While destinations typically take center stage in travel planning, sometimes the journey itself becomes the most memorable part of an adventure. Train travel, in particular, offers a unique combination of comfort, scenery, and connection to landscapes that other transportation methods simply cannot match.
Here is a list of 15 train journeys around the world where the ride itself becomes the destination worth traveling for.
The Bernina Express, Switzerland/Italy
Connecting the Swiss Alps with the Italian lakes, this engineering marvel climbs to over 7,000 feet without using cog wheels or cables—simply through ingenious routing and gradual ascents. The signature red cars feature panoramic windows that extend into the ceiling, providing unobstructed views of glaciers, alpine meadows, and stone viaducts.
The train passes through 55 tunnels and crosses 196 bridges during its four-hour journey. The Landwasser Viaduct creates perhaps the most dramatic moment as the train curves along a stone archway seemingly carved directly from the mountainside before plunging immediately into a tunnel.
The Ghan, Australia
Bisecting the Australian continent from Adelaide to Darwin, this iconic train crosses some of the most remote terrain on Earth during its 1,851-mile journey. The route traverses the scorched red center of Australia, where travelers spot kangaroos and camels against ocher landscapes that stretch to impossibly distant horizons.
Named after the Afghan camel drivers who helped explore Australia’s interior, the train connects vastly different ecosystems from the temperate south to the tropical north. Stops in Alice Springs and Katherine allow passengers to experience the Outback and Indigenous culture before reaching the tropical Top End of the Northern Territory.
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The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Billed as the slowest express train in the world, this journey through the Swiss Alps takes nearly eight hours to cover just 180 miles, prioritizing spectacular views over speed. The train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels while connecting the two premier mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz.
The Oberalp Pass, at 6,670 feet elevation, marks the literal high point, while the Rhine Gorge—Switzerland’s ‘Grand Canyon’—creates dramatic scenes as the track hugs steep limestone walls. The signature panoramic cars provide views of mountain peaks, rustic villages, and meadows that change dramatically with the seasons.
The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Operating on several routes through the Canadian Rockies, this daylight-only train ensures passengers never miss a moment of the spectacular mountain scenery. The signature gold-leaf service features bi-level cars with glass-domed upper levels and outdoor viewing platforms perfect for feeling the mountain air and capturing photographs without window reflections. Wildlife spotting opportunities abound, with bears, elk, and eagles frequently visible from the train.
The journey between Vancouver and Banff includes passage through the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels, where the track loops over itself to manage steep gradients.
The Flåm Railway, Norway
Descending from the mountain plateau of Myrdal to the fjordside village of Flåm, this 12.5-mile journey drops more than 2,800 feet through some of Norway’s most dramatic scenery. The steep grade requires masterful engineering, including 20 tunnels, with one section incorporating a complete 180-degree turn inside the mountain.
The train makes a special photo stop at Kjosfossen waterfall, where the thundering cascade frequently creates rainbows in its mist. The journey ends at the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the world’s second-longest fjord, where passengers can continue their adventures by boat through the UNESCO-listed fjord landscape.
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The Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Connecting Singapore with Bangkok through the Malay Peninsula, this luxury train evokes the golden age of rail travel while passing through rapidly changing Southeast Asian landscapes. Colonial-style carriages feature polished wood paneling, silk furnishings, and large windows perfect for watching the transformation from urban centers to rubber plantations and jungle-covered hills.
The observation car at the rear provides open-air viewing as the train crosses the causeway between Singapore and Malaysia and later the bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. Evening cocktails in the piano bar, formal dinners, and attentive service create an atmosphere more reminiscent of a moving luxury hotel than typical train travel.
The West Highland Line, Scotland
Running from Glasgow to Mallaig on Scotland’s western coast, this route passes through remote wilderness that many consider Britain’s most scenic rail journey. The train skirts the shores of Loch Lomond before climbing onto Rannoch Moor, a desolate plateau so boggy that the railway had to be built floating on a bed of logs and brush.
The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct—famous from Harry Potter films—curves dramatically against a backdrop of mountains and the long, narrow Loch Shiel. The final approach to Mallaig offers views of the Small Isles and occasionally the Isle of Skye across the sound, creating a dramatic finale to the journey.
The California Zephyr, United States
Traversing the American West from Chicago to San Francisco, this iconic Amtrak route crosses the Continental Divide and passes through landscapes that define the American frontier experience. The journey takes approximately 52 hours to cover 2,438 miles, with the most dramatic scenery appearing on the second day when the train climbs through the Rocky Mountains via the 6.2-mile Moffat Tunnel.
The observation car provides panoramic views of colorful rock formations in Colorado before the train descends into the red rock country of Utah. The final day features a passage through the Sierra Nevada mountains and Donner Pass before the approach to the San Francisco Bay Area.
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The Reunification Express, Vietnam
Connecting Hanoi in the north with Ho Chi Minh City in the south, this 1,070-mile railway, rebuilt after the Vietnam War, passes through dramatically different landscapes and climates. The 36-hour journey (often broken into segments by travelers) hugs the South China Sea coast, revealing picturesque fishing villages, verdant rice paddies, and jungle-covered mountains.
The Hai Van Pass section features particularly dramatic coastal views as the train slowly climbs the mountainous headland between Hue and Da Nang. While not luxurious, the journey offers an authentic immersion into Vietnamese life, with local vendors appearing at station stops selling regional specialties through train windows.
The Blue Train, South Africa
Running between Pretoria and Cape Town, this luxury train crosses nearly 1,000 miles of South African landscape in 27 hours of pampered travel. The route passes through the grasslands of the Highveld before descending into the semi-desert Karoo region, with its distinctive flat-topped mountains and vast open spaces.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the observation car frame the shifting colors of the landscape, while afternoon tea and five-course dinners paired with South African wines create a colonial-era atmosphere. The journey offers a seamless blend of elegance and exploration, making it one of the most iconic rail experiences on the continent.
The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Operating seasonally on the western section of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig, this heritage steam train became world-famous through its appearances in Harry Potter films. The 84-mile round trip has been called the greatest railway journey in the world, featuring views of Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis), deepest freshwater loch (Loch Morar), and shortest river (River Morar).
Beyond the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, the route passes the silver sands of Morar—striking white beaches that look almost tropical despite their northern location. The vintage carriages and steam locomotives create an atmosphere that complements the timeless landscapes outside the windows.
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The TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Crossing New Zealand’s South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth, this journey traverses the Southern Alps through landscapes that featured prominently in Lord of the Rings films. The 139-mile route climbs from the Canterbury Plains through the dramatic Waimakariri River gorge before reaching Arthur’s Pass National Park at 2,400 feet elevation.
Open-air viewing platforms allow passengers to experience the alpine air and capture photographs without window reflections. The western descent features lush rainforest, completely different from the eastern grasslands, showcasing New Zealand’s remarkable ecological diversity within a relatively short distance.
The Serra Verde Express, Brazil
Connecting Curitiba with the coastal town of Morretes, this engineering marvel descends nearly 3,000 feet through the verdant Atlantic Forest. The 68-mile journey crosses 30 bridges and passes through 13 tunnels as it navigates the coastal mountain range.
The Bananal Viaduct creates a particularly dramatic moment as the train curves 180 degrees across a nine-arch bridge suspended above the jungle. Most travelers take the morning departure that includes Portuguese commentary pointing out highlights along the route.
The journey ends in historic Morretes, famous for its barred—a traditional slow-cooked meat stew that provides perfect sustenance after the scenic descent.
The Copper Canyon Railway, Mexico
More remote and extensive than the Grand Canyon, Mexico’s Copper Canyon system provides the backdrop for this remarkable engineering achievement completed in 1961. The 400-mile route between Los Mochis and Chihuahua features 37 bridges and 86 tunnels as it climbs from sea level to over 8,000 feet elevation.
The train passes through dramatically different ecosystems, from coastal plains to pine forests, with the most spectacular scenery appearing around El Divisadero, where passengers can disembark to enjoy canyon views. The indigenous Rarámuri people, known for their long-distance running abilities, inhabit this rugged region and occasionally appear selling handicrafts at station stops.
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The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
The world’s most famous luxury train recreates the golden age of rail travel between London, Paris, and Venice. Meticulously restored vintage carriages from the 1920s and 1930s feature original Art Deco details and marquetry by renowned designers of the period. White-gloved waiters serve elaborate multi-course meals on fine china as the train passes through the bucolic countryside of France, the Swiss Alps, and northern Italy.
The Bar Car features a baby grand piano and signature cocktails, while the midnight blue sleeping cars with their polished wood paneling evoke the elegant era of Agatha Christie novels. The journey takes passengers back in time while covering ground between Europe’s most iconic cities.
Rail’s Enduring Romance
What makes these journeys special extends beyond the scenes outside the window—it’s the particular rhythm of rail travel that allows a genuine connection with landscapes. Unlike driving, where attention must remain on the road, or flying, where landscapes appear distant and abstract, trains move at a human scale that reveals how geography shapes culture and history.
The gentle sway of carriages, the distinctive sounds of wheels on tracks, and the camaraderie that often develops among passengers all contribute to rail travel’s enduring appeal. In a world increasingly focused on rapid point-to-point transportation, these journeys remind us that sometimes, the spaces between destinations hold the most profound travel experiences.
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