi-country trip. If you want the mountain pass rather than the tunnel, the Gotthard Panorama Express is a separate, seasonal scenic option.
7. The West Highland Line (Scotland, UK)
The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow to Mallaig on the west coast and is often called one of Britain’s finest rail journeys. ScotRail gives the full trip as about 5 hours 30 minutes. The line passes Loch Lomond, crosses the bleak open expanse of Rannoch Moor, stops at Corrour (the highest station in the UK) and crosses the curved Glenfinnan Viaduct seen in the Harry Potter films.
- Route: Glasgow Queen Street to Mallaig, via Fort William
- Journey time: About 5 hours 30 minutes
- Highlights: Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Corrour, Glenfinnan Viaduct over Loch Shiel
Note that this line does not pass Loch Ness, which lies further north-east near Inverness. Many travellers break the trip at Fort William for a night.
Naviora Journeys also crafts UK tour packages
8. The Bernina Express (Switzerland–Italy)
The Bernina Express climbs from Chur over the Bernina Pass and drops down to Tirano in Italy, taking you from glaciers to palm trees in about four hours. The route is part of a UNESCO World Heritage railway. As described by The Man in Seat 61, the roughly 144 km line includes 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, reaches 2,253 m at Ospizio Bernina, crosses the Landwasser Viaduct and loops around the Brusio spiral viaduct.
- Route: Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy)
- Journey time: About 4 hours
- Booking note: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the fare, but the panoramic cars need a separate paid seat reservation
- Winter tip: Travel southbound, towards Tirano, so the best stretches are in daylight
From Tirano, regional trains continue to Milan, which makes this a scenic way to move from Switzerland into Italy.
9. London to Edinburgh (UK)
The East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley is fast and surprisingly scenic in its northern half. The Man in Seat 61 lists the fastest LNER trains at about 4 hours and typical trains at about 4 hours 20 minutes for the 393-mile (about 632 km) trip.
- Route: London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley
- Journey time: From about 4 hours
- Operators: LNER, plus the lower-cost Lumo
- Highlights: Durham Cathedral and castle, the Northumberland coast, the Royal Border Bridge at Berwick and cliff-top sea views just inside Scotland. Sit on the right going north.
It is the easiest way to combine London with Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands in one trip.
10. Flåm Railway (Norway)
The Flåm Railway is short but dramatic. In about an hour it drops 866 m from Myrdal, on the Oslo–Bergen line, to the village of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord, an arm of the Sognefjord. The 20 km line runs through 20 tunnels, with gradients of up to 5.5%, according to its published line data.
- Route: Myrdal to Flåm
- Journey time: About 1 hour
- Distance: About 20 km
- Highlights: Waterfalls, steep valley walls and the fjord at the end of the line
It is usually combined with a fjord cruise from Flåm and the Oslo–Bergen railway, often as part of the popular “Norway in a Nutshell” style route.
Naviora Journeys also crafts a Norway tour package
11. Rauma Line (Norway)
The Rauma Line runs from Dombås down the Romsdalen valley to Åndalsnes. Visit Norway describes a 115 km journey of about 1 hour 25 minutes, with 32 bridges and six tunnels. The line crosses the Kylling Bridge and passes beneath Trollveggen, the Troll Wall, and Romsdalshorn.
- Route: Dombås to Åndalsnes
- Journey time: About 1 hour 25 minutes
- Distance: About 115 km
- Highlights: Kylling Bridge, Trollveggen, Romsdalshorn and the Rauma river
Åndalsnes is a good base for the Trollstigen mountain road and the fjords around Ålesund, so this line works well on a longer Norway itinerary.
Passes, Reservations and Visas for Indian Travellers
A few practical points make a big difference to cost and planning:
- Reservations cost extra on many trains: A pass covers the fare, but many high-speed, night and scenic trains need a separate paid seat reservation. Book these early in summer, when panoramic trains sell out.
- Switzerland: The Swiss Travel Pass covers the Glacier Express and Bernina Express fares, but both still need a seat reservation.
- Visas: France, Switzerland, Italy and Norway are covered by one Schengen visa. The UK is not in Schengen, so the West Highland Line and London–Edinburgh need a separate UK visitor visa. Our guides to Schengen visa tips and common rejection reasons can help.
How to Choose the Right Train Routes for Your Trip
Most first-time visitors to Europe have 10 to 14 days, so one or two scenic trains is usually enough. A sensible approach is to pick one “experience” train, such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express or Flåm Railway, and use fast connectors like TGV Lyria or Zurich–Milan for everything else. If you are unsure how much time to give each country, our guide on how many days you need for a Europe trip breaks it down city by city.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most scenic train route in Europe?
There is no single answer, but the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express in Switzerland are the most widely recommended. The Bernina Express packs more variety into four hours, while the Glacier Express is a full-day journey across the Alps.
Is the Swiss Travel Pass enough for the Glacier Express?
It covers the fare, but you still need a compulsory seat reservation, which is paid separately. The same applies to the panoramic cars on the Bernina Express.
Which rail pass should Indian travellers use in Europe?
Travellers from outside Europe now buy Interrail passes, since the Eurail name was retired in September 2026. A pass covers the fare, but seat reservations on many high-speed and scenic trains are extra.
Do I need a separate visa for train journeys in the UK?
Yes. The UK is not part of the Schengen area, so Indian travellers need a UK visitor visa for routes such as the West Highland Line or London to Edinburgh, in addition to a Schengen visa for mainland Europe.
Can these trains be included in a tour package from India?
Yes. Scenic trains, passes and seat reservations can be built into a customised itinerary, so that tickets, reservations and hotel stays line up with each other.
Plan Your Europe Rail Journey
The best train routes in Europe are the ones that fit your trip, not simply the most famous ones. If you would like help choosing routes, passes and reservations as part of a complete itinerary, explore our holiday packages or contact us to start planning.
Journey times and booking rules were checked against the sources linked above in October 2026. Timetables change each season, so confirm with the operator before you travel.
