Best train journeys in the world
Have you ever wondered which is the best way to visit a tourist destination?
Although there are different ways to get to a destination during your holidays, you may need to use more than one transport. Trains might be one of your options when visiting a tourist attraction.
A train journey is a delightful travel experience surrounded by ever-changing landscapes and picturesque towns from the comfort of your seat with a variety of services such as food service and live music.
Here are the best train journeys around the globe.
Trans-Siberian Express, Russia
From Moscow to Vladivostok
The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express is the world’s longest train route with over 9000 km length. No wonder this train journey is defined as one of the most incredible rail experiences you’ll find.
It’s the best way to see Siberia through different landscapes crossing the Ural Mountains along the coast of Lake Baikal, the world’s largest freshwater lake by volume, and towns where you can hop off the train to meet locals. The journey takes 12 nights stopping along the way.
The trans-Siberian is a fully ensuite train with an Imperial Suite, Gold and Silver Class accommodation. It has two dining cars and a lounge car.
The Ghan, Australia
The Ghan is a train full of history running for over 80 years from Adelaide to the Australian outback in the heart of the country. The last part of the journey to Alice Spring was accomplished by Afghan Camel train in 1929. In 2014, the route Alice Spring to Darwin was completed. The journey takes 2 nights on board to Travel from Adelaide to Darwin with stops in between.
The Ghan has Platinum luxury class service with 24 hour room service and also has dinner in the on-board restaurant with an outback flavour with kangaroo fillet on the menu.
The Blue Train, South Africa
From Cape Town to Johannesburg
The Blue train is famous for its route from Cape Town to Johannesburg with 1600 kilometers length. It offers a luxurious on-board experience.
The smooth ride allows to appreciate the spectacular scenery of South Africa, ascending Table Mountain, and stopping to taste sample local wines in Stellenbosch and enjoying a three night stay at a hotel right next to Kruger National Park.
The Blue Train has a lounge and club car. There is also a boutique on-board, selling a collection of South African Jewellery. There are two kinds of accommodations, the deluxe suites with a lounge and full bathroom and the luxury suites with a private shower and toilet.
Hiram Bingham, Peru
From Cusco to Machu Picchu
The Hiram Bingham train is one of South America’s finest rail journeys. Named after the American explorer who discovered the remains of the 15th-century Inca Citadel Machu Picchu in 1911.
The journey of just three and a half hours from Poroy (Cusco) to Machu Picchu passes through some of the Andes’ most astonishing scenery, along the Urubamba River and between the Andes mountains of 4000m high. The journey includes a five-hour tour and a fine Andean dinner on-board.
The train has two 42 seat dining cars serving excellent Peruvian specialties for brunch on the journey to Machu Picchu. The train also has a bar-observation car.
The Canadian, Canada
From Calgary to Vancouver/ Toronto
The Canadian offers passengers a six-day journey experience through the Rocky Mountains from Calgary to Vancouver and vice versa. This journey has wonderful views of the Rocky Mountains and its wild fauna. The train makes stops to visit Emerald Lake in Yoho National Park, the town of Fort Steele, the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage site, and many other tourist attractions.
The Canadian accommodates 23 passengers only in five carriages with original stainless steel coaches that have been restored to their 1950s splendour.
The economy seating and sleeper touring class have shared shower facilities, with Sleeper Cabins ensuite. There are two dining rooms that seat about twelve people and offers a first-rate menu. Live music is included for evening entertainment, just right for the stop on the banks of Crowsnest Lake.
Eastern and Oriental Express, East Asia
From Malaysia to Bangkok
The luxury Eastern and Oriental Express runs from Singapore through Malaysia and Thailand (Bangkok) in the heart of the Malay Peninsula.
The journey takes three nights from Singapore’s Art Deco railway station to Bangkok. The best views are from the observation car with rattan furniture and potted plants.
The train has four cabins classes: Pullman single, Pullman, State cabin, and Presidential Cabin. All of them with air-condition and ensuite.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
From Zermatt to St Moritz
The Glacier Express is the Switzerland’s best known train. The 290km journey from Zermatt to St Moritz lasts around eight hours passing through some of Europe’s most beautiful scenery.
The trip runs in between the ski’s resorts, St Moritz in the Engadin and Zermatt at the base of the Matterhon.
During its journey the train goes through 91 tunnels and across 291 wonderful bridges. The panoramic windows reveals the Swiss Alps, the forested mountains above Visp and on to Oberalp Pass at 2030m.
There is a bar, snacks and drinks available and meals available with a pre-ordered three course menu or dish of the day.
Indian Pacific, Australia
From Perth to Sydney
The Indian Pacific offers comfort in its air-conditioned carriages with fine food and fine wine. It runs 4352 km across Australia between Perth and Sydney crossing deserts, the rural heartland of New South Wales, legendary mining towns, the majestic Blue Mountains and the Nullarbor Plain.
The Platinum service provides large private cabins with full ensuites. Whilst, the Gold service has private twin-sleeper cabins with ensuites and showers. Both cabins have access to the restaurant and lounge. The Red service has comfortable reclining seats, hot showers and a café with meals and snacks.
Venice Simplon Orient-Express, Europe
From Paris to Venice
The Venice Simplon Orient-Express is categorized as the most authentic luxury train. It’s composed of restored 1920’s and 1930’s carriages with Art Deco and Art Nouveau decoration. It’s a unique experience of romance and elegance which resemble the golden age of rail travel. The journey takes around 9 days from Paris to Milan and Venice.
The train has three vintage restaurants cars which offer a truly fine dining experience. It also has a 1930’s bar and a boutique selling accessories and souvenirs.
The Venice Simplon Orient-Express offers private double cabins and 24 hours service.
California Zephyr, USA
From Chicago to California
The California Zephyr, the longest train journey in the USA, passes through seven states from Chicago to Emeryville, California covering 3923 km in about 54 hours.
Its historic route includes some of America’s most famous scenery crossing the mountain lakes, pine forest, slopes with snow, cliffs and canyons. The main attractions are the canyons of the Colorado River, Glenwood Canyon, the Utah desert, Sierra Nevada, San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean, stopping in different towns.
The train has a dining car with hot meals, sleeping cars with a range of private rooms from Superliner roomettes to Superliner bedrooms with private ensuites and showers. The reclining seats are comfortable with tables and free pillows.
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I would love to travel on one of these trains! One of my recent train journeys was in Thailand from Bangkok to Capri.. a great option to travel around East Asia!
Great artical!
Although you left off my favourite train journey from Oslo to Bergen in Norway.
Stunning mountain scenery and views of the fjords. In winter there is so much snow the train literally has to push it out of the way with its bumper bar as it travels.
A couple more for Australia – the Kuranda Scenic Railway has some amazing views through the rainforest, and the Tilt Train to Longreach where you can check out the Stockman’s Hall of Fame. Both great trips in Queensland!
I have never been on a train journey in my life, but one of the coolest places I’ve been where you can take a train is Winter Park, Florida. The Amtrak station is just steps away from a beautiful, bustling downtown that is so small & friendly. But it is also close to the city of Orlando, and Disney World!
I drove there by car, but when I saw the train arrive & depart more than once during a dinner at a nearby sidewalk cafe, I fell in love! I must go back and take a trip by train, this time!