Top 10 Best Scenic Train Journeys in the World for 2025

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All Aboard: The Best Train Journeys for Scenic Views in 2025

There’s a timeless romance to rail travel, the rhythmic clatter of wheels on tracks, the unfolding landscapes outside your window, and the slow, poetic drift from one world to another. In 2025, as travelers seek slower, more immersive ways to explore the world, the best train journeys have emerged as the crown jewels of wanderlust. These scenic train journeys are not just trips; they are memorable adventures that allow travelers to connect deeply with the landscapes they traverse. Whether you dream of a scenic train journey through the lush valleys or a rugged mountain adventure, the world of the best train journeys awaits to enchant every traveler.

From the ice-draped Alps of Switzerland to the flame-colored deserts of Australia, these ten extraordinary train rides offer more than just transportation; they offer memory-making moments stitched into the scenery, a gentle reminder that the journey itself can be the destination. Experience the best train journeys that showcase incredible views and unforgettable experiences.

Each of these scenic train journeys highlights the breathtaking beauty of nature, creating moments where the journey becomes an integral part of the experience. These unique scenic train journeys promise not only comfort but also an opportunity to absorb the stunning vistas that unfold at every turn, making each scenic train journey a precious memory—one of the best train journeys you could embark on.

These scenic train journeys remind us that the journey itself can be as beautiful as the destination.

Why Scenic Train Journeys Are the New Bucket List Travel

As you embark on your next scenic train journey, take a moment to appreciate the world outside the window. The best train journeys offer an unparalleled way to explore diverse landscapes, ensuring that every scenic train journey is a feast for the senses.

Each of these scenic train journeys offers a unique perspective on the beauty of nature, making them irresistible to those who value the slow travel experience. As you embark on your next scenic train journey, take a moment to appreciate the world outside the window and discover the best train journeys available.

There’s something profoundly grounding about train travel. Unlike planes that lift you above the world or cars that whiz by in a blur, trains move with intention. You glide through mountain tunnels, snake around lakes, cut through rainforests, and pause in sleepy towns that rarely make it onto tourist maps.

In 2025, the appeal of the best train journeys continues to grow, offering eco-friendlier, culturally rich, and utterly scenic alternatives to traditional travel. Whether you’re riding through the Alps or the Australian Outback, every scenic train journey is a chance to immerse yourself in the environment.

From breathtaking views to charming stops, every scenic train journey is a feast for the senses.

In 2025, the appeal of scenic train journeys continues to grow, offering eco-friendlier, culturally rich, and utterly scenic alternatives to traditional travel.

These scenic train journeys allow travelers to experience the beauty of landscapes in a unique way, making each of the best train journeys a memorable adventure.

These rail journeys promise breathtaking views, and each train journey reveals new wonders along the tracks.

In 2025, with sustainability in the spotlight and travel deeper than just checklists, the best train journeys offer eco-friendlier, culturally rich, and utterly scenic alternatives. They invite you to lean into the window, sip something warm, and get lost in the view.

1. Glacier Express – Switzerland

On this train journey, you’ll be captivated by the beauty of the Alps, making it a must-do for every traveler.

“The Slowest Express Train in the World” Through the Swiss Alps

This train journey immerses you in stunning scenery, ensuring you don’t miss a moment of natural beauty.

If there’s ever been a place where train tracks seem to kiss the clouds, it’s deep in the heart of Switzerland. The Glacier Express, a crimson serpent gliding through snowy peaks and storybook villages, offers one of the most jaw-dropping rides on earth. It doesn’t rush, no, it strolls. Because every curve reveals a scene more cinematic than the last.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

The journey is pure alpine magic. Think snow-dusted chalets nestled in pine forests, turquoise glacial streams threading through emerald valleys, and majestic mountains rising like silent guardians on either side of the train. In winter, it’s a frosted fairy tale; in summer, a lush green dream with wildflowers blooming under the sun. The Glacier Express doesn’t just show you the Alps, it immerses you in them.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Zermatt to St. Moritz (or vice versa)
• Duration: ~8 hours
• Classes:
  • 1st Class: Panoramic carriages with extra legroom
  • 2nd Class: Comfortable and scenic
  • Excellence Class: Ultimate luxury with gourmet meals, a private bar, and guaranteed window seats

The train runs daily year-round, except for maintenance closures (typically in spring and late fall).

🌉 Signature Highlights

• The Oberalp Pass: The highest point at 2,033 meters, snow-covered and starkly beautiful
• Landwasser Viaduct: A 65-meter-high curved bridge that looks like it was plucked from a fantasy novel
• Rhine Gorge: Dubbed the “Swiss Grand Canyon” for its dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters
• Matterhorn Views: Starting in Zermatt means a front-row seat to this iconic pyramid peak

🚆 Onboard Experience

Each train journey is designed to enhance your experience and connect you with nature.

The Glacier Express is designed for slow travel lovers. Huge panoramic windows curve into the ceiling, letting you lean back and gaze up at towering peaks or starry skies. Meals are brought to your seat, a three-course Swiss delight, elegantly plated and paired with local wine. In Excellence Class, you get concierge-level service, artisanal drinks, and an iPad travel guide synced with your location.

Even the bathrooms feel upscale. It’s not just a train; it’s a floating mountain lounge on rails.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• Winter (Dec–Feb): For snow-globe scenery and dramatic white landscapes
• Summer (Jun–Aug): For green valleys, wildflowers, and crystal-clear skies

Spring and autumn offer fewer tourists but slightly muted views due to patchy snow or changing weather.

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost:
  • 2nd Class: CHF 150–200
  • 1st Class: CHF 250–300
  • Excellence Class: CHF 420+ (includes meals and lounge access)
• Booking: Recommended 2–3 months in advance, especially in peak season. Swiss Travel Pass holders get discounted or included fares (depending on pass type).

Pro tip: Sit on the right side from Zermatt to St. Moritz for the best views of the Rhine Gorge and Viaducts.

👥 Best For

• Romantic couples
• Luxury travelers
• Solo wanderers with a journal
• Photographers chasing postcard-perfect alpine shots
• Seniors and families looking for comfort and ease

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

The scenic train journey you choose should reflect your desire to connect with nature, and each scenic train journey offers distinct highlights that make it memorable.

• The Glacier Express began in 1930 and was once a seasonal summer-only service. Now, thanks to modern snow-clearing tech, it runs all year.
• Despite its name, it’s more of a “meander” than an “express”, the nickname is part cheek, part charm.
• The route passes through 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and countless yodel-worthy landscapes.

This is more than a scenic ride. It’s a moving love letter to Switzerland, slow, soulful, and unforgettable.

2. Rocky Mountaineer – Canada

Glass-Domed Luxury Through the Canadian Rockies

If you’ve ever dreamed of watching bears roam riverbanks, eagles soar overhead, and glacier-fed lakes shimmer in the sun, all from a plush seat with a gourmet meal in front of you, the Rocky Mountaineer is your ticket to heaven on rails.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

The vibe is alpine grandeur meets five-star service. The train winds through the dramatic Canadian Rockies, revealing snow-covered peaks, cascading waterfalls, and emerald forests. You don’t just look at nature here, you feel enveloped by it.

📍 Route Details

• Popular Route: Vancouver to Banff or Jasper (via Kamloops)
• Duration: 2 days (daytime travel only, overnight in hotel)
• Classes:
  • SilverLeaf: Panoramic windows, hot meals served to your seat
  • GoldLeaf: Bi-level dome coach with glass ceilings, gourmet dining, and exclusive outdoor viewing platform

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Fraser Canyon and Hell’s Gate: Rushing rapids and dramatic cliffs
• Spiral Tunnels: Ingenious engineering deep in the mountains
• Castle Mountain and Lake Louise: Postcard-worthy views you’ll remember forever
• Wildlife sightings: Bears, elk, and mountain goats often make appearances

🚆 Onboard Experience

The Rocky Mountaineer doesn’t operate at night so you never miss a view. Instead, you overnight at luxury hotels arranged as part of your journey. The onboard vibe is relaxed, elegant, and attentive. Think white linen table service, storytelling hosts, and champagne toasts.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• Spring to Fall (April to October) is the only operational window, aim for late May to early October for the best mix of wildlife, weather, and color.

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost:
  • SilverLeaf: USD 1,600–2,000 per person
  • GoldLeaf: USD 2,300–3,500 per person (includes hotels)
• Book 3–6 months in advance for peak summer departures

👥 Best For

• Couples and honeymooners
• Luxury travelers
• Nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts
• Older travelers seeking comfort and beauty

🎒 Fun Fact & Cultural Insight

• The Rocky Mountaineer has hosted royalty, celebrities, and rail fans from around the world. It’s a bucket list experience for good reason, the combination of untouched wilderness and luxury service is truly unmatched in North America.

3. The Ghan – Australia

This experience is more than just a scenic train ride; it’s a breathtaking train journey through Switzerland.

A Legendary Journey Through the Red Heart of the Outback

They call it The Ghan, short for The Afghan Express, named after the camel drivers who once carved trails through Australia’s desert heart. But today, it’s a steel dream stretching 2,979 km from Darwin to Adelaide, slicing through scorched earth, ochre mountains, and endless skies. If you’ve ever wanted to time-travel through a continent’s soul, this is it, a front-row seat to the heartbeat of the Outback.

On this train journey, indulge in the luxury of glass-dome views while exploring the Canadian Rockies.

🏜️ Scenery and Vibe

This is not your average train ride. The landscape unfolds like a shifting canvas: from the tropical Top End’s lush wetlands to the haunting stillness of the Red Centre, and finally the wine-soaked hills of South Australia. You’ll witness desert sunrises that set the sky ablaze, ancient gorges carved by time, and remote stations where stories whisper through the dust.

This train journey ensures you experience the grandeur of nature up close and personal.

The Ghan isn’t in a hurry, it’s a meditative journey, rich in history, heat, and horizon. Expect golden silence interrupted only by the call of cockatoos or the low hum of the engine pressing deeper into the wild.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Darwin ↔ Adelaide (with stops in Katherine and Alice Springs)
• Duration:
  • 3 Days / 2 Nights (Standard Journey)
  • 4 Days / 3 Nights (Ghan Expedition, April–October only)
• Classes:
  • Gold Service: Private sleeper cabins, gourmet meals, all-inclusive excursions
  • Platinum Service: Larger cabins, premium wines, in-cabin breakfasts, and luxury extras
  • Gold Twin & Gold Single options available

🌅 Signature Highlights

• Nitmiluk Gorge (Katherine): A cultural cruise through ancient sandstone canyons
• Alice Springs: Optional tours to explore desert flora, Aboriginal art, or even a scenic flight
• MacDonnell Ranges: A sunrise over this ancient, rust-hued range is worth the early wake-up
• Desert Starlight: Night skies so clear you’ll count galaxies

🚆 Onboard Experience

This is rail travel with a distinctly Australian soul. In the Queen Adelaide Restaurant, chefs serve regionally inspired dishes like kangaroo fillet or saltbush lamb paired with South Australian wines. Between courses, mingle in the Outback Explorer Lounge, where fellow travelers swap stories and sip G&Ts as red dust dances outside.

Every stop includes immersive off-train adventures, from camel rides to gorge cruises to learning Dreamtime stories from local Indigenous guides. The Ghan isn’t just a journey through Australia. It’s a journey into it.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• April to October is peak season, cooler desert temps and the full Ghan Expedition itinerary
• November to March offers fewer crowds and tropical summer scenery in the north, but it’s hot and humid

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost (AUD):
  • Gold Service Twin: $2,700–$3,500
  • Platinum Service: $4,300–$6,000
• Book 4–8 months in advance, especially for Platinum and Expedition routes
• All meals, drinks, and off-train excursions are included in the fare

Pro tip: Choose southbound (Darwin to Adelaide) for more daylight viewing of the Red Centre.

👥 Best For

A train journey through the Rocky Mountaineer reveals stunning views and unforgettable moments.

• Adventure-loving couples
• Luxury seekers with a taste for the remote
• Mature travelers with time to soak it all in
• Culture-curious wanderers
• Train buffs and history lovers

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

• The Ghan’s name honors the Afghan cameleers who helped explore and connect Australia’s interior in the 1800s.
• The full north–south route was only completed in 2004, making it a relatively new way to experience ancient landscapes.
• It’s one of the longest passenger trains in the world, often stretching over 1 km, a literal line through the desert.

From tropical jungle to red rock dreamscape to vineyard country, The Ghan is more than a train, it’s a passage through time, story, and the beating, dusty heart of Australia.

As part of your train journey, savor exquisite meals crafted from local ingredients. Each train journey allows you to connect deeply with the landscapes you traverse. The Ghan offers an unparalleled train journey through diverse Australian landscapes. This train journey through the heart of Australia is a must for any adventurous traveler. Every aspect of this train journey tells a story, making it an unforgettable experience.

4. TranzAlpine – New Zealand

A Glass-Windowed Symphony Through the Southern Alps

There are train rides that move you across a map, and then there are train rides that move your soul. New Zealand’s TranzAlpine is the latter a short but spectacular journey slicing from coast to coast through jade rivers, glacier-carved gorges, and mountain ranges so close you can almost touch the snow. This isn’t just travel, it’s a love letter to Aotearoa’s wild heart.

🌄 Scenery and Vibe

Imagine this: mist rising from deep beech forests, turquoise rivers racing beneath wooden bridges, and snowcaps shimmering under a sapphire sky. The TranzAlpine sweeps through the Canterbury Plains, climbs into the Southern Alps, and descends into the rainforested valleys of the West Coast. It’s a constantly shifting diorama, rugged yet graceful, raw yet peaceful.

The vibe is unhurried awe. Whether you’re sipping tea in your seat or standing wide-eyed on the open-air viewing car, the world outside feels like a National Geographic film come to life.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Christchurch to Greymouth (or reverse)
• Duration: ~5 hours, one-way
• Classes:
  • Scenic Class: Comfortable reclining seats, panoramic windows, access to café
  • Scenic Plus: Premium carriages with all-inclusive food and drinks, priority check-in, and elevated commentary

The train runs daily, and it’s easy to pair with a day trip or onward drive along the stunning West Coast.

🏔️ Signature Highlights

• Waimakariri River Gorge: A twisting canyon of bright blue waters and deep ravines
• Arthur’s Pass National Park: Where alpine meadows meet kea parrots and waterfalls
• Otira Tunnel: A 100-year-old engineering marvel, 8.5 km long and ghostly in its echo
• Greymouth Coastline: Wild, windswept, and dramatic, with rugged beaches just beyond the tracks

🚆 Onboard Experience

The TranzAlpine was built for scenery. Panoramic windows line every car, and there’s a dedicated open-air viewing carriage, no glass, no filter, just pure landscape. In Scenic Plus, you’re served local cuisine and paired wines while a guide narrates the legends and geology of the land you’re gliding through.

You won’t find luxury in the classic sense, there are no sleeper cabins or bar lounges, but the real indulgence here is the view and the sense of wonder it brings.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• Spring (Sept–Nov): Wildflowers and lush green valleys
• Summer (Dec–Feb): Clear skies and warm temperatures
• Autumn (Mar–May): Golden foliage and fewer crowds
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Snow-draped peaks and moody beauty, arguably the most photogenic season

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost (NZD):
  • Scenic: $200–250
  • Scenic Plus: $350–450
• Book at least 4–6 weeks in advance for peak season (summer holidays and school breaks)

Pro tip: Sit on the left side going west from Christchurch for the best views of the gorges and valleys.

👥 Best For

• Landscape photographers
• Families and nature lovers
• Slow travelers exploring both coasts
• Solo wanderers journaling their way through Middle Earth
• Anyone who believes the journey should be part of the adventure

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

• The train’s path follows ancient Māori trails once used to cross the Alps in search of precious pounamu (greenstone).
• The name “TranzAlpine” reflects its dramatic cross-Alps route, one of the steepest and most scenic in the Southern Hemisphere.
• The route only takes five hours, but you’ll remember it long after, a perfect microcosm of New Zealand’s mighty, mystical landscapes.

Riding the TranzAlpine feels like gliding through a Tolkien novel, each turn revealing another slice of untouched wonder. It’s not the longest journey, but it may just be the most beautiful five hours of your life.

5. West Highland Line – Scotland

Misty Moors, Sea Lochs, and Hogwarts Whimsy

If the soul of Scotland could ride the rails, it would do so aboard the West Highland Line, a route woven through ancient highlands, silent lochs, and brooding skies. It’s not just a train ride; it’s a time machine, humming across wild terrain where history whispers in the heather and rain drizzles like poetry.

🌫️ Scenery and Vibe

The journey unfurls like a Scottish ballad. From the charming bustle of Glasgow, the landscape gradually melts into lonely moors, jagged coastlines, and glassy lakes. Mist clings to distant peaks. Sheep graze near stone ruins. It’s cinematic in every season, often mysterious, always moody.

And yes, Harry Potter fans, this is the route that inspired the Hogwarts Express, and you’ll cross the very viaduct where the movie scenes were filmed.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Glasgow to Mallaig (via Fort William)
• Duration: ~5.5 hours
• Classes: Standard class on ScotRail trains, but also available on the vintage Jacobite Steam Train (seasonal) for a nostalgic twist

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Glenfinnan Viaduct: The iconic 21-arched bridge from the Harry Potter films
• Loch Lomond and Loch Shiel: Majestic lakes that seem to stretch forever
• Ben Nevis Views: Scotland’s highest peak standing like a stone sentinel
• Remote Highlands: Miles of untouched wilderness where the only sound is the train and the wind

🚆 Onboard Experience

The standard West Highland Line is modest, think cozy seats, large windows, and a quiet, almost meditative atmosphere. But if you board The Jacobite steam train in summer, you get a nostalgic throwback, vintage carriages, puffing smoke, and brass accents.

There are no frills here, the luxury is in the landscape, which becomes your window theater.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• May to October offers long daylight hours and the full Jacobite experience
• Late Autumn (Oct–Nov) brings golden moors and dramatic skies
• Winter adds stark beauty, though some services may be reduced

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Standard Class: £50–70 return
• Jacobite Steam Train: £60–100 (must book months in advance for summer dates)
• Sit on the left side heading north for the best coastal and viaduct views

👥 Best For

From the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the rugged terrain of the Canadian Rockies, every scenic train journey is tailored to offer an unforgettable experience.

• Romantics and writers
• History buffs
• Harry Potter fans
• Photographers chasing mist and magic
• Budget-conscious adventurers wanting big views without high costs

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

• The Glenfinnan Viaduct was built in the 1890s and remains an engineering marvel
• The train passes no roads for large stretches, just raw highland beauty
• The route inspired both J.K. Rowling and generations of poets before her

The West Highland Line doesn’t shout. It whispers. It rolls through landscapes too wild to tame, offering a journey not just through Scotland, but through emotion, memory, and mystery.

6. Belmond Andean Explorer – Peru

Luxury Rail Meets High-Altitude Adventure in the Andes

Riding the Belmond Andean Explorer is like sipping champagne on the edge of the world. This isn’t your average train, it’s South America’s first luxury sleeper, gliding through the ancient landscapes of Peru with grace, style, and high-altitude drama.

It’s Machu Picchu’s elegant cousin, less crowds, more clouds.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

This train drifts across the Andean altiplano, where llamas roam golden plains and snowcapped peaks tower in the distance. You’ll pass forgotten villages, sapphire lakes, and age-old terraced hillsides, places that still echo with Incan legends.

The vibe? Part expedition, part grand hotel. It’s all soft lighting, polished wood, and Peruvian textiles, like Hemingway meets Condé Nast.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Cusco to Arequipa (via Lake Titicaca and Puno)
• Duration: 2 or 3 days (multiple itineraries)
• Classes: All-inclusive luxury sleeper cabins
• Bunk, Twin, and Suite Cabins with en suite bathrooms

🌉 Signature Highlights

• La Raya Pass: Soaring at 4,335 meters, one of the world’s highest railway points
• Lake Titicaca: Sacred waters shimmering at sunrise
• Sumbay Caves: Home to 8,000-year-old rock art
• Arequipa’s “White City”: A colonial finale framed by volcanoes

🚆 Onboard Experience

Think boutique hotel on rails. The train features a piano lounge, gourmet dining cars, and an open-air observation deck for photo ops and star-gazing. Meals are curated by top Peruvian chefs, showcasing local ingredients like quinoa, trout, and Amazonian fruit.

Cabins are elegantly appointed, with plush bedding, private bathrooms, and window views made for slow sipping and quiet wonder.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• April to October: Dry season with clear skies and cool nights
• Avoid December–March due to heavy rains and potential delays

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost: USD 2,500–4,000 per person (all-inclusive)
• Book 4–6 months in advance, especially for dry season departures
• Bring layers, temperatures swing wildly between day and night at altitude

👥 Best For

• Luxury seekers
• Honeymooners
• Culture buffs and rail enthusiasts
• Bucket-listers chasing rare experiences
• Those who believe slow travel is the best kind of travel

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

• The route follows ancient Inca trails, literally paths walked by messengers centuries ago
• The train is run by Belmond, known for the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
• You’ll travel through some of the highest train routes in the world, often above 12,000 feet

The Belmond Andean Explorer is a moving masterpiece, where timeless Andean spirit meets 21st-century indulgence. You don’t just see Peru, you soak in it, mile by mile, in style and serenity.

7. Flåm Railway – Norway

Exploring various scenic train journeys can lead to unforgettable experiences and stunning views that will stay with you long after your trip.

A Steep Descent Into Fjordland Fairytales

Imagine a train that plunges from alpine heights to a mirror-like fjord, weaving through waterfalls, snowfields, and storybook villages in under an hour, that’s the Flåm Railway. It’s short, it’s steep, and it’s pure Scandinavian magic from start to finish.

Every scenic train journey allows you to connect deeply with the landscapes you traverse.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

You begin high in the snow-laced mountains of Myrdal, where tundra winds kiss the peaks. Then, almost dreamlike, you descend through deep, winding valleys, past cascading waterfalls and mossy farms clinging to impossibly steep slopes. At the end? The jewel-like village of Flåm, nestled on the shores of the Aurlandsfjord, a branch of the mighty Sognefjord.

The vibe? Nordic serenity. Every frame looks like it was pulled from a Norwegian folk tale, quiet, dramatic, and achingly beautiful.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Myrdal to Flåm (or vice versa)
• Duration: ~1 hour
• Elevation Change: 867 meters over just 20 km (one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world)
• Train Type: Comfortable modern trains with large viewing windows and multi-language narration

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Kjosfossen Waterfall: A thundering cascade where a mythical “huldra” (forest spirit) appears to dance for the train
• Hairpin Tunnels: Ingenious engineering twisting through the rock
• Aurlandsfjord Views: One of Norway’s most spectacular fjords, calm as glass
• Old farmhouses and wild goats: Blink and you’ll miss them, but they’re there, perched on ridges and meadows

🚆 Onboard Experience

The Flåm Railway may be brief, but it’s densely packed with drama. Trains have panoramic windows and recorded commentary that points out landmarks and legends. There’s no food service, but honestly, the views are more than enough to feast on.

Midway, the train stops at Kjosfossen, letting passengers step out and snap photos of the waterfall, and if you’re lucky (and it’s summer), catch the dancing huldra performance, part folklore, part theater.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• Summer (May to September): Lush greenery, waterfall flow at its peak, and huldra performances
• Winter (Dec to Feb): Stark snow-covered landscapes and icy waterfalls for a quieter, magical feel
• Autumn: Golden foliage and fewer crowds

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost: NOK 400–500 one way (~USD 40–50)
• Book early in peak summer via Vy.no or as part of the Norway in a Nutshell® package
• For fewer crowds, aim for the first or last train of the day

👥 Best For

• Nature lovers
• First-time visitors to Norway
• Families and photographers
• Cruise passengers docking in Flåm
• Travelers short on time but big on scenery

🎒 Cultural Insight & Fun Facts

• Built between 1924 and 1940, the Flåm Railway was originally made to connect the Sognefjord to Norway’s national rail system
• The gradient is an incredible 5.5%, one of the steepest in the world for non-rack railways
• The waterfall “huldra” show is based on Norse mythology, she’s a siren-like spirit said to lure wanderers into the forest

In just 60 minutes, the Flåm Railway takes you through what feels like 10 chapters of a Nordic fairytale. It’s not just a scenic ride, it’s a descent into wonder, wrapped in mist, moss, and mountain lore.

8. The Bernina Express – Switzerland to Italy

Alpine Magic Across Glaciers, Viaducts, and Vineyards

If the Glacier Express is Switzerland’s slow-burning romance, the Bernina Express is its wild, passionate fling, dramatic, thrilling, and full of jaw-dropping surprises. Stretching from the snowy peaks of the Swiss Alps to the palm-lined streets of Italy, this ride is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of engineering and scenery.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

From ice-covered glaciers to sun-soaked vineyards, this train packs in every type of landscape imaginable. One moment you’re curling around frozen lakes beneath towering peaks, the next you’re descending through alpine meadows, and finally cruising into the warm hues of Italian countryside.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy)
• Duration: ~4 hours
• Classes:
• 1st and 2nd class panoramic coaches with wide windows
• Available year-round with multiple daily departures

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Landwasser Viaduct: A graceful 65-meter-high curve into a tunnel
• Morteratsch Glacier: One of the last accessible alpine glaciers
• Bernina Pass: Soars over 2,253 meters, no cogwheel needed
• Poschiavo Valley and Brusio Spiral Viaduct: A thrilling corkscrew descent into Italy

🚆 Onboard Experience

Panoramic windows make you feel like you’re floating through the Alps. Commentary (in multiple languages) shares insights on the landscapes and engineering feats. Light snacks and drinks are available, though many prefer to bring a picnic.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• Winter (Dec to Feb): For dramatic snow scenes and frozen lakes
• Late Spring and Autumn: For color contrasts, think blooming meadows or golden larch trees

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost: CHF 60–80 one-way (reservations required)
• Swiss Rail Pass holders often ride free (seat reservations extra)
• Book 2–3 weeks in advance during peak season

👥 Best For

• Landscape lovers
• Train nerds and engineers
• Couples and nature-seeking families
• Day trippers from Zurich or Milan

🎒 Fun Fact and Cultural Insight

• The Bernina Express is part of the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site
• Unlike many alpine routes, it doesn’t use a cogwheel, the train climbs and descends on pure adhesion over extreme gradients, a marvel of railway design.

9. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway – India

The Toy Train That Climbs into the Clouds

A steam whistle echoes through the tea-scented air. Colorful houses cling to misty hillsides. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, affectionately known as the “Toy Train,” is a relic of colonial history and mountain charm, slowly chugging its way through the cloud-wrapped foothills of the Eastern Himalayas.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

This is not a sleek, fast journey, it’s whimsical, nostalgic, and refreshingly slow. The narrow-gauge train inches along ridgelines with sweeping views of tea plantations, monasteries, and, on clear days, the snow-draped Kangchenjunga.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling
• Duration: ~7 hours (88 km)
• Classes:
  • First Class, Standard, and Joy Rides available
  • Steam or diesel engines depending on section
• Daily departures, weather permitting

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Batasia Loop: A spiraling track with panoramic mountain views
• Ghum Station: India’s highest railway station at 2,258 meters
• Kurseong Tea Gardens: A green, rolling dream
• Charming Street Runs: The train often inches past homes and markets, sometimes close enough to touch

🚆 Onboard Experience

Wooden benches, vintage brass fittings, and the rhythmic chug of steam create a time-travel feel. Locals wave from their doorways, and kids race alongside. It’s more experience than transport, often accompanied by the smell of hot chai and diesel.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• October to March for clear skies and cooler weather
• Avoid monsoon (June to September) due to landslides and delays

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost: INR 1,200–1,600 for First Class; cheaper for standard or short segments
• Book via IRCTC or through tour operators
• The shorter Darjeeling to Ghum Joy Ride is popular and easier to book

👥 Best For

• Culture lovers
• Train history buffs
• Families with kids
• Travelers seeking slow, authentic experiences

🎒 Fun Fact and Cultural Insight

• The DHR was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999
• Built in 1881, it’s one of the oldest and most iconic mountain railways in the world
• The train starred in films like Barfi! and The Darjeeling Limited

10. Blue Train – South Africa

Luxury, Legacy, and Safari Views on Rails

If opulence had a railway address, it would be painted deep sapphire blue and stretch across the savannahs of South Africa. The Blue Train is the epitome of elegance on rails, a five-star hotel that glides through breathtaking landscapes between Pretoria and Cape Town.

🏔️ Scenery and Vibe

The scenery changes from golden plains to craggy mountains, fertile vineyards, and sun-bleached deserts. Along the way, you might spot antelope, ostriches, or giraffes grazing in the distance. It’s Africa in wide-angle, with a side of champagne.

📍 Route Details

• Start to End: Pretoria to Cape Town (or vice versa)
• Duration: ~31 hours, overnight
• Classes:
  • One class only, all-inclusive luxury suites with private bathrooms and butler service
• Typically runs weekly; chartered services available

🌉 Signature Highlights

• Great Karoo Desert: A silent, golden sea of dust and scrub
• Hex River Valley: A lush wine-growing region backed by rugged mountains
• Matjiesfontein Stop: A quirky Victorian village frozen in time

🚆 Onboard Experience

You’re greeted with champagne, and from there, the indulgence only deepens. Think rich mahogany interiors, leather armchairs, gourmet three-course meals, and a cigar lounge that Hemingway would envy. Some suites have full-sized bathtubs, yes, on a train.

☀️ Best Time to Ride

• March to May and September to November offer the most comfortable weather and beautiful scenery transitions
• Avoid peak heat in mid-summer (December to February)

🎟️ Ticket Info & Booking Tips

• Approximate Cost: USD 1,200–1,800 per person
• Price includes meals, drinks, excursions, and butler service
• Book at least 3–4 months in advance for preferred dates

👥 Best For

• Honeymooners and anniversary trips
• Luxury travelers
• Safari-bound explorers
• History and design lovers

🎒 Fun Fact and Cultural Insight

• The Blue Train has hosted presidents, kings, and celebrities, it’s often called “a window to the soul of Africa”
• Launched in 1923 as a mail and passenger service, it evolved into one of the most luxurious trains in the world

Final Whistle: Why Train Travel in 2025 Is the Journey of a Lifetime

In a world that’s constantly rushing, there’s something revolutionary about slowing down. These 10 scenic train journeys aren’t just about getting from A to B, they’re about watching the world unfold, one breathtaking frame at a time. Whether you’re winding through the Swiss Alps, crossing the Australian Outback, or gliding past elephants in South Africa, these trains offer more than just views. They offer perspective, peace, and a front-row seat to the planet’s natural wonders.

So, pack light. Bring your camera, your curiosity, and maybe a journal. Let 2025 be the year you trade airports for platforms, and fast lanes for slow beauty. 🚂✨

🚆 Over to You

Which of these scenic train rides is calling your name? Have you been on any already, or dreaming of one? Let me know in the comments below!👇
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With every scenic train journey, you embark on a unique adventure that intertwines culture, landscape, and history.

The blend of comfort and stunning scenery makes these scenic train journeys a top choice for travelers seeking to enjoy the beauty of nature.

As you explore scenic train journeys, consider how each route offers a unique perspective on the world’s diverse landscapes.