VI
EN
Even if you spent your whole life traveling across Europe, you still wouldn't be able to explore all the beauty of this continent. However, five-star train journeys will give you new experiences that you would hardly be able to have if you traveled by car or plane.
Here are 7 luxurious train journeys that will take you on a tour around Europe and help you discover breathtaking scenery:
7. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (UK)
Itinerary: London – Venice, Venice – Paris, Brussels – Venice, Istanbul – Bucharest, Bucharest – Venice
Cost: 47 – 110 million VND/trip
The Venice Simplon Orient-Express is one of the most famous luxury railway trains in the world – comprising a system of classic carriages restored from the original 1920s with perfectly preserved mosaics.
The service was excellent and impeccable, with staff dressed neatly and professionally. Simply sit in your cabin and press a few buttons, and a few minutes later, champagne, vodka, or tea will be brought to you by the staff.
The interior architecture features gleaming polished brass, smooth polished wood, and artistic stained glass designed by Lalique, a renowned French designer. All meals on board will be prepared by top French chefs, offering superb restaurant-quality cuisine characteristic of France.
6. The Glacier Express train (Switzerland)
Journey: St. Moritz to Zermatt, Switzerland
Cost: 4.8 million VND/trip
This journey, lasting over 7 hours, starts from St Moritz, Chur, or Davos (summer only) and takes you to Zermatt.
At an altitude of over 2000m, the train will travel non-stop for more than 128km through the Swiss Alps. Along the way, passengers will pass 291 bridges and 91 tunnels, cross the Oberalp Pass at 2,033m, and admire the beauty of the river below along with many charming castles and towns of Switzerland.
5. Belmond Royal Scotsman (UK)
Itinerary: London – Edinburgh, Edinburgh – Keith – Dundee – Edinburgh, Edinburgh – Glasgow – Keith – Perth – Scarborough – York – Cambridge – Oxford – Bath – Chester – Edinburgh.
Cost: 25 – 70 million VND/trip
This train journey takes you directly to the heart of the Scottish Highlands, offering you a wonderful experience of the tranquil countryside. Each cabin is lavishly decorated with ivory wood carvings, antique paintings, and more.
All rooms feature private bathrooms with showers, sinks, continuous hot water, are exceptionally clean, and have fresh towels provided daily. Amenities include beds, vanity tables, full wardrobes suitable for all ages, high-tech heating, ceiling fans, windows that open, and room service easily accessible via a telephone in the cabin.
The observation deck, with its arched windows allowing passengers to easily admire the surrounding natural scenery, along with its exceptionally luxurious interior, has earned the Belmond Royal Scotsman a place on this list.
4. Alaska Railroad (USA)
Itinerary: Anchorage/ Denali/ Fairbanks/ Girdwood/ Grandview/ Portage/ Seward, Spencer Whistle Stop, Talkeetna, Whittier.
Cost: 44 – 73 million VND/trip
The Alaska Railroad is famous for its dome-shaped windows throughout its cars, a design inspired by films such as "Runaway Train" and "Into the Wild".
If travelers want to enjoy the beauty of the Alaskan landscape, Alaska Railroad Vacations is a suitable option. This tour program also takes visitors to national parks such as Fairbanks, Denali, Kenai Fjords, Talkeetna, and Alyeska.
To provide a deeper insight into Alaskan life, the Alaska Railroad Vacations tour program also allows travelers to experience a variety of activities such as wildlife viewing, dog sledding, hiking, ice viewing, and river exploration on a 500-mile journey.
3. Danube Express train (Hungary)
Itinerary: Istanbul to Prague via Bulgaria, Transylvania, Hungary, Austria, Slovakia, and Poland.
Cost: 75 – 103 million VND/trip (4 days)
Dubbed the most luxurious sleeper train in Europe, the Danube Express hopes to give passengers an experience akin to staying in a grand hotel.
All the items on board are decorated with brass, giving a vintage feel, and are fully equipped with amenities such as Wi-Fi, high-tech heating, etc. It's no surprise that the Danube Express is ranked number 3 on the list.
Therefore, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the surrounding scenery.
2. Napa Valley Wine Cruise Ship (USA)
Itinerary: Napa Valley, California
Cost: 6.9 million VND/trip
True to its name, "Napa Valley Wine" is a private train that takes visitors on tours of vineyards and wineries in Napa Valley, California.
This three-hour journey departs from Napa town, travels to the St. Helena wine valley, and returns. During the trip, passengers will have the opportunity to admire the beauty of five villages—Napa, Yountville, Oakville, Rutherford, and St. Helena—through a series of windows on the train cars.
The dining car has been restored in the style of the 1915-1917 period, giving you the feeling of having traveled back in time.
Especially when visiting wineries in Napa Valley, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a wine tasting session, which is one of the highlights of this tour.
1. Flam Railway (Norway)
Journey: Flam to Myrdal, Norway
Cost: 1.4 million VND/trip
This is definitely the most budget-friendly train journey on this list. The train travels through the steep mountain ranges of Norway, along the Rallar Trail, at an altitude of approximately 1000 meters.
From above, visitors can admire the fjords below, which are approximately 863 meters deep. This is considered the world's most popular and unique railway line, as it traverses valleys, 20 tunnels, and majestic waterfalls across Norway.
