The Best Holiday Train Journeys Across Europe 🚆🎄

Rome to Munich: A Magical Overnight Journey 🎄

This December, Italy is adding extra sparkle to winter travel with the Espresso Monaco, a Christmas-themed night train connecting Rome and Munich, home to one of Europe’s most iconic Christmas markets.

Running on two weekends only (departing December 5 and 12 and returning December 7 and 14), the journey offers cozy sleeper cabins, festive décor, and onboard dining from FS Treni Turistici Italiani. Passengers can enjoy Christmas music, warm meals, and even a small holiday gift as they travel overnight through the Alps.

The Espresso Monaco leaves Roma Termini at 7:57 p.m., passing through Verona, Trento, and Bolzano before crossing into Austria and arriving in Munich at 1:00 p.m. the next day. By morning, you’re stepping off the train straight into Munich’s Christmas markets, mugs of glühwein in hand and the scent of roasted nuts in the air.

🎟️ Tickets available via FS Treni Turistici Italiani. Limited tickets remain, with a waitlist open for additional spots.

Rome to Tuscany: Enjoy a Ride on Italy’s Christmas Express 🎁

The L’Espresso Natale, or Christmas Express, turns a simple trip from Rome to Arezzo into a festive adventure all its own. Running every Sunday from November 30 to December 28, the train departs Rome’s Termini Station at 8:30 a.m. and winds through the hills of Lazio and Umbria, passing olive groves and hilltop villages dressed for the season.

Inside, the atmosphere feels like a moving holiday party. The carriages are strung with lights, Christmas music fills the air, and passengers sip espresso or hot chocolate in the dining car while kids unwrap small gifts from the crew. It’s cheerful, cozy, and unmistakably Italian.

By the time you roll into Arezzo around noon, the rhythm of the rails has already worked its charm. Spend the afternoon at the Tyrolean Christmas Market in Piazza Grande, where handmade ornaments, Santa’s House, and a LEGO Brick House await. When the train heads back to Rome at 5:30 p.m., you’ll be carrying not just souvenirs, but that perfect blend of warmth and winter magic only Italy can deliver.

🎟️ Tickets from €58 (about $63) at Ferrovia dei Parchi.

Helsinki to Lapland: The Santa Claus Express 🎅❄️

If there’s one train that defines Christmas, it’s Finland’s Santa Claus Express, a double-decker night train that travels from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa himself.

The 12-hour journey runs north through snow-covered forests and frozen lakes, arriving above the Arctic Circle by morning. Book a private sleeper cabin with a shower and wake up to a landscape straight out of a snow globe.

From Rovaniemi Station, you can head straight to Santa Claus Village, meet reindeer, or chase the Northern Lights. It’s equal parts cozy and magical, a bucket-list winter trip that feels like stepping into a real-life holiday movie.

🎟️ Tickets can be booked through the VR website

Paris to Strasbourg: France’s “Capital of Christmas” ✨

You can’t talk about Christmas trains without mentioning Strasbourg, home to France’s oldest and most famous Christmas market. Just two hours by TGV from Paris, the city transforms each December into a glowing maze of lights, timbered houses, and more than 300 wooden chalets.

This route is less about the train and more about the destination, but it’s still one of Europe’s best. Step off the platform and you’re just minutes from the Christkindelsmärik, a market that dates back to 1570. Between the pretzels, mulled wine, and carols echoing through the cathedral square, it’s everything you imagine a European Christmas to be.

🎟️ Tickets can be purchased via Omio

The Bernina Express: A Winter Wonderland Ride Through the Alps ❄️🚞

It might not be Christmas-themed, but what could feel more like Christmas than gliding through a snow-covered Alpine wonderland? The Bernina Express is one of Europe’s most breathtaking train journeys, linking Chur, Switzerland and Tirano, Italy across 55 tunnels and 196 bridges.

In winter, it’s pure magic. You’ll pass frozen lakes, mountain villages, and glacial valleys, all framed by panoramic windows that make you feel like you’re inside a snow globe. The route includes the stunning Landwasser Viaduct and the high-altitude Bernina Pass, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.

You won’t find Christmas carols or hot cocoa on board, but you’ll get something even better: an uninterrupted front-row seat to Europe’s most cinematic winter landscape.

🎟️ Tickets and schedules available via the Rhaetian Railway

Bonus: The Polar Express, London Edition 🚂✨

If you prefer your Christmas train experience with a dash of nostalgia, The Polar Express™ Train Ride in London is pure family magic. Departing from Euston Station, this immersive theatrical experience brings the beloved story to life with hot chocolate, cookies, and an appearance from Santa himself.

Passengers are encouraged to wear pajamas, hold up their “golden tickets,” and step right into the movie. It’s not a cross-country journey, but it’s packed with Christmas spirit, especially for kids (and nostalgic adults).

🎟️ Tickets available at The Polar Express London

From the snow-covered Alps to the streets of Strasbourg, Europe’s holiday trains capture everything that makes the season special: light, warmth, and a sense of wonder. Whether you’re sipping cocoa in a sleeper cabin or stepping into a market square glittering with lights, these routes prove that sometimes, the journey really is the destination.

FAQ: Planning Your European Christmas Train Trip

When should I book my Christmas train tickets?


Book as early as possible, especially for holiday-themed trains like the Espresso Monaco and Santa Claus Express. Many of these routes sell out weeks in advance.

Are sleeper cabins worth it?


Absolutely. Overnight routes like Rome to Munich or Helsinki to Rovaniemi are designed for comfort, with private cabins that turn travel time into part of the vacation.

Do these trains include meals?


Most long-distance routes have dining or bar cars offering full meals, snacks, or drinks. The Christmas routes often add festive touches like hot chocolate or seasonal treats.

What’s the best route for families?


The Santa Claus Express in Finland and The Polar Express in London are perfect for kids and families. Both combine magic, comfort, and plenty of photo opportunities with Santa.

Can I use a Eurail or Interrail Pass?


Yes, many routes (including Paris to Strasbourg and Rome to Munich) are covered by Eurail and Interrail passes, though you’ll need to pay small reservation fees for sleepers or special trains.

Is there a “best” time to go?


For fewer crowds and better prices, aim for early December. You’ll still catch all the Christmas markets but avoid the busiest holiday weekends.