All Aboard! The World’s Best Train Journeys for Adventure and Wonder

There’s something undeniably romantic about train travel. Unlike planes, where you’re whisked from one airport to another with little sense of the journey, trains let you see the world - rolling past mountains, rivers, villages, and cities, all at a pace that invites you to slow down and soak it up.

From luxury carriages with fine dining to scenic rides through untamed wilderness, here are some of the most unforgettable train journeys around the globe.

1. The Glacier Express – Switzerland

Often called the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express is anything but boring. Over eight leisurely hours, it takes you from Zermatt to St. Moritz, gliding past snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, and storybook villages. Panoramic windows mean you won’t miss a single cowbell-clinking moment.

2. The Rocky Mountaineer – Canada

If Canada’s vast landscapes are on your bucket list, the Rocky Mountaineer delivers in style. With glass-domed coaches and gourmet meals served at your seat, you’ll wind through the Canadian Rockies, spotting turquoise lakes, endless forests, and maybe even a grizzly or two. Best of all, the train only travels by daylight so you don’t miss a thing.

3. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – Europe

Few names in train travel are as iconic as the Orient Express. Think polished wood, plush velvet, Art Deco glamour, and champagne on tap. Today, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express whisks passengers between Paris and Venice (and other European cities), combining five-star luxury with a hefty dose of nostalgia.

4. The Blue Train – South Africa

They don’t call it “a window to the soul of Africa” for nothing. The Blue Train connects Pretoria and Cape Town, a journey of just under 1,000 miles. Along the way, you’ll pass golden savannahs, dramatic mountain ranges, and sprawling vineyards - all while enjoying suites with marble bathrooms and butler service.

5. The Maharajas’ Express – India

India’s railways are legendary, but the Maharajas’ Express takes it to another level. This luxury train is like a palace on wheels, offering journeys across Rajasthan and beyond. Expect ornate décor, fine dining, and guided excursions to forts, palaces, and markets. It’s not just a train ride - it’s a royal experience.

6. The TranzAlpine – New Zealand

New Zealand’s South Island is known for jaw-dropping scenery, and the TranzAlpine delivers it in spades. Crossing from Christchurch to Greymouth, the route takes you over the Canterbury Plains, through the Southern Alps, and past gorges and rivers that look straight out of Lord of the Rings.

7. The Belmond Andean Explorer – Peru

As South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer offers a truly unique way to see Peru. You’ll journey from Cusco, the heart of the Inca empire, across the Andean highlands to Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. Think llamas, breathtaking altitudes, and cocktails in the piano bar carriage.

8. The Trans-Siberian Railway – Russia

For the ultimate epic journey, nothing beats the Trans-Siberian. Stretching nearly 6,000 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, it’s the longest railway in the world. Over a week on board, you’ll watch Europe blend into Asia, with endless forests, rivers, and villages rolling past your window. It’s a test of endurance - but also a trip of a lifetime.

Why we love train travel

Trains invite us to slow down. To sip coffee while the world rolls by. To watch landscapes change in real time. They turn travel into something to savour, not just endure. Whether you’re after old-school glamour, wild landscapes, or simply the joy of the journey itself, these train rides prove that sometimes the best adventures are on two rails.