Traveling by train is not merely a mode of transport from point A to point B it’s an entry into the essence of landscapes, cultures, and history. While airplanes whizz you past destinations in a matter of hours, trains offer the chance to decelerate and have your nose against the window as you observe the landscape unfolding, be it snow-capped mountains, rolling deserts, emerald rainforests, or charming villages. For many travelers, the romance of train travel lies in its timeless charm: panoramic windows, the rhythm of wheels on steel, and the ever-changing view outside.
If you’re a traveler seeking adventure with comfort, here are 12 epic train journeys around the world that promise unforgettable memories.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz
Duration: 8 hours
The Glacier Express is a legendary rail journey through the Swiss Alps, often described as the “world’s slowest express train.” Don’t let the word “slow” fool you every minute is a treat. Over the course of 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, you’ll pass through some of Switzerland’s most dramatic landscapes.
The train climbs to the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters, where snow still lines the peaks in summer. Panoramic windows make you feel part of the landscape: sun-blasted glaciers, sinuous valleys lined with chalets, and picturesque villages that seem to be drawn from a postcard. On board, passengers enjoy Swiss cuisine and wine to complement the view, so the journey is as much about dining as seeing.
Highlight: Crossing the Landwasser Viaduct, an imposing curved bridge that seems to be suspended in mid-air.
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Route: Moscow to Vladivostok
Duration: 7 days (non-stop)
Distance: 9,289 kilometers
No rail journey on our planet is as grand in scale as the Trans-Siberian Railway. Eight time zones in size, it is the longest single railway in the world. From the grandeur of Moscow, the train rides east over the Ural Mountains, the ancient dividing line between Europe and Asia, into the emptiness of Siberia.
The landscape is a never-ending rotation of infinite taiga forests, snowy winter rivers, summer-flowering meadows, and then lastly, the Pacific Ocean along Vladivostok. The majority of visitors divide the journey to see cities like Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, and Irkutsk, entry to Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake.
The trip is not just about views; it’s also about encountering fellow travelers and locals in the dining cars, sipping tea prepared from samovars, and learning about Russian traditions.
Highlight: Witnessing the sun set across Lake Baikal, as waves lap over stony beaches while the train hugs the shore.
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Routes: Vancouver to Banff, Jasper, or Lake Louise
Duration: 2 days (overnight stop in Kamloops)
The Rocky Mountaineer is no speed rush it’s luxury travel aimed at highlighting the majesty of the Canadian Rockies. With glass-dome cars, each seat is a front-row seat to nature’s stage.
The route winds through bellowing rivers, snow-covered peaks, and forests. Be on the lookout for overhead flying bald eagles, black bears strolling across riverbanks, and elk grazing in meadows. Evenings are sumptuous, with meals prepared using regional favorites like Alberta beef and Pacific salmon.
The journey stops over one night in Kamloops, so travelers can take a break before resuming the breathtaking journey.
Highlight: Crossing the Spiral Tunnels at Kicking Horse Pass, an engineering marvel in which the train winds its way through mountains.
The Ghan, Australia
Route: Adelaide to Darwin
Duration: 54 hours
Distance: 2,979 kilometers
Befriended by Afghan camel drivers who once traveled the desert hubs of Australia, The Ghan ranks among the most fabled train excursions in the Southern Hemisphere. From south to north, the tour passes across the continent to reveal the bitter contrasts of the geography of Australia.
You will journey from the red deserts of South Australia, the ochre MacDonnell Ranges, to the Northern Territory’s tropical rainforests, with off-train excursions available for you to see some of the places, including Alice Springs and Katherine Gorge. This journey is therefore one of adventure and luxury.
Life in transit is one of luxury, with gourmet food and spacious cabins. Imagine sipping wine as the outback’s blazing sunset unfolds before your eyes out the window.
Highlight: Waking to a sunrise over the rolling red desert plains a beautiful sight.
Palace on Wheels, India
Route: Delhi – Jaipur – Udaipur – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Agra – Delhi
Duration: 7 nights / 8 days
Travel back to the Maharajas’ era in India on board the Palace on Wheels. Every carriage is modeled after a palace, with lovely interiors, luxurious cabins, and international-standard service.
The train stops at Rajasthan’s most ancient and lively cities: Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur, renowned for their palaces and forts. In Jaisalmer, there are golden sand dunes, and Agra has the wonder of the Taj Mahal. Night on the train is passed with cultural performances, fine dining, and the warmth of India.
Highlight: Witnessing the sunset view of the Jaisalmer desert with the promise of having a royal meal to be had onboard.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
Route: London – Paris – Venice (with extensions)
Duration: 1–2 nights
The Orient Express is perhaps the world’s most iconic train, immortalised in literature and film. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continues its heritage, offering journeys through Europe in luxury beyond compare.
The beautifully restored carriages, returned to their 1920s Art Deco splendour, transport you back to the golden age of travel. In impeccable uniforms, waiters serve multi-course gourmet meals as the train thunders through rolling European countryside.
This is not a journey; this is an act. Dinner dress, champagne in the bar car, and strolling down the corridors is stepping into another era.
Highlight: Riding through the Swiss Alps with a glass of fine wine in old-fashioned luxury.
The Blue Train, South Africa
Route: Pretoria to Cape Town
Duration: 27 hours
Blue Train is synonymous with elegance. Nicknamed a “five-star hotel on rails,” it features en-suite bathrooms, private suites, butler service, and gourmet cuisine paired with South African wines.
The journey covers nearly 1,600 kilometers, featuring different landscapes: from the barren Karoo desert to the vineyards of the Western Cape. Floor-to-ceiling windows enable you to enjoy Table Mountain views as the train approaches Cape Town.
Highlight: Watching the seemingly infinite South African savannah roll by with a cup of rooibos tea in the lounge car.
West Highland Line, Scotland
Route: Glasgow to Mallaig
Duration: 5 hours
This gorgeous Scottish journey may be shorter than some of the others on this list, but it’s a doozy. The West Highland Line winds its way past misty glens, glittering lochs, and rugged highlands.
The climax of the journey is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, world-renowned as the ride of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films. Beyond the viaduct, the train reaches Mallaig, a scenic fishing port on Scotland’s west coast.
Highlight: Spotting deer in their natural highlands as they travel through some of Britain’s remotest terrain.
TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Route: Christchurch to Greymouth
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
The TranzAlpine is considered to be one of the most beautiful short train journeys in the world. In less than five hours, the train traverses the Southern Alps of New Zealand, revealing an array of striking diversity.
From the green Canterbury Plains to Arthur’s Pass National Park’s rugged scenery, emerald grasslands, beech forests, glaciers, and river gorges roll past. Open-air observation carriages enable you to breathe in the mountain air as the train climbs through alpine passes.
Highlight: Crossing the Waimakariri River between snow-capped peaks in every direction.
Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy
Route: Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy)
Duration: 4 hours
A UNESCO World Heritage railroad trip, the Bernina Express is a breathtaking ride from Switzerland to Italy. The train climbs to 2,253 meters at the Bernina Pass, with catches of snowfields and glaciers, before dropping into the sun-baked valleys of northern Italy.
The engineering is hardly less stunning than the scenery spiral viaducts and near-vertical gradients make this line a masterpiece of railway engineering. In the course of a few hours, you travel from snowy Alpine landscape to Mediterranean villages.
Highlight: The Brusio Spiral Viaduct, where the train spirals grandly in one full circle.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
Route: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling
Duration: 7 hours
Commonly referred to as the “Toy Train,” the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The narrow-gauge track winds its way through tea plantations, hillside mist, and hill villages.
The excitement of the ride is its steep climb from the plains to Darjeeling, a tea-and-view hill station. The train sniffs at steep slopes, including the famous “Batasia Loop,” where it curves around a war memorial while offering a stunning vista of Kanchenjunga, the third-highest peak in the world.
Highlight: Sipping Darjeeling tea as the Toy Train chugs through rolling green plantations.
Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Itinerary: Singapore – Kuala Lumpur – Bangkok
Duration: 2–3 nights
The Eastern & Oriental Express offers a blend of old-world sophistication and Asian flair. The carriages, with teakwood and silk fittings, transport passengers back to the days of the colonial era.
The ride passes through rice fields, green jungles, riverbank villages, and historic towns. Side trips enable visitors to see places like the River Kwai in Thailand or Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant streets. Meals are a show in themselves with a culinary fusion of Asian-Western cuisine.
Highlight: Watching the sunrise over the Thai countryside paddy fields as the train rides softly north.
Train journeys are more than ways to reach destinations, they’re experiences that create lifelong memories. Whether you’re crossing the Siberian wilderness, gliding through the Swiss Alps, or rolling past deserts in Australia, these 12 train journeys showcase the diversity of our world in the most enchanting way possible.
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining comfort, adventure, and stunning scenery, it’s time to add these epic rail routes to your travel bucket list.
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This clarifies a lot of my confusion on the topic.