The Most Luxurious Train Journeys in the World
- Luxe magazine Switzerland
- Mar 25
- 4 min read
The Most Luxurious Train Journeys in the World
Luxury train travel has long been synonymous with elegance, exclusivity, and adventure. In 2025, the world’s most prestigious trains continue to offer passengers an unparalleled experience, combining five-star hospitality, breathtaking landscapes, and a nostalgic return to the golden age of travel. From Europe’s historic routes to Asia’s royal-inspired carriages, here are the most luxurious train journeys in the world.
1. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
• Route: London Venice Istanbul Paris (various itineraries)
• Why It’s Luxurious: Perhaps the most legendary luxury train in the world, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers opulent Art Deco carriages, fine dining prepared by Michelin-starred chefs, and an air of timeless sophistication. Passengers can sip champagne in the Bar Car, relax in beautifully restored 1920s cabins, and immerse themselves in a journey filled with old-world charm and exclusivity.
2. The Maharajas’ Express (India)
• Route: Delhi Mumbai Rajasthan (various itineraries)
• Why It’s Luxurious: Known as the “Palace on Wheels,” the Maharajas’ Express is designed to offer travelers a royal experience. It features sumptuous suites, a personal butler service, fine Indian and international cuisine, and guided tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Every detail reflects the grandeur of India’s royal past, making it one of the most extravagant train journeys in the world.
3. The Royal Scotsman (Scotland, UK)
• Route: Scottish Highlands (various itineraries)
• Why It’s Luxurious: A boutique hotel on rails, the Royal Scotsman offers an intimate yet lavish experience. With just 40 guests per journey, it boasts Edwardian-style cabins, a luxury spa, and a fine whisky collection. Travelers enjoy exclusive stops at Scotland’s castles, distilleries, and private estates, making it a must for those seeking refined luxury with a touch of adventure.
4. The Eastern & Oriental Express (Southeast Asia)
• Route: Bangkok Singapore Kuala Lumpur (various itineraries)
• Why It’s Luxurious: Combining colonial elegance with exotic landscapes, the Eastern & Oriental Express takes passengers through the heart of Southeast Asia in absolute style. The train offers sumptuous suites, world-class dining, and immersive cultural experiences, such as guided visits to ancient temples and floating markets.
5. The Rovos Rail (South Africa)
• Route: Cape Town Pretoria Victoria Falls
• Why It’s Luxurious: Often called the “Pride of Africa”, the Rovos Rail delivers an unmatched luxury safari experience. With vintage wood-paneled carriages, private lounges, gourmet dining, and all-inclusive excursions, it combines elegance with adventure as it crosses the stunning landscapes of southern Africa.
6. The Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)
• Route: Cusco Lake Titicaca Arequipa
• Why It’s Luxurious: South America’s first luxury sleeper train, the Andean Explorer offers a unique way to experience the breathtaking Peruvian Andes. Featuring sumptuous cabins, a spa car, and a refined dining experience inspired by local flavors, it provides a rare blend of adventure and indulgence, with stops at iconic sites like Machu Picchu and Colca Canyon.
7. The Seven Stars in Kyushu (Japan)
• Route: Kyushu Island (various itineraries)
• Why It’s Luxurious: A masterpiece of Japanese craftsmanship, the Seven Stars in Kyushu combines traditional aesthetics with modern luxury. With handcrafted wood interiors, private suites, and gourmet kaiseki cuisine, it’s one of the most exclusive train journeys in the world. Limited to just 14 suites per trip, it offers a level of privacy and exclusivity that is unmatched.
8. The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia, Mongolia, China)
• Route: Moscow – Vladivostok (or Beijing)
• Why It’s Luxurious: The Golden Eagle transforms the epic Trans-Siberian Railway into a five-star experience, with luxury en-suite cabins, private dining, and cultural excursions across Russia’s vast landscapes. With domed observation cars and fine dining featuring Russian delicacies and caviar, this train brings elegance to one of the world’s longest railway journeys.
9. The Train Belle Époque (Switzerland)
• Route: Montreux – Zweisimmen
• Why It’s Luxurious: A journey through Switzerland’s breathtaking landscapes in a lavishly restored 1920s-style train, the Train Belle Époque is an Art Nouveau masterpiece. With plush velvet seating, wood-paneled interiors, and fine Swiss dining onboard, it transports passengers back to the golden age of travel. Offering spectacular views of Lake Geneva, the rolling vineyards, and the Swiss Alps, it is a must for lovers of elegance, nostalgia, and high-end travel.
10. The Ghan (Australia)
• Route: Adelaide Alice Springs Darwin
• Why It’s Luxurious: Crossing the Australian outback in unparalleled comfort, the Ghan offers plush suites, gourmet cuisine featuring regional ingredients, and immersive off-train excursions. Whether it’s a private dining experience under the stars or a helicopter tour over the desert, this legendary train redefines the concept of adventure travel.
Luxury on Rails: A Timeless Experience
As the world embraces a return to slow travel, luxury trains continue to captivate discerning travelers looking for exclusivity, elegance, and adventure. Whether it’s crossing the Alps in a Belle Époque carriage, sipping champagne in the bar of the Orient Express, or exploring the heart of Africa on the Rovos Rail, these journeys offer an experience far beyond transportation they are moving five-star hotels that embody the art of travel.