Welcome to our post about the world’s most luxurious rail journeys. Please continue reading if you are interested in railroad history, the best historic train rides in the world, and their iconic destinations.
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Train Tours
Traveling by train can often be much easier, faster, and less expensive than air travel. This is particularly true in Europe, where rail travel is often the best way to travel between two cities. Tickets can often be purchased a month or more in advance. When traveling in Europe, we’ve been very pleased to use the Rail Europe service to make our train reservations and purchase our tickets.
Top Scenic Train Journeys
However, our favorite train rides are those that offer incredible scenic views. While there are plenty of trains that offer scenic views in Europe, particularly when traveling in the Alps, our favorite train trips so far, aside from Switzerland, have been in Canada and New Zealand. Surprisingly, we even found some great ones in the USA.
Scenic Train Tours in the United States
While train travel in the United States is not as popular as in Europe, there are numerous scenic train tours, including the Grand Canyon Railway and the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, that are fun and exciting and can be considered iconic rail adventures.
The Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona, offers a historic and nostalgic journey through an otherworldly desert landscape and the canyon spirit. It doubles as one of the most unique ways to experience one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, the Grand Canyon. Passengers embark on an unforgettable adventure, witnessing the breathtaking vistas of the canyon’s majestic landscapes from the comfort of a vintage train. Plus, Williams is a quaint destination in its own right, dripping with Old West aesthetic and an extra touch of cowboy flair.
The Western Maryland Scenic Railroad
Ride the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to enjoy Western Maryland’s excursions. Leaving Cumberland, the scenic routes of the Western Maryland Railroad travels west through a breach in the Allegheny Mountains over an iron truss bridge, around World Famous Helmstetter’s Curve, and through the 914-foot Brush Tunnel under Piney Mountain. Climbing grades up to 2.8% on the 16-mile trek, the route follows the former Western Maryland Railroad right-of-way, then joins the old Cumberland & Pennsylvania Railroad near the Pennsylvania border. On these opulent trains, you can experience historic steam trains and fine dining on delightful dinner trains.
Scenic Train Rides in NY: The Adirondack
The train that Cos has taken many times is the Adirondack. He attended RPI in Troy, New York, and remained active as an alumnus and as President of the Rensselaer Alumni Association. So he traveled by train from New York City to Troy quite often on one of the best Amtrak vacations.
The Adirondack route winds its way from NYC through the scenic Hudson Valley, then runs along the river, with a major stop in Albany-Rensselaer. It travels the entire length of the Hudson River and offers some very nice scenery. Above Albany, it offers travelers stunning views of the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. Showcasing the beauty of upstate New York and providing a relaxing escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is the perfect way to see fall foliage in the Adirondacks.
Robin took her first Amtrak trip from Albany to New York City in the fall of 2022 and has since become a fan.
Alaska Railroad Goldstar Service
Robin and Cos have ridden on the Alaska Railroad on two different occasions. The first time was to get from Fairbanks to Denali with an overnight stay, and then on to Anchorage. It was a fun and exciting trip with a beautiful landscape, but not as spectacular as the second trip they took on the Alaska Railroad a few years later.
The second trip that Robin and Cos took, which was truly fun and exciting, was from Anchorage down to Seward to catch a cruise. Please see DIY Travel in Alaska for more about that trip. It was truly incredible, as we had previously, a few years earlier, made the same trip by bus and totally missed some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere in the USA. This section of the Alaska Railroad is so much more spectacular than the better-known Northern Route from Fairbanks through Denali to Anchorage, that we must call this segment of the Alaska Railroad a true Hidden Gem and an unforgettable cultural adventure.
Canada Scenic Trains
The most famous and most scenic train tour in Canada is the Rocky Mountaineer.
Rocky Mountaineer
Cos and Robin took the Rocky Mountaineer from Banff, Canada, to Vancouver, Canada, with an overnight stay in Kamloops, Canada. Here are pictures from that incredible trip and the breathtaking landscapes.
The Rocky Mountaineer has four routes and two classes of service, Silver Leaf and Gold Leaf.
Silver Leaf Class of Service:
- Single-level glass-dome coach
- Full glass-dome windows observation car
- Outdoor viewing area
- Delicious breakfast and lunch served in the comfort of your seat
- Complimentary beverages and snacks
Gold Leaf Class of Service:
- Bi-level glass-dome coach
- Oversized glass-dome windows
- Large, exclusive outdoor viewing platform
- Gourmet breakfast and lunch served in a lower-level dining room
- Complimentary beverages and snacks
Train Routes:
- Passage to the Peaks (Jasper → Kamloops→ Banff)
- First Passage to the West (Vancouver → Kamloops → Lake Louise → Banff)
- Journey Through the Clouds (Vancouver → Kamloops → Jasper)
- Rainforest to the Peaks (Vancouver → Whistler → Quensel → Jasper)
Most Scenic Train Trips in Europe
There are many train trips that you can take in Europe. If you are interested in opulent trains, we suggest the Orient Express. However, we are focusing on ticonic rail adventures in two countries, our best experiences in Switzerland and Norway.
Swiss Scenic Trains: Switzerland Map
The trains in Switzerland are world-class, with some of the world’s best views, and a great reputation for running precisely on time. Consequently, it is possible to plan a round trip across the entire country by combining trains, in some cases, three different trains a day with only a few minute layover. Since Zurich is the most popular entry point, we recommend starting an itinerary in Zurich, traveling to Lucerne by regular regional rail, and then continuing to Interlaken on the Luzern-Interlaken Express. Should you decide to start your journey in Geneva instead of Zurich, we suggest taking the regional trains along the shores of Lake Geneva to Montreux, where you will begin your entire trip to see the Matterhorn in the beautiful town of Zermatt.
Jungfrau Express
Once in Interlaken, it is possible to take the Jungfrau Express—more formally known as the Jungfraubahn (Jungfrau Railway). It is one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. It climbs through the heart of the Swiss Alps to reach the Jungfraujoch, often called the “Top of Europe.”
GoldenPass Express.
The next train tour is the GoldenPass Express. It is one of Switzerland’s most enchanting train journeys, seamlessly linking the Bernese Oberland with the Swiss Riviera. Traveling from Interlaken to Montreux, it unfolds a cinematic transition—from snow-kissed peaks to palm-lined shores—in just over three unforgettable hours.
As you continue your Switzerland train tour, you will depart with the feeling of the French Riviera and the calm waters of Switzerland, and return to the rugged Swiss Alps. Your three-hour train ride from Montreux will take you to Zermatt and one of the greatest mountain peaks in the whole world, the Matterhorn. In Zermatt, you can reach the awe-inspiring beauty of the iconic Matterhorn peak via a trip on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway,
Gornergrat Mountain Railway
Built in the late 19th century, the Gornergrat Railway was a technological triumph: the first electric cog railway in Switzerland, and among the highest in Europe. Even today, it runs entirely on hydroelectric power, making it both historic and sustainable.
Glacier Express
Next, you can pass the beautiful landscape with glaciers and waterfalls as you board the Glacier Express, a scenic train ride that promises an unforgettable experience as it crosses Switzerland back to the iconic cities of Davos or St. Moritz.
Bernina Express
As you continue your train journey through Switzerland, the Bernina Express offers a unique opportunity to cross the Swiss-Italian border on a UNESCO World Heritage Route. This iconic train ride promises to showcase the stunning beauty of the Alps while taking you on a captivating adventure through some of Europe’s most picturesque landscapes. Get ready to be mesmerized by the snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and charming villages that you’ll pass by along the way.
Gotthard Panorama Express
Finally, you can take the Gotthard Panorama Express, combining a boat and a panoramic train journey, linking Central Switzerland (Lucerne) with Ticino (Lugano) via the historic Gotthard mountain route. For more details about these trains, please see our post titled “Switzerland Train Tour: Best Itinerary in Europe.“
Norway Scenic Trains
Norway is one of the best countries in the world for scenic train travel—you’re not just getting from A to B, you’re gliding through fjords, waterfalls, glaciers, and high mountain plateaus. Here are the standout journeys (the ones travelers consistently rave about, and that would fit beautifully into a thoughtful itinerary like yours):
Flam Railway
This is Norway’s most famous scenic train ride, and for good reason.
- Route: Myrdal → Flåm
- Length: ~20 km (about 1 hour)
- Why it’s special: One of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world
- Highlights:
- Dramatic descent from mountain plateau to fjord
- Waterfalls (including a photo stop at Kjosfossen)
- Deep valleys, tunnels carved through rock, tiny farms
Other Norwegian Railways
- The Bergen Railway — Crosses the Hardangervidda plateau, Europe’s largest high mountain plateau
- The Rauma Railway — Wild & Dramatic Landscapes
- The Dovre Railway — Through National Parks
- The Nordland Railway — Crossing the Arctic Circle
New Zealand Scenic Trains
Cos and Robin took a trip across New Zealand on the TranzAlpine train, on New Zealand’s South Island from Greymouth to Christchurch. This is a spectacular 5-hour trip through Arthur’s Pass, across the Southern Alps of New Zealand. The scenery is out of this world, and you will see more sheep than you can believe. For more information, please see our New Zealand Post.
Scenic Train Rides Japan
Japan’s bullet trains—known as the Shinkansen—are less about slow, winding scenery and more about elegant speed with curated glimpses of Japan’s landscape. But if you choose the right routes, seats, and timing, they can be surprisingly scenic—and very “Japan” in their precision and beauty.
Tokyo → Kyoto / Osaka (Tokaido Shinkansen)
This is Japan’s most famous train view—iconic and unforgettable when visible.
Conclusion: Scenic Train Tours
From the nostalgic rail journeys of the American West to the glass-domed elegance of Canada’s Rockies, the precision of Switzerland, the wild beauty of Norway, and now the sleek sophistication of Japan’s Shinkansen, train travel offers something uniquely timeless—an experience where the journey itself becomes the destination. Each rail line tells its own story, shaped by the landscapes it crosses and the cultures it connects. Whether you’re winding slowly through alpine valleys or gliding at high speed past Mount Fuji, these journeys invite you to slow down, look outward, and savor the world in a way few other forms of travel allow. For us, these scenic train rides have become more than transportation—they are among the most memorable and meaningful moments of our travels, and we hope they inspire your own adventures along the rails.
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