The train journey is completely different from a flight. All the way to is quite travel friendly and saves time, but a train ride helps you to enjoy the real beauty throughout your journey. Imagine that you are travelling through Dudhsagar Waterfall with your family and friends and witnessing the scenic beauty & collecting tons of moments together. It could be a beautiful sunset, sunrise, rivers or mountains across the valleys.
If you are an individual who believes that the best part of travelling is not simply arriving at the destination but everything which they encounter along the way, this blog is for them. In this blog, we are going to discuss the top 10 scenic train rides. Here’s the list:
The Ultimate Guide to the 10 Best Scenic Train Rides Worldwide
Top 10 Best Scenic Train Rides in the World
| No. | Scenic Train Ride | Country / Route | Key Highlights | Journey Experience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kalka–Shimla Railway | India | 102 tunnels, more than 800 bridges, Barog Tunnel, Himalayan views | A charming mountain journey through tunnels, bridges, and misty hills |
| 2 | West Highland Line | Scotland | Rannoch Moor, dramatic highlands, changing weather, rugged landscapes | A picturesque ride through Scotland’s wild and atmospheric countryside |
| 3 | Flåm Railway | Norway | Steep gradients, Kjosfossen Waterfall, towering mountain cliffs | A short but spectacular journey through dramatic Norwegian scenery |
| 4 | Bernina Express | Switzerland to Italy | Bernina Pass, Brusio Spiral Viaduct, Alpine lakes, mountain views | A breathtaking Alpine adventure connecting Switzerland and Italy |
| 5 | TranzAlpine | New Zealand | Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, Staircase Viaduct, Otira Tunnel | A remarkable journey from open plains to rugged mountains and the green West Coast |
| 6 | California Zephyr | USA | Colorado River, red-rock canyons, Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevada | A long-distance adventure through some of America’s most diverse landscapes |
| 7 | Rovos Rail | South Africa | Luxury vintage carriages, observation cars, wildlife and savanna views | An elegant rail experience combining old-world luxury with African scenery |
| 8 | Glacier Express | Switzerland | 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, Matterhorn views, Landwasser Viaduct | A leisurely panoramic journey through the spectacular Swiss Alps |
| 9 | Rocky Mountaineer | Canada | Canadian Rockies, Fraser Canyon, dramatic river valleys, glass-domed carriages | A daylight rail adventure offering exceptional mountain and canyon views |
| 10 | The Ghan | Australia | Adelaide to Darwin, Red Centre landscapes, Northern Territory outback | A multi-day rail journey across Australia’s vast and striking interior |
1. Kalka-Shimla Railway, India
Has another track which is 96 km long. The train passes through about 102 tunnels and more than 800 bridges. The Barog tunnel is especially long and the smell of damp earth and diesel smoke invades the not air conditioned carriages where commuters sprawl on benches with backpackers and the train never travels faster than forty kilometers an hour. This is a beautiful chaotic climb into the clouds.
2. West Highland Line, Scotland
During the train journey from Glasgow to Mallaig, exchange in weather can be known this repeatedly. Passengers experience bright sunshine and sudden rain over the Rannoch moor.
3. Flam Railway, Norway
The gradient is brutal. Dropping 863 meters over just 20 kilometers, the engineering required in the 1920s bordered on the reckless. The train stops at the Kjosfossen waterfall. The water is quite noisy and it seems that it is forcing the floor of the train to shake and enjoy the beauty. The journey lasts less than an hour, but it is surrounded by very high and steep mountain cliffs making the experience feel intense.
4. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy
The train doesn’t travel through the tunnel tag inside the mountain but it takes a completely different road and climbs over the Alps. It reaches a height of about 2253 metres at the Bernina pass. The line is especially spectacular at the Brusio spiral viaduct, which turns on its side a 360 degree circuit of rock. On the way to Tirano, where the signs change from German to Italian, there are views of chestnut trees.
5. TranzAlpine, New Zealand
The South Island is a geological argument, and this train reads it. Starting in Christchurch, the carriages cross the Canterbury Plains before hitting the Southern Alps. The Staircase Viaduct is a marvel of mid-century concrete, curving sharply above the Waimakariri River. Arthur’s Pass brings the alpine beech forest right up to the glass. Then comes the Otira Tunnel. Eight kilometers of absolute blackness before the wet, green coast of Greymouth appears.
6. California Zephyr, USA
The train travels down the steep rocky mountain and enters the deep fails which is surrounded by red rock canyons near the Colorado river. The railway tracks run so close to the river that if you throw a stone from the train then a good land in the water. Meanwhile, in the dining car, strangers are being asked to break bread at a four-top table at designated times, an exercise in discipline that makes even the most libertarian souls among us reconsider their views on personal freedom. By the time the Sierra Nevadas roll into view on day two, the passengers have, without fail, formed a conga line of new best friends.
7. Rovos Rail, South Africa
A boardroom on wheels. It is an exercise in engineered nostalgia. Deals are quite often sketched out on napkins in the observation car while a zebra watches from the scrub.
8. Glacier Express, Switzerland
The marketing copy calls it the slowest express train in the world. The point is not lost on us as we pass over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels on the way from Zermatt to St. Moritz. Curved glass that flows up and out to the very top of the panoramic car provides a picture that includes the Matterhorn, not just in the picture frame but as if it were placed there by an interior decorator. As we eat our lunch on white tablecloths, the train slowly traverses the Landwasser Viaduct.
9. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Most long haul trains travel at night, but this one won’t. The glass-domed carriages operate only in daylight, which means wandering into a hotel in Kamloops or Quesnel when the sun goes down. The Canadian Rockies are simply too expensive to see after dark. The train passes through the Fraser Canyon on the way to Banff and the walls of stone close in on either side until the only thing visible is the river below.
10. The Ghan, Australia
A steel ribbon cutting through the red dirt of the Northern Territory. The scale here is difficult to process. Adelaide to Darwin takes nearly three days, and for hours at a time, the landscape offers nothing but spinifex and the occasional iron-ore freight train passing on a parallel gauge. The Platinum class cabins are essentially rolling hotel rooms. Scorching heat outside but the inside temperature is quite cool.
FAQs
1. What are the best scenic train rides in the world?
Some of the best scenic train rides include the Bernina Express in Switzerland, the Glacier Express, India’s Kalka–Shimla Railway, Norway’s Flåm Railway, and New Zealand’s TranzAlpine.
2. Which is the most beautiful train journey in the world?
The Bernina Express and Glacier Express are often considered among the most beautiful train journeys because of their spectacular Alpine scenery, mountain passes, and panoramic views.
3. Which scenic train ride is famous in India?
The Kalka–Shimla Railway is one of India’s most famous scenic train journeys, known for its mountain landscapes, tunnels, bridges, and charming hill-station views.
4. What is the best scenic train ride in Europe?
The Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Flåm Railway, and West Highland Line are popular choices for travelers seeking beautiful European rail journeys.
5. Which scenic train journey offers luxury travel?
Rovos Rail in South Africa and the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada are renowned for premium onboard experiences and spectacular scenery.
6. Which is the longest train journey on this list?
The Ghan in Australia is a multi-day journey connecting Adelaide and Darwin, crossing the vast Australian interior.
7. What is the best time to enjoy scenic train rides?
The best time depends on the route. Summer often offers clear mountain views and longer daylight hours, while winter can provide beautiful snow-covered landscapes on selected routes.
8. Are scenic train journeys suitable for families?
Yes. Many scenic train journeys are suitable for families, offering comfortable seating, beautiful views, and memorable travel experiences. Check each operator’s facilities and journey duration before booking.
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