20 World’s best train rides (< 1 day)

Built during the Japanese occupation of Thailand in World War II, the Burma-Siam train track – better known as the Death Railway – represents a dark chapter of the country’s past.

More than 100.000 prisoners of war and civilian laborers lost their lives due to hunger and exhaustion, making this one of the deadliest construction projects in modern history.

These days, most visitors come to pay their respects at the iron railway bridge made famous by the eponymous 1957 movie Bridge on the River Kwai (though few know it was filmed in Sri Lanka).

But unless you’re a history buff, the bridge itself isn’t all that interesting. Instead, board one of the rickety trains still cruising the tracks several times a day to get a much better feel of the intense suffering this project has caused.

Steeped in the glamour of rail travel’s golden age, the vintage British Pullman train harks back to the roaring 1920s, with wood-panelled lounge cars, retro upholstery and liveried waiters serving Champagne and canapés.

Sister train to the Orient Express, the Pullman operates a variety of themed tours, visiting famous British cities and attractions (Bath, Bristol, Oxford, Highclere Castle, Sissinghurst, Chatsworth House & more) – a great way to tick off two bucket list experiences at once. Or you can simply go on a tour of the countryside while enjoying a Champagne afternoon tea.

It’s old, bumpy and slow, but the Ferrovia Circumetnea, (which translates as round-Etna railway), is still one of the great train rides of Europe.

Southern Italy’s first railway (1867) runs in a circle around the slopes of Mt Etna, from near Taormina to Catania. The old narrow-gauge trains are charming and the scenery is spectacular.

Make a day of it, and stop at one or two of the interesting villages along the way: Paternó, Adrano, Randazzo or Bronte.

This narrow-gauge railway, known locally as Trinicellu (‘Little Train’), links the principal towns of the east and west coasts of Corsica, traverses remote mountain landscapes devoid of roads and crosses a spectacular viaduct designed by Gustave Eiffel.

A measure of the scenery is given by the line’s 32 tunnels and 51 major bridges. River gorges, maquis-covered mountains and chestnut forests are part of the scenic delights.

The full-length trip from Ajeccio in the south to Bastia in the north takes a mere 2.5 hours – but it’s a great way to see the island.

There are few better ways to travel from the capital to the coast – or back again – than this overnight, low-key-luxury train service. Wide picture windows from each of the train’s 24 compartments provide panoramic views as bushveld and lonely farmlands give way to coastal dunes, while the spacious lounge and restaurant carriages offer comfortable corners to while away the 22-hour journey that includes a safari or sundowner stop.

The on-board restaurant serves up hearty Namibian cuisine, and has a decent wine list.

A must for train lovers, the Ffestiniog Railway is the world’s oldest narrow-gauge railway. But even for non-train buffs, it’s an enjoyable and atmospheric way extraordinary way to see and appreciate some of Wales most beautiful landscapes.

The 13.5-mile journey from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog snakes past lakes, waterfalls and the forests of Snowdonia National Park as it climbs 700ft into the mountains.

This 50-minute journey from Flåm in Norway to the mountain-top village of Myrdal is one of the world’s most scenic – and dramatic – train rides.

Ascending half a mile from the edge of the fjord, the 1:18 gradient is one of the steepest ascents of any train line in the world. The cog railway meanders through two dozen twisting tunnels as it climbs up to an altitude of 867m. Unmissable.

Europe’s most popular tourist train never leaves the mountains of the Valais and Graubunden in Switzerland, yet it passes through an astonishing variety of landscapes: snow-covered peaks that dwarf the train, the broad Goms Valley, desolate moors above Andermatt, the limestone cliffs of the Rhine gorge, and the breathtaking climb to the Albula Pass through spiral tunnels and horseshoe curves.

The narrow-gauge train carriages have panoramic windows and headphone commentary.

Opened in 1898, this is one of the highest cog railways in Europe and makes its way from the centre of Zermatt to the top of Mount Gornergrat, site of a former observatory, at 3,089m.

The 9km route offers heart-stopping views over the lower reaches of the Gorner Glacier and across to the Matterhorn. There are a number of stops on the way, and at the mountain top is a hotel, shopping arcade and two restaurants.

If you’re not hiking the Inca Trail, this is the way to reach the famous Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in comfort and style. Starting from the former Inca capital at Cusco, you’re whisked through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, past the towering Inca fortresses of Pisac and Ollantaytambo before entering the rainforest-shrouded Urubamba Valley.

Named after the man who rediscovered the ruins of Machu Picchu in 1911, this specially built narrow-gauge train has opulent carriages redolent of 1920s Pullman cars, with comfortable armchairs surrounded by varnished wood and brass fittings. Food is served in the dining car on fine white linen; dishes feature local ingredients in unfamiliar ways (with abundant Pisco Sours). A band plays Peruvian music with the cajón and tambourines in the bar car.

There are wonderful views en route – misty mountains, forgotten Quechua villages, distant ridges of serrated snow-capped peaks. The open observation car at the back of the train is the perfect place to soak in the views.

Transfers, guides and tea at the exclusive Sanctuary Lodge are included in the price.

One of the great hill railway journeys of India, the narrow-gauge line to Shimla climbs 1,219m in 96km, threading through 107 tunnels and crossing 800 bridges, some of them large viaducts. The line never seems to be straight as it twists and turns around the hills, giving passengers ever better views over the Himalayan foothills and sections of line below.

Shimla was the summer capital of the British Raj from 1864 and the headquarters of the British army.

Spend a day or more visiting the northern lake and the surrounding alpine valleys by train. The journey begins from any train station along Maggiore’s western shore to Domodossola, where you meet the scenic narrow-gauge Centovalli and Val Vigezzo train to Locarno in Switzerland. From there, sail back down the lake.

It’s a great way to drink in the beautiful scenery, with options for longer stops or overnights in the valley villages or Locarno.

First opened in 1875, this 7-mile line from Ravenglass to Dalegarth chugs along a scenic valley, and was originally built to ferry iron ore from the mines out to the coast.

Affectionately known as La’al Ratty, the miniature trains puff up to the high point at Miterdale for spectacular views of the Scafell range.

Some of the trains are steam-powered, but others have diesel engines – so check the timetable if you’re particularly keen on steam.

Cecil John Rhodes dreamt of a railway from Cape to Cairo, crossing Victoria Falls’ famous bridge. His tracks never made it that far, but you can still relive the glamour of colonial train travel as this historic steam train runs through the Zambian bush.

Carriages are decorated in a plush colonial style, and as the locomotive chuffs through the game-rich Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and across the Sinde River, you’ll have the chance to spot antelope on the hoof. After toasting the sunset on the iconic Victoria Falls bridge, a five-course set-menu dinner is served.

This rare example of a tourist train using genuinely historic rolling stock, began operations in 2017 using the 1890-built carriages for the royal train of Carlos I.

It has hosted many heads of state including Elizabeth II before becoming a magnificent way to enjoy the scenic delights of the Douro Valley Cultural Landscape – a World Heritage Site for its long association with port – and a port wine tasting at a private estate.

The train has compartments for 2, 3 or 6 people, but dining tables are for 4 people, respecting the original layout.

After leaving Porto a gourmet lunch is served before the mid-afternoon visit to Quinta do Vesuvio. Rejoining the train there are drinks and musical entertainment before arriving back in Porto.

Get above it all on the picturesque, human-scale, and wonderfully scenic Train des Pignes.

The historic steam engine takes 90 minutes to chug from Puget-Theniers to Annot, and on special occasions goes as far Le Fugeret.

Along the way, you pass through verdant French countryside, peppered with mountains and gorges, olive-oil mills and walled villages.

Choose to disembark at medieval Entrevaux with its citadel, or Annot and Le Fugeret for lovely walks.

It’s a spectacular route and a great day out in the South of France: kids love it too.

The railway from Glasgow to Fort William and on to Mallaig is rightly regarded as one of the world’s great railway journeys. From the moment the train climbs out of the Glasgow suburbs to give views over the Clyde, it is a scenic delight, taking in Loch Lomond, the wilds of Rannoch Moor, Ben Nevis, Loch Linhe, the famous concrete viaduct of Glenfinnan (featured in Harry Potter films) and culminating in glorious sea views.

The railway offers a unique perspective on many of the roadless landscapes en route. The wild landscapes have hardly changed since the railway was built in the late 19th century.

Whizzing around Japan at up to 320 km/h, Japan’s world-famous ‘bullet train’ (shinkansen in Japanese) isn’t just quick, convenient and incredibly punctual – a journey on one is a bucket list experience in and of itself.

From the regimented cleaning crews who whip through the train before boarding to make the carriages spotless, through to bowing conductors, it’s a very Japanese affair. It’s very safe too; in 50 years, carrying over 10 billion passengers, there has not been a single injury.

With comfy reclining seats and, in most cases, regular trolley services selling snacks and drinks, it’s also very relaxing – especially if you watch Japan go by from the window while tucking into a bento and sake. Just as importantly, the Shinkansen can get you across large parts of Japan’s main island, Honshu, but also connects to Kyushu out west and Hokkaido up north.

It connects Toyko, Kyoto, Osaka, Nagano and many other major cities. So if you are planning to visit multiple destinations on your trip, make the Shinkansen part of your itinerary.

Yes, this is the Harry Potter vintage steam train and it crosses the legendary 21-arched Glenfinnan viaduct, made famous by the films.

The Jacobite’s route up the west coast of Scotland is one of the world’s most spectacular rail journeys, an 84-mile round trip from Fort William to the little fishing village of Mallaig.

Starting in the shadow of Scotland’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis, other sights to tick off along the way include the mainland’s westernmost train station, the deepest loch and shortest river and glorious sweeps of sand that appeared in other cinematic gems, ‘Local Hero’ and ‘Highlander’.

Optional extras include pre-ordered Jacobite High teas served on the homeward leg, champagne and chocolates.

This 5-hour (one-way) coast-to-coast train takes you through New Zealand’s ‘Great Divide’, the spine of mountains running down the islands’ centre.

You’ll wind along the Waimakariri River valley, cross the Canterbury Plains, pass through gorges and rainforests, ascend into Arthur’s Pass, and explore the lush plains of Inchbonnie.

The carriages have glass sides to maximise the views from the comfort of your seat, and there is also an outdoor viewing carriage that anyone can use.

If you can work it into your itinerary, it’s a relaxing way to see New Zealand’s spectacular interior.