Foliage Trains: The Most Spectacular Journeys in Italy and Europe
To experience the magic of foliage in all its splendor, you don't even need to get behind the wheel: just hop aboard a panoramic train. From the Italian Alps to the forests of Central Europe, the tracks traverse landscapes that in autumn transform into living canvases , painted in red, orange, and gold.
The views from the window become even more intense, with woods fading into the lake, valleys shimmering in the October sun, and mountains glowing like silent fires. It's the slowest, most sustainable, and most romantic way to immerse yourself in the most colorful season of the year, but which foliage trains should you choose? Here, we've selected what we consider the best and most beautiful to take in the coming months!
Foliage Train, Domodossola-LocarnoThe Foliage Train connecting Domodossola to Locarno is a timeless classic : 52 kilometers along the Vigezzo Valley and Centovalli, through forests that seem to blaze with yellow and red in autumn. The windows open onto suspended viaducts and deep gorges , with stops in picturesque villages . The journey takes about two hours, and from October to early November , Trenitalia and the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway offer special "Foliage" tickets that also include stops and local activities.
The first Foliage Train departs on October 11, 2025 , and the last departure is scheduled for November 16. Prices vary depending on the day: we recommend checking the fares on the official website.
Renon Railway, South TyrolIn South Tyrol , the little red Renon train seems to have stepped out of a fairytale: when the woods are tinged with yellow and orange, its passage through pastures and mountain villages becomes pure magic. The line was inaugurated on August 13, 1907 , and thanks to a spectacular rack railway, it departed from the center of Bolzano and climbed up to the Renon plateau, overcoming an altitude difference of over a thousand meters.
The route, just 6.8 kilometers long and about 20 minutes long, offers unique views of the Dolomites, which in autumn are illuminated by golden larches and vineyards in seasonal change. Along the way, you can disembark to plan walks, such as the evocative Freud Promenade, dedicated to the father of psychoanalysis, who stayed in Collalbo in the summer of 1911, or to visit the Maso Plattner Beekeeping Museum. Tickets cost €5 for a single ride and €8 for a return trip.
Trans-Siberian Railway of Italy, Sulmona-IserniaNicknamed the " Trans-Siberian Railway of Italy " for the beauty of the mountain landscapes it traverses, the Sulmona-Isernia line was inaugurated in 1897 and reaches an altitude of 1,268 meters at Rivisondoli-Pescocostanzo, one of the highest stations in Italy . In autumn, the historic train of the FS Foundation crosses plateaus dotted with chestnut groves , valleys ablaze with foliage , and small villages in Abruzzo and Molise.
The journey takes about three hours , with no daily departures, but with special departures organized on weekends from September to November. Tickets must be booked online well in advance: on average, the price is around 35-45 euros for adults and 20-25 euros for children.
View this post on Instagram
Traveling on the Nature Train is more than just a railway experience, it's a true immersion in the traditions and flavors of Tuscany . Aboard the vintage carriages , the slow pace of the train guides your gaze across vineyards, cypress trees, and hills that glow with warm hues in autumn. Once you arrive in Abbadia San Salvatore , the day continues with tastings, markets, and stands dedicated to typical seasonal products, from chestnuts to new wine.
In addition to food and wine events, you can explore the village's historical and cultural roots: from the imposing Benedictine abbey to the fascinating Mining Museum Park. Adult admission is €42 .
Bernina Express, Switzerland-ItalyA UNESCO World Heritage Site , the Rhaetian Railway, inaugurated in 1908, is a masterpiece of Alpine engineering: in just over four hours, it connects Tirano to St. Moritz, passing through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. In autumn, while the glaciers shimmer above the peaks, the forests at the foot of the mountains light up in spectacular yellow and red, creating a spectacular contrast.
The Bernina Express 's panoramic carriages allow you to fully experience this spectacle, with famous stops such as the Brusio spiral viaduct and Lago Bianco. Tickets can be purchased online and must be booked in advance, especially during the peak months of October. Prices vary, and can be found on the official website.
West Highland Line, ScotlandConsidered one of the most spectacular railways in the world, the West Highland Line offers a film-like journey through Scotland 's most beautiful landscapes. The line, inaugurated in 1894, departs from bustling Glasgow and, mile after mile, gives way to increasingly wild scenery : golden moors stretching to the horizon, lakes that reflect the sky like mirrors, and mountains that turn red and copper in autumn. The most famous stretch is undoubtedly the one that crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct , immortalized by the Harry Potter films , but every bend in the route holds a new surprise, from the fishing villages on Loch Linnhe to the rugged coastline that opens towards the islands of the Hebrides.
The entire journey to Mallaig takes about five hours and is operated by ScotRail, with daily departures year-round. In autumn, however, the magic intensifies : the low, golden light enhances the colors of the foliage and creates a unique contrast with the deep waters of the lochs. Tickets cost around €25, an affordable price for an experience that's as good as a nature hike. From Mallaig, you can also continue your adventure by taking a ferry to the Isle of Skye, completing a perfect itinerary of nature and legend.
Flåmsbana, NorwayConsidered one of Europe's most spectacular railways, the Flåmsbana opened in 1940 to connect Myrdal station to the Aurland Fjord. In just 20 kilometers, which takes about an hour to complete, the train makes a dizzying descent through waterfalls, forests, and valleys that are tinged with ochre and copper in autumn, before opening onto the fairytale landscape of the fjord.
Along the way, you can go on short hikes or admire the mighty Kjosfossen waterfall . Tickets are easily purchased online and cost around 60 euros .
