Best Train Rides in the World: 18 Scenic Journeys, Honestly Ranked

How we chose the best train rides in the world

We picked journeys where the scenery or the engineering is the reason to ride, not just the luxury. Then we weighed four things:

• Landscape: glaciers, canyons, fjords, deserts, sub-Antarctic forest.
• Engineering and heritage: UNESCO-listed lines, spirals, viaducts, rack and narrow gauge.
• Accessibility in 2026: can you actually book it this year?
• Value: what you see for what you pay.

Some entries overlap with our guide to trains that go into national parks, including the Rocky Mountaineer, TranzAlpine, Kuranda and Denali Star. We keep those short here and point you to the full write-ups.

Luxury train or scheduled train: which should you choose?

Choose a scheduled scenic train if the view is what you are paying for, and a luxury cruise train if the onboard experience is.

• Scheduled scenic trains sell seats, not stays. Examples include the Glacier Express, Bernina, Flåm, Bergen Line, California Zephyr and TranzAlpine. You see the same scenery for a fraction of the price, and many are covered by rail passes.
• Luxury cruise trains sell an all-inclusive hotel on wheels with fine dining, butlers and off-train excursions. Examples include the Orient Express trains, Blue Train, Rovos Rail, the Ghan and the Andean Explorer. Expect to pay US$1,500–5,000+ per person per night.
• Heritage and steam rides are short and atmospheric, and often seasonal. Examples include the Jacobite, the Darjeeling toy train and the End of the World Train. They suit families, and they make a memorable morning on a longer trip.
• Day trip or multi-day? If you’ve never done an overnight train, try a 1–8 hour scenic day ride first. Four nights on the Canadian is magical for some people and claustrophobic for others.

The 18 best train rides in the world (2026)

1. Glacier Express (Switzerland): is it the world’s best train ride?

It’s the closest thing rail travel has to a consensus answer. Panoramic windows, the UNESCO-listed Albula line, the Landwasser Viaduct and the climb over the Oberalp Pass make it the benchmark for scenic trains.

Our verdict: worth it in 2nd or 1st class. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the ticket, so you only pay the CHF 54 reservation. Excellence Class is lovely, but it charges a lot for food and wine you could have in St. Moritz.

2. Bernina Express (Switzerland–Italy): the more dramatic half

The Bernina Express runs from Chur to Tirano in about 4 hours. It crosses the Bernina Pass past glaciers, then drops to palm trees in Italy via the Brusio spiral viaduct, all on the same UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway (inscribed 2008).

Our verdict: if you only ride one Swiss train, many seasoned rail fans would choose this over the Glacier Express. It’s shorter and steeper, and it passes through more climate zones.

3. Flåm Railway (Norway): the best short train ride in the world?

For a one-hour ride, nothing beats it. The Flåmsbana drops from Myrdal (867 m) to Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord (2 m) in 20 km. Visit Norway calls it “one of the steepest standard gauge railway lines in the world,” with 80% of the journey on a 5.5% gradient.

4. Bergen Line (Norway): Europe’s greatest plateau crossing

The Oslo–Bergen train takes about 7 hours on a direct service. It crosses the Hardangervidda mountain plateau, a treeless, often snowbound landscape that feels Arctic, and Vy advertises fares from NOK 359.

• Why ride: the high-mountain section around Finse, frozen lakes in winter, and an easy connection to the Flåm Railway at Myrdal.
• Price: dynamic “Minipris”-style fares from NOK 359 (≈US$33) if booked early. Flexible fares cost much more.
• Tip: do Oslo–Myrdal, then the Flåm Railway, the fjord boat to Gudvangen and the bus to Voss for the classic do-it-yourself Norway in a Nutshell.
• Watch for: Vy displayed strike-related cancellation warnings in autumn 2026. Check vy.no before travel.

Our verdict: one of the best-value long scenic rides anywhere.

5. West Highland Line and the Jacobite (Scotland): best value in Europe

The West Highland Line from Glasgow to Fort William and Mallaig is Britain’s most scenic railway. Its Fort William–Mallaig section includes the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films.

Our verdict: the ScotRail service over the same viaduct runs year-round, costs far less and rarely sells out. Do the Jacobite once for the steam, and ScotRail for the scenery.

6. Orient Express trains (Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and La Dolce Vita)

These are the world’s most famous luxury trains. Come for the 1920s and 1960s glamour; the scenery is secondary.

• Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Belmond): restored art-deco carriages on routes such as Paris–Venice. Fares for the 2026–27 season reportedly start around £3,530 per person per night. The once-a-year Paris–Istanbul run is reported at about £17,500 per person.
• La Dolce Vita Orient Express (Accor/Arsenale): an Italian-designed, 1960s-style train running one- and two-night itineraries from Rome (Tuscany vineyards, Portofino and Venice, Sicily, Matera). From about €3,500 per person sharing a Deluxe cabin for 2 days/1 night. Prices are dynamic.
• Suits: milestone celebrations. Doesn’t suit: anyone who mainly wants mountains. A scheduled Swiss panoramic train shows you more.

Our verdict: the best luxury train experience, not the best scenic train.

7. California Zephyr (USA): best train trip in America

The Zephyr runs daily from Chicago to Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area): about 2,438 miles in roughly 51–52 hours. It crosses the Rockies, the Colorado River canyons, the Utah desert and the Sierra Nevada.

Our verdict: the best scenery for the price of any long-distance train in North America. If you’re short on time, ride Denver–Salt Lake City in daylight.

8. VIA Rail’s Canadian (Canada): the great transcontinental

The Canadian links Toronto and Vancouver over four nights and about 4,466 km. It runs twice a week year-round, through the Canadian Shield lakes, the Prairies and the Rockies via Jasper.

Our verdict: book Sleeper Plus, which includes meals and gives you the best of the trip. Economy over four nights is for the hardy.

9. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada): in brief

It’s a two-day, daylight-only luxury train through the Rockies, with a hotel night in between. Glass-domed GoldLeaf coaches give you a great view of Banff and Jasper country. Because it overlaps heavily with national-park travel, our full review, prices and verdict on it against the Canadian are in train tours into national parks.

10. Chepe Express (Mexico): the most underrated canyon ride

The Chepe Express runs from Los Mochis into the Sierra Tarahumara and Creel through Copper Canyon. The canyon system is bigger and, in places, deeper than the Grand Canyon, and the line climbs through dozens of bridges and tunnels.

• 2026 fares (local media, verify on chepe.mx): Tourist about MXN 3,000 one-way / 4,600 return; Executive about MXN 4,000 one-way / 5,800 return (October 2026 levels). Summer high-season fares were higher.
• Highlights: the Divisadero canyon viewpoint stop, the Temoris loops, Barrancas del Cobre Adventure Park.
• Best season: October–April (dry, clear, mild).
• Caveat: check your government’s travel advisory for Chihuahua and Sinaloa states before booking, and travel with an organised itinerary.

Our verdict: one of the best train trips in the world, and one most lists leave out.

11. PeruRail Titicaca and the Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)

The PeruRail Titicaca is a daytime train from Cusco to Puno on Lake Titicaca, taking about 10.5 hours. It crosses the La Raya pass high on the Altiplano, with an open-air observation car, lunch and live music.

Our verdict: the Titicaca day train is one of the best mid-range rail tours in the world. Acclimatise in Cusco first; the altitude is no joke.

12. Tren a las Nubes (Argentina): the train to the clouds

The Tren a las Nubes climbs from San Antonio de los Cobres to the La Polvorilla viaduct at about 4,220 m. Today only that 44 km section is covered by train, with passengers taken by bus from Salta.

• Format in 2026: a full day of roughly 13 hours, 07:00–20:30, by bus from Salta through the Quebrada del Toro, then about an hour each way on the train. Agencies list departures on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
• 2026 prices (agency-listed): January–March 2026 bus + train for foreign adults ARS 207,000; train only ARS 147,000. September 2026 listings showed ARS 239,000 for the bus + train package.
• Honest take: reviewers repeatedly call it expensive for a short ride, and the road scenery is half the value. Go if you love high-altitude landscapes; skip it if you mainly want a long train ride.

13. The End of the World Train (Ushuaia, Argentina): our featured “end of the world” ride

The Tren del Fin del Mundo is a 500 mm-gauge heritage steam railway. It follows part of the route of the old Ushuaia prison train, first opened in 1910 and reopened for tourism in 1994, into Tierra del Fuego National Park. It’s billed as the southernmost operating railway in the world.

Our verdict: on its own it’s a charming, short heritage ride, not a long scenic journey. It works best as half of a day in the park: the train takes you in, then a guide drives you on to Lapataia Bay, Lake Acigami (Lago Roca) and the Senda Costera trailheads. The National Park & End of the World Train Tour (our breakdown) is the most-reviewed combination on GetYourGuide, rated 4.5/5 from more than 1,100 reviews, with the train as a booking option. If you only want the ride, the End of the World Train Tickets, Turista Class listing sells the ticket on its own, from $50.

Our Tierra del Fuego National Park tours page compares every park tour, with and without the train. For the full story read our End of the World Train guide. For every fare category and the park fee explained, see End of the World Train tickets and prices. For flights and buses south, see getting to Tierra del Fuego from Buenos Aires. And for what to see once you are inside the park, our Tierra del Fuego National Park guide covers the trails, the stops and the best time to go.

14. The Blue Train (South Africa)

The Blue Train is a two-night, roughly 1,600 km luxury run between Pretoria and Cape Town through the Karoo and the Hex River mountains, with an off-train excursion (Kimberley or Matjiesfontein).

• 2026 rates (one-way, pp sharing): low season (1 Jan – 31 Aug and 16 Nov – 31 Dec) De Luxe Suite R40,685 (≈US$2,250), Luxury Suite R51,905. High season (1 Sep – 15 Nov) R50,220 and R63,420. Add 50% for single occupancy. Resellers advertise one free hotel night and regular promotions, some for South African residents only.
• Includes: all meals and drinks, butler service and, famously, Cuban cigars.

Our verdict: the most hotel-like of the luxury trains. Look out for the promotions.

15. Rovos Rail (South Africa)

Rovos Rail runs restored Edwardian-style carriages on a 3-night Pretoria–Cape Town journey, with longer journeys to Victoria Falls, Namibia and Dar es Salaam.

• Rates (3-night Pretoria–Cape Town, pp sharing): Pullman R45,000 until 30 September 2026; from 1 October 2026, Pullman R54,000, Deluxe R78,000, Royal R104,000. Cape Town–Dar es Salaam (16 nights) from US$16,500 pp in 2026.
• Safety note: The Namibian reported that a Rovos Rail train derailed in the early hours of 1 March 2026, about 100 km from Keetmanshoop, Namibia. Rovos Rail said a Rovos driver and a TransNamib pilot died and that “the cause was a washaway of the last span of a bridge”; no passengers were injured, according to Nova News. South Africa’s Railway Safety Regulator later ran its own investigation. Read up on the operator’s current itineraries and updates before booking.

Our verdict: slower and more romantic than the Blue Train. The Deluxe suite is the best balance of space and price.

16. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (India): UNESCO toy train

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is a 2 ft narrow-gauge line from New Jalpaiguri up to Darjeeling, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. The Batasia Loop gives views of Kanchenjunga on clear days.

• Best way to ride: the 2-hour, 14 km Darjeeling–Ghum–Darjeeling joyride, with stops at Batasia Loop and the Ghum museum (entry included).
• Fares: commonly listed at ₹1,500 steam / ₹1,000 diesel, all first class. For the 2026 Puja season, six special joyrides from 1 October 2026 were announced, including Darjeeling–Ghum diesel trips at ₹800 and the steam “Red Panda” Kurseong–Mahanadi at ₹1,530 (Outlook Traveller). Book via IRCTC; the booking window is 120 days.
• Best season: October–November for the clearest mountain views; March–May.
• Also great: the Kalka–Shimla and Nilgiri Mountain Railways, the other two UNESCO “Mountain Railways of India”.

17. Kandy–Ella (Sri Lanka): still worth it, but check its status

This is the famous hill-country line with tea estates, misty ridges and the Nine Arch Bridge near Ella. Cyclone Ditwah badly damaged it in late November 2025, and it has not fully reopened.

• Status, last checked October 2026: Nanu Oya–Badulla services (via Ella and the Nine Arch Bridge) resumed on 20 June 2026, according to Ceylon Expeditions. Kandy–Nanu Oya was still under repair. In April 2026 Sri Lanka’s Deputy Transport Minister said 92 of 97 damaged sections on the main line had been repaired and that trains to Kandy should resume by the end of 2026 (Newswire). Treat that as a target, not a promise.
• What to do now: drive or take a taxi to Nanu Oya (for Nuwara Eliya) and ride the most scenic section to Ella from there.
• Price: among the cheapest scenic rides anywhere at local fares. Tourist “Odyssey” specials cost more.

18. The Ghan (Australia)

The Ghan crosses the continent between Adelaide and Darwin, about 2,979 km through the Red Centre, with off-train excursions at Alice Springs and Katherine included.

• 2026 fares (AUD pp, Gold Twin): The Ghan, Adelaide–Darwin, 3 days/2 nights, Everyday fares from about AUD 3,190 (≈US$2,100). The Ghan Expedition, Darwin–Adelaide, 4 days/3 nights, Advance Purchase from AUD 3,990, rising to AUD 7,090+ for Gold Premium in winter (Journey Beyond). Advance Purchase fares must be paid in full at least six months ahead.
• Season: March–November only.
• Pair it with: the Indian Pacific (Sydney–Perth) for a coast-to-coast loop.

Our verdict: the best all-inclusive way to see the Outback. There are long stretches of empty desert, and for most passengers that is the appeal.

Bonus: TranzAlpine (New Zealand), in brief

Christchurch to Greymouth over Arthur’s Pass in about 5 hours. It’s arguably the best day train in the Southern Hemisphere. Full details, prices and seating tips are in our national park train tours guide.

Honourable mentions

• GoldenPass Express (Montreux–Interlaken): a gauge-changing train linking Lake Geneva and the Bernese Oberland.
• Semmering Railway (Austria): the world’s first UNESCO-listed railway (1998); ride a regular ÖBB train for local fares.
• Douro Line (Portugal): riverside vineyards from Porto to Pocinho on cheap regional trains.
• Eastern & Oriental Express (Malaysia): relaunched by Belmond in 2024 with Malaysian itineraries; luxury pricing.
• Japan’s Shinkansen: the Tōkaidō line gives Mount Fuji views on a clear day. Kyoto’s Sagano Romantic Train is a beautiful 25-minute autumn ride.
• Belmond Royal Scotsman: the Highlands as a country-house party on rails.

Can you go around the world by train in 2026?

Not by train alone, and not by the classic route. A round-the-world train trip always needs ships to cross the oceans, and in 2026 the Russian land bridge is effectively closed to most travellers.

• Russia is out: Seat61 reports that no international trains have run from western or central Europe to Russia or Belarus since 2019, and that all travel to Russia is inadvisable. International Trans-Siberian trains between Russia and China have been suspended since February 2020. A weekly Ulan Bator–Beijing train resumed in mid-2025. Check your own government’s advisory; the US, UK and others warn strongly against travel to Russia.
• The workaround route: London – Istanbul – Georgia – Azerbaijan – a Caspian Sea ferry – Uzbekistan – Kazakhstan – China. Then a ship across the Pacific, the California Zephyr across the USA, and a transatlantic liner home.
• Organised option: Adventures By Train sells a 100-day escorted “Around the World by Train” tour, limited to 12 people and promoted with Seat61. The next departure is 14 March 2027, priced at £89,950 per person twin or £112,900 solo. It avoids Russia and Iran by using the Caspian ferry, crosses the Pacific by ship and returns on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.
• Doing it yourself: expect 2–4 months, multiple visas, at least two ocean crossings by ship, and a budget from tens of thousands of dollars upward.

Rail passes: which ones still save money in 2026?

Rail passes save money when you take several long or scenic journeys in a short window. They rarely pay off for one or two rides.

• Swiss Travel Pass: 2026 adult 2nd class prices are 3 days CHF 254, 4 days CHF 309, 6 days CHF 399, 8 days CHF 439 and 15 days CHF 499. 1st class is CHF 405–787. It covers the Glacier and Bernina Express tickets, but not the mandatory reservations. Travel Switzerland, Switzerland Tourism’s trade site, says the pass became “on average five percent more expensive” from 1 January 2026; the 8-day 2nd class pass, for example, went from CHF 420 to CHF 439.
• Japan Rail Pass: the 7-day Ordinary pass costs ¥50,000 on the official website. From 1 October 2026, overseas JR-designated agencies charge ¥53,000 for 7 days, ¥84,000 for 14 days and ¥105,000 for 21 days. Since the 2023 price rise (from ¥29,650), a simple Tokyo–Kyoto return no longer justifies it.
• Eurail/Interrail: best for multi-country Europe. Many scenic trains need extra reservations (Glacier, Bernina), and some are discounted rather than included: the Flåm Railway is 30% off, and the Jacobite isn’t valid with any pass.
• Rule of thumb: price your exact itinerary point to point first, then compare.

When should you book scenic train trips?

Book luxury trains and summer sleepers 6–12 months ahead. Book short scenic rides as soon as your dates are fixed.

• 6–12 months: Excellence Class, Orient Express trains, the Blue Train and Rovos Rail, the Ghan (Advance Purchase fares need full payment 6+ months out), Canadian Prestige, Amtrak sleepers.
• 2–4 months: the Jacobite (sales timing varies; 2026 opened late), Glacier and Bernina reservations in July–August, PeruRail Titicaca in the dry season.
• Days to weeks: Bernina regional trains, ScotRail, Flåm off-peak, and the End of the World Train outside January–February and the July holidays.

Are scenic train rides sustainable?

Generally, yes. Scheduled electric trains such as the Swiss and Norwegian networks are among the lowest-carbon ways to travel. Diesel long-distance and steam heritage trains have a heavier footprint per passenger.

For most of these journeys, the biggest climate cost is the flight to reach them. Group rides by region, stay longer, and use scheduled services where you can.

Our picks

• Best overall: Glacier Express + Bernina Express (Switzerland).
• Best value: the West Highland Line on ScotRail. Runner-up: the Bergen Line, from NOK 359.
• Best luxury: La Dolce Vita Orient Express for style; the Ghan for all-inclusive landscape.
• Best short ride: the Flåm Railway (one hour, 20 km, 5.5% gradient).
• Best mountains: the Bernina Express. Runner-up: the California Zephyr through the Rockies and the Sierra.
• Best coast: Fort William–Mallaig (Arisaig beaches, views of the Small Isles). Runner-up: the Douro Line.
• Best wildlife: see the Denali Star and Kuranda in our national park train tours guide.
• Best bucket-list “end of the world”: the End of the World Train in Ushuaia. Pair it with a Tierra del Fuego National Park tour to see Lapataia Bay, where Argentina’s Ruta 3 ends.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best train ride in the world?

For scenery per hour, the Glacier Express and Bernina Express in Switzerland. For a multi-day journey, VIA Rail’s Canadian or the California Zephyr.

What is the most scenic short train ride?

Norway’s Flåm Railway: one hour from mountain to fjord, from NOK 399.

Which is the southernmost railway in the world?

The End of the World Train (Tren del Fin del Mundo) in Ushuaia, Argentina, is widely billed as the southernmost operating railway. It runs 7 km into Tierra del Fuego National Park.

How much does the End of the World Train cost in 2026?

Official fares for October 2026 to March 2027 are ARS 80,000 (Tourist) and ARS 250,000 (Premium) for adults. The ARS 40,000 park entry for foreign visitors is extra. The full breakdown is in our tickets and prices guide.

Is the Kandy to Ella train running in 2026?

Partly. Nanu Oya–Ella–Badulla reopened on 20 June 2026; Kandy–Nanu Oya was still under repair, with the authorities aiming for the end of 2026.

Can you still ride the Trans-Siberian?

Domestic Russian trains run, but international Russia–China services have been suspended since 2020, and Seat61 and Western governments advise against travel to Russia. We don’t recommend it in 2026.

Can you travel around the world by train?

Only with ships for the ocean crossings, and in 2026 only by routing around Russia via the Caucasus, the Caspian and Central Asia to China.

Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it for the Glacier Express?

Usually, if you travel for 3 or more days. It covers the CHF 159–272 ticket, leaving only the CHF 54 reservation (or CHF 540 for Excellence Class).

Is the Jacobite steam train worth it?

Yes, once. It costs £76 standard return in 2026 and sells out fast; ScotRail crosses the same Glenfinnan Viaduct year-round for less.

What’s the best luxury train in the world?

For glamour, the Orient Express trains. For landscape with luxury, the Ghan, Rovos Rail or the Belmond Andean Explorer.

Caveats

• Prices are 2026 figures from operators, Seat61 and reputable resellers. Many are dynamic or “from” fares. Amtrak, VIA, Vy and the luxury trains change prices with demand.
• USD conversions are approximate (late-2026 exchange rates). The Argentine peso in particular moves fast, so check the live rate.
• Some 2026 figures come from secondary sources: Chepe (local media), Tren a las Nubes (agencies), Bernina reservation fees (sources differ, CHF 36–44) and the Glacier Express autumn closure. Check them with the operator before you pay.
• Service disruptions noted include Sri Lanka (cyclone repairs), Peru (August 2026 landslides), the Jacobite (late 2026 start), Vy (strikes) and the Rovos Rail derailment (March 2026).
• Last checked: October 2026.

Ready for the southernmost ride on the list? A park and train tour takes you into Tierra del Fuego National Park on the End of the World Train, then on by minibus to Lapataia Bay and Lake Acigami, so you see the whole park, not just the end of the line.