Win a copy of Platform Europe + an Interrail Pass! (closed)

I would love to travel the West Highland Line in Scotland! Must be such an amazing scenery!

I first bought my Inter Rail train pass in 1985. Travelling for 1 month across everywhere in Europe, I came across the Geneva, Nyon, Morges, then onwards to Vevey and Clarens via Montreux to Villeneuve line in Switzerland.

Using a regional “slow” train it was perhaps the greatest train ride of my life.

If I win this pass, I would like to go back there, travel the full length again for one last time.

I loved my winter Interrail trip through Sweden and Norway. The night train from Stockholm to Narvik was especially magical. We woke up to a beautiful winter wonderland and spent the whole morning gazing out the train window in awe. From Narvik, we took a bus all the way to the stunning Lofoten Islands. ☃️🩵

Personally I really enjoyed the little old school red train that drives up the steep hills of the Tatra mountains in Slovakia, all the way up to the beautiful mountain lake of Štrbské Pleso. Not only a trip along spectacular views, but also back in time :)

My favourite journey so far was the scenic ride from Vienna to Venice, I had a great time! My dream is to ride the Bernina Express during the snowy season.

My favorite train ride was not in Europe but in an ex-soviet style train through Uzbekistan from Taschkent to Samarkand. We sat 3 people on one bench no air conditioning, and no lights when the train stopped for half an hour so the bugs would fly on less often. 

My favorite train ride was not in Europe but in an ex-soviet style train through Uzbekistan from Taschkent to Samarkand. We sat 3 people on one bench no air conditioning, and no lights when the train stopped for half an hour so the bugs would fly on less often. 

I haven’t been on much trains, but taking the train from Budapest to Vienna completely changed my view on trains. Such a convenient and stress-free way to travel across Europe. I would do it all again and hopefully take more trains around Europe. 

It’s a hard choice. I think my dream slow‑travel route is the Oslo to Bergen railway. I love the idea of crossing forests, frozen lakes, and high mountain plateaus all in one journey. It’s the kind of route where you can just sit back, breathe, and watch Norway unfold outside the window.

I loved the train ride along the south coast of France from Marseille to Genoa!

My favorit slow train journey would be from Zagreb to Rijeka. We started the morning early in a very nice train with aircon. Thinking this was the train we had a good journey ahead. Not 30 min later. The everybody got out of the train and with some people who didn’t really speak English we followed. Into a bus we went, no clue where. Another 30 min later we came to another train station. Here we went into another train. This one was not as luxerious as the last one, instead of aircon we had arko (alle ramen kunnen open, dutch for all windows can open). And some nice fans. But the journey we took next was amazing. First through some little village we otherwise would not have seen. Through some mountains with some nice views and in the end we came over a mountain and there was the sea. First very small in the distance, but getting closer and closer until we arrived at our destination. 

All rides near a lake are wonderful! I.e. the one from Geneva to Martigny along the Leman Lake

Von Oslo nach Bergen/Flam. Wunderschöne Natur mit Wasserfällen

Oh my, it has to be the Caledonian Sleeper London - Fort William. Leaving London calling at dark empty stations to pick up one or two passengers here and there as I have a drink in the bar and maybe something to eat - with tatties haggis and neeps on the menu always. Then try to get a bit of sleep. The train divides at Edinburgh - the jolt might wake you up.  It then works its way to Glasgow and then starts the journey north - 5 stops over 4 hours. There’s a sense that something is different but when the sun starts to rise - smack - it hits you in the face - you’re right there up close and in the Scottish Highlands.This moment brings tears to my eyes - it’s happening just now as I write about it. The station names, now familiar, inlcude, Upper Tyndrum - yes there is a lower one, Crianlarich, Corrour. On clear days fantastic views over the mountains, the horseshoe curve between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy seems magical, the remoteness of Rannoch Moor and the views of The Ben as you approach Fort Willam.

I want to travel on the Belgrade-Bar sleeper next. I’m told the scenery through the mountains is stunning, but it does stress me out not being able to reserve online! 

One of my favourite train trips was the Bernina Express in Switzerland because of the views and the stunning nature

My wish is to travel through Scandinavia (Norway and/or Sweden, Finland), Estonia, Latvia, Lituania.

Bonjour,  cela fait plusieurs années que j aimerais visiter la slovènie. Cela semble magnifique et accessible en train notamment de nuit !

Summer 2025, we and our daughters bought ourselves 4 new backpacks and headed off around 13 countries across Europe with our Interail 30 day pass, we smoothly transitioned from the Swiss alps to Annecy in France then up through Belgium, Nederlands, and the glorious night train from vibrant Amsterdam across to majestic Vienna which allowed us the chance to watch the mist over the fields and  the sun rising over historic houses within the expansive landscapes and rivers, with a nice flask of hot chocolate in hand. The silver individual sleeper booths were very exciting for our daughters, was a fantastic family experience. We learned that most people use wheeled luggage these days,  much to our 7 year old twins consternation. Then we were moving on to Germany, and into Scandinavia. What a beautiful opportunity,and the next journey we hope will be be to Interrail around Italy, and this time we will ditch the backpacks for more modered wheeled hand luggage. 

My favorite travel was from Ljubljana to Brussels.

Especially those parts of the way where raintracks “meet” the river Rhine. 

So many great comments -- we loved the Flam & Bernina routes, such scenery.  But I’ll suggest a trip we did some years ago, New York down to Miami, lots of possible stops, we chose Philly, Washington, Charleston & Savannah, great history and architecture.  

BUT -- PLEASE NOTE ---   nobody should travel to the States as long as the Lunatic Orange Baboon is still President !!

The Douro valley from Porto to Pocinho takes some beating - beautiful scenery, proper trains with opening windows and the Portuguese climate.

The train from Hamburg to Budapest is one of those underrated slow-travel routes. You really notice the gradual shift in landscapes and cultures as you cross Central Europe, which you’d completely miss by flying. Once, my friends and I actually missed our flight and had to take this train instead. It felt like a backup plan at first, but it turned into one of the best parts of the trip; playing cards, meeting new people, and just enjoying the journey. It made us realize that slower travel often creates the better memories.

My dream Interrail route would be:

Vienna → Salzburg → Innsbruck → Zürich → Lucerne → Interlaken → Milan → Venice.

I would love to experience Europe changing through the train window: from imperial cities and Austrian alpine villages, to Swiss lakes and mountain peaks, and finally arriving in Italy with its sunshine, food and history.

The most magical part would be crossing the Alps by rail, watching snowy summits, tunnels, waterfalls and green valleys pass by without rushing through airports.

We’re celebrating the release of Platform Europe, the latest book written by our longtime friend Bart Giepmans. Bart is an author, travel journalist, photographer and a passionate advocate for exploring Europe by train.

He is a true champion of slow travel and spends much of the year discovering Europe by rail, embracing historic stations, meaningful encounters and the stories found along the tracks. He wrote and photographed most of the journeys featured in Platform Europe!

😍Win a copy of Bart’s beautiful book AND a FREE Interrail Global Pass (7 days in 1 month)!

Participation is open to all persons 16+ living in Europe. The giveaway ends on 28 April 2026 at 12 pm CET. Five winners will be randomly selected and contacted via the community DM on 28 April 2026. The winners will receive 1x Interrail Global Pass for 7 travel days within 1 month (2nd class) and 1x Platform Europe book. The book will be shipped free of charge.

📄 Read the full Terms & Conditions, here.

How to enter the giveaway

Whether you are an experienced rail traveller or still dreaming about your first trip:

💬 Tell us your favourite slow travel train route – or the train journey that's next on your wishlist – and why.

Share your answer in the comments below to enter the giveaway👇

My favorite journey is München to Bologna. You simply can’t beat the views!