The Best Train Trips in the World: 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards

A global mix of over-the-top luxury and some no-frills favorites—from the Swiss Alps to the Peruvian Highlands.There’s something so chic, so glamorous that only a train can pull off. While the airlines keep testing our patience with last-minute gate changes and lost baggage, trains just get sturdier, slower, and better with time. And unlike faster modes of transport, the best rail journeys don’t just move you from one place to another. They thread you through landscapes that highways can’t reach–the Peruvian highlands, the Canadian Rockies–and show you a vantage point that only exists at ground level, at this speed, from this window.For the 39th annual Readers’ Choice Awards–which capture the travel experiences our readers love best, from hotels to cruises, islands and luggage–we asked all of you to rank the best of the best rail journeys out there. Yes, there are the big ticket, bucket list journeys we all know and aspire to book for ourselves one day. But this year, there were a surprising number of newcomers, including some no-frills public transit you can hop on for the price of a decent lunch–no reservations, no fanfare, just a ticket and a seat by the window. Here’s how you, the readers, ranked them: These are the best train trips in the world.Courtesy Jungfrau Railway20. The Jungfrau Railway — SwitzerlandThe pinnacle of riding the Jungrau–literally and figuratively–is visiting Jungraujoch, the highest rail station in Europe, perched at a staggering 11,332 feet, and the culmination of Switzerland’s most high-adventure rail journey. From Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, the classic route travels by the Wengernalp Railway to Klein Scheidegg, where passengers change to the Jungfrau Railway for the final climb through–not over, through–the Eiger Glacier to Jungfraujoch.Courtesy Golden Eagle19. The Golden Eagle Silk Road Express — Central AsiaThere's no journey that marries adventure and romance quite like the ancient and venerated Silk Road, and on The Golden Eagle's route through Central Asia, passengers are able to glide through the world's most iconic trade route. From an Uzbek palace once occupied by Tamerlane to the leafy streets of Almaty, Kazakhstan, antiquity and modernity braid together on this glide through this historic path. When it comes to interiors, expect unfailingly kind service in dining cars decked with white tablecloths, gold-rimmed cups, and tasseled drapes. Should you choose to spring for the Imperial Suites, take the passing mountain views in from a king-sized bed.Courtesy Indian Pacific18. The Indian Pacific — AustraliaSpanning an extraordinary 2,700 miles between Sydney and Perth, and Indian Pacific is one of Journey Beyond’s flagship journeys–four days, three nights, crossing the Blue Mountains, the goldfields of Western Australia, and the endless expanse of the Nullarbor. Stops in Adelaide and tiny towns such as Cook (population: four) round out the experience, as does all-inclusive service complete with fantastic food and Australian wines. Complete this journey and you’ll have an all-new appreciation for the vastness of Australia crossed horizontally.Switzerland Tourism / André Meier17. Bernina Express — SwitzerlandIn just four hours, the Bernina Express climbs from Chur through the Swiss Alps to Tirano, Italy, climbing over the Bernina Pass and reaching over 7,000 feet above sea level along the way. This train in particular is an engineering marvel, winding its way through 55 tunnels and nearly 200 bridges, including the famous Landwasser Viaduct. Through the panoramic windows, the landscape changes quickly: alpine villages, forests, glaciers and lakes. It’s no wonder this railway has achieved UNESCO World Heritage status.Canyon Spirit16. Canyon Spirit — USFormerly under the Rocky Mountaineer umbrella but having spun off unto its own Canyon Spirit brand–still the same ownership, though–the Rockies to the Red Rocks journey carries passengers through some of the American West’s most spectacular terrain, covering a lot of ground in a single trip. The two-day journey travels alongside the Colorado River, through Glenwood Canyon and the dramatic red landscape of Ruby Canyon, with an overnight stop in Glenwood Springs. There are no sleeping berths onboard and your one night is spent in a hotel, but the seamless service gets you on and off the carriages with efficiency.VIA Rail Canada15. The CanadianIt takes a full four days and three nights to cross Canada from Toronto to Vancouver aboard The Canadian, a transcontinental service operated by VIA Rail. But during that time, you’ll soak up all the grandeur and scale of the country–from the lakes and forests of the Canadian Shield to the wide-open prairies and the dramatic peaks of the Rockies and the Coastal Range before pulling into Vancouver. Sleeper Plus cabins offer private accommodations, while Prestige Class offers larger cabins with private bathrooms and showers, along with concierge service and elevated dining.Courtesy Anantara14. The Vietage by Anantara — VietnamThis luxury railway carriage connects Da Nang with Quy Nhon and Nha Trang along the country’s central coast, passing rice fields, villages and quintessential coastal mountains along the way. The six-hour journey between Da Nang and Quy Nhon includes a three-course meal inspired by Vietnamese and French cuisines, and the route between Quy Nhon and Nha Trang features an afternoon tea service complete with local caviar, Vietnamese cheeses and premium teas. It’s the most seamless–and perhaps the most delicious–way to move between Central Vietnam’s top destinations.Belmond 13. Royal Scotsman, A Belmond Train — ScotlandIt’s about the journey, not the destination, right? Nowhere is train travel more indulgent—or convenient!—than on Belmond’s Royal Scotsman, which departs from and arrives at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. With only 36 guests onboard, the train circumnavigates the heart of the Scottish Highlands, passing such landmarks as the Kyle of Lochalsh and Cairngorms National Park. There’s even a dedicated spa carriage outfitted by Dior, where the specialists are trained to synchronize their motions with the natural lilts and tilts of the train.Courtesy Nappa Valley Wine Train12. Napa Valley Wine Train — Calif.What better way to savor all the wines of Napa Valley than from the comfort of a train, someone else at the wheel? This century-old Pullman carriage is one of Napa’s most enduring, charming attractions. It travels thirty-six miles round-trip between downtown Napa and St. Helena, winding its way through vineyards along the way. The restored cars date to the early 20th century and retain their polished wood, plush seating and old-world details, while the onboard service turns the journey into a proper dining experience. Book the six-hour Legacy Experience for three wine-tasting stops, a four-course meal, and even some spirited dancing onboard. It’s a quintessential way to do the Napa Valley without worrying about how you’re getting around.Ludovic Balay11. Eastern & Oriental Express, A Belmond Train — Southeast AsiaThe E&O is the stuff of train enthusiasts’ legends, and in February 2024 this storied train resumed service after its pandemic-era pause, complete with a new-and-improved itineraries between Singapore and the wilder parts of Malaysia. The new routes offers a deeper exploration of Malaysia than ever before, including guided snorkeling on Langkawi and excursions to Taman Negara National Park. Despite the changes, the train still has all the old world touches that people love: Singapore Slings in the Bar Car, an outdoor viewing platform, and the sense that you’ve become disconnected from modern life altogether. New for this year, the “Taste of Tomorrow” series invites acclaimed chefs to collaborate with the train’s Culinary Curator on select itineraries.quangpraha/Getty10. Vietnam Central Heritage ConnectionDon’t limit your Vietnam visit to Ha Long Bay: this train makes the argument for allocating some time spent exploring the country’s equally stunning interior. Opened in early 2024, this rail journey connects the historic cities of Hue and Da Nang. In just three hours you’ll be immersed in the panoramas of Tam Giang-Cau Hai Lagoon, Lang Co Bay, and the soaring Hai Van Pass. Sit back and relax in one of the quiet carriages designed for relaxation, or head to either of the two community carriages complete with live performances of traditional music and dance. And at about $11 for a one-way fare, it’s far and away the most affordable train journey on this list.Courtesy Belmond9. British Pullman, A Belmond Train — EnglandThe British Pullman’s experience is magical no matter where you’re seated. Once you depart London, you’ll embark on a journey through the bucolic British countryside, touring cities and towns like Cambridge, York, and Canterbury along the way. The restored carriages date back to the 1920s and 1930s, so expect Art Deco touches, polished interiors, and classically prepared multi-course meals. This is the same train line that has served British royalty and government officials for years, after all. In 2026, the British Pullman introduced a “Celia” carriage, designed by visionary filmmaker Baz Luhrmann and his partner, the Oscar-winning costume and production designer Catherine Martin–and if that isn’t a theatrical approach to luxury, we aren’t sure what is.Courtesy Glacier Express8. Glacier Express — SwitzerlandIt’s been said that the Glacier Express is the slowest express in the world (it takes eight hours to traverse the 180-mile journey), but boy, do the views here invite a slow journey. Connecting the resort towns of Zermatt and Saint Moritz, the train provides an up-close perspective of some of this mountainous country’s most iconic natural features, including the Matterhorn, Piz Bernina, and the Rhine Gorge, dubbed Switzerland’s Grand Canyon. Book in Excellence Class and you’ll be served Champagne at your seat, followed by a six-course meal complete with wine pairings.Richard James Taylor/Courtesy Belmond7. Hiram Bingham, A Belmond Train — PeruNamed after the US explorer who supposedly “discovered” Machu Picchu in 1911, the Hiram Bingham train line is as grand as the man’s claims. The round-trip journey connects the city of Poroy (just west of Cuzco) to the Lost City and Sacred Valley of Machu Picchu. It’s a short journey (just three to four hours each way), but in that time you’ll enjoy lavish meals (again, made all the more lavish by that 2024 menu refresh), to to accommodations that offer plenty of space to stretch out: the perfect setting for viewing the mountains and rivers zooming past the window.This gallery has been updated with new information since its original publish date.For over twelve years, award-winning travel writer Todd Plummer has traveled the globe in search of compelling narratives and passionate people. He is a seasoned connoisseur of hotels and ecotourism experiences, and his regions of interest include Canada, Southern Africa, and his native New England. An adventurer, skier, and polo ... Read More