From cutting through the countryside to connecting a country’s great cities, the world’s best railway journeys offer entirely new perspectives on a destination.
Train travel always delivers plenty of magic. Sometimes it’s in the cars, as you meet fellow travelers, or as you eat and sleep with the sound of wheels rolling on the steel rails beneath you. Sometimes it’s outside, in the landscape the train traverses – offering an adventure, an experience, an insight into the heart of a nation.
1. The Reunification Express, Vietnam
Start: Ho Chi Minh City
End: Hanoi
Departs: Daily
Distance: 1072 miles (1726km)
Duration: Two days
This is one of Southeast Asia’s best-loved railways – and one of the most epic overnight train journeys in the world. There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines.
2. The California Zephyr, USA
Start: Chicago
End: San Francisco
Departs: Daily
Distance: 2438 miles (3924km)
Duration: 52hrs 40mins
For soaking up the scenic grandeur of the North American continent, nothing compares with the California Zephyr. This classic three-day ride travels across prairies, deserts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada on its way from the Midwest to the West Coast.
3. The Lake Titicaca Train, Peru
Start: Puno
End: Cuzco
Departs: Three times a week
Distance: 241 miles (388km)
Duration: 10 hours
Traversing the Altiplano from the shores of Lake Titicaca to the ancient heart of the Incan empire, the railway from Puno to Cuzco cuts a picturesque path through snow-dusted peaks and voluptuous valleys of the Andes.
4. The Beijing-to-Lhasa Express, China
Start: Beijing
End: Lhasa
Departs: Daily
Distance: 2330 miles (3750km)
Duration: 40 hours
This train transports passengers across the Tibetan plateau, gliding past grazing yaks and snow-capped mountains. At your destination, magenta-robed monks await.
5. The TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Start: Christchurch
End: Greymouth
Departs: Daily
Distance: 139 miles (223km)
Duration: 4hrs 30mins
This journey is one of the world’s finest and most scenic one-day train rides. Starting in Christchurch, it climbs rapidly through the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps, offering breathtaking views at every turn.
6. The Bergensbanen, Norway
Start: Oslo
End: Bergen
Departs: Four times a day
Distance: 308 miles (496km)
Duration: 6hrs 30mins
This astonishing train is one of Europe’s best railway rides, covering the spectrum of Norway’s natural splendor as it climbs canyons and burrows through mountainsides.
7. Tazara Railway, Tanzania and Zambia
Start: Dar es Salaam
End: Kapiri Mposhi
Departs: Twice a week
Distance: 1160 miles (1860km)
Duration: 46 hours
This train journey offers the chance of spotting big game from your seat while enjoying a two-day view of everyday life as the train travels through the heart of the African landscape.
8. The Sunset Limited, USA
Start: New Orleans
End: Los Angeles
Departs: Three times per week
Distance: 1995 miles (3211km)
Duration: Two days
From the bars of New Orleans to the breakers of the Pacific Ocean, the Sunset Limited offers an unforgettable coast-to-coast ride through Louisiana’s bayous, Texas deserts, and Californian hills.
9. The Caledonian Sleeper, UK
Start: London (Euston)
End: Fort William
Departs: Daily
Distance: 509 miles (819km)
Duration: 13hrs 30mins
Transitioning from central London to the Scottish Highlands via an overnight train journey captures the romance of rail travel beautifully, waking up to views of towering granite peaks.
10. Mombasa to Nairobi, Kenya
Start: Mombasa
Ends: Nairobi
Departs: Daily
Distance: 360 miles (579km)
Duration: 5hrs 10mins
This railway route is legendary in Africa, having facilitated the modern concept of safari while offering a breathtaking journey through the Kenyan landscape, all under the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.
11. Tangier to Marrakesh, Morocco
Start: Tangier
End: Marrakesh
Departs: Daily
Distance: 360 miles (580km)
Duration: 5hrs 15mins
Traveling through Morocco’s most captivating sites via train is a soulful experience, accentuated by dazzling landscapes and the lively ambiance of Moroccan culture.
12. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Start: Vancouver
End: Banff
Departs: Twice a week
Distance: 594 miles (957km)
Duration: 37 hours
This train journey is a geological field trip and wildlife safari that offers stunning views of Canada’s quintessential mountain landscapes and breathtaking engineering marvels.
13. Alexandria to Aswan, Egypt
Start: Alexandria
End: Aswan
Departs: Daily
Distance: 670 miles (1100km)
Duration: 16 hours
A ride from Alexandria to Aswan allows you to travel alongside the Nile River, with opportunities to explore ancient relics along its banks, creating a culturally enriching experience.
14. The Serra Verde Express, Brazil
Start: Curitiba
End: Morretes, Paraná
Departs: Daily
Distance: 42 miles (68km)
Duration: 3hrs 30mins
This spectacular train journey starts in Curitiba and winds through dramatic mountain passes, showcasing breathtaking scenery through canyons and lush landscapes.
15. The Darjeeling Toy Train, India
Start: New Jalpaiguri
End: Darjeeling
Departs: Daily
Distance: 55 miles (88.5km)
Duration: 7–8 hours
The bottle-blue Darjeeling Toy Train travels past emerald-green tea plantations and quaint townships, offering a historical slice of India’s narrow-gauge steam railway legacy.
16. The Hokkaidō Shinkansen, Japan
Start: Tokyo
End: Hakodate
Departs: Daily
Distance: 512 miles (824km)
Duration: 4 hours
The Hokkaidō Shinkansen, Japan’s iconic bullet train, takes you through picturesque scenes of rural Japan, ensuring riding the shinkansen is a quintessential Japanese experience.
17. Colombo to Badulla, Sri Lanka
Start: Colombo
End: Badulla
Departs: Daily
Distance: 181 miles (292km)
Duration: 9–10 hours
A scenic train journey from Colombo to Badulla unveils Sri Lanka’s rich green landscapes, transitioning through urban gardens and lush tea plantations.
18. Bangkok to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore
Start: Bangkok
End: Singapore
Departs: Weekly
Distance: 1200 miles (1900km)
Duration: Three days
This railway journey spans three countries, providing ample opportunity to explore tropical islands and vibrant metropolises, all while enjoying the scenic views along the Malay Peninsula.
19. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Start: St Moritz
End: Zermatt
Departs: Daily (in season)
Distance: 180 miles (290km)
Duration: 8 hours
The Glacier Express offers a spectacular eight-hour journey through Switzerland’s Alpine terrain, showcasing breathtaking views of landscapes filled with meadows, forests, and mountains.
20. The Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy
Start: Chur
End: Tirano
Departs: Daily
Distance: 96 miles (156km)
Duration: 4hrs 30mins
Rolling from Chur to Tirano, this narrow-gauge train serves as a gateway to glacier-capped mountains and scenic lakes, continually earning its place as one of the world’s most beautiful rail journeys.
21. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, England, France, Switzerland and Italy
Start: London
End: Venice
Departs: One to six times per month
Distance: 1300 miles (2090km)
Duration: Two days
Traveling from London to Venice via the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express captures a luxurious experience steeped in history with fine dining and vintage charm.
22. Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia
Start: Nova Gorica
End: Jesenice
Departs: Daily
Distance: 55 miles (89km)
Duration: Two hours
The Bohinj Railway connects two significant locations in Slovenia, offering a spectacular tour through idyllic mountain towns and stunning alpine scenery.
23. The Ghan, Australia
Start: Adelaide
End: Darwin
Departs: Twice a week
Distance: 1851 miles (2979km)
Duration: 54 hours
The Ghan is one of Australia’s most unforgettable train journeys, providing a luxurious experience while traversing the heart of the Outback.
24. Cannes to Menton, France
Start: Cannes
End: Menton
Departs: Daily
Distance: 34 miles (55km)
Duration: 1hr 20mins
This slow train skirts the French Mediterranean coast, allowing travelers to explore the sparkling sea and luxury towns of the French Riviera.
This article was first published Aug 5, 2019 and updated Jan 2, 2024.
