Monisha Rajesh

Having spent the last sixteen years travelling around the world by train, I knew that rail travel was going to have a renaissance as travellers become more aware of the climate crisis and the need to slow down and savour their surroundings. With two young children of my own, aged 8 and 6, I know that as the holidays approach, airports become crowded, the cost of flying soars, and the stress of the journey strips away the joy of going away. Below are six tried-and-tested journeys that are ideal for families looking to explore Europe via its railways, turning the journey into the destination. ➡️ READ MORE: Best European sleeper trains to ride in 2026 The best family train trips in Europe at a glance: ⛰️ Best views: Oslo to Trondheim, Norway 🌙 Best sleeper: London to Paris to Latour-de-Carol to Barcelona 🏖️ Best for a beach holiday: Marseille-Ventimiglia, France ✨ Best for family magic: Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Finland Monisha Rajesh is the author of Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train, published by Bloomsbury. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by experts across Europe. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  📍 Ultimate guide to what to do in Europe

Is there a more romantic way to travel than riding the rails? Trains changed how we travel, and the innate magic of watching landscapes unfold out of the window is difficult to beat. With climate change an ever-increasing threat and the long-overdue backlash against budget flights taking hold, the world’s railways have never been more enticing. Travelling by train is a brilliant way to see the world without worrying about causing irreparable damage. The best train journeys in the world are also beautiful, although those nine letters don’t do justice to the glory found here. This is the train travel Hall of Fame, a collection of journeys encompassing everything that makes this famous mode of exploration inspiring and exciting. Riding the rails is travel as it should be, and these routes are nomadic dreams come to life. RECOMMENDED: 🚂 The best train journeys in Europe🚅 The best train journeys in Asia🚉 The world’s most spectacular train stations