The 20 most luxurious train journeys in the world offer travelers a special way to explore beautiful places in comfort and style.
These trains, from the green Scottish Highlands to the majestic Andes Mountains, offer stunning scenery, elegant cabins, fine dining and great service.
Some travels pass through the old cities, others through mountains and forests, and the rest of the way is across a quiet countryside. It turns a mere journey into a memorable holiday by the likes of the Belmond Royal Scotsman, Eastern and Oriental Express and Seven Stars in Kyushu. Luxury train travel is an experience that can't be beat for travelers who love luxury, adventure and beautiful scenery.
Experience the World’s Finest Rail Journeys in Unmatched Luxury
Discover the world’s finest luxury trains, where stunning landscapes, elegant cabins, and fine dining make every journey unforgettable.
Travel In Style
Certainly, travelers can find a certain romance and mystique in train travel that they simply can't find in an ultra-pricey airplane cabin.
If you're the sort of traveler who would rather savor the journey instead of merely looking at it, then you might appreciate a multi-day train journey far more than a red-eye flight and if you're the kind of person who either has money to burn or just loves to dream about extravagant experiences, then you should definitely consider booking a luxury train journey.
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Danube Express
Golden Eagle describes their trains in detail, so it's no surprise we will find loads of them featured prominently on this list. The accommodation is arguably the most luxurious in Europe, and the cuisine is simply superb.
However, it's the sheer number of trips available to choose from that particularly appeals to us you can enjoy riding in Transylvania's impressive castles, through the scenic Balkan region, or embark on a fascinating Sicilian Odyssey. They also provide a wonderful option for winter travelers interested in exploring the Christmas markets of Central Europe.
Al Andalus
How much does the Al Andalus train in Spain cost? Formerly, this luxurious train served as the train of choice for the British royal family, and now you too can experience traveling in style along the scenic 125 miles (200 km) between Granada and Seville.
Revived to showcase its antebellum grandeur during the Golden Age of Rail Travel, and being quite rare on this esteemed list, the Al Andalus warmly welcomes young passengers into a modern and spacious playroom designed just for them.
La Dolce Vita
Famous as a love letter to Italy, La Dolce Vita invites travelers to experience a slow, beautiful journey to enjoy the stunning scenery. Set in the vibrant 1960s, its interior showcases glitzy curved ceiling effects, plush velvet, and funky mosaics.
As one of the newest entries on the list, these trains are still perfecting some details, but they are already enjoying a good run among eager passengers.
Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Belmond Royal Scotsman offers a bit like a country house on wheels, providing intimate trips through the stunning Scottish Highlands.
With a sparse number of passengers on board, the train features cosy wood-panelled interiors, allows whisky tastings, includes castle visits, and showcases awe-inspiring loch and glen landscapes, while also ensuring a warm welcome and serving fabulous cuisine along the way, making this truly the perfect holiday experience on wheels.
Eastern and Oriental Express
Journeying from Malaysia to Singapore, the Eastern & Oriental Express shines as a glittering jewel in the world of train travel. The cherry-wood interiors are glorious; evening dress is required for dinner; dancers and musicians entertain on board before retiring for the night. But how good is this train? Most of the staff have happily worked on the service since its debut in 1993.
Seven Stars in Kyushu
Japan is famous for its bullet trains, but they also represent a new phenomenon in the world of luxury trains. The Seven Stars in Kyushu offer tours around Japan's most southerly island, with multi-day tours and excursions along the way. The train is so luxe (but limited to just 20 passengers at a time) that passengers must enter a lottery to have a chance to travel.
The Blue Train
The Blue Train, between Pretoria and Cape Town, ranks as South Africa's most renowned and oldest luxury train, operating since 1923! Climb aboard the Blue Train, which provides an authentic safari experience to the north with all the panache of high-end South Africa to the south. Not to mention that nearly all of the cabins feature en-suite tubs!
Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru
This luxurious train is one of the highest luxury trains in the world, located at over 3,800 metres above sea level, offering spectacular views of the Andes. Plus, you will enjoy beautifully decorated compartments with localised decor, experience lake crossings, and admire breathtaking mountain views, all while embarking on a true high-altitude adventure. Can you handle this thrilling experience?
Rocky Mountaineer
A little less normal than most, this luxury train company known as Canadian Rocky Mountaineer uses daylight hours to tour the furthest west provinces (and some parts of America, if the train happens to be on one of its routes).
Instead of traveling in a sleeper car, the train passengers disembark for an overnight stay at a luxury hotel. The Rocky Mountaineer operates seasonally from April to October, so travelers should plan accordingly.
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Andean Explorer
This is South America's first luxury sleeper train, beginning in Cusco, the historic Inca capital, and terminating on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Journeying past the highest mountain range in the world, your cabin windows offer views of giant plateaus and smoking volcanoes.
The train's high altitude (maximum 14,200ft) means that oxygen tanks and the onboard nurse stand ready to tackle altitude sickness.
FAQs
1. What are the most luxurious train journeys in the world?
Some famous luxury train journeys include the Belmond Royal Scotsman, Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Eastern and Oriental Express, Seven Stars in Kyushu, and The Blue Train.
2. Which is the most luxurious train in the world?
There is no single winner because luxury depends on the route, cabin, dining, and service. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Belmond Royal Scotsman are among the best-known luxury train experiences.
3. How much does a luxury train journey cost?
Prices depend on the train, route, travel season, cabin type, and trip length. Some journeys cost hundreds of dollars, while multi-day luxury trips can cost several thousand dollars per person.
4. Which countries offer luxury train journeys?
Countries offering luxury train experiences include Scotland and other parts of the UK, Spain, Italy, Japan, South Africa, Peru, Canada, Malaysia, and Singapore.
5. What makes a luxury train journey special?
Luxury trains offer comfortable cabins, fine dining, attentive service, scenic routes, and special activities. Some also include guided excursions, cultural experiences, and overnight stays on board.
