The most scenic train rides in the world

Airplane travel offers spectacular views, especially during takeoff and landing, but once you’re cruising at 30,000 feet, there’s often not much to see besides the clouds.

On the other hand, trains can offer incredible views as they wind through scenic valleys and charming remote villages, especially if you choose the right train.

Besides generally being a more relaxing way to get from one place to another (no need to worry about the 100ml rule or snaking lines at airport security), they can also take you through stunning scenery that’s sometimes difficult to reach by other means.

If you want beautiful views and panoramic views, here are our round-up of the best train rides around the world that'll make you feel like a young Paul Theroux as you travel through countryside, deserts and mountains.

From ultra-luxury locomotives that transport you back to the golden age of travel to super-fast modern trains with breathtaking views, here are 14 of the most beautiful train routes on the planet.

Southeast Asia Orient Express

This luxury sleeper train features a piano bar, two dining cars, and an open-air observation car. As far as train travel goes, this is luxury, with top-notch service and first-rate scenery to match.

Between November and February, you can travel between Singapore and Penang, Malaysia, stopping in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Langkawi Islands (by private boat). Alternatively, between August and October, you can travel along the eastern side of the Malay Peninsula, stopping in national parks and Penang before returning to Singapore.

Needless to say, this was not a cheap trip. Orient Express Prices start at about $3,750 per person, but it's one of the most luxurious trains you can take.

Rocky Mountaineers of the Southwestern United States

This iconic luxury train operator is best known for its tours across Western Canada. The first US route was launched In 2021.

There are several tours to choose from, but one of the best is the Rockies to Red Rocks Tour, a six-day trip that takes you from Denver to Moab, Utah, on the Rocky Mountaineer, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

Related: From the Colorado Rockies to the Red Rocks of Utah: Aboard one of America's only luxury trains

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

Rates Rocky Mountaineer from the Rockies to the Red Rocks Service starts at $2,508 per person, which includes an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs and two nights in Moab.

Sri Lanka Railways

This seven-hour journey is an affordable way to explore Sri Lanka's lush, vibrant countryside. Be sure to choose a second-class fare so you can admire the view from your seat, taking in the colorful villages, lush rolling hills, and tea plantations.

Book through an agent to secure your seat in advance (tickets start from around $12). While tickets purchased at the station may only cost a few dollars and may seem like a cheaper option, if you really want to grab a seat, don’t underestimate the convenience of reserving your seat before arriving in Sri Lanka.

Gornergrat Railway, Switzerland

Perhaps the most unusual train journey on this list, NostalChic class trains on the Gornergrat Railway This perfectly restored 1960s cogwheel train carries just 22 passengers each week on a six-hour journey from Zermatt to the Gornergrat, Europe's highest open-air railway terminus.

While on this train, you'll enjoy a delicious aperitif served by your personal concierge, followed by a four-course feast at your final destination.

Tickets for this truly unique rail experience cost around 320 Swiss Francs (about 370 USD).

Dolce Vita on the Orient Express

Presented by AccorHotels, La Dolce Vita Orient Express is an Art Deco masterpiece that takes you through the heart of some of Italy’s most iconic destinations.

Passengers can enjoy world-class cocktails and exquisite cuisine in between on eight different routes, including a Sicily route that departs from Agrigento and Taormina and ends in Palermo. Along the way, you'll see charming towns and villages and fly past the majestic Mount Etna. Other outstanding journeys include a romantic service between Rome and Venice.

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

Mount Pilatus, Lucerne, Switzerland

Book any type of train in Switzerland and you're likely to be treated to views of the Alps, charming Alpine villages and glassy lakes. But for a more thrilling experience, head to Alpnachstadt for a Mount Pilatus LucerneThis is the steepest cog railway in the world, with a gradient of nearly 45 degrees, but the ride only lasts about 30 minutes.

During the trip you'll enjoy stunning views from the top of Mount Pilatus, and if you wish, you can get off the bus to hike, rock climb, or have a picnic in the surrounding mountains and valleys.

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

Related: 12 things that surprised me on my first luxury train ride

New Zealand Northern Explorer

Fly to Auckland and board the plane Northern Explorerthe longest operating passenger train in New Zealand. It passes through Hamilton, Otorohanga, Palmerston North and Paraparaumu before arriving in the capital, Wellington.

Explore New Zealand by train and you'll see everything from volcanic peaks to rugged coasts, stopping along the way to hike through the Tongariro Alpine Crossing or tour the glowworm-lit Waitomo Caves.

The 12-hour journey isn't the fastest way to see New Zealand, but it is one of the most beautiful. Tickets for Northern Adventure start at NZ$199 (about US$71) per adult.

Rocky Mountaineer in Western Canada

The Rocky Mountaineer winds its way through the Canadian Rockies from Banff, Alberta, to Vancouver, British Columbia, on this luxury train's original and most famous itinerary – offering picturesque views in every direction.

Today's iconic The West's No. 1 Classic Tour is a five-day journey from Vancouver to Banff, across the Continental Divide and through a spiral tunnel in the Rocky Mountains.

Fares for 2025 start at $2,331 per person, including selected meals and a few nights of hotel accommodation, station pickup and luggage handling.

Andean Explorer, Belmond Train in Peru

Choose a luxurious Belmond sleeper train experience for stunning views and opulent interiors. Andean Explorer's Peruvian Highlands option departs from Cusco to the gleaming white stone city of Arequipa, with a stop in Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

No comfort has been neglected on board either, and the train is even equipped with oxygen tanks and masks for passengers who feel unwell at the high altitude.

Entry-level cabin Andean Explorer Rates typically start at $6,500 per person (double occupancy), including meals and tours.

Blue Train South Africa

South Africa's Blue Train has been carrying passengers between Pretoria (near Johannesburg) and Cape Town since the 1920s in luxurious carriages with panoramic windows – perfect for taking in major sights such as vineyards and Table Mountain along the way.

This is one of the more luxurious trains on offer, with formal attire required for dinner, private ensuite bathrooms (with bathtubs if you book a deluxe suite) and lots of stunning scenery.

Costs generally range from 28,960 to 84,840 South African rand (approximately 1,578 to 4,621 US dollars) per person.

Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Colorado

If you dream of riding a vintage coal-fired steam locomotive and enjoying the stunning views, Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Not only is it a great choice, but it’s also affordable.

Tickets start at $105 per person and the three-and-a-half-hour train ride crisscrosses the Animas River, through the San Juan National Forest, and hugs the edges of steep mountains. It's the perfect train ride for those craving a timeless adventure.

Japan Shinkansen

Besides reliable service and ultra-clean carriages, riding Japan's bullet train is a great way to see the country's scenery, as it's one of the greatest (and fastest) pioneers in rail history, running between Tokyo and Kyoto.

this Shinkansen During the trip you'll get stunning views of Mount Fuji and Japanese towns – if you depart from Tokyo you'll be able to see the iconic mountain in about 40 minutes. Tip: Sit on the right side.

Tickets are 11,690 yen (about $79 USD) per person when booked online in advance.

Jacobite steam train in Scotland

You might recognize Jacobite Steam Train From its cameo as the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films, it's equally fascinating in real life.

The journey begins in Fort William and takes you from the foot of Ben Nevis (Scotland's tallest mountain) through the lochs and fells of the Scottish Highlands to Mallaig. One of the key moments of the journey is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, so be sure to have your camera ready as you speed across the arches.

Round-trip tickets for the Jacobin Steam Train start from £65 (about $83).

Denali Star in Alaska

Explore the Alaskan Wilderness by Train Denali StarThe train will take visitors from Anchorage to the gates of Denali National Park, offering stunning views of the route's namesake, North America's highest peak.

Denali Star is open only in the summer (May 9-September 19) and is a 12-hour, 356-mile trip that takes you across the Knik River, through the Healy Canyon, and over the hundreds-foot-high Hurricane Canyon Bridge, with a backdrop of mountains and other iconic Alaskan scenery.

The cost of the Anchorage to Denali trip varies depending on the class of service selected, but starts at $193 per person.