The world’s most scenic train rides

It’s possible to enjoy spectacular views when traveling by air, especially during takeoff and landing, but once you’re cruising at 30,000 feet, there’s often not much to see aside from the clouds.

Trains, on the other hand, can offer incredible views as they snake their way through scenic mountain valleys and charming, remote villages, especially if you choose the right one.

Aside from usually being a far more relaxed way to get from one place to the next — there are no 100-milliliter rules or snaking lines at airport security to worry about — they can often take you through stunning landscapes that are sometimes exceptionally difficult to access any other way.

Here’s our roundup of the best trains you can take around the globe if you’re looking for beautiful vistas and panoramas — the ones that’ll have you feeling like a young Paul Theroux as you trundle through countryside, desert and mountain ranges.

From ultra-luxe locomotives that will transport you back to the golden age of travel to hyper-fast modern trains with jaw-dropping views, these are 14 of the most scenic train rides on Earth.

Eastern & Oriental Express in Southeast Asia

This opulent sleeper train features its own piano bar and two restaurant cars, plus an open-air observation car. As far as train travel is concerned, this journey is as luxurious as they come, with high-end service only matched by first-class views along the way.

Between November and February, you can journey between Singapore and Penang, Malaysia — with stops at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the Langkawi archipelago (via private boat). Or, between August and October, you can instead travel along the eastern side of the Malay Peninsula, with stops at Taman Negara National Park and Penang, before returning to Singapore.

It probably goes without saying that it’s not a cheap trip, with prices for the Eastern & Oriental Express starting around $3,750 per person, but it is one of the most luxurious trains you can ride.

Rocky Mountaineer in the American Southwest

This iconic luxury train operator, famous for its tours of Western Canada, launched its first route in the U.S. in 2021.

Several itineraries are on offer, the jewel of the crown being Rockies to the Red Rocks. This itinerary spans six days, two on board the Rocky Mountaineer as you travel from Denver to Moab, Utah, with an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Related: From the Colorado Rockies to Utah’s red rocks: All aboard one of the only luxury trains in the US

The train only operates during the day, so travelers won’t miss a minute of scenery from the glass-domed train cars with outdoor viewing decks as the towering Rocky Mountains give way to Utah’s almost Martian desert landscape. After all, Moab is the gateway to Arches National Park, named for its surreal sandstone arches and rock formations.

Rates for Rocky Mountaineer’s Rockies to the Red Rocks service start at $2,508 per person, which includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs and two nights in Moab.

Sri Lanka Railways in Sri Lanka

This inexpensive seven-hour ride is a great way to explore the lush and vibrant Sri Lankan countryside. Just be sure to opt for a second-class fare so you can look out the window and enjoy the view where you take in colorful villages, lush rolling hills and tea plantations from your seat.

Book through an agency to get your seat secured in advance (fares start around $12). Though tickets purchased at the station may only be a few bucks and seem like a cheaper option, don’t underestimate the convenience of having a seat reserved before you arrive in Sri Lanka if you definitely want to bag a seat.

Gornergrat Railway in Switzerland

Perhaps the most unusual train journey on this list, Gornergrat Railway’s NostalChic Class train is a perfectly restored 1960s cogwheel train that carries only 22 guests once every week. The service ferries its passengers from Zermatt on an epic six-hour journey that terminates at Gornergrat — the highest open-air railway terminus in Europe.

While on this train, you’ll enjoy delicious aperitifs served by your own personal concierge before savoring a four-course feast at your final destination.

Fares cost around 320 Swiss francs (about $370) for this truly unique rail experience.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy

La Dolce Vita Orient Express comes courtesy of hotel group Accor and is an art deco masterpiece that takes you through the heart of some of Italy’s most iconic destinations.

Passengers can sip world-class cocktails between fine dining courses on eight different itineraries, including a Sicilian route that starts and ends in Palermo after circling through Agrigento and Taormina. Along the way, you’ll see charming towns and villages and speed by the imposing Mount Etna. Other standout journeys include a romantic service between Rome and Venice.

Four-day itineraries for the La Dolce Vita Orient Express start around 7,440 euros (about $8,120) per person.

Pilatus Luzern in Switzerland

Book any train of any type in Switzerland, and you’ll probably enjoy uninterrupted views of the Alps, charming Alpine villages and glasslike lakes. But for something a bit more adventurous, head to Alpnachstad to ride the Pilatus Luzern, the steepest cog railway in the world — ascending to an angle just shy of 45 degrees, though the journey only lasts about 30 minutes.

During your ride, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views from the summit of Mount Pilatus and — if you choose — opportunities to disembark and hike, climb or picnic in the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Round-trip fares start at 78 Swiss francs (about $90).

Related: 12 things that surprised me about my first luxury train journey

The Northern Explorer in New Zealand

Fly into Auckland and board The Northern Explorer, New Zealand’s longest-running passenger train. It chugs through Hamilton, Otorohanga, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu, among other locations, en route to the capital, Wellington.

Exploring New Zealand by rail, you’ll see everything from volcanic peaks to the rugged coast while stopping to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or navigate the glowworm-lit chambers of the Waitomo Caves.

The 12-hour journey isn’t exactly the fastest way to get around New Zealand, but it is one of the most beautiful ways. Prices for The Northern Explorer begin at 199 New Zealand dollars (about $71) for adults.

Rocky Mountaineer in Western Canada

The Rocky Mountaineer route through the Canadian Rockies, trundling from Banff, Alberta, to Vancouver, British Columbia, is the luxury train’s original and best-known itinerary — exposing you to picture-perfect scenery in every direction.

The now iconic First Passage to the West Classic tour is a five-day journey from Vancouver to Banff that crosses the Continental Divide and passes through the so-called Spiral Tunnels carved into the Rockies.

Fares for 2025 start at $2,331 per person and include select meals and several nights in hotels, as well as station transfers and luggage handling.

Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train in Peru

Opt for a luxury Belmond sleeper train experience for both stunning views and gorgeous interiors. The Andean Explorer’ Peruvian Highlands option, which travels from Cusco to the gleaming white stone city of Arequipa, includes a stop in Puno on Lake Titicaca.

No comforts have been overlooked on board, and the train is even fitted with oxygen tanks and masks for passengers who find the high altitude uncomfortable.

Entry-level cabins on the Andean Explorer are typically available starting from $6,500 per person (based on double occupancy), with meals and tours included.

The Blue Train in South Africa

Since the 1920s, South Africa’s Blue Train has carried travelers between Pretoria (near Johannesburg) and Cape Town in luxurious cars with panoramic windows — best for admiring the passing vineyards and major attractions like Table Mountain.

One of the fancier trains on offer, expect formal dress codes at dinner, private ensuite bathrooms (complete with tubs if you book a luxury suite) and plenty of awe-inspiring scenery.

Rates generally start between 28,960 and 84,840 South African rand (about $1,578 to $4,621) per person.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado

If you dream of riding in a vintage coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive while enjoying stunning views, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is not only a great choice but also affordable.

Rates start at $105 per person for the 3 1/2-hour journey that crisscrosses the Animas River, navigating San Juan National Forest while hugging the sheer edge of the mountains. It’s the perfect train ride for those pining for a timeless adventure.

Shinkansen in Japan

In addition to reliable service and ultra-clean cars, riding Japan’s bullet train is a great way to see the country’s scenery while traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto on one of the great (and fastest) pioneers of rail.

The Shinkansen journey will sweep past incredible views of Mount Fuji and stunning Japanese towns — if you’re starting the journey in Tokyo, you should be able to spot the iconic mountain around 40 minutes into the journey. Top tip: sit on the right-hand side.

Ticket prices start at 11,690 yen (about $79) per person when booked in advance online.

Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland

You might recognize the Jacobite Steam Train from the time it guest starred as the Hogwarts Express in the “Harry Potter” movies, and it’s every bit as enchanting in real life.

Journeys start in Fort William, where you’ll begin at the base of Ben Nevis (the highest mountain in Scotland) before passing through the lochs and moors of the Scottish Highlands to finish your journey in Mallaig. One of the key moments of the trip is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, so be sure to have your camera ready as you speed across its arches.

A round-trip ticket for the Jacobite Steam Train starts from 65 British pounds (about $83).

Denali Star in Alaska

Discover the Alaskan wilderness by rail with a ride on the Denali Star, which carries travelers from Anchorage to the gates of Denali National Park for imposing views of the route’s namesake, the highest peak in North America.

Only available in the summer season (between May 9 and Sept. 19), the Denali Star is a 12-hour, 356-mile journey. You’ll traverse the Knik River, navigate the Healy Canyon and pass hundreds of feet over Hurricane Gulch Bridge against a backdrop of mountain vistas and other iconic Alaskan scenery.

Rates for the Anchorage-to-Denali itinerary vary depending on the class of service chosen but start at $193 per person.