VI
EN
Escaping the invisible pressures of conventional forms of public transportation, traveling by train is truly a way for tourists to get acquainted with and fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of a new country.
Besides evoking a sense of nostalgia, traveling by train offers a slow, relaxing experience, allowing you to live in the present moment. And if you're lucky enough to have a window seat, you can gaze out and enjoy the entire natural landscape outside.
Naren Shaam, founder and CEO of travel technology company Omio, said: “If all domestic and regional EU flights could be made available by train, then in less than four hours, up to 36 million tonnes of carbon emissions would be saved annually.”
Here are 10 amazing train journeys that every traveler shouldn't miss once the borders are fully reopened in the near future.
West Highland Railway, Scotland
Consistently ranking among the world's most beloved scenic routes, the West Highland Railway is considered a "wonder" among Scotland's most beautiful natural landscapes.
The route, approximately 193 km long, runs from Glasgow to Fort William at the foot of Ben Nevis – the highest mountain in the United Kingdom. Throughout the journey, you'll find a vibrant panorama of lakes, sprawling valleys, desolate meadows, and majestic mountains.
This route extends another 66 km to the west coast port of Mallaig, passing through some of Scotland's most beautiful lakes and, notably, the stunning arched viaduct at Glenfinnan – a setting in the Harry Potter films.
Visitors can enjoy this route via the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train from London to Fort William, which includes breakfast. And don't miss the sight of reindeer – the symbol of Scotland – roaming freely across the vast plateau, surrounded by clouds, wind, and sky.
Between April and October, this journey can also be enjoyed via another famous train – the Jacobite steam train. Running daily from Fort William to Mallaig and back, it offers the chance to admire the scenery at a leisurely pace.
Trans-Iranian Railway, Iran
Often described as a little-known gem, this magnificent structure was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2021.
Connecting the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea, this railway line opened in 1938 after 11 years of challenging construction. Although not widely known, it is one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century.
The route stretches 1,394 km from Bandar-e Emam Khomeyni on the Persian Gulf to Bandar Torkaman on the Caspian Sea, passing through Ahvaz, Qom, and Tehran. Along the way, there are 224 tunnels, nearly 400 bridges, and the route reaches a peak elevation of 2,130 m.
The rugged terrain and harsh, hot climate here demand meticulous construction and skillful techniques to allow the railway to traverse diverse geographical features. As a result, this route has become one of the most memorable railway journeys in the world, but not everyone has the opportunity to experience it.
The Ghan, Australia
Vast and fraught with danger, Australia's remote regions are fascinating but also full of pitfalls. Fortunately, travelers can experience this incredible landscape via The Ghan railway. Named one of the world's greatest railway journeys, The Ghan runs weekly on a 2,979 km route that stretches the length of Australia from Adelaide in the south, through Alice Springs, and then to Darwin in the Northern Territory.
Each trip lasts over 53 hours, including stops at outposts like Coober Pedy, allowing passengers to experience the remote area on private tours.
The train, constructed from stainless steel, includes luxurious dining cars and private cabins with personal attendants, a far cry from trains that ran on this route between 1929 and 1980. The origin of the train's name is debated, but most believe it derives from its earlier nickname, "Afghan Express"—referring to the Afghan camel drivers brought to Australia by the British in the late 19th century to help develop the country's domestic functions.
Qinghai-Tibet Railway, China
Previously, only adventurous tourists and explorers ventured to the Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Roof of the World" due to its challenging transportation links. However, the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet railway in 2006 ushered in a new chapter for the region, creating a connection with the Chinese railway network.
Sometimes called the "Railway to Heaven," the 1,955 km (1,215 mile) route from Xining in central China to Lhasa in Tibet culminates at the Tanggula Pass at an altitude of 5,068 meters (16,627 feet) above sea level. Nearly half of the route lies at an altitude of 13,123 feet.
As one of the greatest engineering feats of the early 21st century, this railway line cost $4.2 billion (approximately over 97 billion VND) to build. The challenges of constructing this project included working in an area prone to earthquakes at high altitudes, freezing temperatures, low air pressure, and permafrost.
The train utilizes uniquely designed pressurized carriages, helping passengers minimize the effects of altitude sickness caused by low oxygen levels. Outside the train, passengers can enjoy breathtaking views of the pristine highlands, where Tibetan yaks graze on pastures nestled between towering, snow-capped mountains. Highlights of the route include the Qiangtang grassland, the Kekexili Nature Reserve, Lake Namtso, and the Tanggula mountain range at the highest point of the journey.
All trains from Beijing take approximately 40 hours to reach Lhasa, and from Shanghai 47 hours. From 2030, when the $47.8 billion Sichuan-Tibet railway is completed, high-speed trains will shorten the 1,629 km journey from Chengdu to Lhasa, reducing travel time from 48 hours to just 13 hours.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
Known as the "Toy Train," this British Empire creation remains one of the greatest railway experiences in the world, rising approximately 2,134 meters along its 89-kilometer winding route between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling Hill Station.
The railway was built between 1879 and 1881 to provide access to the cool Darjeeling mountain region, allowing British colonists to escape the stifling heat of Calcutta (now Kolkata). In 1998, the Darjeeling Himalayan region was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Today, the legendary B-Class steam locomotives from 1889 to 1925 occasionally serve special trains, but most journeys are conducted using oil-powered locomotives.
Oslo-Bergen Railway, Norway
Tourists visiting Scandinavia can choose from a wide variety of beautiful rail journeys. But the Oslo-Bergen railway, a 496-kilometer trip between Norway's two largest cities, is considered one of the most spectacular.
Connecting Oslo with Bergen on the country's west coast, the Bergensbanen was completed in 1909 and crosses Europe's largest high mountain plateau - Hardangervidda.
The climate at the plateau is so harsh that it was chosen by polar explorers such as Roald Amundsen and Ernest Shackleton as a way to prepare for expeditions to Antarctica. More recently, the area served as the setting for the famous snow battle scene in "The Empire Strikes Back," the sequel to "Star Wars."
Beyond the stunning beauty of the highlands, visitors can enjoy unforgettable views of crystal-clear lakes, rivers teeming with salmon, towering mountains, the majestic Hardangerjøkulen glacier, and, as the ship approaches its final destination, glacial fjords.fjordsThey unfolded before our eyes like mythical Norse fairy tales.
There are many other attractions along the railway line, such as the world-famous Flåm railway, or the port city of Bergen – the gateway to the glacial fjords.fjordsAnd it's one of Norway's most popular tourist destinations – waiting for you at the end of your trip.
Bernina Express, Switzerland
With its countless mountain railways, cable cars, mountain bikes, postal buses, and steam trains, Switzerland is a haven for public transport. With so many exciting itineraries to choose from, it's difficult to pick a favorite. But the Bernina Express is so spectacular that it consistently ranks highly on lists of Swiss attractions.
Once an ancient trade route, the Bernina Pass is the highest railway line crossing the Alps. This route traverses the headwaters where snowmelt flows into the North Sea, the Mediterranean, or the Black Sea, and is considered a bridge between Northern and Southern Europe, connecting different cultures and languages.
Each journey with Bernina offers a different experience depending on the season. But the highlight is undoubtedly the magnificent spiral viaduct in Brusio, where the train crosses itself on a very tight hairpin bend, runs around Lago Bianco near the highest point of the line, and the final leg passes through the streets of Tirano.
And remember, unlike most of Switzerland's mountain railways, this is an international route, so visitors need to bring their passports.
The Canadian, Canada
The Canadian is Canada's last remaining transcontinental train and is touted as a window into the country's breathtaking landscapes. The journey on The Canadian lasts four days, covers a distance of 4,463 km, and is operated by VIA Rail. This train connects Toronto with Vancouver on a trip through endless forests, lakes, and prairies.
In the age of instant travel, The Canadian offers a completely different experience, where long-distance journeys become more relaxed, comfortable, and communal.
Onboard, communal dining tables and lounges provide an opportunity for passengers to meet and share stories about their journey. The train itself has a nostalgic feel, using 1950s-style stainless steel passenger carriages and sleeping berths with spacious cabins. Additionally, the panoramic dome offers passengers a complete view of Canada's stunning landscape.
The Little Yellow, France
Nestled in the Pyrenees, on the border between France and Catalonia in Spain, lies a spectacular, somewhat 'unusual' railway that winds its way through narrow gorges and deep valleys to reach France's only territory on the Iberian Peninsula.
Officially named Ligne de Cerdagne, the train is more commonly known as "The Little Yellow Train" or "Metro of the Pyrenees".
The most spectacular part of this 63-kilometer route is the climb from Villefranche-de-Conflent—a UNESCO World Heritage town located 31 miles west of Perpignan—to Odeillo-Font-Romeu.
Built between 1903 and 1909, this route is a spectacular feat of engineering, highlighted by the Pont Gisclard – the only railway suspension bridge in France. For railway enthusiasts, the old trains are well worth the experience. In the summer, the trains feature open-top carriages offering incredible 360-degree views, making it one of the most beautiful railway journeys in the world. Seven of the original 10 trains are still in operation today.
From the top of the line at Bolquère-Eyne, France's highest railway station at an altitude of 1,593 m, the line winds across a sunny plateau past the border town of Bourg-Madame to the La Tour-de-Carol station.
This may not be the most famous railway in the world, but you'll never forget your journey on this spectacular little train, full of new things to discover.
The TransAlpine, New Zealand
New Zealand may not have the ideal geography for trains, but The TranzAlpine is certainly one of the world's greatest rail journeys. Connecting the stylish city of Christchurch and Greymouth on New Zealand's South Island, the TranzAlpine takes 4.5 hours to cover the 224 km distance.
However, the above figures cannot possibly capture the incredible experience of this route with its diverse landscapes, from the Canterbury Plains to the snow-capped mountains of the Southern Alps, the remote alpine meadows with lakes, streams and forests on the West Coast islands.
The Swiss-style panoramic carriages allow passengers to fully enjoy this magnificent journey. But The TranzAlpine also boasts the famous 'open-air carriage' – a real highlight for many travelers. These carriages open on both sides, allowing passengers to breathe in the fresh mountain air and capture stunning New Zealand views.
For a richer experience, TranzAlpine passengers can now also listen to commentary sharing stories about the locations along the route, the country, and the culture, in English and Mandarin.
