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Beyond Canada · International rail
Rail journeys across Europe.
Alpine passes, Mediterranean coastlines and overnight sleepers between capitals.
Europe is where modern rail travel was invented and it remains the easiest continent on earth to cross by train. A single high-speed network ties Paris to Milan in seven hours, sleepers connect Brussels to Berlin overnight, and panoramic routes like the Glacier and Bernina turn the journey itself into the destination.
Rail in Europe isn't an alternative to flying — for many city pairs it's faster, greener and arrives downtown. Add the sleeper renaissance (Nightjet, European Sleeper) and a single Interrail pass and you have the most flexible rail network on the planet.
The headliners
Signature Europe rail.
- The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from London to Venice in restored 1920s carriages.
- The Glacier Express crossing 291 bridges and the Oberalp Pass between Zermatt and St. Moritz.
- The Bernina Express threading the Alps from Switzerland into Italy on a UNESCO line.
- Eurostar from London to Paris in 2h 16m — no airport, no security theatre.
- ÖBB Nightjet sleepers from Vienna to Hamburg, Rome and Brussels.
Journeys
Routes we'd plan a trip around.
Glacier Express
Zermatt → St. Moritz
Switzerland's slowest express — 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres.
View journey
Bernina Express
Chur → Tirano
A UNESCO-listed crossing of the Alps with the spiralling Brusio viaduct as a quiet finale.
View journey
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
London → Venice
Restored 1920s carriages, black-tie dining and a slow theatre of European landscapes drifting past.
View journey
When to go
The right window.
- ·May–June: long days, alpine snowmelt, before the summer crowds.
- ·September–October: harvest light through vineyards, mild city weather.
- ·December: Christmas markets via sleeper trains from Vienna and Munich.
Booking notes
How to book it.
- ·High-speed reservations open 90–180 days out — book early for Paris–Marseille, Madrid–Barcelona.
- ·Interrail and Eurail passes still need seat reservations on most high-speed and night trains.
- ·Sleeper berths sell out months ahead in summer; private cabins go first.
Practicalities
The boring but useful stuff.
Plug type
Type C / E / F · 230V
Common ticketing
Trainline, SNCF Connect, ÖBB, Interrail
Border-free zone
Schengen for 26 countries
Currency
Euro across most of the network
FAQs
Europe rail, answered.
Is a rail pass worth it in Europe?+
If you're crossing 4+ countries in 3 weeks, almost always yes. For 2–3 city pairs, point-to-point advance tickets usually win.
Can I really sleep through a border crossing?+
Yes — Nightjet and European Sleeper services run frequently with private cabins, breakfast and a smooth border passage while you sleep.
Which European rail journey is the most scenic?+
Most travellers split the vote between the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express and the Flåm Railway in Norway.
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