12+ of the World's Most Spectacular Train Journeys

1. The Jacobite

Fort William — Mallaig, Scotland

An impressive route by steam train through some of the Highland’s beautiful landscapes. Don’t miss the Glenfinnan viaduct, famous for being in the Harry Potter films.

2. The Trans-Siberian Railway

Moscow — Vladivostok, Russia, Mongonlia, China

The Trans Siberian Railway is the ultimate rail journey, the longest in the world (and possibly the coldest if you go at the wrong time of year), a journey of almost mythical proportions that spans two continents while staying in a single country.

There are three routes that travelers can take to explore the Siberian expanse: The Moscow-to-Vladivostok route at over 9,000 km (6,000 miles), and two routes from Moscow to Beijing: one through Mongolia, taking six days and almost 8000km (5000 miles), or one which takes almost a week to complete and travels via Manchuria.

Without leaving your seat, you pass through the end of Europe and cross almost the width of Asia, clattering your way across nearly a third of the globe.

3. Qinghai-Tibet Railway

Beijing — Lhasa, China

This is the highest train journey in the world. Build over four years by 100,000 engineers, the route takes you 5,068m above sea level through permafrost and very thin air — oxygen outlets are available to combat altitude issues.

4. Kalka Shimla Railway

Kalka — Shimla, India

Known as the Kalka Shimla Railway, this narrow gauge railway takes you to the foothills of the Himalayas by way of 102 tunnels and 889 bridges. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

5. Cusco-Machu Picchu, Peru

Offering an alternative to hiking the Inca Trail, this route takes you to a station just 8km away fromt he ruins of Machu Picchu, passing the Andean foothills.

6. The Indian Pacific

Sydney — Perth, Australia

The ultimate coast-to-coast journey, and one of the world’s longest railways, the Indian Pacific takes in mountains, deserts and ghost towns across the breadth of Australia.

7. Train to the clouds

Salta — Polvorilla, Argentina

This train takes you 4,200 meter above sea level by way of 29 bridges, 21 tunnels, 2 spirals and 2 zigzags, as well as offering a chance to see the magnificent La Polvoriila viaduct. Depending on the season, this route can be part-bus.

8. Eastern and Oriental Express

Bangkok — Singapore

Few names conjure up images of luxury and indulgence like the Orient Express. This route takes you past the Bridge on the River Kwai and Penang.

9. Tokaido Shinkansen

Tokyo — Kyoto, Japan

Japan is famed for its high speed, reliable and comfortable bullet trains — or Shinkansen. One of the Tokaido routes from Tokyo to Kyoto allows specticular views of Mt. Fuji.

10. The Rocky Mountainer

Vancouver — Banff, Canada

This journey is so visually impressive the trains have glass-doomed roofs. This trip takes you through the Canadian Rockies and allows you to pass through the famous Spiral Tunnels.

11. Glacier Express

St. Moritz — Zermatt, Swiss Alps

Taking almost eight hours to complete its journey, the Glacier Express has a reputation for being the slowest ‘express’ in the world – but it’s also one of the most beautiful. Linking the two mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the journey covers 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.

At its highest point, the Glacier Express reaches 2,033 meters (6,670 feet) in altitude at the Oberalp Pass as it travel through some of the most stunning mountain scenery Europe has to offer: alpine meadows, mountain streams, snow peaked mountains and glacial valleys.

12. The Flam Railway

Myrdal — Flam, Norway

The Flam Railway runs 20km (12 miles) between Myrdal, at 865 meters (2838 feet) above sea level, down to the fjords of Flam. This is an incredible feat of engineering, one of the steepest non-cog railways in the world and Norway’s most spectacular tourist attraction.

With views over part of the world’s longest fjord – Sognefjord – as well as deep river valleys and airy peaks, this train seemingly clings to the side of the mountains in an unforgettable journey.