Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Seven Luxury Train Journeys Turn Travel Into The Holiday
These seven train trips make the journey itself the main holiday.
Passengers can see rainforests, deserts, mountains, lakes and vineyards from their windows.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express offers old-fashioned glamour between Istanbul and Paris.
The Eastern & Oriental Express travels through Malaysian rainforest with wildlife and conservation excursions.
The Ghan crosses Australia from Darwin to Adelaide across a huge, changing landscape.
The Andean Explorer climbs through Peru near Lake Titicaca, while Rovos Rail crosses South Africa.
Italy’s La Dolce Vita train focuses on modern Italian design, and Britannic Explorer explores Britain’s Lake District and Wales.
Each train combines scenery with special food, comfortable cabins and a slower pace.
Seven luxury trains are highlighted for distinctive routes, scenery, food and onboard character.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express travels from Istanbul to Paris over five nights, with stops and excursions across Europe.
The Eastern & Oriental Express runs a three-night Malaysian loop from Singapore toward Taman Negara and Penang.
Australia’s four-day Ghan Expedition covers 2,979 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide via Katherine, Alice Springs and Coober Pedy.
Other featured journeys include Rovos Rail in South Africa, the Andean Explorer in Peru, La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy and Britannic Explorer in Britain.
- Who
- Seven luxury rail journeys and the travelers who take them.
- What
- A comparison of seven luxury train experiences judged on scenery, cabins, cuisine, character and atmosphere.
- When
- The article presents the journeys as luxury rail experiences for 2026.
- Where
- Routes run through Europe, Malaysia, Australia, South Africa, Peru, Italy and Britain.
- Why
- These trains turn travel time into the central holiday experience rather than treating it as time between destinations.
- Journeys featured
- Seven luxury train journeys
- Longest stated route
- The Ghan Expedition: 2,979 kilometres from Darwin to Adelaide
- Most extensive stated duration
- La Dolce Vita Orient Express: five-day Grand Tour of Italy
- Rainforest journey
- Eastern & Oriental Express: a three-night loop from Singapore through Malaysia
- High-altitude journey
- Andean Explorer: Cusco to Arequipa via Lake Titicaca
- Smallest stated train capacity
- La Dolce Vita Orient Express has 12 deluxe cabins and 18 suites
- British journey
- Britannic Explorer combines Lake District and Wales routes from London Victoria