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Here are some of the best trips anyone can take on a train.
Glacier Express
Taking almost eight hours to complete its journey, the Glacier Express has a reputation for being the slowest ‘express’ in the world – but it’s also one of the most beautiful. Linking the two mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the journey covers 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
At its highest point, the Glacier Express reaches 2,033 meters (6,670 feet) in altitude at the Oberalp Pass as it travel through some of the most stunning mountain scenery Europe has to offer: alpine meadows, mountain streams, snow peaked mountains and glacial valleys.
Harzer Schmalspurbahnen
Situated in the Harz mountains of central Germany, this route connects the main cities of Wernigerode, Nordhausen and Quedlinburg, as well as several smaller towns in the region. It passes over 140 km (87 miles) of steep track, through stunning forest and mountain scenery.
Renowned for being the longest narrow gauge track in Germany and featuring only steam locomotives, the Harzer Schmalspurbahnen is a unique way to discover this relatively unexplored area of Germany.
Photo by lazytom.
Eurostar
What better way to reach the continent for a weekend break, or the start of longer travels? With the completion of the high-speed rail link and the opening of a new station at St. Pancras, only 2:15 hours separate central Paris and central London.
Eurostar now operates from three English terminals–London, Ashford, and Ebbsfleet–and offers direct services to northern France, Central Paris, Disneyland Paris, Brussels, and ‘Snow Train’ routes to southern France, all at a top speed of 300 KmH (186 mph).
The Orient Express
Few names conjure up images of luxury and indulgence like the Orient Express.
The setting of mystery novels, dozens of films, and witness to countless romantic encounters, the original (and some would argue the best) ‘Great Rail Journey’ offers luxury from a bygone era while visiting some of the continent’s best cities: London, Venice, Rome, Budapest and Prague.
Photo by Zed.Cat
The West Highland Railway
The West Highland Line, running from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig, is one of Britain’s top rail journeys, taking passengers back to a time when steam was the way to travel. It passes through the wild Rannoch Moor, and through hills and bogs within view of Ben Nevis – Scotland’s highest peak.
One of the highlights of the journey is passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct- one of the largest concrete engineering feats of the late 19th century (and more popularly known for appearing in the Harry Potter films).
The Trans Siberian Railway
The Trans Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail journey, the longest in the world (and possibly the coldest if you go at the wrong time of year), a journey of almost mythical proportions that spans two continents while staying in a single country.
There are three routes that travelers can take to explore the Siberian expanse: The Moscow-to-Vladivostok route at over 9,000 km (6,000 miles), and two routes from Moscow to Beijing: one through Mongolia, taking six days and almost 8000km (5000 miles), or one which takes almost a week to complete and travels via Manchuria.
Without leaving your seat, you pass through the end of Europe and cross almost the width of Asia, clattering your way across nearly a third of the globe.
Photo by Che89.
Jungfraubahn
At only 9km (5.5 miles), great railway journeys don’t get much shorter than the Jungfraubahn. Running from Kleine Scheidegg to the highest railway station in Europe at Jungfraujoch, this Swiss cog railway runs almost entirely though a tunnel built into the infamous Eiger.
Two stations in the middle of the tunnel allow passengers to disembark and look out over stunning mountain views. However, though it’s a short trip, this classic route does not come cheap.
The Flam Railway
The Flam Railway runs 20km (12 miles) between Myrdal, at 865 meters (2838 feet) above sea level, down to the fjords of Flam. This is an incredible feat of engineering, one of the steepest non-cog railways in the world and Norway’s most spectacular tourist attraction.
Boasting views over part of the world’s longest fjord – Sognefjord – as well as deep river valleys and airy peaks, the train seemingly clings to the side of the mountains in an unforgettable journey.
Photo by Ant and Carrie’s Photos.
The Danube Express
Explore the very best of Eastern Europe with luxury train travel on the ‘Hotel on Wheels’. From the mythical Transylvania and the fairy tale cities of Budapest and Prague to Sofia and Krakow, the Danube Express offers six classic journeys across the former Soviet states, combining rich history and beautiful cities with stunning scenery.
For those with a longing for the classic days of rail travel, there is even the option to combine voyages into an epic Central and Eastern Europe exploration.
The Stendhal
Board in Paris in the evening and wake up in Venice the following morning. Saying goodbye to the City of Lights, the journey takes in picturesque French villages and the hills of southern France before taking the Simplon Tunnel under the Alps.
With a range of sleepers available- from six and four berth couchettes to one to three berth sleepers, the Stendhal doesn’t have the luxury or reputation of many other trains sharing the same track, but with tickets starting from around $60 one way, it is a timeless (and cheap) way to visit one of the greatest cities in Italy.
Community Connection:
Not headed to Europe any time soon? In North America, try 21 Trains that are Cheaper than Flying.
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22 Comments... join the discussion!
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Rather odd list – they're all in Europe! Most are pretty spectacular – although I'd question why on earth Eurostar is in here. It's a very dull journey indeed (although it is fantastically convenient for bring London & Paris / Brussels much closer together).
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I'd add the Chepi train in Mexico, which leads through the Copper Canyon; it's supposed to be spectacular.
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the rocky mountaineer IS spectacular…i've done it a couple of times…i'm a bc native, and it still even astounds me…
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Been on the "Trans-Siberian" from Beijing to Mongolia and back, what a fun trip, there's a stop at the Great Wall, before the train left Beijing everyone aboard knew there was a "gaijing" on board and the rest of the trip was spent "entertaining" the gawkers, few had ever seen a foreigner before. By the time I arrived in Hohot (Mongolia) I had a dozen new friends! Watch out for the toilets, though, really a closet with a hole in the floor, very dangerous on a moving train. My brother, who lived in Beijing, had a friend buy 2nd class tickets. Foreigners are only offered 1st class accomodations, my brother advised against this, as it is a sleeper with a door, and unless any of the other 3 passengers speak English, it is a very quiet trip. 2nd class is the same sleeper, but no door, inviting interaction with the other passengers.
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I'll second u on this.
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Can't wait to do the Trans Siberian Railway
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having travelled on a couple of the Orient-Express trains, I can agree with your choice there. I think you could have also included the Royal Scotsman.
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My most spectacular train ride was through the mountains and valleys of Nagano. What a sight that was. The mountains were covered with thick, lush plantlife and the clouds were lingering so low it almost felt like I was in an airplane.
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Surely the Qinghai–Tibet railway line must ranl up there with the best.
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The Chihuahua-Pacific route from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, to Chihuahua, Chihuahua, through the Copper Canyon in Mexico has by far the most spectacular scenery ever viewed from a train.
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The Trans-Asya Expressi from Istanbul to Tehran is not very express, but is a really interesting 3 days. It's another trip where pretty soon the whole train will know there is a foreigner aboard and will want to meet you.
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Nice post but you are forgetting the rest of the world. How about the great railway journey through South Africa – Rovos Rail. I have heard this way is suppose to be a classic ; and not to forget the Bangkok to Singapore journey on the Eastern and Oriental express.
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Very dubious list! It's a great subject, but how did the Eurostar get past the editors? Or the omission of some of the great trains of Africa, for example? The Fianarantsoa-Manakara in Madagascar (alongside thundering rivers and through beautiful rain forest) is a strong contender, as is the one from Udzungwa Mtns to Dar in Tanzania – seeing the big game of Africa from your compartment window ranks pretty highly in my experience! Any South American travelers want to chime in? Bouncing through the rice paddies at sunrise in southern Thailand was also a goodie…
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What was up to a short time ago the world's highest standard gauge passenger train, is back in service. The Ferrocarril Central Lima to Huancayo railway tops off at 4,782 m (15,689 ft) and runs two or three times a month. It was relegated to second place by the Qingzang railway to Tibet at 5,072 m (16,640 feet).
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Oh, I want to do more of these! Went on a stunning trip up the mountains of Switzerland by mistake – it wasn't covered my my Eurail pass, but was gorgeous. I'd also add the Auckland-Wellington trip in New Zealand for some Lord of the Rings scenery.
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Some of those sound great…others, just long. And, I must say, it's a very Eurocentric (and generally quite expensive) list. Best train ride I've every had – Lattakkia to Aleppo. For $1.25 per person, we got first class seats on an afternoon trip through the spectacular Anti-Lebanon mountains. Gorgeous views and excellent service.
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Please change the post title to "Most spectacular train journeys in Europe". There is so much more out there..
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You missed out so many! the kalka shimla toy train! its a UNESCO heritage site …. and breathtaking was fun to read about all these though… keep writing!
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True!
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I made the trip on the Transsibirian Railway many many years ago from Moscov to Valdivostock. I agree, a truly unforgettable experience.
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Can’t go past the Glacier Express, Where else can you see mountain streams, snow peaked mountains and glacial valleys at a slow relaxing pace of the railway… Just stared in awe at the gorgeous lakes… and powdered mountains…
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