While most modern forms of transport are but a means to a destination, train travel celebrates the art of the journey. Acknowledging that travelling begins upon departure rather than arrival, luxury locomotives have experienced a resurgence of late, thanks to their inherent romanticism and old-world charm, as well as the increased collective desire for sustainable travel.
“The train is a small world moving through a larger world,” author Elisha Cooper once mused. It’s this notion that makes the carriage of a luxury train the ideal setting for intimate affairs and murder mysteries à la Agatha Christie, with locomotives acting as a microcosm of society.
The best luxury train journeys bring together friends and strangers alike, each united more so by a desire to experience the journey than arrive at a destination. As travel writer Paul Theroux once wrote, “if a train is large and comfortable you don’t even need a destination…you can be one of those travellers who stay in motion, straddling the tracks, and never arrive or feel they ought to.”
With well-heeled adventurers and sustainably minded travellers alike drawn to the unparalleled elegance and old-world charm of luxury train travel, heritage railway companies and new innovators alike are revamping their itineraries and putting new routes on the map. Going where car, boat, and plane cannot, these are the best luxury trains and rail journeys in the world.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
“To travel by train is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches, and rivers, in fact, to see life,” said author Agatha Christie. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers a hefty dose of ‘life’, in its most luxurious form. Meticulously restored to its 1920s Art Deco glory, the infamous locomotive promises unbridled glamour and opulence. The train’s new Grand Suites take their design cues from Europe’s most stylish cities—Paris, Venice, Istanbul, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest—with private living quarters bedecked in marquetry and gold gilded details, while the standard (though still decidedly luxurious) suites look to the forest, mountains, and lakes for inspiration. World renowned chefs are on board, adroitly whipping up haute cuisine at 160km/hm, while the lavish bar cart sets the scene for intimate conversation and convivial encounters. The Paris to Istanbul journey that sets the scene for Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express is one of the more popular journeys, however there are several other beautiful routes on offer; Geneva to Innusbruck promises stunning alpine scenery while Paris to Rome is an undeniably glamorous affair.
2. British Pullman, England
Wes Anderson fans and symmetry stans unite. The Belmond-operated British Pullman plays host to the Cygnus carriage; built in the 1950s, it has been lovingly redesigned by the renowned director and sets the scene for day-trips like murder mystery luncheons, afternoon teas, historic tours, and award-winning guest-chef culinary experiences.
3. Glacier Express, Switzerland
If time is the ultimate luxury, journeyers on the Glacier Express are in no shortage of the kind of wealth money can’t buy. Epitomising the very nature of slow travel, the Glacier Express quite literally moves at a glacial pace, taking eight hours to traverse 290 kilometres. Travelling through the bucolic Swiss Alps between the alpine town of Zermatt and the resort town of Saint Moritz, it provides a close up perspective of some of the most beautiful natural features of the region, including the Matterhorn and Rhine Gorge.
4. Orient Express La Dolce Vita, Italy
Harkening back to the joie de vivre and impassioned artistry of the 1960s, the Orient Express La Dolce Vita takes a unique stylistic approach. Richly layered interiors by global architecture and design studio Dimorestudio create an all encompassing experience, with a warm yet moody palette and an abundance of curves and luxurious finishes nodding to Italian modernism. The one- and two-night itineraries span northern and southern Italy and comprise on-board and off-board experiences.
5. The Presidential Train, Portugal
Built in the late 19th century, The Presidential Train has played host to kings, heads of state, popes, and—naturally—presidents, for well over a century. Today, it acts as a portal to a bygone era, with a restoration in 2010 leaving its original details and furniture intact. Making the ten hour journey from Porto to Quinta do Vesuvio, The Presidential Train offers a unique dining experience with fine cuisine paired with local wines.
6. The Ghan, Australia
Proving not all adventures in the Australian outback need be accompanied by a coating of dust, The Ghan has several three- and four-day itineraries that showcase the tracks less travelled down under. A four-day journey from Darwin to Adelaide promises rich cultural experiences and natural wonders alike, teamed with a regionally inspired menu and local wines.
7. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, Russia
One of the lengthiest luxury rail journeys in the world, the Trans-Siberian Express runs from Moscow to Vladivostok, stopping at Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia and Lake Baikal in Siberia, the world’s largest and deepest freshwater lake. Over the 15-day journey, there are cultural experiences aplenty, with on-land tours during the day and on-board experiences like Russian lessons, dancing, and of course, a well-stocked bar.
8. Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
Japan is known for its superlative railway system, but where the infamous shinkansen prioritises speed and efficiency, the Seven Stars in Kyushu places painstaking attention to detail and aesthetic grandeur at the forefront. Marrying old-world charm with the nation’s technologically superior railways system, Seven Stars in Kyushu sees every facet of the train crafted by Japanese artisans; think handmade porcelain dinner plates, latticework in the carriages, and even the hand painted sinks in the bathroom. Unrivalled luxury on-board is matched with enriching cultural experiences on land, with the three-night itineraries stopping at some of the region’s most notably shrines, onsens, and artisanal studios, providing an authentic glimpse into the island. One of the most covetable luxury train experiences, Seven Stars in Kyushu can only accommodate 20 guests, with a lottery system used to allocate ticket purchase opportunities.
9. Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
For those desirous of stepping into a bygone era, look no further than the Eastern & Oriental Express. With interiors inspired by the 1932 film Shanghai Express, the luxury locomotive is laden with opulent details such as rosewood with hand painted decorative lacquered panels, silk furnishings, intricate embroidery, and teak floors. The undeniable grandeur is enhanced by the three-night itineraries which traverse Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore, travelling through dense rainforests, tea plantations, and coastal rural villages alike. Come evening, channel your old Hollywood glamour with attire befitting the decor; a formal dress code is enforced at dinner.
10. The Maharajas’ Express, India
With rose petals showered at your feet upon arrival and a private butler in every carriage, it’s no wonder India’s Maharajas’ Express is consistently called out as one of the best luxury rail offerings. The gold standard for luxury sleeper train, The Maharajas’ Express boasts spacious cabins, two themed restaurants, and a bar, with complimentary wines and spirits served throughout. The three- to six-night itineraries represent a decidedly luxurious way to experience India; think a champagne breakfast on a private hillside overlooking the Taj Mahal or sundowners in the desert of Bikaner.
11. Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Experience the wonders of the Scottish Highlands in peerless luxury. Departing from and arriving at Waverley Station, Edinburgh, the tartan bedecked Royal Scotsman explores the natural beauty of the Scottish countryside, with lochs, castles, and mountains aplenty. Themed two- to seven-night journeys include a tour through the region’s best single malt distilleries, a more primal adventure through the wilderness, dedicated culinary tours, and an itinerary dedicated to heritage homes and gardens. For those who need a little something extra to truly relax, there’s also a dedicated spa carriage on board.
12. Andean Explorer, South America
A far cry from the on-foot (or llama) journey the locals used to make across the extensive (and impressively well-engineered) Inca Road System centuries ago, the Andean Explorer offers a luxurious way to experience the beauty of the region. Representing South America’s first luxury rail offering, the Andean Explorer travels through the world’s highest railway network; from the ancient capital of Cusco through the Andean Plains and up to Lake Titicaca.
13. Rovos Rail, South Africa
Throwing it back to the good ole days, the strict no-cellphone rule on South Africa’s Rovos Rail encourages guests to actually interact with each other; buoyed by elegant dinners and soirees. Journeys spanning two to 15 nights offer epic voyages across the continent, with itineraries balancing cultural appeal with beautiful scenery. Exceptional cuisine is paired with fine local wines in the dining carriages, while an open-air observation car makes for the ideal way to enjoy the scenery.
Words by T. Angel
