Train journey is having a second, and it is no thriller why.
Compared to flying, trains provide unbelievable views of scenic landscapes and distant villages, together with some which are troublesome to entry some other manner. Plus, trains are a extra relaxed method to get from one place to the following, with no 100-milliliter liquid guidelines or snaking safety traces to fret about.
Here’s our roundup of probably the most scenic trains you may take across the globe — those that’ll have you ever feeling like a younger Paul Theroux as you trundle by countryside, desert, mountains and extra.
Related: Best European routes the place it is best to take a practice as an alternative of a aircraft
Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train in England and Wales
BELMOND
In July, Belmond will unveil the Britannic Explorer, the primary luxurious sleeper practice in England and Wales. This service goals to showcase native tradition with three- or six-night routes by the landscapes of Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales. During the day, passengers can select from non-obligatory guided excursions to discover every area’s cultural and pure wonders. Back on the practice, you will get pleasure from lunch, afternoon tea and dinner menus that spotlight native specialties and have been designed by chef Simon Rogan, whose eating places collectively maintain 10 Michelin stars worldwide.
Cabins on this opulent practice begin at 6,300 kilos (roughly $8,380) for 3 nights.
TPG tip: If these practice fares stretch your price range, save on airfare to London — the start line for the Britannic Explorer — by reserving your flights with factors and miles. British Airways Club is a superb possibility, and you’ll switch Avios from most main bank card factors and miles applications at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: How 3 bank card bonuses received me per week in London
Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train in Singapore and MalaysiaBELMOND
This opulent sleeper practice options its personal piano bar, two restaurant automobiles, an open-air commentary automobile and now a Dior Spa. As far as practice journey is anxious, this journey is as luxurious as they arrive, with high-end service matched solely by first-class views alongside the best way.
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You can select between numerous three-night itineraries that each one begin in Singapore and discover totally different components of Malaysia. There’s the “Wild Malaysia” journey by Taman Negara National Park and Penang, the “Tastes of Tomorrow” journey with award-winning cooks and skilled mixologists, and the “Festive Malaysia” journey in December.
It in all probability goes with out saying that it isn’t an affordable journey (costs for the Eastern & Oriental Express begin round $4,650 per particular person), but it surely is without doubt one of the most luxurious trains you may trip.
TPG tip: You can even lower your expenses by reserving your journey to Singapore with factors and miles. For instance, you may fly from San Francisco to Singapore for under 42,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles plus $6 one-way.
Rocky Mountaineer within the American SouthwestMARK BRODKIN PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES
This iconic luxurious practice operator, well-known for its excursions of Western Canada, launched its first route within the U.S. in 2021. Rockies to the Red Rocks takes friends on a two-day journey between Denver and Moab, Utah, with an in a single day cease on the Colorado scorching springs city of Glenwood Springs. (This is not a sleeper practice, so friends keep in a lodge in Glenwood Springs.)
The practice solely operates in the course of the day, so vacationers will not miss a minute of surroundings from the glass-domed practice automobiles with out of doors viewing decks because the towering Rocky Mountains give method to Utah’s virtually Martian desert panorama. After all, Moab is the gateway to Arches National Park, named for its surreal sandstone arches and rock formations.
You can e book the Rockies to the Red Rocks itinerary from $1,723 per particular person. Rocky Mountaineer plans to increase this route from Denver to Salt Lake City and rebrand it as Canyon Spirit in 2026.
TPG tip: You can save on home flights to Denver by utilizing factors and miles, and the Mile High City affords loads of factors lodges, together with some affiliated with Hilton and Hyatt.
Related: Colorado’s ski practice is again — and tickets begin at $19 one-way
Gornergrat Railway in SwitzerlandGGB NostalChic Class Aussenaufnahmen. URS JOSSI/GORNERGRAT RAILWAY
Perhaps probably the most uncommon practice journey on this listing, Gornergrat Railway’s NostalChic Class practice is a superbly restored Sixties cogwheel practice that carries solely 22 friends as soon as each week. While on this practice, you will get pleasure from scrumptious aperitifs served by your individual private concierge earlier than savoring a four-course feast at Gornergrat — the very best open-air railway terminus in Europe. Plus, each seat has a window to absorb the mountain views.
The service ferries its passengers on an epic six-hour loop that begins and ends within the mountain resort of Zermatt. Fares price 320 Swiss francs (about $380) for this really distinctive rail expertise.
TPG tip: Air France-KLM Flying Blue typically has low cost award flights from the U.S. to Zurich Airport (ZRH) and Geneva Airport (GVA). From there, it is a three- to four-hour drive to Zermatt. You can simply switch factors or miles to Flying Blue at a 1:1 ratio from all the main transferable factors and miles applications.
Related: There’s a brand new high-speed practice connecting 2 main European capitals
La Dolce Vita Orient Express in ItalyDIMORESTUDIO
The new La Dolce Vita Orient Express sleeper practice simply launched May 1, and it comes courtesy of lodge group Accor. It’s an artwork deco masterpiece that takes you thru the center of a few of Italy’s most iconic locations.
Passengers can sip world-class cocktails between advantageous eating programs on eight totally different one- or two-night itineraries, together with a Sicilian route that begins and ends in Palermo after circling by Agrigento and Taormina. Along the best way, you will see charming villages and velocity by the imposing Mount Etna. Other standout journeys embrace a romantic service between Rome and Venice and a wine lover’s route by Tuscan vineyards.
Two-day, one-night itineraries for the La Dolce Vita Orient Express begin at 3,060 euros (about $3,420) per particular person within the offseason.
TPG tip: Members of Accor Live Limitless can earn 2,500 ALL factors for each 1,000 euros spent on La Dolce Vita Orient Express, and unlock automated elite standing relying on which cabin or suite you e book.
Related: Things that shocked me about my first luxurious practice journey
Bernina Express in Switzerland
You’ll see all the pieces from glaciers to palm bushes on this 4 1/2-hour panoramic practice trip, which passes by 55 tunnels and almost 200 bridges on its manner from Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano — a small city simply throughout the border in Italy. You’ll additionally move over the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct, a part of the Rhaetian Railway UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A primary-class ticket for the Bernina Express will set you again round $160 one-way. Or you would possibly think about getting a Swiss Travel Pass Flex (from $349), which entitles you to limitless journey in Switzerland by practice (together with panoramic routes), bus or boat in addition to admission to over 500 museums.
TPG tip: There aren’t many factors lodges in Chur and Tirano, so you could decide to e book your lodging by a bank card journey portal like Chase Travel or Capital One Travel with the intention to earn bonus factors or miles or redeem factors or miles in your keep.
The Northern Explorer in New ZealandHEYWORTH R&F/KIWI RAIL
Fly into Auckland and board the Northern Explorer, New Zealand’s longest-running passenger practice. It chugs by Hamilton, Otorohanga, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu, amongst different places, en path to the capital, Wellington.
When exploring New Zealand by rail, you will see all the pieces from volcanic peaks to the rugged coast. The roughly 11-hour journey is not precisely the quickest method to get round New Zealand, but it surely is without doubt one of the most stunning. You can even add stops to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or navigate the glowworm-lit chambers of the Waitomo Caves alongside the best way. One-way fares for the Northern Explorer start at 229 New Zealand {dollars} (about $135) for adults.
TPG tip: If you’d wish to make the lengthy journey to New Zealand in consolation, you may fly enterprise class with 75,000 Chase factors or check out Air New Zealand’s distinctive financial system Skycouch.
Related: One of Australia’s most iconic practice journeys goes into luxe overload for 2026
Rocky Mountaineer in Western CanadaROCKY MOUNTAINEER/FACEBOOK
The Rocky Mountaineer route by the Canadian Rockies is the luxurious practice’s authentic and best-known itinerary, exposing you to picture-perfect surroundings in each path. The now-iconic First Passage to the West Classic tour is a six-day journey from Vancouver to Banff (and vice versa) that crosses the Continental Divide and passes by the Spiral Tunnels carved into the Rockies. You’ll spend two days aboard the practice, with two nights every in Vancouver and Banff and one night time in Kamloops.
Fares for 2025 begin at $2,243 per particular person and embrace choose meals and 5 nights in lodges, in addition to station transfers and baggage dealing with.
TPG tip: Air Canada Aeroplan affords flights inside North America ranging from solely 6,000 factors every manner in financial system, and Aeroplan is a switch companion of a number of bank card currencies. Aeroplan additionally permits stopovers for five,000 factors every manner.
Related: How to decide on between Rocky Mountaineer’s hottest routes
Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train in PeruRICHARD JAMES TAYLOR/BELMOND
No comforts are ignored on the Andean Explorer, which is fitted with oxygen tanks and masks for passengers who discover the excessive altitude uncomfortable.
The two-night Peruvian Highlands possibility travels from Cusco to the gleaming white stone metropolis of Arequipa and features a cease in Puno on Lake Titicaca. Entry-level bunk mattress cabins begin at $3,700 per particular person (based mostly on double occupancy), with meals and excursions included.
TPG tip: Before flying dwelling, you should definitely spend just a few days in Lima, certainly one of our favourite Latin American cities, to make use of your factors and miles. This new IHG lodge is bookable ranging from 25,000 factors per night time.
Related: Europe is getting a brand new winter sleeper practice connecting 10 totally different locations
The Blue Train in South AfricaTHE BLUE TRAIN SOUTH AFRICA/FACEBOOK
Since the Nineteen Twenties, South Africa’s Blue Train has carried vacationers between Pretoria (close to Johannesburg) and Cape Town in luxurious automobiles with panoramic home windows — greatest for admiring the passing vineyards and main points of interest like Table Mountain. Since this is without doubt one of the fancier sleeper trains on provide, count on formal costume codes at dinner, non-public ensuite loos (full with tubs when you e book a luxurious suite) and loads of awe-inspiring surroundings.
One-way tickets for the two-night journey on the Blue Train begin at 36,325 South African rand (about $1,988) per particular person based mostly on double occupancy, or 54,488 rand (about $2,982) for solo vacationers.
TPG tip: If you are searching for factors lodges at both finish of your journey, each the Park Hyatt Johannesburg and InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town are slated to open later this yr. And try how this TPGer visited South Africa utilizing factors and miles.
Related: The greatest Africa cruises for 2025 and 2026
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in ColoradoROZANNE HAKALA/GETTY IMAGES
If you dream of driving in a classic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive whereas having fun with beautiful views, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is just not solely an incredible alternative but in addition reasonably priced. This service runs between two Colorado mountain cities, crisscrossing the Animas River, navigating San Juan National Forest and hugging the sheer fringe of the mountains.
Rates begin at $109 per particular person for a half-day loop from Durango to Silverton and again. Other choices embrace a festive Polar Express practice to choose up Santa Claus, full with scorching cocoa and twinkling lights.
TPG tip: Durango is a six-hour drive from Denver, or you could want to fly into the close by Durango-La Plata County Airport (DRO). If you resolve to make a street journey out of it, listed here are our high ideas for renting a automobile on factors and miles.
Shinkansen in JapanEYE UBIQUITOUS/UNIVERSAL IMAGES GROUP/GETTY IMAGES
In addition to dependable service and ultra-clean automobiles, Japan’s bullet practice affords stunning surroundings whereas touring between Tokyo and Kyoto on one of many nice (and quickest) pioneers of rail. The Tokaido Shinkansen sweeps previous beautiful Japanese cities and unbelievable views of Mount Fuji — when you begin in Tokyo, it is best to be capable of spot the enduring mountain round 40 minutes into the two 1/2-hour journey.
Tickets begin at 13,320 yen (about $91) for a nonreserved seat when booked prematurely on-line, or you may reserve a seat for just some {dollars} further. Top tip: Sit on the right-hand aspect.
TPG tip: There are some ways to go to Japan on factors and miles, particularly now that you could e book Japan Airlines flights with JetBlue factors. You’ll even have your alternative of factors lodges, together with the Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, the Tokyo Edition, Ginza, and Six Senses Kyoto.
Jacobite Steam Train in ScotlandDARREN MURPH/THE POINTS GUY
You would possibly acknowledge the Jacobite Steam Train from the time it guest-starred because the Hogwarts Express within the “Harry Potter” films, and it is each bit as enchanting in actual life.
Journeys begin on the base of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, and move by the lochs and moors of the Scottish Highlands to the coastal city of Mallaig. You’ll have time to discover the city or take a wildlife cruise earlier than hopping again on the practice for the return journey. One of the important thing moments of the journey is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, so you should definitely have your digital camera prepared as you velocity throughout its arches.
The Jacobite Steam Train runs from April to October. Round-trip tickets begin from 69 kilos (about $92).
TPG tip: To improve your train-themed vacation, think about staying at The Caledonian Edinburgh, a historic former railway lodge and a member of Hilton Honors.
Related: The greatest bank cards for Amtrak and practice journey
Denali Star in AlaskaTRAVEL ALASKA
Discover the Alaskan wilderness by rail on the Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s flagship practice. This service carries vacationers from Anchorage to Fairbanks with a cease at Denali National Park for imposing views of the route’s namesake mountain (also called Mount McKinley), the very best peak in North America. You’ll traverse the Knik River, navigate the Healy Canyon and move a whole bunch of ft over Hurricane Gulch Bridge in opposition to a backdrop of mountain vistas and different iconic Alaskan views.
Rates for the complete 12-hour Anchorage-to-Fairbanks itinerary begin at $221 per particular person, however you may decide to e book solely a part of the journey — for example, Anchorage to Denali National Park for as little as $156. The Denali Star is just obtainable in the summertime season, between mid-May and mid-September.
TPG tip: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a superb alternative for flying to Alaska on miles. The program is a 1:1 switch companion of Bilt Rewards, and since you may switch miles between Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines, you may successfully switch Amex factors to Alaska as nicely. But hurry up: American Express transfers to Hawaiian Airlines (and to Alaska Airlines) finish June 30.
Bottom line
From ultramodern to nostalgic, these scenic rides aid you see the world from a brand new perspective. There’s an possibility for each price range, and factors and miles will help you save much more on attending to your vacation spot.
If you may’t get sufficient of practice journey, try our roundups of spectacular European trains for summer season and airways that provide air and rail tickets in Europe.