The World's Best Train Journeys: 12 Scenic Routes Worth the Ride

A great train ride is travel slowed down to the speed of the scenery — mountains, steppe and coastline scrolling past the window with a cup of chai in hand. Here are twelve of the world's finest rail journeys, with the route, the best season and a quick word on how to book. We've kept one eye on Pakistani travellers and ended with our own railways, which still run some genuinely scenic lines.

1. Glacier Express — Switzerland

Zermatt to St Moritz across 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels, billed as the world's slowest express. Panoramic carriages, the Landwasser Viaduct, and the Alps the whole way. Best season: June–September for green passes; December–March for snow. Book: glacierexpress.ch, seats reserved ahead.

2. Trans-Siberian Railway — Russia

The classic long-haul: Moscow to Vladivostok, roughly 9,300 km and seven time zones over about a week. The Trans-Mongolian branch via Ulaanbaatar to Beijing is the more scenic spin-off. Best season: late spring to early autumn. Book: through the operator or a specialist agent; sort visas early.

3. Bernina Express — Switzerland to Italy

Chur (or St Moritz) to Tirano on a UNESCO-listed line that climbs to 2,253 m without a rack railway, then drops to Italian palms. Spectacular in any weather. Best season: year-round; snow makes the high passes magical. Book: rhb.ch.

4. Rocky Mountaineer — Canada

A daylight-only luxury service through the Canadian Rockies (Vancouver–Banff/Jasper and other routes), with glass-domed coaches and an overnight hotel stop so you don't miss the views. Best season: April–October. Book: rockymountaineer.com, well in advance.

5. Flåm Railway — Norway

Short but mighty: 20 km from Myrdal down to the Flåm fjord, one of the steepest standard-gauge lines anywhere, past the Kjosfossen waterfall. Pairs with a fjord cruise. Best season: May–September. Book: part of the popular "Norway in a Nutshell" routing.

6. The Ghan — Australia

Adelaide to Darwin through the red centre, roughly 2,979 km over three days, with off-train excursions at Alice Springs and Katherine. A proper outback crossing. Best season: the cooler April–October dry season. Book: journeybeyondrail.com.au.

7. Belmond Andean Explorer — Peru

South America's first luxury sleeper, running between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa across the high Andes at altitude. Sleeper cabins and observation cars. Best season: the dry May–September window. Book: belmond.com; acclimatise to the altitude first.

8. Palace on Wheels — India

A heritage-style luxury train looping Rajasthan from Delhi — Jaipur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Ranthambore and Agra in a week of palaces and forts. Best season: October–March (the trains pause in the hot months). Book: the official Rajasthan tourism operator. (Note for Pakistani passport holders: India is currently very restrictive on tourist visas — confirm the position before planning.)

9. Shinkansen — Japan

Not luxury, but unmissable: Japan's bullet trains hit 300 km/h with famous punctuality, and the Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka run gives you a glimpse of Mount Fuji on a clear day. Best season: spring (cherry blossom) and autumn (maples). Book: a Japan Rail Pass can be good value for multi-leg trips.

10. The Jacobite ("Hogwarts Express") — Scotland

Fort William to Mallaig over the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Harry Potter films, with West Highland coast and lochs throughout. Best season: April–October. Book: westcoastrailways.co.uk, sells out early.

11. Eastern & Oriental Express — Southeast Asia

A colonial-style luxury sleeper threading the jungles, paddies and limestone hills of the Malay Peninsula and Thailand. Short, indulgent, and a fine add-on to a wider Southeast Asia trip. Best season: November–March (drier). Book: belmond.com.

12. Pakistan's own scenic railways

You don't have to leave home for a memorable train ride. The historic Khyber railway near Peshawar is a famous (if intermittently running — check current status) mountain line of switchbacks and tunnels, while the up-country runs through Punjab and the climb toward Bolan and Balochistan show off the country at ground level. Pakistan Railways' premium services like the Green Line are the comfortable way to ride between the big cities. Confirm what's actually operating before you plan, as routes and schedules change.

How to book and what to pack

Reserve seats early on the famous lines — the Glacier Express, Rocky Mountaineer, the Ghan and the Jacobite sell out in peak season. Pack layers (mountain trains get cold), snacks for the long-haul routes, and a power bank for your camera. For trips that need a visa — Russia, Japan, Canada, the EU, Peru — start the paperwork early via our visa services, and price the flights to your start city on our flight search.

FAQ

What is the best train journey in the world?

It's a matter of taste, but Switzerland's Glacier Express and Bernina Express, Canada's Rocky Mountaineer and the Trans-Siberian routinely top the lists. For Pakistani travellers, the Glacier Express and Japan's Shinkansen are among the most accessible bucket-list rides.

Which scenic train can I take inside Pakistan?

The historic Khyber railway near Peshawar and the mountain climbs toward Bolan in Balochistan are the scenic classics, while Pakistan Railways' premium services like the Green Line run comfortably between major cities. Always check current operating status before you plan, as some heritage runs are intermittent.

Do I need to book scenic trains in advance?

Yes for the famous luxury and tourist lines — the Glacier Express, Rocky Mountaineer, the Ghan and the Jacobite reserve seats and sell out in summer. Regular intercity services and the Shinkansen are more flexible, though a rail pass can save money on multi-leg trips.

When is the best time of year for a train journey?

Most mountain and outback routes are best in their region's mild season — June–September for the Alps and Norway, April–October for Canada, the cooler dry months for the Ghan and the Andean Explorer, and spring or autumn for Japan. Winter turns the Alpine lines into a snow spectacle.

Which train trips need a visa for Pakistani travellers?

Russia (Trans-Siberian), Japan, Canada, Schengen Europe (the Alpine lines) and Peru all require a visa for Pakistani passport holders, and rules vary, so apply early. India's tourist-visa position is currently very restricted — confirm it before counting on the Palace on Wheels.