10 great rail journeys
Want the romance of the railways, the thrill of the track? Whether you crave luxury or by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure, these train journeys are among the best in the world…
1. Eastern & Oriental Express, Singapore-Bangkok-Chiang Mai, SE Asia
Duration: 43 hours
The luxurious coaches of the E&O (pictured above), complete with opulently furnished apartments, a well-stocked library and a resident pianist, are the ultimate way to explore both western Malaysia and the route from the Thai capital to the country’s northern jungles.
On both itineraries, stops are made for excursions to local sights, including the River Kwai and the extensive ruined Buddhist temples of the former Thai capital, Ayutthaya. In keeping with the elegant ambience, you must dress for dinner.
Make it happen…
Find fares at belmond.com. Don’t have a spare £1,330 for the luxury ticket? Why not try doing the Bangkok-to-Butterworth journey by local train and ferry – for roughly £95? Roger Norum did just that…
Main image: Eastern & Oriental Express (Supplied: Belmond)
2. Cuzco to Lake Titicaca, Peru
Image: Train to Machu Picchu, Peru (Shutterstock)
3. The Southwest Chief, Chicago to LA, USA
4. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Image: Switzerland railway (Shutterstock)
5. The Canadian, Toronto to Vancouver, Canada
6. Delhi to Shimla, India
Monisha Rajesh, author of ‘Around India in 80 trains’, gives her 6 tips for travelling around India by rail. Travelling with kids? Don’t dismiss this trip – or India as a whole – writes Will Gray. For other short-hop rail itineraries in India, see our 10 favourites…
Image: Jhansi train (Shutterstock)
7. Chihuahua al Pacifico, Los Mochis to Chihuahua, Mexico
8. Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes, France
Find fares at raileurope.co.uk. Got a taste for a European rail adventure? Sarah Baxter travelled from Paris to Istanbul by train – and on a budget.
Image: Pont du Gard, Nîmes (Shutterstock)
9. Rovos Rail, Southern Africa
10. Indian Pacific Railway route, Australia
