Best Scenic Train Rides Around the World: 10 Journeys Worth Taking
A magnificent train journey can turn the trip itself into an integral part of the destination. The challenge arises when time and travel budgets are limited, forcing you to choose from among the famous routes. Mountain passes, glaciers, fjords, forests, and remote valleys each offer a vastly different experience; therefore, selecting the best and most scenic train journey depends on the type of landscapes you wish to see and how much time you want to spend on the train. The exceptional and visually stunning train journeys highlighted here feature spectacular scenery and routes that travelers can realistically plan to experience.
Quick Overview
| Scenic Train | Country | Route | Approx. Journey |
| Bernina Express | Switzerland / Italy | Chur–Tirano | Around 4 hours |
| Glacier Express | Switzerland | Zermatt–St. Moritz | Around 8 hours |
| Rocky Mountaineer | Canada | Vancouver–Banff/Lake Louise | 2+ days depending on package |
| TranzAlpine | New Zealand | Christchurch–Greymouth | Around 5 hours |
| Flåm Railway | Norway | Myrdal–Flåm | About 1 hour |
| West Highland Line | Scotland | Glasgow–Mallaig | 5+ hours |
| GoldenPass Express | Switzerland | Montreux–Interlaken | Around 3 hours |
| Gotthard Panorama Express | Switzerland | Lucerne–Lugano | Full-day journey |
| Bergen Railway | Norway | Oslo–Bergen | Around 6–7 hours |
| Kandy–Ella Railway | Sri Lanka | Kandy–Ella | Several hours |
What Makes a Scenic Train Ride Worth Taking?
A scenic train ride should offer more than a large window and a famous name. The strongest routes combine changing landscapes, interesting railway engineering, and enough time to enjoy the scenery without spending the entire journey in a station.
Mountain railways often provide the biggest visual contrast. A single trip can move from glaciers and snow-covered peaks to green valleys, lakes, or Mediterranean landscapes.
The journey length also matters. A one-hour railway can work perfectly for a short holiday, while an eight-hour route gives you a much deeper look at a region.
1. Bernina Express — Switzerland to Italy
The Bernina Express is one of Europe’s most striking Alpine rail journeys. It runs through the Swiss Alps and continues toward Tirano in Italy, combining high mountain scenery with dramatic descents into warmer landscapes.
The route crosses the Bernina Pass and passes the Landwasser Viaduct, glaciers, mountain lakes and the Brusio spiral viaduct. Rhaetian Railway says the panoramic journey includes 55 tunnels and 196 bridges, while the route forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage railway landscape.
The scenery changes quickly, which gives the journey its character. You can see high-altitude Alpine landscapes before the railway descends toward the Italian side and its noticeably warmer surroundings.
Best for: Alpine scenery, photography, and travelers combining Switzerland with northern Italy
2. Glacier Express — Switzerland
The Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz across the Swiss Alps. The full journey takes around eight hours, making it one of the world’s most famous long-distance panoramic train experiences.
The route crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels and includes major sights such as the Landwasser Viaduct, Rhine Gorge and Oberalp Pass. The Matterhorn also forms part of the scenery around Zermatt.
The long travel time gives you enough opportunity to watch the landscape change rather than rushing from one viewpoint to another.
The Glacier Express currently runs according to summer and winter timetables, with an annual operating break. Travelers should check the official timetable before booking because schedules and operating dates change.
Best for: A full-day Alpine experience with panoramic windows and a relaxed pace.
3. Rocky Mountaineer — Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer offers several scenic rail routes through Western Canada. Its 2026 Canadian routes include journeys linking Vancouver with Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, depending on the itinerary selected.
The First Passage to the West route travels through British Columbia toward the Canadian Rockies. The official 2026 product information highlights mountain passes, lakeshores, the Kicking Horse Canyon, Spiral Tunnels, glaciers, and snow-covered peaks.
Unlike a typical overnight train, Rocky Mountaineer journeys focus on daytime sightseeing, with overnight accommodation included in many packages.
Best for: Travelers who want a premium rail holiday through the Canadian Rockies.
4. TranzAlpine — New Zealand
The TranzAlpine crosses New Zealand’s South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth. The journey passes across the Southern Alps and combines Canterbury plains, mountain landscapes, river valleys and the West Coast.
The route includes rural stations such as Springfield, Arthur’s Pass and Moana. Arthur’s Pass provides access to the national park and the surrounding Southern Alps.
The full journey takes just under five hours, depending on the service. Great Journeys NZ currently operates the TranzAlpine daily, although travelers should check the latest timetable before departure.
Best for: Travelers who want dramatic mountain scenery without committing to a multi-day train holiday.
5. Flåm Railway — Norway
The Flåm Railway, or Flåmsbana, connects Myrdal and Flåm in Norway. The 20-kilometer journey drops from Myrdal at 867 meters to Flåm near the Aurlandsfjord.
The railway passes steep mountains, waterfalls, forests, and fjord scenery. With a journey time of about one hour, it works well for travelers who want a memorable railway experience without spending most of a day on the train.
The railway has a particularly steep profile, with most of the route carrying a gradient of around 5.5 percent. The service also stops at Kjosfossen for several minutes so passengers can view the waterfall.
Best for: Fjords, waterfalls and a short scenic journey.
6. West Highland Line — Scotland
The West Highland Line runs from Glasgow into the Scottish Highlands, with services continuing toward Fort William and Mallaig. ScotRail describes the line as a major scenic railway featuring open moorland, mountains, lochs and the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
The route takes you through landscapes that feel increasingly remote as the train moves away from Glasgow. Rannoch Moor, Loch Lomond and the Glenfinnan area provide some of the journey’s most recognizable scenery.
The full Glasgow-to-Mallaig journey takes just over five hours according to ScotRail’s current visitor material.
Best for: Highland scenery, lochs and travelers who want a scenic railway that also functions as regular public transport.
7. GoldenPass Express — Switzerland
The GoldenPass Express connects Montreux and Interlaken, taking passengers from Lake Geneva toward the Bernese Oberland.
SBB lists the GoldenPass route among Switzerland’s major panoramic rail journeys. The route travels between Zweisimmen and Montreux while connecting with the wider Swiss rail network.
The scenery changes from lakeside views around Montreux to mountain landscapes and valleys in the Bernese Oberland.
It also works well for travelers building a wider Switzerland itinerary because you can connect it with other rail journeys instead of treating it as a standalone trip.
Best for: A shorter Swiss panoramic journey combining lakes and mountains.
8. Gotthard Panorama Express — Switzerland
The Gotthard Panorama Express combines two forms of transport: a boat journey across Lake Lucerne and a panoramic train journey toward Ticino. SBB describes it as a route connecting central Switzerland with the Mediterranean-influenced landscapes of Ticino.
That combination makes it different from a conventional scenic train. You get lake scenery before continuing through the historic Gotthard route by rail.
The journey works particularly well if you want scenery and transport variety within the same day.
Best for: Lakes, mountains, and travelers who want more than a train-only experience.
9. Bergen Railway — Norway
The Bergen Railway links Oslo and Bergen across southern Norway. The journey moves through forests, lakes, and mountain terrain before reaching the country’s western side.
The route also provides a useful connection for travelers who want to combine Norway’s major cities with other scenic rail experiences, including the Flåm Railway.
If you have several days in Norway, the Bergen Railway can form part of a larger rail itinerary rather than requiring a separate trip.
Best for: Long-distance Norwegian scenery and combining cities with mountain landscapes.
10. Kandy to Ella — Sri Lanka
The railway journey between Kandy and Ella offers a very different experience from the polished panoramic trains of Switzerland or Canada.
The route passes through Sri Lanka’s hill country, with tea plantations, forests, mountain slopes,s and small communities along the way. The landscape changes gradually as the train climbs deeper into the central highlands.
The journey works particularly well for travelers who want to see everyday life and rural scenery rather than only designated tourist viewpoints.
Best for: Tea country, tropical mountain scenery and a more local rail experience.
Best Scenic Train Rides by Landscape
Your choice becomes easier if you know what kind of scenery you want.
| If you want to see | Consider |
| Glaciers and high Alps | Bernina Express |
| Long Alpine journey | Glacier Express |
| Canadian Rockies | Rocky Mountaineer |
| Southern Alps | TranzAlpine |
| Fjords and waterfalls | Flåm Railway |
| Scottish Highlands | West Highland Line |
| Lakes and Swiss mountains | GoldenPass Express |
| Lake and mountain combination | Gotthard Panorama Express |
| Norwegian mountain landscapes | Bergen Railway |
| Tea plantations and tropical hills | Kandy–Ella |
How to Choose a Scenic Train Ride
Choose the landscape first
Do not choose a train simply because you see it repeatedly on travel lists. Decide whether you want mountains, glaciers, fjords, forests, lakes, es or rural landscapes.
That decision quickly reduces the number of suitable routes.
Check the journey length.
A one-hour journey such as the Flåm Railway fits easily into a busy itinerary. The Glacier Express requires most of a day, while Rocky Mountaineer packages can form part of a multi-day holiday.
Your available time should influence the route as much as the scenery.
Check the season
Some scenic railways operate year-round, while individual services or routes can change with the season.
For example, the Glacier Express publishes separate summer and winter schedules and has an annual operating break.
Book through the official railway
Scenic trains often have different ticket classes, reservation requirements, and seasonal schedules. Booking directly through the railway or official operator gives you the current timetable and fare information.
It also helps you avoid relying on old travel information.
Scenic Train Rides vs Regular Trains
You do not always need a luxury panoramic train to enjoy spectacular scenery.
Switzerland provides a good example. SBB lists several panoramic trains, including the Bernina Express, Glacier Express and GoldenPass routes, but the wider Swiss rail network also reaches many of the same mountain regions.
The difference often comes down to the experience. A dedicated scenic train may provide panoramic windows, reserved seating and onboard services, while a regular train can give you greater flexibility and more departure options.
If scenery matters more than the train itself, compare both options before booking.
What to Bring on a Scenic Train Ride
A little preparation makes a long rail journey more comfortable.
- Keep your camera or phone ready for sudden viewpoints.
- Carry water and small snacks if the operator allows them.
- Bring a light jacket because temperatures can change between stations.
- Check whether your train has an observation or panoramic carriage.
- Download tickets and reservation details before leaving your hotel.
- Check luggage rules before arriving at the station.
- Keep your itinerary flexible if the route passes through mountainous areas.
For long journeys, choose a seat that gives you a clear window view and avoid blocking the glass with large bags.
When Is the Best Time to Take a Scenic Train?
There is no single season that works for every route.
Winter can bring snow-covered mountains to Alpine routes, while summer usually provides longer daylight and easier access to mountain areas. Autumn can add changing foliage to routes through forests and valleys.
Norway’s Flåm Railway currently operates throughout the year, while the Glacier Express uses seasonal timetables and an annual break. Always check the operator’s current schedule before planning around a specific date.
Final Tips for a Better Scenic Train Experience
Book early when the route has limited seating or strong seasonal demand. Great Journeys NZ currently recommends advance booking for the TranzAlpine because the service can sell out.
Check the actual route rather than judging a train by its name. Some operators sell several journey lengths, and a shorter section can sometimes fit your itinerary better.
Most importantly, leave room in your schedule. A scenic train ride works best when you can watch the landscape instead of constantly checking the time.
Explore more: Largest Bridges in World
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best scenic train ride in the world?
There is no single objective choice. The Bernina Express, Glacier Express, Rocky Mountaineer, TranzAlpine and Flåm Railway all offer very different scenery and travel experiences.
Which scenic train ride is best for mountains?
The Bernina Express and Glacier Express are strong choices for Alpine mountain scenery. The TranzAlpine offers a different mountain experience across New Zealand’s Southern Alps.
What is the best short scenic train ride?
The Flåm Railway is a good option for a short trip. The Myrdal–Flåm journey takes about one hour and includes mountains, waterfalls, and fjord scenery.
Which scenic train ride is best in Canada?
The Rocky Mountaineer offers several routes through Western Canada, including journeys between Vancouver and Banff, Lake Louis,e or Jasper depending on the package.
Is the Glacier Express worth a full day?
The full Zermatt–St. Moritz journey takes around eight hours and crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Travelers who enjoy slow-paced Alpine sightseeing may prefer the full route, while others can choose shorter sections where permitted.
Which scenic train is best for Switzerland?
The Bernina Express, Glacier Express, GoldenPass Express, ss and Gotthard Panorama Express all offer different Swiss landscapes. SBB currently lists these among its major panoramic rail experiences.
Can I take scenic trains in winter?
Yes, several scenic railways operate in winter, although schedules can change. Check the official operator before booking because some services have seasonal breaks.
Do scenic trains require reservations?
It depends on the railway. Some services require or strongly recommend reservations, while others operate like normal regional trains. Check the official booking page for the specific journey.
