Experience iconic and luxurious European train journeys like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or an English countryside itinerary aboard one of British Pullman’s classic cars.In Asia, the Seven Stars takes you around one of Japan’s scenic southern islands, and Golden Eagle’s Silk Road Express retraces part of the historic trade route.While some luxury train rides are day trips or quick overnights, others, like The Ghan in Australia, span entire countries and take several days.
In the 1970s, American travel writer Paul Theroux set himself an impressive goal: travel from England to Asia entirely by rail. He documented his experience in the book “The Great Railway Bazaar,” which is still regarded as one of the finest pieces of writing about train travel. “If a train is large and comfortable, you don’t even need a destination,” Theroux wrote. “A corner seat is enough, and you can be one of those travelers who stay in motion, straddling the tracks, and never arrive or feel they ought to.”
When you’re traveling on a luxury train line, the journey itself is truly the highlight. From fabulous cuisine to white-glove service, your days are filled with the finer things in life, all enjoyed while passing through some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet. Experience this romantic way of traveling for yourself on the world’s most luxurious train rides.
Courtesy of Belmond
British Pullman, England
Few names are as synonymous with upscale train travel as Pullman, the esteemed company renowned for its first-class coaches. Aboard the British Pullman, A Belmond Train, the legacy continues, whisking travelers across the English countryside in sumptuous fashion. Each of the restored carriages, which date from the early 1900s, comes with its own distinct style and name (the Cygnus car features updated decor by none other than visionary director Wes Anderson), but all boast richly appointed interiors with antique furnishings and decadent upholstery. Enjoy leisurely jaunts with afternoon tea or Sunday roasts, fun themed rides like murder mystery luncheons, or day trips to historic cities, all of which transport passengers back to a glamorous past.
Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
Whisking riders around the island of Kyushu in southern Japan, the Seven Stars train brings old-school luxury to a technologically advanced railway. The interiors beautifully blend Japanese and Western styles; warm wood and gleaming lights mirror the grand carriages of yesteryear, balanced by the clean lines and pared-down minimalism of classic Japanese design. Multiday tours around the island immerse guests in the mountains, seaside, and local culture, but—fair warning—the train can only carry up to 20 passengers at a time. Demand is so high that prospective riders must apply to ride. Winners are then invited to purchase their seats on an upcoming itinerary.
Booking Tip
When planning a trip on one of these luxurious train journeys, book well in advance, as many of the trains, like the Seven Stars in Japan, have limited availability and may require an application or participation in a lottery to secure a spot.
Courtesy of Belmond
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
Part of the Belmond portfolio, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is legendary for a reason. Renowned for its Europe-spanning routes, the classic Paris to Venice itinerary is arguably its most coveted departure. Cars are adorned in art deco finery, creating an atmosphere of old-school glamour. Food comes sourced along the route and changes with the seasons, but is always prepared with panache and accompanied by fine wine and cocktails. After dinner, stop by the bar car for a nightcap before retreating to your fabulously designed cabin.
Rovos Rail, South Africa
Get a taste of the diverse landscapes of South Africa on the Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town. The three-day excursion takes passengers from the grasslands of Highveld to the desert of Great Karoo, with exceptional views from the open-air balconies on the observation car. Refined interiors, plushly outfitted and wrapped in warm wood paneling, make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. The train stops in the Cape Winelands for a parting drink before leaving passengers at the station in Cape Town.
Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Explore Scotland’s lochs, castles, and countryside on a slow-moving train. As the Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, chugs through the Highlands, nestle underneath tartan wool blankets in your suite or nurse a scotch in the gleaming dining car. What makes the Royal Scotsman unique among luxury trains is its onboard Dior Spa. Book a facial or massage in the spa car for relaxation with a side of picturesque scenery.
Matt Crossick / Courtesy of Belmond
Andean Explorer, Peru
In the 15th century, the Andean Road System was a feat of engineering, spanning over 18,000 miles and traversed on foot or by llama. Today, guests can travel those same mountainous landscapes in luxury on the Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train. Hailed as the first luxury sleeper train in South America, the Peruvian Highlands journey starts in the ancient capital of Cusco before proceeding across the Andean Plains to Lake Titicaca. The views are magnificent, ranging from rugged valleys to grassy plains. Because of Peru’s high elevation, this is one of the highest train routes in the world. Inside, the cars are filled with local flair, from Peruvian tapestries (made from alpaca wool) on the bed to pisco sours served in the rear observation bar car.
Maharajas’ Express, India
There are a few reasons why Maharajas’ Express consistently ranks among the most luxurious train rides in the world. Every car has its own dedicated butler, and there’s a two-bedroom Presidential Suite for those willing to splurge. The seven-day Heritage of India Journey is among the rail line’s most popular offerings, with stops in eight cities including Mumbai, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi. Stops include sightseeing tours and special experiences highlighting India’s cultural and historical treasures, while evenings are spent on board indulging in fine dining and refreshing libations.
Patricia de Melo Moreira / AFP / Getty Images
The Ghan, Australia
Not every journey through the Australian Outback needs to be a dusty adventure. The Ghan is one of Australia’s most luxurious train rides, taking passengers on a four-day expedition from Darwin to Adelaide. The train has been in operation since 1929, but has been updated with modern amenities. Onboard meals include local ingredients and come with Australian wine or beer. Sit back and watch the country’s vast interior sweep past outside the window. There are also planned stops in cities and towns, including Katherine and Alice Springs, for off-train experiences like exploring the partially underground mining town of Coober Pedy. And of course, keep your eyes peeled for the country’s famous wildlife—especially kangaroos.
The Canadian, Canada
Journey across the Great White North, all while staying warm in your train cabin. Canada’s national passenger rail service, Via Rail, offers a cross-country route from Toronto to Vancouver. Along the way, passengers will spot waterfalls, charming small towns, and the grand Rocky Mountains. It takes about four days to complete the trip in one straight shot, but we recommend disembarking in Jasper, Alberta, or Kamloops, British Columbia, for hiking, biking, or skiing. Take the train in winter for the best views of snowcapped peaks and endless fields of white powder. And while you’ll get incredible views no matter where you’re sitting and sleeping, the rooftop glass domes in the Skyline cars offer especially good sightseeing.
The Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, Spain
If you like your luxury with a dose of history, book a trip on the Transcantábrico Gran Lujo, where four of the carriages are original 1920s Pullman cars. From gleaming wood walls to plush furnishings, the train’s classical decor evokes the feeling of stepping back to that era. Passengers can experience some of Spain’s best vistas from the panoramic viewing car. The route travels across the country’s northern coast from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela, with stops in towns along the way to tour historic sites, museums, and other attractions.
On board the Rocky Mountaineer.
Courtesy of Rocky Mountaineer
Rockies to the Red Rocks, Colorado and Utah
Voted the world’s best train by Travel + Leisure readers, the Rocky Mountaineer traverses some of North America’s most impressive landscapes. While the company previously only serviced Canada, its two-day Rockies to the Red Rocks route between Denver, Colorado, and Moab, Utah, is one of the greatest ways to experience the natural beauty of the American Southwest. The journey is enhanced with gourmet dining, a one-night stay at a hotel in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and glass-domed windows for unobstructed views of the epic surroundings.
Eastern & Oriental Express, Asia
Since 1993, this elegantly decorated train has been making stops in some of Southeast Asia’s most glittering destinations, including Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Singapore. The lavish interiors of the Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train’s carriages boast high-end details such as Thai silk, Malaysian embroidery, and cherrywood paneling. This rich design is further enhanced by the views when the train passes through lush rain forests or ancient temples. Be sure to pack apparel worthy of the scene, as evening wear is required for dinner. Try one of the Asian-inspired treatments in the onboard Dior Spa, and come hungry and thirsty—the Malaysian and Southeast Asian-focused culinary program, paired with elevated cocktails and other fine refreshments, is a highlight.
The Han Dynasty Suite on the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express.
Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
Golden Eagle, Asia and Europe
Once traveled by traders, merchants, and explorers, the ancient routes of the Silk Road now welcome leisure travelers aboard Golden Eagle’s extravagant trains. Likened to “hotels on wheels,” these beautifully outfitted carriages feature en suite rooms and cabins, glamorous dining and bar cars, and onboard entertainment. Multiday itineraries aboard the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express ferry travelers across China and Tibet, passing through ancient cities, modern metropolises, and dramatic landscapes from deserts to mountain passes. Other routes and trains traverse different parts of Asia and Europe, all with the same level of stellar hospitality and world-class amenities.
Al Andalus, Spain
Once used by the English royal family in their travels around Europe, Al Andalus now takes travelers on a journey of discovery throughout southern Spain. The luxurious train boasts two restaurant cars, a bar car, a playroom car, and seven sleepers. It’s also the longest train in the country, at nearly 1,500 feet. Rail travel enthusiasts should try to snag a room in one of the restored 1929 Wagons-Lits carriages, but all rooms are beautifully done with wood paneling and plenty of creature comforts. Between classic Spanish dining and drinks in the onboard lounges, enjoy off-train activities like city tours, sherry tastings, and cultural performances as you travel between Seville and Madrid.
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