UK Leads The Way In Europe’s Scenic Rail Experiences

• The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways, located in Porthmadog, has the third-highest rating.
  
• England dominates the rankings with five railways in the top 10 most beautiful European train journeys.
  
• The Vale of Rheidol Railway ranks eighth, with an average rating of 4.60 out of 5.
  

New research has identified the most beautiful train journeys across Europe, with the Kyle Line in Scotland achieving the highest average rating. 

The study, conducted by FruityKing, analysed rating data from thousands of passenger reviews to determine which European train journeys offer the most scenic routes for travellers. 

According to the findings, the Kyle Line from Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh in Scotland ranks as the highest-rated journey with an impressive 4.72 out of 5 average rating, though from a relatively modest 332 reviews. The route takes passengers through the Scottish Highlands with views of mountains, lochs, and villages. 

The Isle of Man Steam Railway secured second place with an equally impressive 4.71 out of 5 average rating from 1,327 reviews. This Victorian railway operates with some of the original locomotives and carriages from the 1870s, offering passengers a historic journey across the island. 

In third position, the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways in Wales achieved a 4.69 out of 5 average rating from 5,012 reviews. These historic narrow-gauge steam railways wind through Snowdonia National Park, offering mountain views and coastal scenery. 

The West Somerset Railway in England follows closely with a 4.68 out of 5 average rating from 2,772 reviews. As the longest heritage railway in England, it passes through the beautiful Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel coastline. 

Switzerland‘s Bernina Express rounds out the top five with a 4.67 out of 5 average rating from the highest number of reviews, 5,424. This world-famous route crosses the Swiss Alps through stunning mountain passes and over peaks and valleys. 

The Top 10 Most Beautiful Train Journeys in Europe 

Rank	Name	Location	Review Count	Average Rating
1	Kyle Line (Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh)	Scotland	332	4.72
2	Isle of Man Steam Railway	Isle of Man	1,327	4.71
3	Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways	Wales	5,012	4.69
4	West Somerset Railway	England	2,772	4.68
5	Bernina Express	Switzerland	5,424	4.67
=6	Venice Simplon-Orient-Express	England	904	4.61
=6	Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway	England	2,081	4.61
=6	Gotthard Panorama Express	Switzerland	119	4.61
7	Swanage Railway	England	3,336	4.64
8	Vale of Rheidol Railway	Wales	1,348	4.60
9	The Bergen Railway	Norway	2,792	4.59
=10	Settle-Carlisle Railway	England	782	4.57
=10	Inlandsbanan	Sweden	104	4.57

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, starting in England, secured sixth place with a 4.61 out of 5 average rating from 904 reviews. This luxury train journey uses restored 1920s carriages and gives passengers fine dining experiences.  

Also sharing sixth place is the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway in England and the Gotthard Panorama Express in Switzerland, both with 4.61 out of 5 average ratings from 2,081 and 119 reviews respectively.  

The Swanage Railway in England achieved seventh place with a 4.64 out of 5 average rating from 3,336 reviews. This preserved steam railway runs through the beautiful Isle of Purbeck in Dorset along a six-mile route. 

The Vale of Rheidol Railway, located in Wales, is a narrow-gauge heritage railway that opened in 1902 and gives travellers views of waterfalls and woodlands. The railway ranked eighth, with an average rating of 4.60 out of 5 from 1,348 reviews. 

The Bergen Railway, in Norway, secured ninth place with a 4.59 out of 5 average rating from 2,792 reviews. The Bergen Railway travels from Oslo to Bergen across mountainous terrain, fjords, and high plateaus. 

Completing the top ten with a shared average rating of 4.57 out of 5, is the Settle-Carlisle Railway in England and Sweden‘s Inlandsbanan.   

The Settle-Carlisle Railway is a historic route that runs 72 miles between North Yorkshire and Cumbria. Inlandsbanan is a seasonal train that runs through the Swedish wilderness and offers passengers the chance to view the midnight sun during summer months.  

The study also identified the lower-rated scenic train journeys among those analysed. 

The Weardale Railway in England scored a 3.77 out of 5 average rating based on 568 reviews. This heritage railway in County Durham runs through the scenic Wear Valley and is a nostalgic steam and diesel train experience. 

Le Train Jaune in France received a 3.84 out of 5 average rating from 1,068 reviews. Despite its lower position in the rankings, this bright yellow train running through the Pyrenees Mountains remains a popular tourist attraction due to its unique appearance and mountain views. 

The Glacier Express in Switzerland received a 3.99 out of 5 average rating from 1,806 reviews. Although lower in the rankings, it’s marketed as the world’s slowest express train and offers spectacular views of the Swiss Alps during its 8-hour journey. 

The Llanberis Lake Railway in Wales achieved a 4.05 out of 5 average rating from 926 reviews. This narrow-gauge heritage railway runs along the shores of Llyn Padarn in Snowdonia, offering views of Mount Snowdon. 

Italy’s Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway received a 4.12 out of 5 average rating from 901 reviews. Passengers can experience scenic views on this railway, which travels between Domodossola in Italy and Locarno in Switzerland. 

The Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland scored a 4.13 out of 5 average rating from 4,609 reviews. Despite its lower position in the ratings, this journey has gained worldwide fame as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, crossing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. 

The 10 Lowest-Rated Train Journeys in Europe 

Rank	Name	Location	Review Count	Average Rating
1	Weardale Railway	England	568	3.77
2	Le Train Jaune	France	1,068	3.84
3	Glacier Express	Switzerland	1,806	3.99
4	Llanberis Lake Railway	Wales	926	4.05
5	Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway	Italy	901	4.12
6	Jacobite Steam Train	Scotland	4,609	4.13
=7	The Flam Railway	Norway	5,077	4.19
=7	Brecon Mountain Railway	Wales	1,545	4.19
9	Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway	England	1,329	4.34
9	Churnet Valley Railway	England	1,041	4.36
=10	Londonderry – Coleraine Railway	Northern Ireland	117	4.38
=10	Lynton & Barnstaple Railway	England	606	4.38

The Flam Railway in Norway and the Brecon Mountain Railway in Wales share a 4.19 out of 5 average rating from 5,077 reviews and 1,545 reviews, respectively.  

The Lakeside & Haverthwaite Steam Railway in England scored a 4.34 out of 5 average rating from 1,329 reviews. Following closely behind is the Churnet Valley Railway in England, receiving a 4.36 out of 5 average rating from 1,041 reviews. The railway offers historic steam and diesel locomotives that run through the Staffordshire Moorlands. 

Londonderry – Coleraine Railway and Lynton & Barnstaple Railway complete the top ten with a 4.38 out of 5 average rating. The Londonderry – Coleraine Railway travels through the countryside of Northern Ireland and the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway has been running through the Exmoor National Park since 1898.  

A spokesperson for FruityKing commented on the findings:  

“It is clear that travellers value breathtaking views and unique train experiences when choosing a train journey in Europe. The Kyle Line’s top rating reflects its stunning journey through the Scottish Highlands, where passengers are treated to incredible views of mountains and lochs. 

“The research also shows that UK railways dominate the rankings, with England, Scotland, and Wales collectively accounting for 20 of the 30 journeys analysed. Switzerland also stands out as a key destination for scenic train travel, with three routes placing in the top ten.” 
With thanks to https://www.fruityking.co.uk/ for sharing this story.