Rail travel at its finest
There’s something undeniably magical about travelling by train. It’s the perfect balance between comfort and adventure – where the journey itself becomes part of the story. With panoramic views, regional cuisine, and a front-row seat to landscapes you just can’t see from 35,000 feet, scenic rail journeys offer a slower, more meaningful way to travel.
And trust me – I’ve never had a traveller return from one of these trips without raving about it.
Here are five of our favourite rail experiences from around the world, each paired with a trusted tour company whose style and values align with our own.
1. The Ghan & Indian Pacific – Australia with Journey Beyond
Travel Style: All-inclusive luxury rail expeditions
Operator: Journey Beyond Rail Expeditions
Journey Beyond is the gold standard in experiential travel across Australia – and their iconic rail journeys are no exception. I’ve personally experienced The Ghan from Alice Springs to Darwin in a solo cabin and it was next-level. From gourmet Australian cuisine to off-train excursions in the Red Centre, every moment felt seamless and indulgent.
Whether you’re crossing the continent on the Indian Pacific, exploring the south coast on the Great Southern, or heading north aboard The Ghan, this is rail travel at its finest – slow, scenic, and spectacular.
2. Traverse New Zealand by Train – with Great Journeys New Zealand
Travel Style: Escorted scenic tours with premium and classic options
Operator: Great Journeys New Zealand
New Zealand’s landscapes are made for train travel – and Great Journeys NZ makes sure you see the best of them in style. Hosted aboard award-winning trains, these itineraries combine iconic routes with time to explore lesser-known towns and cultural treasures.
Choose from their Signature Tours (with 4–4.5 star hotels, premium activities and deeper cultural immersion) or their Classic Tours (offering a balance of guided travel and free time). Either way, you’ll get to soak up the views through panoramic windows while everything else is taken care of.
3. Epic Rail Adventure through Japan – with Intrepid Travel
Travel Style: Small group, immersive cultural travel
Operator: Intrepid Travel
Fast-paced, culturally rich, and deeply immersive – this 13-day Japan itinerary with Intrepid is built around the country’s world-class rail network. Think: bullet trains, local inns, street food markets and traditional villages, all tied together with expert local guides and a small, like-minded group.
From Tokyo to Kyoto, Hiroshima to Takayama, this trip delivers a true cross-section of Japanese life – with scenic rail as the thread that binds it all together.
4. Venice to Sorrento – with Explore!
Travel Style: Moderate comfort, experience-led small group travel
Operator: Explore!
Italy’s rail system makes it easy to explore the highlights without the hassle – and this small group journey from Venice to Sorrento is a great example. You’ll sip spritzes by the canals of Venice, wander Bologna’s markets, hike the Path of Lemons on the Amalfi Coast and explore ancient Pompeii – all by train, with no airport queues in sight.
Explore! specialises in well-paced adventures with time to really soak it all in. It’s about walking the streets, not rushing through them – and this trip is perfect for first-time Italy travellers wanting variety and depth.
5. Splendour in the Rockies – with APT Touring
Travel Style: Premium escorted luxury with exclusive experiences
Operator: APT Touring
When it comes to luxury rail journeys, the Rocky Mountaineer is the crown jewel – and APT’s 13-day Canadian Rockies tour takes it to another level. You’ll roll through alpine wilderness in GoldLeaf Service, stay in luxury lodges, sip wine in the Okanagan and even meet a Mountie in Banff.
APT is known for its seamless, high-end travel experiences, with thoughtful inclusions and curated moments that go beyond the brochure. If you want a five-star rail journey with a side of Canadian charm – this is it.
