12 Best Scenic Train Journeys Worldwide to Take

A great rail journey changes the pace of a holiday. Instead of racing between airports and transfer desks, you settle into a window seat while mountains, coastlines and remote valleys roll past. The best scenic train journeys worldwide are destinations in their own right, combining remarkable views with a more relaxed, memorable way to travel.

Some are grand, once-in-a-lifetime splurges. Others are surprisingly easy to add to a wider trip. This round-up focuses on routes that genuinely earn the view, plus the practical details that can make the difference between a brilliant day out and a stressful booking.

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland

The Glacier Express is one of Europe’s classic railway experiences, travelling between Zermatt and St Moritz across the Swiss Alps. Its panoramic windows frame deep gorges, high mountain passes, storybook villages and the dramatic Landwasser Viaduct.

Despite the name, this is not an express service in the usual sense. It is a deliberately unhurried full-day journey, which is exactly the appeal. Reserve early for summer and winter dates, especially if you want a premium class seat. It pairs particularly well with a few nights in Zermatt or St Moritz, rather than attempting it as a rushed day trip.

2. Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy

For big Alpine scenery with an even more striking contrast of landscapes, take the Bernina Express from Chur or St Moritz to Tirano in northern Italy. The route climbs through glaciers and snowy peaks before dropping towards palm trees, Italian towns and warmer valley views.

The journey over the circular Brusio Viaduct is a highlight, but it is the changing scenery that makes this route exceptional. Travellers on a tighter budget can use regular regional trains on much of the same line, though the dedicated Bernina Express provides the panoramic carriages and straightforward reserved seating.

3. West Highland Line, Scotland

The West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig delivers a cinematic version of the Highlands: lochs, moorland, mountains and small stations surrounded by open country. The train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, familiar to many from the Harry Potter films, but the route has plenty to offer beyond that famous curve.

Sit on the left when travelling north from Glasgow for some of the best loch views. Mallaig is also a useful jumping-off point for Skye, while Fort William makes a strong overnight stop for walkers and anyone hoping to see Ben Nevis. Services are regular public trains, so this is one of the most accessible scenic rail trips for a UK holiday.

4. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

The Rocky Mountaineer is built for travellers who want dramatic Canadian landscapes without sacrificing comfort. Its routes pass through the Canadian Rockies, with views of turquoise lakes, pine forests, canyons and vast mountain ranges. The best-known journeys connect Vancouver with Banff or Jasper.

This is a premium experience, with daylight-only travel and overnight accommodation in a hotel rather than on the train. It costs considerably more than standard rail, but the setup means you do not miss the scenery while sleeping. Go between late spring and early autumn for the broadest choice of departures and clearer mountain views.

5. The Canadian, Canada

If the Rocky Mountaineer is polished and curated, The Canadian is the epic cross-country adventure. This long-distance service travels between Toronto and Vancouver, crossing the Canadian Shield, Prairie provinces and the Rockies over several days.

A sleeper berth turns it into a proper rail holiday, while a seat is the more economical option for confident, flexible travellers. Delays can happen on such a long route, so avoid booking a tightly timed onward flight. The payoff is the rare pleasure of watching a whole country change outside your window.

6. TranzAlpine, New Zealand

The TranzAlpine crosses New Zealand’s South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth. In a single day, it moves from the Canterbury Plains into the Southern Alps and through Arthur’s Pass, with rivers, beech forest and wide mountain valleys along the way.

It is short enough to fit into a self-drive itinerary, making it an excellent choice for couples planning a New Zealand road trip with one car-free highlight. Book a return journey only if you are happy with a very long day. Otherwise, collect a hire car in Greymouth and continue towards the West Coast glaciers or Queenstown.

7. The Ghan, Australia

The Ghan runs between Adelaide and Darwin through the red heart of Australia. It is less about constantly changing mountain vistas and more about the scale of the Outback: red earth, endless horizons, desert light and the sense of travelling through somewhere genuinely remote.

This is a multi-day luxury rail journey with off-train excursions included in many fare types. It is a strong pick for travellers who value food, service and a distinctive itinerary as much as the view. Travel dates sell out well ahead in the cooler months, when the central Australian climate is more comfortable.

8. Flåm Railway, Norway

The Flåm Railway is short, steep and spectacular. Descending from Myrdal to the fjord-side village of Flåm, it passes waterfalls, steep green slopes and tiny farms clinging to the valley. In just under an hour, it delivers a huge amount of scenery.

Because it is easily combined with Norway’s main rail network, this is ideal for a shorter Scandinavian break. Summer brings long daylight hours and busy platforms; spring can offer powerful waterfalls, while autumn is quieter and beautifully coloured. If crowds matter, take an early or late service.

9. The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

For a more nostalgic take on the West Highlands, the Jacobite Steam Train runs between Fort William and Mallaig during the main tourist season. It follows much of the same extraordinary landscape as the regular service, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct, but adds the romance of a heritage steam locomotive.

It is an experience-led choice rather than the most practical way to reach Mallaig. Seats are popular, schedules are seasonal and photography can be tricky from a moving carriage. Still, for families, film fans and anyone building a Highlands bucket list, it is hard to beat.

10. California Zephyr, USA

The California Zephyr travels between Chicago and the San Francisco Bay Area, passing through the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada. The route is one of the most scenic ways to experience the scale of the United States, with desert, canyons, rivers and snow-dusted peaks all part of the journey.

Choose a sleeper if the budget allows, particularly for the shared lounge and dining experience. A coach seat can work for a shorter section, but the full route takes more than two days and requires patience. This is rail travel for people who enjoy the journey as much as the arrival.

11. Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru

The Belmond Andean Explorer offers a high-altitude rail journey through southern Peru, linking Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa on selected itineraries. Expect wide Andean plains, remote villages and a landscape that feels far removed from Peru’s busier tourist circuit.

It is firmly a luxury choice, with beautifully designed cabins and onboard dining, but altitude needs planning. Spend time acclimatising in Cusco before departure, drink plenty of water and avoid overloading the days around the trip. The dry season generally brings clearer skies, although nights can be cold.

12. The Blue Train, South Africa

The Blue Train connects Pretoria and Cape Town on a journey designed around old-school glamour, attentive service and changing South African scenery. The landscape ranges from open grassland to the arid beauty of the Karoo, making the arrival in Cape Town feel especially rewarding.

This is best saved for a special occasion or an elevated honeymoon itinerary. Timetables and operations can change, so build flexibility into your plans and confirm the current schedule before committing to connecting flights or hotels. Add a few extra days in Cape Town afterwards - the train may be the grand entrance, but the city deserves time of its own.

How to choose the right scenic train journey

The right route depends on what you want from the holiday. For a straightforward, high-impact day, the Flåm Railway, TranzAlpine and West Highland Line are excellent choices. For an indulgent rail-first escape, look to the Rocky Mountaineer, The Ghan or Belmond Andean Explorer. If you want the satisfaction of crossing a vast country, The Canadian and California Zephyr are the better fit.

When booking, prioritise daylight travel, reserve seats as soon as dates are available and check which side of the train has the strongest views. Pack layers, water and a portable charger, even on luxury services. Most importantly, leave space in the itinerary: the best rail journeys reward travellers who are willing to look up, slow down and let the landscape set the agenda.