Planes may be the most efficient way to travel from one place to another, especially for longer trips. Some people wouldn’t even consider taking a train if a plane were available, but there’s something special about traveling between countries and seeing all the changing landscapes through a window. And since Europe has such fascinating landscapes, we suggest a short train trip across it.
Taking a train trip in Europe isn’t just about moving from one place to another; it offers travelers a deeper connection to the soul and history of the continent. Not only will you see incredible views, but trains also allow you to meet new people. From fellow globetrotters like you to locals moving around the country.
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The Benefits of Taking the Train
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No airport hassle: Let’s be real for a moment, planes might be efficient, but airports aren’t. First of all, they are far from the cities, and you have to arrive 3 hours early, wait in a long queue, and pass through security with all its rules and guidelines.
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Cinematic views: If you arrive early enough, you’ll get a train window seat, so you can see how the train glides across the beautiful landscapes, from the lavender fields of Provence to the snowy Swiss Alps, depending on where you’re going.
Photo by Hem Poudyal on Unsplash
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Sustainable and eco-friendly: If you think that trains aren’t eco-friendly, you might be thinking about the steam-powered trains of two centuries ago. Nowadays, this is one of the greenest ways to travel across the continent, as it emits significantly less carbon than airplanes or cars.
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Access to Hidden Gems: If you choose a plane for traveling from Barcelona to Paris, you see only those two cities. On a train, however, since you have to make the trip on land and most of the lines have centuries of history, you get to see quite a few lesser-known places.
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Best Train Trips in Europe
The Centovalli Express
Let’s start our journey across Europe with one of the most beautiful short train journeys that you can take, as it connects Italy to Switzerland. It begins in the city of Domodossola in the Piedmont region and ends in Locarno. The journey only takes about 2 hours, covering 50 kilometers, but it’s incredibly packed with wonders.
Photo by Pascal Debrunner on Unsplash
What makes the Centovalli so special?
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It offers a kaleidoscope of landscapes: The changes in landscape are pretty dramatic, ranging from deep gorges and dramatic ravines to centuries-old stone villages and vineyards.
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Two cultures, one ride: In only two hours, you transition from northern Italy to the Italian-speaking side of Switzerland, and while the language might be the same, there’s a noticeable shift in the towns and villages. So pay close attention!
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It’s a photographer’s dream: If you like to capture memories with your camera, get a window seat and be prepared. Every season brings a different charm to the landscapes, and every curve of the track reveals something beautiful.
Photo by Luke Tanis on Unsplash
Tips to plan your trip on the Centovalli Express
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If you’re traveling during the big season, reserving a seat might be a good idea, but it’s not usually needed. Additionally, you can purchase your tickets at Swiss Railways or Trenitalia. Another option is to visit the official Centovalli Railway website.
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For the best time to make the trip, consider early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This way, you get a soft and magical light over the whole landscape and fewer crowds.
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For photographers who want to capture spectacular pictures, sit on the left side when traveling from Domodossola to Locarno and bring your fast-shutter camera.
Photo by Hanna Zhyhar on Unsplash
The Heart of Wales Line
Moving from Continental Europe to the beautiful UK, let’s learn more about one of the most enchanting and underappreciated rail journeys. The Heart of Wales line is a rural railway that runs from Shrewsbury all the way to Swansea on the south coast. Unlike the last train trip you took, this one travels 195 km, taking around 4 to 4 and a half hours. What makes the Heart of Wales special?
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Untouched, slow-paced scenery: This line passes through the countryside, a part of the UK that tourists rarely visit. This is a shame since there are lush green valleys, sheep-dotted hillsides, rivers, and quiet market towns that add a touch of unique charm to the landscape.
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Welsh heritage: This trip is an excellent opportunity to experience the Welsh heritage in the area. As many of the towns seem barely touched by the centuries that have passed, people keep traditions and legends alive.
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A moment to embrace the slow life: This route was also forgotten by time and maintains the manual signal boxes and classic country stations. There’s also no WiFi, so you can unplug and enjoy the moment.
Tips to plan your trip on the Heart of Wales Line
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Make it a multi-day trip: You can do the trip in one go or get a Heart of Wales Railcard and use the line to move through the area for several days. You can hike at Offa’s Dyke Path and Elan Valley or sleep at a B&B in Llandovery.
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Plan it for the autumn: The absolutely best time to travel to the Heart of Wales is during autumn, with the explosion of gold and amber in the hills amidst the green valleys.
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Pack snacks and offline activities: As we said, there’s no WiFi on the train, and while you could stay connected with data, why lose the opportunity to unplug for a solid 4 hours?
Le Petit Train Jaune
At this point, we’ve discovered two of the most incredible regions in Europe, but there’s more to see and do on the continental side, and that’s how we find Le Petit Train Jaune. This joyful train runs High through the French Pyrenees, being part scenic railway, part cultural treasure.
It starts in the fortified town of Villefranche-de-Conflent and ends in Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg, near the Spanish border. The distance is not that great, as it covers only 63 km in around 3 hours, but it does climb up to 1,593 m, making it the highest Railway in France that’s still operating.
What makes the Petit Jaune special?
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Iconic yellow carriages: These train carriages are painted a very unique and cheerful
canary-yellow that has become a regional symbol. If you were wondering, the name in French means “The Little Yellow Train”. -
Breathtaking Pyrenean views: This train line will take you through dramatic, gorgeous pine forest, wildflower-strewn meadows, and open plateaus, all with the incredible snow-capped peaks behind them.
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Historic engineering marvels: Moving from place to place now seems like a very normal activity, but this train line is still quite a marvel. It crosses 650 Bridges and 19 tunnels, including the Pont Gisclard, the only railway suspension bridge in France, and the Sejourne Viaduct.
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Cultural connection: When you finish the trip, you’ll be in Catalonia, where French and Catalan traditions mix, giving the place a unique cultural flavour. It’s a fascinating place that, while belonging to France, has so much of Catalonia in it that the towns are usually bilingual.
Photo by Valentin Lacoste on Unsplash
Tips to plan your trip on the Petit Train Jaune
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Book the open-air carriages: If you are traveling during the summer, you can’t miss this opportunity. An open-air carriage is the perfect way to enjoy the warm weather and get unobstructed views of the landscape.
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Best side for photographers: If you want to capture the best pictures in the area, sit on the left side when traveling uphill, as the northern side offers the best views of bridges and valleys. To capture the landscape better, pack a wide-angle lens and a polarizing filter.
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Make it part of a broader adventure: Beautiful as a train ride is, there are more incredible activities that you can do in the area. such as hiking trails near Bolquere and Olette or stopping at the thermal springs at Fontpedrouse.
Practical and Overlooked FAQs for a Train Trip in Europe
Do I need to reserve seats even with a rail pass?
For high-speed trains, you usually have to reserve seats even if you have a rail pass, but with all the shorter lines like these ones, it’s not that common. Of course, if you’re traveling with a larger group or want a window seat on a particular side of a carriage, you’d better make a reservation.
Should I plan everything or wing it?
A combination of both is the best strategy. For example, you can choose the key stops that you want to visit, leaving enough time during the trip for spontaneous local stops.
Is a real pass always cheaper?
It usually is, but not always. If you know the exact route that you want to follow, it might be more economical just to book the individual tickets. However, for spontaneous travel, a rail pass is often a better option.
Is there a luggage limit for traveling on a train?
Since trains have limited luggage storage, especially on the smaller regional lines that we’ve seen, the smaller the luggage, the better. For example, a carry-on-sized suitcase or a travel backpack is perfect for these trips.