The World’s Most Luxurious Train Journeys to Take in 2024
Introduction – The Allure of the World’s Most Luxurious Trains
Travelling onboard the most luxurious trains in the world allows passengers to appreciate the journey as much as the destinations along the way. The most luxurious train rides provide a slower and more laid-back approach to journeying to some of the world’s most spectacular sights and cities. The worlds most luxurious trains are much the same as the finest hotels, only they’re mobile with fantastic accommodation, service, and dining, and with continually changing breathtaking views.
The Pinnacle of Rail Luxury: Top 10 Luxury Trains in the World for 2024
What is the worlds most luxurious train? In many ways, the definition of luxury can differ from person to person. But, when it comes to the most luxurious trains in the world, there is a certain standard that must be met in order to be considered. We have gathered a catalogue of the best luxury trains in the world that stand head and shoulder above all others. Some you’ll have undoubtedly heard of, while others may come as a surprise as they have received less public attention through the years but are nonetheless among the pinnacle of luxury rail travel.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe: Best luxury train journey in the world.
The Venice Simplon-Orient Express is owned and operated by Belmond and has often and rightfully been referred to as being among the most luxurious train rides in the world. With most of the train’s carriages dating back to the late 1920s, a London departure between March and November heading for spectacular Venice makes for an incredible cross-continent adventure. Or from Paris to Verona, often mistaken for being the most expensive train ride in the world, passengers sit in the lap of luxury for the entire journey.
2. Cruise Train Seven Stars, Japan: Often dubbed the world’s most luxurious train.
The Seven Stars in Kyushu is one of the lesser-known railway journeys but is one of the top 5 luxury trains in the world. Launched in 2013 and Japan’s premier luxury sleeper train, this journey distinctly contrasts with other luxurious trains. Its seven carriages feature a lounge car with panoramic windows, a salon car, a tea room, a bar, a gallery shop, and twelve sumptuous suites where passengers can relax and want for nothing.
3. The Ghan, Australia: A contender for the title of the most luxurious train journey in the world.
The Ghan has rightfully earned its spot among the top 10 luxury trains in the world, having been in service since 1929 with a route between Adelaide and Darwin. Passengers boarding one of the most luxurious trains in the world are treated to world-class dining experiences and a fabulous selection of wines. The perfect balance of relaxation and adventure awaits those lucky enough to purchase a ticket as this journey heads through the heart of Australia via Alice Springs, visiting parts of the country most will never experience.
4. Rovos Rail, South Africa: Among the top 5 luxury trains in the world.
The Pride of Africa Rovos Rail train undeniably sits among the best luxury train journeys in the world. As one of the best luxury trains in the world, it offers a fantastic selection of trips that include Cape Town, the Namibia Safari, Victoria Falls, Dar Es Salaam, the Copper Trail and many more. With an air of old-world charm and no televisions or radios onboard, Passengers while away the days in total luxury between destinations and off-train excursions.
5. Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru: A luxurious train in the world that offers breathtaking Andean views.
Far from being the most expensive train ride in the world, the Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru, offers a dynamic journey through an age-old land that furnishes those onboard with some of the most breathtaking views to be found anywhere. From the spectacular Andes mountain range to Lake Titicaca, you’ll travel one of the highest altitude railways on Earth on one of the worlds most luxurious trains on a journey that will create everlasting memories.
6. Maharajas Express, India: The epitome of the most luxurious train journeys.
An absolute shoo-in for the worlds most luxurious train is the Maharajas’ Express, India, which also happens to be the most expensive train in the world if you’re considering treating yourself. Passengers are treated to luxury fit for the Maharajas of yesteryear, with spectacular fine dining, incredibly luxurious accommodations, second-to-none onboard service from the staff, and destinations beyond belief. At over $3000 per night, the world’s most expensive train ride is a dream for most railway lovers.
7. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada: One of the best luxury trains in the world with panoramic Canadian vistas.
Canada’s outlandish daylight train is well-known for its remarkable on-route destinations, including Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Kamloops, Whistler, and Vancouver. Among the most luxurious trains in the world, it makes its journeys between sunrise and sunset and showcases the region’s mountainous alpine territory and the country’s most incredible wildlife. The views alone from the vast panoramic windows put this among the top 10 luxury trains in the world.
8. The Eastern & Oriental Express, Asia: A luxurious train journey that rivals the world’s most luxurious trains.
Another astonishing offering from Belmond in the form of the Eastern & Oriental Express. These charming Malaysian escapes are renowned for the train and its accommodations, world-class destinations, and off-train experiences, making it one of the best luxury trains in the world. With its classic cream and green exterior, wood panelling, and silken furnishings to its bar car, relaxed ambience, fine dining, and observation car, this is surely among the worlds most luxurious trains.
9. The Royal Scotsman, UK: British luxury redefined on rails.
Guests onboard the Royal Scotsman immediately recognise that they are part of something special and on one of the best luxury train journeys in the world from the moment they arrive at Waverly Station in Edinburgh. It’s difficult to argue that this isn’t the most luxurious train in the world, with its indulgent cabin amenities, personal butler service, in-cabin fine dining, Dior spa, selection of whiskey and wines, journey destinations and experiences.
10. The Deccan Odyssey, India: India’s answer to the world’s most luxurious train experiences.
When you discuss the most luxurious trains in the world, you can’t ignore a Deccan Odyssey train tour in India. You can’t underestimate the allure of old-world charm and the romance of winding through India’s wilderness, mountains, and desserts. Inspired by the Maharajas of times past, the wonderfully luxurious carriages are fit for royalty as passengers unwind on one of the most luxurious train rides. Everything about these journeys places the Deccan Odyssey firmly among the worlds most luxurious trains.
Decoding Luxury: What Sets the Most Luxurious Trains in the World Apart?
The best luxury trains in the world are distinct from every other form of transport. With the most luxurious train rides, the beautiful experience is in the journey as much as the on-route destinations. All of the top 10 luxury trains in the world allow passengers to travel in the lap of luxury, from incredible culinary highlights to onboard spa treatments and observation cars. Train luxury is something special with a romantic hint to the golden era of travel when things were simpler and uncomplicated. All you need to do is decide which continent and countries you want to experience on your luxury train adventure.
The World’s Most Expensive Train Ride: Is It Worth the Splurge?
While it’s fair-minded to declare that tickets for the top 10 luxury trains in the world don’t come cheap, there is one that rises above all others in terms of expense and grandeur. The Marharajs Express in India offers passengers a choice of four incredible journeys. As the world’s most expensive train ride, passengers can pay in excess of $3000 USD per night for their luxurious adventure. It sounds like a big number, and it is, but it does represent fabulous value for those who can afford it and will certainly not regret paying to experience the worlds most luxurious train.
Which is considered the most luxurious train in the world for 2024?
Luxury and comfort are particular for each of us, but there are certain must-haves for a train and its route to be considered among the most luxurious trains. There are a few that are regularly spoken about and contemplated to be the pinnacle of luxurious railway travel. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express has long been discussed as offering the best luxury train journeys in the world. With several European routes available onboard this incredibly luxurious locomotive, countless passengers return regularly to indulge in the most luxurious train in the world.
How do the top 5 luxury trains in the world differ in terms of amenities and routes?
It stands to reason that to be considered among the top 5 luxury trains in the world, you’ve got to be doing something right. All of the world’s most luxurious trains offer truly spectacular onboard amenities. Passengers riding on these luxurious trains are treated to fine dining, often using ingredients that are sourced along the route to give passengers a cultural culinary experience that is authentic and unique. The most luxurious train journeys all offer spectacular accommodations that allow for total relaxation in the most comfortable manner. Everything you could wish for is available, from a personal butler service, fine wines and whiskeys to onboard entertainment and world-class vistas.
What makes the best luxury train journeys in the world stand out?
There isn’t one thing that stands out above others that the most luxurious trains in the world have. It’s a consolidation of everything that makes it a luxurious adventure. As well as the physical aspects of luxury you’ll experience, such as staying in a grand suite or dressing up for an incredible fine dining experience in an oak-panelled dining car, the service you receive from the crew when you travel on the worlds most luxurious train journeys makes for a truly unique and ever-memorable trip.
Are the world’s most luxurious trains also the most expensive?
What you’ll pay to travel on the most luxurious trains in the world will principally depend on the length of the trip and the destinations. The Maharajas Express is the most expensive train in the world and is commonly regarded as one of the most luxurious. For most people, the most luxurious train rides seem expensive, but the most luxurious train journeys provide great value as a special occasion adventure.
