The rumble of wheels on tracks, landscapes that transform before your eyes, and the gentle sway that lulls you into relaxation—train travel offers a unique way to experience the world’s most breathtaking scenery. Unlike flying or driving, trains allow you to immerse yourself in the journey without the stress of navigation or the limitations of a small window view.
Here is a list of 20 remarkable train journeys that showcase nature’s grandeur and human engineering marvels, offering vistas you simply can’t experience any other way.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express winds through the Swiss Alps on an eight-hour journey between St. Moritz and Zermatt. Passengers gaze through panoramic windows as the train crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, offering unobstructed views of mountain peaks, glacier-carved valleys, and charming Alpine villages.
The journey reaches its visual peak when it crosses the Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arch limestone structure that curves dramatically against a backdrop of pine forests.
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer travels through the heart of the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper. The glass-domed carriages provide 180-degree views of snow-capped mountains, turquoise lakes, and dense forests that would otherwise be inaccessible by road.
Wildlife sightings are common, with passengers often spotting bears, elk, and eagles against the dramatic mountain backdrop.
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Bernina Express, Italy/Switzerland
The Bernina Express connects Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano, Italy. It climbs to almost 7,400 feet as it navigates the Bernina Pass. The four-hour journey showcases dramatic landscape changes, from glaciers and alpine meadows to Mediterranean palm trees.
The train slows down at photogenic spots like the spiral Brusio Viaduct, where passengers can capture perfect photos of the train curving back on itself.
Flåm Railway, Norway
Norway’s Flåm Railway may be short at just 12 miles, but it packs extraordinary scenery into every minute of its hour-long journey. From Myrdal to the tiny village of Flåm, the train drops more than 2,800 feet, offering views of cascading waterfalls, emerald valleys, and the stunning Aurlandsfjord.
The train makes a special photo stop at the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall, where passengers can step onto a platform just a few feet from the rushing water.
TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Crossing New Zealand’s South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth, the TranzAlpine traverses the dramatic Southern Alps through landscapes featured in numerous films. The 4.5-hour journey passes through the wide Canterbury Plains before climbing into Arthur’s Pass National Park, where passengers can see deep gorges, mountain peaks, and the milky blue waters of the Waimakariri River.
Open-air viewing platforms allow for unobstructed photography and fresh mountain air.
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California Zephyr, United States
The California Zephyr runs from Chicago to San Francisco, but its most spectacular section is when it crosses the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. Passengers witness the transformation from the flat Midwest plains to Colorado’s dramatic mountain ranges and red rock formations.
The train’s observation car provides panoramic views as it winds through canyons carved by the Colorado River and climbs mountain passes that reach elevations of over 9,000 feet.
Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
The historic Kuranda Scenic Railway in tropical North Queensland takes passengers from Cairns up through the ancient Barron Gorge National Park to the village of Kuranda. The vintage carriages pass beside waterfalls and through 15 hand-carved tunnels on the 90-minute journey.
Views of the rainforest canopy and the coral sea in the distance create a stunning contrast of blue ocean against green jungle.
Dombås to Åndalsnes Line, Norway
This lesser-known Norwegian rail journey between Dombås and Åndalsnes offers some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain scenery. The train descends from the Dovrefjell mountains toward the famous Trollveggen (Troll Wall), Europe’s tallest vertical rock face.
As the train approaches Åndalsnes, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of the Romsdalsfjord, with snow-capped peaks reflecting in crystal clear waters.
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Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, United States
This historic steam-powered train in Colorado follows the same route miners took in the 1880s between Durango and Silverton. The narrow-gauge tracks hug canyon walls as the train climbs through the San Juan National Forest.
With open-air gondola cars available, passengers can feel the mountain air while witnessing views of the untamed Animas River 400 feet below, surrounded by peaks over 14,000 feet.
West Highland Line, Scotland
Running from Glasgow to Mallaig on Scotland’s western coast, the West Highland Line traverses remote highlands, moors, and lochs. The section crossing Rannoch Moor, a vast wilderness area, feels particularly isolated as the train crosses a landscape where no roads exist.
The line’s most famous feature is the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a 21-arch structure curving around a valley familiar to many from its appearances in film and television.
Copper Canyon Railroad, Mexico
Mexico’s Copper Canyon Railroad travels along the edge of canyons deeper and larger than the Grand Canyon. The journey between Chihuahua and Los Mochis includes 86 tunnels and 37 bridges, climbing from sea level to over 8,000 feet.
Passengers witness dramatic changes in the environment, from coastal plains to alpine forests. The most spectacular views come as the train traverses the precipitous edges of rust-colored canyons formed over millions of years.
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Blue Train, South Africa
South Africa’s luxurious Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Cape Town, offering a 31-hour journey through diverse landscapes. From the comfort of elegant carriages, passengers enjoy views of the stark beauty of the Karoo desert, verdant winelands, and dramatic mountain passes.
Floor-to-ceiling windows in the observation car frame the changing scenery, which transforms from golden savannahs to the lush coastal regions of the Western Cape.
Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Operating on a section of the West Highland Line between Fort William and Mallaig, the Jacobite Steam Train offers arguably Britain’s most picturesque rail journey. The 84-mile round trip passes by Britain’s highest mountain, deepest loch, and shortest river.
The vintage steam locomotive creates a nostalgic atmosphere as it crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, with views extending across Loch Shiel to mountains that seem to stretch endlessly.
Hiram Bingham Orient Express, Peru
Named after the explorer who rediscovered Machu Picchu, this luxury train connects Cusco to the ancient Incan citadel. The journey traverses the Sacred Valley, following the course of the Urubamba River through changing landscapes of Andean peaks and cloud forests.
Large windows and an observation car frame the agricultural terraces and snow-capped mountains, building anticipation for the final destination’s remarkable vistas.
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Belgrade to Bar Railway, Serbia/Montenegro
One of Europe’s most spectacular engineering achievements, this line connects Serbia’s capital with Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. On its 296-mile route, the track crosses 435 bridges and passes through 254 tunnels.
The most breathtaking section occurs as the train descends from the Montenegrin mountains toward the coast, offering views of deep canyons, the turquoise Tara River, and eventually the sparkling Adriatic Sea.
The Eastern & Oriental Express, Thailand/Malaysia/Singapore
This luxury train journey through Southeast Asia connects Bangkok, Thailand, with Singapore, passing through lush Malaysian landscapes. Passengers witness tropical scenery from teakwood-paneled carriages fitted with large windows.
The journey reveals an ever-changing tableau of rice paddies, jungle-covered hills, rural villages, and ancient temples, especially impressive at sunrise when the mist hovers above the fields.
Coastal Pacific, New Zealand
Running between Christchurch and Picton on New Zealand’s South Island, the Coastal Pacific hugs the Pacific coastline for much of its journey. Passengers enjoy views of rugged mountains on one side and the ocean on the other, with the Kaikoura Range dramatically meeting the sea.
The train passes through vineyards and the Marlborough Sound area, with outdoor viewing platforms perfect for watching fur seals basking on rocky shorelines.
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Semmering Railway, Austria
As the world’s first true mountain railway and a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Semmering Railway between Vienna and Graz represents a milestone in engineering. The line, completed in 1854, features 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels as it crosses the Austrian Alps.
Passengers enjoy views of pine-covered mountains and deep valleys from wide windows, with the train slowing at certain points to allow appreciation of particularly magnificent vistas.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China
The highest railway in the world, reaching elevations over 16,000 feet, connects Xining in mainland China to Lhasa in Tibet. Specially designed trains with oxygen-enriched air allow passengers to enjoy views of the vast Tibetan Plateau, the snow-capped Kunlun Mountains, and the high-altitude lakes.
Much of the route crosses permafrost regions where little human development exists, creating a sense of traversing an alien landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth.
Grand Canyon Railway, United States
The historic Grand Canyon Railway travels 65 miles from Williams, Arizona, to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. The train climbs 1,500 feet through ponderosa pine forests and high desert plateaus.
What makes this journey special is the dramatic moment when it arrives at the rim, delivering passengers directly to one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders without the hassle of driving or parking.
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Landscapes in Motion
Train travel transforms getting there into an essential part of the adventure itself. These rail journeys prove that sometimes, the slow path offers rewards no other mode of transportation can match: the ability to fully absorb magnificent landscapes while enjoying comfort and tranquility.
From mountain peaks to coastal panoramas, these train routes showcase our planet’s diverse beauty in a way that honors the natural world and the human ingenuity required to traverse it.
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