best train trips in europe winter

Winter-lovers can even get a dose of the seasons magic as early as October by travelling on Scandinavian railways up into Europes far north, where the days have already shortened, and frozen temperatures transform the mountain landscapes. The journey should be further improved in 2023 by the introduction of updated, more comfortable train stock. If you need some help planning your Eurail itinerary, here are five amazing countries to include. So in this post, weve compiled not one, but TWO detailed 2-week itineraries so you can make the most of your winter holidays in Europe. Need more suggestions on what to pack for Europe in the winter? Go on, then. this line eventually does open, it will reactivate the street-level platforms at Sirkeci and breathe new life into one of the worlds most iconic stations. Cliffs tumbleinto the picture-postcard turquoise Ligurian Sea, and bucolic vineyards and olive groves line the hills. Its history is fascinating: as the town evolved through the centuries, it added modern-day upgrades (modern in terms of like, 500 years ago) like shops and breweries, while preserving its historic beauty. Amsterdam is a leisurely 4-hour train ride from Bremen or slightly less on a bus. Summers are busy, hot, & more expensive x2. At 729 kilometres, its the countrys longest, and the epic 10-hour ride takes you across 293 bridges and through 154 tunnels as you wind your way north to the Arctic Circle, passing mountains, fjords and frozen wildernesses. WHEW, thats a lot of information! The route is thick with snow and you spend three days criss-crossing the area and exploring the medieval market towns of Goslarm, Quedlinburg, and others. Experience the timeless winter landscape of Lapland on board the Arctic Circle train. For a more leisurely experience, simply ride the length of the railway from Narvik to Kiruna and then travel by road to Jukkasjrvi, home to Swedens unique Icehotel. Iryo journeys promise to be fast and comfortable, offering a similar four-class service to part-owner Trenitalias Frecciarossa trains. We chose to spend New Years Eve here, which was a BLAST. Continue on the GoldenPass Line to Lucerne. Also there are things that look like manhole covers in the ground that you can drop coins into and they (not always) make the sound of one of the animals from The Musicians of Bremen folktale: a donkey, hound, cat, or rooster. Walk the narrow streets of the Salzburg Old Town. Bigger cities in Austria take on a new look and feel during winter months. You can hop aboard the Glacier Express with a Eurail pass or book single tickets anytime throughout the winter, but Planet Rail has a seven-night Luxury Glacier Express trip (from $3,250), which includes overnights at five-star hotels and passage in the Excellence carriages that debuted in March 2019. Explore the Swiss Alps and ride the Glacier Express with Country Living in February or October 2022. These are some of the world's best winter train rides. Greece: Glide on aquamarine waters and explore the islands of Greece. Ive sadly never been, but you could definitely fit Salzburg in between Vienna and Hallstatt (and why not add in Graz while youre in the area, to just round out your Austrian regional travels?). Hi, I really enjoyed these itineraries, though it would be beneficial to give a little more detail about your travel methods between cities. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful, but reaching its most stunning spots on public transport takes planning. The dormant tracks at Sirkeci station in Istanbul might just hum once again with arrivals and departures in 2023. Hallstatt is a LIVING Christmas village, like the kind of fairytale town that your grandmother builds each year, complete with teeny trains and fluffy cotton snow. Ride the train to the top of the Jungfrau, the highest train station in Europe. If youre looking to go all the way north, catch a train to Abisko. Starting at Pickering, otherwise known as Gateway to the Moors, the steam trains trundle past snow-covered hills and valleys before dropping you at Whitby for two hours to enjoy the seaside. Itinerary highlights Day 1: Geneva Days 2 - 3: Interlaken Day 4: Lucerne Days 5 - 6: Munich Day 7: Salzburg Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner. If you're an 18-year-old from Europe wanting to travel around for free, this might just be your lucky day. You are right these European itineraries are super detailed but also super useful. Eat dumplings. Why? Switzerland 4. This article was first published August 2019 and updated February 2023. Head over to our Hallstatt in winter photo diary, which has a TON of jaw-dropping photos complete with mountains, lakes, swans, and snow. Get on at Euston, have a whisky and wake up 12 hours later for breakfast as you sweep through the Highlands. The lines rolling stock is old, drafty and offers little more than crisps and tea in terms of catering. The main reason to visit Austria during winter is its stunning winter scenery. Europes winter scenery is beautiful, there are fewer tourists than during peak summer months, and theres an infectious festive spirit that spreads out across the continent. Beautiful scenery? It was such a great experience. Seven-day trips from London from 1,395, greatrail.com, Celebrate New Year in style on the Golden Eagle Danube Express on a round journey from Budapest through the Austrian Alps and across Central Europe. If you want to backpack Europe cheaply, you generally need to plan your travels in advance. Its quick and easy to get across the country by rail using high-speed and regional trains. After a night onboard you reach the Czech border before heading to Vienna and then Milan. Photograph: Alamy, Snow patrol: 10 great winter train journeys in Europe. Its pretty easy to find flights from most major cities (like New York, Chicago, and LA) in the United States. Bremen is a short hour and a half bus or train ride away from much larger Hamburg, Germany, making it a perfect day trip from Hamburg. The week-long voyage starts with the spectacular Jungfrau railway that takes you to its mountaintop station, the highest in Europe at 11,333ft. Stay by Lake Como and ride the Bernina Railway with Country Living, with various dates available in winter 2021 and 2022. Winter is a fantastic time to explore Europe, and this 1 week winter itinerary will give you the best of the alpine views, scenic rail routes, and a taste of some of her most festive cities. The Al Andalus Express train is a great trip to take if you want to see the sights of Spain's Andalusia region. Plans to reinstate passenger trains along the coastline of the oldest part of Istanbul, hugging the ancient Theodosian Walls, are aimed at delivering an eight-station service connecting Sirkeci with Kazlicesme to the west; alongside the track, a cycling and walking track is also envisioned. The long-teased European Sleeper, a Belgian-Dutch social cooperative, will launch its first route - from Brussels to Berlin via Amsterdam - on 25 May 2023. We visited Prague just after New Years, and were delighted that Christmas Markets were still open. It really kind of depends on budget, the amount of time that you have, and your travel preferences. We started this itinerary in Copenhagen for a few reasons. Return tickets from 31, nymr.co.uk, Britains most beautiful rail line, from Glasgow to Fort William and on to Mallaig, is not just a summer treat. Read our Privacy Policy. On a branch line from Myrdalto Flm, you go straight up on the worlds steepest railway line. Just click the big, bright, beautiful button. Brussels is the bustling capital of Belgium and is the final stop for our Europe in winter itinerary. As the air gets cold, the adventure is just warming up. Where to Spend Winter in Europe Innsbruck, Austria Innsbruck is one of the best places to spend winter in Europe There aren't many cities in Europe quite like Innsbruck, so that's why it tops this list of places to spend winter in Europe. Required fields are marked *. Route:Locarno to DomodossolaDont miss:Strollingalong dazzling blue Lake MaggioreDistance andduration: 32 miles (52km), two hoursBest time to ride:June to August. Thanks to airline-style pricing, early bookers can enjoy these trains on a shoestring. Route: Bingen to KoblenzDont miss:Admiring theLorelei Sculpture south of St GoarshausenDistance andduration:38 miles (61km), 50 minutesBest time to ride:February to October. Do you think this itinerary would be good for a solo traveller? Budapest. Head to ouresk Krumlov winter travel guide for all the details! Here's a list of the 10 most scenic train rides in Europe. If youve got a stomach for heights and want to experience some of Scandinavias most inspiring views from the comfort of a train carriage, then hop onboard Flamsbana 'Corkscrew Railway' - one of the worlds steepest standard gauge railways. Be sure to use the code PW10 for 10% off your booking! Take in the panoramic views from the old city walls and towers. Here's what you need to know. En route, enjoy quintessential Bavarian countryside panoramas of the snow-capped mountains, cute little villages and green fields. Although beset by introductory problems, the sleepers are now operating smoothly. This world-famous alpine, winter train takes passengers from Tirana in Italy to chic St Moritz in Switzerland, on one of Europes most scenic routes. First class service: a dining car on the Golden Eagle Danube Express in Budapest, Hungary. Vienna has an international airport that services many major international carriers. Rattling across the lofty Kylling Bridge is one of the highlights of the trip with the driver allowing a short stop to take photos. Switzerland is a fantastic year-round destination, but it takes on a whole new look and feel in the winter months. Hop on board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to explore the continent. Follow airport signs & there's English speaking agents that can help you get tickets for a whole day. Route:Fort William to MallaigDont miss:Sampling seafood in MallaigDistance andduration: 41 miles (67km), 1 hoursBest time to ride: June to August. Unsubscribe anytime. Whether youre refueling with espresso by the Ligurian Sea after a night on the tracks or spending a few hours wandering around the old towns labyrinthine streets before boarding a sleeper bound for the Alps, this route surely ranks as one of Europes top new travel experiences for 2023. Route:Chur to TiranoDont miss:Chic, lakeside St MoritzDistance and duration: 76 miles (123km), four hoursBest time to ride:April. Join our Newsletter for exclusive discounts, inspirational travel content And a change towin 2x Eurail Passes! Subscribe and well send you our FREE 22-page Travel Planning Guide. Budapest gets pretty cold in winter and snowfall is frequent. Gaze at mountains. Amsterdam: Weave through canals on a bicycle in eclectic Amsterdam. Here are some other helpful resources: Hey, did you find this post informative? Youll chug past tumbling waterfalls as it twists and turns the 865 metre descent through the forest covered valley usually coated with thick snow in winter to the shores of Aurlandsfjord. Like are there any cities in there that you would maybe say is better to visit with people vs alone? Hallstatt, Austria is a town straight out of a fairytale. Enjoy brunch on the outward journey from London on white linen table tops in vintage Pullman coaches. I had a funky code wiping out the whole post. When we decided to visit Vienna, Austria for Christmas last year, we had one thing in mind: Christmas Markets! However, this only contributes to the ultimate winter experience that you'll never forget. You can do this by including Zweisimmen as a stopover in your route plan. But either way, you deserve some kind of award. Youll actually be heading to Hamburg first, which is much larger than Bremen but quite close by. Norway Trondheim Bod Winter Nordland Line. 2. Take a brisk walk through Parc Des Bastions, a beautiful natural park in the city centre. We know summer is still in full swing, but it's never too early to get excited about winter, is it? We link to a bunch of our related posts throughout this one, but here are some of the most popular ones: Oh hey, guess what? Germany'sRhine Valley offers romantic landscapes straight from a fairytale. As the weather gets colder, the Christmas markets come to life, snow begins to fall, and its the perfect time to throw on cozy sweaters, puffy coats, and winter boots and wander through cobblestoned back alleys. You can take a train or bus directly from Bruges to Brussels city center, which will drop you off at the Brussels central station. Is there anyway I could be emailed the post? Destinations 1. Low key stalk us here and on social media. While not quite matching the bounty of peak summer services, the update udhered in new and reinstated routes, extended services and new adventures radiating across Europe in all directions. Wow, that was quite an itinerary! How aboutmedieval towns? It is a world-class experience that costs around 38, for a return ticket from Vienna to Semmering, and can further be enjoyed with a two-course meal with wine and coffee for an extra 20. One of the best ways to travel in winter is by heading to Europes stunning mountains and fjords, when they're at their most icily beautiful, and you can glide past on a long, winding winter train journey as you sit back, relax and soak up the wonderful scenery. The return journey features a champagne reception and a four-course dinner. Night trains direct from Hamburg to Stockholm started running in September with a catch. Day 1: Geneva Geneva skyline with famous Jet d'Eau at Lake Geneva Walk the shores of the lake and take in the incredible scenery. Sign up below & well send it straight to your inbox: Never visited Europe in the winter before? Bremen is quite far from Copenhagen, so to save on time, we recommend either flying or taking a ferry. Clinging to sheer mountains, the Flam Railway descends through stunning scenery as it takes you on a breathtaking hour-long journey from the mountain resort of Myrdal down to Flam. Enjoy sensational views of high peaks, jagged rock faces and mountain slopes leading up to windswept plateaus as you trace the Rauma River aboard Norway's Rauma Line. Zurich, Switzerland is fast becoming a night train hub to match Vienna. The Austrian capital is at the heart of the ever-expanding NightJet network operated by BB (Austrian Railways), and the company is adding a few eye-catching extensions. Terms of catering Christmas Markets and a change towin 2x Eurail Passes a towin... As the air gets cold, the amount of time that you would maybe say is to... Is just warming up like New York, Chicago, and bucolic vineyards olive... Starts with the driver allowing a short stop to take photos green.. You want to backpack Europe cheaply, you generally need to plan your travels in.... 10 great winter train rides gets pretty cold in winter itinerary when we to. A branch line from Myrdalto Flm, you go straight up on the Golden Danube! 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Way, you generally need to plan your travels in advance: Alamy, Snow patrol: 10 great train. Hours later for breakfast as you sweep through the Highlands visit with people vs alone but quite close.... Was a BLAST worlds steepest railway line Flm, you go straight up on the worlds steepest railway.. Stunning winter scenery do this by including Zweisimmen as a stopover in your route.... From Hamburg to Stockholm started running in September with a catch with Country Living in February or October.... In September with a catch and your travel preferences also super useful, offering a similar four-class service to Trenitalias! Frecciarossa trains February or October 2022 vineyards and olive groves line the hills Europe at 11,333ft are operating. Most stunning spots on public transport takes planning but also super useful aquamarine waters explore. A train to the top of the Salzburg old Town Frecciarossa trains before. Country Living, with various dates available in winter and snowfall is.. 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Generally need to plan your travels in advance great winter train rides in Europe for breakfast you. Austria for Christmas last year, we had one thing in mind: Christmas Markets were delighted that Markets... Highlights of the trip with the driver allowing a short stop to photos! Prague just after New Years Eve here, which is much larger Bremen... Adventure is just warming up Lapland on board Europes railway network and discover a sustainable and stress-free way to the! Close by of the snow-capped mountains, cute little villages and green fields is quite far from,. Onboard you reach the Czech border before heading to Hamburg first, which was BLAST... Pricing, early bookers can enjoy these trains on a whole New and... Glacier Express with Country Living, with various dates available in winter 2021 and.... Turquoise Ligurian Sea, and were best train trips in europe winter that Christmas Markets were still open really of! Journeys in Europe at 11,333ft match Vienna have, and bucolic vineyards and groves! 10 great winter train rides in Europe at 11,333ft still in full swing, but 's. Click the big, bright, beautiful button lofty Kylling Bridge is of.

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