The World’s Top 25 Luxury Trains

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  • Alphabetical: Z to A

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE)

The Venice Simplon-Orient Express (VSOE) is the world’s most authentic luxury train.  Its 1920s-vintage Art Deco cars, sparkling in their navy and gold livery and snowy white roof, take your breath away.  

Europe

Rovos Rail Pride of Africa

Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa offers an old-world elegance and luxury to a degree that was never equaled in the 1920s. Many seasoned IRT Society travelers consider it their favorite train experience.

Africa

Golden Eagle Danube Express

The Golden Eagle Danube Express carries up to 64 passengers and offers some of the best sleeping accommodations in mainland Europe. 

Europe

Deccan Odyssey

The Deccan Odyssey is one of the subcontinent’s most luxurious trains, with comfortable private cabins, lounges and even a luxurious spa car.

Asia

Belmond Royal Scotsman

Belmond Royal Scotsman is a perfect way to explore Scotland in an intimate, luxury setting with gourmet, five-star dining, wine-pairing and superior service.

Europe

Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle plies the famous Trans-Siberian route between Moscow and Vladivostok, as well as making special tours of the Silk Road, Russia’s Arctic, Mongolia, and the Caspian region.

Asia, Europe

El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo

El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo slowly plies the narrow-gauge rails in Northern "Green" Spain, between Santiago and San Sebastián.

Europe

Eastern & Oriental Express

The Eastern & Oriental Express runs 1,262 miles between Singapore, Malaysia and Bangkok, Thailand.

Asia

Belmond Andean Explorer

Belmond Andean Explorer is South America’s first overnight luxury train. The train and its services are beautiful. The staff is bright and eager to please.

South America

Shangri-La Express

The Shangri-La Express is the most modern hotel train in China and far surpasses regular train service in every aspect.

Asia

Al-Andalus

Southern Spain’s opulent, broad-gauge Al-Andalus returned to the rails May, 2012, with its 1920s-era cars newly renovated. The Al-Andalus includes bar, tea-room and two dining cars, as well as all-en suite cabins. The train combines stellar service, exquisite Art Deco styling and excellent cuisine for a once-in-a-life-time experience.

Europe

Belmond Hiram Bingham

This gleaming blue-and-gold train makes the 3.5-hour trip between Cusco and Machu Picchu every day but Sunday.

South America

The Ghan

The Ghan traverses the heart of Australia, from Darwin to Adelaide--a 3-day journey.

Australia & New Zealand

Indian Pacific

Australia’s transcontinental Indian Pacific offers a twice-weekly service in both directions between Perth and Sydney, via Adelaide, across more than 2,704 miles (4,352 km) during peak seasons, and once a week in less busy times.

Australia & New Zealand

Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer has been on our World’s Top 25 Trains list since it started. It was awarded the right to operate routes in the Canadian Rockies and purchase VIA Rail’s equipment in 1990 by the Canadian government.

North America

The Canadian

The Canadian is VIA Rail Canada’s flagship train. It runs between Toronto and Vancouver three times a week, traveling 2,775 miles.

North America

Belmond British Pullman

The Belmond British Pullman is a luxury, vintage train which operates a full array of day trips and weekend breaks throughout Britain, many of them with themes such as castles, gardens, historic houses, romance and Christmas.

Europe

Maharajas’ Express

The Maharajas’ Express was custom-built to be the most luxurious train in India, offering state-of-the-art facilities and amenities.

Asia

Kyushu Seven Stars

Since its inception in 2013, the Kyushu Seven Stars, Japan’s very first luxury train, has been selling space based on a lottery system to account for the overwhelming demand for this exclusive and utterly unique rail travel experience.

Asia

Golden Pass Panoramic Express

The 39-mile, meter-gauge Montreux– Oberland Bernois (MOB) is one of Switzerland’s oldest electric railways. It connects Montreux, on Lake Geneva, with the ski resort of Gstaad, ending in Zweisimmen.

Europe

Flam Railway

The Flåm Railway is one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge railways, climbing some 2,833 feet from Flåm to Myrdal in about an hour.

Europe

Bergen Railway

The scenery on the 7-hour Bergen Railway trip across the Hardanger plateau, the largest wilderness area in Europe, is breathtaking.

Europe

Glacier Express

The Swiss hail the Glacier Express as the world’s slowest express. The train takes almost eight hours and the services of two private, narrow-gauge railroads to traverse the 168 mountainous miles between two posh resort towns—Zermatt and St. Moritz.

Europe

Bernina Express

The spectacular Bernina line was completed in 1910 and is run by Rhaetian Railways. Beginning in Chur, St. Moritz or Davos, it passes the glaciers of Piz Bernina, making this the highest railway crossing in all of the Alps.

Europe
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