Train travel has a romance that flying simply can’t match. There’s something about watching landscapes unfold through oversized windows, feeling the gentle rhythm of the rails, and having time to actually breathe between destinations. While the U.S. offers some memorable routes, the rest of the world takes scenic train journeys to an entirely different level. From alpine peaks that pierce clouds to coastal tracks carved into cliffsides, these international routes transform transportation into the actual destination.

Whether you’re planning your next adventure or just dreaming about future travels, these spectacular train routes prove that the journey matters just as much as the arrival. Each offers windows into landscapes and cultures that cars and planes simply rush past. And if you’re looking for more travel inspiration, our guide to the world’s most scenic train rides covers even more breathtaking rail experiences around the globe.

The Glacier Express: Switzerland’s Alpine Masterpiece

The Glacier Express doesn’t rush. This eight-hour journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz deliberately moves at a leisurely pace, giving passengers time to absorb what many consider the most stunning alpine scenery on Earth. The route crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels, climbing to over 6,000 feet at the Oberalp Pass.

Floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows frame views of the Matterhorn, Rhine Gorge, and countless valleys dotted with picture-perfect Swiss villages. In winter, the landscape transforms into a snow-globe scene with frozen waterfalls and ski chalets. Summer brings emerald meadows scattered with wildflowers and grazing cattle wearing traditional bells. The train’s dining service brings meals directly to your seat, allowing you to enjoy regional Swiss cuisine without missing a single mountain vista.

What makes this route exceptional isn’t just the scenery. It’s the engineering marvel of the railway itself. The Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arch stone bridge that curves into a mountain tunnel, has become one of Switzerland’s most photographed railway structures. Book early for window seats, and consider traveling during shoulder seasons when tourist crowds thin but landscapes remain spectacular.

The Ghan: Australia’s Outback Expedition

Crossing Australia’s red center aboard The Ghan means experiencing one of Earth’s most ancient and unforgiving landscapes in luxurious comfort. This 1,851-mile journey from Adelaide to Darwin takes three days, traversing the entire continent from south to north. The train cuts through terrain that shifts from fertile farmland to rust-colored desert to tropical Top End.

Unlike European routes with constant scenery changes, The Ghan’s power comes from vast emptiness. Hours pass with nothing but red sand, scattered scrub, and endless sky. This emptiness isn’t boring – it’s mesmerizing. It forces you to slow down, disconnect from constant stimulation, and appreciate landscapes that have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.

The journey includes off-train excursions at Alice Springs and Katherine, where you can explore Aboriginal rock art sites, cruise through Katherine Gorge, or visit iconic Uluru. Onboard, gourmet meals feature Australian ingredients like barramundi, kangaroo, and regional wines. The carriages themselves blend old-world rail romance with modern comfort – plush sleeper cabins with ensuite bathrooms and lounge cars perfect for watching sunset paint the outback in impossible shades of orange and purple.

Planning Your Ghan Experience

The Ghan operates year-round, but the best time to travel is during Australia’s dry season from May to September. Temperatures are moderate, and wildlife congregates around permanent water sources, making animal spotting easier during excursions. Platinum Service offers the most spacious cabins and exclusive experiences, while Gold Service provides excellent value with comfortable accommodations and all meals included.

The Bergen Railway: Norway’s Mountain and Fjord Journey

Norway’s Bergen Railway connects Oslo with Bergen, climbing from sea level to the Hardangervidda plateau at 4,058 feet – Northern Europe’s highest railway point. This seven-hour journey showcases Norway’s dramatic landscapes: deep fjords, cascading waterfalls, and mountains that seem to pierce the low-hanging clouds.

The route’s highlight comes midway at Finse, a remote mountain station sitting above the tree line. In winter, this area becomes a frozen wonderland where the train appears to float through endless white. Spring brings waterfalls swollen with snowmelt, thundering down mountainsides in spectacular displays. Summer transforms the high plateau into a hiking paradise with crystal-clear lakes reflecting surrounding peaks.

Unlike many luxury train services, the Bergen Railway operates as regular public transport, making it remarkably affordable. Standard Norwegian trains offer comfortable seating with huge windows and often near-empty carriages outside peak tourist season. The train stops at Myrdal station, where you can transfer to the Flam Railway – a steep descent through 20 tunnels to the fjord below, offering yet another perspective on this dramatic landscape.

The Trans-Siberian Railway: Russia’s Epic Cross-Continental Journey

The Trans-Siberian Railway isn’t just a train ride – it’s a geographic and cultural expedition spanning 5,772 miles across two continents. The classic route from Moscow to Vladivostok takes seven days of continuous travel, crossing eight time zones and passing through 87 cities and towns. This journey reveals Russia’s incredible diversity, from European architecture to Siberian taiga forests to Asian influences near the Pacific coast.

The landscape changes constantly yet slowly. Dense birch forests give way to the Ural Mountains, then endless Siberian wilderness interrupted by remote villages and industrial cities. Lake Baikal, the world’s deepest freshwater lake, provides a stunning midpoint highlight. The train hugs the shoreline for several hours, offering views of crystal-clear water and surrounding mountains.

Traveling the Trans-Siberian means embracing the journey’s challenges alongside its rewards. Accommodations range from basic platzkart (open third-class carriages) where you’ll share space with Russian families and their provisions, to more comfortable two-berth compartments. The real experience happens between destinations – sharing meals with fellow travelers, watching Russia unfold mile after mile, and experiencing the unique rhythm of long-distance train life.

Route Variations Worth Considering

The Trans-Mongolian branch splits off at Ulan-Ude, heading south through Mongolia to Beijing. This variation adds the Gobi Desert and Mongolian steppes to your journey. The Trans-Manchurian route offers another alternative, staying in Russian territory longer before crossing into China. Each variation provides distinct landscapes and cultural experiences while maintaining the epic scale that defines Trans-Siberian travel.

The West Highland Line: Scotland’s Wilderness Railway

Scotland’s West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig packs extraordinary scenery into a relatively short journey. This route crosses the desolate beauty of Rannoch Moor, passes Britain’s highest mountain (Ben Nevis), and traverses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct – the curved concrete bridge made famous by Harry Potter films.

The landscape feels ancient and wild. Mist-shrouded lochs reflect surrounding mountains, while valleys show evidence of glacial sculpting from the last ice age. In autumn, heather blooms purple across hillsides. Winter brings snow to mountain peaks while lower elevations remain lush and green. The route terminates at Mallaig, a fishing village with ferries to the Isle of Skye and other Hebridean islands.

What sets this route apart is its accessibility and affordability. Regular ScotRail services run multiple times daily, with standard tickets costing a fraction of luxury tourist trains. The Jacobite Steam Train offers a heritage experience during summer months, complete with vintage carriages and a steam locomotive, but the regular diesel service provides identical views at lower prices and operates year-round.

The Coastal Pacific: New Zealand’s Seaside Spectacular

New Zealand’s Coastal Pacific railway hugs the country’s eastern coastline between Picton and Christchurch, offering four hours of continuous ocean views interspersed with vineyard valleys and mountain backdrops. The route runs so close to the Pacific that waves sometimes splash the track during storms. Seals sunbathe on rocks just meters from passing trains, and dolphins occasionally patrol nearby waters.

The journey showcases New Zealand’s unique landscape compression – the ability to see snow-capped mountains, ocean beaches, and agricultural valleys in a single glance. The train passes through the Kaikoura region, where mountains rise dramatically from the sea and marine life congregates in unusual abundance due to deep ocean trenches close to shore. Whales, dolphins, and various seabirds make regular appearances.

Unlike purely tourist-focused services, the Coastal Pacific balances scenic appeal with practical transportation. Large viewing windows in comfortable carriages allow unobstructed photography. An open-air viewing carriage lets you feel coastal breezes and hear the surf. The onboard cafe serves New Zealand wines from regions you pass through, creating a moving tasting experience that connects landscape to local flavors. For those interested in exploring more destinations by rail, our guide to top train routes around the world offers additional inspiration.

The Bernina Express: Switzerland and Italy’s Alpine Connection

The Bernina Express creates a spectacular four-hour link between Chur, Switzerland and Tirano, Italy, crossing the Alps without using a single tunnel or cogwheel. This engineering achievement means the track spirals and loops to gain and lose elevation gradually, creating dramatic circular viaducts and bridges that seem to defy gravity.

The route climbs to the Bernina Pass at 7,391 feet, surrounded by glaciers and peaks. The contrast between Swiss alpine meadows and Italian Mediterranean landscapes happens within hours. Palm trees appear in Tirano, just 90 miles from permanent glaciers. This dramatic transition showcases how quickly European landscapes can shift.

Panoramic carriages feature curved glass roofs extending upward, providing nearly 360-degree views. Summer brings hikers and wildflowers to high meadows. Winter transforms the route into a snow tunnel, with avalanche barriers and snow sheds protecting the track. The train passes the Morteratsch Glacier, where you can clearly see climate change’s impact – markers show where the glacier’s edge stood in previous decades, now hundreds of meters higher up the valley.

Making the Most of International Rail Travel

Booking scenic train routes requires different strategies than regular rail travel. Popular routes like the Glacier Express and Bergen Railway fill quickly during peak season, often months in advance. Off-season travel offers lower prices, thinner crowds, and often more dramatic landscapes – autumn colors or winter snow add visual interest that green summer landscapes sometimes lack.

Consider combining multiple routes into a single trip. Switzerland’s comprehensive rail network makes it easy to link the Glacier Express with the Bernina Express. Norway’s Bergen Railway connects with coastal ferry services for extended fjord exploration. The Trans-Siberian naturally invites stops in multiple cities, breaking the journey into digestible segments while maintaining the epic cross-continental narrative.

Rail passes can offer significant savings for multi-route journeys. The Eurail Global Pass covers most European countries, while country-specific passes provide unlimited travel within regions. Australia’s Rail Explorer Pass includes The Ghan along with other premium routes. These passes often include added benefits like seat reservations and discounts on connected services.

Pack differently for train travel than flights. You’ll have more luggage space and access to your bags throughout the journey. Bring layers for varying temperatures and a good camera with charged batteries – photo opportunities appear constantly. Snacks and water bottles make sense for longer routes, though most scenic trains offer dining services. Binoculars enhance wildlife spotting, particularly on routes through remote wilderness areas.

These train routes remind us that travel isn’t always about rushing between destinations. Sometimes the tracks themselves lead to the most memorable experiences – watching landscapes unfold at a human pace, meeting fellow travelers from around the world, and rediscovering the lost art of simply looking out a window. Whether you’re crossing continents on the Trans-Siberian or spending an afternoon on Scotland’s West Highland Line, these journeys offer something planes and highways never can: time and space to truly see the world passing by.