As of: March 15, 2024, 5:15 p.m
By: David Holzner
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Train travel not only offers a comfortable way to get from A to B, but also spectacular views.
The ten most popular train routes in the ranking.
Under the rhythmic chugging of the locomotive, you cross breathtaking landscapes and enjoy the highest level of comfort.
Traveling by train offers unforgettable experiences for adventure seekers and nature lovers alike.
There are numerous listings on the internet about the most spectacular train journeys on this planet.
But can you really rank them?
Insuremytrip
tried it.
In a February 2024 research, the travel insurance provider tried to find out which train trips can be considered the best.
The reviews of the route on
tripadvisor.com
and the number of Instagram posts with the train line's hashtag were used for the evaluation.
The price of a ticket, the quality of the trip and the number of national parks crossed also played a role.
From the majestic Swiss Alps to the historic wonders of Peru and the picturesque vineyards of California.
The ten most popular train routes in the
Insuremytrip
ranking .
The most popular train routes: 1. Bernina Express, Switzerland
The Bernina Express passes breathtaking views such as Lake Bianco.
© imagebroker/IMAGO
On the highest railway tracks in Europe and the steepest in the world, according to the
Rhaetian Railway
website , the Bernina Express takes its guests through the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From Chur, often referred to as the “oldest city in Switzerland”, it goes through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges to Tirano in Italy.
The locomotive passes numerous highlights.
These include the famous 65 meter high Landwasser Viaduct and Lake Bianco at 2,253 meters above sea level.
This puts the Bernina Express in first place in the ranking in Switzerland.
Spectacular train journeys: 2. Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express offers, among other things, a view of the Matterhorn.
© allOver/IMAGO
From Zermatt to St. Moritz, this train journey offers breathtaking views of glaciers, gorges and mountain lakes.
The route leads through the three cantons of Valais, Uri and Graubünden and, in eight hours, passes numerous natural treasures that can be viewed from a panoramic car.
If you like something a little more luxurious, you can book a ticket for the Excellence Class.
A five-course meal is served there and a concierge ensures the well-being of the guests throughout the journey.
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Breathtaking Views: 3. Inca Rail, Peru
The “Inca Rail” runs from the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco, to the famous Inca city of Machu Picchu.
According to Incarail.com,
the train's first class includes
a panoramic lounge with live music, a gourmet menu and a bar with an outdoor balcony from which to view the Andean landscape.
However, the “Inca Rail” is not for people who are short of breath.
When you start in Cusco you are at around 3,300 meters above sea level.
Chugging through hilly landscapes: 4. Napa Valley Wine Train, USA
The “Wine Train” runs through the heart of California’s famous Napa Valley wine region north of San Francisco.
The design of the sets is inspired by the golden age of luxury trains.
The train journey offers various opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the passing hilly landscape.
There are wine tastings with multiple stops along the route or romantic dinners behind panoramic windows.
On the train along the coast: 5. Pacific Surfliner, USA
The route of the “Pacific Surfliner” also runs through California.
The train stops at stations in San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.
The “Pacific Surfliner” is one of the busiest train routes in the United States.
According to
Pacificsurfliner.com,
up to three million passengers travel on the 500-kilometer-long section every year.
26 trains a day travel along the railway line, which runs along the Pacific coast.
Past snow-capped mountain peaks: 6. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Rocky Mountaineer offers several routes.
Including between Vancouver and the mountain town of Jasper in Alberta.
© Ken Paul/SuperStock/IMAGO
The Rocky Mountaineer railway company offers train rides on four different routes through the Canadian Rockies.
Three of them start in Vancouver and lead through the province of British Columbia, past rivers, through valleys and with views of the majestic peaks of the “Rockies”.
In the steam locomotive through the Highlands: 7. Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland
Like the “Hogwarts Express”: A section of the Jacobite Steam Train served as a filming location for “Harry Potter”.
© Marc John/IMAGO
The steam train ride through the Scottish countryside comes seventh in the ranking.
The “Jacobite Steam Train” is one of the most famous train routes in the world.
Also because the section over the Glenfinnan Viaduct served as a filming location for the “Hogwarts Express” journey in the “Harry Potter” films.
8. The Canadian, Canada
Canada again.
“The Canadian” runs between Toronto and Vancouver, crossing Canada almost entirely from east to west.
According to the Canadian railway company VIA Rail Canada,
the train covers around 4,500 km
in just under 4 days.
You can choose between a seated car or a sleeping car.
9. The Ghan, Australia
The Australian long-distance train “The Ghan” connects the cities of Darwin and Adelaide over a distance of around 3,000 kilometers.
The famous outback towns of Alice Springs and Katherine can be explored during stopovers on the way between the north and south coasts of Australia.
According to The Ghan
's official website,
the train, originally called the Afghan Express, was named after the pioneers who built a permanent route across Australia more than 150 years ago.
10. Alaska Railroad, USA
The Alaska Railroad is an American railway company.
The route network runs from Seward in southern Alaska to Fairbanks in the center of the state.
Alaskarailroad.com
states the route length is around 750 kilometers.
Different moves can be chosen.
The “Denali Star” departs every day from Anchorage and travels twelve hours to Fairbanks.
If the weather is good, passengers can admire Denali, the highest peak in North America.