There is a distinct magic to train travel that no flight or highway road trip can ever replicate. It is the rhythmic click-clack of the rails, the slow-shifting landscapes outside your panoramic window, and the romance of watching remote corners of the world unfold at a human pace. From the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps to the ancient rainforests of Australia, traveling by rail allows us to connect deeply with the terrain. To arrive at these far-flung stations ready to explore, make sure you know how to survive a long-haul flight in economy so you can step onto the platform fully refreshed.
In this guide, we have curated the absolute pinnacle of global rail travel—journeys that are destinations in their own right, combining engineering marvels with pristine natural beauty.
Information verified using National Park Services, UNESCO, official tourism boards, and local operators. Last reviewed: June 2026.
1. The Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy
Why it looks unreal: This legendary red train tackles gradients of up to 7% without cogwheels, climbing to a dizzying 2,253 meters above sea level at the Ospizio Bernina. It navigates 196 bridges and 55 tunnels, offering dramatic views of the Morteratsch Glacier before descending into the palm-fringed Italian town of Tirano.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs from Chur, Switzerland (1.5 hours from Zurich Airport) | Coordinates: 46.8541° N, 9.5303° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: November
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $220 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Book a seat on the right side of the train when departing Chur for the absolute best views of the Landwasser Viaduct.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Compare Swiss rail passes for the Bernina Express
2. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Why it looks unreal: Dubbed the 'slowest express train in the world,' this 8-hour journey crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels as it connects Zermatt and St. Moritz. It features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows that showcase the rugged Rhine Gorge, known as the 'Swiss Grand Canyon,' which plunges over 400 meters deep.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Zermatt (3.5 hours from Geneva Airport) | Coordinates: 46.0207° N, 7.7491° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: October
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $260 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 2 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: Upgrade to Excellence Class to enjoy a guaranteed window seat, a private bar, and a premium 5-course regional tasting menu.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Plan this Swiss alpine itinerary in Shaivio
3. The Rocky Mountaineer (First Passage to the West), Canada
Why it looks unreal: This luxury daylight-only train carves through the massive Canadian Rockies, taking you past the roaring waters of Hell's Gate and the legendary Spiral Tunnels. The route showcases 12,000-foot peaks and pristine glacial rivers that are completely inaccessible by standard roads.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Vancouver (25 minutes from Vancouver International Airport) | Coordinates: 49.2734° N, 123.0984° W
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: April
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $450 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 2 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: Choose GoldLeaf Service for bi-level glass-domed coaches and access to an exclusive outdoor viewing platform to feel the mountain air.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Estimate your Canadian Rockies travel budget
4. The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Why it looks unreal: Chugging through the dramatic Scottish Highlands, this vintage steam train crosses the iconic 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, which stands 30 meters above the valley floor. The 84-mile journey winds past Britain's deepest freshwater loch, Loch Morar, and its highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Fort William (2.5 hours driving from Glasgow Airport) | Coordinates: 56.8222° N, 5.1014° W
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: February
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $140 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Book tickets months in advance, specifically requesting a seat on the left side of the train (facing forward) when departing Fort William for the best view of the viaduct's curve.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Check train and flight connections from Glasgow
5. The Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, Peru
Why it looks unreal: Gliding through the lush Urubamba River Valley, this 1920s-style Pullman train transports you back in time as you climb toward the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu. The route traces the dramatic path of the Urubamba River, flanked by Andean peaks towering over 5,000 meters high.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Poroy Station, Cusco (25 minutes from Cusco Airport) | Coordinates: 13.4912° S, 71.9814° W
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: November
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $650 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Spend your time in the Observation Car at the back of the train, where live Peruvian folk musicians perform as the jungle scenery rushes past.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Design a custom Machu Picchu itinerary
6. The Shinkansen Tokaido, Japan
Why it looks unreal: Blasting through the Japanese countryside at speeds of up to 285 km/h, the Shinkansen offers a hyper-modern contrast to ancient landscapes. On a clear day, the snow-capped cone of Mount Fuji (3,776 meters tall) rises majestically behind green tea plantations, creating a perfect, fleeting postcard view.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Tokyo Station (30 minutes from Haneda Airport) | Coordinates: 35.6812° N, 139.7671° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: September
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $180 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: When booking your ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto, request seats on the right side (Seat E in ordinary cars) to secure the best view of Mount Fuji.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Compare Japan Rail Pass options
7. The Palace on Wheels, India
Why it looks unreal: This heritage train offers a royal journey through Rajasthan, where passengers sleep in restored personal carriages once used by Rajput rulers. The route covers over 3,000 kilometers of desert landscape, stopping at towering sandstone forts and shimmering lake palaces. If you are planning a solo adventure, check out our guide on solo female travel in Rajasthan. Navigating the booking process can be tricky, so make sure to read how to book train tickets in India as a foreigner before you finalize your plans.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Safdarjung Station, New Delhi (30 minutes from Indira Gandhi International Airport) | Coordinates: 28.5746° N, 77.2011° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: September
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $600 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 8 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: Pack smart-casual attire as dinners on board are formal affairs served in opulent, wood-paneled dining cars.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Calculate your total luxury India trip cost
8. The TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Why it looks unreal: Traversing the South Island from coast to coast, this train climbs from the Canterbury Plains into the rugged Southern Alps, crossing 16 tunnels and 4 massive viaducts, including the Staircase Viaduct which hangs 73 meters above the Waimakariri River gorge.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Christchurch (15 minutes from Christchurch Airport) | Coordinates: 43.5321° S, 172.6362° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: August
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $190 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Head to the open-air viewing carriage as soon as the train approaches the Arthur's Pass region for unobstructed, reflection-free alpine photography.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Build a South Island NZ road and rail trip
9. The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana), Norway
Why it looks unreal: Descending 866 meters from the high-mountain station of Myrdal down to the Aurlandsfjord in just 20 kilometers, this is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. The train stops briefly at the roaring Kjosfossen waterfall, where water cascades down a 225-meter drop.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Flåm (2.5 hours by train from Bergen Airport) | Coordinates: 60.8629° N, 7.1126° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: October
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $210 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Ride the train in late spring (May or June) to see the waterfalls at their absolute peak flow due to melting mountain snow.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Compare flights to Bergen and Oslo
10. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
Why it looks unreal: The ultimate symbol of golden-age travel, this meticulously restored 1920s train features polished marquetry, plush velvet, and crystal glassware. Rolling through the French countryside and up into the Swiss Alps, it offers a cinematic journey that feels entirely suspended in time.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Paris Gare de l'Est (45 minutes from Charles de Gaulle Airport) | Coordinates: 48.8768° N, 2.3593° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: January
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $1,200 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 2 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: The dress code is strictly enforced; gentlemen must wear a tuxedo or dark suit for dinner, and ladies should wear elegant evening dresses.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Inquire about luxury European rail journeys
11. Rovos Rail, South Africa
Why it looks unreal: This ultra-luxury train journeys through the heart of South Africa, crossing the vast, arid Great Karoo desert and the spectacular Hex River Valley. The train features an open-air observation car at the rear, perfect for spotting springbok and dramatic mountain backdrops.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Pretoria (40 minutes from O.R. Tambo International Airport) | Coordinates: 25.7188° S, 28.1889° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: May
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $700 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 3 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: When arriving at your destination, make sure to plan your onward transit carefully; learn how to avoid overpaying for airport cabs to keep your luxury trip stress-free.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Plan a South African safari and rail adventure
12. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China
Why it looks unreal: As the highest railway in the world, this engineering marvel reaches a peak altitude of 5,072 meters at the Tanggula Pass on the Tibetan Plateau. The train cabins are specially pressurized and equipped with personal oxygen outlets to protect passengers from altitude sickness.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Xining (30 minutes from Xining Caojiabao Airport) | Coordinates: 36.6255° N, 101.8122° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: March
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $130 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 2 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: You must secure a Tibet Travel Permit at least 20 days before booking your train ticket, as foreign travelers are not allowed on this route without one.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Moderate
- 🤖 Action: Verify visa and permit requirements for Tibet
13. The Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Why it looks unreal: Winding through the dense, emerald-green jungles of Malaysia, this cherry-wood paneled train features a beautiful open-air observation deck. The route skirts limestone karsts, rubber plantations, and remote rural villages that feel worlds away from modern cities.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Woodlands Checkpoint, Singapore (30 minutes from Changi Airport) | Coordinates: 1.4364° N, 103.7684° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: September
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $850 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 4 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: Pack lightweight linen clothing; while the carriages are fully air-conditioned, the open-air observation car gets incredibly warm and humid.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Compare Southeast Asia luxury tours
14. The Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Why it looks unreal: Carrying only 40 passengers, this intimate Edwardian-style train winds past deep lochs, ancient castles, and misty glens. The onboard Spa Carriage offers bespoke treatments using organic Scottish products as the dramatic highland landscape rolls past.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Edinburgh Waverley (25 minutes from Edinburgh Airport) | Coordinates: 55.9520° N, 3.1897° W
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: January
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $1,400 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 4 days
- 💡 Insider Tip: Take advantage of the daily off-train excursions, which include private whisky tastings at world-famous distilleries and clay pigeon shooting on country estates.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Estimate your luxury Scotland travel budget
15. The Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
Why it looks unreal: This historic railway cuts directly through the Barron Gorge National Park, home to a 120-million-year-old tropical rainforest. The train snakes along hand-carved cliffside tracks, passing mere meters from the dramatic, spraying waters of Stoney Creek Falls.
- 📍 View on Map: Google Maps | Departs Cairns (10 minutes from Cairns Airport) | Coordinates: 16.9272° S, 145.7712° E
- ✈️ Cheapest month to fly: February
- 💰 Typical daily budget: $160 USD
- ⏳ Recommended trip length: 1 day
- 💡 Insider Tip: Book the 'Gold Class' upgrade for morning tea, local Queensland wines, and a dedicated host who explains the fascinating 19th-century engineering history of the line.
- Ratings: Photography: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adventure: ⭐⭐⭐ | Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Difficulty: Easy
- 🤖 Action: Plan a 3-day Cairns and Kuranda itinerary
Master Rail Comparison
Use this master table to compare routes, ideal booking windows, and estimated travel budgets at a glance.
| Destination | Cheapest Month | Average Flight | Days Needed | Budget | Visa | Weather |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernina Express | November | $650 | 1 Day | $220/day | Schengen | Alpine / Cold |
| Glacier Express | October | $700 | 2 Days | $260/day | Schengen | Snowy / Cool |
| Rocky Mountaineer | April | $450 | 2 Days | $450/day | eTA Required | Mild / Temperate |
| Jacobite Steam | February | $500 | 1 Day | $140/day | UK Visa | Cool / Rainy |
| Hiram Bingham | November | $800 | 1 Day | $650/day | Visa Free (US/EU) | Humid / Subtropical |
| Shinkansen | September | $950 | 1 Day | $180/day | Visa Free (Most) | Temperate |
| Palace on Wheels | September | $750 | 8 Days | $600/day | eVisa Required | Warm / Dry |
| TranzAlpine | August | $1,100 | 1 Day | $190/day | NZeTA Required | Cool / Alpine |
| Flåm Railway | October | $650 | 1 Day | $210/day | Schengen | Cool / Wet |
| Venice Simplon | January | $600 | 2 Days | $1,200/day | Schengen | Temperate |
| Rovos Rail | May | $900 | 3 Days | $700/day | Visa Free (US/EU) | Sunny / Mild |
| Qinghai-Tibet | March | $1,000 | 2 Days | $130/day | Chinese Visa + Permit | Extreme Cold / Dry |
| Eastern & Oriental | September | $850 | 4 Days | $850/day | Visa Free (Most) | Hot / Humid |
| Belmond Royal Scotsman | January | $550 | 4 Days | $1,400/day | UK Visa | Cool / Variable |
| Kuranda Scenic | February | $1,200 | 1 Day | $160/day | eVisitor Visa | Tropical / Wet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most budget-friendly scenic train journey?
The Flåm Railway in Norway and the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland offer the best value. Single-day tickets on these routes cost under $100 USD, allowing you to experience world-class landscapes without paying for expensive multi-day sleeper cabins.
Which train journey requires special permits in advance?
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway requires a Tibet Travel Permit in addition to a standard Chinese Visa. This permit must be arranged through an authorized travel agency at least 20 to 30 days before your intended travel date.
What is the safest solo female travel route among these?
The Swiss routes (Bernina Express and Glacier Express) and the Japanese Shinkansen are exceptionally safe, featuring highly secure stations, reliable schedules, and friendly staff. For those exploring India, reading about solo female travel in Rajasthan will help ensure a seamless experience on the Palace on Wheels.
Are meals included in these train ticket prices?
For luxury trains like the Hiram Bingham, Rovos Rail, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, and Palace on Wheels, gourmet multi-course meals, fine wines, and excursions are fully included. On standard scenic trains like the Bernina Express or Flåm Railway, food must be purchased separately at the onboard bistro or brought with you.
Not sure which destination fits your budget or travel dates? Enter your starting city in Shaivio and instantly compare flights, hotels, visa requirements, and day-by-day itineraries for any of these incredible places.
