6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024
6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Brussels to Prague Overnight Train Journey
The overnight train journey from Brussels to Prague is set to be serviced by the newly established European Sleeper company, marking the revival of a previously phased-out service.
Travelers can look forward to affordable ticket prices starting around €59 when booked in advance, with the journey offering a unique experience as it passes through picturesque landscapes, including the Saxon Switzerland region alongside the Elbe River.
This midnight adventure through the heart of Europe is a testament to the resurgence of night trains as a desirable mode of travel across the continent, providing passengers with a comfortable and scenic way to explore different destinations.
The overnight train journey from Brussels to Prague is operated by the newly established European Sleeper company, marking a significant revival of this previously phased-out service from
The route covers a distance of approximately 12 hours, with stops in Antwerp, Amsterdam, Berlin, and Dresden, providing passengers with a comfortable travel option and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations along the way.
Ticket prices for the Brussels to Prague overnight train journey in summer 2024 are expected to start around €59 when booked in advance, with higher prices closer to the travel date.
The train's route through the picturesque landscapes of Bad Schandau in Saxon Switzerland, alongside the Elbe River, offers a unique experience for nature enthusiasts.
The introduction of this overnight train service between Brussels and Prague is part of a broader resurgence of night trains as a desirable mode of travel across Europe, enhancing connectivity between major cities.
Compared to the previous overnight train service, the new European Sleeper trains feature improved comfort and amenities, including sleeper compartments, allowing travelers to rest comfortably during the journey.
What else is in this post?
- 6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Brussels to Prague Overnight Train Journey
- 6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Belgrade to Montenegro's Adriatic Coast Rail Adventure
- 6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Bernina Express From Chur to Tirano
- 6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Paris to Zurich Scenic Rail Exploration
- 6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Cinque Terre Express Along Italian Coastline
6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Belgrade to Montenegro's Adriatic Coast Rail Adventure
The Belgrade to Bar railway offers a stunning 12-hour journey through the Dinaric Alps, featuring 254 tunnels and 435 bridges.
This engineering marvel traverses breathtaking canyons and river gorges, providing travelers with an unforgettable experience of the Balkan landscape.
The Tara train, operating twice daily from June to September 2024, ensures convenient travel between Belgrade and Montenegro's Adriatic coast, with an overnight option available on the Lovcen night train.
The Belgrade to Bar railway, completed in 1976, required 28 years of construction due to the challenging terrain, making it one of the most complex engineering projects in Europe at the time.
The Mala Rijeka Viaduct, part of this route, stands at 198 meters high and 498 meters long, holding the title of the highest railway bridge in Europe until
The train reaches its highest point at Kolašin, Montenegro, at an elevation of 1,032 meters above sea level, offering passengers breathtaking panoramic views of the Morača River canyon.
Despite its scenic beauty, the Belgrade-Bar line faces significant maintenance challenges, with some sections limiting train speeds to just 30 km/h due to deteriorating infrastructure.
Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina (for a brief 9 km stretch), and Montenegro, making it a unique trans-Balkan journey.
Engineers designed special tilting trains for this route to navigate the sharp curves, but budget constraints prevented their implementation, resulting in a slower but more classic rail experience.
The journey includes passage through Sozina Tunnel, the longest railway tunnel in Montenegro at 2 km, which took eight years to construct due to difficult geological conditions.
6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Bernina Express From Chur to Tirano
The Bernina Express, a marvel of railway engineering, continues to captivate travelers with its stunning Alpine vistas and cultural significance.
With two daily departures scheduled from May to October, this UNESCO World Heritage route offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and technological achievement, making it a must-do for train enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.
The Bernina Express crosses 196 bridges and passes through 55 tunnels along its route, showcasing the incredible engineering feat required to construct this railway line through the rugged Alpine terrain.
At its highest point, the train reaches an altitude of 2,253 meters (7,391 feet) at the Ospizio Bernina station, making it one of the highest adhesion railways in Europe that doesn't use rack-and-pinion technology.
The famous Brusio Spiral Viaduct, a single-track nine-arch stone spiral railway viaduct, allows the train to gain 20 meters in height over a distance of just 130 meters, compensating for the extreme grade change in a limited space.
The Bernina line utilizes a unique 1,000 mm narrow gauge track, which allows for tighter curves and steeper gradients than standard gauge railways, enabling it to navigate the challenging Alpine landscape.
Despite crossing international borders, the entire journey from Chur to Tirano operates without the need for a locomotive change, thanks to multi-system locomotives capable of operating on different power supplies.
The Bernina Express traverses three distinct language regions - German, Romansh, and Italian - offering passengers a linguistic journey alongside the visual spectacle.
The train's panoramic cars feature specially designed windows that extend into the roof, providing an unobstructed 360-degree view of the surrounding scenery, a feature that required significant engineering to maintain cabin pressure and temperature control.
In winter, the Bernina line employs a unique snow-clearing system called "Schneeschleuder" (snow blower), capable of clearing up to 8,000 tons of snow per hour to keep the tracks operational year-round.
6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Paris to Zurich Scenic Rail Exploration
The scenic rail journey from Paris to Zurich offers travelers breathtaking views of the French countryside and Swiss landscapes.
Key highlights along the route include the picturesque Lake Geneva and the vineyards of Lavaux.
The journey allows passengers to experience the beauty of both urban and natural settings, making it an ideal exploration for those interested in scenic train travel.
In addition to the Paris to Zurich route, several other scenic train journeys across Europe are recommended for summer 2024, including the Glacier Express in Switzerland, the Bernina Express, the West Highland Line in Scotland, and the Flam Railway in Norway.
Each journey is characterized by its unique landscapes and cultural experiences, making summer 2024 an excellent time for train explorations in Europe.
The Paris to Zurich rail journey covers a distance of approximately 303 miles, yet high-speed trains can complete the trip in just 4 hours and 4 minutes, demonstrating the impressive capabilities of modern rail infrastructure.
On average, up to 19 trains operate daily between Paris and Zurich, making this route a highly convenient and accessible option for travelers.
Ticket prices for the Paris to Zurich journey can be as low as $92 when booked in advance, providing an affordable way to experience this scenic rail exploration.
00 PM, offering passengers flexibility in planning their journey.
Passengers traveling from Zurich can connect to various Swiss destinations, including Chur, St.
Gallen, and Zug, as well as Austrian cities like St.
Anton, Landeck, and Innsbruck, expanding the possibilities for further rail explorations.
While the Paris to Zurich journey is a scenic highlight, it is just one of several recommended European rail journeys for summer 2024, with other notable options like the Glacier Express in Switzerland and the Bernina Express.
The West Highland Line in Scotland and the Flam Railway in Norway are also among the highly acclaimed scenic train journeys that offer stunning mountain scenery and breathtaking vistas for travelers to explore.
Despite the impressive engineering feats behind these scenic rail routes, some sections of the infrastructure, such as the Belgrade to Bar railway, face ongoing maintenance challenges, limiting train speeds in certain areas.
6 Scenic European Train Journeys to Experience in Summer 2024 - Cinque Terre Express Along Italian Coastline
The Cinque Terre Express is a scenic train service that connects the five picturesque villages of the Cinque Terre region along the Italian Riviera.
With trains running every 20 minutes, travelers can conveniently hop on and off at each village, making it an efficient way to explore this UNESCO World Heritage site.
The express train service not only facilitates travel between the villages but also serves as a gateway to the stunning hiking trails that offer breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastline.
The Cinque Terre Express operates on a narrow 1,000 mm gauge railway line, allowing it to navigate the region's steep terrain and tight curves more efficiently than standard gauge trains.
The train's ability to tilt up to 8 degrees helps it maintain high speeds while traversing the dramatic coastal cliffs, providing passengers with a smooth and comfortable ride.
The Cinque Terre Express is powered by a state-of-the-art Hitachi-built electric multiple unit (EMU) train, capable of reaching speeds up to 160 km/h (100 mph) on the straightaways.
Engineers have designed the train's suspension system to be particularly robust, allowing it to maintain stability and passenger comfort even on the region's winding, cliff-hugging tracks.
The Cinque Terre Express features an advanced regenerative braking system, which captures energy from the train's deceleration and feeds it back into the electrical grid, improving energy efficiency.
To minimize visual impact and preserve the natural beauty of the Cinque Terre, the tracks and stations are painted in earth-toned colors that blend seamlessly into the surrounding environment.
The train's cars are equipped with large panoramic windows that extend into the ceiling, providing passengers with unobstructed views of the stunning Mediterranean coastline.
Engineers have implemented a special ventilation system in the Cinque Terre Express to maintain a comfortable temperature and air quality, even when the train is traveling through long, winding tunnels.
The train's onboard information system provides real-time updates on the journey, including the names and historical significance of each picturesque village along the route.
Surprisingly, the Cinque Terre Express is one of the most energy-efficient train services in Italy, thanks to its advanced propulsion and regenerative braking technologies, as well as its lightweight, aerodynamic design.