10 Most Scenic Train Journeys in the World
Planes are fast, sure. But trains?
Trains give you windows into places you’d never see otherwise—snow-covered passes, desert canyons, rainforest valleys.
These routes aren’t just about getting from A to B, they’re bucket-list adventures in themselves.
Before you book anything that crosses borders, do a quick visa check with HandyVisas so logistics don’t bite you on arrival.
1. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada & USA)
Route: Banff ↔ Vancouver (plus Lake Louise/Jasper options); Denver ↔ Moab on Rockies to the Red Rocks(overnight in Glenwood Springs).
Highlights: Colorado River canyons, snowy peaks, wildlife sightings.
Best time to go: April–October, with peak fall color in September.
This is a daylight-only luxury ride with glass-domed coaches, so you never miss the views. Canadian routes thread the heart of the Rockies; the U.S. line glides from Utah’s red rock country into Colorado’s alpine drama. There are no sleeper cabins—overnights are in hotels and bundled with your ticket. Expect polished service, big windows, and a steady parade of “wow” moments.
2. Bernina Express (Switzerland & Italy)
Route: Chur/St. Moritz ↔ Tirano.
Highlights: Landwasser Viaduct, Brusio Circular Viaduct, Morteratsch Glacier, Lago Bianco.
Best time to go: Year-round; summer = clear peaks, winter = snowy wonderland.
A UNESCO-listed alpine rollercoaster that tops out at 2,253 m at Ospizio Bernina before dropping to palm trees in Italy—in one ride. Panoramic coaches mean unobstructed glacier, lake, and viaduct views. It’s a day train (no sleepers) with seat reservations required on the express; regular regional trains on the same line allow hop-offs if you want to linger.
3. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
Route: Paris/London ↔ Venice most often (select departures to/through Vienna, Prague, Budapest; rare Paris ↔ Istanbul).
Highlights: French countryside, Swiss/Austrian Alps, arrival into Venice’s Santa Lucia.
Best time to go: March–December (generally no Jan–Feb departures).
All Art Deco glamour: restored 1920s sleepers, white-glove dining, live piano in the bar car. Most cabins don’t have en-suite bathrooms (that’s for the Suites/Grand Suites), which is part of the vintage vibe. It’s about slow, elegant travel through alpine scenery—dress up for dinner and enjoy the show out the window.
4. The Ghan (Australia)
Route: Adelaide ↔ Darwin, 3 days/2 nights (the Ghan Expedition runs 4 days southbound Apr–Oct).
Highlights: Alice Springs stopover, Katherine Gorge excursion, big-sky Outback vistas.
Best time to go: May–September (cooler, drier, full excursion set).
An end-to-end slice of Australia—from vineyards to red desert to the tropical Top End. All-inclusive sleeper: private cabins, restaurant dining, lounge time, and off-train tours. Expect dramatic dawns over the Outback, starry nights, and lush escarpments in the north.
5. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
Route: Zermatt ↔ St. Moritz, ~8 hours.
Highlights: Matterhorn region, Oberalp Pass (2,033 m), Rhine Gorge (“Swiss Grand Canyon”).
Best time to go: Summer (green valleys), winter (snow scenes), September/early October (clear, fewer crowds).
Marketed as the “slowest express,” it’s really a panoramic theatre on rails: 291 bridges, 91 tunnels and nonstop Alpine drama. Dining is proper (or go big with Excellence Class). Note: service pauses late Oct–early Dec for maintenance each year.
6. Rovos Rail “Pride of Africa” (Southern Africa)
Route: Pretoria ↔ Cape Town (2 nights), Pretoria ↔ Victoria Falls (3–4 nights), Namibia itineraries, and Cape Town → Dar es Salaam (~15 days).
Highlights: Karoo desert, Cape winelands, Victoria Falls, Selous/Nyerere wildlife from the train.
Best time to go: Year-round; May–September is prime for cooler temps and safari visibility.
Old-world luxury with all-suite, en-suite cabins, multi-course dining, and an open-air observation deck at the rear. Routes mix deserts, mountains, bushveld, and big-ticket stops like Victoria Falls. Jackets/ties at dinner, no Wi-Fi—lean into the timelessness.
7. Reunification Express (Vietnam)
Route: Hanoi ↔ Ho Chi Minh City (~1,726 km, ~31–34 hours end-to-end).
Highlights: Hải Vân Pass coastline, Huế, Da Nang, fishing villages, rice paddies.
Best time to go: March–April or September–November for drier, clearer days.
“Reunification Express” is a nickname for multiple daily services (SE1/2/3/4…). Book a soft-sleeper for comfort and wake to ocean cliffs and jungle-covered mountains. It’s simple, affordable, and intensely scenic—especially the Huế–Da Nang stretch.
8. Kandy ↔ Ella (Sri Lanka)
Route: Kandy ↔ Ella (continues to Badulla), ~7 hours (can be 9–10 with delays).
Highlights: Tea plantations, Nine Arch Bridge, waterfalls, Ella Gap.
Best time to go: December–March or July–September for more stable weather.
A slow, gorgeous climb through Sri Lanka’s highlands. Second class has open windows/doors for iconic photos, observation car availability varies (often on one midday departure), so reserve early. Expect vendors with snacks, basic facilities, and nonstop green-on-green scenery.
9. California Zephyr (United States)
Route: Chicago ↔ Emeryville (San Francisco Bay Area), ~52 hours.
Highlights: Rockies west of Denver, Colorado River canyons, Utah deserts, Sierra Nevada via Donner Pass.
Best time to go: Summer for daylight, September/early October for fall colors and calmer crowds.
Amtrak’s most scenic epic, with a Sightseer Lounge (floor-to-ceiling windows) open to everyone. Sleepers include meals; coach is comfy if you camp in the lounge for the good bits. Pro tip: time your trip so the Rockies and Sierras fall in daylight.
10. TranzAlpine (New Zealand)
Route: Christchurch ↔ Greymouth, ~5 hours.
Highlights: Canterbury Plains, Waimakariri Gorge, Arthur’s Pass, West Coast rainforest.
Best time to go: Winter for snowy peaks; spring for waterfalls; autumn for color.
All killer, no filler: a one-day cross-island sampler of everything that makes the South Island dramatic. Modern panoramic cars plus an open-air viewing carriage for crisp photos. Easy day trip, huge payoff.
