One Of Europe's Longest International Train Routes Offers Scenic Cross-Border Travel

Europe is filled with extravagantly scenic long-distance train journeys. From the elegant, romantic, Golden Age stylings of the Orient Express to the staggeringly beautiful mountain landscapes seen from the window of the Bernina Express in Switzerland, there are fabulous rail routes almost everywhere you turn. Traveling by train is one of the most glamorous ways to explore Europe, and in an age when life seems to be moving faster and faster every day, taking the time to slow down, watch the world go by, and enjoy the journey has never been more important or more valuable.

But while trains like the Flying Scotsman, the Glacier Express, and the Train des Pignes might be famous, there are plenty of other routes that are less well-known but equally exciting and picturesque. One of the most interesting train rides to take in Europe is the Optima Express, one of the longest regularly scheduled routes on the continent, and one of a vanishingly small number of ways to easily travel through the Balkans.

The Optima Express runs from Villach in Austria to Edirne in Turkey. The route spans almost 900 miles and crosses six different countries over the course of a journey that takes between 32 and 37 hours. It is the epitome of slow travel and not for anyone in a hurry or with an important connection to make! Villach is a small city in southern Austria, near the border with Italy and Slovenia, best known as a base for ski vacations. Edirne is an even less heralded spot, tucked away in the northwest of Turkey near the Greek and Bulgarian borders.

Even though travellers might never have heard of either Villach or Edirne, the Optima Express is one of the best sleeper train trips in Europe and a genuinely off-the-beaten-track experience. It is a fantastic way to get under the skin of some of Europe's less well-known countries and discover the stunning beauty and fascinating culture of the Balkans. Starting out in Villach, it is worth exploring a little before boarding your train. The town is charming, with a beautiful church and some exceptional mountain landscapes. The nearby Faaker See and Osiacher See lakes are a big draw, while the modern thermal baths just outside of town are a great way to relax. 

The train sets off in the evening, and the journey through Slovenia and Croatia takes place mostly at night. You'll see the dark, looming shapes of the Karawanks mountains pass by through your window at the beginning of the trip, but not much more. The train arrives at Tovarnik on the border of Croatia and Serbia at around 7:30 a.m. the following day, before moving on to Šid in Serbia. Here, there is usually some time to wait, stretch your legs, and deal with immigration, as Serbia is not part of the European Union. 

Moving on, the train travels through rural Serbia to Belgrade, the capital, before passing forests and scenic river valleys on the way to the Bulgarian border. Bulgaria offers some spectacular mountain landscapes before flattening out on the approach to the Turkish border and Edirne, the final destination of the Optima Express.

The onboard experience on the Optima Express is charmingly chaotic. The carriages are a somewhat eccentric variety, leased from various other train companies and often changing from trip to trip. There is usually a selection of motorail carriages that carry cars and motor vehicles, a number of couchette carriages, a restaurant carriage, and a dedicated sleeping carriage. The couchette carriages each have ten compartments with six berths each. You can book individual berths or an entire compartment if you are travelling as a family and want extra privacy. The beds are set up as seats during the day, and converted to bunks at night. The compartments come with sheets, blankets, and pillows, and there is a washroom at the end of each carriage. The sleeping car is a little more opulent, with ten compartments, each with just two berths, as well as a private sink in each compartment. 

One of the major differences between the Optima Express and other long-distance rail routes is the motorail carriages. This service isn't available on all trips but runs at least once a week. Another of the highlights of the trip is the restaurant car, provided by Slovenian Railways. This tends to be a lively spot, with passengers drinking, dining, and socializing, with some journeys even offering board games and movies. 

The Optima Express features five border crossings over the course of the trip, and it is important to be ready for the various requirements. Austria-Slovenia and Slovenia-Croatia are all within the European Union, so there are no checks, but Croatia-Serbia, Serbia-Bulgaria, and Bulgaria-Turkey all require passport control. The train usually crosses the Serbian border at around 7:30 a.m., the Bulgarian border at around 7:30 p.m., and the Turkish border at around 4 a.m.