The Most Scenic Train Journeys in the World

By: Joyce Underwood Last updated: 07/22/2026

Have you ever looked out a tiny airplane window, stared at a sea of gray clouds, and wondered why we rush so much? Flying gets you to your destination fast, but it completely cuts you off from the world beneath you. You trade hours of scenic countryside for cramped seats, security lines, and sterile airport gates. Rail travel does something entirely different. It turns the journey into the main event.

Instead of watching the clock, you settle into a comfortable seat with a cup of coffee or a glass of wine while mountains, rivers, and remote villages roll past your window. There is a quiet nostalgia to traveling on the ground. It connects you to the earth while treating you like a welcome guest rather than moving cargo.

Trains offer a perspective that no flight can match. On a train, you see the backyard of a country, from hidden mountain gorges to expansive desert basins. You get to watch spaces shift gradually rather than jumping straight from departure to arrival.

Alpine Majesty with the Glacier Express

If you want to experience the Swiss Alps in all their glory, there is one train trip that belongs at the top of your bucket list. The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz in Switzerland. It holds the proud, quirky title of the slowest express train in the world.

Why so slow? Because the route winds through mountain terrain that would make highway engineers shake their heads. Over the course of roughly eight hours, the train crosses 291 bridges, plunges through 91 tunnels, and climbs to a peak altitude of 2,033 meters above sea level at the Oberalp Pass.

The main feature here is the view. Massive panoramic glass windows wrap up into the ceiling, giving you clear lines of sight to snow-capped peaks, deep river chasms, and classic wooden Swiss chalets. Crossing the famous stone arches of the Landwasser Viaduct feels like gliding through thin air.

Planning to make the trip? Here are a few practical tips to keep in mind:

• Book seats early - Demand is high year-round, especially during the winter ski season and peak summer months.

• Upgrade to Excellence Class - You get a guaranteed window seat, a dedicated concierge, and a five-course gourmet meal paired with fine regional wines.

• Sit on the left - If you are traveling eastbound from Zermatt, the left side of the carriage offers the best views of the Landwasser Viaduct.

The Golden Age of Sleeper Trains

Overnight train travel is having a massive revival right now. Travelers are skipping stress-heavy airport transfers and choosing to wake up in a new country after a restful night on the tracks.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express remains the gold standard for romantic sleeper train trips. Stepping onto these restored 1920s Art Deco carriages feels like walking right into a movie set. You get private stewards, free-flowing champagne, and multi-course meals prepared by top chefs before retiring to a cabin made up with polished wood accents and crisp linens.

Waking up, pulling back your cabin curtains, and watching a golden sunrise light up a completely new space is an experience money can rarely buy elsewhere. It brings back the forgotten art of civilized travel.

Top Recommendations for Scenic Rail Journeys

If you are looking for exceptional rail trips that offer top-tier comfort alongside striking spaces, these routes deliver incredible experiences.

• Eastern and Oriental Express - Operating through Southeast Asia, this classic green-and-gold train features plush silk interior design, an onboard Dior spa, and routes through lush Malaysian rainforests.¹

• West Highland Line - Traversing the Scottish Highlands, this famous route crosses the 21-arch Glenfinnan Viaduct amid dramatic, misty mountain scenery.²

• TranzAlpine - Crossing New Zealand's South Island, this day train features open-air viewing cars designed specifically for outdoor photography.

Rugged Wilderness on The Ghan

Few train trips match the sheer scale of crossing an entire continent. The Ghan travels straight through the heart of the Australian Outback, carving a path from Darwin in the tropical north down to Adelaide on the southern coast.

For almost three days and over 1,800 miles, you watch the scenery transform from lush tropical plants to brilliant red desert sand. It is a stunning contrast. You sit inside an air-conditioned cabin drinking cold beer while gazing out at one of the most untamed environments on the planet.³

Want to get the most out of your transcontinental journey? Keep these points in mind:

• Aim for the dry season - Plan your trip between April and October when Outback weather is warm and dry rather than uncomfortably hot.

• Take the off-train excursions - The train stops for several hours at Alice Springs and Katherine, allowing you to cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge or enjoy a night dinner under the desert stars.

• Consider Platinum Service - Upgrading gets you a full double bed, private ensuite bathroom, and double-aspect windows that look out on both sides of the train.

Coastal Wonders on The Rocky Mountaineer

Canada brings a totally different style of natural beauty to the rails. The Rocky Mountaineer operates exclusively in daylight hours. That means the train stops each evening, puts you up in a luxury hotel, and resumes the next morning so you do not miss a single mile of scenery in the dark.

The train features bi-level GoldLeaf carriages where you sit upstairs beneath a full glass dome. Downstairs, executive chefs prepare fresh regional dishes like wild Pacific salmon and local Alberta beef.

As you travel through British Columbia toward the Canadian Rockies, keep your eyes peeled. You might see a grizzly bear fishing along the riverbank, spot mountain goats navigating sheer rock walls, or watch glacial torrents rushing through deep canyons. The open-air vestibules let you step outside, breathe in the cool mountain pine air, and snap photos without glass reflection. It mixes luxury hospitality with raw, untamed nature in a way few other travel options can manage.

Taking to the Rails for Your Next Adventure

There is a calm, restorative quality to rail travel that no other transit mode can imitate. The steady rhythm of the track, the shifting light, and the slow pace encourage you to put down your phone, look outside, and relax.

When you travel by train, you stop treating vacation time like a race to reach a destination. The hours spent on board become just as memorable as the cities you visit along the way.

So why not trade the crowded airport security line for a spacious window seat? Pick a route, grab a ticket, and let the world roll past your window on your next great getaway.