Trains have a rustic, old-school charm about them that is almost irresistible. Although it may not be the fastest way to get around, a train trip gives you an opportunity to experience and enjoy the journey as much as the destination itself. There aren’t many forms of transportation that offer the same level of space and freedom you can achieve on a train. There’s nothing like being able to sleep in a real bed or get up and walk around when traveling long distances. Not to mention the captivating countryside or cityscape outside your window at all times. There’s nothing like it in my opinion.
Here is our list of the 5 best train trips around the world!
1. Sleeper Train, Thailand
Taking the sleeper train, or overnight train, in Thailand is an ideal way to travel long distances. It’s cheap, comfortable, and before you know it hundreds of miles have flown by while you’re sleeping. Not to mention the wonderful views of the countryside during daytime hours.
If you’re looking for a more private experience you can book your own cabin the first-class sleeper car. Otherwise, you would be in one of the bunks in the second-class car which is still very comfortable and perfect for those who enjoy socializing. With both options, you have access to the restaurant car with a variety of options. Though it may not be the most luxurious of trains, it gets the job done and always ends up being one of those adventures that any traveler lives for.
2. Venice Simplon Orient Express
If you’re looking for a more private experience you can book your own cabin the first-class sleeper car. Otherwise, you would be in one of the bunks in the second-class car which is still very comfortable and perfect for those who enjoy socializing. With both options, you have access to the restaurant car with a variety of options. Though it may not be the most luxurious of trains, it gets the job done and always ends up being one of those adventures that any traveler lives for.
2. Venice Simplon Orient Express
The Orient Express was a long-distance train service created in 1883. The original route of the orient express ran from Paris to Constantinople (Istanbul). However, there were several routes in the past that have used the Orient Express name or one of the many variants.
Although the original Orient Express is no longer running on any route there is still a way you can experience what it was like. The Venice Simplon Orient Express is a private luxury train using original carriages from the 1920s and follows many of the old routes including Paris to Istanbul. With all the carriages restored to their former glory and the lack of modern technology its almost as if you step through a doorway to the past when you climb aboard.
3. The Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) is known by train lovers everywhere to be one of the most legendary train journeys you can take. The official 5,772-mile route from Moscow to Vladivostok passes through eight time zones as it weaves through the country’s vast and little-visited interior. This makes the TSR the longest railway in the world. And that is only the main route through Russia. You can also take a connecting line to Beijing and the rest of Asia.
The TSR is actually a number of services, ranging from slow local stoppers to grand international trains running the main route, as well as two separate routes to Beijing in China. The more affordable public train, Rossiya No 2, takes six days and is definitely a great way to meet the locals and see the countryside. Those looking for a more high-end experience can find that as well with Golden Eagle, a private luxury train service that runs along the same route.
4. The Canadian
We all know Canada is a stunning place. And no other mode of transportation allows you to experience the country so intimately as taking a train. There are a few train services that run through the gorgeous countryside, but if you want the full 3-day adventure from Toronto to Vancouver, The Canadian might be what you’re looking for.
The Canadian is known for having “Canada’s best window”. This is true no matter where you’re seated, but the absolute best view would have to be from the dome car. If having a panoramic view from the top of the train doesn't interest you; you can still enjoy the magnificent scenery over a gourmet meal or in the comfort of your own cabin.
5. Train to the Clouds, Argentina
The Train to the Clouds is a tourist train service that climbs 13,800 feet in the rugged Andes on its way from Salta, Argentina, to the Chilean border on one of the highest train journeys in the world. The railway line has 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags throughout the duration of the 8-hour trip. This has to be one of the most adventurous experiences on this list and you still get to do it all from a comfortable seat!
Although the original Orient Express is no longer running on any route there is still a way you can experience what it was like. The Venice Simplon Orient Express is a private luxury train using original carriages from the 1920s and follows many of the old routes including Paris to Istanbul. With all the carriages restored to their former glory and the lack of modern technology its almost as if you step through a doorway to the past when you climb aboard.
3. The Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian Railway (TSR) is known by train lovers everywhere to be one of the most legendary train journeys you can take. The official 5,772-mile route from Moscow to Vladivostok passes through eight time zones as it weaves through the country’s vast and little-visited interior. This makes the TSR the longest railway in the world. And that is only the main route through Russia. You can also take a connecting line to Beijing and the rest of Asia.
The TSR is actually a number of services, ranging from slow local stoppers to grand international trains running the main route, as well as two separate routes to Beijing in China. The more affordable public train, Rossiya No 2, takes six days and is definitely a great way to meet the locals and see the countryside. Those looking for a more high-end experience can find that as well with Golden Eagle, a private luxury train service that runs along the same route.
4. The Canadian
We all know Canada is a stunning place. And no other mode of transportation allows you to experience the country so intimately as taking a train. There are a few train services that run through the gorgeous countryside, but if you want the full 3-day adventure from Toronto to Vancouver, The Canadian might be what you’re looking for.
The Canadian is known for having “Canada’s best window”. This is true no matter where you’re seated, but the absolute best view would have to be from the dome car. If having a panoramic view from the top of the train doesn't interest you; you can still enjoy the magnificent scenery over a gourmet meal or in the comfort of your own cabin.
5. Train to the Clouds, Argentina
The Train to the Clouds is a tourist train service that climbs 13,800 feet in the rugged Andes on its way from Salta, Argentina, to the Chilean border on one of the highest train journeys in the world. The railway line has 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 13 viaducts, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags throughout the duration of the 8-hour trip. This has to be one of the most adventurous experiences on this list and you still get to do it all from a comfortable seat!
I hope you enjoyed our article on the best train trips around the world. Have you ever taken one of these trips? Let us know in the comments!
Today let's talk about five of the most fantastic and beautiful railway routes that can be found around the globe. Of course there are far more than these 5 listed but these are the ones I'm most interested in doing and well, they look amazing! In many cases the train is not the fastest way to get from 1 spot to another but sometimes its not about that, sometimes its about the experience inside the journey and that's where train travel really has an edge.
Here are 5 of the most incredible railway routes on earth:
Two days of typical Canadian beauty
It is said that the easiest and the best way to see the real beauty of Canada is while looking out of the train windows. Especially through a perfect Rocky Mountaineer route’s window!
This railway is connecting two extremely important cities - Vancouver and Banff and the journey from once city to another will take your breath away for sure.
During the trip, you will see all the typical elements of the local landscape: gigantic pine forests, snow-covered mountains, clear lakes and black lava cliffs. To take this journey of almost a thousand kilometers takes about two days. During the night passengers stay in a hotel in the city of Kamloops, that way you don't miss scenery that would be darkened in the dead of night.
Seven time zones in one sitting
The amazing 9,289 kilometer long TransSiberian train route is famous not only for the fact that it is the longest railway line in the world but also because it helps to see Russia in an entirely different light.
Connecting hundreds of local towns and villages, this route crosses seven time zones, so traveling this way might take a while, but it really is worth it. With it, you will be able to see a lot of real Russian nature and local people’s lives in a way that you could not do with any other type of travel.
You can travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, which is near the Japanese Sea, but I would not end the route there. You can continue going along this line and soon you will quickly reach Beijing, Shanghai or Tokyo. So you see this route can be done in pieces or you can spend months traveling it all at the same time. I like a route that gives you loads of options like this one does!
In winter, the number of passengers decreases significantly, but the cold season can actually be an excellent opportunity to enjoy the snow-covered scenery and you can usually get quite a discount when traveling off season!
Railway on cloud
Although Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling rail line might seem like not such a big deal - it is. The route of this train goes up to around 2 kilometers height, so that is pretty extraordinary in itself not to mention all the beautiful scenery that comes with traveling to such heights.
The preserved steam engine of this train was actually added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, so that also speaks a lot for itself. Probably the most surprising thing you can experience if you decide to take this train, is the fact that here you can enjoy beautiful views too.
Through the train seat, you will see clouds lower than your eye line, tea plantations and mountain villages, which all look fantastic and magical.
Riding through market stalls
Taking Thai Maeklongo rail will literally make you hold your breath, but no thanks to the picturesque panoramas. This train crosses one of the biggest seafood markets in Thailand. And not just simply passes around. It literary crosses it.
Here local workers have become accustomed to the arrival of the locomotive and probably know the schedule of the train sometimes better than the railroad workers. Hearing the train coming, locals simply move away all stalls and various goods arranged on the ground. And soon after the train leaves – market comes back alive, and all stalls get into their places once again, until the next train comes.
Transportation and entertainment at the same time
The train named “the Ghan” rolls for nearly 3 thousand kilometers and really shows off what Australia is all about. The train route begins in the south coast port located in Adelaide and ends in Darwin in the north of Australia.
Contrasts will inevitably accompany the journey by this train - reddish deserts are changed with a clear blue sky. But that is not everything that this route can offer you.
With this train, you can not only travel from point A to B but also stop by and participate in trips within the country's most spectacular locations. So - it is a real full package for all adventurous travelers. The price is quite steep but when you consider the entertainment value as well as the experience of it all I think you'll find it worth the money. And just think you can relax in a comfy seat and let someone else do all the driving
This article was brought to you by my new friends at Travel-Ticker.com where you can book cheap hotels smoother and without any additional effort.
Here are 5 of the most incredible railway routes on earth:
Two days of typical Canadian beauty
It is said that the easiest and the best way to see the real beauty of Canada is while looking out of the train windows. Especially through a perfect Rocky Mountaineer route’s window!
This railway is connecting two extremely important cities - Vancouver and Banff and the journey from once city to another will take your breath away for sure.
During the trip, you will see all the typical elements of the local landscape: gigantic pine forests, snow-covered mountains, clear lakes and black lava cliffs. To take this journey of almost a thousand kilometers takes about two days. During the night passengers stay in a hotel in the city of Kamloops, that way you don't miss scenery that would be darkened in the dead of night.
Seven time zones in one sitting
The amazing 9,289 kilometer long TransSiberian train route is famous not only for the fact that it is the longest railway line in the world but also because it helps to see Russia in an entirely different light.
Connecting hundreds of local towns and villages, this route crosses seven time zones, so traveling this way might take a while, but it really is worth it. With it, you will be able to see a lot of real Russian nature and local people’s lives in a way that you could not do with any other type of travel.
You can travel from Moscow to Vladivostok, which is near the Japanese Sea, but I would not end the route there. You can continue going along this line and soon you will quickly reach Beijing, Shanghai or Tokyo. So you see this route can be done in pieces or you can spend months traveling it all at the same time. I like a route that gives you loads of options like this one does!
In winter, the number of passengers decreases significantly, but the cold season can actually be an excellent opportunity to enjoy the snow-covered scenery and you can usually get quite a discount when traveling off season!
Railway on cloud
Although Jalpaiguri-Darjeeling rail line might seem like not such a big deal - it is. The route of this train goes up to around 2 kilometers height, so that is pretty extraordinary in itself not to mention all the beautiful scenery that comes with traveling to such heights.
The preserved steam engine of this train was actually added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, so that also speaks a lot for itself. Probably the most surprising thing you can experience if you decide to take this train, is the fact that here you can enjoy beautiful views too.
Through the train seat, you will see clouds lower than your eye line, tea plantations and mountain villages, which all look fantastic and magical.
Riding through market stalls
Taking Thai Maeklongo rail will literally make you hold your breath, but no thanks to the picturesque panoramas. This train crosses one of the biggest seafood markets in Thailand. And not just simply passes around. It literary crosses it.
Here local workers have become accustomed to the arrival of the locomotive and probably know the schedule of the train sometimes better than the railroad workers. Hearing the train coming, locals simply move away all stalls and various goods arranged on the ground. And soon after the train leaves – market comes back alive, and all stalls get into their places once again, until the next train comes.
Transportation and entertainment at the same time
The train named “the Ghan” rolls for nearly 3 thousand kilometers and really shows off what Australia is all about. The train route begins in the south coast port located in Adelaide and ends in Darwin in the north of Australia.
Contrasts will inevitably accompany the journey by this train - reddish deserts are changed with a clear blue sky. But that is not everything that this route can offer you.
With this train, you can not only travel from point A to B but also stop by and participate in trips within the country's most spectacular locations. So - it is a real full package for all adventurous travelers. The price is quite steep but when you consider the entertainment value as well as the experience of it all I think you'll find it worth the money. And just think you can relax in a comfy seat and let someone else do all the driving
This article was brought to you by my new friends at Travel-Ticker.com where you can book cheap hotels smoother and without any additional effort.










