Best Train Rides in the World: 15 Jaw-Dropping Routes
Train journeys: epic routes span six continents and every budget. The Trans-Siberian Railway crosses 9,000 kilometers of Russian wilderness. The Bernina Express climbs through Alpine peaks in Switzerland. These routes offer travelers views that roads cannot match.
- Trans-Siberian Railway: Moscow connects to Vladivostok across frozen tundra and dense forests
- Bernina Express: Swiss Alps reveal glaciers, viaducts, and mountain villages
- Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian wilderness showcases bears, eagles, and river canyons
Railway travel delivers something air travel cannot: the journey becomes the destination. Passengers witness landscapes shift from plains to mountains. They share meals with strangers who become friends. The rhythm of steel on tracks creates meditation in motion.
Scenic railways attract millions of travelers annually. Routes wind through national parks, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and remote villages. Some trains offer luxury sleeper cars. Others provide budget seats with identical views.
The glacier-carved valleys of Norway host the Flåm Railway. Peru’s Andean Explorer climbs to Lake Titicaca. India’s Darjeeling Himalayan Railway earns its “Toy Train” nickname through narrow gauge tracks.
Interesting Fact: The Rhaetian Railway operating the Bernina Express became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, recognized as an outstanding technical achievement in harmony with surrounding mountain landscapes.
Cross 6 Continents by Train: Your Bucket List Starts Here
How far can a train actually take someone?
Try Portugal to Singapore.
That’s 18,755 kilometers across 13 countries.
Continent-hopping train routes like this belong on every world train travel bucket list.
The trans-siberian railway journey gets all the hype, but this might be the longest train ride world travelers can actually piece together.
Once in a lifetime train rides?
This one qualifies.
Twenty-one days of pure rail.
The route became possible when the Laos-China Railway opened in December 2021, finally connecting the missing link between Kunming and Vientiane.
For the China segment, travelers can choose between high-speed G trains or conventional options depending on their schedule and budget.
Choosing rail over flying also slashes the environmental impact, producing just 0.08 tonnes of CO2 compared to 1.67 tonnes for a direct flight.
The World’s Most Jaw-Dropping Train You’ve Never Heard Of
Bucket lists are great and all, but some trains exist so far off the radar that most travelers don’t even know to dream about them.
The Laos-China Railway? Barely a blip.
This 262-mile route carves through unspoilt countryside, past Buddhist temples, connecting Vientiane to Boten.
Hidden train routes worldwide don’t get more secret than this.
Forget Thailand.
These undiscovered rail experiences through unusual train rides world travelers skip deliver actual world rail adventures worth chasing. What once took ten hours by bus to reach Luang Prabang now takes just over two hours by train.
Wondabyne station in Australia can’t even be reached by car—passengers arrive only by boat and must flag down trains from the rear carriage.
China’s Fuxing Hao trains race between Shanghai and Beijing at speeds up to 350 km/h, making it one of the fastest rail journeys on the planet.
15 World Railways Ranked From Budget to Luxury
Regarding separating wallet-friendly journeys from the kind that require a second mortgage, the gap is genuinely absurd. The best train rides in the world span from affordable train rides world travelers can stomach to luxury rail journeys worldwide that cost more than cars. North America offers its own contenders, with the Rocky Mountaineer delivering dome observation windows and gourmet dining through the Canadian Rockies.
| Train | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Maharajas’ Express | $3,000–$24,000 |
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | $4,000–$100,000 |
Best train trips in the world? Train rides budget to luxury vary wildly. Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu is so exclusive that reservations are selected via lottery for its 14 suites. The Maharajas’ Express has claimed multiple World Travel Awards, including World’s Leading Luxury Train in 2024, cementing its place among the global elite.
Once-in-a-Lifetime Train Rides That Change Everything
Money separates the window-shoppers from the splurgers, sure.
But jaw-dropping train journeys don’t always demand fat wallets.
Breathtaking railway adventures won’t bankrupt you—some of the world’s most stunning routes cost less than dinner out.
Norway’s Bergensbanen crosses glaciers. Switzerland’s Glacier Express crawls through 291 bridges. Brazil’s Serra Verde winds past tropical canyons. The Trans-Siberian Railway stretches 5772 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, making it the world’s longest rail adventure. The Nordland Line runs 729 kilometers from Trondheim to Bodø, crossing the Arctic Circle through dramatic Norwegian wilderness.
These scenic train rides belong on any train travel bucket list planner.
For those seeking luxury, the Maharajas’ Express in India and the Belmond Royal Scotsman through the Scottish Highlands offer opulent vintage-style experiences.
Unforgettable train journeys world travelers chase? They’re real. Dream rail travel experiences exist. Go find them.
Trans-Siberian Railway: What 9,000 km Across Russia Looks Like
How does anyone wrap their head around 9,288 kilometers of continuous railway?
This epic overland train route crosses eight time zones.
Eight.
The russia train travel experience spans seven days minimum, cutting through the Urals and hugging Lake Baikal. The railway connects to the Trans-Mongolian Railroad, extending routes all the way to Ulaanbaatar and Beijing.
- Cross-country rail adventure through 87 major cities
- Transformative train adventures past 497 bridges
- Rail travel bucket list planning essential for stopovers
- 207 km along world’s largest freshwater lake
- Moscow to Vladivostok—pure endurance
The journey takes you through some of Siberia’s most extreme terrain, where temperatures between Mogocha and Skovorodino stations have plunged to a bone-chilling -62 °C. While this Russian odyssey emphasizes raw endurance, other luxury trains like Rovos Rail offer opulent amenities and wildlife sightings for travelers seeking a different kind of transcontinental splendor.
Orient Express vs Rocky Mountaineer: Which Wins?
Where does one even begin comparing two trains that couldn’t be more different?
The orient express luxury train screams 1920s glamour with Art Deco carriages. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express features original 1920s–1930s carriages that have been lovingly restored to maintain their historic authenticity.
Rocky mountaineer canada? Glass-dome cars and mountain peaks. The First Passage to the West Classic is a six-day journey that crosses the Continental Divide and passes through the stunning Spiral Tunnels. This daylight-only luxury train operates from mid-April to mid-October, ensuring passengers never miss a moment of the spectacular scenery.
This luxury train comparison is basically apples to vintage champagne.
Both rank among the best scenic train rides globally.
In this iconic train routes head to head battle, your priorities decide everything.
Build Your 5-Year Train Travel Bucket List in 3 Steps
Why do train enthusiasts torture themselves with impossibly long bucket lists?
Creating a train travel vision board actually works.
The greatest railway journeys demand strategic planning, not wishful thinking.
- Bernina Express offers UNESCO-protected bucket list rail trips through the Alps
- Trans-Siberian Railway spans continents for serious adventurers
- California Zephyr crosses 2,438 miles in 52 hours
- TranzAlpine delivers Southern Alps views in 4.5 hours
- Glacier Express features 291 bridges and 91 tunnels
Plan world train trip coverage by region. South Africa alone offers two epic experiences with Rovos Rail “Pride of Africa” and The Blue Train. Both trains feature formal dress codes and gourmet dining that transform the journey into an indulgent, historically nostalgic adventure. For Southeast Asia, the Eastern & Oriental Express travels 1,262 miles between Singapore, Malaysia, and Bangkok.
Best train journeys ranked by duration makes scheduling less painful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need a Visa for Every Country When Crossing Borders by Train?
No, visa requirements depend on your nationality and destination. Some countries offer visa-free entry, others require visas or electronic authorizations. Check entry requirements for each country on your route before traveling.
Are Scenic Train Routes Accessible for Travelers With Mobility Disabilities?
Many scenic railways accommodate wheelchairs, offer accessible restrooms, and provide staff assistance. Shinkansen features level boarding. Rocky Mountaineer and TranzAlpine reserve dedicated wheelchair spaces per carriage.
What Travel Insurance Covers Train Journey Cancellations or Delays Abroad?
What Travel Insurance Covers Train Journey Cancellations or Delays Abroad?
Trip cancellation benefits reimburse prepaid, nonrefundable train costs for covered reasons like illness or strikes. Travel delay benefits cover additional accommodation and meal expenses during delays from snowstorms or mechanical failures.
Can I Bring My Pet on International Luxury Train Rides?
Can I Bring My Pet on International Luxury Train Rides?
Pet policies vary by train. European trains like TGV Lyria and Frecciarossa allow pets with fees and carriers. Indian luxury trains do not permit pets.
What Vaccinations Are Required for Train Travel Through Multiple Countries?
What Vaccinations Are Required for Train Travel Through Multiple Countries?
Requirements vary by country. Yellow fever certificates are mandatory for some destinations. Hepatitis A and routine immunizations are recommended for international travel. Check each country’s specific requirements before departure.
Parting Shot
The tracks stretch out. Endless. Waiting.
Fifteen routes span six continents, from Russia’s frozen expanses to Brazil’s tropical canyons. Some cost a fortune. Others, pocket change. But here’s the thing—every single one promises something most vacations can’t deliver. Transformation. Or whatever that means when you’re staring out a glass dome at the Rockies.
The real question lingers. Which train will be first?
