Ever wondered about the most scenic train rides in Germany? Here you will find out!
Most Scenic Train Rides In Germany
Why not take one of the most scenic train rides in Germany instead of traveling by car during your next vacation? Your trip is likely to be memorable thanks to the beautiful routes you can enjoy. Whether you ride through the Fichtelberg, travel from Munich to Neuschwanstein Castle, or follow the Putbus to Gohren on the Railway of Rügen, the views are unforgettable.
Here you’ll find the 7 Most Scenic Train Rides in Germany. The list below will make you want to jump on one of Germany’s trains.
Train Rides in Germany: from Munich to the Most famous Castle
Neuschwanstein, one of the most famous castles in the world, can be reached by taking a scenic train trip from Munich, just 91 kilometres away. The journey to Füssen feels like travelling through a postcard, with rolling hills, tiny villages, and endless meadows.
No matter how prepared you are, your heart will skip a beat when you first see Neuschwanstein Castle set against the Bavarian Alps. Sit on the left side of the train for the best view on the way.
You can’t stay inside the castle, but you can book a room at the Villa Ludwig Suite Hotel just down the hill. It offers stunning castle views the moment you open your curtains in the morning.
Hollentalbahn: A scenic train ride from Freiburg im Breisgau to Donaueschingen
Despite its name—“Hell Valley Railway”—the Hollentalbahn offers a truly heavenly experience through the Black Forest. The ride takes about 1.5 hours, following the Dreisam river valley along dramatic landscapes.
The route climbs from 278 to 885 meters, making it one of the steepest train lines in Germany. The highlight is crossing the 40-meter-high Ravenna Bridge over the Ravenna Gorge. If you don’t want to rush back, stay at Flair Hotel Grüner Baum on the edge of town. It’s just minutes from the Danube’s headwaters and offers various room options and an on-site restaurant.
Scenic Train Ride from Cologne to Mainz in Germany’s wine region
Make sure you get a good seat to enjoy the Rhine Valley’s breathtaking scenery. The route takes about one hour and forty minutes to cover 139 kilometres. You can also stop in the charming town of Koblenz if you have time. Views of the Rhine, dotted with rocks and ships, are spectacular from your window.
This route is one of the most exciting in the country, passing postcard-worthy villages and hills topped with ancient castles. To get the best views from Cologne to Mainz, sit on the left side of the train (and the right side if you’re travelling in the opposite direction).
Mainz is worth a stay. It’s Germany’s wine capital and a lively university town. Visit its beautiful cathedrals, stroll through the old town, and stay a night or two at the me and all hotel Mainz in the city center.
Scenic Munich to Mittenwald
A great day trip from Munich is the 81-kilometre train ride to Mittenwald, one of Germany’s most beautiful mountain villages. The journey takes around one hour and 51 minutes. Along the way, enjoy classic Bavarian scenery: snow-capped peaks, small towns, and rolling green fields. In winter, the landscape turns into a snowy wonderland.
For accommodation, book a room at the Post Hotel Mittenwald. When you’re not exploring, relax in the indoor pool and spa, designed in traditional Bavarian style. The hotel is just a short walk from the town center.
Train from Konstanz to Offenburg
Traveling from the lakeside city of Konstanz to the Black Forest by train is an unforgettable experience. The 129-kilometre journey takes about three hours and 55 minutes. Shortly after leaving Konstanz, you’ll see sweeping pine forests, lush meadows, and small villages as the landscape shifts into the Black Forest.
The route passes through the beautiful town of Triberg and crosses the impressive Hornberg Viaduct. In Offenburg, stay at the Mercure Hotel Offenburg am Messeplatz. It’s close to the station and has an indoor pool for a relaxing morning swim.
The Harz Steam Railway, also known as the Brockenbahn
This historic steam ride is reason enough to visit the Harz Mountains. The Brocken Railway departs from Drei Annen Hohne and winds through Harz National Park to Brocken, the range’s highest peak at 1,141 meters.
The trip is only 19 kilometres long, but the dramatic mountain scenery makes it unforgettable.
Three Lakes Railway: Scenic Ride from Freiburg im Breisgau to Seebrugg
While riding the Hollentalbahn, you can continue all the way to Donaueschingen or switch at Titisee to the Dreiseebahn—the Three Lakes Railway—and travel south instead.
This route crosses three well-known Black Forest lakes: Titisee, Windgfallweiher, and Schluchsee. That’s where the railway gets its name. After leaving Titisee, you’ll enjoy uninterrupted views of Parental (Bear Valley). The highest point, Feldberg-Parental station at 967 meters, offers spectacular scenery. The journey takes about one hour to cover 19 kilometres.
Trains depart Freiburg every hour, so it’s easy to buy tickets on the spot. If you want time to explore Freiburg and its charming old town, arrive a day early and stay at The Alex, a stylish boutique hotel just five minutes from the main station.
It’s hard to find another country that matches Germany for scenic train rides. From the Bavarian Alps to the romantic Rhineland and the peaceful Danube valley, Germany offers routes for every traveler. On a train trip through the country, there truly is something for everyone.
