Europe comes alive during winter with snow-covered landscapes, festive lights, and bustling Christmas markets, and travellers can experience it all aboard some of the continent’s most unique train journeys. Luxury, adventure, and slow travel combine to offer unforgettable holiday experiences.
The Espresso Monaco runs as a special night train connecting Rome and Munich during the Christmas season. The route includes stops in Verona, Trento, Bolzano, Bressanone, Fortezza, Vipiteno/Sterzing, and Colle Isarco/Gossensass in Italy, continuing through Brennero/Brenner Pass, Innsbruck, and Kufstein in Austria before reaching Munich. Passengers can choose from couchettes, private sleeping cabins, or seated accommodations. The train features Christmas-themed dining, live music, decorations, and a bar, providing a festive atmosphere while travelling. This year, the train runs on two December weekends, departing Rome on December 5 and 12.
For a truly magical experience, the Santa Claus Express takes travellers from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, deep within the Arctic Circle. The overnight sleeper journey passes snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, with the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights. Stops along the route include Kolari and Kemijärvi, with Rovaniemi offering attractions such as Santa Claus Village and the Santa Claus Main Post Office, where visitors can send letters with a special Arctic Circle stamp.
Norway’s Bergen Railway provides a seven-hour journey from Oslo to Bergen, traversing 500km of dramatic winter scenery and about 180 tunnels. Passengers travel over the Handangervidda plateau, through high-altitude stations like Finse, and past ski resorts such as Geilo. The line offers first- and second-class seating, sleeper options, a cafe car, and wi-fi, with opportunities to spot wildlife including reindeer and Arctic foxes. Connections to the Flåm Railway offer an even more scenic descent into Norway’s fjords.
The Golden Eagle Danube Express caters to luxury travellers seeking a festive itinerary through Central Europe. Its Christmas Markets route links Budapest, Vienna, Salzburg, and Munich, combining five-star hotel stays, guided tours, horse-drawn carriage rides, folk concerts, and market visits. The train itself provides lavish accommodations with private en-suite cabins, panoramic windows, air conditioning, and butler-style service. Passengers can enjoy live music, cultural lectures, and gourmet dining on board.
Switzerland’s Glacier Express, known as the “slowest express train in the world,” travels eight hours from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The 291km route crosses 91 tunnels and 291 bridges, passing the Oberalp Pass, Rhine Gorge, and the Landwasser Viaduct. The train offers second, first, and Excellence class, with the latter providing five-course meals, regional wines, and digital infotainment.
These European winter and Christmas train journeys offer travellers the chance to combine scenic landscapes, festive celebrations, and luxurious accommodations, creating memories that last well beyond the holiday season.
