The Flåm Railway takes twenty minutes and costs less than a movie ticket. In those twenty minutes, you descend through twenty kilometers of fjord and waterfall—and you’ll see every single one only if you sit on the left side facing outward, in the first half of the day, ideally in May when the light hits the valley floor at exactly the right angle.
That specificity is the difference between a scenic train ride and a memorable one. Most roundups of famous railway journeys list the usual suspects with tourism-board descriptions and call it done. What they don’t tell you: which side of the train to book, what season actually matters, or whether a $3,000 ticket buys you an experience or just expensive transport. Here are eight bucket list train trips that live up to their reputation—and what you need to know before you board.
1. Flåm Railway, Norway
Twenty minutes of descent through Norway’s Flåm Valley, past eleven waterfalls and a 863-meter elevation drop. The Flåm Railway is short, spectacular, and genuinely accessible—you can do it as a day trip from Oslo or Bergen. The catch: half a million people ride it every year, which means summer trains are packed. Go early morning (the 7am departure) or late afternoon after 4pm, and sit on the left side for the best views of Kjosfossen waterfall.
The route was built in 1923 and remains one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. It’s also one of the most affordable entries on this list, at around $30–50 USD depending on season. If you’re dipping your toe into scenic train travel, this is where you start.
2. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy
Four hours from Switzerland’s Graubünden Alps into Italy’s Valtellina valley, crossing 196 bridges and climbing through a UNESCO World Heritage route. The Bernina Express is what people picture when they imagine European train travel: red carriages, alpine meadows, viaducts that look like they’re from a postcard.
Book the right side on the ascent from Chur to St. Moritz—this is where you’ll get the Morteratsch Glacier and the Bernina massif. Cost is reasonable for Switzerland, around €30–50 one-way, and the route runs year-round. Winter gives you snow-covered peaks; summer gives you wildflower slopes. Both are stunning, just different.
3. Glacier Express, Switzerland
Eight hours from St. Moritz to Zermatt, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels through the Swiss Alps. The Glacier Express is the slowest express train in the world—and that’s the entire point. Panoramic windows, white-tablecloth dining, and a route that doesn’t rush. You’re paying for the journey, not just the destination.
It runs year-round, but the experience flips between seasons. Winter is crystalline snow and empty valleys; summer is green pastures and hikers on distant trails. Cost is around €150–200 for the full route, plus dining car service. This is the famous railway journey people save up for—and it earns the hype.
4. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Two to three days through the Canadian Rockies, traveling only during daylight hours and sleeping in hotels at night. The Rocky Mountaineer is luxury packaged as a train journey: gourmet meals, glass-domed cars, wildlife spotting (elk, bears, eagles), and scenery that shifts from rainforest to glacier.
It’s expensive—$2,000 to $4,000 depending on route and season—but the satisfaction rate hovers near 97% in reviews. Spring (May to June) offers the clearest skies and the most wildlife; fall (September) gives you golden aspens. If you’re doing one bucket list train trip in North America, this is the one. Just book six months ahead for peak season.
5. Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Nine to eleven days from Moscow to Vladivostok, covering 9,289 kilometers across seven time zones. The Trans-Siberian is the most famous train journey in the world for a reason—it’s an endurance test, a moving hotel, and a cultural immersion all at once.
The first three days are repetitive: birch forest, small villages, more birch forest. The payoff comes around Day 5 when you reach Lake Baikal and the landscape opens up. Summer (June to August) gives you 16-hour daylight; winter offers sub-zero temperatures and the chance of northern lights, but trains run slower. Cost ranges from $1,500 to $3,000 depending on class. You’ll need a Russian visa, which takes 30 to 60 days to process. Plan accordingly.
6. Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Eighty-four minutes round trip from Fort William to Mallaig, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct—yes, the one from the Harry Potter films. The Jacobite is a heritage steam train, which means it’s slower, louder, and more charming than modern rail. It’s also heavily booked during school holidays, when families chase the Hogwarts moment.
Go in May or September for smaller crowds and decent weather. The route itself—past Loch Shiel, through the Highlands—is legitimately beautiful, even without the movie connection. Cost is around £50–60 for a standard seat.
7. The Ghan, Australia
Two to three days from Adelaide to Darwin, crossing Australia’s Red Centre through landscapes that go from green hills to red desert to tropical monsoon. The Ghan is a long-distance luxury train that bundles the journey with off-train excursions—Alice Springs, Katherine Gorge, Aboriginal cultural experiences.
It runs year-round, but April to August (Australia’s cooler months) is more comfortable for desert segments. Cost is high—around $2,000 to $4,000 depending on cabin class—but it’s one of the few ways to experience the Australian interior without driving it yourself. The dining car is where the experience lives: multi-course meals, Australian wines, and other travelers who chose the slow route for a reason.
8. West Highland Line, Scotland
Five and a half hours from Glasgow to Mallaig, passing Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, and the edge of the Highlands. The West Highland Line is a public transport route—not a luxury experience—which means it costs around £15–25 and runs daily. It’s also one of the most scenic train rides in Europe that doesn’t require advance booking or a tourism package.
You’ll see deer, mountain passes, and tiny stations that barely count as villages. Bring your own snacks, sit on the left for the loch views, and expect locals commuting alongside tourists. It’s the best train route for tourists who want the scenery without the performance of a luxury journey.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most scenic train ride in the world?
The Flåm Railway in Norway and the Bernina Express in Switzerland are the two most frequently cited for sheer visual drama. Flåm offers fjords and waterfalls in a 20-minute window; Bernina offers alpine passes and glaciers over four hours. Both are stunning, just different scales.
How much do famous train journeys cost?
Costs range wildly. Budget-friendly options like the West Highland Line cost £15–25; mid-range routes like the Bernina Express run €30–50; luxury experiences like the Rocky Mountaineer or The Ghan start around $2,000 and climb to $4,000 depending on cabin class and season. The Trans-Siberian sits in the middle at $1,500–3,000 for a week-plus journey.
Are scenic train rides worth the money?
Short scenic routes like Flåm and Bernina offer excellent value—you get concentrated visual impact in a few hours. Week-long luxury trains like the Rocky Mountaineer or The Ghan are worth it if you value the journey itself, not just the destination. If you’re motivated by efficient travel, fly. If you’re motivated by the experience of slow observation, these routes deliver.
Start with the accessible routes first—Flåm, Bernina, or West Highland. Test whether you actually enjoy train travel before committing to a multi-thousand-dollar bucket list route. And for the love of scenic views, check which side of the train to book before you board.