Train Journeys You Need to Take in Your Lifetime
Content Editor
Train travel can be about so much more than just going from A to B. With the right route, your journey can become an experience in itself. With that in mind, these are some of the best train rides in the world, which you can take with Culture Trip.
From classic European journeys to the adventurous jungle routes of Southeast Asia, we wanted to put together a list of the most scenic train rides in the world. Our Rail Trips are an ode to the joys of train travel. That magical feeling of seeing a destination evolve right in front of your eyes, landscapes changing, cities coming and going, unique cultures and communities flashing by. Our collection of trips are naturally built around some of our favourite railroads and, whether we cross them in luxury trains or old steam locomotives, you won’t be forgetting these train trips in a hurry.
Summer Sale
Jacobite steam train, Scotland
The 42-mile route from Fort William to Mallaig, traversed by the Jacobite steam train, is inarguably one of the most jaw-droppingly scenic train routes on the planet. It starts in the shadow of Ben Nevis and winds its way through the dramatic mountain valleys of the Scottish Highlands, all the way to the west coast. Whether it’s the vibrant greenery of summer, the warm auburn foliage of autumn or the blanketed white of deep winter, this journey is mesmerising year-round. The charming old steam train itself was immortalised in the Harry Potter films, standing in as the real-life version of the Hogwarts Express, famously crossing the remarkable Glenfinnan Viaduct. You’ll get to follow Harry’s tracks on our week-long Scotland Rail Trip, which also features a journey from London to Fort William on the amazing Caledonian Sleeper train.
From US$2406.75
Next available from 2nd Sep 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
London, England
ENDS AT
Edinburgh, Scotland
DURATION
7
GROUP SIZE
18
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
Tokaido Shinkansen, Japan
When it comes to the trains themselves, Japan’s iconic shinkansen, or bullet train, should be on everyone’s bucket list. The speed, the comfort, the modernity of it all. It’s an eye-opening travel experience. With so much beautiful Japanese countryside, you can pick pretty much any route and enjoy the view, but there’s something extra special about whizzing past Mount Fuji, Japan’s tallest mountain. You can do this on the Tokaido line, which you’ll use to go from Osaka or Kyoto to Tokyo. Our 12-day Japan Rail Trip features all three cities, and plenty of shinkansen time, but we’ll fly along the Tokaido line when we head from Takayama in the Japanese Alps to Hakone, which lies between the mountain and Tokyo.
From US$4045.15
Next available from 2nd Sep 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Osaka, Japan
ENDS AT
Tokyo, Japan
DURATION
12
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Summer Sale
Nong Khai to Bangkok sleeper train, Laos and Thailand
We love a sleeper train and the sheer joy you get from dozing off to the train’s calming rhythm, before waking up in an entirely different destination. It’s as efficient as it is magical, and one of the most amazing sleeper routes in the world is from Nong Khai, near the Laos border, to Bangkok (or vice versa). Our two-week Thailand and Laos epic will take you on multiple Thai countryside trains and jungle river boats through Laos, before eventually jumping on high-speed trains to Vang Vieng and Vientiane, the capital of Laos. From there we’ll end our trip crossing the border back into Thailand and catching the sleeper from Nong Khai. We’ll cross the Mekong River and pass endless rice fields, tiny villages and luscious jungles before waking up in the energetic Thai capital.
From US$2226.15
Next available from 12th Oct 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
ENDS AT
Bangkok, Thailand
DURATION
14
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Read Next
Film & TV
A Guide to Scotland’s Hidden Film Locations
Film & TV
10 Films to Watch Before Embarking on a Rail Trip
See & Do
Take the High Road: Discover Scotland’s Culture Through its Newer and Lesser-Known Attractions
Film & TV
Scotland on the Silver Screen: Exploring the country’s top filming locations
Guides & Tips
Plan the Perfect Slow Adventure in Scotland
See & Do
Wonderful Experiences That Will Make Your First Trip to Scotland Unforgettable
Guides & Tips
Local Insider – Venturing Into the Scottish Wilderness
Guides & Tips
A Highland Safari into the Wildlands of Scotland
See & Do
Castles, ceilidhs and clans: How to plan an authentic Scottish holiday
See & Do
Why Scotland’s Nature and Culture Is Good for the Soul
Guides & Tips
How to Go Off the Beaten Track in Scotland
Guides & Tips
The Great Scottish Rail Journey: From London Sleeper Train to the Hogwarts Express
Culture Trip Summer Sale
Save up to $1,395 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
