Train travel isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it can be an unforgettable journey filled with luxury, history, and breathtaking landscapes. Across the world, luxury trains offer five-star service, great food, and magnificent views that make the journey just as remarkable as the destination. Here are some of the most scenic and luxurious train journeys you need to experience.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
- Route: London – Paris – Venice – Istanbul
- Best For: Classic luxury, Art Deco elegance, and European charm
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is the definition of timeless luxury. With its 1920s-style cabins, gourmet cuisine, and white-glove service, this train offers an experience straight out of a classic novel.
Highlights:
✔ Travel in finely restored vintage carriages
✔ Enjoy exquisite meals by Michelin-starred chefs
✔ Experience the charm of Paris, Venice, and Istanbul in one trip
The Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
- Route: Vancouver – Banff – Jasper
- Ideal for: Amazing mountain scenery and wildlife spotting
The Rocky Mountaineer takes you across Canada’s beautiful Rocky Mountains, offering panoramic glass-dome coaches for uninterrupted views of glaciers, waterfalls, and forests.
Highlights:
✔ Travel through UNESCO-listed national parks
✔ Spot bears, eagles, and elk from your window
✔ Enjoy luxury service and gourmet cuisine onboard
The Maharajas’ Express (India)
- Route: Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Mumbai
- Best For: Royal treatment and exploring India’s rich heritage
Nicknamed “India’s Palace on Wheels,” the Maharajas’ Express offers an opulent train experience with suites inspired by Indian royalty. Along with some of India’s most famous sites, including the palaces of Jaipur and the Taj Mahal, this trip will take you.
Highlights:
✔ Stay in deluxe suites with private butlers
✔ Enjoy off-train excursions to historic palaces and forts
✔ Dine on authentic Indian and international cuisine
The Glacier Express (Switzerland)
- Route: Zermatt – St. Moritz
- Ideal for: Views of a winter wonderland and Swiss Alpine terrain
Traveling across the Swiss Alps with amazing views of mountains, gorges, and little towns, the Glacier Express is among the most beautiful train trips available worldwide.
Highlights:
✔ Travel across 291 bridges and 91 tunnels
✔ Enjoy panoramic views from glass-domed coaches
✔ Savor exquisite Swiss cuisine while viewing the landscape
The Blue Train in South Africa
- Route: Pretoria – Cape Town
- Best For: African luxury and safari-style elegance
Offering five-star lodging on wheels, the Blue Train is the most opulent train ride available in South Africa. This journey through the African landscape is perfect for those who want elegance with a touch of adventure.
Highlights:
✔ Experience African safari landscapes from your suite
✔ Enjoy gourmet dining and superb South African wines
✔ Stay in private luxury suites with full en-suite bathrooms
The Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)
- Route: Cusco – Lake Titicaca – Arequipa
- Best For: High-altitude adventure and ancient wonders
The Belmond Andean Explorer, the first luxury sleeper train in South America, winds past Incan ruins, volcanoes, and the fabled Lake Titicaca across the heart of the Andes Mountains.
Highlights:
✔ Travel more than 4,300 meters above sea level
✔ Explore the floating islands of Lake Titicaca
✔ Enjoy a magnificent spa and piano lounge onboard
The Ghan (Australia)
- Route: Adelaide – Alice Springs – Darwin
- Best For: Exploring the Australian Outback in style
The Ghan offers an authentic Outback experience with unmatched luxury and transports you across Australia’s Red Centre, one of the best train trips available worldwide.
Highlights:
✔ See remote towns and desert settings
✔ Experience off-train excursions, including camel rides
✔ Enjoy all-inclusive exquisite meals and premium wines
Final Thoughts: An Unforgettable Way to Travel
Luxury train journeys offer a blend of elegance, adventure, and breathtaking scenery, making them one of the most unique ways to explore the world. These trains promise an amazing travel experience whether your ambition is of traversing the Australian Outback, royal treatment in India, or climbing the Swiss Alps.
