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A journey by rail can be so much more than just travelling from one destination to another. They can also provide an unforgettable opportunity to experience local history, cuisine and culture while travelling through incredible landscapes that are often otherwise inaccessible. This is a selection of our favourite, most iconic train journeys from around the world – which ones will you add to your travel bucket list for 2025 and beyond?
Today’s version of the VSOE draws on its heritage as one of Europe’s most iconic rail services, and is operated by famed luxury rail company, Belmond. There are twenty routes to choose from, ranging from an overnight journey from Paris to Verona via Innsbruck and Geneva, to an epic three-night Paris to Istanbul experience that only runs a handful of times each year.
The beautifully restored carriages, with their luxurious Art Deco inspired furnishings, are designed to whisk you back in time to the golden era of European train travel. You can watch the countryside whisk by your window as you enjoy lavish cocktails in the Bar Car with your fellow rail travellers, then wake up to the indulgence of breakfast in bed in your private cabin.
Don’t let the name fool you – this famous railway journey through the Swiss Alps has been dubbed ‘the world’s slowest express train,’ and it’s considered one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe. It takes eight hours to travel 291 kilometres between Zermatt and St Moritz, passing through 91 tunnels and crossing 291 bridges along the way. Travelling at a sedate pace means you have plenty of time to absorb the alpine scenery, which includes the towering Landwasser Viaduct and the breathtaking Rhine Gorge.
You can choose to enjoy a gourmet three-course meal, served to your seat, as you enjoy the endless progression of towering mountain peaks and dramatic river gorges beyond your over-height panoramic windows. For an added touch of luxury, opt for Excellence Class, served with Champagne and an aperitif platter as well as a five-course menu with wine pairings.
Beginning in Switzerland’s oldest city, Chur, the Bernina Express follows one of the most scenic parts of the Glacier Express route southwards to St Moritz, before continuing across the border to the northern Italian city of Tirano. The most dramatic section of the journey is the Rhaetian Railway leg between Thusis and Tirano, which has earned UNESCO World Heritage status for its breathtaking combination of engineering wizardry and outstanding alpine scenery.
The journey is consistently named as one of the top ten best train journeys in the world; scenic highlights include the snowclad Bernina Massif, the historic Alp Grüm railway station and the stone-arched masterpiece of the Brusio Spiral Viaduct. In total, the tourist train covers 144 kilometres and takes around four hours, although during the summer months, you can extend your journey with a three-hour bus journey that ends in the lakeside Swiss-Italian city of Lugano.
The coast-to-coast Bergen Line connects the capital city, Oslo, with Norway’s second largest city, Bergen. The train line climbs from sea level to a high point of 1222 metres as you cross the starkly beautiful landscapes of Hardangervidda National Park, then rapidly descends back to sea level as you draw closer to the West Coast.
Along the way, you’ll pass through 182 tunnels, the longest of which is the Finse tunnel at a little over ten kilometres. The Bergen Line journey takes around seven hours, although we recommend experiencing it as part of the world famous ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ self-guided tour. You’ll depart the main line at Myrdal for a brief but dramatic ride on the Flåm Railway, which is regularly named as one of the ten most beautiful train rides in the world. This is followed by a cruise on the pristine waters of the UNESCO World Heritage listed Nærøyfjord and a coach journey along the fjords, returning to the Bergen Line at Voss to complete your journey to Bergen.
You don’t have to be a fan of Harry Potter to appreciate this famous rail journey through the Scottish Highlands, although it does add a little something extra to your experience if you are. The day trip runs seven days a week between April and October, travelling 67 kilometres from Fort William to Mallaig on the shores of Loch Nevis, then returns along the same route.
The star of the journey is the Glenfinnan Viaduct: a 30-metre-high curve of track that is supported by 21 concrete arches. If you’re lucky, the train will stop halfway across so you can enjoy the spectacular views of Loch Shiel and the historic Glenfinnan Monument, which was built in memory of the Highlanders who fought in the 1745 Jacobite Rising. For an extra sprinkling of Potter magic, we recommend pre-booking a six-berth compartment in the vintage carriage – although you will need to pack your own snacks in lieu of a pumpkin pastie or chocolate frog.
Another of Belmond’s legendary luxury rail journeys, the Eastern & Oriental Express is one of the most scenic train rides in Asia. It travels from Singapore through the heart of Malaysia, with opportunities to experience off-train highlights such as Langkawi Island and Taman Negara National Park.
Along the way, you’ll get to sample the most mouthwatering Southeast Asian fine dining while seated in one of two lavishly decorated dining cars, then head to the Piano Bar to enjoy a nightcap as you watch the evening fade to black. Depending on which itinerary you choose, you could also learn how to make the perfect laksa at a Peranakan cooking class, take a Vespa ride through the UNESCO World Heritage listed Old Quarter of Penang’s colourful Georgetown or snorkel amidst the vibrant corals of Pulau Payar Marine Park.
This deluxe rail journey is a fantastic opportunity to experience the route between Colombo to Badulla, which has been chosen by Lonely Planet as one of the world’s best scenic rail journeys. The 290-kilometre journey takes a full day, leaving the coast and climbing through pristine mountain scenery and tea plantations as it travels inland.
The trail makes brief stops for photo opportunities at spectacular points along the route, including Horsetail Waterfall, Nine Arch Bridge and Adam’s Peak, but we recommend spending at least an extra day in Ella to experience the beauty of the hill country.
Operated by one of the world’s great private luxury train companies, this unique journey combines the ancient wonders, rich cultures and spectacular natural beauty of the ‘Five Stans.’
Over fourteen days, you can walk the streets of Tashkent’s Old Town, marvel at the opulent grandeur of Dushanbe’s Kohi Navruz Palace, explore the Silk Road ruins of Merv and take in a spectacular light show in Samarkand’s Registan Square.
The Maharajas Express allows you to experience all the vibrant colours of India while enjoying the indulgence of one of the best luxury train journeys in the world. Fourteen carriages provide four levels of opulence, from spacious deluxe cabins with comfortable twin or double beds and private en suites, to the lavish Presidential Suite, known as Navratana (‘Nine Gems’).
With four possible routes to choose from, you could spend a blissful evening dining in the former palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur, then wake up the next morning to find yourself in the desert citadel of Bikaner.
Commonly referred to as the Bullet Train, the Shinkansen connects many of Japan’s most beloved destinations in high-speed comfort, allowing you to travel considerable distances in far less time than it would take by road, plus you get to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery as it whizzes past your panoramic window at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour.
You could eat breakfast in Tokyo, hop aboard the Hayabusa (which aptly means ‘falcon’ in Japanese), and cover 720 kilometres to reach the northern city of Aomori in time for lunch – a lightning-fast journey of just over three hours.
One of our favourite routes is the Tokaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagoya, travelling 341 kilometres in just 90 minutes. Our top tip for this journey: book a seat on the right -hand side of the train (if you’re heading for Nagoya) for stunning views of Mt Fuji.
A journey on the Napa Valley Wine Train is an opportunity to experience the spectacular vineyard scenery of Northern California’s most beloved wine region in classic luxury rail comfort while treating yourself with finest food and wine experiences.
You can opt for either a lunch, dinner or full day experience, many of which include stops to sample the wares of Napa’s most iconic wine locations. For an extra level of thrill, you can even dress up in period attire to play your part in a gourmet murder mystery on the rails. You can join the holiday celebrations on board with a Thanksgiving lunch, meet Santa on a Jolly Journey aboard the Santa Train or play your part in creating the next vintage at the Grgich Hills Grape Stomp.
The Rocky Mountaineer offers four equally spectacular routes through some of North America’s most spectacular landscapes, or you can combine multiple routes into one epic rail adventure that is considered one of the most scenic train rides in the world. Highlights include the UNESCO World Heritage listed wonders of Jasper National Park (Journey Through the Clouds), the vast ranchlands of the Cariboo Plateau (Rainforest to Gold Rush) and the turquoise blue of Lake Louise (First Passage to the West).
The carriages feature huge panoramic glass windows that curve into the ceiling, ensuring that you’ll always have an incredible view of the towering peaks of the Canadian Rockies without needing to ever leave the comfort of your seat. There are two classes to choose from – SilverLeaf and GoldLeaf, both of which come complete with gourmet meals, complimentary luggage transfers and a distinctly Canadian brand of warm hospitality.
Named for the American explorer who first brought the world’s attention to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, this rail experience travels through the spectacular Sacred Valley, concluding at the entrance to Machu Picchu. Luxury elements, such as gleaming wood-panelled carriages with panoramic windows and two dining cars that serve an endless array of gourmet cuisine, ensure that your journey through the Peruvian Andes will be far more comfortable than the conditions endured by the train’s intrepid namesake.
The train departs from Cusco daily between May and December, or between January and April you can choose to start your journey with a stay at the luxurious Rio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel. Because the hotel is located at a lower altitude than Cusco, it’s the perfect place to acclimatise before your visit to the historic ruins.
This unique experience, which operates between April and October, allows you to experience some of Australia’s most remote and beautiful landscapes while enjoying all the creature comforts of a luxury rail journey. Over four days and three nights, you’ll travel almost three thousand kilometres between Darwin and Adelaide, with stops at Katherine, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy and Manguri along the way.
The off-train travel experiences are a key part of The Ghan experience: view ancient Aboriginal rock art on a river cruise along the Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), visit the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service or treat yourself to a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime scenic flight over Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Regardless of which time of year you are travelling, the TranzAlpine is sure to show exactly why it’s considered one of the world’s greatest one-day rail journeys. You’ll cover 223 kilometres (each way) as the train navigates the Great Divide between Christchurch and Greymouth on the South Island’s rugged West Coast, crossing the open expanse of the Canterbury Plains and then weaving through the Southern Alps.
Journey highlights include snow-fed blue rivers that wind between deep river gorges, ancient forests of mountain beech trees, and incredible engineering feats like the 73-metre-high Staircase Viaduct.
The 1600-kilometre journey between Pretoria and Cape Town has long enjoyed a reputation as one of the world’s most incredible rail journeys, not to mention one of the world’s most luxurious. It takes around 54 hours to complete the one-way journey, during which time you will be pampered with butler service, fine dining and lavishly decorated suites.
There is also the option to travel on The Blue Train from Pretoria to Hoedspruit – gateway to Kruger National Park – where you may be lucky enough to experience the excitement and wonder of seeing ‘The Big Five’ (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino and Buffalo) while staying at one of the park’s private safari lodges.
Whether you’re dreaming of a single-day adventure through the heart of New Zealand’s Southern Alps, or a luxurious multi-day experience inspired by the golden age of European rail travel, contact your personal travel manager to start planning your unforgettable rail journey. They’ll guide you every step of the way, ensuring your trip is seamless and extraordinary.
TravelManagers respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands where we work and gather, and those we visit.
