For tourists who want to explore a country, travelling by train can be a great choice.
For tourists who want to explore a country, travelling by train can be far more rewarding than flying. From a train window, passengers can watch cities become suburbs, farmland turn into mountains, and forests give way to deserts. Train travel also allows visitors to understand how different regions are connected. Some famous journeys are luxury experiences created for tourists, while others are normal public services that happen to pass through spectacular scenery. Prices can change depending on the season and the type of ticket, but the figures below give a useful general idea.
Switzerland’s Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St Moritz across about 291 kilometres of Alpine landscape. Despite its name, it is not a fast train. The journey takes around eight hours and crosses 291 bridges while passing through 91 tunnels. Highlights include the Rhine Gorge, the Oberalp Pass, the Landwasser Viaduct and views of the mountains near Zermatt. The route is ideal for travellers who want to stop in places such as Andermatt or Chur. A second-class ticket may cost around CHF159, while the compulsory reservation can increase the total to about CHF210 or more.
Another famous Alpine journey is the Bernina Express, which travels from Switzerland towards Tirano in northern Italy. The route creates a striking juxtaposition between snowy mountain scenery and the warmer Italian valleys. From Chur, the journey takes about four hours and covers roughly 144 kilometres. From St Moritz, it takes around two and a half hours. Passengers see turquoise lakes, mountain passes and dramatic viaducts, including the circular Brusio Viaduct. A second-class panoramic journey with a reservation may cost between CHF85 and CHF100.
In Scotland, the West Highland Line runs from Glasgow to Mallaig over approximately 264 kilometres. The trip takes about five and a half hours and passes Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Fort William and the western Highlands. Travellers can see lochs, mountains and wide areas of open countryside. The train also crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which became famous through the Harry Potter films. Because it is a normal public service used by local people, the journey feels especially immersive. Advance tickets may begin at around £25 one way.
Norway’s Flåm Railway is only 20 kilometres long, but it offers some of the country’s most quintessential scenery. The train travels between Myrdal, 867 metres above sea level, and Flåm beside the Aurlandsfjord. The journey takes around one hour each way. Passengers see waterfalls, farms, steep mountainsides and narrow valleys. Tickets often begin at around NOK400. Tourists can combine this route with the Bergen Railway between Oslo and Bergen and then continue by ferry through the fjords.
In New Zealand, the TranzAlpine crosses the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth. The route covers about 223 kilometres and takes just under five hours. It begins on the Canterbury Plains before entering the Southern Alps and passing through Arthur’s Pass. The train later descends towards the greener West Coast. This journey shows New Zealand’s impressive topographical variety, from flat farmland to mountains and forests. Standard fares usually begin at around NZ$249 one way, while premium tickets with meals may cost NZ$499 or more.
Japan’s Tokaido Shinkansen offers a very different experience. The high-speed railway connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Osaka. The fastest trains travel from Tokyo to Kyoto in about two hours and ten minutes, covering more than 500 kilometres. On clear days, passengers may see Mount Fuji. The line allows tourists to traverse one of Japan’s most important regions quickly while combining modern cities with historic destinations. A reserved one-way ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto usually costs around ¥14,000 to ¥15,000.
In the United States, the California Zephyr travels between Chicago and Emeryville, near San Francisco. It covers approximately 3,900 kilometres and takes around 52 hours, including two nights onboard. The train crosses the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountains, Utah’s deserts and the Sierra Nevada. Coach tickets may begin at around US$150 to US$250 when booked early, although private rooms cost much more. Travellers can also stop in cities such as Denver, Salt Lake City or Reno.
These journeys show that the best train ride depends on what a traveller values. Some routes offer speed, others luxury, and others affordable access to dramatic landscapes. What they all share is the chance to watch a country change gradually through the window. A great railway journey does more than carry tourists between destinations. It helps them understand the geography, culture and scale of the country they are exploring.
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