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Innsbruck, Austria. Photography: Anna Rosar.

All aboard ‘The Alpine Belle’

By Tiffany West

As a very young girl, I used to travel from Sydney to Melbourne on ‘The Southern Aurora’ – now, for some unknown reason, called the ‘XPT’. I adored this journey to visit my grandparents, and to this day, as the grand old train sped south, and the ‘gang gang gang gang’ of the level crossing warning bells whizzed past my sleeper window, I think I may have enjoyed the best night’s sleep I’ve ever had.

There’s something magical about travelling by train. You settle into your seat (which magically later becomes your bed), the world racing past your window – towns, pastures, mountains, and rivers – all intersected by miles and miles of sleepers, rail, and ballast that workers toiled in all-weather to bring to fruition. For the solo traveller, it’s freedom made effortless. There’s no traffic, airport dramas, or flight delays – just time to truly relax and think, read, or strike up a conversation with a stranger in the dining car.

Train travel throughout Europe offers a seamless blend of comfort, connection, and discovery. With an extensive rail network linking major cities and remote towns alike, it’s one of the easiest and most scenic ways to move across the continent. Whether gliding through the Alps or crossing borders overnight, every journey feels like part of the adventure itself.

Cruise Express has launched a new tour exploring Europe’s mountains and lakes by train offering guests the chance to experience one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys in the old-world glamour evoked by heritage train travel.

Starting in London with the Eurostar and travelling across Germany and Austria on the luxurious ‘Alpine Belle’, the 14-day scenic rail adventure takes in the glittering lakes and towering peaks of central Europe from the comfort and style of modern and heritage trains.

Train enthusiasts will enjoy being transported by steam locomotive 01 1104 through the Appenzell Alps.

Departing London on 31 May 2026, the 14-day Alpine Belle Steam Spectacular tour is the chance to traverse some of the most scenic railway lines in the world as the Alpine Belle weaves its way through the Alps, with time to explore Lake Constance, Innsbruck, and Salzburg.

Train enthusiasts will enjoy being transported by steam locomotive 01 1104 through the Appenzell Alps, and a vintage electric locomotive through the Klostertal Valley and Arlbergtunnel, as well as the chance to dine in salon cars styled like the legendary ‘Orient Express’ and 1960s dining coaches.

Left: The Alpine Belle’s 5 Star Salon Bleu; and the Alpine Belle’s Diamant Bar.

Cruise Express Managing Director Meg Hill said the new itinerary was created following the success of the Harz Mountain Steam Spectacular, which departed earlier this year and proved popular with Australian travellers. “Australians are enamoured with train travel and Europe offers some of the best,” Meg told The Solo Traveller. “There is no better way to take in the spectacular beauty of the Alps than on a train, weaving through tunnels and viaducts, skirting the shores of stunning lakes, and careering over jaw-dropping mountain passes in comfort and style. This exciting new rail tour offers a variety of train trips ranging from the Eurostar to a steam locomotive, presenting the ultimate way to explore one of Europe’s most scenic regions in 2026”.

You can find out more about touring onboard ‘The Alpine Belle’ here.

Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.