Nothing captures the imagination quite like a train journey through breathtaking landscapes. These rail adventures offer more than just transportation – they’re windows to some of Earth’s most spectacular views, cutting through mountains, crossing deserts, and winding along coastal cliffs.
From luxury carriages to rustic cabins, these train rides show travelers corners of the world that cars and planes simply can’t reach. Ready to explore some of the most jaw-dropping train routes on the planet?
These rides aren’t your typical commuter rails – they’re adventures that will leave you speechless.
Bernina Express, Switzerland
The bright red train cars of the Bernina Express wind through the Swiss Alps like a ribbon against snow. This UNESCO World Heritage route climbs more than 7,000 feet through spiral tunnels and across 196 bridges, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
The panoramic windows offer perfect views of glaciers, mountain lakes, and tiny Alpine villages dotting the landscape. The four-hour journey between Chur and Tirano showcases Switzerland’s most dramatic mountain scenery every season.
Flåm Railway, Norway
The Flåm Railway descends 2,800 feet over 12 miles of track through Norway’s fjord country. Passengers witness 20 tunnels carved by hand as the train navigates one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world.
The journey passes thundering waterfalls, including a special stop at the massive Kjosfossen waterfall, where travelers can step out onto the platform. The green valleys and snow-capped peaks make every minute of this hour-long ride worth savoring.
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Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
The world’s longest railway line stretches 5,772 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok. This legendary journey takes seven days, passes through eight time zones, and showcases Russia’s vast wilderness.
The train rolls past the Ural Mountains, Lake Baikal’s crystal waters, and endless Siberian forests. Every cabin becomes a tiny home as passengers share stories with fellow travelers worldwide.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
The self-proclaimed ‘slowest express train in the world’ takes eight hours to cover 180 miles of Swiss mountain terrain. Travelers enjoy views through panoramic windows as the train crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels.
The route between Zermatt and St. Moritz includes the Oberalp Pass, where the train climbs 6,670 feet above sea level. Each meal in the dining car comes with a side of stunning Alpine views.
Durango & Silverton Railroad, USA
This historic narrow-gauge railroad has been running continuously since 1882 through Colorado’s wild terrain. The coal-fired steam locomotive climbs 3,000 feet into the San Juan Mountains along tracks that hug steep canyon walls.
Passengers can spot old mining camps and untamed wilderness while the train follows the Animas River’s path. The 45-mile journey takes 3.5 hours through landscapes that haven’t changed much since the Old West.
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Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
This two-hour train journey from Cairns to Kuranda occurs through the oldest rainforest on Earth, tropical North Queensland. The train passes by stunning waterfalls and crosses 37 bridges.
Engineers carved the track directly into the mountainside more than 100 years ago, creating an engineering marvel. The journey includes stops at scenic overlooks where passengers can photograph the coastal views and dense rainforest.
Bergen Line, Norway
This is Northern Europe’s highest mainline railway line, running between Oslo and Bergen. It crosses the Hardangervidda plateau and climbs 4,058 feet above sea level, passing through harsh snow-covered terrain for much of the year.
During the seven-hour journey, travelers witness fjords, glaciers, and some of Norway’s most remote wilderness. The route includes 182 tunnels and offers some of European rail travel’s most dramatic landscape changes.
Jungfrau Railway, Switzerland
This engineering marvel takes passengers to Europe’s highest railway station, 11,332 feet above sea level. The train spends much of its journey inside the Eiger and Mönch mountains, carved through solid Alpine rock.
Two stops inside the mountain offer panoramic views through windows carved into the rock face. The final station provides views of the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding peaks that seem to touch the sky.
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Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China
The highest railway in the world crosses the Tibetan Plateau at an elevation of over 16,000 feet. Special cars are pressurized like aircraft to help passengers handle the extreme altitude along the route.
The 1,215-mile journey passes through permafrost regions and terrain once considered too hostile for railways. From their oxygen-enriched cabins, travelers witness snow-capped mountains, vast grasslands, and herds of Tibetan antelope.
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
This luxury train winds through the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver, Banff, and Jasper. Glass-domed cars offer unobstructed views of snow-capped peaks, turquoise lakes, and possible wildlife sightings.
The train travels only during daylight hours to ensure passengers don’t miss spectacular scenery. Gourmet meals are served while passengers watch for bears, elk, and eagles along the route.
Copper Canyon Railway, Mexico
El Chepe, as locals call it, travels through terrain more rugged than the Grand Canyon. The train climbs from sea level to 8,000 feet through 86 tunnels and over 37 bridges.
The 400-mile route passes through varying climates and ecosystems, from coastal desert to alpine forest. Passengers witness the spectacular Sierra Madre mountains and the six distinct canyons that make up Mexico’s Copper Canyon.
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TranzAlpine, New Zealand
This four-hour journey between Christchurch and Greymouth crosses the Southern Alps through New Zealand’s South Island. The train traverses 16 tunnels and five viaducts while passing through Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Passengers witness the contrast between the Canterbury Plains’ farmland and rugged mountain landscapes. The journey includes views of the Waimakariri River gorge and extensive beech forests.
West Highland Line, Scotland
Often called the most scenic railway journey in Britain, this route runs from Glasgow to Mallaig. The train passes remote glens, lochs, and moors that showcase Scotland’s wild beauty.
Highlights include crossing the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, featured in the Harry Potter films. The journey offers views of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, and some of Scotland’s most isolated communities.
Nariz del Diablo, Ecuador
The Devil’s Nose train tackles one of the world’s most challenging railway passages through the Andes. The track switches back and forth up an almost perpendicular rock wall, climbing 1,640 feet in less than 7.5 miles.
Engineers carved this remarkable route into the mountainside in the early 1900s, creating a masterpiece of railway engineering. The train offers spectacular views of the Andes and passes through traditional Ecuadorian villages.
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Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
This UNESCO World Heritage site, the ‘Toy Train,’ climbs into the Himalayan foothills. The narrow-gauge track uses innovative loops and zigzags to gain altitude as it climbs from 328 to 7,218 feet.
The journey offers views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak, as it winds through tea plantations. Steam locomotives still operate on special heritage runs, maintaining the railway’s historic charm.
The Ghan, Australia
This legendary train journey covers 1,851 miles between Adelaide and Darwin through Australia’s red center. The route passes through vast deserts, tropical savannahs, and the rugged MacDonnell Ranges.
Passengers witness the changing colors of the Outback and often spot kangaroos and camels from their cabins. The journey takes 54 hours and includes stops at Alice Springs and Katherine for outback explorations.
Belgrade-Bar Railway, Montenegro
This engineering marvel connects Serbia to Montenegro’s Adriatic coast through challenging mountain terrain. The route includes 254 tunnels and 435 bridges, including Europe’s highest railway bridge.
The train climbs from sea level to 3,280 feet, offering views of the Montenegrin mountains and canyons. Passengers witness the dramatic transition from mountain landscapes to the Mediterranean coastline.
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Andean Explorer, Peru
This luxury train journey between Cusco and Lake Titicaca crosses some of the highest plains of the Andes. The route reaches altitudes of 14,150 feet while passing through remote Andean villages and alpaca farms.
From elegant vintage-style carriages, passengers enjoy views of snow-capped peaks and vast altiplano landscapes. The journey includes sunset views over Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake.
Flamsbana Express, Norway
This 12-mile journey drops over 2,800 feet through 20 tunnels in Norway’s fjord country. The train passes waterfalls, mountains, and fjords while navigating one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world.
Special stops allow passengers to photograph the dramatic Kjosfossen waterfall and traditional Norwegian farms clinging to mountainsides. The journey showcases some of Norway’s most spectacular fjord and mountain scenery.
White Pass & Yukon Route, USA/Canada
This narrow-gauge railway climbs nearly 3,000 feet just 20 miles from Skagway, Alaska. The train follows the historic Klondike Gold Rush route, clinging to cliff edges and crossing wooden trestles.
Passengers witness the transition from coastal rainforest to alpine tundra while learning about the history of the gold rush. The international route offers views of glaciers, gorges, and waterfalls.
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Tracks Through Time
These rail journeys represent more than just transportation from one point to another—they’re triumphs of human engineering and determination. Each route tells the stories of the people who built it, often by hand, through some of Earth’s most challenging terrain.
Today’s passengers experience these historic paths in comfort, but the sense of adventure remains as strong as ever. From their windows, travelers witness landscapes that have inspired generations of explorers.
These trains prove that the journey sometimes matters more than the destination, especially when that journey takes you through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery. For those seeking adventure and comfort, these rail experiences deliver unforgettable memories along every mile of track.
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