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The Best Train Trips in the World: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards

By Todd Plummer

Ah, the allure of train trips . Adventurers and the eco-conscious are drawn to this glamorous, old-world mode of exploration for the impeccable slow-travel vibes, but there’s also something to be said about the perspective found onboard a train; you’re experiencing the landscape and scenery in a way that you can’t experience in any other mode of travel. A train trip often brings you where everyday roads cannot, whether it’s through untouched Malaysian jungles on the revamped Belmond Eastern & Oriental itineraries relaunching in 2024, or high into the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer. For our 36th annual Readers’ Choice Awards —which capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from hotels and airlines to cruises , islands , and luggage —we called on all of you to rank the best of the best rail journeys out there. Here, dear readers, is how the dice fell.

This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.

20. Inca Rail, South America

If you’re interested in taking a train to Machu Picchu (and unless you’re a mountain goat, we suggest you do), Inca Rail offers a level of convenience that is difficult to match—and it’s also worth mentioning that the First Class service is priced more accessibly than other luxury operators servicing the same route. While on board, you can expect a tasty menu prepared with organic ingredients grown right in the Sacred Valley, live Peruvian music, ample windows through which you can admire the staggering Andean scenery, and a spacious Observatory Lounge complete with open-air balcony. For fresh and frothy Pisco sours this good, this is one train that’s well worth the price of admission.

19. Transcantabrico Gran Lujo, Spain

Take in all the sights and flavors of Spain ’s iconic northern coastline on this luxurious sleeper train, which over the course of a week makes its way between San Sebastián and Santiago de Compostela. You’ll enjoy on-board cuisine that celebrates each of the distinct regions through which this train passes, from Galicia to Basque Country. A unique aspect of this train is that it remains stationary overnight, allowing for late-night excursions and explorations that are uncommon on other sleeper train experiences.

18. Glacier Express, Switzerland

It’s been said that the Glacier Express is the slowest express in the world–it takes eight hours to traverse the 180-mile journey–but boy, do the views here invite a slow journey. Connecting the resort towns of Zermatt and Saint Moritz, the train provides an up-close perspective of some of this mountainous country’s most iconic natural features, including the Matterhorn, Piz Bernina, and the Rhine Gorge (dubbed Switzerland’s Grand Canyon). Book in Excellence Class and you’ll be served Champagne at your seat, followed by a six-course meal complete with wine pairings.

17. The Canadian, Canada

Take in every mile of the vast Canadian landscape from The Canadian , a special sleeper service offered by VIA Rail, the country’s national rail carrier. Keep in mind that this train is more about sightseeing from the cars than actually getting off and doing anything. But if you’re traveling in the comfort of Prestige Class—with your own private cabin, private washroom and built-in TV screen monitor with video selection—you’ll be perfectly content to take in the journey from the privacy of your very own picture window.

Anna Borges

Jessica Puckett

Karthika Gupta

16. The Ghan, Australia

Completed in 1929, The Ghan runs through the heart of the Australian continent , from Adelaide in the south to Darwin in the north. It may have only started running its current route in 2004, but its history dates to the 19th century, its name harkening to the Afghan camel trainers and riders who first helped chart a course through the country’s interior. The three-day all-inclusive journey sees the train lilting its way through Australia’s Red Centre with diverse landscapes passing by. Travel through the expansive ridges of the MacDonnell Ranges, witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Simpsons Gap, and visit the opal town of Coober Pedy.

15. JR Kyushu 36+3, Japan

This train’s unusual name derives from Kyushu being the 36th-largest island in the world, and there being three key stakeholders on this journey: the passengers, the local community, and the rail company, JR Kyushu. It isn’t a sleeper train, instead offering a series of weeklong roster of one-day itineraries around the perimeter of Kyushu–a do one, do them all, or do as many as you like situation–but the journey is no less enriching for it. The inside feels like a ryokan, featuring immaculate woodwork made from local techniques, comfortable furniture, and a mix of private and communal spaces. It’s a gorgeous way to get off the beaten track on this gorgeous Japanese island, packing in a number of stops and towns into a single day of productive–yet comfortable–sightseeing.

14. Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train, Southeast Asia

The E&O is the stuff of train enthusiasts’ legends, and in February 2024, this storied train will at long last resume service after its pandemic-era pause–sort of. The train’s journey originally connected Singapore and Bangkok, but as of the new year will offer journeys through the jungles and coastlines of Malaysia, but all originating in and returning to Singapore. It isn’t the classic E&O route, but these new itineraries will offer deeper explorations of Malaysia than ever before, including guided snorkeling on Langkawi and excursions to Taman Negara National Park. Despite the new itineraries, the train still has all the old world touches that people love: Order a Singapore Sling in the Bar Car, take it to the outdoor viewing platform as the Malaysian jungle rolls on by, and you just might forget what year we’re living in.

13. Northern Belle, Europe

It’s all about the food—and the scenery, too, but mostly about the food—onboard this lovingly restored 1930s train , which zig-zags its way across the English, Scottish and Welsh countrysides. Each of the journeys on offer are day trips, so they require less of a time (and money) commitment than other luxury trains. But what the Northern Belle lacks in length she more than makes up for in quality: The meal services are exquisite, offering fine dining crafted mostly from U.K. suppliers, so you can enjoy classic British fare as the heaths, meadows, and dales roll on by.

12. The Maharajas' Express, India

There are luxury sleeper trains, and then there are luxury sleeper trains like the Maharaja’s Express , where a greeting of marigold garlands and rose petals showered at your feet kicks off the journey before your personal butler escorts you to your room. The Junior Suite rooms are surprisingly spacious, especially by train travel standards, and come with full-sized closets, comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and satellite TVs. Both of the on board watering holes–the Safari Bar and the Raja Club–have plenty of chairs, comfy sofas, books and board games. Each day of the itinerary includes special opportunities to experience India through the train’s luxurious and singular perspective: like an early-morning champagne breakfast on a private hillside overlooking the Taj Mahal.

11. Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train, Scotland

It’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Nowhere is train travel more indulgent—or convenient!—than on Belmond’s Royal Scotsman , which departs from and arrives at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. With only 40 guests onboard, the train circumnavigates the heart of the Scottish Highlands, passing such landmarks as the Kyle of Lochalsh and Cairngorms National Park. There’s even a dedicated spa carriage, where the specialists are trained to synchronize their motions with the natural lilts and tilts of the train. If that’s not luxury, we’re not sure what is.

10. Belmond Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train, South America

Named after the U.S. explorer who supposedly “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911, the Belmond Hiram Bingham train line is as grand as the man’s claims. The round-trip journey connects the city of Poroy (just west of Cuzco) to the Lost City and Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu. The Belmond Hiram Bingham turns on the turn-of-the-20th-century charm, from gleaming polished wood and brass surfaces to lavish meals and accommodations, which offer plenty of space to stretch out: the perfect setting for viewing the mountains and rivers zooming past the window.

9. Golden Chariot, India

Experience a mix of Southern India’s greatest hits and lesser-explored destinations on board the iconic purple and gold Golden Chariot , which connects the Indian states of Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. All itineraries depart from Bengaluru, with options for both three-night and six-night journeys. This train’s strength is its access to off-beat attractions than what you’ll find on the well-worn Golden Triangle, such as the ruins of Hampi. With sparse crowds, and a comfortable train to retreat to at the end of each day, it’s an approach to India that captures all the magic this country has to offer.

8. Golden Eagle Danube Express, Europe

A pioneer in luxury trains for three decades, Golden Eagle is perhaps best known for its Silk Road and Trans-Siberian routes, but the Danube Express unlocks an approach to Southern and Eastern Europe which is no less breathtaking and engaging. The “Castles of Transylvania” route from Istanbul to Budapest is particularly unique–spend all day learning about Vlad the Impaler’s history through guided tours, then spend all night luxuriating in the comfort of the bar car or in the privacy of your room. It’s a combination of Europe’s best cities and most dramatic natural landscapes that is hard to experience in one go any other way.

7. Rocky Mountaineer, North America

Traveling in a coach outfitted with picture windows and glass-dome ceilings means that a Rocky Mountaineer journey leaves no sight unseen as you traverse the dramatic scenery between Vancouver , British Columbia and Banff or Jasper, Alberta. Sample local Canadian beer, wine and snacks as you kick back and enjoy the ride. The staff’s friendly service and animated storytelling help bring the landscape to life. It’s personal touches like those which keep travelers coming away from this trip amply satisfied time and time again. Since it was founded in 1990, Rocky Mountaineer has transported more than two million guests, making it the largest privately-owned premium tourist train in the world.

6. Rovos Rail, Africa

This extravagant railway has been traveling throughout Africa for over thirty years. The experiences start before you even board—when departing from Pretoria, Rovos Rail travelers are granted exclusive access to a private lounge, where Champagne and canapés greet them—and a strict “no cellphone” rule is maintained for your own good. Enjoy the moment(s) provided by this line, which range from cozy digs to formal-attired evenings, as well as full-sized, freestanding clawfoot tubs in the most grand compartments. All Rovos Rail journeys include off-train cultural, historical and safari excursions so guests can experience all the wonders that Southern Africa has to offer. The three-night Cape Town journey is a classic, but if you’re feeling extra adventurous and have a few more nights to spare, opt for the newer fifteen-day “Trail of Two Oceans” itinerary, originating in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, crossing Zambia, traversing a sliver of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and concluding in Lobito, Angola.

5. Belmond Andean Explorer, A Belmond Train, South America

Weaving through the Peruvian Andes at 14,000 feet, the Belmond Andean Explorer transports passengers between Arequipa and Cusco on one- and two-night journeys. There are just thirty-five cabins on board, each outfitted with alpaca wool blankets and handwoven fabrics for an authentic yet luxe feel. Two dining cars and two bar cars serve the whims of every guest with bites like alpaca tortellini and (of course) champagne. The train also makes excursions to Lake Titicaca , where guests can learn about local customs, visit Incan ruins, and take in breath-taking views.

4. British Pullman, A Belmond Train, England

The British Pullman ’s experience is magical no matter where you’re seated. Once you depart London , you’ll embark on a journey through the bucolic British countryside, touring cities and towns like Cambridge, York, and Canterbury along the way. The restored carriages date back to the 1920s and 1930s, so expect Art Deco touches, polished interiors, and classically prepared multi-course meals—this is the same train line that has served British royalty and government officials for years, after all.

3. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe

Year after year, the world’s most iconic locomotive continues to be a standard-setter in luxury. Of course, the decadent interiors are a fantasy of 1920’s Art Deco design, but it’s the impeccable service that keeps this train firmly ensconced in a class of its own. Bags are whisked off from the platform and magically reappear in your cabin, no glass ever runs empty, and the beds seem to make themselves anytime you step outside of your cabin. By day you can revel in the scenery of French countrysides and Swiss mountain scenes, and by night, the formal dress code feels anything but stuffy—in fact, playing dress up and making your way to the Champagne bar is, we think, one of the coolest experiences anyone could have on a train. For 2023, this over-the-top train is getting even more luxe updates, including eight new suites, two of which are original 1920s and 30s carriages carefully restored by expert French craftsmen and designers–so there’s no time like the present to book that bucket-list trip.

2. Palace on Wheels, India

India’s best-known train, the Palace on Wheels , offers a number of trips that range from a couple days to week-long excursions. Embarking from New Delhi through the Land of Kings, trips take you through the famed Pink City of Jaipur, in Rajasthan, where guests are greeted by majestic UNESCO sites like the Amer Fort as well as 16th century palaces. You can also visit Agra, home to the Taj Mahal and the perfect stop for a tour of some of the country's most iconic sites. Along the way, enjoy regional cuisine in well-appointed, colorful carriages decked out in Indian textiles.

1. Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan

Train lovers consider this opulent Japanese locomotive among the most spacious and comfortable of them all. Every inch of Seven Stars' Kyushu train—from the beds, to the bathroom sinks, to the woodwork, to the porcelain dinner plates—is handmade by Japanese artisans, and the service is simply exquisite, with each journey limited to a positively intimate twenty passengers; but it’s not just about the onboard experience with Seven Stars. These four-day, three-night trips travel a circuit around the island of Kyushu, making stops at the region’s best shrines, onsens, porcelain studios, and more, so you truly feel like you’re exploring an authentic side of Japan , far away from the more obvious tourist tracks.

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6 of the best train journeys in the world

For a scenic train ride, it doesn't get much better than the Glacier Express.

--> BY Emily Murphy

Last updated . 16 February 2023

Shun airports and altitude for old-world journeys by rail, because it’s not just about the destination.

There is something about train travel that is truly enticing, and there’s good reason these train trips are so sought after. While you can jump on a plane and reach your destination in a matter of hours, train travel is a journey in itself that so many crave. Here are the six best train journeys in the world.

1. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Rocky Mountaineer is world-famous and actually has four distinct train journeys through the Rocky Mountains . Rockies to the Red Rocks begins in Moab, Utah and finishes in Denver, Colorado; First Passage to the West begins in Vancouver and finishes in Banff ; Journey through the Clouds begins in Vancouver and finishes in Jasper, with a stop in Kamloops; and Rainforest to Gold Rush begins in Vancouver and finishes in Jasper, with stops at Whistler and Quesnel.

Guests can see this spectacular scenery through domed glass windows while enjoying complimentary beverages and delicious, regionally inspired cuisine featuring local ingredients and flavours prepared by award-winning chefs. There are no sleeper cars on Rocky Mountaineer, so you’ll stay in beautiful hotels at each destination.

Rocky Mountaineer has some of the most amazing views.

2. The Ghan, Australia

For over 90 years, The Ghan has been journeying through the heart of Australia, taking you from Darwin to Adelaide and vice versa. But The Ghan is not simply a train, it has an array of onboard and off-train experiences of a lifetime.

Onboard you can choose your level of service, ranging from Gold Service to Platinum Service. Platinum Service adds an enhanced level of sophistication to the journey. With the spacious suites complemented by personalised service and world-class food and wine.

The off-train experiences allow you to tailor your journey with whatever suits your travel needs, as the train stops at Alice Springs , Marla and Manguri.

The Ghan goes through the heart of Australia.

3. Venice Simplon Orient-Express, Europe

From Kentish countryside to Venetian canals, the Orient Express is one of the world’s most iconic train journeys, taking in the global cities of London , Paris and Venice . Life on board is old-worldly with all carriages being lovingly restored to their former Art Deco glory of the 1920s.

Guests dine on gourmet cuisine in one of three opulent restaurant cars, with a seasonal menu created by Chef Jean Imbert. They then sip refined champagne in crystal glassware in Bar Car ‘3674’ while listening to the resident pianist prior to the midnight brunch. Yes, midnight brunch with lobster rolls, truffled club sandwiches, and whatever cocktail you desire.

Retire to the comfortable cabins after the night’s festivities, before the journey continues the next day.

The Orient Express is one of the most famous train journeys.

4. Glacier Express, Switzerland

Travel between the west and east of the Swiss Alps in the most scenic way possible. Setting off from Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn, the Glacier Express train journeys take you through landscapes of snow-covered Alpine peaks, past mountain streams and lakes, craggy cliff faces, and through quaint villages and hamlets.

Passing through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges, the train crosses Oberalp Pass, which is the highest point of the trip at 2033 metres and finishes in the chic winter wonderland resort of St Moritz.

For a scenic train ride, it doesn’t get much better than the Glacier Express.

5. Inca Rail, South America

If you’re interested in taking a train to Machu Picchu in Peru , then Inca Rail offers a level of convenience that is difficult to match. Inca Rail has two different routes, one from San Pedro station in Cusco, and the other is a Bimodal Service that takes you in a van to Ollantaytambo. There, you will board the train that will take you to Machu Picchu.

While on board, you can indulge in a tasty menu prepared with organic ingredients grown right in the Sacred Valley, live Peruvian music, plenty of windows to admire the incredible scenery of the Andes, and a spacious Observatory Lounge with an open-air balcony.

Inca Rail is an easy way to get to Machu Picchu

6. The Flåm Railway, Norway

The Flåm is one of the leading tourist attractions in Norway. At just an hour long, the Flåm Railway may not be the grandest of journeys, but it’s certainly among the most picturesque. The railway rises 863 metres from the starting point in the tiny village of Flåm in the Sognefjord, and passes by deep ravines, cascading waterfalls and towering peaks to the mountaintop station of Myrdal.

The Flåm Railway is even more magical in the colder months when a blanket of snow turns the landscape into a winter wonderland. The train takes a five-minute photo stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall where you can disembark and go out onto the platform.

Construction of the railway is said to be one of the greatest engineering feats in Norway, as the 20-kilometre-long railway line is one of the steepest in the world, with 80 per cent of the journey running on a gradient of 5.5 per cent. There are no less than 20 tunnels, 18 of which were built by hand. One of the tunnels even takes a 180-degree turn inside the mountain.

The Flåm is a magical one-hour ride.

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6 Fabulous Rail Journeys I would love to take.

Outstanding views

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1. use a printed map:, 2. mix up the type of destination:, 3. minimise the number of overnight locations:, 4. reduce the luggage stress:, 5. have a reservation strategy:, 6. consider your international journeys:, 7. be smart about the overnight trains:, 8. pay special attention to your longer journeys which involve connections:, 9. try to avoid going long distances at weekends:, 10. consider the time of day at which you will be travelling:, 11. working out how to travel (pass or tickets):, 12. ideas for booking your accommodation:, the other rail pass guides:, relevant train travel guides:.

InterRail and Eurail: 12 Itinerary Planning Tips and Ideas

Suggestions for how to plan your train journeys around Europe with Eurail or InterRail passes, so you can make most of your fabulous trip

So you're thinking of heading off on an InterRail or Eurail adventure around Europe by train? You want to follow your own itinerary, or one of our suggestions and not that set by a holiday company.

That romantic notion of spontaneously deciding where you want to go next after you have arrived somewhere, isn’t over, but some planning of your trip will ultimate save you time, money and stress.

Hopefully these tips and suggestions will be a good starting point and you can either use the content menu to jump direct to the nuggets of info most pertinent to your travels, OR relax with a coffee etc and browse through all the advice.

The majority of these tips and suggestions only became apparent having travelled more than 30,000 kilometers around Europe with a rail pass, so you can trust this advice to help you have the trip of a lifetime!

Choosing Your Destinations:

These three suggestions aren't so much to do with where you should go, you'll have your own must-see lists, but they can help make the managing of that wish list easier.

It may seem a tad 'old-school' but opening up a printed map of Europe, is always our preferred starting point for planning a European rail adventure - it's still the best means of getting a sense of what's where in one hit. The European Rail Timetable publishes the definitive railway map of Europe and what makes it unique is that it shows the scenic routes and the high speed lines. It also doesn’t plot the distances between locations as straight lines; which is useful as planes follow straight lines, but trains don’t.

Getting your hands on an old map is fine, as the cities and other locations on your wish-list haven't upped and moved.

It can be tempting to plan a trip which visits your must-see locations in order of preference, partially because Europe doesn't look that big in comparison to other continents. But to make the most of a rail pass adventure it's more than likely that you'll want to minimise the time you'll be spending on trains, while maximising the time you'll have in your chosen locations, so a map can help with planning the most logical route.

Something else that can help with that are our suggested rail pass itineraries - even if you don't want to follow them exactly, they'll give you an idea of how to spend as little time as possible on the trains.

Stringing together a series of consecutive big city breaks can be exhausting, so spending time in destinations based around relaxation, such as beach and lake resorts can enhance a rail pass itinerary in more ways than one. Leaving the must do list blank on a couple of days, can also provide the energy to complete the wish-list in your final series of destinations.

Trains travelling between big cities also call at these locations which are ideal for winding down; Albenga, Baden-Baden, Badgastein, Beziers, Bamberg, Heidelberg, Klagenfurt (for the Worthersee), Lesce-Bled, Lindau, Lugano, Monterosso (for the Cinque Terre) and Stresa. Some areas famed for the natural wonder, which also benefit from comparatively easy train connections, include The Black Forest, The French Alps, The Swiss Alps, Lake Balaton, Liguria, The Cote D’Azur and Tuscany.

Other ideas for taking the maximum pleasure and minimum stress from your trip, once you have embarked on your adventures, are available HERE .

Or you can use the Concierge Service and it will plan your ultimate itinerary.

There’s no getting away from the fact that the key negative of following your own itinerary, when exploring Europe by train, is the need to take responsibility for how to make the transfer between the stations and your overnight accommodation. But you don’t have to move on to some distant location every other night, in order to extract value for money from a rail pass.

Making a day trip by train that involves a two hour (+) journey each way, probably isn’t something you’d probably usually consider, but with a rail pass they can be a good idea for multiple reasons:

• You’ll be travelling far enough that day for your pass to be worthwhile,
• You’ll arrive in a city centre
• Take a late evening train on your return trip and you’ll have a full day to explore your chosen location.
• You won’t need to have your luggage with you on those trains.

And you can up the ante by setting off on multi-destination day trips, which loop back to where you are staying. For example, head off from Munich to have brunch in Innsbruck, have an early dinner in Salzburg and then head back to Munich late in the evening.

This multi-destination per day approach can be a particularly good option if you want to explore smaller countries such as Switzerland ...

.... Belgium or The Netherlands where you can just hop and off the trains.

Cities that are particularly good bases for multiple day trips by train, include - Basel , Bern, Bologna , Brussels , Florence , Gent, Glasgow , Innsbruck , Leeds , Lyon , Manchester , Marseille , Milan , Munich , Paris , Reading, Rotterdam , Salzburg , Verona and Zurich .

Though if a day trip destination is less than 90 mins from a city by local or regional trains, then using a rail pass for that type of journey is less likely to be value for money. If you'll have the type of Eurail or InterRail pass that's valid for a set number of travel days, the better option may be to book last minute tickets at the station for those types of journey - saving your rail pass travel dates for when you will be going long distance.

Planning Your Journeys:

Don't panic, you won't need to keep all of these things in mind, when deciding which trains to take on your adventure.

The other plus of spending an extended period of time in one location, is you’ll also be reducing the number of occasions on which you'll have to find somewhere to stow your bags on the train and then carry them off to where you'll be spending the night. But another means of reducing the stress of managing your luggage is to see if there any opportunities on your chosen route, to leave some of your bags in a left-luggage facility; and then loop back later on in your itinerary, to collect them, when on route to another destination.

Split your luggage into a medium sized bag on wheels or back-pack and a smaller hand luggage sized bag or pack. You'd do this when taking a flight, but being able to only travel with one large bag on trains may not be such an advantage over flying, because the bigger the bag the more awkward it will be to stow it on the train.

However, if you divide your luggage, you can work out where you can leave your main, heavier bag behind, so that you can then travel lighter on some of your trip. You don't need to spend the night in the same location as your bags, but it can be worth adjusting an itinerary, so that later on, you can then collect a bag or two that you won't have had to bother about for a few days.

Stations that you're comparatively likely to be passing through more than once include - Barcelona Sants , Basel SBB , Frankfurt (Main) Hbf , Innsbruck Hbf , Milano Centrale , Salzburg hbf , Verona Porta Nuova and Zurich HB .

As to what you need to pack and the type of luggage you should use, TripSavvy has some great advice here

First you need to be aware of how seat reservations could impact your trip, because European DAY train services fall into one of three categories.

(1) Those with mandatory reservations - ticket purchasers have seats assigned as a complimentary booking benefit, but rail pass users need to pay a rail pass reservation fee prior to boarding. (2) Those with optional reservations - both ticket purchasers and rail pass users can choose to pay a reservation fee, so that they have an assigned seat for their journey. Meaning that rail pass users don't have to incur any additional charges on these trains because you can opt not to reserve and then search for available seats when boarding. (3) Those on which reservations aren't available

And reservations are always required for overnight trains , regardless of which type of accommodation you wish to travel by. Rail passes don't cover the comparatively expensive reservation fees for travelling in a bed in a sleeping cabin , or in a bunk in a couchette .

So when planning your itinerary, be aware of whether you will have to, or want to make reservations for your journeys. These reservations fees can tip the balance over whether booking tickets is a a better option than using a rail pass. And if you want to avoid the mandatory charges, or paying any reservation fees at all , it's best to have an idea of your alternative journey options before you commence your trip.

Although try not book multiple reservations before you set off, because if you do, you'll then be committed to making those specific journeys, which will reduce your opportunities to be spontaneous.

There will be multiple opportunities to book reservations while on your trip, without paying booking fees or going online.

At Reisezentrum travel desks in the haupthanhofs (main stations) in Germany , you can arrange reservations for most European day and night trains.

In Italy you can book reservations for domestic journeys at Trenitalia ticket machines (paper passes users will need to use the mobile pass number generators) for journeys within Italy; and you can also book reservations at Trenitalia ticket offices; and at the ticket offices you can also arrange reservations for international journeys.

You also won't be charged booking fees if you arrange reservations at stations in Austria, Great Britain*, Denmark, France, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Czechia, Hungary, Poland and other countries in eastern Europe.

Though if you won't be taking a frequent daytime service it's a good idea to book reservations when you first arrive at a station; if you leave it until you're back at the station just prior to boarding, your first choice of departure may be sold out. *In Britain some reservations often need to be made a minimum of 4 hours prior to departure; so it's best to book them when you first arrive at a station.

Managing journeys with mandatory reservations:

Booking SOME of these before you set off on your trip can be a time and stress-saver.

Reservations rarely sell out days or more in advance, but it isn't unknown, particularly on:

(1) French TGV trains over summer weekends; you can often save money by booking reservations for any TGV service in advance - and on these Intercités services. (2) Spanish train routes on which the service isn’t particularly frequent and on the RENFE-SNCF high speed trains in either direction when travelling between France and Spain (3) Trains to and from Sweden in the summer. (4) Overnight trains to and from Italy, particularly in the summer. (5) If you want to travel in a specific type of accommodation on an overnight train such as single berth sleeping cabin, or booking an entire couchette berth, it's best to book these at least couple of weeks ahead, no matter which overnight train service you'll be taking. (5) Eurostar and Thalys trains, particularly on Fridays and Sundays. (6) Trains between Rome and destinations south of Napoli , particularly in the summer.

How you can book any mandatory reservation in advance is explained HERE Although it’s best to take the hint and avoid using a rail pass on the trains with particularly expensive fees such as the TGV France-Italy and Lyria services. On these trains, the cheapest discounted tickets can cost less than the rail pass reservation fees; once you have also factored in the cost per day of using the rail pass.

But there’s no need avoid these journeys/routes completely, after all a train journey between Paris and Italy or Switzerland, is likely to be on the must do list of many itineraries. The trick is to put these journeys with high reservation fees at the beginning or end of an itinerary and then book separate tickets for them a minimum of couple of weeks in advance. Or opt for the type of pass with a set number of travel days, but don't use one of the pass days to travel on these trains.

OR avoid the fees, by following these alternative routes .

Suggestions for when to make optional reservations:

Reducing the number of trips on which you should ideally reserve a seat will make pursuing a multi-destination itinerary more carefree; particularly because a negative of booking a seat, is a commitment to travel on a specific train departure. On scenic routes you can also choose a seat(s) on the side of the train, which has the best views.

The rule that ShowMeTheJourney follows, is to only make optional reservations, if TWO or more of these criteria apply:

• the journey is longer than 90 minutes
• the frequency of train service is 1 x train every OTHER hour, or less
• will be joining a train at an intermediate station
• will be boarding at any station between: 08:30 and 10:30 on Mon– Sat 16:30 and 18:30 on Mon- Thurs 12:30 and 19:30 on Friday 08:00 and 12:00 on summer Saturdays 14:30 and 19:30 on Sundays

It's worth paying special attention to your international journeys. Only a tiny percentage of European daytime express trains are international , some routes only have 1 x train per day. Also a large percentage of the international daytime services have mandatory reservations - the only high speed international services which don't are the ICE trains from and to Germany. On some routes the only direct train service option is to take an overnight train .

If you want to use an InterRail or Eurail pass and avoid these rail pass reservation fees, it's worth planning an international journey with care because you'll need to change trains, normally more than once and the cross border local trains often operate to sparse timetables. The comparatively fairly frequent cross-border services that can be useful money-savers for rail pass users are:

• Basel ↔ Mulhouse and Strasbourg
• Chiasso ↔ Bellinzona
• Geneve ↔ Bellegarde and Lyon
• Innsbruck ↔ Brennero
• Nice ↔ Ventimiglia
• Port Bou ↔ Cerbere
• Strasbourg ↔ Offenburg

ShowMeTheJourney has also compiled summaries of all the international train services from and to these countries:

Austria l Belgium l Czechia

Denmark l France l Germany

Hungary l Italy l Norway

Poland l Spain l Sweden

Switzerland l The Netherlands l The UK

At face value taking a night train can seem a good option for multiple reasons, more time at a destination, less overnight room rates to pay for; and now taking a night train only uses one up one day of a rail pass travel day allocation, instead of two.

However, even if you opt for a couchette or sleeping cabin , taking too many night trains on one itinerary can be exhausting if you’re not an early riser. It’s not unusual for night trains to arrive in a city before 07:30, perfect if you were heading to a 09:00 business meeting, but perhaps not so ideal if a day’s sightseeing is on the agenda, or if your accommodation check-in time is after midday. Also pack an eye mask, ear plugs and an extra pillow, because without them you will be fortunate indeed to get more than five or six hours sleep per journey.

But taking the night train can be a particularly good idea when it provides the only DIRECT service between two cities, as is the case on these routes:

• Munchen/Munich ↔ Firenze/Florence - Roma by Nightjet
• Zurich ↔ Ljubljana – Zagreb by EuroNight
• Zurich ↔ Berlin by Nightjet
• Zurich ↔ Prague
• Wien/Vienna - Budapest ↔ Kiev
• Wien/Vienna ↔ Buccuresti/Bucharest by EuroNight
• Sofia ↔ Istanbul

Certain nights of the week only / Seasonal services:

• Beograd/Belgrade ↔ Ljubljana
• Beograd/Belgrade ↔ Thessaloniki
• Buccuresti/Bucharest ↔ Istanbul
• Buccuresti/Bucharest ↔ Sofia
• Buccuresti/Bucharest – Sofia ↔ Thessaloniki

Opting for the seats on the overnight trains:

You will need to pay a reservation fee, normally around €5, for a seat on most overnight trains Although, unless you regularly drift off to sleep on daytime trains, paying the much cheaper reservation fees for these seats on multiple journeys can be a false economy.

If you’re lucky the seats on the overnight train will be in compartments and you can pull the seats flat to make a bed. But there will be 6 seats in the compartment and only 3 people can fit on the bed, so on busy trains this won’t be an option.

Being willing to make connections between trains can enhance an itinerary, you can increase your opportunities to take scenic journeys, or to visit must-see locations off the beaten track. And being able to pick and choose how you make the connections between trains is a big tick in the box for using rail passes instead of tickets.

Ticket agents tend to assume that travellers will want to reach their final destinations in the fastest possible time, but because the connections between trains they package together aren't guaranteed, that approach can result in a stressful trip - for those that have opted to purchase tickets.

However, keeping these FOUR tips front of mind should help ensure that your more complicated journeys with a rail pass are comparatively stress free.

(1) Check whether a DIRECT day or night train will in fact be available; don’t assume that it won’t be an option.

(2) Try to avoid being dependent on making the final connection of the day that will get to your destination, it probably won't wait too long for a delayed preceding train to arrive, before it sets off. If you have no choice except to connect into the only or final train of the day, taking the PRECEDING train from your starting point to what a route planner suggests, is highly recommended.

(3) Maximise the connecting time you’ll have between trains at large stations, spend time in a café or bar between trains, or stock up on travel essentials, or leave your bags in the left luggage and head off for a couple hours or more of exploring.

Stations at which you'll be likely to be changing trains, which also happen to have great city centre locations include: Edinburgh Waverley ; Firenze S.M. Novella , Hamburg Hbf , Koln Hbf , Kobenhavn H , Leeds , Lille Flandres , Luzern ,and Zurich HB .

When making connections at large stations anywhere but Belgium, Switzerland or the Netherlands, our golden rule is to allow at least 30 mins to make the transfer. That 30 minutes is split between a 15-20 mins contingency for the train arriving late and the time required to transfer to your next train.

(4) If you are connecting into a train service, which requires a mandatory reservation , then extending the connecting time between trains is definitely a good idea. In the event of a preceding train being delayed, you can’t just hop on to the next departure by the same type of train; you'll have to stop by a travel desk to have any reservations re-issued, and because you will be travelling with a rail pass and not a ticket, you may have to pay the reservation fee again. The connections between trains, which can be found on journey planners, are usually NOT guaranteed.

In our experience you can expect at least 10% of long distance European trains to arrive more than 15 mins late and 3% to be more than 30 mins late. EC , ICE , TGV , Frecce , Snabbtag trains and the Intercity trains in France , Germany , Italy and The UK seem to be particularly susceptible to lateness; the further a train travels, the greater the opportunity for delays to occur.

Work to maintain and improve railway lines tends to take place at weekends, particularly on Sundays. When this work is occurring, trains on mainland Europe tend to be diverted from their usual route and as a result can skip stations that they usually call at. Having to get a bus to complete a journey is rare, but you may need to make additional connections, which aren't required when the service is operating normally.

These tips particularly apply if you are trying to avoid paying for optional reservations .

• Avoid travelling long distance on Fridays and Sundays after midday and departing on summer Saturdays between 09:00 and 12:00.
• Avoid travelling at business hours 07:00 – 10:00 and 16:00 – 18:00 on Monday to Friday. Though in Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Switzerland and The Netherlands, if you avoid heading INTO cities in rush hours, you can find seats on virtually any train; this also applies in France if you take the TER trains .

By planning at least some of your journeys ( the Concierge Service can help with this), you'll now have a better idea of whether booking tickets or using rail passes will be your best option, because in order to make an informed choice, ShowMeTheJourney recommends having a good idea of:

• How far apart from each other, the destinations you wish to visit are located.
• How many long-distance (5 hours +) end-to-end daytime journeys you will be taking?
• How many of those journeys will be on trains on which ticket-holders have complimentary seat reservations?
• How many night trains you will be taking?

Then with those things in mind you can apply these TWO key criteria:

(1) A 'Global' multi country rail pass is LESS likely to save you money if one or more of these apply to your trip because you:

• will be taking less than around six long distance (5 hours +) train journeys,
• are happy to book discounted tickets months in advance and then be committed to taking the trains you are then booked on to,
• will be mainly travelling in eastern Europe,
• will be mainly travelling on trains on which the mandatory reservation fee for rail pass users is more than €10 (only likely to be a factor if your trip pivots around France),
• will be making most of your long distance journeys by night trains.

(2) A 'Global' multi country rail pass is MORE likely to save you money if one or more of these apply to your trip, because you:

• want to travel 1st class,
• want to travel on the Swiss Mountain Railways ,
• will be travelling for 8 days or more,
• will be travelling between June – September, or either side of Christmas, or during the Easter holiday,
• will be planning a trip less than a month ahead,
• want take advantage of the discounts etc that are available to rail pass users.

Note the very deliberate use of the word ‘likely, because so many variables need to factored into the ‘will a rail pass save me money’ equation, there are no absolutes.

In SMTJ's experience, if you will be travelling for 10 days or less, the only means of being certain whether a rail pass will be money saver, is to look up the prices of the journeys you wish to take, or you can ask the Concierge Service to do this for you. The fee you will pay for using the service is likely to be less than the money you will save by opting for a pass or tickets (or vice versa).

Though if you are planning on taking more than 10 long-distance journeys, it’s almost certain that a rail pass will be a money saver.

Having stayed in more than 50 locations when on a rail pass adventure, there's so many tips to share about this that it's been spun off into a separate GUIDE .

But the top 5 nuggets of advice are: (1) Book so that you cancel without incurring any charges, once your on your itinerary, it can be tempting to head off in an entirely unexpected direction. (2) Book any train reservations etc before you book your accommodation. (3) Also if you'll be travelling long distance to a destination, double-check that the train will be operating as normal on your travel date; what both of these two tips are echoing is that it's best to be sure of your train travel, before booking your accommodation. (4) A plus of using a rail pass is that you don't have to stay in a city centre, because your pass will be valid on local trains (but not the metros). So you can easily access accommodation in a suburb, which will likely be a much cheaper option. (5) You don't have to stay in the big cities on your must-see list. It can be much cheaper to check which nearby locations the trains you will be travelling by will call at; and then stay in those instead.

Simon Harper

I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

Please support ShowMeTheJourney

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Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

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Taking the train in Ireland - what you need to know

Apr 19, 2024 • 11 min read

A train travels along the Rosslare, Wexford to Dublin line in Ireland © Irish Rail

Traveling by train is one of Ireland ’s great if under-appreciated pleasures.

It’s a small island and the rail network is limited, so no journey is especially long – but riding the rails across the country is one of the loveliest ways to enjoy the rolling countryside.

Compared to its European counterparts, Irish trains aren’t especially spectacular, but this is a country that doesn’t need high-speed or sleeper trains: you roll along at a maximum of 160kph (99mph) and before you know it you’re on the other side of the island.

The particular nature of Irish demographics has shaped train travel in Ireland: with around a quarter of the population clustered in the greater Dublin region, it makes sense that most train journeys begin or end in the capital. In Northern Ireland the same is true of Belfast .

Irish trains might not be especially quick or super luxurious, but they’re an efficient and eco-friendly way of exploring the island – so long as your explorations are focused on the major cities and towns. Here is our essential guide to train travel in Ireland.

The lowdown on rail travel in Ireland

Irish trains are efficient, relatively frequent and usually on time.  Irish Rail/Iarnród Éireann operates the entire network of trains in the Republic, from intercity trains linking the major urban centers to the busy commuter network that services the greater Dublin region.

There are two main lines into the west and three into the south and southwest; spurs off the main lines connect to a host of smaller towns throughout the country. There’s also a line to Belfast, from where  Translink services connect the city with the Antrim Coast and Derry (Londonderry) .

Within the greater Dublin region, a network of commuter services connects the capital with a host of suburbs and dormitory towns in the surrounding counties. Dublin’s coastline between the northside suburbs of Howth and Malahide and Greystones in County Wicklow is served by DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) trains.

There are some notable gaps in the country’s rail network, with no services in counties Donegal , Monaghan and Cavan , and no trains into West Cork . Some towns – like Buttevant in Cork or Annacotty in Limerick – are on the rail line but they’re bypassed as they have no functioning station.

Ireland’s bigger train stations – including Cork , Limerick , Galway , Sligo, Belfast and the two in Dublin – are all pretty well stocked when it comes to picking up supplies and other assorted sundries for your journey. Most other stations will have a small shop.

Train tickets are relatively good value

The good news about traveling by train in Ireland is that it is relatively inexpensive compared to train travel in some places, such as the UK, for example. If you buy it online, a standard one-way fare between Dublin Heuston and Kent Station in Cork costs between €30–35, and around €55 in first class.

Online is the best place to buy your tickets for train travel in the Irish Republic. Not only do you get the best fares (with savings of up to 50% compared to buying the ticket at the station), but you can purchase your ticket up to 90 days in advance and reserve a seat when you do.

You have the option of collecting your bought ticket from a machine at the station as you’re boarding, or downloading a QR code at the point of purchase. If you wait to buy your ticket at the station, you’ll pay significantly more and have to get there early to queue up at the ticket kiosk.

For travel in Northern Ireland, you’re better off buying the ticket at the station as only a limited number of tickets are available online. Show up a short time before your intended departure time and just buy your ticket there.

Only a handful of services offer first class, but upgrading is relatively inexpensive. On average, expect to pay around €20–25 more to sit in first. There are three kinds of first class service on Irish trains. CityGold is on direct Dublin to Cork services, and includes an onboard host and a complimentary newspaper on selected early morning services. The Enterprise service between Dublin and Belfast offers the same, plus a fine breakfast. Premier Class is similar, but is only available on direct services between Dublin and Tralee and some Dublin to Cork trains.

Some discounts and offers apply

There are discounted fares for children and young adults aged between 19 and 25, as long as they have a valid discount card. Under 5s and those aged 66 and over travel for free.

The commuter network in the Greater Dublin area has a fare cap of €6 for travel between the capital and a host of towns in the surrounding counties.

There are two rail passes aimed at visitors. The Trekker Four Day (€88) offers unlimited travel for adults on all Irish Rail services on four consecutive days from the date of issue. The Explorer (adult/child €128/64) provides five days travel on all services in a 15-day window.

However, before investing in either, be sure that you plan on making the most out of it. The limited rail network means that connections are limited and traveling between some destinations involves backtracking: Cork and Waterford are both on the south coast, but to get from one to the other means travelling to Limerick, while Sligo and Westport are only 140km (87 miles) apart along the west coast, but to go between them by train you’ll have to travel through Dublin – which is on the other side of the country.

In Northern Ireland, the Sunday Fun Day Tracker ticket gives passengers unlimited train travel on a Sunday for £9 (£4.50 for children). Tickets are available from all ticket offices, the mLink ticketing app and from the conducter of the train.

These are the busiest times to travel by train

Unsurprisingly, peak times for train travel coincide with busy rush hour periods. Early morning services to Dublin from cities including Cork, Galway and Limerick can be busy, especially if the train is due to arrive in Dublin around the start of the working day. Friday evening trains departing Dublin can also be quite busy. However, as online bookings also include the option of booking a seat, you’ll never have to stand.

The commuter network is busiest on weekdays between 7–9am and between 4:30–6:30pm as thousands of people travel in and out of work. You can’t prebook seats on these services, so plenty of people do end up standing. Keep an eye out on changing schedules, especially for weekend and holiday travel, as frequencies diminish.

The train network is limited, but it has some benefits over road travel

There are no rail links to any Irish airport, which means you’re relying on taxis, private cars or buses once you arrive in the country. Irish ferry ports are better connected to rail lines, however, and you can catch trains in Rosslare, Dublin and Larne; there is no rail link to Belfast Port.

If you want to reach the more remote corners of the island, then the Irish rail network is quite limited, and a car will give you the flexibility you need. However, rental fees can be very expensive and fuel is another considerable cost, with the price of unleaded and diesel hovering between €1.75 and €2 a liter. Parking is also pricey in all urban centers, especially Dublin.

Traveling by bus is the cheapest way to get around, but it can be a slow business, as most make lots of stops along the way. There are some direct express services, but they are at the mercy of traffic, which can also add considerable time to a journey compared to traveling by train. Plus, buses don’t have bathrooms, with those traveling longer distances relying entirely on rest stops.

On board facilities vary depending on the type of train

There are two kinds of Irish trains: InterCity and commuter. InterCity trains are all the same – relatively modern with comfortable seats in standard class and fancier recliners in first – and they travel at speeds of up to 160kph (99mph). There’s no journey in Ireland that is longer than 2½ to 3 hours. Commuter trains are slightly older, with less comfortable seats; older trains are used on some small distance spur lines in rural areas and are very basic (facilities include seats and a toilet).

While Ireland’s flagship service is the one between Dublin and Cork, the fanciest train is the Enterprise service between Dublin Connolly and Belfast Lanyon Place, which is a joint venture between Irish Rail and Translink. This train is on a par with most services you’ll find in mainland Europe and first class is the most luxurious of any in the country.

All InterCity trains have three-pin sockets at every row where you can plug in a charger or a laptop. Most commuter trains in the greater Dublin area also have sockets. All trains have toilets and there is a cross-network wi-fi service operated by Irish Rail, but it is patchy and inconsistent. Translink has its own wi-fi network, which is accessible on all bus and rail services in the north, but, like in the Republic, you’re at the mercy of signal strength and contention levels.

Food options are pretty limited. There is a trolley service on the Dublin to Cork service, while the Enterprise between Dublin and Belfast operates a full service menu in a dedicated dining car; first class passengers also get a pretty good breakfast as part of their ticket.

Some trains on the Dublin to Cork route have a "quiet carriage", (usually Carriage G, marked in purple when booking) where the use of phones is prohibited and passengers are encouraged to keep noise levels down.

You can bring a bike on any Irish Rail train for free, although there are some restrictions during busy periods (such as sporting fixtures and concerts). The Dublin to Cork line is the only one to have a dedicated bike storage area; all other InterCity trains have (very) limited bicycle spaces within the passenger compartment – it’s not unusual for only two bikes to be allowed into the compartment, so be sure to book in advance. Bikes are not allowed on commuter and DART services during peak hours – before 10am and between 3:30–7pm Monday to Friday.

There are many scenic train routes: here are the best

No matter where you are in Ireland you’re going to find a beautiful landscape or two, but some journeys are worth keeping your eyes wide open for.

Dublin to Sligo

Once you’ve gone past the huge suburban sprawl of the greater Dublin area, the landscapes get quite gentle; beyond Mullingar the train skirts alongside the edge of beautiful Lough Owel. For the best views, sit on the left-hand side of the train.

Dublin to Belfast

The Enterprise service is the best in the country, with the most comfortable seats and the best food options – especially in first class. The train skirts alongside the Irish Sea between Malahide and Balbriggan, so be sure to sit on that side as you travel (on the right-hand side if you’re traveling to Belfast).

Derry (Londonderry) to Coleraine

The Translink service between Northern Ireland’s second city and Coleraine is a stunner, a 40-minute journey along the Causeway Coast that comes with beautiful beaches, huge cliffs and unimpeded views out over the North Sea.

Downpatrick to Inch Abbey

It’s only a 10-minute journey, but the trip from Downpatrick in County Down to the monastic ruins of Inch Abbey takes place in a vintage steam train (or a 1960s diesel train) that chugs its way along the line, over the River Quoile and past the drumlin-specked landscape.

Cork to Cobh

One of Ireland’s most scenic trips is the 25-minute trip from Cork City to the seaside town of Cobh , which takes you along the river (sit on the right for the best views), past marshy Harper’s Island and over the bridges on Lough Mahon and the Slatty Water. You can always stop off at Fota and visit the  wildlife park  there.

Book in advance for wheelchair access to trains

All InterCity services are nominally accessible, but if you do need assistance you will need to book it in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made. This usually means that a conductor will have a ramp ready for wheelchair access, but we have also heard plenty of anecdotal evidence of staff simply lifting a wheelchair onto a train, which depending on the individual can either be a help or an annoying hindrance. Whatever you do, make sure to communicate your requirements before you travel as assistance is not guaranteed otherwise.

For passengers with learning difficulties or any issue where there may be a challenge with communication (such as Asperger’s or autism) Irish Rail staff are trained to recognize visual cue cards such as the  JAM card , which inform the interlocutor of the holder’s condition. JAM cards are available online or at mainline train stations in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Sligo.

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These Are The Best Rail Journeys In North America

Posted: May 1, 2023 | Last updated: July 1, 2023

Unmissable rail experiences

California Zephyr, Chicago, Illinois to San Francisco, California

Often dubbed the ultimate cross-country rail trip by enthusiasts, this epic 2,438-mile (3,924km), 51-hour journey between Chicago and San Francisco is undeniably breathtaking. From the majestic mountain ranges of the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada to the bright-red hues of Utah’s deserts and the seemingly endless plains of Nebraska, expect fabulous scenery from start to finish. 

What’s more, there are plenty of options to experience it. Coach seats start at around $142 for the full trip – you’ll have to make do with a reclining seat for this price – while roomettes start at around $680 (although prices vary depending when you’re traveling and how many people there are). Travelers in private rooms also have access to flexible dining that includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and a wide selection of drinks. Trains usually depart daily, but check the website for updates.

Rocky Mountaineer, Denver, Colorado to Moab, Utah

Launched in August 2021, the Rocky Mountaineer’s exciting new route takes passengers on a two-day excursion between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah, including an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The Rockies to the Red Rocks journey is an extravagant one and doesn’t come cheap, starting at $1,395 for a one-way trip. All packages include gourmet meals, access to opulent lounge carriages and accommodation in Moab, Glenwood Springs and Denver. 

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While it would be easy to focus on all the luxuries found inside, the real highlight of this journey is the incredible landscapes to be found outside – which include Ruby Canyon, Mount Logan and Mount Garfield. To maximize the views, the train only runs during the day and features oversized windows and glass-domed coaches. There are also options to start or end in Salt Lake City or Las Vegas if you’d like a little time to explore these destinations.

City of New Orleans, Chicago, Illinois to New Orleans, Louisiana

Amtrak’s City of New Orleans  is a popular choice for those wishing to explore the rich history and culture of Chicago, Memphis and New Orleans. Trains typically leave the Windy City at 8pm, trundling through Illinois and Kentucky by night and gliding into Tennessee as the sun rises. Be sure to stop off in Memphis to wander through the homeland of blues, rock n’ roll and soul music, as well as paying a visit to Elvis’ former home.

The Canadian, Vancouver to Jasper, Canada

VIA Rail’s overnight service between Vancouver and Jasper certainly doesn't scrimp on impressive scenery. What’s more, it’s a fraction of the price of the famous Rocky Mountaineer service. The 19-hour trip starts at reasonable C$156 (US$122) per passenger for a reclining seat in Economy, or C$527 (US$413) for a two-person cabin in Sleeper Class.

Trains depart Vancouver at 3pm each day, gliding away from the city’s gleaming skyscrapers and towards British Columbia’s breathtaking mountains and lakes. Stopping at Kamloops just after midnight, the journey continues along through eastern BC and into Alberta (be sure to wake up early to see the Rockies at sunrise). Finally, you’ll arrive in Jasper at 11am the following day. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains and crystal-clear lakes, this laid-back town is the ideal base for exploring the Rockies and Jasper National Park.

Now discover Canada's most jaw-dropping views

The Ocean, Montréal to Halifax, Canada

Many visitors flock to western Canada for its big-name national parks and hulking mountains, but the east coast is stunning in an entirely different way. Seeing the delights of this charming region is easy on board VIA Rail’s The Ocean . Beginning at 7pm in Montréal, the journey whisks you alongside the Lac Saint-Pierre, before passing through New Brunswick by night and then onto the picturesque lakes of Nova Scotia. Finally, you’ll arrive in Halifax at 5.51pm the following day.

Napa Valley Wine Train, Napa to St Helena, California

What could be better than drifting past emerald-green vineyards with a glass of wine in hand? Perhaps doing so on one of Napa Valley Wine Train's  unique vintage carriages, which travel on a 36-mile (58km) there-and-back trip from Downtown Napa to St Helena on an original 1864 rail line. The carriages, with their opulent velvet-upholstered seats, mahogany paneling and brass, have been sensitively restored to evoke the glamor of vintage train travel.

Offering the perfect combination of history, stunning landscapes and (of course) great wine, there's a range of packages on offer, from half-a-day winery tours with tastings to on-board dining experiences and special events, like the Murder Mystery dinner theater option. As you might expect, food and wine options aboard are ultra-opulent, with most packages offering multi-course gourmet meals and complimentary private-label wines. Needless to say, all of this doesn’t come cheap – prices are only available on application. 

Sky Railway, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Skirting through some of New Mexico’s finest scenery, the tantalizingly named Sky Railway is just as fantasy-filled as you’d imagine. The journey is made all the more enticing by the fact this 141-year old heritage route was recently saved by a group of rail enthusiasts ( Game of Thrones author George RR Martin among them). Since its revival in late 2021, it’s been given a new lease of life as a family-friendly adventure trip.

Denali Star, Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alaska

Ditch the car and opt for a more climate-friendly journey through one of America’s most beautiful (and least-visited) national parks. The Alaska Railroad's flagship train  Denali Star embarks on a 12-hour ride between Anchorage and Fairbanks via Wasilla, Talkeetna and Denali. Along the 365-mile (587km) route, the train rushes past rivers and mountains and offers expansive panoramas of Hurricane Gulch from the top of a 296-foot (90.2m) bridge.

Check out Alaska's most incredible sights

Copper Canyon train, Los Mochis to Chihuahua City, Mexico

This nine-hour trip between Los Mochis, Sinaloa and Chihuahua City, Chihuahua, has rightly gained a reputation as one of the most epic rail journeys in the world. The famous Copper Canyon through which it travels is nothing short of magical: think dramatic gorges, towering peaks and historic colonial towns. It’s possible to travel in both directions, but we’d advise setting off from Los Mochis so you get to see the most stunning scenery (much of which is at the beginning of the route) before the sun sets. 

Mount Washington Cog Railway, Mount Washington, New Hampshire

Dubbed “the first mountain-climbing cog railway in the world”, this one-of-a-kind route traverses the steep summit of Mount Washington, reaching a 37% gradient at certain points. Located in the gorgeous Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, in the heart of the White Mountains, the National Historic Engineering Landmark is certainly a fun way to discover rural New England. 

Georgetown Loop Railroad, Georgetown to Silver Plume, Colorado

Want to travel across this terrifying-looking railroad? While we admit the aptly named Devil's Gate High Bridge, which features a 100-foot (30m) drop over Clear Creek, isn’t for the faint-hearted, this thrilling experience is at the top of many rail buffs’ wish lists. It’s no surprise that when it was completed back in 1884, this circular railroad connecting Georgetown and Silver Plume was seen as an engineering marvel and attracted visitors from all over.

Grand Canyon Railway, Williams to Grand Canyon Village, Arizona

It’s been a favorite road trip destination for decades, but you might not have thought to visit the Grand Canyon by rail. Yet this underrated (and surprisingly affordable) excursion has to be one of the most beautiful train journeys on the planet. Beginning in Williams, a small town 30 miles (48km) west of Flagstaff, Grand Canyon Railway meanders through ponderosa pine forests and open prairie, stopping at Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim before heading back to Williams.

Jose Cuervo Express, Guadalajara to Tequila, Mexico

Tequila fans need look no further: we’ve found the perfect train for you. Traveling the 11-hour journey between Guadalajara and the town of Tequila, the Jose Cuervo Express allows you to taste a wide variety of tequilas while whizzing past endless agave fields, all in a highly luxurious setting. Along the way, guests will also tour a distillery to discover how the spirit is made, wander the historic streets of Tequila and see an agave harvesting demonstration.

Trains depart from Guadalajara every Saturday and passengers can choose between four carriages: Express, Premium Plus, Diamond or Elite (pictured). On this luxury option, enjoy a large adults-only lounge and open bar providing a range of tequila cocktails, with decor inspired by the old-school glamor of the Orient Express. Tickets start at around 2,590 Mexican pesos ($128). 

These are the world's most luxurious train journeys

White Pass & Yukon route, Skagway, Alaska to White Pass summit, Canada

Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? A journey on the unforgettable White Pass & Yukon , which climbs nearly 3,000 feet (914m) from Skagway, Alaska to White Pass Summit in Canada’s Yukon territory, should do the trick. The 40-mile (64km), 2.5-hour round trip also takes place on a historic railroad dating back to 1898, when it was built to give greater access to mines at the time of the Klondike Gold Rush.

Today’s travelers can enjoy the ride from a range of vintage train carriages, kitted out with balconies to allow for optimum sightseeing and picture-taking. Among the incredible sights you’ll see are Bridal Veil Falls, Inspiration Point and Dead Horse Gulch – so named because some 3,000 horses tragically died here while traversing the Chilkoot Trail before the railroad was built. Between April and October each year there are several departures a week, with tickets starting at C$134 ($105) for adults and C$67 ($53) for children.

Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango to Silverton, Colorado

Often listed as one of the world’s greatest routes, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is a unique journey through America’s history. Original coal-fired locomotives from the 1880s follow in the tracks of countless miners, cowboys and gunslingers from the Old West, giving an insight into what train travel was like some 140 years ago. In fact, the railroad has even been listed as a National Historic Landmark to protect its heritage. 

On the 45-mile (72km) trip, the train crosses the Animas River five times and winds its way through canyons in the stark wilderness of the San Juan National Forest. Travelers pass farmlands, old stagecoach roads and the brooding Tacoma Power Plant along the way. There are four classes to choose from during the summer season from May through to October, with prices starting at $94.

Ethan Allen Express, Burlington, Vermont to New York City

We can't think of a much better way to experience gorgeous fall colors than this. The Ethan Allen Express , which was launched by Amtrak just ahead of fall, takes passengers on a leisurely seven-hour journey between Burlington, Vermont and New York, stopping at Rutland and Albany along the way. The scenery you'll pass is incredible, from idyllic New England countryside as you pass through the Hudson Valley to the historic college towns and maple tree forests of Vermont.

You could sit back and soak up the scenery all day, but if you wish to break up the route there are plenty of worthwhile stops. Be sure to take some time exploring Saratoga Springs, where horse-racing, elegant Victorian architecture and plenty of independent shops and restaurants await. Outdoorsy types should make a beeline for Rutland, which offers skiing opportunities by winter and gorgeous hiking year-round. 

Next, discover the world's best sleeper trains

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Elektrostal to Weißenfels by train

Travel from Elektrostal (Russia) to Weißenfels (Germany) by train (1812km): schedule and information to the train connection. Compare fares and buy your ticket.

To travel by train from Elektrostal to Weißenfels, use one of the direct night train connections on the route from Moscow to Berlin. Tickets for this section can be bought from 160 EUR. You can find the exact timetable and ticket prices via the booking links. You can also find the train connections to Moscow and from Berlin (ticket prices from 19 EUR). Optionally, you can also travel via Ukraine, if you want to avoid Belarus.

There are three different travel routes. Have a look on them and decide which one fits best for you.

1 Elektrostal (Russia) - Moscow (Russia) - Berlin (Germany) - Weißenfels (Germany)

2 elektrostal (russia) - moscow (russia) - kyiv (ukraine) - warsaw (poland) - weißenfels (germany), 3 elektrostal (russia) - moscow (russia) - kyiv (ukraine) - bratislava (slovakia) - weißenfels (germany).

The following links could be interesting for you.

train connections : popular connections travelled by other users

The route consist of more than one step. You have to buy several train tickets.

1a Travelling from Elektrostal (Russia) to Moscow (Russia)

To travel in Russia by train, buy your ticket online via one of the given booking links. There you find exact schedules and ticket prices. The price depends on the type of train and the time you travel and can vary a lot. For most trains you can chose your seat if you book online. And it is the easiest way if you do not speak the Russian language. Good to know: in Russia you will find very interesting long-distance trains, travelling overnight. They usually offer: 1st class sleeper with 2-berth compartments, 2nd class Kupé with 4-berth compartments and 3rd class Platskartny with open-plan dormitory cars.

1b Travelling from Moscow (Russia) to Berlin (Germany)

There are two direct night train connections from Moscow to Berlin. The journey time is 24 hours. You can buy train tickets from 160 EUR. The ticket price depends on your travel date and the category you are traveling in. You can find the exact timetable with ticket prices via the given booking links. Three times a week you can travel on these direct train connections. One train connection ends directly in Berlin (EN440 13M Strizh). The second train connection goes from Moscow via Berlin to Paris (EN452 23J). Travel reports with many photos of both trains can be found in our blog. If you want to avoid the trip through Belarus, travel from Moscow to Kiev. In Kiev, take the direct night train to Warsaw, from where you continue to Berlin.

Where to buy a ticket from Moscow to Berlin?

You will receive your suitable ticket for this route here. Most even convenient as e-ticket by e-mail. Very good and extensive support included, as well as many payment options.

Official saver fares! Official online shop of German railways (Deutsche Bahn). Train tickets for Germany and to bordering countries. Buy your saver fare tickets easily and securely here.

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. EN 23J/452 Moscow - Paris / EN 453/24J Paris - Moscow / EN 13M/440 Moscow - Berlin / EN 441/14M Berlin - Moscow

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Berlin - Moscow

1c Travelling from Berlin (Germany) to Weißenfels (Germany)

Travel in Germany by train at the super saver price ("Super-Sparpreis") from EUR 17.50. This ticket price applies to journeys on long-distance trains (ICE, Intercity, Eurocity) and local trains (RE, RB, IRE, S-Bahn) following or as a feeder. You can find the exact train connection including the timetable and ticket prices via the booking link to Deutsche Bahn. On short distance connections, it is often only possible to purchase a ticket from the local public transport company. This usually works very conveniently via the Deutsche Bahn app.

Where to buy a ticket from Berlin to Weißenfels?

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. Intercity (IC) / IntercityExpress (ICE) / Regional Express (RE) / S-Bahn (S) / IC InterCity Bus (ICBus)

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. ÖBB nightjet NJ295 Munich - Rome / ÖBB nightjet NJ40463 Munich - Venice / ÖBB nightjet NJ491 Hamburg - Vienna / ÖBB nightjet NJ40421 Düsseldorf - Vienna / EN 40457 Berlin - Budapest / EN 50463 Munich - Zagreb / ÖBB nightjet NJ40295 Munich - Milan / ÖBB nightjet NJ40470 Zurich - Hamburg / ÖBB nightjet NJ401 Hamburg - Zurich

train company: DB Deutsche Bahn

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Weißenfels - Berlin / Berlin - Hamburg / Berlin - Munich / Berlin - Frankfurt am Main / Berlin - Cologne / Berlin - Stuttgart / Hamburg - Munich / Frankfurt am Main - Düsseldorf / Frankfurt am Main - Cologne / Frankfurt am Main - Munich / Munich - Füssen

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn / Omio planer

Spending almost 24 hours with one of the RZD railway birds

From the “high” north to germany’s south in under 7 hours, from one capital to the other in a sleeper, from russia with snow, ice, ic and ec trains from dresden to berlin, by saver fare train ticket from germany to france, a train journey from munich to füssen and castle neuschwanstein, with the öbb night train comfortably and fast to italy, 2a travelling from elektrostal (russia) to moscow (russia), 2b travelling from moscow (russia) to kyiv (ukraine).

Travel from Moscow to Kiev by direct train. There are 3 to 4 train connections daily with an average travel time of 13 hours. Train tickets are available from 60 EUR. The overnight trains offer 2 and 4 berth compartments. Find train schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from Moscow to Kyiv?

Train ticket online shop of Ukrainian railways.

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Kyiv - Moscow

2c Travelling from Kyiv (Ukraine) to Warsaw (Poland)

Travel from Kiev to Warsaw by direct train. There is one overnight train called "Kiev Express" with a journey time of 14 hours. Buy train tickets from 45 EUR. Departure in Kiev is at 23:50 in the evening. The arrival time in Warsaw is 14:05 . This overnight train offers 1, 2 and 3 berth compartments. The day train has a journey time of 15 hours and departs in Kiev at 07:00 . The arrival time in Warsaw is 22:00 . Train tickets are available from 45 EUR. Find train schedules and buy your ticket via the given booking links.

Where to buy a ticket from Kyiv to Warsaw?

Our recommendation! Buy your train ticket or bus ticket at 12go. Compare ticket prices from different companies on this travel connection.

Infobus.eu offers a simple booking system for TRAIN tickets in Ukraine and Russia and to bordering countries. Also bus tickets for a lot of international connections all over Europe. Note: for some destinations use the local spelling: MOSKVA for MOSCOW, PEKIN for BEIJING, PARIZH for PARIS.

Polrail Service offers train tickets for Poland and to bordering countries.

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Warsaw - Kyiv

2d Travelling from Warsaw (Poland) to Weißenfels (Germany)

To travel from Poland to Germany by train, buy a saver price ticket ("Sparpreis Europa") of Deutsche Bahn from 39 EUR. This offer is available from selected destinations in Poland to Germany. If this special offer is not available from your departure railway station, buy first a ticket of Polish railways to one of the bigger cities in Poland. From there buy as second the saver fare ticket of Deutsche Bahn to your travel destination in Germany. Buy your ticket via the given booking links. There you find the exact train schedules and ticket prices.

Where to buy a ticket from Warsaw to Weißenfels?

Cheap train tickets! Buy your train ticket online on Omio. The easy to use booking system with very good prices and e-tickets.

Online shop for train tickets of the Polish State Railways PKP.

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. InterCity (IC) / EuroCity (EC) / Twoje Linie Kolejowe (TLK) / Express InterCity (EIC) / Berlin Warszawa Express (BWE)

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. EN 446 Warsaw - Cologne

train company: DB Deutsche Bahn / PKP IC Polskie Koleje Państwowe Intercity

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Weißenfels - Warsaw / Warsaw - Berlin / Krakow - Berlin / Gdańsk - Berlin / Warsaw - Munich / Krakow - Munich / Warsaw - Frankfurt am Main / Warsaw - Cologne / Krakow - Hamburg

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn

From one metropolis to another in four hours

An overnight journey in the russian grand express, travel in less than four hours between the two russian metropolises, with the rzd night trains, travel in style with russian railways, across the carpathians to ukraine, including a video documentation, 3a travelling from elektrostal (russia) to moscow (russia), 3b travelling from moscow (russia) to kyiv (ukraine), 3c travelling from kyiv (ukraine) to bratislava (slovakia).

To travel from Ukraine to Slovakia by train, buy your ticket at a train station. There are no online tickets available. However it is possible to buy an online ticket to Chop and then the ticket across the border locally in Chop at the station. There are two daily trains between the border stations of Chop and Cierna nad Tisou. One of them conveys the sleeping cars from Kiev and Lviv to Bratislava.

3d Travelling from Bratislava (Slovakia) to Weißenfels (Germany)

Train tickets from Slovakia to Germany are available from Deutsche Bahn (German railways). Buy these saver fare tickets "Sparpreis Europa" from 29 EUR. If your journey starts from a city in Slovakia where no saver fare ticket is available from, buy first a ticket of Slovak railways to a possible departure station. And from there a second train ticket to Germany. Find exact train schedules and train ticket fares via the given booking links. Between Slovakia and Czech Republic you will also find private express trains "Regiojet" and "Leo Express". They have very good offers which can be interesting for travelling between Slovakia and Germany if you buy two train tickets having a stopover along the way in Czech Republic.

Where to buy a ticket from Bratislava to Weißenfels?

train types: Train types you are likely to travel with. IntercityExpress (ICE) / Railjet (RJ) / SC Pendolino (SC) / Rýchlik (R) / EuroCity (EC) / EuroCity (EC) / LEO Express (LEO) / EuroCity (EC)

night train: Night trains that might be suitable for this trip. EN 40476 Budapest - Berlin / EN 444/614 Košice - Cheb / EN 442 Humenné - Prague / EN 444 Košice - Prague / EN 442/764 Humenné - Cheb

train company: DB Deutsche Bahn / ŽSSK Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko / RJ RegioJet / LEO LEO Express

train connections: popular connections travelled by other users Weißenfels - Bratislava / Bratislava - Munich / Bratislava - Berlin / Bratislava - Hamburg / Bratislava - Cologne / Bratislava - Frankfurt am Main / Košice - Munich / Banská Bystrica - Cologne / Košice - Berlin

search for train schedules here: Online timetable information, on which you can find relevant, up-to-date connections. rail.cc Deutsche Bahn / Interrail Planer App

A video documentation of the overnight train

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Do you have questions about the connection between Elektrostal and Weißenfels? Does something not work as it should? Just ask in our forum and get competent answers from our rail travel experts.

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