HomeGreat Continental Railway Journeys

Great Continental Railway Journeys

Great Continental Railway Journeys is a TV show on SBS ONE. Great Continental Railway Journeys is a British documentary written for television and presented by Michael Portillo. For the series he travels on the railway networks of continental Europe while comparing how travel and its destinations have changed between the descriptions in his 1913 copy of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide and present day. In the person of Portillo Great Continental Railways explores destinations all over Europe, and each episode has an itinerary-style title, such as “Madrid to Gibraltar”, “Hungary to Austria” and “Amsterdam to Northern France”. During the trips Portillo covers some of the major locations, monuments and stories along the way, in the style of the 1913 guidebook he carries with him. The popular program has been available since 2025. A total of 6 episodes have been broadcast, most recently in August 2025.

Last broadcast:12/08/2025 at 09:30Genres:Documentaries

Last episode

Great Continental Railway Journeys

12/08/2025

New

Season 8, Episode 6 - Maienfeld To The Rhine Gorge/ Sedrun To Schwyz

Michael Portillo is transported 150 years back in time to the tiny Alpine village home of Switzerland's most famous child, Heidi. In Davos, he follows in the footsteps of 19th century convalescents at a former sanatorium, now the Hotel Schatzalp, and takes part in an icy cutting...

Season 8

Season 8, Episode 5 - Aarhus To Odense/ Roskilde To Copenhagen

05/08/2025

Michael Portillo explores Aarhus's bold architecture, Viking history in Jelling, and fairy tales in Odense. He crosses epic Danish bridges, sails a Viking ship in Roskilde, discovers 'hygge' in Copenhagen, visits iconic furniture makers, and performs Shakespeare at Kronborg Castle.

Season 8, Episode 4 - Myrdal To Heddal/ Larvik To Holsstebro

29/07/2025

Michael journeys along Norway's Bergen Line through glaciers and tunnels to Oslo, exploring wartime heroism at Telemark and medieval heritage in Heddal. In Larvik, he discovers Larvikite stone before ferrying to Denmark, visiting Skagen's artists and touring the Lurpak butter factory.

Season 8, Episode 3 - Mostar To Dubrovnik/ Bergen To Flam

22/07/2025

Michael rides the dramatic Sarajevo-Mostar line, reflects on Bosnia's past, and meets young musicians rebuilding Mostar's future. Crossing Croatia's new Peljesac Bridge, he reaches Dubrovnik's historic walls. In Norway, he begins a new journey from Bergen through fjords and famous railways.

Season 8, Episode 2 - Knin To Split/ Sarajevo

15/07/2025

Michael Portillo visits Zadar for Maraschino liqueur, explores early electric lighting in Sibenik, and dons a Dalmatian suit in Trogir. In Sarajevo, he retraces Archduke Franz Ferdinand's final journey, reflects on war, explores Ottoman heritage, and meets locals full of hope for the future.

Season 8, Episode 1 - Pula To Pazin/ Buzet To Pag

08/07/2025

Michael Portillo duels gladiators in Pula's ancient arena, explores olive farms and Tito's summer retreat, hunts truffles in Buzet, uncovers Rijeka's strange post-WWI coup, and ends on Pag Island making its famous salty cheese-all aboard a Balkan rail adventure.

Archive