There is something great about going on a train trip — we get to sit in a moving metal box and enjoy the view outside the windows. Thanks to the works of the industrial revolution, there has been a rise in train trips that focus more on the journey than on the final destination (not related to the movie). Plus, they are fast, sometimes comfy, and usually leave on time. When it comes to traveling, train rides are the kings of all.
One might say that the car trips we see in the movies have become quite stale — railroad travel might spice things up. The preset train tracks lead the passengers through some unique sights. So it’s no wonder why some train routes allow people to experience something new in the comfort of their seats. From the Royal Scotsman in England to The Ghan from the land of down under, Australia — the train itself adds a lot of novelty to the trip.
If you have your things packed already and are just waiting for the right trip — we have you covered. In the list below, we have compiled some of the best train rides in the world that you should try out. If one of the rides caught your eye, upvote it. On the other hand, if you already took up the chance, share your experience in the comments below.
#1 Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz, two of Switzerland's most gorgeous mountain resorts, and is the most tranquil way to take in the breathtaking Swiss Alpine panorama. The day-long journey from Zermatt to the east passes by southern Switzerland's idyllic hamlets, pure mountain lakes, and alpine meadows.
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20points
#2 Jacobite Steam Train
This 84-mile round-trip train excursion begins at Fort William in the Scottish Highlands, close to Britain's tallest peak, Ben Nevis. Along the way, it passes through lush countryside, lochs of brilliant blue, deep valleys, and charming towns. The 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct overlooking Lake Shiel and the Jacobite memorial is the real highlight of the journey.
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18points
#3 Trondheim To Bodø, Norway
The only railway in Norway to reach the Arctic Circle is the Nordlandsbanen Railway - the nation's longest route. Before reaching Bod, where ferries to the Lofoten islands depart from, the route from Trondheim travels through farms, woods, mountains, rivers, and fjords. Passengers can observe the midnight sun in summer and the winter northern lights.
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18points
#4 West Highland Line, Glasgow To Mallaig, Scotland
The West Highland Line passes through some of the most varied landscapes in the nation, making it a fantastic opportunity to discover Scotland's wild western coast. The West Highland Line travels across the desolate Rannoch Moor in the north before avoiding the imposing Ben Nevis and arriving at Fort William.
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16points
#5 Cannes, France, To Ventimiglia, Italy
In less than two hours, passengers may travel from Cannes, France, to Ventimiglia, Italy, while taking in the breathtaking vistas of the Mediterranean. You can snap photos of beautiful places like Nice and visit Monaco on the train. Ancient Roman ruins and sandy beaches are always waiting for passengers at the end destination.
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16points
#6 The Maharajas' Express, India
Maharajas’ Express, a luxurious sleeping train, is quite relaxing. Even by the norms of rail travel, the junior suite rooms are surprisingly roomy and have full-sized closets, cozy mattresses, private bathrooms, and satellite TVs. The schedule offers unique possibilities to discover India each day.
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15points
#7 The Flåm Railway, Norway
The Flåm Railway is undoubtedly one of the most gorgeous train rides ever in the Scandinavian area. While it might not be the grandest train ride ever, it can be considered one of Norway's top attractions. To get to the highland station of Myrdal, it goes past steep gorges, gushing waterfalls, and soaring peaks.
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15points
#8 La Trochita (The Old Patagonian Express), South America
The train provided a lifeline for travelers and freight for the majority of the 20th century. It was originally designed as a connection between the mountain town of San Carlos de Bariloche and the port cities of Puerto Deseado and San Antonio Este on Argentina's Atlantic coast. Yet in 2006, the government revived La Trochita as a tourist destination.
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13points
#9 The Ghan, Australia
The Ghan, completed in 1929, travels from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north through the center of the Australian continent. The three-day all-inclusive tour takes the train through the Red Centre of Australia, passing by different landscapes. It's a great way to experience the land down under.
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13points
#10 Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
The most recognizable locomotive in the entire world is still the pinnacle of luxury. The opulent interiors are a vision of Art Deco architecture from the 1920s, but the faultless service maintains this train firmly in a league of its own. This extravagant train received even more opulent modifications for 2023, including eight more rooms.
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13points
#11 Belmond Andean Explorer, South America
The Belmond Andean Explorer takes travelers between Arequipa and Cusco on one- or two-night itineraries as it winds through the Peruvian Andes at a height of 4267.2 m (14,000 ft). There are just 35 cabins on the train, and each is furnished with handcrafted textiles and alpaca wool blankets for an elegant yet genuine atmosphere.
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13points
#12 Tokyo To Osaka, Japan
The Tokyo To Osaka track is one of the most popular bullet train (Shinkansen in Japan) routes ever. It's hard to take in the scenery when the bullet train travels so fast, so you have to try to keep your mind occupied somehow. Besides the fast change of views, the train offers tasty food and specialty vendors.
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13points
#13 Pacific Surfliner
The west coast of the USA is quite famous for its sandy beaches and Pacific ocean views. The Pacific Surfliner travels from San Luis Obispo to the Santa Fe Depot in San Diego. The train visits numerous iconic cities, like Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, and all the way — the Pacific ocean is visible.
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13points
#14 Denali Star, Alaska, USA
With stops in Wasilla, Talkeetna, and Denali Park, the Denali Star, the Alaska Railroad's flagship train, runs between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Throughout this road, you'll see stands of birch and spruce, sparkling salmon streams, and carpets that provide a striking purple color to the scenery. Denali National Park, as the name suggests, is the star of the route.
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13points
#15 Kandy To Ella, Sri Lanka
Passengers go through rural villages, past waterfalls, verdant hills, and the most interesting-looking tea plantations on this seven-hour journey. Sri Lanka's rail network was initially constructed by the British in the late 1800s to transport tea and coffee for export. Nowadays, traveling by train is a popular method to see the nation.
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12points
#16 The California Zephyr, USA
The California Zephyr route spans from the east, Chicago city, to the west, Emeryville — this route provides quite a view for its passengers. At 2,438 miles (3,924 km), this is one of the lengthiest tracks in the United States, and it takes about 51 hours for the train to complete its route.
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12points
#17 The Canadian, Canada
Canada isn’t one to be behind their southern neighbor, the USA. The nation of Canada offers the chance to travel through Canada on their own, The Canadian (creative naming), train. When you are traveling in the Prestige class, you can take in the view of the Canadian landscape through your private window.
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11points
#18 Seven Stars In Kyushu, Japan
From the mattresses to the bathroom sinks to the woodwork to the porcelain dinner plates, every piece of the Seven Stars Kyushu train was crafted by Japanese artists. The four-day, three-night excursions take a circuitous route across the island of Kyushu, stopping at some of the temples, onsens, porcelain factories, and other attractions.
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11points
#19 Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
The Trans-Siberian Railway is one of the world's longest rail networks. The Trans-Siberian Railroad travels through lush Siberian woodland and the Ural Mountains as it begins its long journey at the Moscow train station. It links Moscow to Vladivostok in the east and runs the whole width of Russia.
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11points
#20 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia To Beijing, China
The Trans-Mongolian route has quite a lot of views to offer us. The landscape changes to barren red plains with grassy dunes descending across the horizon as the train travels from Russia into Mongolia. You can see the glimmer of rivers and lakes bending toward the tracks in the twilight.
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11points