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, whether a $3,000 ticket buys you an experience or just expensive transport, and—crucially—which routes suit a family with young kids versus which demand nine days of uninterrupted rail endurance.
Here are eight bucket list train trips that live up to their reputation, organized by what they ask of you and what they deliver in return.
How to choose: cost, comfort, and commitment
Before you book, know what you’re optimizing for. Short alpine routes like Flåm and Bernina cost $2–8 per hour of travel and work as day trips—minimal physical demand, maximum scenery concentration. Multi-day luxury trains like the Rocky Mountaineer bundle hotels, meals, and guides into the ticket price, pushing cost-per-hour higher but removing all logistics. The Trans-Siberian costs less per day than most hotels but demands stamina: nine days in a moving cabin with limited mobility breaks.
Accessibility varies wildly. Flåm, Bernina, and the Scottish routes have level boarding and accessible seating; Swiss Railways provides mobility assistance at major stations. The Rocky Mountaineer offers accessible cabins with advance notice. The Trans-Siberian and The Ghan involve narrow corridors, high boarding steps, and long stretches without accessible facilities. If motion sickness is a factor, prioritize routes with wide-gauge track and gentler curves—Bernina and Glacier Express over the Jacobite’s heritage steam sway.
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—level boarding, wide aisles, and a route you can do as a day trip from Oslo or Bergen. 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—roughly $2–4 per hour of travel. If you’re dipping your toe into scenic train travel, this is where you start.
Seasonal specifics: The route runs year-round, but May to September offers the clearest waterfall visibility. Winter (December to February) brings snow-covered cliffs but reduced daylight—trains depart as late as 10am to catch usable light. Book at least two weeks ahead for summer; same-day tickets work in shoulder season.
Traveler fit: Families, first-timers, travelers with limited time or mobility concerns. The twenty-minute duration makes it manageable for restless kids and anyone testing whether they actually enjoy train travel.
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 (€8–12 per hour), and the route runs year-round. Winter gives you snow-covered peaks; summer gives you wildflower slopes. Both are stunning, just different.
Seasonal specifics: The Morteratsch Glacier is visible May through October; winter snow obscures the lower portions. Alpine wildflowers peak in late June through July. Some higher-elevation segments close briefly for avalanche mitigation (typically late November), but the main route stays open. Book panoramic cars two to three months ahead for July and August.
Traveler fit: Day-trippers, accessible-travel users (wide aisles, level boarding at major stops), photographers chasing alpine light. The four-hour duration suits most ages without requiring overnight planning.
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 (€19–25 per hour), plus dining car service. This is the famous railway journey people save up for—and it earns the hype.
Seasonal specifics: December to March offers postcard-perfect snow but shorter daylight—the full route requires an early departure to finish before dusk. June to September provides 14+ hours of daylight and visibility into high-elevation valleys. The Oberalp Pass segment (the highest point at 2,033 meters) occasionally closes for snow clearing in late November; Swiss Railways runs replacement buses during brief closures.
Traveler fit: Travelers who value slow observation over efficiency. Eight hours is too long for restless children under 7; ideal for adults who can settle into reading, photography, or conversation. Accessible seating available with advance request.
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 ticket includes all meals, two nights’ hotel accommodation, baggage handling, and onboard guides. True cost-per-hour runs $80–130 when you account for bundled services. 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.
Seasonal specifics: The train runs mid-April through mid-October only—no winter service. May and early June provide peak wildlife visibility (bears foraging post-hibernation, newborn elk). September offers the clearest mountain visibility and fewer crowds but cooler temperatures. Photography conditions peak in morning hours; afternoon light washes out glacier details.
Traveler fit: Multi-generational groups (the hotel stopovers reset energy levels), mobility-challenged travelers (accessible cabins, level station platforms, on-call assistance), and anyone who wants luxury without the logistics. Not ideal for budget travelers or those on tight timelines.
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—roughly $135–270 per day, significantly cheaper than hotels when you factor in accommodation and meals.
You’ll need a Russian visa, which takes 30 to 60 days to process; UK Foreign Office travel advisories recommend confirming current entry requirements well in advance. Plan accordingly.
Seasonal specifics: May to September is the standard window. July and August offer the warmest temperatures but also the most crowded cabins and highest prices. Lake Baikal freezes November to April, creating a different (and colder) visual experience. Book at least four months ahead for summer; shoulder season (May, September) allows shorter lead times.
Traveler fit: Endurance travelers comfortable with confined spaces, limited shower access, and long stretches between stops. Not recommended for families with children under 10, travelers with mobility challenges (narrow corridors, high bunk access), or anyone prone to claustrophobia. Best for solo travelers, couples, or small groups who can tolerate enforced togetherness.
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 (£36–43 per hour of travel).
Seasonal specifics: The Jacobite runs mid-March through late October only. July and August see the heaviest crowds and require booking three to four months ahead. May offers the longest daylight (sunset after 9pm) and blooming heather; September provides clearer skies and autumn colors. Rain is common year-round—bring layers.
Traveler fit: Heritage-train enthusiasts, Harry Potter fans, families with school-age children. The steam engine creates more vibration and noise than modern trains, which can bother sensitive travelers or very young children. Limited accessibility—steep steps, narrow aisles.
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 includes all meals, excursions, and onboard service. True cost-per-day runs $670–1,330, competitive with guided outback tours when you factor in bundled logistics. The dining car is where the experience lives: multi-course meals, Australian wines, and other travelers who chose the slow route for a reason.
Seasonal specifics: The wet season (November to March) brings humidity and occasional track delays in the northern segment; the dry season (April to October) offers stable weather and clearer visibility. Photography conditions peak in early morning light during desert crossings. Book four to six months ahead for dry-season departures.
Traveler fit: Travelers seeking cultural immersion with creature comforts, older adults who value off-train breaks, and anyone interested in Aboriginal history and Australian interior landscapes. Accessible cabins available. Not ideal for budget travelers or those prioritizing speed over experience.
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 (£3–5 per hour) 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.
Seasonal specifics: Runs year-round. Summer (June to August) offers 18+ hour daylight but crowded carriages; winter provides dramatic snow-covered peaks but limited daylight (sunset by 4pm in December). Spring (April to May) balances decent weather, manageable crowds, and blooming gorse. Same-day tickets usually available except during peak summer weekends.
Traveler fit: Budget travelers, solo explorers, anyone testing whether they enjoy slow travel without committing to luxury pricing. Accessible seating available on most services. Ideal for travelers comfortable with self-guided experiences and basic amenities.
Choosing your route
Match the journey to your actual travel style, not the Instagram version of it. If you’ve never done a multi-day train trip, start with Flåm or Bernina—short, accessible, and affordable enough that you’re not locked into a decision you regret. If you know you love slow travel and have the budget, the Rocky Mountaineer and The Ghan deliver on their promises.
Cost-per-hour matters less than total value. The West Highland Line costs £3 per hour but requires you to plan your own meals and lodging. The Rocky Mountaineer costs $100+ per hour but removes every logistical decision. Neither is better; they serve different travelers.
And for the love of scenic views, check which side of the train to book before you board. That twenty-minute window on the Flåm Railway won’t repeat itself.