Traverse stunning landscapes on these 5 Amazing Train Trips worldwide. From mountains to coastlines, these trips promise unforgettable experiences, offering a unique perspective on the beauty of travel. Explore diverse terrains and create lasting memories on these remarkable train adventures.
5 Amazing Train Trips
Train travel has an emotional appeal for many people. Trains undoubtedly exude romance, whether through their historical tales, mysteries along the tracks, or the serene journey allowing passengers to unwind amid picturesque landscapes.
Journey by Train
Scenic railway journeys are enchanting, from the steady rhythm of narrow gauges to the high-speed trains zooming between cities at breakneck speeds. The unrelenting creativity of top-notch engineers, the unquestionably hazardous labor of numerous workers, and the never-ending parade of anecdotes from the billions of passengers who have since traveled in these carriages are all jam-packed into these journeys.
The stations are social hubs where people can interact and experience real-life local culture. So on your next adventure, why not let the train handle the stress?
TOY TRAIN – INDIA
The Kalka to Shimla Toy Train is a 90-kilometer narrow-gauge railway that is unquestionably one of India’s most memorable rail journeys for true spotters. The train begins in Kalka and winds through the plains before making a leisurely ascent through the Himalayan foothills to Shimla, which was once a popular summer resort for the British Raj.
The train travels via about eight hundred bridges that resemble Roman aqueducts made primarily of stone, as well as through about 100 tunnels on its way to the picturesque and cool (temperature-wise) town of Shimla. There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and villages as you travel at an average speed of about 12 mph, while troupes of mischievous monkeys prance around the edge of the tracks.
Given the size of the Indian railway network, the Shimla Toy Train is definitely one for tourists, but it’s also easy to become immersed in the vast majority of people who ride it every day.
A ride on one of their “express” services is a heady mix of constant conversation, limitless servings of sweet chai, and the chance to take in the beauty of this enormous, densely populated magical country. There’s no better way to connect with locals of all backgrounds and ages.
BULLET TRAIN – JAPAN
The ultramodern Shinkansen, or bullet train, is the only option if you’re itching for some seriously fast, space-age travel. You will be able to travel at up to 300 kmph while looking incredibly stylish and futuristic thanks to these sophisticated and effective white streaks.
Without any waiting rooms, passport checks, or talk of fluids smaller than 100 milliliters, these hassle-free trains get passengers from point A to point B faster than any internal flight. When you fly from Tokyo to Kyoto at a high speed, you will be astounded to see Mount Fuji—Japan’s highest peak at 3776 meters—through the window.
REUNIFICATION EXPRESS – VIETNAM
Traveling through the center of Vietnam on the Reunification Express is an exciting experience, much like traveling on the Indian Railways. The North-South Railway, also known as the Reunification Express, is an overnight train that is typically filled with people, animals, and recently harvested agricultural goods.
Though they clatter like a tin of nuts and bolts, the aging trains are unquestionably the greatest means of transportation throughout Vietnam. If you are fortunate enough to have a sleeping birth scheduled in advance, be ready to battle it out with other locals for the bed for the night. (Having a tour guide along truly helps in this situation!)
Traveling from Hanoi to Saigon can take up to two days, but it’s well worth the time as you experience Vietnamese culture. From Hanoi to Saigon, this train ride provides excellent opportunities for people watching as you pass by verdant paddy fields and quaint villages.
You can’t see much during the majority of the trip because it is through the night, but as soon as daybreak arrives, the scenery is breathtaking. Onboard, don’t miss sampling regional specialties, including tarantulas, crickets marinated in sugar, fresh durian with a distinctive aroma, and Vietnamese coffee served with sugar and condensed milk.
HIRAM BINGHAM TRAIN – PERU
A train from Poroy, 10 miles west of Cuzco, takes you right up to the enigmatic and fascinating Inca ruin of Machu Picchu, eliminating the need for walking poles. A four-day trek is not necessary to reach Machu Picchu.
The royal blue train snakes its way through the Sacred Valley, the Inca heartland, and then steams alongside the Urubamba River, where alpacas graze in their riverside pastures and white water rafters navigate rushing rapids. The Hiram Bingham train, named after the person who discovered this ancient Inca fortress, is an old train with character. It transports precious human cargo through the breathtaking Andes while the reassuring clickety-clack of the tracks beneath you plays.
This is a far cry from your boring daily commute to work. Even though you won’t be traveling as the Incas did, you will still arrive in style.
FLØIBANEN FUNICULAR – NORWAY
An excursion on the funicular railway is an essential part of any day in the picturesque merchant port of Bergen. Trade was the foundation for the “Gateway to the Fjords,” and the wealth inherited from high taxes levied on the ships that docked here funded the construction of the UNESCO-protected Bryggen Wharf.
Situated 150 meters away from the historic site, at the summit of the Fløibanen, or funicular railway, is undoubtedly the best place to see the city. Across the harbor below and out over the ocean, with the scattered islands that make up Norway’s coastline piercing the sky, are expansive views.
However, the funicular is fascinating on its own. This short ride (less than ten minutes) ascends Mount Floyen at a hair-raising angle, making it one of the steepest railways in the world. In fact, the angle is so steep that the carriages have stair-like platforms inside to prevent people from falling off. If you have a head for heights, the all-glass panels make it easy to gawk at the views of the sea and lush green mountains as you ascend.
Not to mention that the 5 Amazing Train Trips starts in a huge opening hewn out of the mountain’s rock, resembling the opening of a long-ago mine shaft. The train stops at a 45-degree angle even when it stops, and passengers have to get off right onto a set of stairs. What a feat of industry!
