8 Breathtakingly-Beautiful Train Rides You Have Got to See

All aboard for a ride through 8 of the world’s most beautiful spots! As it is so often said, the journey itself and not necessarily reaching one’s destination is the most meaningful part of a trip. Such sentiment rings particularly true when it comes to rail travel. So sit back and let the chug-a-chug rhythm lull you as you ponder the world outside your window.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada. Take your pick of five scenic routes all offering amazing views of the Canadian Rockies with the option to stay overnight in resorts like Banff, Lake Louise, and Jasper, and departure points from cities including Vancouver and Calgary and even as far east as Toronto.
Glacier Express, Switzerland. Switzerland's Glacier Express connects the mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt, taking travelers on a journey full of jaw-dropping views that’s made the top of many a bucket list.
Denali Star, Alaska. Stretching 350 miles from Anchorage to Fairbanks with stops at Talkeetna and Denali National Park, this train allows nature lovers to experience the Alaskan wilderness in comfort and warmth. It’s not uncommon for passengers to see grizzly bears, elk, moose and more wildlife while peering out the windows of the Denali Star.
El Chepe, Mexico. The Ferrocarril Chihuahua al Pacífico – aka El Chepe – is the only passenger train in Mexico and considered by many to run the most beautiful route of any rail service in North America. Along the way, passengers have the chance to stop in traditional and historic villages and admire the immense Copper Canyon (which is four times bigger than the Grand Canyon).
Douro Line, Portugal. Wine lovers will revel in the chance to ride this classic riverside railway through the beautiful terraced slopes of the Douro Valley. Enjoy stops along the way at vineyards and wineries with the historic city of Porto at one end and the quaint village of Pocinho at the other.
Hiram Bingham Orient-Express, Peru. This famously luxurious rail service travels through the Peruvian Andes between Cusco and Machu Picchu while passengers contemplate the grand view and decide if they’re up for another Pisco sour or even a bit of dancing to live traditional Andean music.
Royal Scotsman, Scotland. This nine car luxury train takes in the Scottish Highlands with stops at age-old castles, distilleries, natural wonders, and quaint villages. Passengers enjoy local, seasonal dishes, fine wines (and whiskies of course), and even occasional live entertainment as they enjoy their ride through one of the most romantic landscapes in the British Isles.