14 most Insta-perfect luxury train journeys of the world

Monday, October 4, 2021

With social media platforms emerging every other day, the very concept of traveling has changed over the years. People search for the most Instagrammable journeys and locations just by the click of a mouse. In a case study by Club Med, a list of the 14 most luxurious train trips around the globe is revealed.





The study was made on Rocky Mountaineer, Venice Simplon Orient Express, The Canadian, The Ghan Flam Railway, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Presidential Train, Indian Pacific, Australia & New Zealand, Rovos Rail, Southern and Eastern Africa, Rovos Rail, Southern and Eastern Africa, Golden Pass Panoramic Express, Europe, Golden Eagle Moscow to Vladivostok, Seven Stars Kyushu, Japan and Maharajas’ Express Delhi to Mumbai. The study is based on reviews, sights, ticket prices and social rankings.

The Rocky Mountaineer – The luxurious train journey takes passengers through breathtaking European landscape along 4 different routes- First Passage to the West, Journey through the Clouds, Rainforest to Gold Rush and Rockies to the Red Rocks.

Venice Simplon Orient Express– One of the most iconic trains is back on wheels and is ready to welcome travellers with nostalgia and glamour. Spellbinding destinations through new routes make this journey truly one-of-its-kind. The traditional route between Paris, London, and Venice is now complemented by departures from Venice to the beautiful cities of Vienna, Prague Istanbul and Budapest.

The Canadian– The VIA Rail Canadian Train gives its passengers a rare opportunity to see Canada’s diverse scenery from the bright city lights of Toronto City to landscapes of the Rockies and the West Coast in one exciting journey. The train connects Toronto and Vancouver with stopovers at Jasper, Winnipeg and Edmonton.

The Ghan-A legendary train takes its passengers on an unforgettable Australian adventure on a grand Outback Spirit journey. The journey is classified into The Ghan, The Ghan Expedition, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and The Overland based on the routes the train runs through. It traverses through the world’s largest island which makes the journey special.

Flåm Railway, Europe– The Flåm Railway has been described as one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world and is one of the leading tourist attractions in Norway. The train runs from the end of Aurlandsfjord, a tributary of the Sognefjord, up to the high mountains at Myrdal station. The journey features the finest aspects of the stunning scenery of Western Norway.

Glacier Express, Europe– This is the famous scenic train link between St-Moritz and Zermatt in Switzerland. In an 8 hours’ journey, the red and white Glacier Express takes passengers through the Alpine heartland of Switzerland from the foot of the Matterhorn in the Valais region of Switzerland through Graubünden and to the Engadine region.

Bernina Express, Europe– The Bernina Express train route takes its passengers through incredible alpine landscapes and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Trains run in both directions from Chur, Davos or St. Moritz in Switzerland to Tirano in Italy. There are 25 stops along the route.

The Presidential Train, Portugal– The Presidential Train is a journey through the most enchanting corners of Portugal aboard the train that once carried presidents, heads of state, kings and popes for over a century. A unique exclusive day-long experience combining the luxury train travel, the incredible Douro Valley landscape, wonders of haute cuisine and the delicacy of fine wine.  It’s the Presidential Train, with limited seating, running from Porto to Quinta do Vesuvio winery and back.

Indian Pacific, Australia & New Zealand– Few train journeys are as epic as the Indian Pacific. From Sydney on Australia’s east coast across the entire continent to Perth in the west, it passes through landscapes as varied as the spectacular Blue Mountains and the endless flat, otherworldly stretches of the Nullarbor Plain. Expect comfortable cabins, excellent food and fascinating day trips, which differ on the return route.

Rovos Rail, Southern and Eastern Africa– A journey unlike other travelling on a Rovos Rail luxury train is a truly unique experience. Covering some of Africa’s greatest destinations such as Victoria Falls, Cape Town, Namibia and Dar es Salaam, the Rovos Rail experience is the finest way to travel Southern and East Africa.

Golden Pass Panoramic Express, Europe– This scenic train ride connects central Switzerland with Lake Geneva. Travel all the way from historic Lucerne to Montreaux and enjoy tall mountains, green valleys and endless vineyards. It allows passengers to experience the change from one culture to another through the journey.

Golden Eagle Moscow to Vladivostok– Undoubtedly the world’s greatest railway journey, the Trans-Siberian Railway runs like a steel ribbon through Russia. It connects east and west from Moscow over the Urals, across the magnificent and endless steppe and alongside the shore of the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Seven Stars: Kyushu, Japan– On this route, passengers will ride the “Seven Stars in Kyushu” cruise train around 5 of Kyushu’s prefectures (Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima). They can also enjoy off-board excursions along the journey. On this route, the train will travel along the Hisatsu Orange Railway, one of the most scenic railway tracks in Kyushu. Guests can enjoy views of the Yatsushiro and East China Sea as the train skirts along the coast.

Maharajas’ Express: Delhi to Mumbai– The best part of the tour includes cultural immersion during local expeditions, insider experiences like sundowner cocktails amidst sand dunes, elephant painting & joyrides and some shopping experiences among others. Starting from Mumbai, the train crisscrosses through the medieval caves of Ajanta, forts and palaces of Rajasthan and the majestic Taj Mahal during the Heritage of India Tour.

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