Travel Ideas
The Most Scenic Train Journeys in the World in 2026
Glacier Express, Trans-Mongolian, Bergen-Oslo, Belmond Andean: 8 of the world's most scenic train journeys in 2026, length, tickets and seasons.
The Most Scenic Train Journeys in the World in 2026
Trains are back in 2026: 22% less CO₂ than the equivalent flight, scenery a plane never sees, and a journey that is the destination. Here are eight signature routes.
Europe — luxury and pragmatism
- Glacier Express (Switzerland, Zermatt-St Moritz) — 8 h, 291 bridges, full panoramic glass.
- Bergen-Oslo (Norway) — 7 h, Hardanger plateau snowy even in June.
- Cinque Terre (Italy) — regional pass, 5 cliff-side villages.
Asia — mythic distances
- Trans-Mongolian (Moscow-Beijing) — 7 days, Lake Baikal, Gobi Desert.
- Reunification Express (Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam) — 33 h, rice fields, Hai Van Pass.
- Tibet Express (Xining-Lhasa, China) — peaks at 5,072 m, in-cabin oxygen.
Americas
- Belmond Andean Explorer (Peru, Cusco-Puno-Arequipa) — luxury overnight, Titicaca, Colca.
- Rocky Mountaineer (Canada, Vancouver-Banff) — daylight-only, two classes.
How to book in 2026
- Glacier Express: CHF 159 ticket + CHF 49 mandatory panorama reservation.
- Trans-Mongolian: book second-class sleepers 6 months ahead.
- Belmond and Rocky Mountaineer: 9–12 months ahead, off winter/summer peaks.
A great train ride is never the shortest path between two cities — it’s the longest, for the right reasons.
European rail travel
Interrail Global Pass: from EUR 283 for 4 days in 1 month. Eurostar extended in 2026 to Cologne and Geneva.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Glacier Express worth it in 2026?
Yes — once: 8 hours of panorama, onboard catering, around CHF 210 all in.
Can you still ride the Trans-Mongolian?
Yes via Mongolia, but the Russian leg is complex in 2026. Beijing-Ulaanbaatar-Moscow over 6 days is the cleaner option.
Do I need a permit for the Lhasa train?
Yes — Tibet permit via an approved Chinese agency, request 30 days ahead.
Best luxury train in South America?
Belmond Andean Explorer: 2 nights Cusco-Arequipa, fine dining, Titicaca views.
