A Taste of Europe’s Great Train Journeys

Not sure what the Mrs would say but if there is one man I could give a big sloppy kiss to right now then it would be Mark Smith, aka The Man In Seat 61.

Ok, so maybe just a handshake would suffice but what a great job he has done building the worlds most complete online, train travel guide. His section on Europe is inspiring and last night I was up well into the early hours looking at some of the great train journeys I would like to experience in the near future.

Here is just a small taste of what rail travel in Europe has to offer:

Venice Simplon Orient Express

There is no better train journey to kick the list off with than the Venice Simplon Orient Express as it is probably the most famous in the world.

Travelling from London to Venice through some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery and doing it in classic luxury and comfort makes this a once in a life time experience.

It certainly does not come cheap with the 24 hour journey costing around £1,600 one way but it truly is five star and the most romantic way to travel across Europe.

London to Scotland by Caledonian Sleeper

From one of the most expensive to one of the cheapest.

In 2009 the readers of the travel magazine ‘Wanderlust’ voted for their favourite rail journey in all the world and the winner was the London to Fort William sleeper and I myself will be jumping on board in January.

Leaving London Euston in the late evening, the train travels through the night passing through England and into Scotland where you will wake up in the cosy cabin with views of the Scottish highlands, some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery.

And better still you can do this from just £19 one way if you book on the ‘Bargain Births’ ScotRail page. £19! Amazing.

Warning: Transport Scotland are considering withdrawing the sleeper trains which would be terrible for travellers and the Highland economy. Please visit Seat61.com and sign the petition to tell Transport Scotland that they would be making a big mistake.

London to Paris on Eurostar

It’s not the longest, cheapest or most luxurious but the fact that you could be enjoying a nice breakfast in London and a few hours later be ordering your lunch in Paris makes this pretty special.

Yes you could fly but by the time you have got to the airport, checked in and then passed through security, Eurostar is nearly in Paris.

What I really love about this journey though is that as the trains runs so frequently you can easily make this a day trip.

Berlin to Moscow on the Trans-European Express

This journey would take you from my favourite city in all of Europe to the city I most want to see right now, Moscow.

To add to the excitement this train has a luxury sleeping car which I would like to see my name all over. The cabin includes a private shower and toilet, TV and entertainment system and even a good sized double bed.

£245 for the two of you is pretty good I would say.

And finally Mark was kind enough to share a couple of his European favourites with me

My own favourite, even though it’s so close to home, is the London to Ft William sleeper.  Almost ‘cruise train’ facilities, with private rooms, bunk beds, a lounge with leather sofas, yet affordable prices, a departure close to home here in the SE, and an arrival in superb scenery in the wonderful West Highlands.

Outside the UK, I think I’d say the Glacier Express, great train, fabulous scenery, and good food and Swiss white wine on board too.

What have we missed? Do you have a favourite train journey in Europe? Feel free to drop me a comment below.

Photos by Slide Show Bob, Geograph,  jf01350, calflier001, Drehscheibe Online,  Georgo10