Most Scenic Train Rides in the World

Slow travel, breathtaking landscapes, and journeys that are just as beautiful as the destination.

In a world that moves quickly, scenic train rides invites you to do the opposite.

No airport lines. No frantic transfers. No white-knuckle mountain driving. In an era when travel often feels rushed, there’s something profoundly refreshing about stepping onto a train, settling into your seat, and watching the world unfold slowly outside your window.

Scenic train journeys aren’t just transportation. They are immersive experiences. They invite you to slow down, notice small details, and appreciate landscapes that can’t be seen from highways or 30,000 feet in the air.

For seasoned travelers who value comfort, authenticity, and depth over speed, these iconic rail journeys offer something rare: space to experience the world, not just pass through it.

Here are some of the most breathtaking train rides on earth — complete with distance, timing, and why they’re worth putting on your list.

1. Glacier Express (Switzerland)

Distance: 180 miles / 290 km
Travel Time (full route): Approx. 8 hours

Often called the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz, crossing the heart of the Swiss Alps.

Yes — eight hours sounds long. And that’s part of its charm.

Many travelers choose to experience it in segments rather than the full route, allowing time to linger in alpine towns along the way. The ride naturally breaks into stunning sections:

Zermatt to Andermatt

You begin in the shadow of the Matterhorn. The train climbs steadily through narrow valleys, wooden chalets, and waterfalls tumbling down sheer rock faces. It feels intimate and dramatic — pure high-Alpine Switzerland.

Andermatt to Chur

This is the wild, expansive middle stretch. Expect soaring peaks, deep gorges, and sweeping valleys dotted with grazing cows and tiny villages that seem frozen in time.

Chur to St. Moritz

The landscape softens into elegant Engadine scenery — sparkling lakes, golden meadows, and refined mountain resorts. It feels grand yet serene.

The Glacier Express isn’t about rushing from Point A to Point B. It’s about surrendering to the rhythm of the Alps — watching light shift across snowcaps and realizing you don’t want the day to end.

Check out the official route map for Glacier Express.

2. Bernina Express (Switzerland & Italy)

Distance: 76 miles / 122 km
Travel Time: Approx. 4 hours

If you want jaw-dropping scenery in a shorter timeframe, the Bernina Express delivers in spectacular fashion.

This UNESCO-listed railway climbs to over 7,000 feet without cogwheels before descending into Italy — an engineering marvel wrapped in beauty.

Along the way you’ll see:

• Glaciers glowing blue in the sunlight
• High alpine lakes reflecting snow peaks
• The famous circular Brusio Viaduct
• A dramatic descent into palm-lined Tirano

One moment you’re surrounded by snow and ice. A few hours later, you’re in Italy sipping espresso.

It feels cinematic — almost unreal.

The Bernina Express is so extraordinary that we’ve included it in our Lake Como & Piemonte tour, where guests experience this unforgettable crossing as part of a thoughtfully designed small group itinerary. It’s the kind of day that lingers in memory long after you return home.

3. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)

Distance: Varies by route (approx. 280–600 miles / 450–965 km)
Travel Time: 2–3 days (daytime travel only)

The Rocky Mountaineer isn’t just a train ride — it’s a rolling front-row seat to the Canadian Rockies.

Glass-domed coaches allow uninterrupted views of:

• Turquoise glacier-fed rivers
• Towering mountain passes
• Dense pine forests
• Wildlife roaming remote valleys

Unlike traditional overnight trains, passengers stay in hotels each evening. That means every mile traveled is bathed in daylight — no scenery missed.

This is wilderness at its most majestic — paired with refined comfort, attentive service, and regionally inspired cuisine. You don’t feel like a tourist. You feel like a privileged observer of one of the world’s great natural landscapes.

4. The Ghan (Australia)

Distance: 1,850 miles / 2,979 km
Travel Time: 3 days, 2 nights

The Ghan stretches from Adelaide to Darwin, cutting through the vast heart of Australia.

This journey is about scale and solitude.

You’ll witness:

• Endless red desert plains
• Ochre rock formations
• Wide, open skies that seem to stretch forever
• Gradual shifts from arid Outback to tropical north

There’s something deeply meditative about watching the Australian interior roll by for hours on end. Sunsets blaze across the horizon in impossible shades of orange and gold.

It’s less about drama and more about immersion — a slow, powerful crossing of a continent.

5. West Highland Line (Scotland)

Distance: 164 miles / 264 km (Glasgow to Mallaig)
Travel Time: Approx. 5–6 hours

Scotland’s West Highland Line feels like stepping into a painting.

Departing Glasgow, the train glides past:

• The shimmering waters of Loch Lomond
• The wild expanse of Rannoch Moor
• Dramatic mountain backdrops
• The iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct

The mood here is romantic and slightly mysterious — rolling green hills, mist drifting across lochs, sheep grazing in distant fields.

It’s not flashy. It’s quietly magnificent.

You may find yourself pressing your forehead gently to the window, completely absorbed.

6. GoldenPass Express (Switzerland)

Distance: 71 miles / 115 km
Travel Time: Approx. 3 hours 15 minutes

Linking Montreux on Lake Geneva to Interlaken, the GoldenPass Express showcases Switzerland’s remarkable diversity in just a few hours.

You begin among vineyards overlooking the lake. Soon you’re winding through pastoral countryside — wooden farmhouses, flower-lined balconies, church steeples rising from green valleys.

Then, almost seamlessly, the landscape transitions into dramatic alpine scenery.

It’s elegant. Balanced. Effortlessly Swiss.

And it leaves you wanting more.

Why Scenic Trains Feels So Right Today

As we explored in The Biggest Travel Trend This Year: Small Group Tours, travelers are increasingly choosing depth over speed.

We’re seeing a shift away from checklist tourism toward experiences that feel intentional and immersive.

Scenic trains fit beautifully into that philosophy:

• You slow down.
• You observe.
• You connect with the landscape rather than race past it.

For seasoned travelers — especially those who appreciate comfort, culture, and well-designed experiences — this kind of journey resonates deeply.

A Glimpse of What’s Next

Of all these routes, Switzerland stands out for its seamless integration of scenery, engineering, and hospitality.

And it’s no coincidence that we’ve been designing a new Swiss journey centered around its most breathtaking rail experiences.

Not a rushed, large-group itinerary.
Not a box-checking tour.

But a thoughtfully paced, 6–12 guest experience — built on the same philosophy outlined in Our Difference page:

• Thoughtful pacing
• Boutique accommodations
• Genuine local connection
• Space to savor both scenery and culture

Because scenic train travel isn’t just about looking out a window.

It’s about what happens around it — the alpine hotel waiting at the end of the line, the shared glass of wine after a panoramic crossing, the conversation sparked by something beautiful you all just witnessed together.

For travelers who say, “We don’t really do tours,” the right kind of journey makes all the difference.

And whether in Italy, Switzerland, or beyond, we believe the best trips are the ones that feel human — never rushed, never crowded, and always thoughtfully crafted.

Because sometimes, the most beautiful destination… is the journey itself.