The World by Rail
Rail travel at the highest level can feel cinematic - guests in formal wear, a martini arriving at just the right moment. The world’s most glamorous trains are less about transportation than atmosphere, lacquered carriages winding through picturesque landscapes as glassware clinks and a the sounds of jazz drifts through the halls. This is the type of trip wherein the journey is allowed to be the point.
The vintage romance of train travel is back in a big way, and not just in Europe. For clients who love hotels, design, and a strong sense of occasion, we’ve put together a list of some of the most beautiful and epic travel journeys on earth.
Southeast Asia
The Eastern & Oriental Express
Itineraries on the Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond Train, depart from Singapore and travel through Malaysia, with experiences designed around the landscapes and cultural texture of the region. There is a Dior Spa onboard and dining shaped by chef André Chiang; the carriages themselves are gilded and swathed in vibrant velvets and silk brocade. The brand’s partnership with the wildlife organisation Save Wild Tigers aims to protect the critically endangered Malayan Tiger, and guests can disembark in the small village of Merapoh, to learn from the volunteers who support the local community. Back on board, pass the time before dinner by posting up in the observation car with a cocktail and for watching the scenes of jungle and rice fields sliding by the windows.
In a wider itinerary: This journey works beautifully paired with a great exploration of southeast Asia. Start with a couple nights in Singapore before embarking; on the back end, take advantage of the proximity to Indonesia to hop on a phinsi for a few nights at sea before ending at Nihi Sumba for a spa safari and surf lessons. Singapore Air’s excellent product and service makes this long-haul a no-brainer.
Japan
Seven Stars in Kyushu
Japan is known for its incredible rail connectivity and efficiency, but getting from one megalopolis to another as efficiently as possible is one thing; moving down the rails surrounded by Japanese craftsmanship is another. Travelers interested in the latter will want to join the lottery to ride the Seven Stars, which has just 10 suites. The design is deeply considered, with meticulous attention to woodwork (the paneling in each car is made from a different type of wood), textiles, and light. The routes traverse Kyushu’s seven prefectures across a rail network of roughly 3,000 kilometers, with the train designed as much around the feeling onboard as the scenery outside. It is one of the most exclusive rail experiences in the world, and one of the most distinctly rooted in its destination: quiet, refined, and profoundly Japanese in its sense of hospitality.
In a wider itinerary: Seven Stars belongs inside a slower, design-forward journey through Japan rather than as a standalone trophy booking. Get acclimated with a stay in Tokyo or Kyoto beforehand, and continue on to Benesse House on Naoshima for a few days of contemporary art before boarding the train on Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost major island.
Scotland
The Royal Scotsman
With its tartan banquets, wide picture windows, and deep whisky cellar, the Royal Scotsman, a Belmond Train, feels like a beautifully mannered country house set on rails. From the moment you’re greeted at Edinburgh’s Waverley Station by a be-kilted bagpipe player, there’s a special feeling of Scottish magic afoot, but if you’re really trying to get to Hogwarts, join the three-night Western Scenic Wonders journey, which crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct on the second day. There are also itineraries focusing on clans, castles, isles, homes and gardens, and distilleries, and the occasional journey wherein the kitchen is helmed by a celebrity chef.
In a wider itinerary: Start with Edinburgh for a few nights of city energy (our favorite time to visit is late summer, during the Tattoo and the heart of festival season), then let the Royal Scotsman introduce the countryside at a slower tempo before continuing into a country estate stay, whisky-focused touring, or a few restorative nights in the wilds.
Canada
Rocky Mountaineer
While perhaps less ornate and glam than the other trains on this list, you’d be hard-pressed to find more stunning landscapes along tracks anywhere in the world than the ones you’ll pass through while aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. Bi-level glass-dome coaches mean you’re veritably surrounded by scenery, and the gourmet meals are prepared by onboard chefs. In the evening, you hop off the train and sleep in a real hotel bed, before reboarding in the morning to complete the journey. Everything is designed around the views of rivers, peaks, forests, and that unmistakable feeling of Western scale. The major routes connect Vancouver with Banff or Jasper, so if you’ve had the Great White North on your to-do list, this is the smoothest way to check it off.
In a wider itinerary: Pair time on the train with British Columbia’s unique flavor of fjordian adventure, staying deep in the forest in a cabin or tent at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort or Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. This is education disguised as adventure, and a perfect itinerary for families with school-age kids, with myriad opportunities to see some of North America’s most impressive landscapes and wildlife up close.
Peru
Andean Explorer & Hiram Bingham
Belmond has two ways to experience Peru by rail. If sleeping on a train is not for you, the Hiram Bingham remains the most exclusive train to Machu Picchu, with elegant interiors, fine dining, live music, and a strong sense of occasion built into the route. Departing Cusco at 9AM, you’re at Machu Picchu for an afternoon hike, and pulling back into Poroy Station by 9:30PM. Travelers with more time, however, can board the Belmond Andean Explorer - this is the country’s true long-form rail experience, traveling between Cusco, Puno, and Arequipa with an onboard spa and observation spaces from which to take in wide skies, ochre plains, lake light, and the quiet drama of the Andes.
In a wider itinerary: A few nights in Cusco and the Sacred Valley make for the right prelude, after which you can choose between a Machu Picchu-focused experience via Hiram Bingham or a broader southern Peru arc on the Andean Explorer, continuing on to Lake Titicaca, Arequipa, or even Colca Canyon. Cross the border into Bolivia to combine the trip with a visit the surreal Iyuni salt flats.
Europe
Orient Express La Dolce Vita
Over on the Italian tracks, the sexiest new train in town as of 2025 is the Orient Express La Dolce Vita. The design draws on the swinging glamour of 1960s style. Itineraries range from shorter journeys, such as Rome to Venice, to longer multi-night routes through destinations including Portofino, Matera, Palermo, and even onward to Istanbul, with a specific focus on what you’re experiencing when you step off the train, like a visit to Orsoni Venezia 1888 glassworks to see the furnace at work creating the shimmering mosaics the city is known for. Back on the train, the sepias and oranges in the decor and the occasionally groovy furniture is more Fellini than flapper; languorous dinners are courtesy of three Michelin-starred Heinz Beck.
In a wider itinerary: There are infinite ways to experience Italy, and the Orient Express La Dolce Vita only adds to the embarrassment of riches. Use your time on board to see quieter corners of the country, before finishing with some time in the scene on Capri or in Portofino.
