Farzana FattahSo, you don’t want to be cooped up in a car. Neither do you want to be strapped to a seat in an airplane and be stuck there for the next 6 hours. I get it, I really do. That’s why I’m going to present you with another option: trains!
Think about it. You will always have that freedom to walk around whenever you need to stretch your legs, and nothing else captures the beauty of travel better than a rumbling train slowly meandering past the mountains, giving you ample opportunities for you to take it all in.
Not convinced? Let’s get you started with some of the world’s most scenic train trips to inspire you to get aboard this journey.
1. Eastern & Oriental Express, Bangkok to Singapore
Image credit: Platform9
Hop on the Eastern & Oriental Express train from Bangkok to Singapore and be prepared to marvel at the splendour so close to home. Feast your eyes on ancient villages and vast tea plantations and let this trip showcase the best of what Southeast Asia has to offer. It might be a little pricey for some as it goes for $3819.80 at Platform9, but we assure you that the view, coupled with the décor and facilities inside the train, will be worth every penny.
2. Maharajas Express, Delhi to Mumbai
Image credit: maharajas-express-india.com
India might be known for their jam-packed trains but that obviously shouldn’t deter you from trying out their luxury train trips. The Maharajas Express’s Indian Splendour takes you on an 8-day journey from Delhi to Mumbai and is definitely a must-try, especially if you have the Taj Mahal on your bucket list. Get your heart racing on an exciting game safari to Ranthambore National Park or experience camel riding in Bikaner for the first time. Prices start out at a whopping S$8000, but if you’re finding a way to treat yo’self, this is definitely one way to do it.
3. Rhine Valley, Germany
Image credit: mLu.fotos
Moving away from Asia, get started with a trip on the Rhine Valley Line and be prepared to be amazed by the beautiful architecture you’re going to witness along the way. Departing from Maine and ending at Koblenz, your eyes will be treated with views of gentle, sloping valleys filled with vineyards along the River Rhine. You’ll be kicking yourself if you left your camera at home.
Also read: 13 Days Itinerary to Italy, Switzerland and France for a Good Mix of Europe
4. 9 Days Grand Train Tour of Switzerland
Image credit: Platform9
Looking for a long, scenic trip with more dramatic scenery? Look no further! The 9 Day Grand Train Tour of Switzerland takes you on a journey that encompasses the most spectacular places in Switzerland. Going for S$3308 on Platform9, you will switch between different trains that take you on their own respective journeys to see the best of Switzerland, which ranges from Zurich to Interlaken and everything in between.
5. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Image credit: rockymountainholidays.com
Ask around for what they think about Canada and you’ll probably have most responses talking about the brutal Canadian winters. That shouldn’t stop you from hopping on the Rocky Mountaineer trains, which will definitely give you the most breath-taking sceneries in Canada. Prices range from S$1,800 to S$9,144, so simply pick a journey that suits you and get ready to be blown away!
Also read: How to Survive 27 Hours by Train in Canada
6. Amtrak Cascades, Eugene to Vancouver
Image credit: Tim
Get the best things that nature has to offer with this journey from Eugene in Oregon all the way to Vancouver in British Columbia. With grand mountains, breath-taking seascapes, and lush greenery, you’ll marvel at the beauty of Mother Nature. As if that wasn’t enough, you might even get lucky and spot a bald eagle!
7. Cusco to Machu Picchu, Peru
Image credit: Bruno Girin
Linking up the two most popular places in Peru, this round-trip will take up the entire day. There are a number of railways using this route so you can choose to be economic and take the cheaper railways or go all-out on the more luxurious lines. Either way, you’ll be winding through the Urubamba River Valley and you’ll be presented with views like the one you see in the picture above.
8. The Blue Train, South Africa
Image credit: Shine 2010
You will journey across the South African countryside from Cape Town to Pretoria for this trip. Taking 27 hours to cross over 1,600 kilometres, not only will you be treated with 5-star facilities and excellent service, you will also be greeted by the hills, grasslands, and wilderness that encompass the best of what this African sub-continent has to offer.
9. The Ghan, Darwin to Adelaide, Australia
Image credit: Roderick Eime
Be sure to hop on The Ghan’s Expedition from August to October. Strap yourselves in and be prepared for an epic 4-day journey from Darwin in the north to Adelaide in the south. You know you’re in for a real treat as soon as you lay eyes upon the Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge. Book early to enjoy cheaper prices!
10. Tranzalpine, Christchurch to Greymouth, New Zealand
Image credit: Johannes Vogel
Hailed by many travellers, the 4.5 hour journey from Christchurch to Greymouth will bring you through the prettiest journey across New Zealand’s Southern Island. From the low-lying Canterbury Plains to the majestic Southern Alps, you’re going to witness sceneries so vast and contrasting that you’ll find yourself wondering if you’re still in the same country. This is a trip you definitely won’t want to miss if you’re here to see the best of the Land of the Long White Cloud.
Also read: 15 Scenic Train Routes in the World
Have you been convinced yet? Get crackin’ and book yourselves one of these trips today!
