Eight of the world’s best train journeys to take in your lifetime

In the world of trains, there are few things more romantic than taking the long way home. Whether you’re on your way to your honeymoon or just trying to get some work done, these eight train journeys will take your breath away (and not just because you forgot to put on deodorant that morning).

The Ghan, Australia
The Ghan is a passenger train that runs from Adelaide, South Australia, to Darwin, Northern Territory. it passes through some of Australia’s most spectacular landscapes including the Flinders Ranges, Uluru, and Kakadu National Park.

Located in the Outback of Australia, The Ghan offers travelers the opportunity to experience this landscape in pure luxury. Traveling directly through the fiery red center of Australia, The Ghan travels 2,797km (1,846mi) from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south. In the Northern Territory, passengers travel from lush tropical coasts to the red rocks of the MacDonnell Ranges and on to South Australian fertile plains. Off-train excursions on The Ghan include boat tours through Nitmiluk Gorge and excursions into Alice Springs, a desert town with a unique character.

TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Get up close and personal with the most dramatic landscape in New Zealand – the Southern Alps – aboard the TranzAlpine.

Traveling northwest through the fertile fields of the Canterbury Plains alongside the Waimakariri River, the TranzAlpine begins its ascent up the mountain terrain. Soon it crosses the formidable Staircase Viaduct, at the start of Arthur’s Pass National Park. Making its way through subtropical rainforests, the train enters the picturesque mountains of the West Coast. The destination of the journey is Greymouth, the old historic mining town in the southwestern part of New Zealand.

Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West, Canada
On the scenic routes of southern British Columbia between Vancouver and Banff, the Rocky Mountaineer’s First Passage to the West is one of Canada’s most picturesque rail journeys.

Leaving the cosmopolitan coastal city of Vancouver behind, passengers are treated to brilliant sights from the comfort of luxurious carriages, including the wild waters of Hell’s Gate in Fraser Canyon and steep tracks running alongside the Thompson River. The journey starts with an overnight stay in the lakeside city of Kamloops, before rising over the Canadian Rockies and arriving at blissful Banff.

Konkan Railway, India
A large number of blessings can be found in the form of Dudhsagar Falls near the Goa-Karnataka border.

There is a 600 meter waterfall that cascades down the hills like milk flowing down a stream. Whenever a train crosses the bridge built over the Dudhsagar Waterfalls on its way to Goa, everyone onboard is enthralled by the majestic scenery around them. There’s something magical about a train ride carried on by a cool breeze and water droplets. Nature looks its best here. Don’t miss out!

The Blue Train, South Africa
The Blue Train is a luxury passenger train that travels from Pretoria, South Africa to Cape Town. Running through the vast spread of mountains that dot the South African region.

One can hardly capture the emotions evoked on a journey across South Africa, not to mention across its vast distances. And The Blue Train takes its passengers on an exquisitely comfortable 27-hour trip from one end of the country to the other. An insight into the colonial times in South Africa is seen in a southbound journey from Cape Town to Pretoria when it reaches a stay at Lord Milner Hotel in Matjiesfontein. Historic buildings and lampposts can be seen.

The Glacier Express, Switzerland
It connects two of Switzerland’s most beautiful mountain resorts – Zermatt and St Moritz – and is one of the most relaxing ways to see the Swiss Alps.

Traveling eastwards from Zermatt, the day-long trip covers 91 tunnels and 291 bridges as it rolls past the alpine meadows, pristine mountain lakes, and picture-perfect hamlets of southern Switzerland. Highlights of the journey include Oberalp Pass – the highest point on the ride at 244m (6,706ft) – and the Landwasser Viaduct — a magnificent six-arch structure standing at around 61m (200ft) and plunging into a tunnel cut straight into the mountainside.

Trans-Harz Railway, Germany
In the span of Wernigerode – Nordhausen Nord, the Trans-Harz Railway runs 60 km from North to South of Germany.

Traveling in a steam engine is like traveling in a dreamy setup created by our fantasies. The picture-perfect scenery of the Harz all covered in dreamy white is the real love for the wanderlusts. You will thank your lucky stars for being on a train ride as spectacular as this one.

Grand Canyon Railway, USA
The Grand Canyon Railway is one of the most iconic train journeys in America. It runs from Williams, Arizona to Grand Canyon National Park.

The railroad follows the old route of the Santa Fe Railway, which first ran trains through this area in 1901. Today, passengers can enjoy a comfortable ride with classic views of cacti and rugged mountains. The 2.5-hour breathtaking ride starting from Williams runs along the Southern stretch of Grand Canyon National Park. The 105 km train ride is dreamy and full of views. Step on the breathtaking ride that takes you through to the best of Grand Canyon National Park. Now that’s some awesomeness-on-wheels awaiting you.