There is something about travelling through Europe by train that feels particularly suited to the colder months. As autumn colours sweep across the countryside and the first snow begins to settle on mountain peaks, some of the continent’s most familiar landscapes take on an entirely different character. It is also a wonderful time to slow down. Rather than rushing between airports, rail travel makes the journey part of the holiday itself. You can watch vineyards, lakes, forests and mountain villages pass outside the window before you arrive in the heart of your next destination. For travellers looking beyond the traditional summer break, these are some of my favourite places to explore by rail during autumn and winter.
Switzerland in the Snow
Switzerland is perhaps the obvious place to start, but for good reason. The country’s railway network connects beautiful cities, lakeside towns and Alpine resorts, with some routes offering extraordinary views along the way.
Winter is particularly memorable. The Glacier Express travels between Zermatt and St Moritz through the Swiss Alps, passing dramatic valleys and mountain landscapes during its leisurely journey.
The Bernina route is another highlight, crossing spectacular Alpine terrain between Switzerland and northern Italy. Seeing the mountains beneath a blanket of snow gives the journey an entirely different character from travelling during summer.
For anyone considering luxury rail holidays, Switzerland is particularly appealing because scenic train journeys can easily be combined with stays in destinations such as Lucerne, Zermatt and St Moritz.
Autumn Through Italy
Italy might bring to mind hot summer days, but autumn can be one of the loveliest times to explore the country.
Northern Italy is especially well suited to a rail itinerary. Milan provides a convenient starting point, with onward connections allowing travellers to incorporate famous lakes and historic cities into the same journey.
Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are beautiful during autumn, while smaller Lake Orta offers another option for travellers interested in exploring beyond the best-known destinations.
One of the advantages of exploring Italy by train is how easily contrasting places can be combined. A journey might begin among the lakes before continuing towards cities such as Verona, Venice or Florence.
Austria for Festive Cities
Few places capture the atmosphere of winter quite like Austria. Vienna becomes especially inviting as Christmas approaches, when festive markets appear across the city and traditional cafés provide a welcome escape from the cold. Salzburg is equally appealing, particularly when snow covers the surrounding mountains. Travelling between the two by train is straightforward, making them natural companions on a winter itinerary. Austria can also form part of a longer Central European adventure. Vienna’s location means travellers can continue towards Budapest or Prague, combining several distinctive cities without having to fly between each stop.
Norway for Dramatic Winter Scenery
Norway offers something quite different from a classic Central European rail holiday. Its railway journeys are renowned for dramatic landscapes, with routes passing mountains, valleys and fjords. The journey between Oslo and Bergen impresses throughout the year, but the colder months transform much of the scenery. Travellers can continue from Bergen to explore the fjords, while routes involving Flåm provide another opportunity to experience Norway’s remarkable landscapes by rail. Winter travel this far north requires a little more preparation, with shorter daylight hours and colder conditions, but that is also part of what gives Norway such a distinctive atmosphere.
France Beyond Paris
Paris makes an obvious starting point for a French rail journey, but it certainly doesn’t need to be the final destination. France’s extensive network makes it easy to incorporate several regions into one holiday. Autumn is an especially attractive time to head towards wine-producing areas, as vineyard landscapes begin changing colour. Winter travellers might instead combine Paris with Strasbourg and the surrounding Alsace region, famous for its festive atmosphere and Christmas markets. France can also serve as the starting point for a wider European journey, with international rail connections leading towards Switzerland, Italy, Belgium and other neighbouring countries.
Combine Several Countries by Rail
One of the most exciting things about travelling by train is the ability to combine several countries within a single trip. A carefully planned itinerary might begin in London before continuing to Paris, heading into Switzerland for a few days among the Alps and eventually crossing into northern Italy. Another could connect Vienna, Budapest and Prague for a winter journey through Central Europe.
This flexibility is one reason European rail holiday itineraries can be so rewarding. Instead of simply getting from one place to another, the changing scenery, cities and cultures encountered along the route become part of the experience.
When Should You Travel?
September and October are ideal for autumn colour and generally milder conditions. They can also suit travellers who prefer exploring once the busiest part of the summer season has passed.
November brings cooler temperatures and shorter days, while Europe’s Christmas markets begin appearing towards the end of the month. December is the obvious choice for a festive atmosphere, particularly in Austria, Switzerland, Germany and parts of France.
January and February, meanwhile, are better suited to travellers hoping to see snow-covered Alpine scenery at its most dramatic.
Ultimately, the best time depends on what you want from the journey. Autumn lends itself beautifully to lakes, countryside and city combinations, while winter offers snowy landscapes and atmospheric European cities.
For me, that is what makes exploring Europe by rail so enjoyable. The train isn’t simply a means of getting to the next destination. Whether you’re travelling alongside an Italian lake, through a snowy Alpine valley or between Europe’s historic capitals, the journey becomes one of the most memorable parts of the holiday.
