Picturesque rail journeys

Whether you’re seeking the best holidays and tours or simply want a travel experience like no other, travelling by rail is a great choice. Train travel offers a unique experiential blend of comfort, adventure and a front-row seat to some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

From the vast red expanse of the Australian outback aboard The Ghan to the snow-dusted Alps aboard Switzerland’s Glacier Express, these train journeys offer some of the world's most breathtaking sights. Many of these journeys also connect some of their respective countries' great cities, allowing travellers to make stops and fully immerse themselves further in the sights and culture.

We have researched some of the world's most picturesque rail journeys to reveal those with the best blend of beauty, accessibility, and value. We’ve looked at a range of factors, such as standard and premium ticket prices and the price difference between them. Additionally, we have recorded Tripadvisor review scores, the number of stops on each journey, and the number of kilometres covered.

The world’s most picturesque rail journey is located in India

1. The Himalayan Queen | India

Picturesque rail journey score: 7.35/10

In first place, we have The Himalayan Queen, which runs from Kalka to Shimla railway station in India, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. This journey allows you to travel on the iconic ‘toy trains’, named for their size, which were originally designed to run on narrow gauges through mountains. It takes you through North India, offering gorgeous views of valleys and the snow-capped Himalayas. It also passes through bustling villages, where passengers can properly soak in the culture, and peruse markets where locals sell their wares.

Overall, this rail journey offers the most affordable standard and premium tickets, priced at £2 ($3/€3) and £4 ($6/€5), respectively, to travel the entire route. It also ranked joint-second for its Tripadvisor review score of 4.5, with 1,817 reviews at the time of writing. Additionally, 378 of those Tripadvisor reviews mention the phrases “beautiful” and “picturesque”, ranking it in the top 10 for train journeys where its sights are mentioned the most. Its performance on these factors earned The Himalayan Queen a total score of 7.35 out of 10.

2. The Bernina Express | Switzerland and Italy

Picturesque rail journey score: 7.10/10

The Bernina Express takes second place, having scored 7.10 out of 10. The train journey connects the north of Europe to the South, starting in Chur, Switzerland, and ending in Tirano, Italy. It also passes through the Rhaetian Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The route has plentiful views, from passing through the Alps and seeing the ​​Morteratsch Glacier among the Bernina Range to the three lakes, Lej Pitschen, Lej Nair, and Lago Bianco.

It ranked joint-second for its Tripadvisor review score, which is 4.5 out of five, with 5,388 reviews at the time of research. Of those reviews, 580 mention the phrases “picturesque” and “stunning”, ranking it in the top 10 for train journeys with the most mentioned views. It also ranks joint-sixth for the train journeys with the most stops (25), allowing you to potentially leave the train and explore further. It also ranked eleventh for journeys with the smallest difference between their standard and premium ticket prices, with over a 71% difference.

3. Kuranda Scenic Railway | Australia

Picturesque rail journey score: 6.76/10

The Kuranda Scenic Railway in Australia rounds out the three most picturesque train journeys in the world, scoring 6.76 out of 10. The train runs on the heritage-listed Cairns-to-Kuranda railway line. During this journey, passengers will traverse through the Barron Gorge National Park with a perfect view of Barron Falls, and at the end there are tropical gardens near Kuranda Station.

It ranks joint-second for the highest Tripadvisor review score, with 4.5 out of 5 across almost 5,000 reviews. Additionally, 961 of those reviews refer to the “picturesque” and “beautiful” nature of the journey, ranking it fourth on that factor. The journey also ranks in the top ten for the most affordable standard and premium ticket prices, at £28.18 ($35.68/€33.90) and £55.84 ($70.72/€67.19), respectively.

Reviewers mentioned Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer as the most picturesque route

1. The Rocky Mountaineer | Canada

Tripadvisor reviews that mention views: 1,566

The Rocky Mountaineer train has the highest number of mentions about its picturesque views, with more than 1,500 reviews using phrases such as “beautiful” and “stunning.” One reviewer said the crew was “prompt at alerting us to get our camera ready to capture some beautiful sights and nicer views.” As the name might suggest, this train journey offers gorgeous sights of the Canadian Rockies. Furthermore, by opting for the GoldLeaf service, you’ll be in the glass-dome car, giving you clear 360-degree views.

2. The Jacobite Steam Train | Scotland

Tripadvisor reviews that mention views: 1,245

In second place is the Jacobite Steam Train, which has over 1,200 reviews that mention the “beautiful” and “picturesque” views. One such review said, “The train ride from Fort William to Mallaig is an hour long, but with the picturesque scenery and fantastic commentary, I enjoyed every minute of it.” Passengers who are fans of the Harry Potter franchise will relish the opportunity to see and pass over the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.

3. TranzAlpine | New Zealand

Tripadvisor reviews that mention views: 1,027

New Zealand’s TransAlpine train comes in third place, with just over 1,000 reviews remarking upon the “stunning” and “picturesque” views. One reviewer said, “Very comfortable train, great visibility and absolutely stunning views throughout the journey.” Travelling from Christchurch to Greymouth, passengers will see the Southern Alps, the Waimakariri River, and the Canterbury Plains.

The Himalayan Queen is the most affordable picturesque rail journey

The Himalayan Queen is the most affordable picturesque rail journey

1. The Himalayan Queen | India

Standard ticket price: £2.47 | $3.13 | €2.97

The Himalayan Queen comes in first place for the lowest price of a standard ticket when travelling the entire route. A ticket to travel this route typically costs around £2.47 ($3.13/€2.97). Trains are so affordable in India largely due to the government’s subsidisation of the railway system, which makes trains more accessible.

2. Colombo to Badulla | Sri Lanka

Standard ticket price: £4.08 | $5.16 | €4.91

The Colombo to Badulla train in Sri Lanka takes second place, with a standard ticket costing just £4.08 ($5.16/€4.91). This is an affordable price point for seeing the sea-level urban gardens of Colombo and the tea plantations of the Hill Country, mixed with doses of jungles, forests, paddy fields, and mountains.

3. Kurobe Gorge Railway | Japan

Standard ticket price: £4.25 | $5.40 | €5.14

The third most affordable picturesque rail journey is the Kurobe Gorge Railway in Japan, at just £4.25 ($5.40/€5.14) for a standard ticket. This journey allows passengers to travel via the gorge above the Kurobe River. It was originally built in 1951 to serve the construction of Kurobe Dam, but now takes passengers into the heat of the Japanese Alps. The mountain range is filled with gorgeous views, as well as shrines, hot springs, and sacred sites, like Matsumoto Castle and Kondo Hall, a 1,200-year-old Buddhist dojo.

The most affordable premium picturesque rail journey is in India

1. The Himalayan Queen | India

Premium ticket price: £4.43 | $5.61 | €5.33

India’s Himalayan Queen also has the most affordable premium travel, costing just £4.43 ($5.61/€5.33) for a premium ticket. In first class, you’ll fully experience the retro interior of the train carriages, as well as a higher level of comfort and exclusivity.

2. Sagano Railway | Japan

Premium ticket price: £4.51 | $5.72 | €5.45

The Sagano Railway in Japan takes second place, with a premium ticket priced at around £4.51 ($5.72/€5.45). It is one of the shorter scenic rail trips on the list, taking just 25 minutes along a seven-kilometre journey. However, you’ll be offered views of the mountains along the Hozugawa River and the surrounding wooded ravines. The train also has a retro interior, with wooden benches, similar to its original inception back in 1899.

3. Alexandria to Aswan | Egypt

Premium ticket price: £7.77 | $9.73 | €9.36

In third place, we have the Alexandria to Aswan train, with a premium ticket taking you along The Nile priced at around £7.77 ($9.73/€9.36). Ticket prices for trains in Egypt are lower, as similar to India, the government largely subsidises the railway system. Additionally, there’s never a shortage of passengers due to the country’s massive tourism attractions.

Five train journeys with the most affordable premium tickets

1. Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train | USA

2. Sagano Railway | Japan

3. Tadami Line | Japan

4. The Lake Titicaca Train | Peru

5. Vietage Train | Vietnam

Price difference between standard and premium tickets: 0.00%

In first place, we have a five-way tie involving the Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Train in the United States, the Sagano Railway and Tadami Line in Japan, the Lake Titicaca Train in Peru and the Vietage Train in Vietnam. Each of these trains has no difference in their ticket prices for standard and premium, primarily due to these train services only offering a single ticket option in most cases.

In the case of the Aurora Winter, The Lake Titicaca and the Vietage trains, these are all highly premium luxury rides that offer just one ticket option. As for the two Japan rail line journeys, just as in London, rail journeys tend to charge a flat fee depending on the route you take and typically only offer one class of travel.

The Vietage Train has the highest Tripadvisor review score

Vietage Train | Vietnam

Tripadvisor review score: 5/5

This was the only train journey on our list to receive a perfect review score of 5 out of 5 on Tripadvisor, with 159 reviews. This train journey seamlessly blends history, luxury and scenic views. You’ll get to see the emerald-hued plains of the Vietnam countryside, as well as tree-covered mountains and beautiful shores. All the while, you’ll be served a three-course French-Vietnamese meal.

One reviewer encapsulates their review as a “must experience,” and another states that it is “luxury on rails.” The latter goes on to say, “Our experience on The Vietage from Da Nang to Quy Nhon was nothing short of fantastic! The relaxed atmosphere onboard, enhanced by a wonderful service team, made the journey feel truly luxurious.”

Sri Lanka’s Colombo to Badulla train has the most stops

1. Colombo to Badulla | Sri Lanka

Number of stops: 46

The Colombo to Badulla train in Sri Lanka has the most stops among our scenic train journeys, with 46 in total. This offers passengers plenty of opportunity to get off the train and immerse themselves in the local culture. You can exit at Nanu Oya station to explore the tea country hills of Nuwara Eliya or at Ella station to walk along the Nine Arch Bridge and see the three-tiered Ravana Ella Falls.

2. Tadami Line | Japan

Number of stops: 36

In second place, we have the Tadami Line in Japan. It has 36 stops, starting at Aizuwakamatsu Station in Fukushima Prefecture and ending at Koide Station in Niigata Prefecture. Getting off at Aizu-Wakamatsu Station will allow you to visit Tsuruga Castle, a reconstructed samurai castle, and the nearby Samurai Residences. Alternatively, disembarking at Kaneyama Station, you can visit Kaneyama Fureai Park and enjoy traditional Japanese hot springs.

3. California Zephyr | USA

Number of stops: 33

Rounding out the top three picturesque train journeys with the most stops is the California Zephyr, with its 33 stops between Chicago and San Francisco. This train has a sightseer lounge car offering floor-to-ceiling windows for unparalleled views of the Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Sierra Nevada. However, there are also plenty of reasons to get off the train and explore one of the many stops. Sacramento is a stop for train lovers, where you can visit the California State Railroad Museum, and the Grand Junction stop offers a chance to explore Colorado’s Wine Country, with numerous wineries offering tastings and tours.

Methodology

The data in this study is accurate as of January 2024.

To begin with, we built a seed list of scenic train journeys using articles from Condé Nast Traveler, Trail Finders and Lonely Planet.

We used the individual booking sites of each train journey in order to source the cost of a standard and premium ticket for the entire route. The date used where applicable was 15/01/2025, though this date was unavailable for some tours. Prices were taken and are accurate as of 04/12/2024. These prices were taken in local currencies or whichever currency was provided, they were then converted to GBP, USD and EUR on 04/12/24 using Google Finance. This allowed us to reveal the most affordable standard and premium scenic rail journeys.

We calculated the percentage difference between the standard and premium tickets to show which journeys had the smallest price difference between the two.

Using Tripadvisor, we took the review score for each rail journey and the number of reviews. At this stage, we removed any that weren’t on the site or had fewer than 50 reviews. We also looked at the reviews for each train journey for the terms “beautiful”, “picturesque,” and “stunning” to get the total number of mentions for scenery and views. This data is accurate as of 04/12/2024.

We used the booking sites where available or other sources to get the number of stops and total distance travelled in kilometres for each route. This data is accurate as of 04/12/2024.

We gave each rail journey a normalised score out of 10 across each factor: standard ticket price, premium ticket price, price difference between standard and premium, Tripadvisor review score and number of reviews, number of stops and total distance travelled.