There seem to be only two kinds of trains in the world: those that can hardly be endured, and those that embody the whole spirit and character of railway travel. Whether it’s the royal luxury of the Indian Maharajas Express, the strict dress code of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or the breathtaking views of a trip to Peru, there are plenty of itineraries to enjoy. We have collected the 10 best.
Venice Express Simplon-Orient
Countries: Italy and France
Sophistication, luxury and comfort are combined in the elegant carriages of the famous Orient Express, the interiors of which were taken care of by famous designers of the 20s and 30s.
You will travel from Paris to Venice in 2 days, during which you will be fed the most delicious dishes from the cuisines of these two countries. Evenings in costume set the tone for the atmosphere, as do champagne from crystal glasses and food served on silverware.
Best time to go on this trip: March-November.
Royal Scotsman
Country: Scotland
Luxury and grandeur are the main synonyms of this trip. Passengers are greeted with a red carpet, bagpipes performed by real Scots and, of course, champagne in a viewing car made back in 1908. One- or seven-day itineraries usually depart from London and Edinburgh. Along the way you will see various castles, houses, gardens and museums, and also pass through the famous Northern Highlands.
Best time to go on this trip: April – October.
Peruvian Andean Explorer
Country: Peru
The Peruvian Andes offer spectacular waterfalls, rivers, gorges and lush greenery, and the best views are from the windows of exquisite Pullman carriages. Connecting Cusco, the heart of the once mighty Inca Empire, and the azure Lake Titicaca, this train is one of the best ways to see Machu Picchu. Route duration – 10 hours, total distance – 281 kilometers.
Best time to go on this trip: June – September.
Devil’s nose train
Country: Ecuador
It was along this route that Ecuador’s very first railway ran, from the coastal city of Guayaquil to mountainous Quito. The train got its name because of the vertical rock that the Devil’s Nose route passes by. The route was closed in 1997, but has recently reopened. By this time, the carriages that will take you through the surroundings of the picturesque Cotopaxi volcano have been updated. The entire journey will take 4 days. The train stops in several cities for overnight stays or various excursions.
Best time to go on this trip: June – September.
Asian Oriental Express
Countries: Thailand and Singapore
This three-day trip is one of the pearls of Southeast Asia. The route passes through the heart of the continent, crossing Johor, stopping in Kuala Lumpu and Penang, and passengers will also be offered a boat ride across the River Kwai.
Best time to go on this trip: March – December.
Japanese Tokaido Shinkansen Bullet Train
Country: Japan
World famous for its technological equipment, and therefore also for its speed and safety, the train travels almost 550 km in two and a half hours (average speed 270 km/h),
connecting two large Japanese cities – Tokyo and Osaka. Don’t miss Mount Fuji and Kyoto, which the route passes through. There are a total of 17 stops, at each of which the train arrives on time, accurate to the second. You feel like you’re moving too fast? What will you say when Japan introduces a 935 km/h train in 2025?
Best time to go on this trip: March – June, October – November.
Pride of Africa – Rovos Rail
Country: South Africa
The beautifully restored Pride of Africa train brings back the atmosphere of the romantic Edwardian era. It is complemented by excellent cuisine and the best wines of South Africa. And outside the window at this time panoramas of the stunning Garden Route coastline, Winelands of the Western Cape wineries and the Zulu Nature Reserve flash by.
The three-day route passes through Cape Town and Pretoria, giving visitors the opportunity to stop at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Swakopmund in Namibia and even Cape Town and Cairo. If you don’t mind splurging, go for the Royal Suite, which has its own living room and bathroom with Victorian bathtub.
Best time to go on this trip: October – May.
Trans-Siberian Railway
Country: Russia
Crossing the trading points of the formerly famous Great Silk Road, the train follows in the footsteps of Marco Polo and Alexander the Great. The route begins in Moscow and ends in Vladivostok, and is considered one of the longest in the world. You will also be offered a hike through the taiga forests, dog sledding, and so on.
The entire journey will take 15 days, during which time you will visit Moscow, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal, Ulan-Ude, Ulaanbaatar and Vladivostok. In each city you will stop and take a short sightseeing tour.
Best time to go on this trip: May – September, December.
Mexican Copper Canyon railway
Country: Mexico
Copper Canyon is the largest in North America (4 times larger than the Grand Canyon). It got its name because of the greenish-copper color of the rocks formed more than 30 million years ago.
The journey starts from Los Mochis Chihuahua and travels from the Pacific Ocean to the central Mexican desert. You will drive along the highest forested slopes, past the second largest waterfall in Mexico and see a lot of interesting things. In general, make yourself comfortable.
Best time to take this trip: December — May.
Indian Maharajas Express
Country: India
Indian Railways is famous for its color and bustle. Transporting more than 18 million passengers every day, trains can rightly be called the main life artery of the country. The luxurious Maharajas Express, built in the finest traditions of Rajupta wealth, runs from Mumbai to Delhi in 7 days. In a real “palace on wheels” you will see Ajata, the Taj Mahal, deserts, city markets and much more.
Best time to go on this trip: October-March.
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