5 of the Best Routes for Train Travel in Europe

The many charms of Europe – from ancient ruins and world-beating art masterpieces to snow-capped peaks and mighty rivers – have beckoned travellers since the era of the Grand Tour in the 17th to 19th centuries. Rail travel fell out of favour across the world with the advent of budget airlines, but now it’s back and big business. Heritage services like the Orient Express may be redolent of the glory days of luxurious rail travel, but all trans-European trains reconnect with the days of “slow travel”, giving passengers time to appreciate the spectacular countryside from their window seat – and if you do need to meet a deadline, high-speed trains like Eurostar and TGV will get you where you need to be on time and in comfort.

Europe’s extensive rail network connects major cities and towns across a continent largely without borders. But in these times of concern for the environment, the most important consideration when it comes to train travel in Europe is this: rail journeys are assuredly the more eco-friendly alternative to flying or driving. Trains – especially high-speed services powered by electricity – emit up to 20% fewer pollutants than cars per passenger-distance, and a staggering 90% less carbon dioxide than aeroplanes.

There are also the well-being benefits that train travel offers. For starters:

• You don’t have to worry about airport crowds or traffic jams.
• You can sit back, relax, dine on local dishes and even sleep on board, allowing for plenty of indulgent “me” time.
• You have sufficient space to get up and stretch your legs at any point in your journey.
• You have time to establish new connections with fellow passengers – a chance to broaden your outlook or soak up new travel suggestions.
• You may get to see areas of spectacular countryside, and the beauty of nature is hugely beneficial for mental well-being.

Virtually every corner of Europe is stitched together by rail track, so which epic train journey to choose? Here are five favourite European rail adventures – plus suggestions for eco-certified accommodation within walking distance of a railway station at the beginning of your trip.

Ride one of the most breathtaking train lines in Europe from Glasgow north to remote coastal Mallaig, past glowering munros (mountains over 915 m high), tranquil lochs and villages barely touched by the 21st century. Along the way, watch out for islet-scattered Loch Lomond, Britain's largest freshwater lake by surface area. The train skirts the loch's northwestern shore, so you’ll see it on your right. Beyond, the landscape transforms dramatically as you enter the brooding expanse of Rannoch Moor, a vast wilderness of rocky outcrops punctuating blanket bog and lakes.

The route's most famous highlight is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which you’ll recognise from the Harry Potter films. This 21-arch marvel of Victorian engineering curves gracefully through the glen, with stunning views of Loch Shiel and the Glenfinnan Monument, marking where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745 and began the Jacobite Rising. The final stretch to Mallaig offers breathtaking views of the Small Isles and, on clear days, the mountainous profile of the Isle of Skye.

• Journey time: 4 to 5 days
• Distance: 260 km
• Train pass: Eurail, Interrail or Scotrail
• Where to stay: Aparthotel Adagio Glasgow Central

Set for a slow-paced exploration of the Alsace wine region? Begin your journey in Strasbourg, where the city’s Gothic cathedral towers over a maze of cobblestone streets and canals lined with half-timbered houses. Traverse the Vosges foothills, where you'll discover a landscape with orderly vineyards climbing gentle slopes, dotted by quaint medieval villages.

Stop in Dambach-la-Ville for a vineyard visit. Taste crisp Rieslings and aromatic Gewürztraminers in centuries-old cellars, then stroll the town's centuries-old gate towers and ramparts. Medieval Sélestat is another lovely town to visit, with its traditional restaurants serving Alsatian specialties like choucroute (pickled cabbage) and tarte flambée (savoury flatbread), and Pinot Blanc and Sylvaner wines. End up in chocolate-box gorgeous Colmar, where you can explore the multi-coloured, half-timbered cottages in Little Venice and dine at a riverside restaurant serving local cuisine paired with wines from the very vineyards you've just passed.

• Journey time: 6 and 8 days
• Distance: 74 km
• Train pass: Eurail or Interrail
• Where to stay: Mercure Strasbourg Centre

Running from Florence to Siena, this Europe train travel route doesn’t cover much ground but it packs a powerful punch with its ancient hilltop villages, Renaissance cities and landscapes dotted with cypress trees. Begin in Florence, where museums house art masterpieces from Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and other greats. As you head southwest, consider a short detour to San Gimignano, a walled hill town where 14 medieval towers create a skyline that has barely changed since the 13th century.

Finish in lovely Siena, with its shell-shaped Piazza del Campo square, where you can climb the Torre del Mangia for panoramic views over the Tuscan countryside you've just traversed. Spring or early autumn are the best time for this route, when the visitor crowds thin and the weather is perfect for long walks through history-steeped streets and leisurely lunches in sun-dappled piazzas.

• Journey time: 7 to 9 days
• Distance: 325 km
• Train pass: Eurail or Interrail
• Where to stay: Mercure Firenze Centro

Discover lesser-known German metropolises, travelling between the part-medieval, part-contemporary cities of Frankfurt and Dresden, with the option to continue to Berlin. In Frankfurt, where the financial district’s skyscrapers create a striking backdrop for cobbled Römerberg square, explore the Museumsufer, a collection of 39 museums lining both banks of the Main River.

Disembark at Stuttgart to visit the Mercedes-Benz or Porsche museums, and sample hearty Swabian specialties with local wines in cosy taverns. Then venture on to Leipzig for its hip art scene, with contemporary art galleries and creative spaces occupying restored industrial buildings. The route finishes in Dresden, where you’ll find a beautiful historic centre packed with ornate palaces and world-class museums.

• Journey time: 8 to 10 days
• Distance: 795 km
• Train pass: Eurail, Interrail or German Rail Pass
• Where to stay: Sofitel Frankfurt Opera

For an immersion in dazzling art, architecture and fine food, train it from sun-drenched Valencia to Naples in Italy, taking in the fabulous cities of Barcelona, Marseille and Monte Carlo en route. From Valencia, where ultramodern architecture like the City of Arts and Sciences complex contrasts with the maze-like old town and its bustling Central Market, the route curves north to Barcelona. Here, lose yourself in Gaudí's fantastical architecture and take time to wander the museums and markets of Las Ramblas before heading to the French border.

The train then hugs the coastline into France, arriving in historic Marseille, where the Old Port has been welcoming traders and travellers for well over two millennia. Consider taking a side trip to the dramatic limestone cliffs of the Parc National des Calanques or exploring the medieval streets of nearby Montpellier.

Continuing along the French Riviera, glamorous Monte Carlo appears like a jewel box of Belle Époque architecture and modern luxury. The route then winds through the Italian Riviera, where you can break your journey in the port cities of Livorno and Genoa before finally arriving in Naples, with its UNESCO World Heritage historic centre.

• Journey time: 16 to 21 days
• Distance: 2,865 km
• Train pass: Eurail or Interrail
• Where to stay: ibis budget Valencia Centro Puerto

You have two basic options as a train traveller in Europe: buy tickets for each individual leg of a trip (usually more expensive and considerably more complicated to organise) or invest in a rail pass, which either gives consecutive days of travel or permits a certain number of trips per month. The most popular passes available for train travel in Europe include Eurail, Interrail and Eurail Scandinavia – many also offer some discounts on entrance to museums and attractions.

There are many stress-free benefits to choosing the train for family holidays in Europe. Tickets are normally less expensive than air fares (and diesel or petrol!), and up to two children under age 12 can often travel free with an adult (for example on Eurail Scandinavia). Trains have larger luggage allowances so you can take prams, toys and games on board without paying for extra baggage. There are often dedicated family carriages on European trains, so you won’t worry about your offspring disturbing fellow passengers.

Anyone with a disability or mobility issue is entitled to free assistance when travelling on trains throughout Europe. To be sure of getting help with finding platforms, storing luggage and changing trains, contact your railway company at least 48 hours before your intended travel.

As with any pet travelling on European trains, assistance dogs must have an EU Pet Passport. Visitors coming from the UK should obtain an Animal Health Certificate to show their animals are up-to-date with vaccinations and microchips.

II you'd like to search for eco-certified hotels for your next trip, use the filter option on all.accor.com. Now you’ve read the facts and learnt of the green advantages of train travel in Europe, where will your first stop be?