Train Over Plane: Scenic Rail Routes That Beat Flying
In a world obsessed with speed, this article celebrates the charm of train travel over flying. From Switzerland’s Glacier Express to India’s Darjeeling Toy Train, discover eight scenic rail routes that offer immersive landscapes, cultural richness, and soulful slowness, reminding us that sometimes, the journey itself is the most beautiful destination.
( Image credit : Unsplash )
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It started with a missed flight.
No dramatic scene, just a delay, a gate change, and a quiet realization that I wouldn’t make it. Frustrated, I booked a train instead. What began as a backup plan turned into something unexpectedly beautiful.
The slow rhythm of the rails, the shifting landscapes outside the window, the absence of chaos, it all felt so human. I wasn’t just being transported. I was traveling.
Since then, I’ve taken the train whenever I can, not because it’s faster, but because it reminds me that the journey matters. It lets you see the world, not just fly over it.
Here are some of the most stunning, immersive, and unforgettable rail journeys around the world that not only rival air travel but beat it hands down.
Often dubbed the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express connects Zermatt to St. Moritz across the Swiss Alps. It’s not about speed, it’s about soaking in every snow-dusted peak, every pine forest, every charming village. With panoramic windows and a leisurely pace, this eight-hour journey feels like a moving postcard.
While a flight between these destinations might take under an hour, what you miss is the heart-stirring beauty of Switzerland unfolding inch by inch. The Glacier Express doesn’t just show you the Alps, it makes you feel them.
The Canadian Rockies are dramatic, wild, and cinematic. And there’s no better way to experience them than aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. This luxury train offers multiple routes, with the most popular being from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper.
Glass-domed coaches, gourmet dining, and storytelling hosts elevate this into a full-sensory experience. You’ll pass rushing rivers, glacier-fed lakes, and possibly even bears in the wild, all things you'd never see at 30,000 feet. It's not just a journey, it's a gentle immersion into nature’s grandeur.
Known as the “Toy Train,” this narrow-gauge railway snakes through the misty hills of West Bengal from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. Built in the late 19th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a slice of colonial-era charm.
The train moves slowly, very slowly, but that’s the point. As you curve along mountain ridges, tea gardens, and small towns, you’re not just sightseeing, you’re time traveling. It’s a rare instance where the journey feels like a lullaby.
If the idea of misty moors, lonely lochs, and highland peaks thrills you, the West Highland Line is your ticket to magic. Running from Glasgow to Mallaig, this route is often considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
You’ll cross the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct (yes, the one made famous by Harry Potter), and venture into landscapes so raw and untouched, they seem drawn from myth. Compared to a quick flight, the train offers a layered experience, history, poetry, and landscape in one long, cinematic sweep.
This is more than a train, it’s a moving five-star hotel. The Blue Train runs from Pretoria to Cape Town and is synonymous with luxury, elegance, and slow grandeur.
Gleaming interiors, butler service, and gourmet meals contrast beautifully with the changing scenery, from semi-deserts to wine country to mountains. Taking a flight between these cities is common, but you’d be trading a transformational 31-hour experience for a forgettable two-hour hop.
This stunning journey crosses the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth. From snow capped mountains to lush rainforests, from braided rivers to deep gorges, the TranzAlpine feels like an unfolding epic.
It’s a short ride (less than 5 hours), but every minute is mesmerizing. Flights between these towns are quick, but they leave you with nothing to remember. The train, however, leaves you with imprints of wonder.
Another Alpine gem, the Bernina Express travels from Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy), passing glaciers, lakes, and spiral viaducts. The engineering is brilliant, but the views are breathtaking.
You literally feel the geography and culture shift under you. Instead of jumping countries by plane, this route lets you feel the transition. It’s symbolic, almost poetic.
Japan is famous for its fast trains, but the slower, scenic ones offer deeper charm. The Romancecar from Kyoto to Hakone takes you through the countryside, coastlines, and hot spring towns.
With large observation windows and beautifully designed interiors, it proves that even in a land obsessed with efficiency, beauty and intentional slowness still matter.
Environmental Impact: Trains emit significantly less CO2 than planes. Choosing rail travel is one small but impactful way to tread lighter.Mental Peace: No turbulence, no cramped seating, no stressful security checks. Trains offer a gentle, grounded alternative.Visual Delight: You see the world shift around you. It's not just travel, it’s a moving cinema.Local Flavor: Trains connect towns, not just cities. You interact with locals, not just tourists.Romantic Nostalgia: There’s something about train travel that awakens memory, dream, and emotion. It feels like poetry in motion.
In a world obsessed with efficiency, choosing a slower, more scenic route may feel countercultural. But that’s exactly what makes it powerful. Train journeys aren’t just about reaching places—they’re about touching something deeper within yourself.
So the next time you’re planning a trip, pause before booking that flight. Ask yourself, What’s the rush? Sometimes, it’s in the slowness, in the gentle unfolding of the journey, where the real magic lies.
Let the train take you, not just across borders, but back to a quieter, fuller experience of travel itself.
Because sometimes, the long way is the most beautiful way.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do these trains run year-round?
Many do, but some operate seasonally depending on weather and terrain.Are scenic trains suitable for kids and families?
Absolutely—many offer family-friendly seating, meals, and views.Do I need a passport for cross-border train journeys?
Yes, for international routes like Bernina Express, carry valid travel documents.
No dramatic scene, just a delay, a gate change, and a quiet realization that I wouldn’t make it. Frustrated, I booked a train instead. What began as a backup plan turned into something unexpectedly beautiful.
The slow rhythm of the rails, the shifting landscapes outside the window, the absence of chaos, it all felt so human. I wasn’t just being transported. I was traveling.
Since then, I’ve taken the train whenever I can, not because it’s faster, but because it reminds me that the journey matters. It lets you see the world, not just fly over it.
Here are some of the most stunning, immersive, and unforgettable rail journeys around the world that not only rival air travel but beat it hands down.
1. The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Train moving in snow
( Image credit : Pexels )
Often dubbed the “slowest express train in the world,” the Glacier Express connects Zermatt to St. Moritz across the Swiss Alps. It’s not about speed, it’s about soaking in every snow-dusted peak, every pine forest, every charming village. With panoramic windows and a leisurely pace, this eight-hour journey feels like a moving postcard.
While a flight between these destinations might take under an hour, what you miss is the heart-stirring beauty of Switzerland unfolding inch by inch. The Glacier Express doesn’t just show you the Alps, it makes you feel them.
2. The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Train moving in mountain
( Image credit : Freepik )
The Canadian Rockies are dramatic, wild, and cinematic. And there’s no better way to experience them than aboard the Rocky Mountaineer. This luxury train offers multiple routes, with the most popular being from Vancouver to Banff or Jasper.
Glass-domed coaches, gourmet dining, and storytelling hosts elevate this into a full-sensory experience. You’ll pass rushing rivers, glacier-fed lakes, and possibly even bears in the wild, all things you'd never see at 30,000 feet. It's not just a journey, it's a gentle immersion into nature’s grandeur.
3. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, India
toy train
( Image credit : Freepik )
Known as the “Toy Train,” this narrow-gauge railway snakes through the misty hills of West Bengal from New Jalpaiguri to Darjeeling. Built in the late 19th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s a slice of colonial-era charm.
The train moves slowly, very slowly, but that’s the point. As you curve along mountain ridges, tea gardens, and small towns, you’re not just sightseeing, you’re time traveling. It’s a rare instance where the journey feels like a lullaby.
4. The West Highland Line, Scotland
Train in mountain
( Image credit : Freepik )
If the idea of misty moors, lonely lochs, and highland peaks thrills you, the West Highland Line is your ticket to magic. Running from Glasgow to Mallaig, this route is often considered one of the most beautiful train rides in the world.
You’ll cross the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct (yes, the one made famous by Harry Potter), and venture into landscapes so raw and untouched, they seem drawn from myth. Compared to a quick flight, the train offers a layered experience, history, poetry, and landscape in one long, cinematic sweep.
5. The Blue Train, South Africa
Luxurious train
( Image credit : Freepik )
This is more than a train, it’s a moving five-star hotel. The Blue Train runs from Pretoria to Cape Town and is synonymous with luxury, elegance, and slow grandeur.
Gleaming interiors, butler service, and gourmet meals contrast beautifully with the changing scenery, from semi-deserts to wine country to mountains. Taking a flight between these cities is common, but you’d be trading a transformational 31-hour experience for a forgettable two-hour hop.
6. The TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Trian moving in forest
( Image credit : Freepik )
This stunning journey crosses the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth. From snow capped mountains to lush rainforests, from braided rivers to deep gorges, the TranzAlpine feels like an unfolding epic.
It’s a short ride (less than 5 hours), but every minute is mesmerizing. Flights between these towns are quick, but they leave you with nothing to remember. The train, however, leaves you with imprints of wonder.
7. The Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy
Train passing glacier
( Image credit : Freepik )
Another Alpine gem, the Bernina Express travels from Chur (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy), passing glaciers, lakes, and spiral viaducts. The engineering is brilliant, but the views are breathtaking.
You literally feel the geography and culture shift under you. Instead of jumping countries by plane, this route lets you feel the transition. It’s symbolic, almost poetic.
8. The Kyoto to Hakone Romancecar, Japan
Japan train moving countr
( Image credit : Pexels )
Japan is famous for its fast trains, but the slower, scenic ones offer deeper charm. The Romancecar from Kyoto to Hakone takes you through the countryside, coastlines, and hot spring towns.
With large observation windows and beautifully designed interiors, it proves that even in a land obsessed with efficiency, beauty and intentional slowness still matter.
Why Choose Trains Over Planes?
The Journey Is the Destination
Scenic train journey
( Image credit : Pexels )
In a world obsessed with efficiency, choosing a slower, more scenic route may feel countercultural. But that’s exactly what makes it powerful. Train journeys aren’t just about reaching places—they’re about touching something deeper within yourself.
So the next time you’re planning a trip, pause before booking that flight. Ask yourself, What’s the rush? Sometimes, it’s in the slowness, in the gentle unfolding of the journey, where the real magic lies.
Let the train take you, not just across borders, but back to a quieter, fuller experience of travel itself.
Because sometimes, the long way is the most beautiful way.
Unlock insightful tips and inspiration on personal growth, productivity, and well-being. Stay motivated and updated with the latest at My Life XP.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Do these trains run year-round?
Many do, but some operate seasonally depending on weather and terrain.Are scenic trains suitable for kids and families?
Absolutely—many offer family-friendly seating, meals, and views.Do I need a passport for cross-border train journeys?
Yes, for international routes like Bernina Express, carry valid travel documents.