Best Train Journeys Worldwide: Rails to Remember
I did not fully understand the romance of train travel until I pressed my face against a cold window on a night train crossing the snow. Planes make you a spectator at altitude. Trains keep you on the ground, at speed, with a front row seat to the world passing by. These are the journeys that made me fall in love with the rails, and the ones I would board again without hesitation.
What Makes a Train Journey Special
A good train journey is about rhythm. The endless clatter of the tracks, the sway of the carriage, the way villages appear and vanish in seconds. On my first long rail trip I planned every hour, and I quickly learned that was pointless. Trains have their own schedule, and half the joy is surrendering to it, watching the landscape change without making any effort at all. You trade being in control for being present, and it is a trade I keep making.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express links Zermatt to St Moritz in about eight hours, crossing 291 bridges and dozens of tunnels through the Swiss Alps. It is often called the slowest express train in the world, which is exactly the point. The panoramic windows make it a moving postcard, with snow capped peaks, viaducts, and villages tucked into valleys. Book a seat on the right hand side for the best mountain views, and reserve well ahead in summer because sold out trains are the norm.
Bernina Express, Switzerland
For the train obsessed, the Bernina Express deserves a separate mention. It crosses the border into Italy through the Rhaetian Alps, riding up to over 2,200 meters and down again with a series of spirals and viaducts. Unlike the Glacier Express, it runs all year, and the winter version through deep snow is magical. It is one of those rides you do twice: once on each side of the train, because you will want both views.
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
The Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Vladivostok spans over 9,000 kilometers and takes about a week end to end. Most people ride the Moscow to Beijing section and stop along the way. This is not a luxury trip; it is an adventure, with shared compartments and station stops where you buy food from the platform. I loved every minute of it. The trick is to pack light, bring snacks, and expect conversations with strangers to become the highlight of the whole journey.
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer runs through the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver and Banff, with glass domed coaches designed for viewing. Unlike most long haul trains it runs only in daylight, so you actually see the lakes and peaks instead of sleeping past them. The lakes change color with the light, and the wildlife spotting from the lounge car never gets old. It is expensive, so give yourself a window seat and soak every minute in.
The Ghan, Australia
Australia’s Ghan cuts from Adelaide through the red center to Darwin in about three days. The landscape shifts from vineyards to desert to tropical greenery, and it captures the sheer size of Australia better than any drive. The house style is comfortable with good food and a warm bar car. Watching the sunset over the red earth from the lounge felt like a scene from a film, and the starry desert night from the observation carriage was just as good.
Flam Railway, Norway
The Flam Railway in Norway is short, just twenty kilometers, but it descends from the mountains to the fjord in one of the steepest train rides anywhere. You pass waterfalls so close you feel the spray, and the famous Kjosfossen falls practically brush the carriage. It takes about an hour, not weeks, but it delivers more drama per mile than almost anything I have ridden. It is also a great base for layering into a broader Norway journey by road or ferry.
Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
The Belmond Andean Explorer is one of the highest train journeys on earth, climbing from Cusco toward Lake Titicaca and Arequipa. At altitude the pace is gentle by design, and the view over the high altiplano, herds of llamas, and snow dusted volcanoes is a slow reveal. It combines rail polish with genuine Andean landscapes, and the food is excellent. It is a beautiful way to connect the high points of a Peru itinerary without another flight.
Advice for Long Rail Trips
After many nights on trains, I have a few firm rules. Book the lower bunk if you get motion sickness. Carry earplugs no matter how good the carriage. Bring your own water because the dining car charges a fortune. And most importantly, resist the urge to be productive. Put the phone down, look out the window, and let the rails take over. That is the entire point, and it is the memory that lasts longest of any train trip I have taken.
