Trains offer some of the most spectacular journeys on earth, taking passengers to places that seem almost impossible to reach. These mighty machines navigate architectural marvels, sweep across dramatic waterways, and tunnel deep into the heart of mountains, providing experiences that no other form of transportation can match.
Here is a list of 20 remarkable train journeys that will take you through buildings, over rivers, and into mountains around the world.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express winds through the Swiss Alps on a journey that spans 180 miles and crosses 291 bridges. Passengers enjoy panoramic views through the train’s massive windows as it traverses the Landwasser Viaduct, a limestone structure that curves gracefully over the Landwasser River.
The train also plunges into the Furka Tunnel, boring straight through the mountainside at an elevation of over 7,000 feet.
The Ghan, Australia
Cutting through the heart of Australia, The Ghan travels nearly 1,900 miles from Adelaide to Darwin. This legendary train crosses the mighty Katherine River on a steel bridge that offers passengers stunning views of the surrounding wilderness.
The journey takes travelers through the MacDonnell Ranges, where the train snakes through natural gaps in the ancient mountains that Indigenous Australians have navigated for thousands of years.
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Flåm Railway, Norway
Norway’s Flåm Railway climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 12 miles, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world. The train passes through 20 tunnels, many of which were hand-carved into the mountainside.
As it emerges from each tunnel, passengers are treated to increasingly dramatic views of the Aurlandsfjord. The train crosses stone bridges over thundering waterfalls that cascade down the mountainside.
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Spanning a mind-boggling 5,700 miles, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. The train crosses the mighty Ob River on a 2,300-foot steel bridge that stands as a testament to engineering prowess.
As the journey continues, passengers witness the train plunging into the Siberian mountains through tunnels that protect the tracks from the harsh winter conditions that can drop below -40 degrees.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado
This historic steam train climbs from Durango to the former mining town of Silverton, reaching heights of 9,300 feet. The narrow-gauge tracks hug the cliff sides of the Animas River Canyon, with the raging river sometimes just feet below the train windows.
The railroad includes sections where the train passes through natural rock overhangs that form partial tunnels, creating a unique experience of traveling both through and alongside the mountain simultaneously.
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Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
Queensland’s Kuranda Railway takes passengers through the ancient rainforests of Barron Gorge National Park. The train crosses 37 bridges as it climbs the mountainside, including the impressive Stoney Creek Falls Bridge, which curves around a waterfall.
Engineers also carved 15 tunnels through the mountain range, and the train emerges from darkness into spectacular views of the rainforest canopy.
Bernina Express, Switzerland-Italy
Connecting Switzerland to Italy, the Bernina Express climbs over the Bernina Pass at an impressive 7,400 feet. The train crosses the Landwasser Viaduct, where it appears to dive directly into the mountain through a tunnel entrance built flush with the cliff face.
When the train reaches the Brusio Circular Viaduct, it performs a complete 360-degree spiral, crossing over itself while climbing the mountainside.
Georgetown Loop Railroad, Colorado
Just 45 miles west of Denver, this engineering marvel features a corkscrew turn that gains more than 600 feet in elevation. The highlight comes when the train crosses the Devil’s Gate High Bridge, a spindly metal structure that stands 95 feet above the creek below.
The track was designed to literally loop over itself, creating one of the most unusual railway configurations in North America.
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Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado-New Mexico
Straddling the Colorado-New Mexico border, this heritage railroad climbs to Cumbres Pass at 10,015 feet, making it the highest railroad pass in America. The train crosses the 137-foot-long Cascade Creek Trestle, suspended above a dramatic gorge.
When passing through Mud Tunnel, passengers experience complete darkness as the train bores through 342 feet of solid mountain that engineers couldn’t blast through with conventional methods.
Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Made famous as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, the Jacobite Steam Train crosses the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct 100 feet above the valley floor. The train travels alongside Loch Eilt, where the tracks are mere feet away from the water’s edge.
Near Mallaig, the train passes through tunnels blasted through the hard granite of the Scottish Highlands, emerging to views of the Small Isles and the Isle of Skye.
White Pass & Yukon Route, Alaska-Canada
Built during the Klondike Gold Rush, this narrow-gauge railroad climbs nearly 3,000 feet in just 20 miles. The train crosses the steel cantilever Dead Horse Gulch Bridge, which seems to cling precariously to the mountainside.
As it navigates through the coastal mountains, it passes through two tunnels carved into solid granite before emerging to panoramic views of glaciers and alpine meadows.
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Chūō Main Line, Japan
Japan’s Chūō Line runs partially through Tokyo’s dense urban landscape, where trains appear to pass directly through buildings. In the Ochanomizu district, the elevated tracks run so close to surrounding structures that passengers can sometimes see right into offices and apartments.
Further along the line, the train enters the Japanese Alps through the 2.7-mile Sasago Tunnel, which burrows deep into Mount Kōbōgatake.
Semmering Railway, Austria
As the first true mountain railway in Europe, the Semmering was an engineering triumph when completed in 1854. The train crosses 16 viaducts and passes through 15 tunnels as it climbs the Alpine mountainside.
Along the way, it travels over the two-tiered Kalte Rinne Viaduct, where passengers can look down one side to see another part of the same track they’ll travel minutes later.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
Known affectionately as the ‘Toy Train,’ this narrow-gauge heritage railway climbs into the Himalayan foothills. The train performs several complete loops and reverses to gain elevation on the steep mountainside.
At Ghum station, the highest railway station in India at 7,400 feet, the train enters a tunnel beneath the town before emerging to breathtaking views of Mount Kanchenjunga, the world’s third-highest peak.
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California Zephyr, United States
The California Zephyr travels from Chicago to San Francisco. It crosses the Continental Divide through the 6.2-mile-long Moffat Tunnel, which cuts straight through the Rocky Mountains. The train also bridges the American River on a steel trestle, giving passengers dizzying views of the rushing water below.
When crossing Nevada, it penetrates numerous tunnels blasted through the Sierra Nevada range.
TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Running from Christchurch to Greymouth, the TranzAlpine traverses the stunning Southern Alps. The train crosses the Waimakariri River on multiple occasions via long steel bridges suspended high above the turquoise waters.
It then enters the 5.5-mile Otira Tunnel, which burrows under Arthur’s Pass National Park at a gradient that required special locomotives to be designed specifically for this route.
Centovalli Railway, Switzerland-Italy
The ‘Hundred Valleys’ railway offers a dramatic 52-mile journey between Locarno, Switzerland, and Domodossola, Italy. The train crosses more than 83 bridges as it traverses the deep valleys of the region.
At certain points, the railway tunnels directly through mountain spurs and emerges onto precipitous bridges spanning ravines. The transition from the dark tunnel to the bright suspension over a gorge happens in mere seconds.
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Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, South Africa
Though currently not operating due to flood damage, this famous steam railway crosses the dramatic Kaaimans River Bridge, where the train seems to hang between mountain and sea. The line includes sections where passengers can simultaneously see the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean and the rugged mountain slopes.
The railway tunnels through coastal headlands before emerging onto bridges that span river mouths flowing into the ocean.
Andean Explorer, Peru
Travelling between Cusco and Lake Titicaca, the Andean Explorer climbs to La Raya Pass at a breathtaking 14,150 feet above sea level. The train crosses the Huatanay River on a bridge that offers views of the surrounding Andean peaks.
When passing through the Saracocha Tunnel, passengers experience a dramatic temperature drop as the train bores through the mountain before emerging to sweeping vistas of high-altitude plains.
Bergen Railway, Norway
Connecting Oslo to Bergen, this railway reaches 4,058 feet at its highest point, making it Northern Europe’s highest mainline railway. The train passes through 182 tunnels, including the 5.5-mile-long Finse Tunnel that cuts through the Hardangervidda mountain plateau.
Near Myrdal, the line includes a section where the track emerges from a tunnel directly onto a bridge spanning a deep ravine, with waterfalls visible on both sides.
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Railways That Connect Us
These remarkable train journeys showcase humanity’s determination to conquer seemingly impassable terrain. From the engineering marvels of the 19th century to modern technological achievements, these railways continue to provide access to some of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.
The next time you’re seeking an adventure that combines history, engineering, and natural beauty, consider booking a ticket on one of these extraordinary train routes and experience the thrill of traveling through buildings, over rivers, and into mountains.
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