Scenic Rail Journeys, Route by Route

Some train journeys are worth taking for the ride itself. They climb through mountains, follow coastlines and cross landscapes that roads and flights never reach, at a pace that leaves time to look. The routes below are among the best known, each with a different character. Schedules, seasons and prices change, so book through the operators' official sites and check timetables before planning around them.

Glacier Express, Switzerland

Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz, about eight hours.

What you see: the line crosses 291 bridges and passes through 91 tunnels, climbing to its high point at the Oberalp Pass, a little over 2,000 meters above sea level. Panoramic carriages have windows that curve up into the roof.

Worth knowing: it is often called the slowest express train in the world, which is part of the appeal. Seat reservations are required, and the whole route can be ridden on some Swiss rail passes with a reservation fee.

Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy

Route: Chur or St. Moritz to Tirano, just across the Italian border.

What you see: glaciers near the Bernina Pass and then a descent toward palm trees in Italy. The Albula and Bernina lines are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the circular viaduct at Brusio, where the track loops around and passes under itself, is one of the most photographed points.

Flåm Railway, Norway

Route: Myrdal, on the Oslo to Bergen line, down to Flåm at the head of a fjord. About an hour.

What you see: waterfalls, steep valleys and the Aurlandsfjord. Over roughly 20 kilometers the line descends more than 860 meters, making it one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world. Most trains pause at the Kjosfossen waterfall.

Worth knowing: combine it with the scenic Oslo to Bergen line and a fjord boat for a classic day trip known as Norway in a Nutshell.

West Highland Line, Scotland

Route: Glasgow to Fort William and on to Mallaig, about five and a half hours end to end.

What you see: lochs, the wide emptiness of Rannoch Moor and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which became famous from the Harry Potter films. In summer, the Jacobite steam train runs on the Fort William to Mallaig section and sells out early. The regular service covers the same track.

California Zephyr, United States

Route: Chicago to Emeryville, near San Francisco, run by Amtrak. About 2,400 miles over two nights.

What you see: the plains, the Colorado Rockies, canyons along the Colorado River, Utah's desert and the Sierra Nevada. Sightseer lounge cars have floor-to-ceiling windows.

Worth knowing: long-distance trains in the US are often delayed by freight traffic, so leave slack in your plans. A sleeper roomette includes meals and a bed, but coach seats are much cheaper for those who can sleep sitting up.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Route: Vancouver to Banff or Jasper through the Canadian Rockies, over two days.

What you see: it travels only in daylight, stopping overnight in a hotel in Kamloops, so the whole route is seen rather than slept through.

Worth knowing: it is a premium tourist train with prices to match, running in the warmer months.

Sagano Scenic Railway, Japan

Route: Saga-Torokko station near Arashiyama, on the western edge of Kyoto, to Kameoka. About 25 minutes.

What you see: the narrow Hozugawa River gorge, which is especially popular in spring for cherry blossom and in autumn when the maples turn red. One carriage on some trains is open-sided.

Worth knowing: many visitors ride the train out and return by traditional flat-bottomed boat down the Hozu River, a trip of around two hours. Tickets sell out on busy weekends, so book ahead in peak seasons.

Rail passes

Passes can make scenic routes cheaper, especially combined with ordinary travel. The Swiss Travel Pass covers the Glacier and Bernina Express lines, though seat reservations cost extra, and Eurail and Interrail passes cover much of Europe, including the Norwegian and Scottish routes, with some supplements. Compare the pass price with individual tickets for your actual itinerary, since a pass is not always cheaper.

Choosing and planning

For a first scenic rail trip, a shorter route such as the Flåm Railway or the West Highland Line is easy to fit into a wider itinerary. Longer journeys reward travelers who treat the train as part of the holiday rather than a way to get somewhere. Sit on the side recommended by the operator or by experienced riders for the best views, bring snacks for routes without dining cars, and remember that views in mountain regions can disappear behind cloud, so a flexible day or two helps. On overnight and long-distance routes, a small bag with essentials kept at your seat saves digging through luggage stored at the end of the carriage.