The World’s Most Scenic Train Journeys

Stunning vistas and remarkable destinations unfold through the panoramic windows of the world’s greatest railways

With its unhurried pace and focus on the remarkable natural beauty just outside the window, traveling by train has a timeless appeal that stems from the ability to slow down, breathe deeply, and embrace the present moment.

Whether whisked away on a whirlwind day trip or spending a few luxurious nights in a sleeper car, these iconic routes immerse travelers in the mountains of Switzerland and Canada, the granite hills and undulating grasslands of southern Africa, the sun-soaked coastline of Italy, and beyond. Resort-like retreats on wheels, these trains offer amenities such as destination-inspired dining, rejuvenating spa treatments, and boutique suites. Travelers can also hop off for sightseeing tours along the way.

So, trade airport delays and traffic jams in favor of seeing the world from a new perspective – one that puts comfort, connection, and sheer scenic beauty front and center.

The romance of rail travel is never as apparent as when aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. Although there are many routes to choose from, possibly the most beautiful is Paris to Portofino, which meanders through the countryside, urban centers like Lyon and Avignon, the French Riviera, and along the Italian coastline to Santa Margherita Ligure before connecting to Portofino. The night before you depart, stay at Hotel Dame des Arts in the Latin Quarter. When it’s time to head to the station, enjoy a half-hour stroll along the Seine before you board. You’ll spend one night on the train, in a historic Art Deco cabin or grand suite with free-flowing Champagne. Relax in three distinct dining cars or a reimagined 1920s bar car with a live piano player as you take in views of the villages, vineyards, and the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Get a front row seat to majestic Rocky Mountain views while traveling this Canadian railway. The Journey Through the Clouds route starts in coastal Vancouver, British Columbia, taking visitors on a two-day excursion east to Jasper, Alberta. Pristine glass-dome windows make it feel as if you’re flying above the scenery as you pass Hell’s Gate, vibrant Rainbow Canyon, the 300-foot Pyramid Falls, Albreda Glacier, and Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Though there are no sleeper cars aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, Journey Through the Clouds stops in Kamloops after the first day of travel, with an included hotel stay, before continuing to Jasper on day two.

Adventure through Africa with leisurely train safaris that reveal best of this gorgeous region. Rovos Rail’s 12-night African Collage has a little something for everyone, starting in Pretoria, South Africa, and winding through the country to Cape Town, where travelers can disembark and check in to Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa. In addition to the stunning scenery, this all-encompassing sojourn is packed with activity, transforming everything you thought you knew about train travel. Embrace the untamed spirit of Africa during game drives, rounds of golf, boat cruises, tours of caves or botanical gardens, and visits to museums, national parks, historic landmarks, or an ostrich farm.

Deemed “a modern celebration of the tradition of touring,” the Britannic Explorer is said to be the first luxury sleeper train in the United Kingdom. Enjoy a quintessentially British experience on a six-night journey through England’s Lake District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as neighboring Wales. Starting and ending in London, travelers can stay at The Guardsman or The Beaumont Mayfair before embarking on this comprehensive trip that showcases the endless beauty of Great Britain. With a sofa that folds down into a bed by night, the train’s Suites are perfect for lounging no matter the time of day. Two dining cars join a Wellness Suite offering spa treatments and the social-driven Observation Car with a bar and windows framing scenes outside.

Combining vintage luxury with the majesty of Malaysia, the Eastern & Oriental Express offers a variety of routes to choose from. Wild Malaysia pairs cultural adventures with a ride through Taman Negara National Park while Tastes of Tomorrow showcases the vibrant culinary artistry of Singapore and Malaysia while traveling through the jungle with guest chefs. Or, opt for the Tiger Express to learn about conservation efforts to protect the endangered Malayan tiger. While traveling, indulge in luxurious treatments at the Dior Spa, dine on tangy Malaysian cuisine, sip a night cap at the piano bar, or retreat to cabins and suites that transform between day and night. With all trains departing from Singapore, visitors can extend their vacation with a stay at the Artyzen Singapore.

Unobstructed views of the Swiss Alps await aboard the Glacier Express, providing a window to some of the most incredible panoramic views in Europe. Though this isn’t a sleeper train, as the route only takes about eight hours, travelers can stay the night at the boutique BEAUSiTE Zermatt, located in a car-free village, before setting out. Operating in both winter and summer and leaving from the foot of the famed Matterhorn, the train winds through sites like Bis Glacier, Stockalper Palace, the Kipfen and Rhine gorges, Visperterminen Meadow, Oberalp Pass, and the Upper Engadine lake plateau as well as more than 290 bridges and 91 tunnels. Book in Excellence Class to ensure a window seat, a five-course meal of fresh Swiss delicacies, and access to the Glacier Bar. Upon arrival in St. Moritz, where the line ends, check into the art boutique Hotel Monopol to continue your Alpine adventure.

It’s been more than 15 years since this luxury train got its start in India, with several routes to take you around the vibrant country. The Heritage of India takes off from Mumbai, so travelers can stay in opulence at The Leela Mumbai for a few days before climbing aboard the Maharajas’ Express. The seven-day experience includes sightseeing adventures in cities such as Udaipur, Bikaner, Jaipur, and Delhi, but when you get back on the train, you’ll enjoy ornate accommodations, two thematic restaurants offering fine dining (including one with hand-painted frescoes on the ceiling), and two bar cars, one with books and games and the other used as an observation lounge.

With nearly 20 routes to choose from, the Royal Scotsman is one of this list's most all-encompassing options. However, every rail journey here leaves from and returns to Edinburgh, so consider staying at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, less than a 10-minute walk from the station. Gastronomic excursions like A Taste of Scotland and the Scotch Malt Whisky Tour are offered, or keep the focus on scenery with the Western Scenic Wonders route, which ventures along Scotland’s western coast, or Clans, Castles and Isles, traversing the rolling hills of Perthshire and dramatic Highland valleys. On board the Scotsman, enjoy two mahogany-paneled Scottish restaurants, the lavish Dior Spa, an observation car with an open-air veranda, and nightly ceilidhs with Scottish music and storytelling.

As one of the most exclusive trains in the world, taking a ride on Train Suite Shiki-Shima is going to cost you – along with its steep price tag, you’ll likely spend considerable time trying to obtain tickets. The gold-hued, ultra-luxury railway has been in operation for nearly a decade, but is still in high demand, with a lottery system used to secure your ride months in advance. Each of these journeys starts and ends in Tokyo, whisking travelers on one- to three-night adventures. Head east from Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo to reach Ueno Station, where your journey begins. Stay in the singular Shiki-Shima Suite, a two-level space that incorporates touches of Japan through tatami mats, a kotatsu heater, and cypress bathtub. The first and last cars are dedicated observation areas, and with handwoven carpet designed to look like moss, plain white walls, and oversize windows that let in natural light, they blend seamlessly with the natural world to immerse travelers in the Japanese landscape.

Embrace slow travel while venturing between two of New Zealand’s biggest cities, Auckland to Wellington, on the Northern Explorer. Known for its astonishing scenery and captivating displays of nature, this rail path was built in some of the country’s most treacherous places in the early 1900s, taking nearly 30 years to complete. Now, the 12-hour excursion offers views of the Rangitikei River, the volcanic Tongariro National Park, Ruapehu’s icy streams, mountainous viaducts, the Kāpiti Coast, and the historic Raurimu Spiral on the Central Plateau. Dine on fresh, seasonal fare served course by course at your seat while looking out over the stunning lands.