Five-Star Feels On Rails
Planes get you there. But trains let you live a little on the way. There’s a lot more to trains than just the commuter cars or plastic tray tables. You get cabins with bathtubs, private chefs, and views that feel like moving paintings. We’re talking about world-class rail experiences where the ride itself is the luxury. If you’ve ever dreamed of slow travel done right, these are the 20 trains that deliver.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
Gleaming wood panels and crystal glassware set the stage for an indulgent travel experience. Art Deco interiors, initially built in the 1920s, remain preserved with stunning detail. Michelin-trained chefs prepare gourmet meals as the train glides through Europe’s dreamiest routes.
2. The Maharajas’ Express (India)
Velvet-lined corridors and gold-trimmed walls showcase India’s regal heritage. With a Presidential Suite covering an entire carriage, guests experience unmatched grandeur on the Maharajas’ Express. Awarded “World’s Leading Luxury Train” multiple times, it offers gourmet dining, panoramic windows, and a private butler.
Aswin Krishna Poyil on Wikimedia
3. Royal Scotsman (Scotland, UK)
Sapphire lochs and misty hills roll past grand windows as you enjoy fine cuisine on the Royal Scotsman. Only 40 guests board each trip through Scotland’s lush highlands. The ambiance reflects a Highland manor, enhanced with personal stewards and even an onboard spa.
4. Rovos Rail (South Africa)
Polished teak interiors and vintage charm welcome passengers aboard Rovos Rail. Here, old-world elegance meets modern comfort with clawfoot tubs and private lounges. The open-air observation car makes wildlife spotting unforgettable, offering a graceful, stylish way to chase the horizon.
Col André Kritzinger on Wikimedia
5. Eastern & Oriental Express (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand)
Teakwood walls and silk-panel screens line the cabins as Southeast Asia unfolds beyond. The interiors are inspired by British colonial elegance, with design details that reflect the golden age of travel. Singapore to Bangkok never felt so cinematic. The open-air observation deck adds a romantic final touch.
6. Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
Snow-draped peaks, turquoise rivers, and ancient forests fill the panoramic windows of this Canadian marvel. Rocky Mountaineer’s GoldLeaf Service features bi-level glass-domed coaches and outdoor viewing platforms. Between Vancouver and Banff, luxury rides in harmony with the Rockies’ wild beauty.
7. The Blue Train (South Africa)
Royal-blue exteriors conceal interiors of opulent scale. Think goose-down bedding, bathtubs in motion, and attentive personal butlers. Traveling between Pretoria and Cape Town, this experience transforms everyday travel into an elegant affair. On the Blue Train, comfort and grandeur take center stage.
Bob Adams from Amanzimtoti, South Africa on Wikimedia
8. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
Alpine villages and snow-capped peaks drift by like moving postcards aboard Glacier Express. In Excellence Class, guests enjoy concierge service, a curated wine list, and gourmet tasting menus. The eight-hour ride crosses 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, where breathtaking engineering meets unforgettable scenery.
9. Golden Eagle Danube Express (Central Europe)
Winding from Budapest through Vienna, Prague, and Istanbul, this boutique hotel on rails redefines luxury across Central Europe. It features plush cabins with underfloor heating, rich wood accents, and personal stewards. Panoramic windows frame historic cities and countryside cloaked in old-world charm.
Golden Eagle Danube Express: Highlights by Golden Eagle Luxury Trains
10. Seven Stars In Kyushu (Japan)
Tatami textures and shoji screens create a tranquil, minimalist elegance throughout the cabins of this train. As it winds through volcanic valleys and misty coastlines, passengers experience a living tribute to Japanese heritage, complete with regional cuisine, seasonal performances, and moments of mindful beauty.
11. Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru)
Bold mountain ranges rise around cabins lined with alpaca wool and Peruvian textiles. Designed to traverse Peru’s stunning Andean routes, the Belmond Andean Explorer comes equipped with oxygen-enriched air and a piano bar. Travel becomes poetic between Cusco and Lake Titicaca.
Belmond Andean Explorer Luxury Train by Peru Full Adventure
12. Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express (Russia)
On this train, frostbitten scenery rolls endlessly as guests enjoy grand suites with private service. The two-week journey from Moscow to Vladivostok features Imperial Suites, accompanied by personal guides and in-suite dining. Each day brings vast, shifting scenery as grand as the hospitality.
The Golden Eagle - Trans Siberian Express by Cruising on Rail
13. El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo (Spain)
Northern Spain’s coastline scrolls by on this train, as guests appreciate marble bathrooms, walk-in closets, and à la carte dining. Once a vintage train, it has been reborn as a five-star boutique hotel on rails, connecting cities like Bilbao, Oviedo, and Santiago in opulence.
Luxury Train Club on Wikimedia Commons
14. Al Andalus (Spain)
The Superior Suite on Al Andalus provides a double bed that transforms into a daytime lounge. With private facilities and controlled temperature, it delivers comfort within a setting inspired by classic Spanish design. From Seville to Granada and Córdoba, each stop reveals Moorish marvels and sun-drenched charm.
15. Deccan Odyssey (India)
The Deccan Odyssey rolls through India’s western heartland like a royal procession. Inside, mahogany walls, marble bathrooms, and spacious suites offer a regal retreat. Stops include Maharashtra’s forts, Goa’s beaches, and Gujarat’s palaces—each paired with curated excursions, onboard fine dining, and attentive five-star service.
16. Tren Crucero (Ecuador)
Tren Crucero climbs from coastal Guayaquil to Andean Quito, tracing a route carved by volcanoes and time. Its vintage coaches blend Ecuadorian craftsmanship with discreet luxury—think leather armchairs and open-air viewing. Along the way, villages and cloud forests tell Ecuador’s story in motion.
Agencia de Noticias ANDES on Wikimedia
17. The Ghan Expedition (Australia)
Crossing Australia north to south, The Ghan Expedition delivers luxury deep into the outback. Platinum Cabins feature en-suite bathrooms and panoramic windows. From Darwin to Adelaide, the four-day journey unveils Red Centre wonders like Katherine Gorge and Alice Springs, paired with guided off-train adventures.
First Class Sleeper Train Across Australia | The Ghan by Trek Trendy
18. Hiram Bingham (Peru)
The Hiram Bingham Presidential Suite delivers old-world elegance on rails, winding through Peru’s Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. Outfitted with polished wood, brass fixtures, and plush seating, it offers open-bar service and live music—all against a backdrop of breathtaking Andean scenery.
Jorge Láscar from Australia on Wikimedia Commons
19. Shiki Shima (Japan)
Shiki Shima redefines rail travel with its two-story suites. Designed by Ken Okuyama, this ultra-luxury train glides through eastern Japan’s forests, coasts, and mountains. It serves cuisine created by Michelin-starred chef Katsuhiro Nakamura, blending modern design with refined Japanese hospitality throughout the journey.
20. Golden Chariot (India)
The Golden Chariot weaves through southern India with carriages themed after ancient dynasties. Rich silk drapes, carved wood panels, and Ayurvedic spa services set a regal tone. As it journeys from Bengaluru to Kochi, guests explore temples, palaces, and coastal beauty, wrapped in India’s southern heritage and hospitality.