Iconic Rail Journeys

The Romance of the Rails

Train travel has a magic that nothing else quite matches. It’s the slow reveal of landscapes that shift mile by mile, the rhythm of wheels on steel, and the feeling of being suspended between worlds as mountains, deserts, cities, and coastlines glide past your window. Journeys by rail invite you to pause, look out, and genuinely see the places you’re travelling through — not just arrive at them. There’s an intimacy to it, a connection to the land, and a sense of adventure that taps straight into the nostalgia of travel’s golden age.

But it’s not all history and sentiment. Today’s great railway journeys are every bit as thrilling as they are beautiful. Some are feats of engineering that carve through impossible landscapes. Others are rolling hotels where luxury, dining, and service are part of the spectacle. And some win you over with sheer, unfiltered scenery — the kind you simply cannot appreciate from a plane window or a motorway. Rail travel reminds you that the journey itself matters. It’s not about how quickly you get there — it’s about everything you experience along the way.

The train only moves during daylight so you never miss a view.

Rocky Mountaineer

Canada’s legendary window to the wild

This is Canada at its most dramatic, rolling past glacier-capped peaks, emerald forests, and river canyons. You’re not rushing anywhere — the whole point is to sit back, eat well, and watch the Rockies put on a show from glass-domed carriages.

• Towering views of the Canadian Rockies from panoramic windows
• Wildlife sightings including bears, elk, and eagles
• Gourmet dining served directly to your seat

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Europe’s most glamorous rail experience

This is old-school luxury: polished wood, crisp linens, liveried stewards, and a sense of timeless romance. It’s less a train ride and more a moving grand hotel gliding across Europe.

• Michelin-standard dining on board
• Iconic art-deco carriages from the 1920s
• One of the most scenic arrivals into Venice

The name comes from the Afghan camel drivers who once crossed these same routes.

The Ghan

Australia from top to tail

A straight line through the heart of Australia, crossing tropical north, desert red centre, and the green south. It’s a cross-continent epic, with off-train experiences that take you right into the outback.

• Sunrise over the Red Centre
• Outback excursions in Katherine and Alice Springs
• Uninterrupted desert panoramas for hours

If you stayed on board non-stop, you’d travel more than 9,000 km.

Trans-Siberian Railway

The world’s longest continuous rail journey

This is endurance travel with a huge payoff: endless forests, Siberian villages, mountains, and steppes. Whether you branch through Mongolia or stay on the main line, you’re crossing a third of the planet by train.

• Lake Baikal — the deepest lake on Earth
• Crossing eight time zones
• A front-row seat to Siberia’s vastness

Despite the name, it’s deliberately slow — about 24 mph.

Glacier Express

Switzerland’s slowest — and most beautiful — express

A full day of Switzerland’s greatest hits: snow-dusted peaks, stone viaducts, deep gorges, and pristine Alpine villages. It’s scenic perfection delivered at a leisurely pace.

• The Landwasser Viaduct
• Views of the Matterhorn region
• Fine dining with floor-to-ceiling windows

It reaches gradients so steep that no cogwheel is used — pure engineering skill.

Bernina Express

From Swiss Alps to Italian sunshine

A UNESCO-listed route that climbs Alpine passes, curls around spiral viaducts, and finishes in Italy’s warm Valtellina. It’s one of Europe’s most photogenic railway experiences.

• The Brusio Circular Viaduct
• Sweeping glaciers and high mountain passes
• A dramatic shift from Alpine scenery to Italian charm

The train has hosted kings, presidents, and celebrities since 1946.

Blue Train

South Africa’s rolling five-star hotel

Luxury done the South African way: suites with marble bathrooms, attentive service, and a lounge car built for sipping something cold while the Karoo landscape drifts by.

• Luxury private suites
• Lounge and observation cars with panoramic views
• Ever-changing landscapes from Highveld to coast

It has consistently been voted one of the world’s most luxurious trains.

Maharajas’ Express

Think palatial interiors, gourmet dining, and curated off-train excursions through India’s most storied cities. It’s India’s answer to royal-style rail travel.

• Visits to Jaipur, Agra, Ranthambore, and Varanasi (depending on route)
• Lavish cabins inspired by royal Indian motifs
• Fine dining with ever-changing scenery

It’s often called “the Hogwarts Express” thanks to its film appearances.

The Jacobite

Scotland’s most iconic steam journey

Short but unforgettable, this nostalgic steam train crosses lochs, moors, and mountains — including the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct used in the Harry Potter films.

• Crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct
• Coastal views towards the Isles of Rum and Eigg
• A classic British steam-rail experience

Since launching in 1964, the Shinkansen has recorded zero passenger fatalities from accidents.

Japan’s Shinkansen

The gold standard of high-speed rail

A masterclass in efficiency, comfort, and engineering, the Shinkansen slices through Japan with smooth, near-silent precision. It’s fast, clean, and reliable to the minute.

• Speeds up to 320 km/h
• Iconic Mount Fuji views (weather permitting)
• Impeccable punctuality

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