13 Scenic Train Rides Around the World That Feel Like Time Travel
Some train rides don’t just take you to a place—they take you back in time. From colonial routes through jungles to alpine passes that haven’t changed in decades, these journeys are a reminder that slow travel still holds magic.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
Crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, this ride between Zermatt and St. Moritz is a moving museum through the Alps. The pace is slow, the windows panoramic, and the views timeless. You glide past storybook villages, ancient viaducts, and snowy peaks—without ever opening your door.
The Ghan, Australia
Stretching from Darwin to Adelaide, The Ghan echoes the early days of Australian exploration. The red desert, ghost towns, and endless horizon create a surreal rhythm. Inside, vintage decor and classic hospitality make the experience feel decades old—in the best way.
Tren a las Nubes, Argentina
This “Train to the Clouds” climbs to over 13,000 feet in the Andes. Originally built to connect remote mining towns, it still follows its original engineering marvels. You’ll feel like a 20th-century adventurer navigating high-altitude railways once carved by sheer grit.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe
Step aboard and you’re instantly in the 1920s. Crystal chandeliers, polished wood, and Art Deco detail transport you to a golden age of travel. Whether you’re bound for Paris, Venice, or Istanbul, the journey is more about the ride than the destination.
Shongololo Express, Southern Africa
This lesser-known luxury train rolls through South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, offering glimpses into colonial-era Africa. Old railway stations, savannah landscapes, and curated excursions give you a sense of how travel once unfolded across continents—leisurely and layered.
Kyushu Seven Stars, Japan
Unlike Japan’s bullet trains, this cruise train slows things down. Handcrafted interiors, soft jazz, and elegant service recall pre-digital refinement. Traveling through rural Kyushu, you experience traditional hospitality that feels gently suspended in time.
Palace on Wheels, India
Inspired by royal carriages, this opulent train rolls through Rajasthan like a moving palace. Elephant motifs, antique furnishings, and old-world butler service create a bygone feel. Outside your window: forts, deserts, and cities unchanged by centuries.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge, USA
Built in the 1880s for silver mining, this steam-powered ride in Colorado hasn’t lost its grit. As the locomotive huffs through canyons and along cliffs, the sense of industrial-age exploration is strong—soot, smoke, and scenery included.
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Spanning nearly 6,000 miles from Moscow to Vladivostok, this route feels endless—and ageless. Time slows as you cross taiga forests, steppe, and villages lost to modern maps. It’s not luxury, but it’s rich in moments that feel untouched by now.
Napa Valley Wine Train, USA
This train doesn’t rush. Restored 1950s railcars glide through vineyards while multi-course meals and wine pairings add to the vintage charm. It’s a nod to when dining and travel weren’t separate experiences, but part of the same elegant journey.
The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
Think tartan, whisky tastings, and misty glens. This train through the Scottish Highlands feels like stepping into a historical drama. Wood-paneled cabins and Edwardian etiquette give the whole experience a slow, dignified charm rarely seen today.
Train des Pignes, France
Running from Nice into the mountains of Provence, this narrow-gauge ride dates back to the 1890s. Small stations, stone villages, and hand-cranked signs make you feel part of a quieter Europe, before mass tourism reshaped its rhythm.
The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
You may recognize it as the “Hogwarts Express,” but this steam train through Glenfinnan Viaduct is rooted in Scottish railway history. Billowing smoke, vintage cars, and wild scenery give it a magical, otherworldly quality—even without the wizards.
