There’s something unquestionably romantic about long-distance train travel. Many of us haven’t done it (yet), but we’ve binged the fantasy through film and fiction from the less-than-idyllic Murder on the Orient Express to Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited. So when the idea for this story surfaced in a recent Currency team meeting, it was met with instant, dare we say it, over-enthusiasm.
While South Africans are lucky enough to have two heavyweights of their own in Rovos Rail and the Blue Train, this is a round-up of international luxury trains on which the journey is just as important as the destination – even if it comes at a steep price. You’ll notice that three of the choo-choos on this list are Belmond-owned. The hotel group has the luxury train market pretty much cornered.
The Ghan
The Ghan is one of Australia’s most iconic rail journeys, travelling through the heart of the country between Adelaide and Darwin, with some itineraries extending to Alice Springs. Named after the Afghan cameleers who once helped explore and supply Australia’s remote interior, the train passes through vast desert landscapes, red earth and some of the country’s most remote scenery.
The journey takes around three to four days and offers a distinctly Australian take on luxury travel. Interiors are sleek and contemporary, while the experience combines fine dining, lounge cars and all-inclusive off-train excursions that lean heavily into the outback setting.
Part of the appeal is the variety of stops along the way. One standout is the tiny settlement of Marla, where guests step off before sunrise for coffee, bacon and egg rolls and the chance to watch the desert slowly wake up. Longer stops in Alice Springs include visits to the famous School of the Air and the reptile centre, offering a glimpse into life in Australia’s remote interior.
Back on board, the food draws heavily on regional ingredients and local suppliers, paired with Australian wines and ever-changing views outside the windows. The overall atmosphere feels relaxed, spacious and connected to the landscape it moves through.
The Maharajas’ Express
Often described as “the Orient Express of the East”, the Maharajas’ Express offers lavish multi-day journeys through some of India’s most celebrated destinations. Think Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Mumbai, with itineraries that combine royal palaces, historic forts, wildlife safaris and cultural experiences with five-star hospitality on board.
The train’s interiors are the epitome of old-world opulence, with ornate suites, butler service, elegant dining cars and lounges inspired by India’s regal past. Routes range from four to seven nights and include curated off-train experiences such as visiting the Taj Mahal, exploring Rajasthan’s palaces and even tiger safaris in Ranthambore National Park. It’s unapologetically over the top in the best possible way.
Andean Explorer
The Andean Explorer, South America’s first luxury sleeper train, offers one of the most dramatic rail journeys in the world. Operated by Belmond, the train feels quieter and more contemporary than some of the grand European-style luxury trains, but it’s no less indulgent.
Interiors blend traditional Peruvian influences with polished old-world detailing, mixing local craftsmanship, woven textures and soft alpaca accents with elegant sleeper cabins, fine dining and an open-air observation carriage built for taking in the altitude-defying scenery.
Off-board experiences include everything from exploring the ancient Sumbay Caves and the ruins of Raqchi to discovering Taquile Island’s famed textile traditions. There’s even a spa car on board, while oxygen is available in cabins for added comfort at high altitudes.
The Royal Scotsman
The Royal Scotsman might just be the most covetable train journey on this list. The luxury sleeper train winds through the Scottish Highlands on journeys departing from Edinburgh, passing castles, lochs, mountains and remote Highland villages along the way.
The Royal Scotsman is classic country-house style on rails, with rich tartans, polished wood panelling, cosy lounges and an intimate atmosphere that feels unmistakably Scottish. One of its standout features is the open-air observation carriage at the back of the train, seemingly designed for whisky in hand while taking in the scenery.
Off-train experiences range from distillery visits and countryside walks to clay pigeon shooting and wild swimming, while back on board there’s now a Dior spa carriage inspired by Christian Dior’s long-standing love affair with Scotland. The train’s Grand Suites draw on Scottish landscapes and craftsmanship, and the food offering is all about local produce, seafood and, naturally, a wee dram or two. Elegant but never stuffy, the vibe is less train journey and more like a beautifully curated Highland escape.
The British Pullman
The British Pullman is another of the UK’s most famous luxury trains. Unlike the grand multi-night rail journeys on this list, this one is all about indulgent day trips departing from London and pairing journeys through the English countryside with fine dining, afternoon teas, murder-mystery experiences and glamorous themed excursions.
Made up of beautifully restored 1920s and 1930s Art Deco carriages, the train has long channelled old-world cinematic glamour, something only heightened by its creative collaborations. Filmmaker Wes Anderson designed the whimsical Cygnus carriage, while the newly launched Celia carriage comes from Moulin Rouge! director Baz Luhrmann and Oscar-winning designer Catherine Martin. Set inside a restored 1932 carriage, Celia is an intimate new private dining and events space, complete with a cocktail bar, lounge and richly theatrical interiors inspired by 1930s London. It’s the ideal setting in which to don your vintage best, order a martini or two and settle in for a seriously glamorous ride.
Top image: Rawpixel/Currency collage.
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