There are more than 15,000 European destinations at your reach via rail, with some journeys taking mere hours cross-country and others traversing the continent over days or even weeks. Riding the rail is one of the best ways to take in Europe's boundless beauty, from dramatic mountain borders to populous coastlines and whitewashed alpine fields. With express, luxury and historic trains connecting Europe from corner to corner, your options for train travel are practically endless.
St Moritz to Zermatt, Switzerland
Better known as the Glacier Express, the railway between Switzerland's Zermatt and St Moritz highlights the incredible splendour of the Swiss Alps, rising more than 2,000 metres above sea level and passing through almost 100 tunnels. Over the seven and a half hour journey you will be treated to wintery panoramas and spectacular sights from the foot of the jagged Matterhorn to the tight-knit chalet villages along the Rhone River.
Moscow to Vladivostok, Russia
Rambling across the world's largest continent is the iconic Russian railway, the Trans-Siberian. Built at the turn of the 20th century, the route connects Russia's imperial capital with port city Vladivostok in the Far East, further linking with China and Mongolia. The Transsib remains the longest railway in the world – the journey from west to east takes a week and spans seven time zones – with the untamed Siberian landscapes enhanced by the romance of the rail.
Rome to Venice, Italy
One of the most popular European cross-country journeys is the direct trip from Rome to Venice in Italy. The high-speed Frecciargento can zip you from Point A to Point B in around three and a half hours, but it's highly recommended to take your time stopping over in cities such as Florence or Verona when you're not soaking in vineyard-laden vistas and the rolling, rustic countryside from the comfort of your cabin.
