Europe, fall scenery, and a comfy train ride – you couldn’t find a better combo if you tried.
The Old Continent is currently at its peak scenery-wise, and the only way to take in as much of it as humanly possible is through rail travel.
The only issue is that the European train network is so vast and diverse that it can be difficult to even know where to start. Not to worry, though; we did all of the dirty work for you.
We sifted through hundreds of traveler reviews in search of the most beautiful train journeys you can take in Europe this fall, and these 5 routes were by far the most beloved:
Sarajevo – Mostar
I’ll start with one of the more underrated ones since I genuinely think more people should give Balkan a try – it promises all of the incredible views and fascinating culture of Western Europe at a fraction of the price.
And Bosnia and Herzegovina, in particular, is easily one of the continent’s most overlooked gems.
That’s why this fall, we’re seeing two of its most iconic cities: Sarajevo (the capital) and Mostar (the literal definition of postcard-worthy views).
Bosnia’s national railway company runs routes between these cities two times a day, with each trip lasting a little under 2 hours and costing anywhere between $6 and $14 a person, and let me tell you – I’d pay 10x that for the views alone.
The country’s rugged, untouched nature is unlike anything else you might’ve seen out west, and getting to travel through the heart of the Dinaric Alps and alongside the Neretva River provides what I can only describe as an otherworldly experience.
The fall colors, the lush forests, the towering cliffs, and the emerald Jablanica Lake, followed by the Ottoman-era architecture as you near Mostar, create the perfect backdrop for the pictures (and, most importantly, the experience) of a lifetime.
Zürich – Saint Moritz
It’s no secret that Switzerland has one of the best and most scenic rail networks in the world but since it can feel hard to choose just one route, in particular, to experience, I’m throwing my favorite in the ring.
The Zurich to Saint Moritz train is a bit pricier than the other options in today’s list (considering its length), with economy tickets starting at $60, but the 3-hour ride is something everyone should get to experience at least once in a lifetime.
The views of Lake Zürich, the snow-capped Alps, the Landwasser Viaduct, and all the fairytale-like alpine villages make for the perfect way to experience Switzerland without having to spend an arm and a leg to actually vacation there.
Oslo – Bergen
If you’ve got $100, 7 hours of time, and want to see the best of what Norway has to offer, this Norwegian Railways line is exactly what you’re looking for.
I know, I know, it might seem a bit much to spend these many hours stuck on a train but believe me when I tell you that you’d never be able to take in all of Norway’s surreal views otherwise.
And between Hallingskarvet, the Hardangervidda plateau, and all the fjords, waterfalls, and mountains, there’s a lot to marvel at, so try your best to keep your eyes peeled for that next picture-worthy view.
Salzburg – Venice
This next one’s the first route on the list to take us through two different countries, and as a traveler who loves to get as much out of a vacation as possible, it sounds like a dream!
One piece of advice I can give you here is to book your tickets as far ahead in advance as possible – the same seats you’d get today for over $70 can be purchased for a little over $20 by those who plan in advance.
Either way, considering you’re going on a 7-hour journey that not only takes you through the Austrian Alps, Dolomites, and the Venetian Lagoon but also lets you explore two of Europe’s most coveted destinations, either price tag is more than worth it.
Munich – Innsbruck
We’re ending things off with yet another underrated route (and, true to form, two stunning cities).
The sheer fact that you can get from Germany to Austria for just ~$15 is insane in and of itself, but when you add in the fact that you’ll get to witness the iconic Bavarian countryside, humbling Alpine valleys, and the sparkling Inn River, it becomes that much more obvious just how great-value this route really is.
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