Train journey is having a second, and it is no thriller why.
Compared to flying, trains supply unimaginable views of scenic landscapes and distant villages, together with some which might be troublesome to entry some other approach. Plus, trains are a extra relaxed option 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 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 via countryside, desert, mountains and extra.
Related: Best European routes the place you must take a train as an alternative of a aircraft
Britannic Explorer, a Belmond Train in England and Wales
In July, Belmond will unveil the Britannic Explorer, the primary luxurious sleeper train in England and Wales. This service goals to showcase native tradition with three- or six-night routes via 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 train, you may take pleasure in 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 train begin at 6,300 kilos (roughly $8,380) for 3 nights.
TPG tip: If these train fares stretch your finances, save on airfare to London — the place to begin for the Britannic Explorer — by reserving your flights with factors and miles. British Airways Club is a good possibility, and you may switch Avios from most main bank card factors and miles packages at a 1:1 ratio.
Related: How 3 bank card bonuses bought me per week in London
Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train in Singapore and Malaysia
This opulent sleeper train options its personal piano bar, two restaurant vehicles, an open-air statement automotive and now a Dior Spa. As far as train journey is worried, this journey is as luxurious as they arrive, with high-end service matched solely by first-class views alongside the best way.
Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily e-newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
You can select between numerous three-night itineraries that every one begin in Singapore and discover totally different components of Malaysia. There’s the “Wild Malaysia” journey via 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 most likely goes with out saying that it isn’t an affordable journey (costs for the Eastern & Oriental Express begin round $4,650 per particular person), nevertheless it is without doubt one of the most luxurious trains you may experience.
TPG tip: You may also get monetary savings by reserving your journey to Singapore with factors and miles. For instance, you may fly from San Francisco to Singapore for less than 42,000 Singapore KrisFlyer miles plus $6 one-way.
Rocky Mountaineer within the American Southwest
This iconic luxurious train 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 company on a two-day journey between Denver and Moab, Utah, with an in a single day cease on the Colorado sizzling springs city of Glenwood Springs. (This is not a sleeper train, so company keep in a resort in Glenwood Springs.)
The train solely operates through the day, so vacationers will not miss a minute of surroundings from the glass-domed train vehicles with out of doors viewing decks because the towering Rocky Mountains give option 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 ebook the Rockies to the Red Rocks itinerary from $1,723 per particular person. Rocky Mountaineer plans to develop 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 through the use of factors and miles, and the Mile High City presents loads of factors accommodations, together with some affiliated with Hilton and Hyatt.
Related: Colorado’s ski train is again — and tickets begin at $19 one-way
Gornergrat Railway in Switzerland
Perhaps the most uncommon train journey on this listing, Gornergrat Railway’s NostalChic Class train is a wonderfully restored Sixties cogwheel train that carries solely 22 company as soon as each week. While on this train, you may take pleasure in scrumptious aperitifs served by your personal private concierge earlier than savoring a four-course feast at Gornergrat — the best open-air railway terminus in Europe. Plus, each seat has a window to soak up 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 value 320 Swiss francs (about $380) for this actually distinctive rail expertise.
TPG tip: Air France-KLM Flying Blue usually 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 key transferable factors and miles packages.
Related: There’s a brand new high-speed train connecting 2 main European capitals
La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy
The new La Dolce Vita Orient Express sleeper train simply launched May 1, and it comes courtesy of resort 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 nice eating programs on eight totally different one- or two-night itineraries, together with a Sicilian route that begins and ends in Palermo after circling via Agrigento and Taormina. Along the best way, you may see charming villages and pace by the imposing Mount Etna. Other standout journeys embrace a romantic service between Rome and Venice and a wine lover’s route via 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 ebook.
Related: Things that stunned me about my first luxurious train journey
Bernina Express in Switzerland
You’ll see every little thing from glaciers to palm bushes on this 4 1/2-hour panoramic train experience, which passes via 55 tunnels and practically 200 bridges on its approach from Chur, Switzerland, to Tirano — a small city simply throughout the border in Italy. You’ll additionally cross 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 may contemplate getting a Swiss Travel Pass Flex (from $349), which entitles you to limitless journey in Switzerland by train (together with panoramic routes), bus or boat in addition to admission to over 500 museums.
TPG tip: There aren’t many factors accommodations in Chur and Tirano, so you might decide to ebook your lodging via a bank card journey portal like Chase Travel or Capital One Travel as a way to earn bonus factors or miles or redeem factors or miles in your keep.
The Northern Explorer in New Zealand
Fly into Auckland and board the Northern Explorer, New Zealand’s longest-running passenger train. It chugs via Hamilton, Otorohanga, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu, amongst different places, en path to the capital, Wellington.
When exploring New Zealand by rail, you may see every little thing from volcanic peaks to the rugged coast. The roughly 11-hour journey is not precisely the quickest option to get round New Zealand, nevertheless it is without doubt one of the most stunning. You may also 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 train journeys goes into luxe overload for 2026
Rocky Mountaineer in Western Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer route via the Canadian Rockies is the luxurious train’s authentic and best-known itinerary, exposing you to picture-perfect surroundings in each route. 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 via the Spiral Tunnels carved into the Rockies. You’ll spend two days aboard the train, 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 accommodations, in addition to station transfers and baggage dealing with.
TPG tip: Air Canada Aeroplan presents flights inside North America ranging from solely 6,000 factors every approach 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 approach.
Related: How to decide on between Rocky Mountaineer’s most fashionable routes
Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train in Peru
No comforts are missed 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 (primarily based on double occupancy), with meals and excursions included.
TPG tip: Before flying dwelling, be sure you spend just a few days in Lima, one in every of our favourite Latin American cities, to make use of your factors and miles. This new IHG resort is bookable ranging from 25,000 factors per night time.
Related: Europe is getting a brand new winter sleeper train connecting 10 totally different locations
The Blue Train in South Africa
Since the Nineteen Twenties, South Africa’s Blue Train has carried vacationers between Pretoria (close to Johannesburg) and Cape Town in luxurious vehicles with panoramic home windows — greatest for admiring the passing vineyards and main sights like Table Mountain. Since this is without doubt one of the fancier sleeper trains on supply, count on formal costume codes at dinner, non-public ensuite loos (full with tubs for those who ebook 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 primarily based on double occupancy, or 54,488 rand (about $2,982) for solo vacationers.
TPG tip: If you are in search of factors accommodations at both finish of your journey, each the Park Hyatt Johannesburg and InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town are slated to open later this 12 months. And take a look at 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 Colorado
If you dream of driving in a classic coal-fired, steam-powered locomotive whereas having fun with gorgeous views, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad isn’t solely an ideal 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 train to choose up Santa Claus, full with sizzling cocoa and twinkling lights.
TPG tip: Durango is a six-hour drive from Denver, or you might 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 below are our high suggestions for renting a automotive on factors and miles.
Shinkansen in Japan
In addition to dependable service and ultra-clean vehicles, Japan’s bullet train presents stunning surroundings whereas touring between Tokyo and Kyoto on one of many nice (and quickest) pioneers of rail. The Tokaido Shinkansen sweeps previous gorgeous Japanese cities and unimaginable views of Mount Fuji — for those who begin in Tokyo, you must be capable to spot the long-lasting 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 facet.
TPG tip: There are some ways to go to Japan on factors and miles, particularly now you can ebook Japan Airlines flights with JetBlue factors. You’ll even have your alternative of factors accommodations, together with the Kimpton Shinjuku Tokyo, the Tokyo Edition, Ginza, and Six Senses Kyoto.
Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland
You may acknowledge the Jacobite Steam Train from the time it guest-starred because the Hogwarts Express within the “Harry Potter” motion pictures, and it is each bit as enchanting in actual life.
Journeys begin on the base of Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, and cross via 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 train for the return journey. One of the important thing moments of the journey is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, so be sure you have your digicam prepared as you pace 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, contemplate staying at The Caledonian Edinburgh, a historic former railway resort and a member of Hilton Honors.
Related: The greatest bank cards for Amtrak and train journey
Denali Star in Alaska
Discover the Alaskan wilderness by rail on the Denali Star, Alaska Railroad’s flagship train. This service carries vacationers from Anchorage to Fairbanks with a cease at Denali National Park for imposing views of the route’s namesake mountain (often known as Mount McKinley), the best peak in North America. You’ll traverse the Knik River, navigate the Healy Canyon and cross lots of of toes over Hurricane Gulch Bridge towards a backdrop of mountain vistas and different iconic Alaskan views.
Rates for the total 12-hour Anchorage-to-Fairbanks itinerary begin at $221 per particular person, however you may decide to ebook solely a part of the journey — as an illustration, Anchorage to Denali National Park for as little as $156. The Denali Star is barely accessible in the summertime season, between mid-May and mid-September.
TPG tip: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan is a good 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 properly. 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 make it easier to see the world from a brand new perspective. There’s an possibility for each finances, and factors and miles can assist you save much more on attending to your vacation spot.
If you may’t get sufficient of train journey, take a look at our roundups of spectacular European trains for summer time and airways that supply air and rail tickets in Europe.
