- Guide helps Scots swap Positano for Plockton, Innsbruck for Inverness, Chamonix for Corpach and Germany’s famous Black Forest for Blair Atholl.
- Five travel experts jumped on board a ScotRail Intae-Rail adventure,
- ScotRail has unveiled a new ‘Intae-Rail’ map and guide, pairing Scotland’s most spectacular rail destinations with some of Europe’s most iconic hotspots to prove unforgettable adventures are closer than you think.

Every year, thousands of Scots dream of hopping on an Interrail adventure to discover incredible food, spectacular scenery, historic towns and unforgettable experiences across Europe.
But with the October break just around the corner, ScotRail’s new Intae-Rail guide is encouraging travellers to discover those same experiences closer to home, with 15 Scottish destination dupes waiting to be explored by train.
Swap Bilbao for Dundee, Positano for Plockton, Copenhagen’s foodie scene for Leith’s waterfront dining, or the Swiss Alps for the Cairngorms, Intae-Rail pairs some of Europe’s most iconic escapes with their Scottish destination counterparts via a map and online guide – proving you don’t need to cross the continent to find incredible food, culture, scenery and adventure.
Each Scottish alternative comes with its own ready-made Intae-Rail itinerary, packed with inspiration on what to see, eat, explore and experience when you get there – helping travellers turn European holiday inspiration into an adventure they can enjoy by train right here in Scotland.
It taps into the growing ‘destination dupe’ trend, which is seeing travellers swap famous holiday hotspots for lesser-known alternatives offering a similar experience, often without the crowds, cost or hassle.
According to research by Expedia, one in three (34%) travellers have already visited a destination considered a dupe of a more popular location, while almost half (47%) would consider doing so.
And it could particularly resonate with Scots. With affordability increasingly shaping holiday choices, research shows 45% of Scots expect to holiday in Scotland during 2026, as travellers look closer to home for shorter, more convenient breaks.
Now, ScotRail is putting a Scottish spin on the trend – showing that some of Europe’s most sought-after experiences could be just a train journey away.
Whether it’s a day trip, weekend break or a bigger adventure linking several stops, travellers can build their own Intae-Rail escape around whatever they’re “intae” – from food or exploring to nature, sightseeing and adventure.
Among the European-inspired recommendations to feature are:
Intae Adventure
- Swiss Alps for the Cairngorms (Aviemore station)
Intae Exploring
- Bilbao, Spain for Dundee (Dundee station)
Intae Sightseeing
- Positano, Italy for Plockton (Plockton station)
Intae Food and Drink
- Pula, Croatia for Oban (Oban station)
Intae Nature
- Black Forest, Germany for Blair Atholl (Blair Atholl station)
Five Scots travel experts put Intae-Rail to the test, jumping aboard to experience individually designed itineraries built around five different passions – adventure, exploring, sightseeing, food and drink, and nature. Among them were Glasgow twin travellers and official TikTok ambassadors for Scotland, Kieran and Kevin D’Arcy, who regularly document their adventures on social media as @darcytwins.
The siblings have always been into food and drink, so they hopped on board a ScotRail service from Glasgow Queen Street to Oban, as they enjoyed a culinary experience that rivals Croatia’s Istrian Peninsula.
Kevin D’Arcy said: “Despite travelling all over Scotland and visiting plenty of places across Europe, we’d somehow never made it to Oban. Coming here by train made the journey feel like part of the experience, and once we arrived it was easy to see why so many people love it.
“You don’t have to fly to somewhere like Pula to enjoy great seafood, a beautiful harbour and a relaxed coastal atmosphere. Oban has all of that in its own way – including a striking amphitheatre.
“What really stood out was how much there is packed into such a walkable town. We had incredible seafood, wandered around the harbour, visited the distillery and just enjoyed taking everything at a slower pace, which felt very European.
“If you’re into food and drink, it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a weekend eating well, exploring and enjoying the scenery without feeling like you need to rush anywhere.”
Lauren Smith from Abedeen took a cross-Highland trip to Plockton for Scotland’s answer to the “la dolce vita” vibes of the Amalfi Coast. She said: “You don’t have to head overseas to have a European-style adventure. Whatever you’re intae, there’s probably a place in Scotland that offers it.
“I found a picturesque harbourside town that really is Scotland’s answer to the Amalfi Coast, it even included palm trees.
“The charming village was quaint and peaceful, and all easily accessible by train. The journey also reminded me of my proud Gaelic roots, as I was able to deliver a quick guide of some of the Gaelic ways of saying station names.
“It showed how some of the best moments can happen on your journey, allowing you to slow down, relax on the train as you pass beautiful scenery along the way.”
Intae-Rail experiences are more affordable than ever with no peak fares on all ScotRail services, plus rail fares being frozen until March 2027.
And for those travelling with children aged 5-15, Kids for a Quid tickets are just £1 each return. Travellers looking for epic adventures around Scotland can consider the Highland Rover for trips up north, or the Scottish Grand for just £92. There are so many affordable options to use when travelling by train, so spur of the moment trips needn’t cost a fortune.
Claire Dickie, ScotRail Commercial Director, said: “Scotland is home to some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, vibrant communities and unforgettable experiences to rival anything in Europe – and they’re all reachable by train.
“Whether you’re into adventure, food and drink, history or simply discovering somewhere new, our Intae-Rail guide is designed to inspire people to see Scotland differently and make the most of everything on their doorstep.
“And with the October break coming up, there’s no better time to Go by Train, with a range of ticket options available to help families and travellers turn Intae-Rail inspiration into their next Scottish adventure.
“The journey is all part of the experience, and travelling by train gives customers the chance to relax, enjoy Scotland’s incredible landscapes and create lasting memories along the way.”



















