Who has not dreamed of taking a trip on one of those famous, historic and legendary trains, luxuriousor touring amazing landscapes? Who did not dream of a journey surrounded by mysticism and, above all, a different rhythm of their own?
Itineraries with a starting point and an arrival point, but in which the main objective is the journey and the train, the cabin, the dining car and the excitement shared with those next to you at each stop.
For the landscapes that run on the other side of the window, for the stories and stories that have inspired, for the itineraries and the mystique around them, there are several trains that, in different parts of the world, offer a super attractive proposal. And high-end.
Surely at this point you are already thinking about the Orient Express -inaugurated in 1883 with the Paris-Istanbul route-; in Agatha Christie -who made her first trip in this formation in 1928-, or directly in the detective Poirot trying to solve a murder on board.
Different routes on board the Venice Simplon Orient Express train.
Under the brand Venice Simplon Orient Express, with part of the restored historic cars and a very luxurious service, today invites you to make some trips, such as Paris-Venice, and replicate in five nights – and for almost US $ 24,000 – the route to Istanbul.
Another legend about rails is the Trans-Siberian, opened in 1904, which goes from Moscow to Beijing, but for now it is not operating.
If instead of aiming at history or mysticism we privilege the panorama, then we go to Rocky Mountaineer, with journeys in North America and its own concept: the train is enjoyed during the day and at night you sleep in hotels. In 2022 it won the World Travel Awards as "Best Luxury Train".
From the Blue Train in South Africa, the Palace on Wheels or the Maharaja's Express in India to the Al Andalus in southern Spain or the British Pullman in the United Kingdom, the train and tour options are many, with impeccable services. Here, a selection to imagine an upcoming trip on rails.
Andean Explorer Train in Peru. Photo Andean Explorer
1. Andean Explorer (Peru)
It is the first luxury night train in South America and one of the highest railways in the world: it reaches 4,477 meters high (for comparison, the Train to the Clouds, in Salta, reaches 4,220 on the La Polvorilla Viaduct).
The Andean Explorer will operate again from 18/5, with two-night stretches in an itinerary that combines the powerful history of the ancient Inca capital of Cusco, the curious floating islands of the Uros in Lake Titicaca -the highest navigable lake in the world-, the caves of Sumbay and the white city of Arequipa.
An observatory car. Photo Andean Explorer
It has 11 cabin cars -the "personal sanctuary" with air conditioning, safe and bathroom-, 2 dining cars, observatory bar and even a spa car.
The company also operates the Hiram Bingham train -in honor of the explorer who in 1911 arrived at Machu Picchu and spread its existence- for a full day excursion (without sleeping cabins), with departures 5 days a week.
2. Rovos Rail (Africa)
From 48 hours to 15 nights, Rovos Rail offers 11 different itineraries.
One of the most popular short journeys is the one that reaches the spectacular Victoria Falls, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Several tours in Africa. Photo Rovos Rail
The tour is 1,400 km in 3 or 4 nights departing from Pretoria, where the company has a private station in Capital Park, with a railway museum.
Among the long journeys, the Dar es Salaam is an epic journey of 5,530 km in 15 nights and starting in Cape Town. It runs through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania and is one of the most famous routes in the world.
"We are a family business and we have just celebrated our 34th anniversary. We connect some of the best destinations on the continent with a variety of excursions and a return to the era of slow travel, with simple and elegant trips. We provide a complete digital detox," they say from the company via e-mail, and emphasize that on board there is no radio or TV.
Moments shared with other passengers. Photo Rovos Rail
Each train has accommodation carriages (private bathroom, air conditioning, safe), dining room, gift shop, smoking lounge and an observation car with outdoor balcony.
3. The Ghan (Australia)
It links Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the Northern Territory: with its red and white locomotive, The Ghan is an Australian icon. Its logo, the camel, represents its history and the crossing of the desert, and recalls the Afghan camel drivers who arrived in this land in the nineteenth century.
From the south to the north of Australia, by train. Photo The Ghan / Journey Beyond
In 1929, with a steam locomotive, the first train travelled from Adelaide to Stuart (later Alice Springs) and was named The Afghan Express, which later became The Ghan. It transported military at the time of World War II, and in the 70s played an essential role moving supplies for agriculture and mining.
Currently still rolling, but as a premium 3 day/2 night trip (there are also 1 and 3 nights), with experiences in Alice Springs and Katherine and including the Red Centre, Nitmiluk National Park and the amazing underground city of Coober Pedy.
Trips of 1, 2 and 3 nights. Photo The Ghan / Journey Beyond
4. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada and United States)
Under the motto "The majesty of the Rocky Mountains meets the comfort of a luxury train ride", the Rocky Mountaineer differs from the other proposals because it offers trips of several days but passengers do not sleep on the train, but in hotels.
The fort of the Rocky Mountaineer, the wagons with glass roof. Photo Shutterstock
Opened in 1990 and winner in 2022 in the category "Best Luxury Train" in the world at the World Travel Awards, it operates in western Canada and the southwestern United States: three routes connect Vancouver with Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper, in the Canadian Rockies, and a fourth connects Denver, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. and Moab, Utah, United States.
Its strong point, the iconic brand, is in the cars with dome or glass roof through which the landscape invades the formation in motion. And the cuisine, which is renewed every season, with ingredients from the regions it crosses.
With the Rocky Mountaineer, passengers sleep in hotels. Photo Shutterstock
5. Royal Scotsman (Scotland)
Interesting way to promote the experience of this train that runs through the Highlands of Scotland: "Royal Scotsman is one of those moments of 'pinching'", as if it were difficult to believe what one is seeing and living on board this train with routes of 2 to 7 nights.
The Royal Scotsman has several proposals in Scotland. Photo Royal Scotsman
A brief experience could be Taste of the Highlands, 2 nights, departing from Edinburgh. It proposes to visit the Cairngorms National Park (the largest in the United Kingdom), the battlefield of Culloden and Strathisla, one of the oldest distilleries.
Another tempting itinerary is "Clans, Castles and Islands", 5 nights. In addition to passing by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the United Kingdom, it includes sites such as Oban, gateway to the Western Isles (visit Mull Island, where the Tobermory distillery is located, and Duart Castle, base of the Maclean clan).
Also Mount Stuart House, a country house on the Isle of Bute, and Drumlanrig Castle, near Thornhill, built between 1684 and 1691.
Some outings are themed. Photo Royal Scotsman
There are special outings such as the Scotch Malt Whisky Tour, which includes several distilleries and a membership of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society. Or that of chef Tom Kitchin, who deploys his culinary philosophy "From nature to plate" as the train travels between Edinburgh, Boat of Garten, Inverness and Dundee.
A recent novelty is the merger with Christian Dior to create the Dior Spa Royal Scotsman, a car dedicated to wellness.
6. El Transcantábrico (Spain)
Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia -the green north of Spain- on board a train, on a journey of 8 days and 7 nights. The Transcantábrico began operating in 1983, it was the first tourist train in Spain. It connects San Sebastian with Santiago de Compostela (you can choose to travel in one direction or another) and passes through places like Santander, Oviedo, Gijón and Bilbao, among others.
Luxury service to tour the north of Spain. Photo El Transcantábrico
It operates with original wagons from the 20s and for sleeping offers 14 suites with lounge, bedroom and bathroom. It also has a Panorama car, with large windows.
At each stop there are unmissable proposals: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the picturesque town of Potes and the La Hermida Gorge, the El Capricho palace (by Gaudí), the historic center of Santillana del Mar, rock art in the Cave of Altamira, the imposing Sanctuary of Covadonga, Luarca, Ribadeo, the iconic Playa de las Catedrales and much more.
In Santiago de Compostela await the Parador de los Reyes Católicos, the Plaza del Obradoiro always full of pilgrims and the Cathedral.
The train runs through Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria and the Basque Country. Photo El Transcantábrico
7. Deccan Odyssey (India)
World Heritage sites, fortresses, palaces and cultural experiences on six distinct itineraries. Inspired by the ancient Maharajas (princes), it is a 5-star hotel on rails and each passenger has a personal assistant 24 hours a day. It has 21 cars, including 11 with cabins, one for conferences, two restaurant cars, spa, bar and more.
The itineraries, all 8 days and 7 nights, were born with epicenter in the state of Maharashtra, central-western area of India that includes busy Mumbai (or Mumbai), one of the most populated cities in the world.
One of the cabins of the Deccan Odyssey, with several itineraries in India. Photo Deccan Odyssey
Among the proposals there are also departures / returns to Delhi and jewels such as the Taj Majal in Agra; Ranthambore National Park (in the north, one of the best places to see tigers); Udaipur, the symmetrical and pink Jaipur, the caves of Ellora and its temples dug in rock, or the sacred Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges.
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