Luxury Rail Journeys
Remarkable railway journeys through extraordinary landscapes, cultures and destinations.
Rail travel has a certain appeal that flying simply cannot replicate.
Instead of passing over a country, you travel through it, watching landscapes change, passing through towns and villages, and enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
From the elegant carriages of South Africa's Rovos Rail to the spectacular mountain railways of Switzerland, there are extraordinary train journeys across almost every continent. Some offer exceptional luxury, with fine dining, private suites and attentive service. Others are wonderfully simple, offering a front-row seat to some of the world's most beautiful scenery.
Whether you're drawn to a legendary luxury train or an adventurous railway route through unfamiliar territory, rail travel offers a different perspective on the places you visit. And when incorporated into a wider tailor-made holiday, the possibilities are endless.
What is a Luxury Rail Journey?
Luxury rail travel can mean different things to different travellers.
For some, it is the experience of travelling aboard an elegant train, enjoying beautifully appointed cabins, excellent food and the pleasure of watching the scenery pass from the comfort of a lounge or observation car. These journeys are often holidays in themselves, with carefully planned itineraries, guided excursions and overnight accommodation aboard the train.
For others, the luxury lies in the experience rather than the train. It might be crossing the Swiss Alps on a panoramic railway, travelling through Sri Lanka's tea-growing highlands or discovering Japan's countryside by rail.
Both offer the opportunity to enjoy a destination at a more relaxed pace, with the added benefit of making the journey part of the adventure.
Why Travel by Rail?
There is something particularly satisfying about reaching a destination by train. You see the geography change, appreciate the distances between places and gain a perspective that is easily missed when travelling by air.
Rail journeys also offer opportunities to experience parts of a country that might otherwise be overlooked. Mountain passes, rural communities, remote valleys and stretches of coastline become part of the holiday rather than scenery glimpsed between destinations.
For those who enjoy small-group touring or culturally immersive travel, rail can be a particularly appealing addition. It provides an opportunity to combine independent exploration, guided experiences and comfortable travel without constantly moving between airports.
Rail can also be a useful alternative to domestic flights or lengthy road transfers. While the environmental benefits depend on the route and type of train, choosing rail where practical is one of the ways I help clients consider the impact of their journeys.
Around the World
There are hundreds of railway journeys worth experiencing, from celebrated luxury trains to scenic routes that have been carrying local passengers for generations.
Here are some of the journeys that can form the centrepiece of a holiday, or become a particularly memorable part of a longer adventure.
Rovos Rail, Southern Africa
Combining traditional elegance with some of Africa's most remarkable landscapes, Rovos Rail offers journeys through South Africa and beyond. From shorter journeys between Pretoria and Cape Town to ambitious cross-country adventures towards Victoria Falls and Tanzania, the experience includes fine dining, beautifully furnished suites and opportunities to explore along the way.
Bernina Express, Switzerland
The Bernina Express is proof that you don't need a private suite or elaborate dining carriage to enjoy an incredible railway journey. Travelling through the Swiss Alps to northern Italy, the route crosses dramatic viaducts, passes glaciers and descends towards a distinctly Mediterranean landscape. It is an excellent addition to a wider Swiss adventure.
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Few railway journeys offer scenery on the scale of the Canadian Rockies. Rocky Mountaineer's panoramic carriages provide views of mountains, forests, rivers and dramatic valleys, accompanied by excellent onboard hospitality. The train travels during daylight hours, with overnight stays in hotels, making it particularly easy to combine with time in Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise or Jasper.
Maharajas' Express, India
India's Maharajas' Express combines the grandeur of traditional railway travel with an itinerary of historic cities, palaces, temples and cultural experiences. Journeys explore destinations including Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ranthambore, with guided excursions, fine dining and comfortable accommodation aboard the train. It offers an appealing introduction to India's extraordinary heritage.
Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru
For a memorable approach to Machu Picchu, the Belmond Hiram Bingham combines a journey through the Andes with Peruvian dining, live music and beautifully restored Pullman-style carriages. Unlike an overnight luxury train, this is a day journey that fits naturally into a wider exploration of Cusco, the Sacred Valley and Peru's remarkable Inca heritage.
Beyond the Famous Railways
Some of the most interesting rail adventures are found beyond the well-known luxury trains.
In Australia, long-distance journeys such as The Ghan and Indian Pacific cross enormous stretches of the continent, connecting remote landscapes and distinctive regions. These journeys offer a very different experience from the mountain railways of Europe, with the scale of the country becoming part of the attraction.
Across Asia, rail travel can be an excellent way to explore. Japan's extensive railway network makes it possible to combine major cities with smaller towns and rural regions, while Vietnam offers scenic rail routes connecting its cities and coastlines.
Sri Lanka is another favourite for railway enthusiasts, particularly the journeys through its central highlands. Travelling between tea plantations, hillside villages and mountain scenery aboard a local train can be just as memorable as a journey on a far more expensive luxury service.
These experiences demonstrate that the quality of a railway journey isn't necessarily measured by the number of courses served at dinner.
What to Expect Onboard
The onboard experience varies considerably depending on the train, and understanding those differences is an important part of choosing the right journey.
Luxury sleeper trains such as Rovos Rail and the Maharajas' Express offer private accommodation, restaurant carriages, lounge areas and attentive service. Journeys often include meals, drinks and a programme of guided sightseeing, allowing the train to serve as both transport and accommodation.
Scenic daytime trains, including the Bernina Express and Rocky Mountaineer, operate rather differently. The emphasis is on enjoying the landscape from comfortable seating and panoramic windows, with overnight accommodation arranged separately where required.
Elsewhere, regular passenger services may offer little in the way of luxury facilities, but provide a more direct experience of local travel. These can be particularly rewarding when combined with excellent hotels, private guides and thoughtfully planned excursions.
There is no single definition of a great railway journey. The important thing is choosing the experience that suits your interests and expectations.
Combining Rail as Part of Your Adventure
A remarkable train journey doesn't have to be the entire holiday. In fact, some of the most rewarding itineraries are those where rail forms just one part of a wider adventure.
Imagine travelling aboard Rovos Rail before spending several days on safari in South Africa, or experiencing Rocky Mountaineer as part of a Canadian holiday that combines the Rockies with Vancouver Island and an Alaskan cruise.
In India, a luxury train journey might be followed by time in Kerala, exploring its backwaters, wildlife and distinctive regional culture. Alternatively, a scenic journey through Sri Lanka's tea country could connect stays in the Cultural Triangle with a national park safari and time on the coast.
In South America, the Belmond Hiram Bingham can become part of a more extensive journey through Peru, incorporating Lima, the Sacred Valley, Cusco and perhaps the Amazon.
Closer to home, Switzerland's exceptional railway network makes it possible to create a holiday that combines several scenic rail routes, mountain villages and lakeside stays, with relatively little need for a car.
By designing the journey around your interests, I can combine memorable railway experiences with the destinations, accommodation and activities that make the whole holiday worthwhile.
A More Considered Way to Explore
Rail travel has an important place in my approach to responsible travel.
Where practical, travelling by train can reduce reliance on short-haul flights and road transfers, while offering a more interesting experience along the way. It can also encourage longer stays, more local exploration and a greater appreciation of the places between major destinations.
Of course, not every luxury train is necessarily an environmentally preferable option, and the impact of rail travel varies considerably. My approach is to consider the whole journey, rather than assume that travelling by train automatically makes a holiday sustainable.
The aim is to make informed choices that work for you while being mindful of the destinations and communities you visit.
Is a Rail Journey Right for You?
Rail journeys appeal to a surprisingly broad range of travellers.
For some, the attraction is the romance of traditional luxury train travel, with beautiful surroundings, excellent service and the opportunity to relax while someone else takes care of the arrangements.
Others are drawn to the landscapes, engineering and history of the world's great railway routes, or simply prefer travelling overland to taking another flight.
Rail can also be particularly appealing to couples celebrating a special occasion, solo travellers looking for an organised but sociable experience, or adventurous travellers who want to incorporate something different into a longer itinerary.
The key is understanding whether the train itself is the main attraction, or whether it is the route and the places along the way that matter most.
How I Help
With so many remarkable railway journeys available, choosing the right one involves more than deciding which train has the most impressive photographs.
Routes, seasons, cabin categories, journey durations and onboard experiences can differ considerably. Some trains operate only on selected dates, while others can be incorporated into a much more flexible itinerary.
I can help you understand the options and design a tailor-made holiday around the rail experiences that interest you most, whether that's a luxury sleeper train across Africa, a scenic journey through the Alps or an extended adventure exploring Asia by rail.
I'll take care of the wider arrangements too, including flights, accommodation, transfers, private guides and additional experiences, ensuring the railway journey fits naturally into your holiday.
