Train Rides That Take You Back In Time
There are train rides that get you from point A to point B. And then there are train rides that feel like you’re chugging into a different century. Snow-dusted peaks, medieval villages, lonely deserts, brooding fjords, and magnificent Art Nouveau stations that haven’t changed in over a hundred years, these trains will transform you into a character in a period drama.
They glide through time, reminding you of what the world used to be or still can be when you leave the highway behind. And there’s something hypnotic about the sound of wheels clicking over tracks, the way a landscape slides by, bend after bend.
You watch it happen through smudged glass as towns blur and then sharpen into view and life slow down, and grows quieter. The stations, some grand and crumbling, others preserved like time capsules, only add to the illusion that you’ve slipped into another era.
Here are some of the most unforgettable train journeys across Europe and beyond that make you feel like you’re time-traveling.
The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Nicknamed “the slowest express train in the world,” The Glacier Express links Zermatt and St. Moritz, two legendary Swiss resort towns. But the magic lies in the journey, not the destination.
Luxurious carriages glide through deep valleys, over 291 bridges, and past villages where time seems to stand still. Framed by snow-capped, alpine mountains, the old chalets and timeworn churches feel like a portal to another century.
The train takes eight hours to cover 290 km, and somehow, that slow grace is part of the spell – an unhurried immersion in nature, history, and the quiet power of the mountains.
The Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
The Seven Stars in Kyushu is a moving reflection of Japanese craftsmanship, hospitality, and quiet luxury. Launched in 2013 and often described as the most elegant train in Japan, the train loops through the island of Kyushu which is known for its volcanic landscapes, steaming onsens, samurai-era architecture, and centuries-old artisan traditions.
From the moment you board at Hakata Station in Fukuoka, the atmosphere shifts. Interiors feature handcrafted woodwork, kumiko lattice screens, shoji-style windows, and washi paper accents. All are sourced and made by local artisans.
Guests disembark for curated excursions to places like Yufuin, known for its serene hot springs, and Arita, a town famed for porcelain that has been exported globally for over 400 years. There are tea ceremonies, visits to small family-run studios, and quiet moments built into the schedule.
The Belmond Royal Scotsman, Scotland
If the notion of sipping whisky (liquid sunshine) in a mahogany-paneled dining car while gawping in awe at passing castles and lochs sounds like a dream, The Royal Scotsman makes it real. Departing from Edinburgh, this sumptuous train invites you to step back into the golden age of rail travel.
With tartan wool interiors, Edwardian decor, and a formal dress code, it channels the elegance of 19th-century Scotland. Guests are treated to gourmet cuisine, live music, and guided excursions to stately homes and ancient battlefields.
From the countryside vistas to the nostalgic elegance, every moment of the journey is steeped in the grandeur of the bygone Highlands.
The Blue Train, South Africa
The Blue Train runs between Pretoria and Cape Town, but this is not your morning commute. With its deep-blue exterior and polished interiors, the train is a moving five-star hotel with private suites, marble bathrooms, attentive butler service, and Cape wines served with multi-course meals.
But the real show is beyond the window pane. The route slices through vast, sunbaked plains, vineyards that roll toward the horizon, and mountain ranges that seem to rise out of nowhere.
One key stop is Kimberley, once the epicenter of South Africa’s diamond rush. Inside, the rich wood paneling, gold accents, and quiet hush of old-world luxury contrast with the wide, cinematic sweep of the outside terrain.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Italy
Just hearing the name evokes dramatic landscapes and timeless grandeur. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond, revives the elegance and intrigue of early 20th-century Europe.
The train’s original carriages from the 1920s and ’30s are restored with Lalique glass panels, polished wood, and Art Deco charm. Routes vary, from Venice to Paris to Istanbul, but the feeling remains the same: stepping into a scene from an Agatha Christie novel, minus the mystery.
French chefs prepare meals, and the bar car features a baby grand piano. Passengers dress for dinner, sip cocktails, and wake up to changing landscapes that feel more cinematic than real.
The Al Andalus Train, Spain
This southern Spanish train route fuses two historic worlds. The Al Andalus Train is a relic of the 1920s Belle Époque, once used by British royalty.
Inside, the decor is plush and dramatic – more palace than train. But the landscapes it crosses are just as remarkable. Running from Seville through Ronda, Granada, and Córdoba, you pass Roman ruins, palaces, and sun-drenched hills.
Here, traces of Moorish culture still linger in the architecture and language. Every stop is an open-air museum, as the train winds through culture and time, a route designed to enrapture from start to finish.
The Tren Crucero, Ecuador
The Tren Crucero is a thrilling South American train journey. Running between Quito and Guayaquil, it crosses some of Ecuador’s most diverse and dramatic landscapes.
The journey begins high in the Andes, where snow-dusted volcanoes loom over colonial-era towns, and gradually descends to the tropical lowlands near the Pacific coast. The train moves at a gentle pace, allowing both your senses and imagination to adjust as the altitude rises and the landscape transforms.
Along the way, you step off to meet local weavers in Chimborazo, visit indigenous communities, or wander through markets in Riobamba and Alausí. One of the most jaw-dropping sections is the famous Devil’s Nose, a steep zigzag descent that once made railway engineers nervous and now makes passengers gasp.
The Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy
The Bernina Express takes travelers from snow-blanketed Alpine peaks to palm-dotted Italian towns in mere hours.
Departing from Chur, Switzerland, and arriving in Tirano, Italy, the adventure crosses the Bernina Pass at over 2,200 meters before descending into sunlit valleys. The route, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an engineering marvel, and the shifting scenery is absolutely unforgettable.
Icy lakes give way to stone villages, terraced vineyards, and Mediterranean skies. In just one afternoon, you cross altitudes, climates, and centuries — each mile brings a startling new landscape.
The Maharajas’ Express, India
India’s landscapes are rich in history, and The Maharajas’ Express is a most opulent way to explore them. Running multiple routes from Delhi, this train is styled after royal carriages, complete with private butlers, grand dining cars, and lavish suites.
The route winds through Jaipur, Agra, Udaipur, and Varanasi – cities where Mughal palaces, Rajput forts, and echoes of colonial rule sit side by side.
One moment, you’re standing before the Taj Mahal at sunrise; the next, you’re watching camels move slowly past crumbling desert outposts.
The Rauma Line, Norway
Running between Dombås and Åndalsnes, the Rauma Line may be short, but it leaves a lasting impression. The train passes towering cliffs, deep gorges, and the emerald Rauma River.
As you approach Trollveggen (Troll Wall), Europe’s tallest vertical rock face, it’s easy to imagine you’ve wandered into a Norse legend. The landscape is unspoiled and oddly spiritual.
The design of the train is minimalist, letting nature tell the story. In a world rushing forward, this slice of Norway holds still and invites you to do the same.
The Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia
Few train journeys mix majesty and history quite like the Eastern & Oriental Express. Operated by Belmond, this luxury train runs between Bangkok and Singapore, gliding through Malaysia’s countryside offers a vivid sense of place, rich in texture and quiet detail.
The route goes through a tropical world of lush rice paddies, golden Buddhist temples, dense rainforests, and quiet villages. Inside, the train channels 1930s glamour. You will find cherrywood-paneled corridors, Art Deco details, and plush private cabins with picture windows that turn every moment into a moving postcard.
From the scent of orchids in your cabin to the slow rhythm of travel through Southeast Asia’s lush green heat, every detail is meant to transport you to another place and another time.
Planning Your Journey Through Time
To plan a journey like this, a bit of research goes a long way. For European rail travel, sites like Trainline, Rail Europe, Eurail, and Interrail let you compare routes, book tickets, and explore multi-country passes.
For more specialized luxury journeys, it’s best to book directly through train operators like Belmond for the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express or the Eastern & Oriental Express, and Seven Stars in Kyushu or The Blue Train for routes in Japan and South Africa.
