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Start Planning Your European Rail Journey

Begin with our 3 inspiring routes across Europe – plus other supporting guides to help you plan with confidence

3 European Rail Itineraries for Your First Trip

✓ Three curated journeys to explore Europe – covering west to east and north to south

✓ Step-by-step routes with train details and pricing

✓ Scenic highlights and travel insight

Plus ‘How To Guides’:

Simple Guide to Booking European Train Travel

✓ How to book train tickets across Europe
✓ Simple explanations of how European trains work
✓ How to save money with the right ticket choices

Expert Guide to European Night Train

✓ Sleepers, couchettes, seats and what to expect onboard
✓ Helpful knowledge of how night trains operate
✓ Appendix list of rail operators to help you book in the right place

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Please note – further Expert Guides are in development and subscribers will be notified once available.

Journey Experiences

First-hand insights from handpicked journeys across Europe and beyond by train

Featured Journey Experiences

Optima Express – Europe’s Longest Train Journey from Villach 🇦🇹 to Edirne 🇹🇷 (Part 1: What to Expect)

Excerpt
The Optima Express is now one of the only ways to travel across the Balkan region of Europe with a unique non-stop journey through six countries linking Austria to Türkiye. Though primarily serving Turkish expats, it offers a unique slow travel experience with couchettes and onboard dining. In Part 1 we will showcase the amenities…

Dining Car, European Train Travel, Hidden Gems, Scenic Trips, Train Travel

June 14, 2025

11–17 minutes
RailJet ‘New Generation’: Munich 🇩🇪 to Northern Italy 🇮🇹 on the scenic Brenner Railway

Excerpt
A full review of the brand new RailJet, operated by the Austrian Federal Railways featuring the scenic Brenner Pass route. The new train features an impressive range of accommodation and catering options, which are all featured.

Alpine, Austria, Dining Car, European Train Travel, Germany, High Speed, Italy, Scenic Trips, Train Travel

January 11, 2025

14–20 minutes
EuroCity Hungaria: Budapest 🇭🇺 to Hamburg 🇩🇪 via four capitals – a European adventure!

Excerpt
One train, one day and four capitals. This trip across Europe promised to be a exciting adventure but what was it like and did it live up to expectations? Find out as I took the all day train in First Class.

Czechia, Dining Car, European Train Travel, Germany, Hidden Gems, Hungary, River Valleys, Scenic Trips, Slovakia, Train Travel

September 30, 2023

6–10 minutes
Amtrak Empire Builder: Seattle 🇺🇸 and Portland 🇺🇸 to Chicago 🇺🇸 – the cross-country route that has it all!

Excerpt
Connecting the Pacific Northwest with the vibrant city of Chicago is the Empire Builder – one of Amtrak’s ‘ultra-long distance’ rail services running across the north of the country. This journey was a feast for the eyes, and that wasn’t just the food in the onboard Dining Car, with the varied landscapes made this trip…

Dining Car, Scenic Trips, Sleeper Trains, Train Travel, United States of America, World Rail Trips

August 5, 2023

11–16 minutes

Latest Journey Experiences

Europe’s Most Luxurious? Italy’s High Speed Frecciarossa in Executive Class 🇮🇹

Excerpt
Arguably the most luxurious seat on a regularly scheduled European train, I booked a seat on Italy’s flagship high-speed train in Executive Class on the Frecciarossa 1000 – with just ten seats, restaurant-style dining and attentive onboard service.

European Train Travel, High Speed, Italy, Train Travel

April 18, 2026

9–13 minutes
Retro Istria Express: A Nostalgic Night Train from Budapest 🇭🇺 to Koper 🇸🇮

Excerpt
I boarded the Retro Istria Express, Hungary’s seasonal summer night train to the Adriatic. The 1960s-era carriages lived up to the “Retro” label, with wood panelled sleeping cars, pink curtains, and a sense of nostalgia running throughout. Accommodation ranged from basic seated compartments to four-berth couchettes, and my private sleeping-car compartment. All with great views…

European Train Travel, Hungary, Scenic Trips, Sleeper Trains, Slovenia, Train Travel

February 8, 2026

10–15 minutes
EuroCity Sava: A Trip Back in Time from Ljubljana 🇸🇮 to Zagreb 🇭🇷

Excerpt
As new trains transform Slovenia’s railways, only a few classic locomotive-hauled services remain -including the EuroCity Sava. This cross-border train offers a rare glimpse of old-style travel along the scenic Sava river. I boarded it this summer to experience the journey before it potentially changes for good.

Croatia, European Train Travel, River Valleys, Scenic Trips, Slovenia

November 29, 2025

9–13 minutes
Trondheim 🇳🇴 to Oslo 🇳🇴 – a winter escape across Norway on the Dovre railway!

Excerpt
Norway’s Dovre Railway, linking Oslo with Trondheim offers travellers picturesque landscapes. After a bridge collapse in 2023, part of the line was closed until May 2024 but travel was still possible. This report details both the loco-hauled and Class 73 trains on the route, offering a comfortable travel environment, scenic views, and onboard amenities.

Alpine, Dining Car, European Train Travel, First Time Journeys, Norway, Scenic Trips, Train Travel

October 4, 2025

11–16 minutes

All Journey Experiences

Subscribe to Club Rail-Away

Start Planning Your European Rail Journey

Begin with our 3 inspiring routes across Europe – plus other supporting guides to help you plan with confidence

Featured Journey Experiences

Optima Express – Europe’s Longest Train Journey from Villach 🇦🇹 to Edirne 🇹🇷 (Part 1: What to Expect)

RailJet ‘New Generation’: Munich 🇩🇪 to Northern Italy 🇮🇹 on the scenic Brenner Railway

EuroCity Hungaria: Budapest 🇭🇺 to Hamburg 🇩🇪 via four capitals – a European adventure!

Amtrak Empire Builder: Seattle 🇺🇸 and Portland 🇺🇸 to Chicago 🇺🇸 – the cross-country route that has it all!

Latest Journey Experiences

Europe’s Most Luxurious? Italy’s High Speed Frecciarossa in Executive Class 🇮🇹

Retro Istria Express: A Nostalgic Night Train from Budapest 🇭🇺 to Koper 🇸🇮

EuroCity Sava: A Trip Back in Time from Ljubljana 🇸🇮 to Zagreb 🇭🇷

Trondheim 🇳🇴 to Oslo 🇳🇴 – a winter escape across Norway on the Dovre railway!

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