The Best Scenic Train Rides Around the World

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12 Stunning Train Rides You Should Take Before You Die
By Melia Robinson/ Finance/ Business Insider/ businessinsider.com

"Whether you're writing the great American novel or taking a romantic getaway, a scenic train ride is one of the best ways to get around.

The August/September issue of National Geographic Traveler rounds up images of the best train trips in the world, according to one seasoned rail rider. It's available on newsstands now.

Here are 12 of our favorites...."

California Zephyr
Marc Glucksman/Amtrak


Richard

 

[MULTIZ321]

12 Stunning Train Rides You Should Take Before You Die
By Melia Robinson/ Finance/ Business Insider/ businessinsider.com

"Whether you're writing the great American novel or taking a romantic getaway, a scenic train ride is one of the best ways to get around.

The August/September issue of National Geographic Traveler rounds up images of the best train trips in the world, according to one seasoned rail rider. It's available on newsstands now.

Here are 12 of our favorites...."

California Zephyr
Marc Glucksman/Amtrak


Richard

Well I went to the National Geographic Site that this article was based on and discovered there were some additional train trips recommended:
16 Best Train Trips in the World
By Everett Potter/ Traveler Magazine/ Travel/ National Geographic/ nationalgeographic.com

"The journey matters as much as the destination on these ultimate rail adventures...."

The Blue Train - South Africa


Richard

 

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12 of the Most Scenic Train Rides in the World
By Zoe Smith/ BootsnAll/ bootsnall.com

"Train travel has seen a resurgence in popularity over recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it eco-friendly and often cheaper than flying, but train travel provides a perfect way to traverse a country at a relaxed pace, with ample time to soak up the atmosphere, admire the views and chat up the locals along the way. Whether you prefer to travel in deluxe, 5-star cabins or crammed into a rickety carriage with every man and his goat, there’s a railway journey to suit everyone.

From trundling through canyons to an opulent safari-on-wheels or winding down snow-drenched mountains, these are 12 of the world’s most scenic train journeys to fuel your wanderlust....."

The Blue Train, South Africa


Richard

 

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The Most Epic Rail Trips Around the World
By Adrienne Jordan/ Travel/ Men's Journal/ mensjournal.com

"Skip the cramped quarters and crappy food that plague plane Opens a New Window. travel, and see the world by train. You can tour the likes of India Opens a New Window. , Vancouver Opens a New Window. , and New Zealand Opens a New Window. all while fine-dining in panoramic cars, enjoying a cocktail Opens a New Window. in plush seating, and rubbing elbows with colorful, excitable travelers without actually rubbing elbows.

Because half the beauty of a trip is getting there, believe it or not. All those looming mountains, bucolic fields, and translucent lakes you’d normally miss on a plane reveal themselves as you look on from a thundering locomotive. Here are nine of the best rail trips and tours you can take around the globe...."

Grand Train Tour of Switzerland Courtesy of Grand Train Tour of Switzerland


Richard

 

[pedro47]

Thanks Richard, thoses are some photos of trains around the world.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Thanks, Richard. The only one of the iconic "scenic" trains that I have done in its entirety is The Canadian from Vancouver to Toronto.

I have travelled on lots of European trains, including the Flying Scotsman from London to Edinburgh, many TGV and ICE trips in France, Italy and Germany, through the mountains of Switzerland (but not on the two trains mentioned) and most of the route of the classic Orient Express, but not on the modern Orient Express in the article. I have also been on the Paris-Moscow Express, but only from Berlin to Cologne back in the days of the Iron Curtain before the Berlin Wall came down.

I love to travel by train. Really enjoyed reading about the other trains. Maybe some additions to my travel bucket list.

 

[magmue]

We did the NZ TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Franz Joseph last February on the first day of our 10 day small group tour of the southern island.

We were one day ahead of Tropical Cyclone Gita for the first several days of out trip as we traveled down the west coast of New Zealand to Doubtful Sound in Fjordland National Park. The group one day behind us had to be rescued by helicopters after the only road over the pass between the sound and Lake Manapouri washed out.
All in all it was a wonderful trip.

 

[TTSDavid]

A couple of years ago in Switzerland on a trip from Zurich to Lucerne, I had the best experience as a scenic train ride. We saw mountains, lakes, and beautiful villages. It was like being in a movie!!

 

[TheTimeTraveler]

Nice pics!


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[Synergy]

Highly recommend the NYC-CHI Amtrak route that follows alongside the great lakes during leaf season. Our trains aren't as nice, but they pass through some amazing countryside.

Also did a lovely trip from Zurich to Munich through the countryside last year. There was also supposed to be pretty between Munich and Cologne, but I was sleeping off some oktoberfest silliness.

 

[Luanne]

Highly recommend the NYC-CHI Amtrak route that follows alongside the great lakes during leaf season. Our trains aren't as nice, but they pass through some amazing countryside.

Also did a lovely trip from Zurich to Munich through the countryside last year. There was also supposed to be pretty between Munich and Cologne, but I was sleeping off some oktoberfest silliness.

We've done the Amtrak along the East coast a few times. Quebec City to NYC, NYC to Philadelphia, Boston to NYC. Sometimes we were lucky enough to see the colors, sometimes not.

I would love to take the train across Canada.

 

[moonstone]

I would love to take the train across Canada.

The best part of that journey is Calgary or Edmonton to Vancouver according to everybody we've talked to who did it. The train tracks from Edmonton to Toronto (and points east) are not well maintained or kept in bumpy conditions because freight is the dominant user by far. Passenger trains often spend time waiting on sidings for freight trains to pass as they get priority. Our DDiL had to take the train from Edmonton to Toronto a few years ago due to a serious medical condition which prevented her from flying home. She said it was the bumpiest ride she'd ever been on. She was literally bounced out of bed 3 times, each time resulting in further injuries.
We have family members who have taken the Rocky Mountaineer train trip from Vancouver to Jasper and said it was amazingly beautiful. It is on our bucket list.


~Diane