Best Scenic Train Journeys in the World for 2026

Introduction: The Golden Age Returns

Train travel offers something flying never can: the journey itself becomes the destination. Watch landscapes unfold through panoramic windows while sipping wine in the dining car.

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland: Alpine Masterpiece

Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz Distance: 181 miles (291 km) Duration: 8 hours Highlights:

• 291 bridges, 91 tunnels
• Oberalp Pass (6,670 ft highest point)
• Panoramic windows from floor to ceiling
• Rhône Valley vineyards
• Alpine meadows and glaciers Best Time: Year-round (summer for green valleys, winter for snow) Cost: $150-300 (add $50 for premium seats) Tip: Book window seats months ahead Dining: Onboard meal service available

2. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada: Canadian Rockies

Route: Vancouver to Banff/Jasper (multiple routes) Distance: ~620 miles (1,000 km) Duration: 2 days (overnight hotel stop) Highlights:

• Fraser Canyon
• Spiral Tunnels
• Kicking Horse Pass
• Mountain lakes and glaciers
• GoldLeaf Service (glass-domed cars) Best Time: April-October (operates seasonally) Cost: $1,500-3,500 per person Luxury: Gourmet meals, open-air viewing platform Daytime Only: No overnight train travel (better views)

3. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia: Epic Journey

Route: Moscow to Vladivostok (or Beijing/Mongolia routes) Distance: 5,772 miles (9,289 km) Duration: 7 days (non-stop) to 2-4 weeks (with stops) Highlights:

• Lake Baikal (world's deepest lake)
• Ural Mountains (Europe-Asia divide)
• Mongolian steppes
• Gobi Desert (Beijing route)
• Ultimate train adventure Best Time: May-September Cost: $500-5,000 depending on class Tip: Break up journey with stops in Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude, Mongolia Experience: Iconic bucket-list journey

4. The Ghan, Australia: Outback Crossing

Route: Adelaide to Darwin through Red Centre Distance: 1,851 miles (2,979 km) Duration: 3 days/2 nights Highlights:

• Red Centre desert landscapes
• Alice Springs stop (Uluru side trip)
• Katherine Gorge
• Outback sunsets
• Luxury cabins Best Time: April-October (cooler dry season) Cost: $2,000-6,000 depending on cabin class Included: All meals, off-train excursions Unique: Crosses Australia north to south

5. Bergen Railway, Norway: Fjords & Mountains

Route: Oslo to Bergen Distance: 308 miles (496 km) Duration: 7 hours Highlights:

• Hardangervidda Plateau (Europe's largest)
• Dramatic fjord descents
• Mountain passes and waterfalls
• Finse station (Hardangervidda hiking access)
• Engineering marvel Best Time: Year-round (summer for hiking, winter for snow) Cost: $50-100 (regular train ticket) Affordable: Regular service, excellent value Stop: Break journey at Myrdal for Flåm Railway

6. Flåm Railway, Norway: Steepest in the World

Route: Flåm to Myrdal Distance: 12.5 miles (20 km) Duration: 1 hour each way Highlights:

• One of world's steepest railways (5.5% grade)
• Kjosfossen waterfall stop
• 20 tunnels hand-carved
• Fjord views
• Engineering masterpiece Best Time: May-September Cost: $40-70 round-trip Combine: With Bergen Railway for full day Popular: Book ahead in summer

7. Bernina Express, Switzerland/Italy: Alpine Classic

Route: Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy) Distance: 90 miles (145 km) Duration: 4 hours Highlights:

• Highest railway crossing in Alps (7,391 ft)
• Landwasser Viaduct (iconic bridge)
• Morteratsch Glacier
• Brusio Circular Viaduct
• UNESCO World Heritage route Best Time: Year-round (summer for hiking access, winter for snow) Cost: $50-100 with Swiss Travel Pass Panoramic: Glass-roofed cars Continue: Bus from Tirano to Lugano for full experience

8. West Highland Line, Scotland: Hogwarts Express Route

Route: Glasgow to Mallaig Distance: 164 miles (264 km) Duration: 5.5 hours Highlights:

• Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter filming location)
• Loch Lomond
• Rannoch Moor wild landscape
• Ben Nevis views
• Coastal finale Best Time: May-September (Jacobite Steam Train operates) Cost: $50-150 (steam train more expensive) Steam Train: The Jacobite (book far ahead) Affordable: Regular service runs year-round

9. Coastal Pacific, New Zealand: Pacific Ocean Views

Route: Picton to Christchurch Distance: 217 miles (350 km) Duration: 5.5 hours Highlights:

• Pacific Ocean coastal running
• Kaikōura mountains-meet-sea
• Seal colonies
• Vineyard landscapes
• 22 tunnels, 175 bridges Best Time: October-April (operates seasonally) Cost: $120-200 Whale Watching: Stop in Kaikōura Scenic: Large viewing windows

10. Maharajas' Express, India: Luxury Palace on Rails

Route: Multiple routes across India Distance: Varies (1,000-2,000 miles) Duration: 7-8 days Highlights:

• Taj Mahal, Jaipur palaces, Udaipur
• Five-star luxury on wheels
• Presidential suites
• Onboard spa and restaurant
• Off-train guided tours included Best Time: October-April Cost: $5,000-25,000 per person Luxury: India's most luxurious train All-Inclusive: Meals, tours, accommodation

More Great Train Journeys

11. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe

• London to Venice (or other European routes)
• 1920s restored luxury coaches
• $3,000-10,000+ per journey
• Ultimate luxury train experience

12. Blue Train, South Africa

• Pretoria to Cape Town
• Luxury through South African landscapes
• All-inclusive service
• $1,200-2,500 per person

13. Hiram Bingham, Peru

• Cusco to Machu Picchu
• Luxury observation car
• Gourmet brunch/dinner
• $500 one-way

14. Nozomi Shinkansen, Japan

• Tokyo to Kyoto bullet train
• Mount Fuji views (right side, seat E)
• 200+ mph speeds
• Punctuality to the second

15. California Zephyr, USA

• Chicago to San Francisco
• Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada
• 51 hours total
• Affordable Amtrak route

Types of Train Experiences

Luxury Trains

Characteristics: Five-star service, suites, fine dining, tours Cost: $3,000-25,000 Examples: Orient-Express, Maharajas', Blue Train Best For: Special occasions, all-inclusive luxury

Scenic Day Trains

Characteristics: Panoramic windows, day journeys, affordable Cost: $50-300 Examples: Glacier Express, Bergen Railway, Bernina Express Best For: Budget travelers, photographers, day trips

Adventure Trains

Characteristics: Multi-day, remote routes, cultural immersion Cost: $500-5,000 Examples: Trans-Siberian, The Ghan, Rocky Mountaineer Best For: Bucket list, once-in-a-lifetime journeys

Heritage/Steam Trains

Characteristics: Nostalgic, historic rolling stock Cost: $100-500 Examples: Jacobite Steam Train, Durango & Silverton Best For: Train enthusiasts, families

Train Travel Tips

Booking

• Book Early: Luxury and popular routes sell out months ahead
• Compare Classes: Often worth upgrading for panoramic cars
• Rail Passes: Eurail, JR Pass can save money for multiple journeys
• Season: Off-season can mean cheaper fares and smaller crowds

Seating Strategy

• Window Seats: Essential for scenic routes
• Which Side: Research ahead (e.g., Mt. Fuji right side Tokyo-Kyoto)
• Forward/Backward: Some people prefer facing forward
• Upper Deck: Double-decker trains—upper for views

What to Bring

• Camera: With charged batteries and memory cards
• Binoculars: For distant landscapes and wildlife
• Layers: Temperature varies, AC can be cold
• Snacks/Water: Long journeys (unless included)
• Entertainment: Books, music, offline downloads
• Motion Sickness: Medication if prone

Photography

• No Flash: Reflections ruin photos through windows
• Clean Windows: Wipe before photos
• Timing: Shoot when train slows or stops
• Video: Captures motion and sound
• Polarizing Filter: Reduces glare on glass

Dining

• Onboard Dining: Some routes have restaurant cars
• Picnic: Bring food for budget routes
• Local Specialties: Try regional food at stops
• Reservations: Book dining car ahead when possible

Multi-Country Train Adventures

Grand European Tour (2-3 weeks)

• London → Paris (Eurostar)
• Paris → Swiss Alps (TGV + scenic trains)
• Switzerland → Venice (Bernina Express)
• Venice → Vienna (overnight)
• Vienna → Prague → Berlin

Trans-Asian Railway

• Moscow → Beijing (Trans-Siberian)
• Beijing → Hong Kong (Chinese rail)
• Hong Kong → Bangkok (combination)
• Most requires multiple visas

North American Rail Adventure

• Vancouver → Banff (Rocky Mountaineer)
• Chicago → San Francisco (California Zephyr)
• New York → Montreal (Adirondack)

Budget Train Travel

Eurail Pass Strategy

• Calculate break-even point vs individual tickets
• Worth it for 3+ countries in 2 weeks
• Book seat reservations early (not included)
• Youth and senior discounts available

Overnight Trains

• Saves Accommodation Cost: Sleep while traveling
• Examples: European night trains, Indian sleeper class
• Comfort: Varies widely—research before booking
• Safety: Keep valuables secure

Regional Trains

• Slower but Cheaper: Local trains vs high-speed
• More Authentic: Mix with locals
• Flexibility: Less need for advance booking
• Hidden Gems: Stops in small towns

Sustainable Travel

• Trains vs Flying: 90% less CO2 emissions
• Scenery: See countryside rather than clouds
• City Centers: Stations in downtown (no airport transfers)
• Carbon Offset: Many railways offer programs

Conclusion: Rediscover Slow Travel

In our age of jet travel and instant everything, train journeys remind us that getting there can be as rewarding as arriving. These routes don't just transport you geographically—they transport you mentally, offering time to think, observe, and appreciate the world rolling by at human speed. Book your tickets, claim your window seat, and rediscover the romance of rail.