There’s something undeniably romantic about the slow rhythm of a luxury train, the clink of fine glassware, the landscape unfurling in cinematic style outside your window. For those of us who live for indulgence and discovery, luxury rail journeys are no longer just a way to travel, they’re destinations in themselves. As someone who’s made it her mission to find the most exquisite ways to experience the world, I’ve gathered the seven most spectacular train journeys across Europe, Canada, the USA, Japan, and beyond. Each one is remarkable in its own right, and each offers a unique moment in time where travel becomes pure theatre.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
If there’s one name that defines the golden age of rail travel, it’s the Orient Express. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond, is every bit as glamorous as the legends suggest. Think polished wood-panelled carriages, Lalique glass, and liveried stewards attending to every detail. The Grand Suites are palatial, with butlers on call, marble en-suite bathrooms, and unlimited champagne.
Why it’s spectacular: It’s a living, moving museum of art deco elegance. The train doesn’t just transport you from Paris to Venice or Istanbul, it whisks you back in time to a world of tuxedos, gowns, and candlelit dining cars.
Best time to go: Spring and autumn. Routes in April–May and September–October offer the perfect blend of comfortable weather and unforgettable European scenery, whether that’s alpine landscapes or the romantic arrival into Venice.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express (Italy)
Brand new and already iconic, the La Dolce Vita Orient Express captures the glamour of Italy in the 1960s. Designed by Dimorestudio with mid-century flair, the train offers Michelin-starred cuisine from Heinz Beck and routes that glide through the vineyards of Tuscany, the cliffs of the Amalfi coast, and the rolling landscapes of Sicily.
Why it’s spectacular: This train is more than luxury, it’s a design statement. Every carriage feels like a glossy magazine cover, and every stop immerses you in Italian culture, from truffle hunting to private vineyard tours.
Best time to go: Late spring or early autumn. May–June and September are ideal to avoid the heat of midsummer while still soaking in sun-dappled landscapes and lively Italian piazzas.
Golden Eagle Danube Express (Europe/Russia)
For those who love the idea of discovery without sacrificing luxury, the Golden Eagle Danube Express is a dream. Its itineraries include the Grand Alpine Express through Switzerland and Austria or the Balkan Odyssey from Budapest to Istanbul. Carriages are exquisitely appointed, with spacious suites, en-suite bathrooms, and a bar lounge that often features live piano.
Why it’s spectacular: The Danube Express marries exploration with intimacy. It’s a boutique luxury train with only a handful of carriages, so you enjoy personal service while still covering a vast and fascinating region.
Best time to go: Summer into early autumn (June to September), when European cities and landscapes are in full bloom, from alpine meadows to lively capital squares.
Glacier Express (Switzerland)
Known as the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express is anything but ordinary. Connecting Zermatt and St. Moritz, the journey offers eight hours of uninterrupted alpine drama: soaring peaks, storybook villages, and deep valleys spanned by dramatic viaducts. The Excellence Class experience features guaranteed window seating, champagne reception, and multi-course wine-paired menus.
Why it’s spectacular: The panoramic windows make you feel as though you’re gliding through the Alps in a snow globe. It’s an immersion into the sheer majesty of Swiss landscapes.
Best time to go: Winter (December–March) for snow-draped peaks that feel straight out of a fairytale, or summer (June–August) for lush green pastures and wildflower meadows.
Rocky Mountaineer (Canada & USA)
North America’s most famous luxury train, the Rocky Mountaineer, is all about wide-open skies and jaw-dropping scenery. Unlike sleeper trains, journeys here are daylight-only, ensuring you never miss a glacier, canyon, or wildlife sighting. GoldLeaf Service offers two-level glass-domed coaches with gourmet dining and an outdoor viewing platform.
Why it’s spectacular: The landscapes are so vast and untouched, they redefine the idea of “big sky country.” From the Canadian Rockies to the red rock canyons of Utah, every bend of track is a natural wonder.
Best time to go: Late spring to early autumn (May–October). The Rockies are at their most photogenic in summer, while autumn brings fiery foliage that lights up the mountains.
Train Suite Shiki-Shima (Japan)
Perhaps the most exclusive train in the world, the Train Suite Shiki-Shima operates out of Tokyo with itineraries into the northern regions of Tohoku and Hokkaido. With only 17 suites, it feels more like a private club than a train. Interiors blend Japanese minimalism with luxury craftsmanship, think tatami mats, cypress wood baths, and glass walls framing rice paddies and mountain ranges.
Why it’s spectacular: It embodies omotenashi, Japan’s philosophy of hospitality. Every detail, from kaiseki cuisine to cultural excursions, is curated for deep immersion in Japanese tradition and seasonal beauty.
Best time to go: Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms or autumn (October–November) for fiery foliage. Both seasons highlight Japan’s landscapes at their most poetic.
The Russian Chapters: Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express
Russia’s most legendary rail journey, the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian takes travelers across eight time zones, from Moscow to Vladivostok. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime odyssey: luxury cabins with en-suite bathrooms, fine dining, and off-train excursions ranging from Ural Mountains villages to Lake Baikal.
Why it’s spectacular: It’s sheer scale. No other train journey on earth matches the length, cultural diversity, and grandeur of the Trans-Siberian. The Golden Eagle brings luxury to a route otherwise known for its ruggedness.
Best time to go: Summer (June–August) is the most comfortable, with long daylight hours and pleasant temperatures for exploring Russia’s diverse landscapes.
Luxury train journeys occupy a rare space in the travel world—they’re not just about getting from A to B. They’re about slowing down, indulging in elegance, and experiencing landscapes in a way no flight or hotel ever could. Whether you’re sipping champagne as Venice glimmers on the horizon, gliding past Japanese rice paddies in a tatami-lined suite, or tracing the peaks of the Rockies under a dome of glass, these seven rail journeys remind us that true luxury is often found in the journey itself.
So, when you’re plotting your next indulgent escape, consider choosing rails over runways. Because sometimes, the best way to arrive is to never want the journey to end.
