Top 10 Train Journeys in the World

Direct Answer

The best train journey overall is Switzerland's Glacier Express, the 7.5-hour, 291-km panoramic run between Zermatt and St. Moritz crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, with seats from roughly CHF 159 (about $180) plus the rail fare and unbeatable Alpine scenery. The best value is India's "Toy Train" to Darjeeling, a UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge ride that costs only a few dollars to a few hundred rupees.

This list covers day excursions and multi-day luxury sleepers for rail romantics and bucket-listers, from under $10 to $10,000+ all-inclusive. Every train, route, duration, and fare below is real and currently operating, ranked on scenery, heritage, comfort, and value.

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Billed as "the slowest express train in the world," the Glacier Express links Zermatt and St. Moritz in about 7.5 hours, covering 291 km across 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, climbing over the 2,033-m Oberalp Pass. Panoramic glass-roofed cars cost a seat reservation from about CHF 49 on top of the ticket; meals and Excellence Class push fares well above CHF 400.

It ranks #1 for the sheer density of Alpine drama — gorges, glaciers, viaducts, and the famous Landwasser Viaduct (shared with the Bernina line). It runs year-round, with winter offering snow-blanketed peaks and summer the green valleys. No other day train delivers this much scenery per hour.

Book the Excellence Class for a guaranteed window seat, a five-course meal, and a personal concierge, or save with Standard panoramic seats. The route is covered by the Swiss Travel Pass, which also includes most other trains, buses, and boats in the country — a smart buy if you're touring Switzerland.

Sit on the right side traveling east (Zermatt to St. Moritz) for the best gorge views. Lunch is served at your seat as the Alps roll by, and the famous tilting wine glasses (designed for the steep grades) are a fun touch.

2. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

This daylight-only luxury train runs through the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver and Banff/Jasper/Lake Louise, with the flagship "First Passage to the West" a 2-day route (overnight in a Kamloops hotel) starting around $1,800 per person. Glass-domed GoldLeaf cars include gourmet meals.

It operates April–October. You'll see Spiral Tunnels, the Fraser Canyon, and possibly bears and eagles. It ranks high for comfort and scenery, though the off-train overnight and premium pricing keep it below the Glacier Express on pure value.

There are several routes — "First Passage to the West" to Banff/Lake Louise, "Journey through the Clouds" to Jasper, and "Rainforest to Gold Rush" to Jasper via Whistler. The GoldLeaf double-decker domes seat you upstairs under glass with dining downstairs; SilverLeaf is a single-level value option.

Many guests extend the trip with hotel nights in Banff or a connecting cruise to Alaska.

3. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia/Mongolia/China

The longest railway on Earth, the Trans-Siberian runs 9,289 km from Moscow to Vladivostok over about 7 days non-stop, while the popular Trans-Mongolian branch detours to Ulaanbaatar and Beijing. Second-class sleeper fares for the full Russian route run from a few hundred dollars; luxury private trains like the Golden Eagle exceed $15,000.

It ranks for epic scale — eight time zones, Lake Baikal, and Siberian taiga. (Note: independent Russian travel is complicated by current geopolitics; many travelers now favor the Mongolia–China segments.)

4. Bernina Express, Switzerland/Italy

This 4-hour, 122-km route links Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy), crossing the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the 2,253-m Bernina Pass — the highest rail crossing of the Alps without a cog. The spiral Brusio Circular Viaduct is a signature sight. Seat reservation runs about CHF 28 plus fare.

It runs year-round and pairs Alpine glaciers with palm-fringed Italian lakes in a single trip. For travelers wanting Swiss scenery on a shorter, cheaper run than the Glacier Express, it's the smart pick. From Tirano you can continue to Lake Como by connecting bus and train, or loop back via a postbus over the Bernina Pass.

Sit on the right traveling south for the Brusio viaduct and Poschiavo valley views. Like the Glacier Express, it's covered by the Swiss Travel Pass (seat reservation extra). Winter transforms the high passes into a snow-globe spectacle, while summer reveals alpine wildflowers and the milky-blue Lago Bianco at the summit.

5. The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan crosses Australia's Red Centre, running 2,979 km from Adelaide to Darwin over 3 days / 2 nights with off-train excursions in Alice Springs and Katherine. All-inclusive Gold and Platinum fares start around AUD $2,500 (~$1,650) and climb past $4,000.

Best in the cooler April–October dry season. It ranks for the surreal outback emptiness — endless desert, MacDonnell Ranges, and tropical Top End — all from an air-conditioned cabin with included meals and tours. Off-train excursions ("Off Train Experiences") include a sunset dinner in the Alice Springs desert, a Nitmiluk Gorge cruise, and outback-town visits.

Gold twin cabins convert from a daytime lounge to bunk beds; Platinum offers larger suites with picture windows and en-suite bathrooms. Its sister train, The Indian Pacific, makes the even longer Sydney–Perth crossing across the treeless Nullarbor Plain.

6. Flåm Railway, Norway

One of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, the Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana) descends 20 km from Myrdal to Flåm in about 1 hour, dropping nearly 866 m past the thundering Kjosfossen waterfall. A one-way ticket runs about NOK 450 (~$42).

It ranks for jaw-dropping fjord scenery in a short, affordable ride, often combined with the "Norway in a Nutshell" route and a Nærøyfjord cruise. Trains run year-round, multiple times daily. The journey from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergen Railway that connects to it is itself one of Europe's most scenic standard rail lines, crossing the Hardangervidda plateau.

Sit on the left descending to Flåm for the best waterfall views, and budget time at the bottom for the fjordside village before heading on by ferry.

7. Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland

A grand-hotel-on-rails, the Royal Scotsman runs 2- to 7-night loops through the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, visiting castles, distilleries, and Loch Ness country. Fares for the classic journeys start around £5,000 (~$6,300) per person, all-inclusive with fine dining.

It carries only ~40 guests in cabins with private bathrooms. It ranks for intimate luxury and Highland romance rather than budget — this is a special-occasion splurge through heather-clad glens.

8. Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India 💎 BEST VALUE

The "Toy Train" to Darjeeling is a UNESCO World Heritage narrow-gauge line climbing to 2,200+ m through tea country, with the iconic Batasia Loop and a stop at Ghum (2,258 m), one of the highest railway stations in the world. A joy-ride ticket costs only a few hundred rupees and the full Siliguri–Darjeeling run a modest fare — a few dollars for an unforgettable heritage ride.

It ranks as the best value: world-class history and Himalayan views for pocket change. Some services use heritage steam locomotives. Book the joy rides in advance during high season.

9. Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia

A Belmond luxury sleeper, the Eastern & Oriental Express runs multi-day journeys through Malaysia, with current itineraries like the "Essence of Malaysia" loops from Singapore, taking in jungle, rice paddies, and colonial towns. Fares start around $3,500–$4,000 per person for the shorter routes, all-inclusive.

It ranks for tropical romance — teak-paneled cabins, an open-air observation car, and fine Asian-fusion dining. Service was relaunched in 2024 after a hiatus, so confirm current itineraries.

10. California Zephyr, USA (Amtrak)

Amtrak's California Zephyr runs 3,924 km from Chicago to San Francisco (Emeryville) over about 51 hours / 2 nights, crossing the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. Coach fares can be as low as $200–$300, while a private roomette runs $500–$1,000+ including meals.

It ranks as the best long-distance scenic value in North America — the Colorado River canyons and Donner Pass rival pricier trains. The Sightseer Lounge car has floor-to-ceiling windows. Book a roomette for the overnight stretches.

The best scenery comes on the second day through Colorado, where the train follows the Colorado River past Glenwood Canyon and Ruby Canyon — rafters traditionally moon the train. Sleeper fares include all meals in the dining car and access to a Red Cap and lounge. For an even more dramatic Western run, Amtrak's Empire Builder (Chicago–Seattle/Portland) crosses Glacier National Park's edge.

How to Choose

• Day trip vs. Sleeper: Glacier Express, Bernina, and Flåm are single-day rides; the Ghan, Trans-Siberian, and Zephyr are multi-day journeys requiring overnight cabins.
• Budget: Heritage and Amtrak routes start under $50–$300; luxury trains (Royal Scotsman, Rocky Mountaineer) run $1,800–$6,000+ all-inclusive.
• Scenery type: Choose Alpine drama (Switzerland), fjords (Norway), desert (Australia), or Himalayan tea country (India) based on the market you most want.
• Comfort level: Luxury trains include all meals and excursions; standard scenic trains require you to arrange your own lodging and food.
• Season: Rocky Mountaineer and the Ghan run only in fair-weather months; Swiss and Indian routes operate year-round.

FAQ

What is the most scenic train journey in the world?

Switzerland's Glacier Express is widely considered the most scenic, covering 291 km across 291 bridges and 91 tunnels between Zermatt and St. Moritz in 7.5 hours. Glass-roofed panoramic cars showcase glaciers, gorges, and Alpine passes; it's the best overall train journey for scenery density.

Which train journey is the best value?

India's Darjeeling Himalayan Railway ("Toy Train") is the best value — a UNESCO-listed narrow-gauge ride through Himalayan tea country with the famous Batasia Loop, costing only a few dollars. It delivers world-class heritage and mountain views for a tiny fraction of luxury-train prices.

How long does the Trans-Siberian Railway take?

The full Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Vladivostok covers 9,289 km in about 7 days of continuous travel across eight time zones. Most travelers break the journey with stops at Lake Baikal or take the Trans-Mongolian branch through Ulaanbaatar to Beijing.

Do luxury trains include meals and excursions?

Yes. Luxury trains like the Rocky Mountaineer, Belmond Royal Scotsman, the Ghan, and Eastern & Oriental Express include gourmet meals and off-train excursions in their fares, which is why prices range from roughly $1,800 to $6,000+ per person. Standard scenic trains charge only for the seat.

Bottom Line

The best train journey overall is Switzerland's Glacier Express for its unrivaled Alpine scenery on a 7.5-hour panoramic run, while India's Darjeeling "Toy Train" is the best value at just a few dollars. Decide between a single scenic day and a multi-day luxury sleeper, then match the route to the market you crave.

Sources

• Glacier Express and Rhaetian Railway (Bernina Express) official sites and fares
• Rocky Mountaineer official routes and 2024–2025 pricing
• Journey Beyond (The Ghan) official itineraries
• Belmond — Royal Scotsman and Eastern & Oriental Express details
• Amtrak (California Zephyr) routes, schedules, and fares
• UNESCO World Heritage listings — Rhaetian Railway and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
• *The Man in Seat 61* (seat61.com) and *Lonely Planet* rail guides