Top Trips For Scenic Train Journeys

Who doesn’t love a scenic train ride? Embrace the romance of our Rail Trips and join us for some of the world’s most beautiful train rides.

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Jacobite steam train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in Harry Potter

Edinburgh and the Scottish Highlands by Train

Scotland’s ruggedly handsome landscape, dominated by craggy peaks, luscious forestry and serene highland lochs, was made to be explored by train. Tracks have been carved into this untameable land for over 200 years, and there’s a real sense of exploration to be had by chugging through the Highlands. Our Rail Trip was designed to showcase the Scottish countryside at its most majestic, so every train ride included in the itinerary is scenic, starting with the overnight sleeper from London to Fort William – the views are even better over a hearty Highland breakfast. There is one train ride that stands above the rest, however, and that’s the Jacobite steam train from Fort William to the west coast town of Mallaig. The train itself is fantastically old fashioned, steaming its way across the Scottish Highlands at a soothingly gentle pace. The most picturesque point? It has to be the curving Glenfinnan Viaduct, which you’ll cross on day three of our trip. If it looks familiar, that’s because this route, and the countryside it calls home, was the cinematic embodiment of the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films.

From US$2728

Next available from 27th May 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

London, England

ENDS AT

Edinburgh, Scotland

DURATION

7

GROUP SIZE

18

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Train approaching the Duoliang Station in Taitung, on the east coast of Taiwan

A Taste of Taiwan by Train

This gorgeous island nation off the coast of China glistens with the green of its rice paddies, forests and valleys, not to mention a huge coastline. Our Taiwan trip is an almost perfect loop of the island, starting at the northern tip in the capital, Taipei, heading down the west coast to Taichung and Kaohsiung in the south, before heading up the east coast to Hualien and back to Taipei. Every journey between the country’s skyscraper cities offers a beautiful insight into rural Taiwan, but the locomotive highlight of our trip has to be the eastern stretch. We’ll wind directly along the stunning East Coast National Scenic Area, sandwiched between the island’s luscious greenery and the shimmering blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. You’ll pass mountains, volcanic rock formations, sandy beaches and coastal terraces, spotting a diverse array of flora and fauna as you go.

From US$2031

Next available from 20th Jul 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

ENDS AT

Taipei, Taiwan

DURATION

9

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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View from a flowery field as the Shinkansen (Bullet Train) zooms past Mount Fuji in the Japanese countryside

Japan by Train: The Grand Tour

The eye-watering speeds of Japan’s bullet train network allows us to see so much of this country’s surprisingly diverse natural landscape in so little time. That’s the inspiration behind this comprehensive 12-day Rail Trip, which manages to fit Osaka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Hakone and Tokyo in one trip, and that’s just the cities. You’ll also get to explore Lake Ashi, Miyajima Island, Arashiyama bamboo forest and the Japanese Alps. It’s hard to pick just one route as the most scenic stretch, but keep an eye out for Mount Fuji on the journey between Takayama and Hakone, seeing Japan’s tallest mountain from one of its iconic high-speed trains is a moment you’ll never forget.

From US$4045

Next available from 2nd Sep 2024

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Trip highlights and details

STARTS AT

Osaka, Japan

ENDS AT

Tokyo, Japan

DURATION

12

GROUP SIZE

16

PHYSICAL RATING

Moderate

STYLE

Discovery

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Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.