When I was quite young we moved from Toronto, Ontario to Edmonton, Alberta and instead of flying or driving between the cities we ended up taking a train. I can't recall exactly how long it took but I think it was about 4 days (no high speed trains in Canada) and it was incredible. We had sleeper cabins and there were a couple of double decker cars including one that was a restaurant car. I loved being able to walk around the train as the Canadian landscape rolled by. The highlight of my trip was getting to visit the engine and watch the engineer for a while.
I've done several train trips since. Some slow trains like the Santa express overnight train in Finland that takes one from Helsinki to Rovaniemi through a stunning winter landscape. I've also been on some of the high speed ones in places like France and Holland and even rode the line that goes from London to Paris through the chunnel (tunnel under the English channel). I loved the experience of each one and look forward to doing many more trips with the famed Orient Express being a bucket list item for me. Images by Author except where noted.
Exploring the world by rail offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness breathtaking landscapes, connect with diverse cultures, and enjoy a leisurely pace of travel. It is also a more sustainable method of travel as opposed to flying and/or driving a personal vehicle. In fact some places, like France, have banned short haul domestic flights if there is a train that can get you to your destination in 2.5 hours or less.
There is just something both nostalgic and romantic traveling by rail and there are some truly amazing routes you can take. Here is a look at ten of the some of the most scenic railway trips across the globe, complete with route details, duration, class options, and (approximate) costs. Some are single day trips, others are multi day and in many cases the company offering the tour have several options where you can extend your stay and add destinations.
Route: Calgary to Vancouver via Banff
Length & Duration: Approximately 450 miles; 4 days total with 2 days of train travel (overnight stays in Banff and Kamloops). There are many other options for longer trips and more destinations as well.
Sights: The journey takes you through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, showcasing iconic landmarks like the Spiral Tunnels and the towering peaks of the Continental Divide. Passengers are treated to breathtaking views of turquoise glacial lakes, lush valleys, and dense forests, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as bears, elk, and mountain goats.
Tips: Bring a camera with a good zoom lens for capturing wildlife and distant peaks. Book GoldLeaf early for the best experience.
Origin and Destination: Starting in Calgary and then a transfer service to Banff to board the train. Disembark in Vancouver, a bustling city known for its vibrant culture and scenic waterfront. The journey throughout will find you surrounded by the breathtaking Canadian Rockies and charming mountain towns.
Class Options: SilverLeaf (panoramic windows, gourmet meals); GoldLeaf (luxury dome cars, outdoor viewing platforms).
Cost: Varies considerably depending on time of year and any upgrades selected. Sample trip for summer starts at $2,500 USD for SilverLeaf; $3,150 USD for GoldLeaf. Upgraded hotel stays to deluxe can be added for around $450 USD.
Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz
Length & Duration: 186 miles; 8 hours
Sights: This "slowest express train in the world" offers unparalleled views of the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels. Highlights include the Landwasser Viaduct, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the dramatic Rhine Gorge, often called the Swiss Grand Canyon. The train climbs to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point of the journey at over 6,670 feet.
Tips: Reserve seats on the panoramic cars for uninterrupted views. Pack layers, as temperatures can vary.
Origin and Destination: Begin in Zermatt, home to the iconic Matterhorn, and finish in St. Moritz, a world-renowned alpine resort.
Class Options: 2nd Class; 1st Class; Excellence Class (luxury seating, five-course meal).
Cost: Starts at $207 USD for 2nd Class, $350 USD for 1st class and $800+ USD for Excellence Class. Seat reservation and tickets are purchased separately and are booked at different periods such that a seat reservation can be made up to 93 days in advance (excellence class has no restrictions) while all class tickets can be purchased 180 days ahead. It's a little confusing but depends on how far in advance you want to reserve, and how much luxury you want for the trip.
Route: Adelaide to Darwin
Length & Duration: 1,851 miles; 3–4 days
Sights: Traversing the length of Australia, The Ghan showcases the continent's dramatic landscapes, from the lush vineyards of South Australia to the arid expanse of the Red Centre and the tropical greenery of the Northern Territory. Along the way, passengers can enjoy off-train excursions to explore landmarks such as Katherine Gorge and Alice Springs where you can try your hand as "fossicking" (think gold panning) to find gold and gemstones in the locality which you can keep but make sure you've obtained a permit beforehand.
Tips: Take advantage of the included off-train experiences to explore the local culture and natural wonders.
Origin and Destination: Start in Adelaide, a city known for its arts and wine culture, and end in Darwin, a tropical gateway to Australia’s natural wonders.
Class Options: Red Service (basic seating not available on all routes); Gold Service (private cabins, all-inclusive dining); Platinum Service (luxury cabins).
Cost: Starts at 4,200 USD for Gold Service; $9,000+ USD for Platinum Service.
Route: Ankara to Kars
Length & Duration: Approximately 820 miles; 24 hours
Sights: This journey takes travelers through the heart of Anatolia, showcasing vast steppes, dramatic mountain ranges, and historic towns. Highlights include the winding Euphrates River and stunning views of Mount Ararat, often hailed as the legendary resting place of Noah's Ark if you believe that particular tale. The train's relaxed pace allows for ample time to soak in the changing landscapes and enjoy traditional Turkish hospitality.
Tips: Pack snacks and drinks for the journey, as dining options may be limited. A lot of people bring things to decorate the cabin as well. Christmas lights, pillows, fake snow for the window have all been brought along. Tickets are only available a month ahead and go very fast. Log in to the site at midnight exactly one month before your desired travel dates to score these hard to come by tickets. It should be noted that there are two versions of this train route, both with the same(ish) name. The Dogu express is a commuter style with regular seats and couchettes available. It makes a lot of stops along the way but with no time to explore the regions, it only lets people on and off. The other train is the Touristic Dogu express which has couchettes as well as a full sleeper cabin with a fridge and bunk beds. This route has fewer stops and allows for passengers to get off and explore the area.
Origin and Destination: Start in Ankara, Türkiye's capital with a blend of history and modernity, and end in Kars, a city rich in heritage and near the ancient ruins of Ani.
Class Options: Seats and Pullman seats on standard express and only Sleeper cabins (shared or private) on the touristic train.
Cost: The non-tourist train with a seat only is a mere 5 USD while the couchette is 8 USD. Taking the touristic train with a sleep cabin is still ridiculously reasonable at only $36 USD. Man, I love traveling in Türkiye! It is so inexpensive (most places) and hospitable. The only region that I have seen prices skyrocket is the all inclusive and/or luxury hotels in the southern areas like Bodrum, Antalya, and Dalaman. There you are looking at inflated prices due to high demand from the wealthy from countries like Russia that are still welcomed to travel there for a sunny vacation. These locales are also still frequented by the wealthy from Europe, and the Middle East so, unfortunately, it is becoming a millionaire's playground there much like Italy's Capri devolved to. Having stayed in Bodrum and Serigerme a few times before it became so popular it makes me sad that I likely won't be able to afford a full on family vacation there anytime soon.
Route: Oslo to Bergen
Length & Duration: 308 miles; 7 hours
Sights: The Bergen Railway offers a quintessential Nordic experience, taking passengers across the scenic Hardangervidda plateau, one of Europe’s largest high-altitude plains. With views of snow-covered peaks, glacial rivers, and picturesque fjords, the journey is a feast for the eyes. Passengers can also spot charming villages nestled along the route. Through the journey you'll pass through 182 tunnels the longest of which is over 10 km (6.0 miles). A nice touch is the train has a family car where the kids can play and watch movies. If you are looking for an add-on consider taking the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) from Bergen. Travelers can disembark at Myrdal (on the Bergen Railway route) and take the Flåm Railway down to Flåm, which is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. The Flåm Railway offers spectacular views of waterfalls, mountain peaks, and fjords, making it a must-see addition for many passengers on the Bergen Railway. Buckle up!
Tips: Plan your trip during the winter months for a snowy wonderland, or in summer for lush green vistas. You'll want to book ahead to get the best price but they only accept booking up to 60 days in advance and Saturday travel is typically twice that of weekday travel.
Origin and Destination: Begin in Oslo, a cultural hub with museums and waterfront attractions, and finish in Bergen, a gateway to Norway's fjords.
Class Options: Standard Class; Komfort Class (extra legroom, free coffee).
Cost: Starts at $25 USD for Standard Class at certain times of the year; $130+ USD for Komfort Class. With prices like these you simply cannot a-fjord to miss out on this experience.
Route: Cusco to Puno to Arequipa (via Lake Titicaca)
Length & Duration: 445 miles; 3 days 2 nights.
Sights: The journey through the Peruvian Andes combines dramatic landscapes with cultural richness. Highlights include the Sacred Valley, the shimmering waters of Lake Titicaca, and the awe-inspiring Colca Canyon. Passengers enjoy gourmet cuisine and traditional music performances, making the trip an immersive experience.
Tips: Bring altitude sickness medication if you’re sensitive to high altitudes. Layered clothing is essential.
Origin and Destination: Begin in Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire, and end in Arequipa, known for its baroque architecture and volcano views.
Class Options: Bunk Beds; Deluxe Suites.
Cost: Starts around $7,100 USD for Bunk bed cabin and upwards of $9,500 USD for a Suite both of which are based on double occupancy (get about an $800 discount for single occupancy). These prices vary a fair amount depending on time of year though.
Route: Pretoria to Cape Town
Length & Duration: 994 miles; 27 hours
Sights: The Blue Train offers a luxurious way to experience South Africa's diverse scenery, from the arid landscapes of the Karoo desert to the lush vineyards of the Cape Winelands. As the train approaches Cape Town, passengers are treated to majestic views of Table Mountain. The onboard experience includes world-class cuisine and personalized service.
Tips: Pair the journey with a safari in Kruger National Park for an unforgettable South African adventure.
Origin and Destination: Start in Pretoria, a city with historical landmarks, and end in Cape Town, a vibrant city nestled between mountains and the sea.
Class Options: Deluxe Suites (3/4 bath or handheld shower); Luxury Suites (full bath and shower and a DVD/Blu-ray player.)
Cost: Starts at $2,800 USD per person single occupancy. Luxury Suites are about $4,930 USD double adult occupancy. The odd thing is that this is probably the only place I've seen that they charge more for a child aged 6 -11 than they do for an adult ($5,560 USD for 1 adult and 1 child). I guess they discourage bringing children on the train?
Route: Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands (varied itineraries) and back to Edinburgh. The one identified here is the Scotch Malt Whisky Tour
Length & Duration: 720+ miles; 5 days
Sights: This luxury train journey immerses passengers in the rugged beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Highlights include Loch Carron, Kyle of Lochalsh - gateway to the mystical Isle of Skye, and historic castles. The train stops for excursions, allowing passengers to explore iconic landmarks and enjoy activities such as whiskey tasting. The elegant interiors and fine dining create a refined travel experience.
Tips: Pack for all seasons as Highland weather can be unpredictable. Don’t miss the onboard whiskey tastings.
Origin and Destination: Begin in Edinburgh, a city of history and festivals, and explore the remote beauty of the Highlands with stops at various locations for whisky tasting and outdoor activity.
Class Options: Twin/Double Cabins; Grand Suites
Cost: Starts at $12,200 USD ($26,000 USD Suite) for a 5-day trip based on double occupancy.
Route: Christchurch to Greymouth (or vice versa)
Length & Duration: 139 miles; 5 hours
Sights: Crossing the Southern Alps, this journey offers a stunning contrast of landscapes, from the Canterbury Plains to the rugged mountain ranges of Arthur’s Pass. Passengers can marvel at turquoise rivers, dense rainforests, and serene lakes, making it one of the world’s most picturesque short rail journeys.
Tips: Arrive early to get a good seat and enjoy the onboard commentary.
Origin and Destination: Start in Christchurch, known for its English heritage, and end in Greymouth, a gateway to New Zealand’s West Coast wonders.
Class Options: Standard Class (reserved seating); Scenic Plus Class (panoramic windows/reclining seats).
Cost: Starts around $150 USD standard and $280 USD scenic plus.
Ah yes, the penultimate train voyage, but it is not exactly what you might expect. It isn't a single route, at least not anymore. Instead, it is a legendary name that has historically referred to a luxurious long-distance passenger train service that operated across various routes in Europe. Starting sometime in 2026 though the company will be bringing back the Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express which will invite travelers to relive the legend aboard 17 original Orient Express cars dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. The route has not been announced but one would assume that it would follow the original route from Paris to Istanbul.
Historical Context
The Original Orient Express: The train was first operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits (CIWL) in 1883. It initially ran between Paris and Istanbul, passing through cities like Vienna and Budapest.
Over time, the routes evolved and expanded, with several services carrying the "Orient Express" name, running on different lines and connecting various cities.
Multiple Routes
There were various iterations and extensions of the Orient Express, including:
The Simplon Orient Express, running through the Simplon Tunnel in the Alps.
The Venice-Simplon Orient Express, a modern luxury train that operates on selected European routes today.
Modern Use of the Name
Today, the name "Orient Express" is associated with luxury train experiences rather than a specific route. For example:
Venice-Simplon Orient Express: Operated by Belmond, it runs between iconic destinations like Venice, Paris, London, and other European cities.
Orient Express La Dolce Vita: A new luxury train experience set to debut in Italy.
Cultural Significance
The train gained fame not only for its luxury and exclusivity but also as a cultural icon, immortalized in literature (e.g., Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express) and film.
While the Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Expres will re-start in 2026 there are affiliated trains that are similar in luxury. The itinerary below is offered by the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express operated by Belmond. This route only runs once a year and this year it departs on May 30, 2025.
Route: Paris to Istanbul
Length & Duration: 1,000+ miles; 6 days with 3 nights aboard the train, and overnight accommodation in Bucharest and Budapest.
Sights: This legendary train journey transports passengers back to the golden age of travel. From the romantic city of Paris through the French countryside into Germany. Further along you'll pass through Austria, Hungary, Romania, and across the Danube into Bulgaria finally arriving at the glorious city of Istanbul.
Tips: Dress formally (think black tie affair) for dining to fully embrace the experience. Smart dress casual is acceptable for during the day. Book far in advance as this journey is in extremely high demand.
Origin and Destination: Start in Paris the city of lights, and end in Istanbul, the magical city that spans two continents.
Class Options: The only available options for this route are the Historic cabins.
Cost: Are you sitting down? £17,500 per person, and with cabins accommodating 2 people (solo travelers will pay for 2 people regardless so bring a friend) that comes to £35,000. Note, that figure is in British Pounds. That makes for about $43,000 USD. Just imagine what the original train that is restarting in 2026 is going to cost. I would not be surprised to see tickets for that trip to go around 50k per person. Yikes. Might need to take that one off my bucket list...
General Tips for Scenic Rail Travel
Book Early: Scenic rail journeys often sell out months in advance.
Pack Light: Most luxury trains have limited luggage space and any checked bags are not accessible when the train is in motion.
Stay Flexible: Opt for multi-day itineraries for a more immersive experience.
Embrace the Journey: Take time to savor the views, meet fellow travelers, and enjoy the onboard amenities.
Bring Motion Sickness Medication: Because many of these trips are multi-day with lengthy hours on a moving vehicle, someone susceptible to motion sickness may be more likely to experience discomfort.
Make Sure to Have Adapters: Find out in advance what type of electrical interfaces the train has so you can keep your devices charged.
Enquire Ahead about Meal Options: Make sure you communicate any dietary restrictions or allergies well in advance to allow the tour operator time to accommodate.
Conclusion
So one thing I learned while researching and writing this article is that a lot of rail travel is bloody expensive! I mean wow. It looks like my rail trips will be limited to Türkiye, Norway, Switzerland, likely Canada, with Australia a definite maybe. Ok, to be fair, most of these I've listed are unique luxury tours and I know there are a lot of cheaper options to roll across the countryside in a train.
That being said, in many areas travel by rail is still more expensive than by flying. A quick glance shows me that a one way coach trip from Washington D.C to Chicago costs $126 USD (and 17 hours) while I found a flight for $60 USD. This disparity is particularly true in Europe and is due to subsidies that are given to the airlines. It is by far most evident in the UK where rail travel can be as much as 30 times the cost of flying such as is the case for London to Barcelona - by rail $400, by air $13.00 on sale at times. This is all rather counterintuitive considering the political leaders are boasting about efforts to become more green and yet they remain enablers to the airline industry.
I'm not saying that everyone should abandon flying. It is faster and in many cases the only available means such as getting to Europe from Canada, for example, unless you take a ship but then you either are looking at a cruise which is very expensive or going freighter which is basically hitching a ride on a cargo ship and is hardly a pleasant experience. Either of those options are also very time consuming so are highly impractical if your intent is to just get to Europe for a vacation and not spend the entire vacation just getting there and back!
I'm only saying that it should be a level playing field for those folks who want to reduce their carbon footprint when they can and use a more sustainable method of transportation. These people who are willing to travel a little slower, and enjoy the ride, should not have to make the decision based on the impact to their bank account.
Hopefully in time the needle will move a bit to improve the tax gap on rail travel and it will become more affordable. I really do want to do the Orient-Express one day. Guess I'd better start saving up now so I can take the ride in, I don't know, maybe 2060 when there will be a total solar eclipse over Europe that I can watch while aboard and make it a truly memorable experience.
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