TICKETS on Europe’s only “upside-down” train line cost just £2 – and journeys take just 30 minutes to complete.
There are some pretty breathtaking stretches of track running through Europe, making interrail trips through the continent irresistible.
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While train journeys with scenic views are often heralded as bucket-list worthy, a handful of other urban rail routes also hold the same accolade.
One of those is the Wuppertal Schwebebahn, a suspended monorail service in northern Rhine, Germany.
Unlike normal train routes, where the tracks are firmly tethered to the ground, carriages on the Wuppertal Schwebebahn dangle from an airborne track – making the train look like it’s upside-down.
The Wuppertal Schwebebahn is the only suspended monorail service in Europe, with another also located in Japan.
Construction work on the unusual train began in 1898, with the route opening to the public three years later in 1901.
Emperor Wilhelm II and his wife Auguste Viktoria officially opened the route where they rode in the train’s art deco carriages to mark the occasion.
In its 120-year history, the suspended train service has undergone several upgrades, including extensions to the service and modern carriages being fitted.
In 2019, blue train cars known as “Generation 15” entered service – and have been ferrying passengers along the route ever since.
The entire route stretches for just 13km, with journeys taking only 30 minutes to complete.
There are 20 stops along the route, with seats at the back of the hanging cars said to be among the best.
The service is popular with locals as more than 80,000 passengers use the unusual monorail every day.
It has also become popular with rail enthusiasts and visitors to Wuppertal, with many describing it as a must-see.
The train route has been praised on TripAdvisor, with a 4/5 star rating from more than 1,192 reviews on the platform.
We had the best time riding this floating train
One person wrote: “We had the best time riding this floating train, the design and construction are exceptional.”
Another person said: “A ride on the Schwebebahn has been on my bucket list for many years, and I finally managed to do it end to end. It was a fantastic experience.”
Someone else wrote: “This is an amazing bit of engineering and the highlight of a visit to Wuppertal.”
Unlimited tickets, which last for 24 hours, cost €7.30 (£6.26), with single journeys costing €3 (£2.57).
Wuppertal is a 30-minute train journey away from Dusseldorf.
Direct routes operate from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, London and Newquay.
Ryanair operates direct flights to the UK from Dusseldorf, with fares starting from £12 for a one-way ticket.
Cologne is also a 30-minute train journey away from Wuppertal, with Ryanair and British Airways operating direct routes to and from the UK.
Sun Online Travel have found return fares from £24 per person with Ryanair.
Other quirky trains
And Wuppertal Schwebebahn isn’t the only unusual train journey in Europe.
The Stourbridge Shuttle claims to be the shortest railway line in Europe, with its tiny track stretching for just 0.8miles.
The three-minute route has been operating since 1879, and it was built to connect Stourbridge’s canal basin to the main railway network.
Two tiny one-carriage Class 139 ‘Parry People Movers’ trundle along the 145-year-old train line every 10 minutes.
While the line was originally built to ferry goods, it has become a must-visit for many railway enthusiasts, including Neil Hughes, a retired air traffic controller.
The 62-year-old boarded the tiny train carriage after travelling from his home in Scotland to Stourbridge to trundle along the tiny track.
Another quirky urban train route is the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) – a driverless train in London where passengers can pretend they’re in the driving seat.
And soon passengers can take their daydreaming to the next level, as some DLR trains are set to be fitted with cardboard steering wheels, allowing kids – and adults too – to act as driver.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
Three scenic train journeys you can take in the UK
The UK is full of great train journeys, including some with scenic views.
- The West Highland Line in Scotland has previously been dubbed the best rail journey in the world, thanks to its breathtaking views overlooking mountain landscapes, serene lochs and wistful moors. Tickets start from £19.50.
- The East Coast Main Line from Durham to Edinburgh is another popular railway route. Passengers on this train will be treated to views of Durham Cathedral, the Angel of the North, and the King Edward VII Railway Bridge. Tickets start from £24.50.
- The train from St Erth to St Ives only has one stop on its route, which is complete with sea views. Tickets start from £3.
Meanwhile, this London underground station secretly protected Sir Winston Churchill during World War II.
And these tourists found a forgotten but perfectly preserved station in London that hadn’t been touched for decades.
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