The European countryside has some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, and experiencing it by train gives you an intimate connection with the environment while minimizing your carbon footprint. With Rail passenger transport in the EU will reach a record 429 billion passenger kilometers in 2023.More and more travelers are discovering the pleasures of traveling through the countryside slowly and sustainably.
- Rolling hills and rugged coastlines: discovering Ireland’s wild countryside
Ireland’s landscapes unfold like pages from a storybook when viewed from a train window. The Dublin to Killarney journey carries passengers through the emerald valleys of County Kerry, while the Westport line hugs the coast of the Wild Atlantic Way. These routes provide access to the wide coastal paths of the Ring of Kerry, the wild peat bogs of Connemara and the peaks of the Wicklow Mountains, with landscapes varying from pastoral lowlands to windswept cliffs.
- Alpine valleys and mountain foothills: Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia
The Alps reveal their majesty little by little when you arrive by train. Austria’s historic Semmeringbahn winds through mountainous foothills where villages cling to steep slopes. Famous Swiss routes, like the Glacier Express, traverse high alpine passes before descending into meadows dotted with grazing cattle and still lakes. These Train holidays allow travelers to witness landscapes change. from rugged peaks to river valleys, all producing far fewer emissions than driving or flying.
- River valleys lined with vineyards: France, Portugal and Germany
River valleys across Europe have their own distinctive character. Portugal’s Douro Line follows the river through terraced vineyards that cascade down the slopes. Germany’s Rhine Valley, between Mainz and Cologne, features cliffs topped by riverside castles and wine villages. France’s routes through Alsace and the Loire Valley pass by castles and family-owned wineries where travelers can pause to sample local vintages. According to UK government transport statisticsTraveling by train produces approximately 28kg of CO2 equivalent on a long-distance journey, compared to 90kg by car, making these leisurely explorations of the countryside more sustainable.
- Coastal countryside and island territory: Spain, Italy and Croatia
The European countryside goes beyond the mountains and vineyards and reaches coastal landscapes where olive groves meet the sea. Southern Spain’s routes pass through sun-drenched hills dotted with whitewashed villages, while western Sicily’s railway lines pass through pine forested landscapes. Croatia’s Dalmatian routes combine train and ferry connections, allowing travelers to explore the island’s interior at a relaxed pace.
- Northern natural areas and forested lowlands: Scandinavia and central Europe
Scandinavian railways reveal vast forests, lakes and remote tundras. Routes from Sweden, Norway and Finland penetrate wild areas where wooded trails stretch for miles. The forested regions of Germany and the Czech and Slovak lowlands offer medieval towns emerging from dense forests and displaying the most peaceful and contemplative landscapes in Europe.
Europe’s rural railways offer a sustainable and enriching way to discover the continent’s diverse landscapes at a pace that allows for a genuine appreciation of the unique character of each region.
