7 Most Scenic Train Rides in the World

Noted for its historic prestige and breathtaking alpine views, the Semmering Railway is a celebrated journey through the Austrian landscape. As the world’s first mountain railway and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, this route winds through an impressive series of 16 viaducts, 14 tunnels, and more than 100 bridges. The journey offers dramatic vistas of deep valleys, lush forests, and charming villages, with a beauty that transforms with the seasons, from snow-draped winter peaks to the brilliant greenery and fiery foliage of summer and autumn.

What to Expect

This historic railway adventure offers natural beauty, engineering marvels, and cultural exploration. Here are some of the key highlights you can anticipate on your journey.

• Dramatic vistas of valleys, forests, and charming villages.
• Sweeping views of the Rax and Schneeberg Mountains from your vintage-style carriage.
• A hike along a scenic railway trail between the stations of Semmering and Gloggnitz.
• A stop at the famous “20-Schilling-Blick” viewpoint for a stunning vista of the Kalte Rinne viaduct.
• A visit to the Ghega Museum or the SÜDBAHN Railway Museum in Mürzzuschlag to learn about the railway's history.

For more inspiration on visiting Austria, see our best Austria vacations and tours.

Step aboard for one of the most scenic rail experiences in the world with a journey from Zermatt to St. Moritz on the Glacier Express in Switzerland. This iconic route passes through 90 tunnels and over 290 bridges. This reveals a breathtaking landscape of snow-draped peaks, lush alpine meadows, and charming mountain villages. As the train climbs the Oberalp Pass to an elevation of around 7,000 feet, you will witness sheer cliffs plunging into turquoise waters below as you cross the majestic Rhine Gorge, often called the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland.”

What to Expect

Known as the slowest express train in the world, this journey is designed for ultimate comfort and luxury. It allows you to immerse yourself fully in the spectacular Swiss Alps.

• Traveling through an incredible 90 tunnels and over 290 bridges.
• Climbing the Oberalp Pass, located approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.
• Crossing the dramatic Rhine Gorge, with its sheer cliffs and turquoise waters.
• Relaxing in exclusive, window-side seats with a personal tablet and concierge-style service.
• Indulging in a gourmet meal served at your seat in the exclusive Excellence Class.

To find out more about what Switzerland has to offer luxury travelers, take a look at Zicasso’s best luxury Switzerland tours.

Running through the rugged Highlands of Scotland, a ride on the Jacobite steam train is a nostalgic journey offering a cinematic sweep of landscapes that feel plucked from a fantasy novel. Often hailed as one of the world’s most scenic luxury rail journeys, the 84-mile round-trip route from Fort William to Mallaig carves a path through dramatic glens, shimmering lochs, and windswept moors. A highlight is crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a sweeping 21-arched bridge made famous by the Harry Potter films, where the train curves gracefully above Loch Shiel with the Glenfinnan Monument in sight.

What to Expect

This journey evokes the golden age of rail travel, combining breathtaking scenery with classic vintage charm. Here is what you can look forward to on this magical trip through the Highlands.

• Crossing the iconic 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct.
• Capturing views of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.
• Passing the deep, remote, and shimmering waters of Loch Morar and Loch Nevis.
• Seeing the tranquil silver sands and turquoise waters of the west coast as you pass through Arisaig.
• Experiencing high standards of first-class service with spacious armchairs and white-linen table service.

Include a ride on the Jacobite Steam Train in a Scotland tour that’s been customized for you.

Discover the Shivalik Deluxe Express as you travel the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train route, a jewel of Indian rail travel celebrated as one of the world’s most scenic and nostalgic luxury train journeys. This narrow-gauge train, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers a slow and immersive journey into the heart of Himachal Pradesh’s captivating landscape. Built in the early 20th century, the 60-mile route from Kalka to Shimla climbs over 5,000 feet in elevation, navigating through an impressive 102 tunnels, 864 bridges, and more than 900 dramatic curves.

What to Expect

This heritage railway offers a timeless charm and unparalleled views of the Himalayan foothills. The journey is a feast for the senses, blending natural beauty with colonial-era history.

• Traveling through 102 tunnels, 864 bridges, and over 900 dramatic curves.
• Taking in scenes of lush pine forests, cascading waterfalls, and terraced hillsides dotted with wildflowers.
• Stopping at quaint hill stations featuring charming colonial-era architecture.
• Soaking up panoramic views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the distance.
• Enjoying a cozy, intimate atmosphere in vintage carriages with cushioned seats, wide glass panels, and carpeted floors.

For more inspiration on visiting colorful India, take a look at our India tours, vacations, and travel packages.

The journey from Myrdal to Flåm aboard the Flåm Railway is widely regarded as one of the most scenic train rides on Earth, plunging nearly 2,952 feet in elevation over just 12 miles. This makes it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. As the train descends through the rugged landscapes of western Norway, you are treated to a visual feast of cascading waterfalls, deep ravines, and lush valleys framed by towering cliffs. A brief stop at the Kjosfossen waterfall allows you to step out, breathe in the crisp mountain air, and witness the roar of the water up close.

What to Expect

This short but spectacular route is an engineering marvel that provides an immersive experience of Norway’s dramatic fjordlands. It’s a journey filled with unforgettable sights and thrilling moments.

• Descending nearly 2,952 feet over just 12 miles on one of the world's steepest railways.
• Stopping to witness the power and beauty of the Kjosfossen waterfall up close.
• Enjoying unobstructed views of the dramatic terrain through large, panoramic windows.
• Catching glimpses of one of Norway’s most picturesque fjords, the Aurlandsfjord.
• Feeling the thrill of ducking into tunnels carved directly into the mountainsides.

Zicasso’s Norway tours and vacations can be personalized to include a trip on the Flåm Railway.

Step aboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway for a lush and immersive ride through the heart of Queensland’s tropical rainforest. As you wind your way through Barron Gorge National Park, this historic railway climbs from the coastal city of Cairns into the elevated village of Kuranda, passing dramatic ravines, cascading waterfalls, and dense jungle canopies. A fairytale scene presents itself at Barron Falls, where a thunderous waterfall plunges into a deep gorge surrounded by emerald foliage, a sight made even more spectacular during the wet season.

What to Expect

This journey is a sensory voyage through one of Australia’s most vibrant and ancient ecosystems. The trip is steeped in heritage and offers stunning panoramic views of untouched wilderness.

• Winding through the dense jungle canopies of Barron Gorge National Park.
• Stopping for breathtaking views of the thunderous Barron Falls.
• Enjoying panoramic vistas of untouched wilderness, hugging the mountainside along the way.
• Spotting exotic birds and butterflies flitting through the trees from the train's large windows.
• Traveling in beautifully restored vintage carriages that feature polished timber interiors and brass fittings.

For more information on what you can experience in Australia, have a look at our sample Australia tours, trips, and packages.

Enjoy a captivating 25-minute journey from Arashiyama to Kameoka through one of Japan’s most picturesque natural corridors, the Hozugawa Ravine. Often referred to as the Sagano Romantic Train, this route winds alongside the Hozu River, carving its way through steep forested cliffs and offering panoramic views of untouched wilderness. The landscape transforms dramatically with the seasons, from the light pink and white of cherry blossoms in spring to lush greenery in summer, fiery foliage in autumn, and serene, snow-dusted quiet in winter.

What to Expect

This enchanting ride offers an authentic and immersive experience of Japan's natural beauty. Its slow pace allows for quiet reflection and stunning photo opportunities.

• A 25-minute journey through the breathtaking Hozugawa Ravine.
• Witnessing the stunning transformation of the landscape across four distinct seasons.
• Traveling in a nostalgic, vintage-style train with wooden benches and wide windows.
• The option to ride in the open-air “Rich” car to fully immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of nature.
• Catching a glimpse of traditional boats navigating the rushing Hozu River below.

Zicasso’s Japan travel guide has all the information you need to plan a trip to this magnificent country.

Experience one of the world’s most scenic train rides and discover that it is more than a journey; it is a passage into the soul of a landscape. Feel the hum of the tracks as you wind through misty mountains and cascading waterfalls to sunlit valleys and coastal cliffs, noting how time seems to slow down. Whether you're nestled in a plush seat with panoramic windows or leaning into the breeze from an open-air carriage, each moment invites reflection as you capture stunning scenes, one frame at a time.

Find out more about the wonders to be experienced in some of the world’s most scenic destinations by taking a look at our Europe travel guide, our Asia travel guide and Zicasso’s Australia travel guide. Then work with one of our destination experts to plan your next rail adventure.