The World's Most Incredible Train Journeys

Nov 13, 2019

Let’s explore the most luxurious trains in the World that let you travel like royalty. These uber-luxury trains are not just a means of transport, but journeys where you’re in no hurry to reach the destination.

1. Golden Eagle: Moscow to Vladivostok

Undoubtedly the world’s greatest railway journey, the Golden Eagle is a luxury version of the Trans-Siberian, featuring en-suite bathrooms, air-con in the summer, full heat in the winter, laundry services, TVs, a resident pianist and an English-speaking doctor. Siberian Railway runs across Russia connecting east and west from Moscow over the Urals, alongside the shore of the world's largest freshwater lake. It gives more like a cruise feel than a train rides, as in this two-week passage you stop for daily excursions along the way.

From US$15,895 per person (Silver Class)

2. The Transcantabrico Gran Lujo: San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela

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El Transcantabrico luxury train tour will give intense pleasure or joy to your heart and soul with its beauty. Whether you are in the exquisitely designed suites and cabins of the train or just going on a day tour to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, you will get to experience the best sights and food available to tourists. Luxury here comes in many forms, ranging from the best Asturian seafood, Tapas and Basque cheeses served onboard, to fine wines including varieties of Cava or Tempranillo.

Chugging slowly along Spain's Atlantic coast, your journey begins in San Sebastian with a city tour. Later when you will board El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo just dive into your journey of beauty, luxury and indulgence along the Northern Coast of Spain. The tour comes to a close in Santiago de Compostela after a satisfying and unforgettable eight days that feels more like a five-star hotel on wheels than a full on train experience.

From $4,859 per person

3. Belmond Royal Scotsman: Scottish Highlands

Riding in Belmond Royal Scotsman is one of those pinch-me moments. Ranking among the world’s most luxurious trains, is a unique way to see the magnificent Scottish countryside in a Downton Abbey atmosphere. The travellers can opt from several round trips from Edinburgh lasting between two and seven days, but the classic voyage is the four-night passage to the Scottish Highlands. It includes visits to distilleries and sightseeing excursions to castles.

The UK's only luxury sleeper train, it has a bar stocked with more than 50 kinds of whisky.

Fall is perhaps the best time of year to travel, when the purples of wild heather color the Scottish meadows.

From $3,917 per person (two nights)

4. Maharajas' Express: Delhi to Mumbai

Maharajas' Express Heritage of India Often called "the Orient Express of the Orient, offer insights into the rich heritage and culture of India. Starting from Mumbai, the train crisscrosses through the medieval caves of Ajanta, forts and Palaces of Rajasthan and the majestic Taj Mahal during the Heritage of India Tour. This enjoyable three-night tour includes cultural immersion during local sightseeing tours, insider experiences such as sundowner cocktails amidst sand dunes and Elephant painting & joyrides and some shopping experiences among others. The passengers while riding should beware of some hidden extras such as camera and video fees or porter charges.

From $3,850 per person

5. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Venice

No other train journey evokes romance and adventure quite like the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which is the most storied set of carriages in the world. The train rolls by some of Europe's most captivating scenery through cities that have become legends in themselves: London, Paris, Innsbruck, Verona and Venice.

The train epitomizes the glamour and elegance of the Golden Age of travel with its polished wood, sumptuous upholstery and antique fixtures.

From $3,342 per person

6. The Canadian: Toronto to Vancouver

The Canadian four-day journey takes travellers through 4,466 kms of beautiful scenery, linking two of the country's most exciting cities, Toronto and Vancouver.

The Via rail company has been quietly adding deluxe sleepers and gourmet meals to its standard routes. You can travel very affordably in Economy class in a reclining seat, or in Sleeper Plus class with a private sleeping-car room. And there are deluxe Prestige class sleepers too each comes with its own in-suite shower, a washroom and minibar with alcohol included in the ticket price. The Canadian include an in-carriage flat-screen TV will keep passengers entertained with preloaded content on a USB stick.

Worth noting: this is the only regular scheduled passenger train in North America to offer double beds instead of upper and lower bunks or just singles.

From $2,891 per person

7. The Ghan: Adelaide to Darwin

It’s a three-night, 2,979-kilometer tour from Darwin to Adelaide that allows travellers to cross Australia while peering into the endless uniformity of the red-earthed antipodean bush.

The Platinum service offers more cabin and insuite space, chauffeured transfers, access to an exclusive dining carriage, breakfast in bed and five-course meals.

From $2,637 per person

8. Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan

It is Japan's most luxurious train, featuring seven carriages that hold just 30 people in 14 suites.

The interiors showcase the best in Japanese craftsmanship, such as walls of rosewood and maple, walnut floors, shoji paper screens as window coverings and sliding glass doors etched with flowers and birds; even the washbasins are a limited edition.

Seven Stars train is all about the living soul of the island of Kyushu Japan, with close connections to communities along the way. Its prices include all accommodation, transport, sightseeing, food and drink.

From $2,271 per person

9. Rovos Rail: Southern and eastern Africa

Rovos Rail an elegant journey of discovery through some of the most historic and scenic areas of Southern Africa. It has air-conditioned suites with exquisite wood paneling and period Edwardian features this Luxurious and lavish cabin surroundings mean the Rovos ride is not an end in itself.

From: $1,504 per person (The four-day Pretoria to Victoria Falls journey in the Pullman suite)

10. The Rocky Mountaineer: Banff to Vancouver

The Rocky Mountaineer offers one of few five-star rail experiences in North America riding in train between Vancouver and Banff is one of the most popular short trips.

Most of the tourists prefer the summer season to travel but in actual September to mid-October is possibly the most romantic time to travel, when the leaves turn to a vibrant mix of reds, oranges and yellows and fresh snow accumulates on the mountaintops.

From $1,309 per person

11. Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town

The Blue Train route from Pretoria to Cape Town is 27-hour; 1,600 km journey crosses South Africa diagonally, including an off-train excursion in Kimberley for a visit to the Big Hole and Diamond Mine Museum.

Three types of accommodation on board are offered on Blue Train, the smallest being the Pullman, Deluxe and Royal suite. The royal Suite includes a Victorian-style bathtub.

Many Kings and presidents have indulged on this magnificent, moving five-star “hotel-on-wheels”. Some of the Past passengers include Nelson Mandela, Quincy Jones, Paul Simon, Mia Farrow, Margaret Thatcher and Kylie Minogue.

From $976 per person