Discover why rail holidays are the ultimate travel experience. From the Glacier Express to the Rocky Mountaineer, ETW Travel explores the world’s most spectacular train journeys.
There’s a special feeling when a train leaves the platform and the scenery starts to glide by your window. You don’t have to deal with cramped aeroplane cabins, busy service stations, or the stress of waiting for your luggage. Instead, you get to watch the world slowly reveal itself in all its detail. Train travel has always had a unique charm that other ways of getting around just can’t match, and right now, it’s making a big comeback.
At ETW Travel, we believe your journey should be just as special as your destination. That’s exactly what rail travel offers, and even more.
What Makes Train Travel Such a Special Holiday Experience?
Train travel changes your perception of distance. Flying often feels like a chore between home and your destination. By train, especially on world-renowned routes, the journey becomes the holiday.
Think about what you get with train travel: big windows that show off amazing views, the chance to walk around, stretch your legs, visit the dining car, or just relax and watch the scenery go by. On longer trips, sleeping cabins turn overnight travel into a real treat. You can fall asleep in one country and wake up in another. This is slow travel at its best.
Train travel is also very convenient. Stations are usually right in the centre of cities, not far away on the outskirts. When you arrive, you step out onto a familiar street and you’re already where you want to be. Plus, if you care about the environment, trains produce much less carbon than planes. It’s one of the most sustainable and enjoyable ways to see the world.
The Best Train Journeys in Europe
Europe is still the heart of great train journeys, and today’s travellers have an amazing variety of routes to choose from.
Switzerland alone has two of the world’s best train journeys. The Glacier Express, known as the slowest express train in the world, travels between Zermatt and St. Moritz, passing snowy Alpine peaks, deep valleys, and charming villages that look like they’re straight out of a storybook. The Bernina Express, a UNESCO World Heritage route, goes even further, crossing glaciers and dramatic spiral bridges before arriving in sunny northern Italy.
If you love a bit of glamour, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is truly one of a kind. Its vintage carriages, fine dining, and top-notch service bring back the golden age of travel. Whether you go from London to Venice or Paris to Verona, this is a trip you’ll remember for a long time.
Italy also has the stunning La Dolce Vita Orient Express, inspired by the elegance of 1960s Italy and perfect for relaxed journeys through the country’s most beautiful scenery. You’ll see the vineyards of Tuscany, the charm of Venice, and the dramatic southern coast of Sicily, all at a comfortable train pace, with great food and style along the way.
Closer to home, the West Highland Line from Glasgow to Mallaig is still one of Britain’s most stunning routes. You’ll pass wild moorland, quiet lochs, tall Highland peaks, and the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which many film fans will recognise. This journey shows why Scotland is one of Europe’s top travel spots.
Great Rail Adventures Beyond Europe
Some of the world’s most amazing train journeys are outside Europe, and if you’re looking for a real bucket-list adventure, there are plenty of great choices.
Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer is truly one of the best travel experiences you can have. You’ll see turquoise lakes, tall mountains, ancient forests, and maybe even some wildlife, all from huge windows as the train moves through breathtaking scenery. VIA Rail’s The Canadian is a longer trip that’s just as impressive, taking you across the Rockies, prairies, and forests to show you the real size and beauty of Canada.
In the American Southwest, the Rocky Mountaineer USA route from Denver to Moab offers a totally different experience. You’ll see deep canyons, bright red-rock landscapes in Utah and Colorado, and the Colorado River flowing right next to the tracks for miles.
If you want real adventure, The Ghan travels across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin, passing through red deserts, remote outback towns, and dramatic gorges. It’s one of the world’s great cross-country train trips and truly unique. India’s Maharajas’ Express mixes palace-style interiors and gourmet food with famous cultural stops like the Taj Mahal. In Southern Africa, Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa combines safari scenery with classic luxury, while Golden Eagle Luxury Trains links amazing places across Europe and Asia for the most adventurous travelers.
Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Book a Rail Holiday
Rail travel is more popular than ever. Slow travel, which means choosing to go at a pace that lets you really experience each place, has gone from a small trend to something many people want. More travellers now look for holidays where the journey is just as important as the destination, and trains make this possible better than any other way to travel.
Whether you’re enjoying the romance of Italy on La Dolce Vita, the stunning Canadian Rockies, or the classic style of the Orient-Express, a great train trip gives you something most holidays don’t: the rare pleasure of relaxing and watching the world pass by.
At ETW Travel, we’re excited to help you find your ideal rail adventure. Contact our team today and let’s start planning a trip you’ll always remember.
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