From Glass-Roofed Adventures in the Rockies to Fine Dining in Venice: These Are the Best Luxury Train Journeys in the World!
If your idea of travel bliss involves plush seats, gourmet meals, and cinematic views rolling past your window, it might be time to book a ticket — not a plane, but a train.
Travel + Leisure has just named the world’s top luxury rail experiences for 2025, and the list is a glorious reminder that the golden age of train travel is far from over. Think panoramic glass domes, onboard sommeliers, live music, and bar cars that feel more Gatsby than Great Western.
1. Rocky Mountaineer – North America’s Crown Jewel
Topping the list is the Rocky Mountaineer, a glass-domed train that winds its way through the jaw-dropping landscapes of Canada and the western United States. With routes that pass through Alberta, British Columbia, Colorado and Utah, it’s a greatest-hits tour of the Rockies — all dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes, and canyon-carved vistas.
Onboard, it’s just as scenic. The SilverLeaf service comes with gourmet meals, plush seats, and wraparound windows, while the GoldLeaf tier adds a double-decker viewing car, open-air platform and an exclusive lounge. You won’t sleep on this train — literally. It runs during the day so you don’t miss a second of the views, and guests stay in luxe hotels overnight.
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2. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – Old World Glamour on Rails
A rolling piece of history, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is about as iconic as it gets. Operated by Belmond, the train whisks passengers across Europe in restored 1920s carriages, complete with polished wood panelling, art deco details and white-gloved service. Routes include Paris to Venice and new itineraries stretching to the French Riviera and the Alps
Expect champagne, multi-course dinners, and even live piano performances in the bar car. It’s Agatha Christie, minus the murder.
3. British Pullman – A Taste of Edwardian Elegance
Staying in Europe, the British Pullman — another Belmond gem — offers day journeys across the UK in immaculately restored vintage coaches. The interiors are pure 1920s opulence, and the dining is a major draw: think seasonal British menus by top chefs, fine wine pairings, and themed journeys like the "Murder Mystery Lunch" or “Downton Abbey Experience.”
Perfect for those who want a decadent escape without crossing a border.
4. Napa Valley Wine Train – California Dreaming with a Glass in Hand
Rolling through the vineyards of Northern California, the Napa Valley Wine Train is as much about what’s in your glass as what’s outside the window. The train’s vintage Pullman cars have been converted into a kind of mobile fine-dining restaurant, where multi-course meals are paired with local wines as you pass through sun-soaked valleys and historic towns.
It’s a short but flavour-packed journey — part tasting menu, part scenic tour, and all charm.
5. Al Ándalus – Moorish Majesty Meets Modern Luxury
Rounding out the list is Spain’s Al Ándalus train, which travels through Andalusia in vintage 1930s Belle Époque carriages once used by British royalty. The week-long journey stops in Seville, Córdoba, Granada and other historic cities, blending Moorish architecture with flamenco shows, wine tastings and guided tours.
The interiors ooze classic glamour, with polished brass, velvet armchairs and spacious suites — and the atmosphere is lively, with live music and dancing most nights in the lounge car.
The Takeaway
From the pine forests of Canada to the palaces of Andalucía, these luxury trains prove that the journey can be just as thrilling as the destination. Whether you’re after mountain air, Michelin-worthy meals or just the romance of the rails, 2025 might be the year to swap the airport queue for a velvet seat, a glass of wine, and a view that keeps on moving.
All aboard?
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