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World's Most Scenic Train Rides
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Semmering Railway, Austria
Departing from Gloggnitz, the hour-long Semmering crosses the Austrian Alps’ Semmering Pass to Mürzzuschlag. Completed in 1854—before the age of dynamite and tunnel-drilling machines—it passes over 16 viaducts and through 14 tunnels, all carved by hand into the rock. It’s one of the masterpieces of civil engineering from the pioneering days of railway building.
Train Trivia: The railway is legendary in numismatics: it is featured on many coveted collector coins and medals, including the 25 Euro 150 Years Semmering Alpine Railway commemorative coin.
Insider Tip: Check out the Südbahn railway culture museum in Mürzzuschlag to learn more about the railway’s history and innovative engineering. The old-fashioned carriage-style café offers coffee, pastries, Ghega beer, and Südbahn wine.
One-way tickets from $13.
