Europe is known as the home of great train journeys, but more than that, great train itineraries. Rail enthusiast Tim Richards brings his expert advice on the full range of rail options, from commuter trains that get you from A to B, to long-distance coaches that let you snooze your way to the next destination.

You'll have no trouble finding the perfect journey to get you started, with 20 excellent and varied trips across Western, Central and Southern Europe, as well as Scandinavia and the Balkans. What better way to pay tribute to the birthplace of rail travel than by traversing the UK from Land's End (south England) to John O'Groats (north Scotland)? Or take a coastal route that morphs into scenic valley views as you travel from northern Spain and into Portugal? Or why not have it all with a transcontinental route that crosses the entire continent?

With themed itineraries, features on notable train stations and practical information on rail passes, sleeper trains, steam trains, railway dining and more, this guide has everything you need to become a connoisseur of European train travel.

Whether it's a journey through a heritage railway, a splurge on a luxury train or a venture down lesser-known tracks that cross country borders, Train Europe is your passport to getting the most from every rail-connected corner of this diverse continent.