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Alaska Railroad, Alaska, USA
The railway line from southern Alaska to northern Alaska, nearly 800 km long, passes through some of the most beautiful countryside between Anchorage and Denali. The route is occasionally flooded when the tide rises more than 1 meter. Along the way, travelers can admire majestic snow-capped mountains, vast plains, and sometimes encounter wildlife such as deer or bears.
Cumbres & Toltec Railroad, Colorado/New Mexico, USA
This 914 mm gauge railroad connects Antonito, Colorado, with Chama, New Mexico. Built in 1881, it is one of the oldest railroads in the United States, spanning 64 kilometers and traversing numerous loops, tunnels, Cumbres Pass (the highest railroad pass in the U.S., over 3,053 meters), and Toltec Canyon south of the Rocky Mountains.
Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railroad, Colorado, USA
This is the highest railway line in North America, reaching an altitude of 4,302 meters atop Pikes Peak in Colorado. The railway has its base station in Colorado, near Colorado Springs, and primarily transports passengers to the summit of Pikes Peak in the Rocky Mountains. Since 2006, during peak season, the railway has operated 6 to 8 trains per day. At other times, it runs 1 to 5 trains, with the number of trains varying depending on tourist demand. The line has been in operation since 1891 and is currently undergoing repairs before reopening in 2021.
Mount Washington Cog Railroad, New Hampshire, USA
Opened in 1869, this more than 150-year-old New Hampshire railroad takes passengers up to an altitude of 1,916 meters on Mount Washington. From its highest point in the Northeast, passengers will see the vibrant national forest and enjoy panoramic views of mountains and valleys stretching from New Hampshire to Vermont. On clear days, travelers may even see further afield, such as Maine and Canada. Today, trains powered by biofuel still operate on this railroad.
Rocky Mountains Railway, Canada
Running from Toronto through Jasper and on to Vancouver, the Rocky Mountaineer is Canada's first rail route to western Canada, and one of the most scenic train journeys in Canada, if not the world. Onboard, passengers will enjoy breathtaking views of the pristine Fraser Canyon and the slopes along the Thompson River in luxurious train cars, and spend the night in the riverside city of Kamloops before continuing their journey through the stunning snow-capped peaks of the Rocky Mountains.
La Polvorilla railway bridge, Argentina
The arched bridge in Salta province is the world's highest railway bridge, connecting northwestern Argentina to the Chilean border, crossing the Andes Mountains at 4,182 meters above sea level. Trains operating on this bridge carry oxygen tanks and medical personnel to assist passengers with altitude sickness. It is one of the three highest railway lines in the world, also known as the "Train to the Clouds." Completed in 1932, this railway bridge is considered the most spectacular railway in South America. Initially built for economic purposes, it is now open solely for tourism.
Abra la Raya railway line, Peru
The Puno-Cusco train runs past the summit of Abra la Raya, at 4,350 meters, the second highest peak in the world. Here, travelers can admire the spectacular scenery of the Andes Mountains and explore the local market. Another attractive destination on this railway line is the world's highest navigational lake, Lake Titicaca.
Aguas Calientes railway line, Urubamba province, Peru
Any visitor to Peru would be incomplete without a visit to Machu Picchu, the site of Peru's ancient Inca civilization, located 2,360 meters above sea level in the Urubamba River Valley of the Andes Mountains. Visitors to Peru can enjoy a cruise on the Aguas Calientes train to this famous tourist destination.
Serra Verde Express Train, Curitiba, Brazil
With its luxurious interior, this express train takes travelers to explore the beautiful and diverse landscapes of Curitiba province. It's one of the most attractive journeys for tourists visiting Brazil. Each year, the train transports approximately 150,000 passengers between Paranaguá and Curitiba and vice versa.
Nariz del Diablo Railway, Guayaquil & Quito Railway, Ecuador
The Nariz del Diablo railway, literally meaning "Devil's Nose," is aptly named for good reason. Often described as one of the world's most terrifying railways, the Guayaquil & Quito railway features two sharp turns that change altitude at Nariz del Diablo, giving passengers a rollercoaster-like experience. Simply crossing the Andes mountains at an altitude of 2,750 meters is enough to make the journey frightening, so now passengers are no longer allowed to climb to the top of the train to fully appreciate the scenery.
Ribblehead Railway Bridge, North Yorkshire, England
Built to connect the Midlands and Scotland, the Settle-Carlisle railway passes through some of England's most beautiful wilderness, with over a third of the route traversing the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Here, travelers can admire rolling hills, lush green valleys, and scattered stone barns across the highlands. The Ribblehead Viaduct, 31 meters high and 400 meters long, forms part of the picturesque Settle-Carlisle railway. Located between the Three Peaks, on the Cumbria-Yorkshire border, it was built in 1874. The Ribblehead Viaduct consists of 24 stone arches, crossing three Yorkshire peaks: Ingleborough, Whernside, and Pen-y-ghent. The scenery is breathtaking at sunset. Even in the rain, the scenery remains incredibly beautiful, and the rain seems to enhance the charm of the wild and majestic natural landscape.
Snowdon Mountain Railway, Wales
If hiking to the summit of Wales' highest mountain leaves you exhausted, let the Snowdonia train take you on the ride. Departing from Llanberis station, the train has been carrying passengers to the summit of Snowdon since 1896 using a narrow gauge, rack, and pinion mechanism. The train will stop for about 30 minutes to allow passengers to take in the breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, with mountains and lakes stretching out before them from an altitude of 1,085 meters above sea level. And don't forget to enjoy a sweet cup of coffee right at the summit!
Rhaetian Railway, Valposchiavo, Switzerland
The Bernina Express scenic train runs along the railway line through the Alps, from the oldest village in Switzerland, Chur, to the charming town of Tirano in Italy. Part of this route is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Bernina Express passes through many scenic locations, such as the Brusio spiral viaduct, which is 110 meters long, has a horizontal radius of 70 meters, and a vertical gradient of 70%, considered the most spectacular structure on the Bernina high-speed train line.
Zermatt - Gornergrat railway line, Switzerland
Connecting the two resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the Glacier Express train takes you on a 33-minute journey through the Swiss highlands. This railway line crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels. Passengers will have an unforgettable experience exploring this railway route, including the opportunity to admire the beauty of the famous Matterhorn peak.
Diakofto - Kalavrita Odontotos railway line, Greece
The Odontotos Railway is one of the most unique railways in the Balkans. It is the narrowest railway in Europe, measuring just 75 cm wide, winding along the gorge and the Vouraikos River, through dense forests and countless narrow tunnels carved into the rock, and crossing a total of 49 bridges. Along the way, you will admire magnificent cave systems and impressive stalactites. Furthermore, the ecosystem here is very rich; you will have the opportunity to see bats, frogs, golden eagles, kangaroos, freshwater turtles… right on the slopes of Mount Helmos, or many colorful butterflies fluttering over wildflowers. Opened in 1891, the Diakofto-Kalavrita section of this railway was originally for steam-powered trains and is now replaced by electric-diesel trains. Passengers on the train will have the opportunity to admire the majestic mountain ranges leading to the picturesque village of Kalavrita.
The Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
If you want to explore the world by train, you can't miss the Trans-Siberian Railway, dubbed the world's longest railway, traversing the Eurasian continent for nearly 9,289 km. This railway journey will take you across Russia, offering many opportunities to observe the spectacular natural scenery of the land of birch trees from Moscow to Vladivostok in the Far East.
Victoria Falls Bridge, Zambia/Zimbabwe
Spanning Victoria Falls on the Zambesi River, this bridge has been an ideal viewpoint since 1905. Passengers will have the opportunity to see wild Africa through the reserves in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
Kandy - Ella Railway Line, Sri Lanka
Among the list of the world's most beautiful railway routes, the Kandy-Ella line in Sri Lanka is a must-mention. This train journey takes approximately six hours and passes through incredibly beautiful and peaceful towns and villages. Surrounded by tropical forests on both sides, it is considered one of the most scenic railway routes in the world. In addition, travelers will get to admire the lush green tea plantations of Sri Lanka, like something out of a movie.
"Railway Street", Hanoi, Vietnam
Known as by tourists"Railway Street"The railway line running through Hanoi's Old Quarter is part of the 1,600 km Thong Nhat train route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. Since 2014, the British newspaper Daily Mail has published a series of impressive photos of trains running through densely populated residential areas in Hanoi. Later, the renowned Natgeo Travel website suggested that tourists visiting Hanoi "enjoy a cup of egg coffee, chat with friends, and clearly feel the noise as the train passes through the small neighborhood."
Considered "one of the most dangerous railway lines in the world," posing numerous hazards to both locals and tourists, the "railway street" has beenclose the doorSince October 2019.
Hue - Da Nang Railway Line, Vietnam
Located between the Truong Son mountain range and the East Sea, this railway line is the most challenging section of the North-South railway but also a fascinating route with breathtaking scenery that captivates tourists, such as Lang Co beach and Hai Van pass. The Hue-Da Nang railway runs along mountain slopes, passing through 18 bridges and 6 tunnels, the shortest being 85 meters and the longest 600 meters. It features steep inclines and numerous winding curves with small radii. Along this railway line, passengers can admire the majestic and beautiful natural scenery. From the train, one can see the sheer cliffs to the west and the East Sea right below; from the train window, one can see the entire train winding along the mountain slopes. In some sections, the train runs very close to the sea, allowing passengers to see the ocean directly below...
Even though the Hai Van Tunnel now runs through the mountains, many people still choose to travel by train to enjoy the spectacular scenery of Hai Van Pass, the border between the north and south of Vietnam, known as "the most magnificent pass in the world."
