Most Scenic Train Rides
Welcome to the easiest way to see the world
Think traveling by train is old-fashioned? Think again. The combination of beautiful scenery and luxurious accommodations make this one mode of transportation we can definitely get on board with. Especially for international travel, taking the scenic route is the perfect opportunity to sit back, relax and explore a new country from the ground up.
These are seven stunning train excursions from around the world to add to your bucket list.
① Belmond Grand Hibernian (Ireland)
Skip the hassle of learning to drive on the other side of the road and explore Ireland from the passenger's seat. Choose your own two- or six-day adventure to places like the Cliffs of Moher, Galway and beyond. It's also the perfect way to ensure there's no Guinness left behind or pub left un-hunkered since someone else is doing the driving.
② West Highland Line (United Kingdom)
During this short 90-minute ride, you'll trek through beautiful mountainous landscapes, like the Loch Lomond, the Trossachs National Park and even an area of Scotland visible only by train. Fun fact: You can also catch a glimpse of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, where the Hogwarts Express was filmed for the Harry Potter series.
③ Shongololo Express (Southern Africa)
The Shongololo Express welcomes passengers aboard for either 12- or 15-day safari journeys between Pretoria, which is one of the country's three capital cities, and Cape Town, Swakopmund or Victoria Falls. As you breeze by the stunning coast of Namibia, you'll get a bird's eye view of sites like the Fish River Canyon, as well as the opportunity to tour historical towns Lüderitz, Kolmanskop and Keetmanshoop.
④ Amtrak Coast Starlight (Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, United States)
Take that West Coast road trip you've always dreamed of—minus the traffic. This picturesque route passes through Santa Barbara, the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and Portland. To accommodate those who are traveling overnight, there's a deluxe Superliner Sleeping Car, as well as a just-for-you meal service that delivers freshly prepared lunches and dinners right to your seat.
⑤ Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)
Adventurous travelers looking to explore South America need not look any further than the continent's first luxury train. Choose among four journeys ranging from overnight to three-day getaways all with lavish sleeping accommodations, and take in cities like Cusco, Lake Titicaca (Puno) and Arequipa, and sites such as Colca Canyon, the La Raya mountain range and the Sumbay Caves.
⑥ Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
From BC's ocean views to coastal rainforest, the Rocky Mountaineer is the perfect way to experience western Canada's beautiful scenery. The journey starts in Seattle, Washington, then takes passengers on an all-daylight journey through Vancouver, ending in the Canadian Rockies.
⑦ Grand Canyon Railway (Arizona, United States)
Skip the line to the Grand Canyon and opt instead for this VIP experience, which passes by Native American reservations and the San Francisco Peaks. Take binoculars and keep an eye out for native wildlife like elk, mountain lions, mule deer and bald eagles. The best part is the 65-mile trip takes a little more than two hours each way—the perfect day trip if your vacation days are running low.
Pack your passport—and an appetite—as we hit the world's hottest culinary destinations on and off the grid all month long. Now Boarding: your next trip to paradise.