The Bar to Belgrade train takes 11 hours and passes the Europe’s highest railway bridge (Image: Getty)
long-haul train journeys are some of the greatest adventures that can be experienced on the continent.
This is because many of them cross regions steeped in history, famed for their interesting past and beautiful settings.
One such ride takes travellers on a thrilling journey that stretches 295.7 miles across dramatic mountain landscapes and picturesque river valleys.
This 11-hour journey also passes through three of Europe’s most underrated countries, making it an adventure like no other.
The brainchild of former Yogoslav dictator Tito, the Balkan/East European train route also passes through 435 bridges including highest near Kolasin, serving up some epic views along the way.
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The Balkan/East European train begins in Bar in Montenegro and stretches 295.7 miles (Image: Getty)
The train between Bar in and Belgrade in is one of Europe’s great train routes and is an experience you’ll remember for years to come.
The train journey was part of Tito’s vision to connect the Yugoslav capital to the coast.
The Balkan/East European train passes through Montenegro, Serbia and passes a 5.5-mile slice of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Along its route, this train journey crosses the impressive mountain range at the Dinaric Alps, which separates the Balan peninsula interior from the tiny slice of Montenegro which lies by the coast.
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The journey passes through a 5.5 mile slice of Bosnia and Herzegovina and ends in Serbia (Image: Getty)
This engineering marvel was built in 1958 and officially concluded in 1976, with roughly 25% of the journey spent in its 254 tunnels.
In fact, the route involves 71.4 miles in tunnels but once out there’s a whole host of interesting European spots to marvel at.
For a £20.25 one-way ticket, the journey begins passing through Skadar Lake National Park with views of its large bay dotted with islands and marshes, surrounded by granite hills.
It then moves to the highest railway bridge in Europe at Kolasin, passing along the dramatic peaks at Bijelo Polje to Vrbnica and then to the Serbian border.
Peaceful rivers and high mountain sights continue as you pass along the narrow city in a valley known as Priboj, travelling near the modern city of Užice before finally arriving at Topčider train station outside Belgrade.
There are two daily trains in either direction on the Balkan/East European train, with a morning train leaving both Bar and Belgrade at 9am and evening trains leaving Bar at 7pm and Belgrade at 9pm.
The train is covered by graffiti on the outside with its interior being described as far from luxurious.
Despite this, the Balkan/East European train takes a person through some of the world’s most historic and breathtaking spots, making it one of the most epic train rides in Europe.