Ben Bromley, Guest Travel Writer
Introduction
You watch snowflakes drift slowly past the window, whilst a steaming pot of tea rests on the table beside you. You are aware of the rhythmic clatter of wheels on the tracks but it doesn’t annoy you. The opposite in fact, it’s soothing.
Whilst the modern world now has jumbo jets, self-driving cars and even commercial spaceships, there’s something timeless about train travel. People are now coming to see train travel for what it really is: an experience more than just a means of getting from A to B.
Slow and scenic train rides are having a moment, from the United States and Canada to Europe. Best booked in winter, these romantic train journeys make a great couples vacation, allowing you to escape the bustle of cities and appreciate life in the countryside.
The Art of Slow Travel by Train
Slow travel isn’t about how far you go and ticking off as many destinations as possible. It’s taking the time to really appreciate the places you’re passing through. Cottagecore has taken the internet by storm recently, the romanticization of simple, rural life. And slow winter travel through an undeveloped countryside aboard a train is about as ideal as it gets for those interested in this aesthetic.
In winter especially, when so many people are frantically preparing for the holiday season, countryside train travel offers a unique kind of vacation.
About Ben
https://benbromley.journoportfolio.com
Ben is a full time travel writer and marketer from Stratford Upon Avon, UK.
On the one hand he loves nothing more than exploring new places and enjoying unique experiences, but he’s also very happy with a golden beach and a Pina Colada!
Depending on the length of your journey, you don’t need to bring much with you. A warm woolen blanket, a thermos to fill with your hot drink of choice (or soup!), a good book and some snacks will see you through. If planning to get off and explore some of the wintery stops then bring warm clothing and a good camera, plus room in your bag for a souvenir or two.
Romantic Rail Journeys Through Winter Countryside
Canada: VIA Rail’s Journey to Jasper
The Canadian Rockies in winter offer one of the best train vacations for travelers. A land of towering, snow-capped peaks, frozen lakes and pine forests bent under the weight of snow. VIA Rail’s The Canadian line runs all the way from Toronto to Vancouver, a distance of more than 4,400 kilometers lasting 4 nights.
Breaking the journey down, the section from Edmonton to Jasper offers the perfect way to explore the wintery Rockies. During a journey lasting approximately 6.5 hours, you can settle into your seat as the train winds between mountain passes and through some of the world’s most beautiful scenery. This scenery is best enjoyed from the Skyline car with its panoramic dome, access of which is granted to Economy class passengers. From here, meals and drinks are served as you watch the world pass you by. The journey ends in Jasper, a small alpine town where nature still rules.
United States: Amtrak’s Vermonter
Gliding out of Washington D.C., Philadelphia or New York and through Connecticut’s frozen landscapes and over Vermont’s covered bridges, Amtrak’s Vermonter route is one of the best romantic train journeys for couples, and easily accessed from the American capital.
Scenic train rides stop in tiny towns like White River Junction (VT) and Windsor Locks (CT), where you’re free to hop on and off to explore candlelit inns and historic general stores. The rural, winter scenery of New England is the epitome of cottagecore and offers fantastic slow travel ideas. This Amtrak route is also very accessible to travelers thanks to its pick up stations along some of the USA’s main east coast cities.
Italy & Switzerland: The Bernina Express
When it comes to European winter train trips, the Bernina Express is the clear favorite. Journeying through the Alps between Chur in Switzerland and Tirano in northern Italy, this UNESCO-listed red train has been running for more than a century.
The route ascends to an altitude of 2,253 meters, the highest altitude a train can reach in Europe. The train bores through tunnels and across bridges that defy physics, all set against the backdrop of the towering peaks of the Alps.
In winter, the experience is enhanced further, as panoramic windows capture views of frozen lakes and undisturbed snowdrifts. The red color of the train contrasts beautifully against this winter wonderland backdrop.
FreePic, frimufilms
Norway: The Nordland Line
Passing through 729 kilometers of what can only be described as scenery on steroids, the Nordland Line is the longest single railway line in Norway, connecting Trondheim to Bodø across the Arctic Circle itself. Herds of reindeer scatter as the train clatters through the landscape, sea eagles swoop overhead and if you’re exceedingly lucky, the Northern Lights put on a show during the long winter nights.
The route crosses 293 bridges, chugs through 154 tunnels and past frozen fjords, red fishing huts, and endless pines bowed under frost. The entire journey takes about 10 hours, which is plenty of time to sit back and relax.
Need More Ideas?
These are just a few ideas for slow travel by train. There are countless options available if you’re planning slow train travel in winter, and the best place to look is online. Start with national rail operators like VIA Rail, or with tourist boards such as Visit Norway.
Some other options to consider in Europe include the Flamsbana in Norway, Austria’s Semmering Railway and the West Highland line in Scotland, UK. In North America, the Winter Park Express from Denver passes though incredible winter terrain, whilst Alaska is the king of winter train travel, with the route from Anchorage to Fairbanks plunging through some of North America’s most pristine wilderness.
Conclusion
The warmth of a comfortable train carriage and a hot mug of tea as the inhospitable winter rages outside offers the ultimate comfort. Slow travel also helps you to truly immerse yourself in a destination and to see a side of a country that is easy to miss if you just fly from one city to another.
In a world where everyone is always rushing, there’s a simple joy to slowing down and watching the world go by. Go one step further, switch your phone off for winter train trips, TikTok will still be there when you arrive.
