From Interrail adventures to the luxury aboard the Al Andalus

There is something so incredibly magical about train travel in Europe. Perhaps that’s because some of my favourite movie moments occurred on trains around the world. The spectacular Indian landscapes in The Darjeeling Limited and the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter have stayed with me years later. And who can forget Murder on the Orient Express and the thrilling train sequences between New York and Chicago in North by Northwest.

In Before Sunrise, those romantic conversations between Ethan Hawke (Jesse), who is travelling around Europe on a Eurail pass, and Julie Delpy (Celine) as their train rolls towards Vienna still give me goosebumps. And in the sequel, Before Sunset, Celine shimmies to Nina Simone in the closing scene while telling Jesse he’s going to miss his flight if he doesn’t leave now, and he says, “I know.” Okay, this movie didn’t include a train, but what a scintillating scene, all thanks to a train journey leading to their romance.

Movies have a wonderful way of making us want to travel. Perhaps that’s why I’ve recently discovered the joy of European train travel. No matter the journey, there’s always a little movie magic each time you board. The passing landscape through the window feels like a rolling screen, commanding attention and pulling you into the moment.

I’ve experienced two very different types of train travel in Europe: the freedom of the Interrail (and formerly the Eurail) and the sheer indulgence of Spain’s Al Andalus luxury train.

All aboard: the magic of the Interrail

On every visit to Europe, I always incorporate at least one train journey. I think that’s partly because it reminds me of those thrilling days of travel before we relied on Google Maps, Tripadvisor reviews or apps like Get Your Guide. It was always an adventure trying to navigate the grand cities and finding the train station to get the most out of your Eurail pass.

I felt a sense of relief when I finally arrived at the train station and found my platform, which was often not straightforward. Boarding the train opened up a world of possibilities as the city disappeared behind me.

I remember the romance of taking the train from Paris to Venice as a newlywed, even though the Venice train station felt far from the atmosphere of the ethereal floating city.

Last year, with my husband, daughter and sister, we rode through Portugal by train, compact enough to savour the changing scenery without endless hours in transit. Although we didn’t make it to the sun-drenched Algarve, one journey took us from Lisbon to Porto in almost three hours for perhaps a bit too much port tasting…when in Rome, as they say. Porto’s São Bento Railway Station was a sight to behold, with vibrant blue-and-white azulejo tiles regaling stories from Portuguese history.

During this six-week European trip in 2025, we travelled by train through other parts of Europe, including Amsterdam, London, Italy, Belgium and Paris. It was only fitting to take the train from London to Harry Potter World, heightening what was already a nostalgic family day out.

Although we were on a schedule, another thing I love about train travel in Europe with the Interrail pass is the spontaneity. Instead of going straight from Amsterdam to London, we could have stopped in Rotterdam and Brussels along the way. Like that scene in Before Sunrise, where Celine makes the rash decision to get off the train in Vienna with Jesse for an unforgettable night.

Until September 2026, like me, you probably also used a Eurail Pass to discover Europe by rail. After 60 years, Eurail has adopted the Interrail name as part of a brand unification for transformative European rail travel, for one, two or three months across 33 countries. Rail travel is more popular than ever for Australians. Making the most of the long-haul flight, many of us are seeking immersive journeys that extend beyond Europe’s iconic cities and into regional and lesser-visited destinations.

The flexibility to board trains across multiple countries using a single pass can help shape itineraries. With so many train types, you have the freedom to explore outside of the traditional fixed schedules, allowing for more time for scenic rail journeys and spontaneous stopovers.

The Al Andalus: a luxury train worthy of its own movie

If the Interrail is about freedom and adventure, the luxury train travel aboard the RENFE Tren Al Andalus is about slowing down and being utterly spoiled.

In June 2026, I rode the RENFE Tren Al Andalus from Madrid to Seville, exuding Belle Époque charm within its historic carriages that once transported royalty. The glamorous interior, incredible feasts and jovial atmosphere inspired the opening scene in my article for the New Zealand Herald Madrid to Seville by luxury train: Fine dining and timeless Spanish charm – NZ Herald, “Alongside the clickety-clack, there’s a sudden bang in the night. Haunted by Agatha Christie’s train masterpiece, I wonder if there has been a murder on the RENFE Tren Al Andalus. Alas, it’s just my runaway imagination and suitcase causing havoc in my elegant cabin as we hurtle towards Andalusia’s medieval city of Cáceres.”

Thankfully, there wasn’t a murder on Al Andalus; quite the opposite, as Andalusia rolled by my window. This iconic train has plenty of cinematic splendour, with beautifully restored carriages dating back to the 1920s, built for members of the British royal family travelling between Calais and the French Riviera. Today, it’s an elegant hotel on wheels, and I really appreciated only having to unpack once while visiting so many Andalusian highlights.

The epitome of slow travel, the six-night journey runs both ways between Madrid and Seville, stopping at Aranjuez, Toledo, Alcàzar de San Juan, Càceres, Campo de Criptana, Mèrida, Jerez de la Frontera, Càdiz and Córdoba.

The journey began with a walking tour of Madrid, and other highlights included Manchego tasting, dancing Andalusian horses in Jerez, a Flamenco performance in Seville, olive oil tasting in Càceres, being escorted by a gladiator through a Roman amphitheatre in Mérida and exploring the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba.

While Al Andalus uses Interrail’s tracks, you can’t mention travelling through Spain by train without thinking of RENFE, short for Red Nacional de los Ferrocarriles Espanoles, and integral in rebuilding Spain’s railway system. Operating high-speed trains across Spain, Portugal and France, RENFE offers slow-speed trains where the rail travel is part of the journey.

Speaking of slow train travel, some other trains I’d love to ride include, the Transcantabrico Gran Lujo Train, which travels across northern Spain from San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela (and vice versa). Over seven nights the train stops at Santander, Oviedo, Gijón and Bilbao, for the epitome of gastronomy and luxury. The Costa Verde Express follows the same path at a quicker pace over six days in slightly less luxury, while the La Robla Express Train follows three possible routes between Bilbao, Leon and Oviedo across the Castilla Leo region

As a guest of both Interrail and RENFE Tren Al Andalus, I’m well and truly hooked on train travel.