Whether you're looking to devour a five-course meal while enjoying panoramic views or fancy something a little more splashy, there are plenty of options for the opulent train enthusiast.
This method of travel will continue to gain popularity in 2024, according to luxury travel expert Jan Luescher, who told Business Insider that luxury travelers have had a "shift in attitude" regarding the environmental impact of their trips.
"The obvious answer is extravagant train vacations. This mode of traveling promises all the luxuries associated with first-class plane travel, such as excellent food, service, and amenities, all the while taking along some of the most scenic and underexplored regions of the world in a way that is kinder to the environment," Luescher, Chief Executive Officer of luxury travel-focused social network A Small World, told Business Insider.
Read on for the best luxury train rides across the world in 2024.
Switzerland's Glacier Express is Europe's ultimate luxury winter train. Switzerland's Glacier Express surrounded by snowy mountains and trees.
Arthur Mallett/Getty Images
The Glacier Express in Switzerland is known for more than just luxury — it's also famous for its panoramic views on the route which spans eight hours between St. Moritz, a resort town in southeast Switzerland, and Zermatt, another town in southern Switzerland.
For those looking for a luxury train experience, it's recommended to purchase the Excellence Class ticket which includes a five-course meal, a concierge service, and a guaranteed window seat. Prices start at 470 Swiss Franc, or around $529.
However, travelers can also purchase a standard adult ticket, known as the Glacier Express classic, which begins at 159 Swiss Franc, or around $179, for the entire route.
If you can, Luescher suggests trying the Glacier Express twice — once in summer and once in winter — as the landscape is completely different in both seasons.
South Africa’s Blue Train has a two-year waitlist.The interior of South Africa's Blue Train in 2015.
GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/Getty Images
South Africa's Blue Train is one of the world's most sought-after rail experiences; it currently has a waitlist of two years, Luescher told BI.
The two-night, or around 31-hour route, spans 1,600 kilometers, or around 994 miles, between Pretoria and Cape Town, according to the global tourism operator Audley Travel.
According to Luescher, tickets begin at $1,499 and include a luxury butler and fine dining.
Japan's Twilight Mizukaze has live music and a unique menu.Japan's Twilight Express Mizukaze train crosses the Amarube Bridge.
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The Twilight Mizukaze, also known as the Twilight Express, offers various routes around western Japan. The train is known for its Art Deco-inspired decor and observation decks that allow passengers to view landmarks, national parks, and striking viaducts.
Guests are treated to live music and a food and drinks menu sourced from local ingredients that are specific to each route.
Tickets range between $2,800 and $5,500 and must be purchased in Japan, according to Luescher. Each journey hosts 34 passengers and there's often a waitlist spanning six months or more, Luescher added.
Belmond's British Pullman is beloved by royalty.Prince Harry is pictured on Belmond's British Pullman train for a charity event in 2017.
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Step aboard Belmond's British Pullman train for the quintessential British experience. Some restored parts of the train date back to the 1920s, according to the website, and over the years it has been boarded by members of the royal family including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Harry.
Guests are treated to live cabaret performances and afternoon tea on board. Routes vary and prices for 2024 journeys begin at £400, or around $510.
Experience the US and Canada on the opulent Rocky Mountaineer.The Rocky Mountaineer train At Cisco Crossing.
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The Rocky Mountaineer offers luxury train rides across western Canada and the American southwest and is best known for its glass-dome windows offering panoramic views of major landmarks.
Prices for the Rocky Mountaineer's 2024 packages begin at $1,500 and depend on the journey's length and the type of package purchased. For example, the Gold Leaf service includes additional luxury perks, such as unlimited drinks and menu dining. In contrast, the Silver Leaf service includes pre-selected meals in the ticket price.
Belmond's Venice-Simplon Orient Express has various routes across Europe.Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.
Belmond
The Venice-Simplon Orient Express has hosted a range of versatile guests through the years, from ambassadors and royals to authors and spies.
Like Britain's British Pullman train, parts of the train date back to the 1920s, and each carriage's classic interior will make guests feel as though they've stepped back in time. The train offers routes from major European cities including Amsterdam, Rome, and Venice.
Ticket prices vary. For example, an overnight stay in one of the train's grand suites begins at £10,165, or around $13,000, and includes 24-hour butler service, unlimited champagne, and private in-cabin dining. Meanwhile, an overnight stay in a historic cabin, or a standard cabin, begins at £3,530, or around $4,500.
Luescher told BI that this train is "extremely popular" among their clients and that it's common for some people to rent out a full carriage or the entire train.
"This is a great idea for a very special private event, if you have the money to do so of course," Luescher said.
"The experience itself is much more than just a train ride, it's a journey back in time to the opulence and style of the Golden Age/Art Deco era," they added.
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