Central Asian Luxury Rail Tours

Explore Central Asia’s Silk Road by luxury train – from routes and rail experiences to practical planning advice.

Central Asia is one of the most rewarding regions in the world to explore by luxury train. Vast distances, complex borders and remote heritage sites are transformed into a seamless journey combining comfort, cultural depth and expert-led exploration. Our Central Asian luxury rail tours focus on the great Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and neighbouring regions, offering an immersive alternative to conventional fly-in itineraries.

Travelling by rail allows long distances to become part of the experience rather than an obstacle. From the elegant Golden Eagle journeying through the heart of the “Five Stans” to the culturally rich Orient Silk Road Express, these itineraries combine well-appointed cabins, refined onboard service and guided excursions to UNESCO-listed cities, desert landscapes and historic trading centres.

● Central Asian Trains & Rail Routes
● Why Travel Central Asia by Luxury Train
● Silk Road Cities & Regional Highlights
● Practical Information, Visas & FAQs
● Speak to a Central Asia Rail Specialist

Trains & Routes in Central Asia

Below you can see the trains that operate in Central Asia and along the Silk Road. The Golden Eagle Luxury Train is the most luxurious and established (and the most expensive!) and runs some fantastic trips across all 5 “Stans” as well as the Caucasus.

The Orient Silk Road Express train is a private train with a range of cabin classes from 4 berth cabins to 2 berth with ensuite. It is a good value with well thought out tours that visit 4 of the 5 “Stans” – for now they miss Turkmenistan.

The brand new China Silk Road Express mainly focuses on China but does combine some of its routes with Golden Eagle.

Click on either train to see more details including a tours listing and information on cabin classes and life on board. Each train offers a different style of journey, and our specialists can advise on the best option based on comfort level, itinerary depth and budget.

● Please remember that booking as far ahead as you can in advance is essential for these trains ●

TRANS-SIBERIAN | SOUTH CAUCASUS | SILK ROAD

Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is Central Asia’s most established luxury train, offering all-inclusive rail tours across the region and beyond. It combines luxurious cabins, attentive service and comprehensive excursions to cities such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva and Tashkent. Many routes also include significant cultural stops in the South Caucasus and broader Silk Road highlights. The Golden Eagle sets the standard for luxury rail in these countries, making extended regional exploration both comfortable and unforgettable.

Take The Golden Eagle Train

Golden Eagle

CENTRAL ASIA & SILK ROAD

Orient Silk Road Express

The Orient Silk Road Express is a privately chartered train designed specifically for Silk Road exploration. It traverses ancient trade routes, visiting historic cities and scenic landscapes across Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Its mixture of cabin classes, onboard comfort and thoughtful tours makes it a compelling choice for those wanting a classic rail adventure with an authentic cultural focus.

Explore The Silk Road

Orient Silk Road Express

CHINA | CENTRAL ASIA | VIETNAM

China Silk Road Express

The China Silk Road Express offers a fusion of Chinese and Central Asian rail experiences, operating primarily in China with connections toward Central Asian routes. Managed by the Golden Eagle operator, this train blends a Silk Road narrative with varied cultural backdrops, from China’s ancient capitals to Silk Road heritage cities beyond China’s borders.

Explore China

Why Choose Central Asia by Rail?

Travelling Central Asia by luxury rail transforms vast distances and border complexities into seamless cultural exploration. The region’s ancient Silk Road cities — rich in Islamic architecture, bazaars and scholarly heritage — are often separated by deserts and steppe that are less easily reached by air or road alone.

By train, long distances become opportunities to relax, socialise and enjoy the changing landscapes from your cabin, while guided excursions bring each destination’s history to life.

Luxury trains in this region offer air-conditioned comfort, well-appointed cabins, restaurant cars serving regional cuisine, and the convenience of scheduled stops in cities such as Almaty, Samarkand, Bukhara, Tashkent and Khiva. The Golden Eagle and Orient Silk Road Express both feature expert guides, highlighting UNESCO World Heritage Sites, traditional crafts and local markets — experiences that are difficult to replicate independently.

Central Asian Regional Highlights

These destinations are visited on a range of Central Asian luxury rail journeys, with itineraries varying by train, season and route.

Kazakhstan

Almaty and other cities blend Soviet heritage with modern culture and serve as gateways to Silk Road routes and surrounding mountains.

Uzbekistan

Uzbek cities such as Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent preserve extraordinary architecture and Islamic history at every turn. Many of these cities are explored on our Silk Road rail tours, offering guided access to UNESCO-listed sites and historic trading centres.

Kyrgyzstan & Tajikistan

These offer dramatic natural scenery and a different cultural tempo — combinations of highland life, nomadic influences and Silk Road echoes.

Azerbaijan & South Caucasus

On extended itineraries, the journey continues into the South Caucasus, where cities such as Baku introduce Caspian Sea coastlines, ancient fortifications and a distinct cultural identity shaped by Persian, Russian and Ottoman influences. Rail travel allows these regions to be explored comfortably as part of a broader Silk Road narrative.

Kazakhstan

Almaty

The former capital of Kazakhstan is a pleasant city surrounded by alpine scenery and is the start or finish of many Central Asian Rail tours.

Turkmenistan

Ashgabat

Turkmenistan’s capital city is place like no other built primarily to impress in white marble embellished copiously with gold.

Azerbaijan

Baku

Impressive and historical Baku sits on the shores of the Caspian Sea and is the capital of Azerbaijan, grown rich on the oil industry.

Uzbekistan

Bukhara

Bukhara is an architectural wonder with an impressive amount of historical important buildings in this Silk Road gem.

Turkmenistan

Darvaza

Darvaza is a unique place that some of the train tours stop at where a crater leaking natural gas burns 24/7 365 days a year.

Uzbekistan

Khiva

The desert oasis town of Khiva is like stepping back into a time of Emirs an adventure of the Silk Road. The city is remarkably well preserved.

Uzbekistan

Samarkand

Samarkand is considered the architectural jewel in Central Asia’s crown with some superb Islamic architecture.

Uzbekistan

Tashkent

The Uzbek capital of Tashkent is part Soviet city but retains some important buildings from the hey day of the Silk Route trade.

Georgia

Tbilisi

Georgia’s capital Tbilisi is an architectural treasure trove mixing Medieval, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, Stalinist & Modernist structures.

Practical Information & FAQs

Central Asian luxury rail tours typically include accommodation onboard the train, all meals while travelling by rail, expert-led guided excursions, onboard tour management, luggage handling and scheduled transfers related to the itinerary. In some cases, hotel nights before or after the rail journey are also included, depending on the route and train. International flights and personal expenses are usually excluded.

Most Central Asian rail journeys focus on countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with some extended itineraries also including Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan or the South Caucasus. Routes vary by train and season, so the exact countries visited depend on the chosen itinerary.

Rail tours range from short Silk Road segments to extended 2–4 week adventures across multiple “Stans” and regions, with overnight stays and guided excursions at each stop.

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–October) often offer the most comfortable weather for both rail travel and city exploration. Summer can be hot and dry on the steppe, while winter is extremely cold.

Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the countries included in your itinerary. While some Central Asian countries offer visa-free or simplified entry for certain nationalities, others still require advance visas. Requirements can change, so planning well ahead is essential. We provide guidance on current visa requirements as part of the booking process.

Cabin categories vary by train, but typically include twin and double cabins with different comfort levels. Trains such as the Golden Eagle offer en-suite cabins, while others provide a mix of private and shared facilities. Detailed cabin information is available on individual train pages.

Excursions typically involve moderate walking through historic city centres, markets and archaeological sites. Walking is generally unhurried, but surfaces can be uneven, and steps are common at historic monuments. Travellers should be reasonably mobile, although the pace is designed to suit a wide range of fitness levels.

Expect a relaxed, sociable atmosphere with regional cuisine, shared dining and guided discussions that complement the touring experience.

Wi-Fi is available on some Central Asian luxury trains, but connectivity can be limited or intermittent due to remote landscapes and border crossings. Many guests choose to treat this as an opportunity to disconnect and fully engage with the journey.

Yes. Central Asian luxury rail tours are popular with solo travellers, thanks to their inclusive atmosphere, guided excursions and shared dining. Single-occupancy cabins are available on many departures, subject to availability.

Yes. Many travellers choose to add hotel stays, private touring or onward travel before or after their rail journey. Extensions are particularly popular in cities such as Tashkent, Samarkand or Almaty, and can be arranged as part of a tailored itinerary.

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Central Asian Luxury Rail Tours