Most Beautiful Train Rides in the World

We may receive compensation from the providers of the services and products featured on this website. Read our Advertising Disclosure.

Many people dismiss the idea of traveling by train in favor of flying. However, there is something romantic about traveling by train. Train travel is one of the oldest ways to get around, and it a fantastic way to experience the landscape around you. By going by train, you see beautiful scenic views that you may not have got to experience otherwise.

Here are 25 of the most beautiful train rides in the world.

25.) Bernina Express

Bernina Express - Switzerland

Franco Bix / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Chur, Davos, or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy

The 90-mile journey will take you across the most beautiful landscapes, through 55 tunnels and 196 bridges. You get to experience waterfalls, alpines, and dramatic ravines.

24.) First Passage to the West

First Passage to the West: Banff to Vancouver, and Journey through the Clouds

Chantal de Bruijne / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Vancouver, Kamloops, and Lake Louise to Banff

The Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West is an experience like no other. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of Canada from a luxurious carriage.

The upper-level Gold Leaf carriage has a glass dome where you will get an all-round view of the Rocky Mountains.

23.) The Train to the Clouds

train driving over the Polvorilla viaduct in the Northwest of Argentina.

Oliver Foerstner / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Salta in Argentina to the Chilean border

The Tren, a las Nubes, will climb to 13,800ft during its journey. The Train to the Clouds will cross the tobacco fields of the fertile Lerma valley before beginning its ascent through a heavily-forested humid region.

22.) TranzAlpine

TranzAlpine – New Zealand

Daboost / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Christchurch, Arthurs Pass to Greymouth

A beautiful train ride on the TranzAlpine will take you across the east coast to the west coast of New Zealand’s South Island.

Experience some of New Zealand’s most dramatic landscapes as you travel alongside the Waimakariri River before heading up the mountains.

21.) Fort William to Mallaig

Fort William to Mallaig

Robert Neumann / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Fort William to Mallaig

The “Road to the Isles” is one of Britain’s best-loved scenic railways. The 42-mile journey goes through Scotland’s magnificent mountains and glens. This train journey is a location for the Harry Potter films.

20.) The Ghan

The Ghan – Australia

Janelle Lugge / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: From Adelaide and Alice Springs to Darwin

Travel from Adelaide to Darwin, a total distance of 2000 miles across Australia’s red center and tropical coast of the Northern Territory.

19.) Oslo to Bergen

Train Oslo - Bergen in mountains. Norway.

Marius Dobilas / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Oslo to Bergen

The highest major rail route in northern Europe, the Oslo to Bergen is one of the best train journeys in the world. The route will pass through spectacular mountain terrain, and you can even expect to see snow in the summer.

18.) Trans-Siberian Railway

Summer landscape with the arrival of a red train on a wooden empty platform Trans-Siberian railway in village on shore Lake Baika

Al.geba / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Moscow to Vladivostok

The Trans-Siberian Railway is among the world’s longest rail routes at a staggering 5772 miles. Travel across the Ural Mountains and through the dense Siberian forest.

17.) Koblenz to Mainz

Maus Castle (Burg Maus) above the village of Wellmich, Sankt Goarshausen, Rhine Valley, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

LouieLea / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Koblenz to Main

Enjoy the relaxing scenery through the German wine country on this beautiful train ride along the riverside.

16.) The Flåm Railway

train journey

Oleksiy Mark / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Flåm in the Sognefjord to Myrdal

The Flåm railway journey may be only an hour-long, but the scenery makes up for what it lacks in the distance. It is one of Norway’s top attractions and thought of by many as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.

Pass through stunning landscapes and where you will find flowing waterfalls and snowcapped mountains in the winter.

15.) Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The legendary Venice Simplon Orient Express is ready to depart from Ruse Railway station.

Roberto Sorin / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: London to Paris to Venice

Possibly the most famous trains in the world, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a thing of beauty. It’s a luxurious and glamorous train with stunning art-deco carriages and world-class service.

The journey from London to Paris to Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience like no other.

14.) Rovos Rail’s Namibia Safari

Rovos Rail’s Namibia Safari

Africanstar / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Pretoria to Cape Town

Take this amazingly decorated and luxury train journey through beautiful African countryside and stop at historic towns en route.

13.) Grand Alpine Express

Red train crossing the railway bridge over the river Danube in Budapes

Zoltan Fulop / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Budapest to Venice

Enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery on this magnificent rail cruise from Budapest to Venice through the stunning alpine region of Central Europe.

12.) Belmond Hiram Bingham

Train from Ollantaytambo goes to Machu Picchu

Serjio74  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Cusco and Machu Picchu

Sit back and relax in a 1920s-style carriage with polished wood and brass. Enjoy the views as you cross from Cusco to Machu Picchu on your Peruvian adventure.

11.) Palace on Wheels

  • Train Route: Jaipur to Agra

The Place on Wheels train ride is the best way to see the sights of Rajasthan and avoiding the crowds and heat of India.

Designed in the traditional style of the Maharajahs, the train is as beautiful as the views during the journey.

10.) Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Coming Around the Mountain/The Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad

Sherry Talbot  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Durango to Silverton

This route was a means of hauling silver and gold from Colorado’s San Juan Mountains. The Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a breathtaking journey over 45.5 miles of beautiful canyons and wilderness.

9.) The Trans-Siberian

Train on Trans Baikal Railway, Russia

Maxim Petrichuk  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Moscow to Vladivostok

This epic train ride will take you across eight times zones, through the vast and beautiful Russia. The train comes equipped with luxurious suites, fine dining, and there is even an on-board doctor.

8.) Cathedrals Express

Steam Dreams ‘The Cathedrals Express’ rail to Norwich

Kev Gregory  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Various British Cities

The Steam Dreams host several different beautiful train rides across the British coastline and countryside. Travel by the power of stream and feel like you are on the set of Harry Potter.

7.) Black Sea Express

Black Sea Express

ovbelov  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Sofia across the Thracian plains to the Black Sea

Journey through scenic Bulgaria from Sofia cross to the Black Sea. This is a magical steam train ride that will make you feel like you are on an epic adventure.

6.) Welsh Highland Railway

The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway, Snowdonia National Park,

Lara Ra  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Caernarfon to Porthmadog

Enjoy the beauty of the Welsh highlands as you travel along restored narrow-gauge heritage railway.

5.) The Trans-Harz Railway Line

train ride

Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Crosses the Harz Mountains from north to south

Journey along a 60km track and relax as you get to experience a kaleidoscopic of beautiful scenery and nature.

4.) Darjeeling Himalayan Railway

Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, also known as the Toy Train

ImagesofIndia  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway is also known as the DHR or the Toy Train. It’s also a World Heritage Site. Due to the altitude, the train doubles back on itself through four zigzag loops to allow passengers to acclimatize.

3.) Arctic Nordland Line

The old train bridge, Jora bridge, in Dombaas, Norway

Lillian Tveit  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Oslo to Trondheim

Wrap up in warm clothes as you embark on the adventure of a lifetime as you journey from Oslo to the Arctic Circle.

2.) Caledonian Sleeper

The Caledonian Sleeper train crosses Rannoch Viaduct on the scenic West Highland Line railway

Joe Dunckley  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: London to Fort William

The overnight Caledonian Sleeper from London to Fort William in the Scottish Highlands is a train ride like no other. Travel from London to the Scottish Highlands and see some breathtaking view like nowhere else in the world.

1.) Reunification Express

Hue, Vietnam. Views of the landscape from a train heading to Da Nang

Benson Truong  / Shutterstock

  • Train Route: Hanoi to Saigon

Experience the joy and beauty of Vietnam from the carriage of a train with the locals on the Reunification Express.

If you want an adventure, why not try one of these most beautiful train rides in the world? You won’t regret it!