From towering mountains to golden shores, Europe’s diverse landscape is perfect for exploring by rail. And tourists are catching on. A ‘rail renaissance’ has seen increasing numbers of holidaymakers swapping planes for trains, driven partly by a desire to travel more sustainably — something that’s now important to 83% of travellers, according to a recent Booking.com report.
![[Europe's most beautiful train routes]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235930785-83b2.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Amid this uptick in interest, Lonely Planet ranked the world’s most incredible train journeys to take in 2025. There are seven European routes on the list, while one UK journey has been crowned the most beautiful train ride in Europe. Whether you’re looking for an under-the-radar adventure or a luxurious sleeper train, a journey through snowcapped peaks or a cruise along the coast, there’s something for everyone in this pick of Europe’s most beautiful train routes.
![[Europe's most beautiful train routes]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235931087-2201.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The stretch of railway between Settle, North Yorkshire, and Carlisle in Cumbria claimed the number one spot on Lonely Planet’s list of the most scenic train rides in Europe, with good reason. The journey through the Yorkshire Dales passes the Ribblehead Viaduct, a 104-foot structure offering panoramic views across the national park. Along the way, the train stops at charming countryside stations.
![[Europe's most beautiful train routes]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235931304-b5ce.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
