Travel by train can make for an epic adventure - whether it’s a one-day trip to view the Inca ruins at Machu Picchu or a multi-day journey through the majestic Canadian Rockies. Here, five of our favorite railroad adventures:
The Trans-Siberian Railway
The journey: There are several possible routes, but one of the most popular among travelers is the Moscow to Beijing route that travels through Mongolia. For good reviews of several different journeys, check out Seat 61’s Guide to the Trans-Siberian Railway.
Outside your window: Highlights include Lake Baikal, reportedly the deepest of the world’s freshwater lakes, as well as Mongolia’s Gobi Desert.
Passenger profile: Everyone from adventurous backpackers to business people.
Itinerary add-ons: From Beijing, you can easily hop a connecting train for travel south through Vietnam and Thailand.
Know before you go: You’ll need visas for travel to or through Russia, Belarus, China and, depending on your nationality, Mongolia. Start arranging visas after you’ve scheduled your travel and purchased tickets – about three months before your trip, if possible. Some visas are available within a few days of travel, so you’ll have to arrange for one using the method that makes the most sense with your itinerary.
Cusco to Machu Picchu aboard the Hiram Bingham
The journey: This day-long adventure from Cusco to Machu Picchu and back on an 84-person luxury train includes morning brunch, a tour of the Machu Picchu citadel, afternoon tea, evening cocktails and a four-course dinner on the return trip.
Outside your window: Highlights include Perus’s Sacred Valley, Urubamba River and, of course, Machu Picchu itself.
Passenger profile: Western tourists who enjoy being wined and dined, skipping lines at the main attraction and – of course – the Hiram Bingham’s 1920’s-style interiors.
Itinerary add-ons: You can opt to stay overnight at Machu Picchu and take a return trip the following afternoon, if space is available. Another add-on would be continuing on, via another train, from Cusco to Puno and Lake Titicaca.
Know before you go: There are several other train travel options between Cusco and Machu Picchu. The cheapest options are popular among backpackers and local residents, while mid-level services often include drinks and refreshments during the journey.
Australia’s Great Southern Rail via The Ghan
The journey: two-night trip each way or four nights roundtrip from South Australia’s Adelaide to the Northern Territory’s Darwin on board the Ghan, which offers travel classes from basic, budget-friendly sleeper seat accommodations to luxurious eight-person private cars.
Outside your window: Highlights include the Red Centre and Alice Springs and the rocky outcroppings of the Top End.
Passenger profile: You’ll find the train packed with leisure travelers from young backpackers willing to spend the night in reclining seats to wealthy railroad enthusiasts forking over the big bucks for cabin stewards, roomy accommodations and evening turndown service.
Itinerary add-ons: Book the Aboriginal Sacred Sites tour, and you’ll be able to depart the train mid-journey for a three-hour guided adventure through Alice and nearby places like Anzac Hill.
Know before you go: Discounted fares are available for students, backpackers, seniors and travelers willing to pay in full for non-refundable tickets at the time of purchase. Contact the Great Southern Railway for more information about available discounts.
The Beijing-Lhasa Express
The journey: A 48-hour trip covering over 2,500 miles from Beijing to Lhasa aboard the world’s highest – and most politically controversial – train.
Outside your window: The Kunlun Mountains, the Hol Xil National Nature Reserve and miles upon miles of remote Tibetan plateau landscape blanketed in permafrost.
Passenger profile: Given the complications of securing both Chinese visas and Tibet visitor visas, the trains are populated predominately by Chinese travelers, though Western tourists do appear from time to time.
Itinerary add-ons: Check with tour operators and travel agencies to find trip extensions into Nepal and other parts of China.
Know before you go: Reaching altitudes in the neighborhood of 16,600 feet, the train is known for sending its passengers into the throws of altitude sickness. While oxygen is pumped into the cars and individual hoses for sucking down more offer additional relief, some who’ve ridden the train recommend getting a prescription medicine like Diamox to combat altitude sickness. For a solid overview of the experience, check out High Train to Tibet.
The Canadian Rockies via the Rocky Mountaineer
The journey: Multi-day trips of up to 11 days exploring the Canadian Rockies with overnights in resorts and hotels along the way.
Outside your window: Highlights on the popular Vancouver to Calgary route include Fraser Canyon, the manmade Spiral Tunnels and the rushing waters of Fraser River’s Hell’s Gate.
Passenger profile: Mostly Western tourists in couples or small groups, though families are also common. The packages are especially popular with retirees and cruise passengers.
Itinerary add-ons: Trips can be as little as two days or as many as 11. Many passengers choose to tack shorter train trips onto the beginning or end of Alaskan cruises or arrange a few days in popular destinations like Vancouver, Whistler and Banff at the beginning or end of their trip.
Know before you go: The tours offered aboard the Rocky Mountaineer train are only offered between April and October.
