With so many countries to explore – each offering vastly different landscapes and scenery – Europe almost seems custom-made for train travel. So it’s little wonder that the continent is covered in a huge network of brilliant railways, most of which are affordable and easy to navigate. From routes along the Alpine slopes of Switzerland to Italian coastal villages, we've ranked the continent's most beautiful train rides. While any such list is naturally subjective, we hope the expert opinion of our well-travelled team will inspire your next rail adventure.

Click through the gallery to discover our favourite European train journeys...