most scenic train rides in the world

Start Point St. Moritz/ Davos/ Chur in Switzerland End Point Zermatt, Switzerland Mention the words Glacier Express to any train aficionado and watch his eyes light up like a child. This is arguably the most beautiful train route in the world, twisting and turning through 91 tunnels and 291 bridges as it makes its way from St. Moritz to Zermatt. The craggy Alps in the background and green rolling pastures in the foreground make this one epic trip youll never forget.

Start Point Varies End Point Varies Theres no two questions about it the Orient Express is the worlds most famous train. Its featured in movies, TV shows and countless novels. Sadly, the original train ceased operations in 2009, citing rising costs and stiff competition from high speed trains. Fortunately for train lovers, hotel chain Belmond bought the rights to the train and now runs a number of luxury rail services on various routes, including the original, iconic Paris Istanbul line.

Start Point Seward and Whittier, USA End Point Fairbanks, USA Americas least populated state is filled with verdant forests, towering mountains, and virgin beaches. The best way to see the stunning natural beauty of Alaska is a six day trip aboard Alaska Railroad. Youll run past the Denali and Kenai Fjords National Park, swing your way from the heart of the Yukon wilderness to the verdant coast near Anchorage , and cross dozens of bridges as you journey up to Fairbanks. The landscapes are so beautiful that youll even forget the generally poor condition of the train itself.

Start Point Bangalore, India End Point Goa/Kochi As the longest railway network in the world (some 71,000 miles and counting), the Indian Railways is crucial to the countrys infrastructure. Most trains in the network are cheap with limited facilities and tons of crowds. You really wouldnt want to get aboard one of them unless you really know what you are doing. However, a range of new trains, such as Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, Palace on Wheels, and especially The Golden Chariot are changing this perception. Painted in brilliant shades of purple and blue, this train travels through the major tourist destinations in South India. You get gorgeous views, impeccable service, and great food.

Start Point Moscow, Russia End Point Vladivostok, Russia The Golden Eagle traces the famous Trans Siberian Railway line, traveling from the western end of Russia to its eastern coast, crossing 8 time zones and two continents. At 6,000 miles, it is the longest train journey in the world. Besides the Moscow Vladivostok route, it also offers routes through the Silk Road towns along Russias borders, and routes that run through Russias arctic region.

Start Point Chicago, USA End Point Portland/Seattle, USA For much of the journey, youll barely stifle yawns as the train lumbers through cornfields and flatlands. Then it enters Montana and the cornfields give way to hills and vast wilderness. You perk up a little, maybe hoping for the fabled landscapes youve heard so much about. You glimpse a few peaks, the forest grows thicker, and before you know it, youre right in the middle of the most beautiful place in the two Americas Glacier National Park. This stretch through the million acres of the park alone makes the entire trip worth it.

Start Point Myrdal, Norway End Point Flam, Norway This tiny train winds through deep fjords and dramatic mountains as it makes its way up from Myrdal to Flam. The scenic beauty of the Flam Line has helped turn it into the third most visited tourist attraction in the country.

Start Point Darwin, Australia End Point Adelaide, Australia The Ghan luxury train covers 1,851 miles as it crosses the heart of the Australia continent, windings its way from Darwin to Adelaide. Its easily the most comfortable way to witness the scenic beauty of the Australian outback and experience life in the countrys remotest towns.

Start Point Singapore End Point Bangkok, Thailand The Eastern and Orient Express covers South East Asia s most beautiful landscapes and tourist spots as it winds its way from Singapore to Bangkok. Along the way, it stops at Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth (Malaysia) and Kanchanaburi (Thailand), covering a total of 1,262 miles. With its stunning natural beauty, excellent Thai/Malaysian food, and luxurious interiors, you can see why it ranks among the 25 best train journeys in the world.

Start Point Edinburgh, Scotland End Point Varies This tourist favorite carries 36 passengers (yup, just 36) through some of Scotlands most dramatic landscapes. Youll cover Scotlands famous lochs, highlands and craggy cliffs with regular stops at tiny Scottish villages. Best of all, youll do it at a pace that barely excess 20mph at any given time.