Epic Train Journeys: The Most Beautiful Rail Routes Around the World
There’s something undeniably magical about train travel. Maybe it’s the rhythmic clatter of the tracks, the slow unfurling of landscapes outside your window, or the old-world romance that clings to every carriage. Unlike planes that whisk you above it all or cars that demand your attention, trains invite you to sit back, sip something warm, and just watch the world roll by. From snow-dusted Alpine passes to winding desert tracks, some train journeys are more than just a way to get from A to B—they’re the main event. These routes carve through some of the most breathtaking scenery on Earth, often in comfort and style, making the journey just as memorable as the destination.
Whether you're dreaming of mountain tunnels, coastal curves, or jungle-bound rails, this guide to the world’s most beautiful train journeys is your ticket to scenic travel bliss. Grab your window seat—we’re heading out on the tracks.
Goa, India.
1. Glacier Express – Switzerland’s Slowest (and Most Scenic) Express Train
Overview
Often called the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express is anything but boring. This iconic Swiss journey connects two of the country’s most glamorous alpine resorts—Zermatt and St. Moritz—while weaving through snow-covered peaks, deep valleys, and 91 tunnels. It’s a front-row seat to Switzerland’s most picture-perfect landscapes.
Route Details
From: Zermatt
To: St. Moritz
Distance: 291 km
Duration: Around 8 hours
Best time to go: Winter for snowy fairytale vibes; summer for green valleys and wildflowers
Scenic Highlights
The Landwasser Viaduct, a dramatic six-arched bridge curving into a sheer cliff face
Rhine Gorge, also known as Switzerland’s Grand Canyon
Sweeping alpine views of the Oberalp Pass, the journey’s highest point at 2,033m
Quaint Swiss villages and turquoise glacial rivers snaking below the train
Fun Fact
Despite the name, the Glacier Express doesn’t pass any glaciers—but it does offer uninterrupted views of some of the Alps’ most dramatic icy peaks, including the Matterhorn if you’re lucky with the weather.
Glacier Express.
2. Rocky Mountaineer – Canada’s Luxury Ride Through the Rockies
Overview
If there’s a train journey that defines “scenic,” it’s the Rocky Mountaineer. This luxurious rail experience glides through the rugged heart of the Canadian Rockies, serving up glacier-fed lakes, snow-capped peaks, and thick pine forests—often with a glass of wine in hand. It’s train travel at its most indulgent.
Route Details
From: Vancouver
To: Banff, Jasper or Lake Louise (multiple routes available)
Distance: Varies by route (up to 850 km)
Duration: 2 days (with an overnight stay in a hotel, not on the train)
Best time to go: April to October for the full mountain majesty
Scenic Highlights
The Fraser Canyon with its swirling rapids and dramatic rock walls
Pyramid Falls, only viewable from the train itself
Towering peaks like Mount Robson, the highest in the Canadian Rockies
Spotting wildlife—think bald eagles, black bears, and elk—from your dome-window seat
Fun Fact
The Rocky Mountaineer doesn’t operate overnight—so you never miss a view. Instead, passengers disembark for comfy hotel stays before reboarding the next morning for more jaw-dropping scenery.
Rocky Mountaineer.
3. West Highland Line – Scotland’s Wild and Windswept Classic
Overview
Winding through moors, mountains, and misty lochs, the West Highland Line is one of Europe’s most romantic train journeys. It’s pure drama from start to finish, with sweeping views and that unmistakable sense of Highland solitude. Oh, and Harry Potter fans? You’ll definitely recognise part of the ride.
Route Details
From: Glasgow
To: Mallaig (via Fort William)
Distance: Around 264 km
Duration: 5–6 hours
Best time to go: May to September for clearer skies and blooming heather
Scenic Highlights
Crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films
Views of Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and the towering Ben Nevis
Remote, unspoiled wilderness with barely a road in sight
Finishing in the quaint fishing port of Mallaig, gateway to the Isle of Skye
Fun Fact
Rannoch Moor, one of the most isolated parts of the route, is so remote that the train line floats on a bed of tree roots, earth, and ash to keep it stable over the boggy terrain.
Hogwarts Express on the West Highland Line.
4. TranzAlpine – New Zealand’s South Island Showstopper
Overview
From coast to coast across New Zealand’s South Island, the TranzAlpine offers up a wild mix of mountains, river gorges, farmland, and rainforest—all in just under five hours. It’s the perfect way to experience the South Island’s jaw-dropping diversity without ever touching the accelerator.
Route Details
From: Christchurch
To: Greymouth
Distance: 223 km
Duration: Just under 5 hours
Best time to go: Spring (September–November) or Autumn (March–May) for crisp air and fewer crowds
Scenic Highlights
The Canterbury Plains, stretching out in golden layers from Christchurch
The soaring peaks of the Southern Alps, especially around Arthur’s Pass
The turquoise waters of the Waimakariri River, snaking through narrow gorges
Lush West Coast rainforest as you approach Greymouth
Fun Fact
The train has an open-air viewing carriage—ideal for that full sensory blast of alpine air and unfiltered photo ops (just hold on to your hat!).
TranzAlpine.
5. The Ghan – Australia’s Iconic Outback Odyssey
Overview
Stretching from the green tropics of Darwin to the southern shores of Adelaide, The Ghan slices straight through the Australian continent—and through thousands of years of culture, desert landscapes, and wide-open nothingness. It’s not just a train journey; it’s a full-on Outback expedition, with off-train excursions and serious storybook vibes.
Route Details
From: Darwin
To: Adelaide
Distance: 2,979 km
Duration: 3–4 days
Best time to go: May to September (dry season in the north, cooler temps in the desert)
Scenic Highlights
The rusty red sands of the Red Centre, especially around Alice Springs
Remote cattle stations and endless skies across the Outback plains
Lush tropical savannah in the Top End
The Flinders Ranges in South Australia, rising rugged and ancient from the earth
Fun Fact
The train is named after the Afghan cameleers who once helped explore and supply Australia’s vast interior in the 19th century—true pioneers of the desert.
The Ghan.
6. Train to the Clouds – Argentina’s Sky-High Adventure
Overview
The Tren a las Nubes (Train to the Clouds) lives up to its name, climbing to a staggering 4,220 metres above sea level as it snakes through the Argentine Andes. With jagged peaks, deep valleys, and hair-raising viaducts, this ride is part rail journey, part engineering marvel, and all-round thrill.
Route Details
From: Salta
To: La Polvorilla Viaduct (round-trip)
Distance: Approx. 434 km
Duration: Full day (13–15 hours including bus segments)
Best time to go: April to November (dry season for clearer views)
Scenic Highlights
The jaw-dropping La Polvorilla Viaduct, where the train appears to float above the landscape
Colourful rock formations and wide valleys of the Quebrada del Toro
Views of remote Andean villages and ancient Inca-influenced culture
Cacti-dotted hills and soaring condors overhead
Fun Fact
The train reaches such heights that oxygen is available on board—and a medical team travels with passengers, just in case.
Tren a las Nubes.
7. Bernina Express – From Glaciers to Gelato in Style
Overview
The Bernina Express is a technicolour journey through the heart of the Alps, connecting chilly Swiss peaks with the warm Italian town of Tirano. In just a few hours, you’ll go from snowy mountaintops to palm-lined piazzas, all while soaking in some of the most dramatic scenery in Europe.
Route Details
From: Chur (or St. Moritz)
To: Tirano (Italy)
Distance: Around 144 km
Duration: 4 hours
Best time to go: Year-round – snow in winter, wildflowers and green valleys in summer
Scenic Highlights
Crossing the Landwasser Viaduct—yep, it’s also part of this route, and still stunning
The Morteratsch Glacier and dazzling Lago Bianco
Climbing the Alp Grüm and winding through the Bernina Pass at 2,253 metres
Spiralling down through vineyards and villages into sun-kissed northern Italy
Fun Fact
The Bernina Express is one of only a few trains in the world designated a UNESCO World Heritage experience thanks to its jaw-dropping route and historic engineering.
Bernina Express.
8. Maharajas’ Express – India’s Royal Rail Experience
Overview
The Maharajas’ Express isn’t just a train—it’s a five-star hotel on wheels. Think plush suites, butler service, fine dining, and a curated journey through India’s most iconic sights. From palaces and forts to tigers and temples, this is the kind of journey that feels lifted from a royal travel journal.
Route Details
From: Various routes (Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur)
To: Multiple destinations including Agra, Varanasi, Udaipur, and more
Distance: Varies by itinerary (typically 3–7 nights)
Duration: 4 to 8 days
Best time to go: October to April (cooler, drier months)
Scenic Highlights
Sweeping desert landscapes of Rajasthan
The majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise
Vibrant street life, ancient ghats, and sacred rituals along the Ganges in Varanasi
Wildlife safaris in search of tigers at Ranthambore National Park
Fun Fact
Often dubbed the “Orient Express of the East,” the Maharajas’ Express has won multiple awards for being the most luxurious train in the world—and yes, it has a bar car with its own pianist.
Maharajas’ Express.
9. Hiram Bingham – The Luxury Route to Machu Picchu
Overview
Named after the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to global fame, the Hiram Bingham train is an unforgettable way to arrive at Peru’s most iconic archaeological site. With polished wood interiors, gourmet meals, and live Peruvian music, the journey itself feels like a celebration of history and elegance.
Route Details
From: Poroy (near Cusco)
To: Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu)
Distance: Around 90 km
Duration: About 3.5 hours
Best time to go: April to October (dry season for clearer mountain views)
Scenic Highlights
Following the Urubamba River through the lush Sacred Valley
Towering peaks and cloud-draped cliffs of the Andes
glimpses of traditional Andean villages and terraced farmland
The dramatic final approach into Aguas Calientes, nestled deep in the jungle
Fun Fact
Your ticket doesn’t just include the train—it also covers afternoon tea at the Belmond Sanctuary Lodge and entrance to Machu Picchu, making it one of the most seamless (and stylish) ways to visit the ancient citadel.
Hiram Bingham.
10. The Blue Train – South Africa’s Rolling Five-Star Hotel
Overview
The Blue Train is South Africa’s answer to luxury rail travel, combining dramatic scenery with plush interiors and silver-service dining. It’s less about speed and more about style, offering a window into the country's diverse landscapes—from vineyards to deserts, mountains to savannah.
Route Details
From: Pretoria
To: Cape Town (and vice versa)
Distance: About 1,600 km
Duration: Around 31 hours
Best time to go: March to May or September to November for mild weather and lush scenery
Scenic Highlights
Rolling winelands of the Western Cape
Views of the towering Hex River Mountains
Expansive Karoo desert plains with golden-hued sunrises
Spotting wildlife along the way—sometimes even from the observation car
Fun Fact
The Blue Train once carried kings and presidents. One of its suites even features a full-size bath—because when you’re travelling like royalty, showers just won’t do.
Blue Train.
Final Stop: The Beauty of the Journey
In a world that often rushes from one destination to the next, these train journeys remind us that the real magic lies in the in-between. Whether it’s gliding past snow-capped peaks in Switzerland, tracing the spine of the Andes, or soaking up Outback sunsets from a plush window seat, these rails offer a front-row ticket to the Earth’s most stunning views.
Each ride has its own rhythm, its own stories, and its own way of revealing the landscapes around it—slowly, dramatically, and often unexpectedly. You might start your journey chasing scenery, but you’ll end up collecting memories, moments, and a newfound love for life on the rails.
So next time you're planning an adventure, consider swapping the plane for a train. Because sometimes, the most beautiful part of travel… is the journey itself.
