Why Rail Travel Feels So Different

What I love about rail travel, is that it makes the getting there part of the holiday, not just a means to an end.

On a train, the “in‑between” places suddenly matter. You see vineyards sliding past, little villages tucked into hillsides, rivers flashing in and out of view, forests, meadows and mountain passes. Rather than jumping from one airport to another, you actually get a sense of the landscape and how it changes from region to region.

Modern scenic trains add an extra layer of comfort:

• Generous seats and space to move around.
• Panoramic or glass‑domed windows so you do not miss a thing.
• Lounge or dining cars where you can enjoy local food and drink as you travel.

Travel days stop feeling like an endurance test and start feeling like part of the treat. This really appeals to travellers who care more about experiences and memories than shaving an hour off their journey.

What Turns a Train Ride into a “Wow” Journey

Not every rail route is created equal. When I am choosing or suggesting a train journey, I am usually looking for a few key ingredients:

• Big, dramatic scenery
  Think soaring mountain ranges, deep valleys, national parks, fjords or rugged coastlines. The best routes feel wild and remote, with the view changing constantly so there is always something new to look at.
• Designed-for-viewing carriages
  Many of the truly special trains have huge windows, sometimes even curved glass roofs, plus dedicated viewing or observation cars. You are not craning your neck for a glimpse, you are wrapped in the landscape.
• Impressive rail engineering
  Part of the magic is how these lines were built in the first place. You might cross soaring viaducts, dive in and out of spiral tunnels, or climb gradients that feel impossible. It all adds a sense of drama and history.
• Stops with character and culture
  My favourite itineraries combine the scenic journey with time in interesting places along the way: charming towns, lakeside resorts, fjord villages or cities with great food scenes and history. It turns a beautiful train ride into a richer holiday.

When all of these elements come together, the train becomes the “star attraction” rather than just transport.

Three Iconic Scenic Rail Journeys I Love to Recommend

There are dozens of brilliant routes worldwide, but these three are classics for very good reason

Glacier Express, Switzerland

The Glacier Express is regularly described as one of the most scenic trains in the world, and it lives up to the hype.

Running between Zermatt and St. Moritz, it glides right through the heart of the Swiss Alps, crossing hundreds of bridges and disappearing into almost as many tunnels. Along the way you have views of soaring peaks, dramatic gorges, storybook villages and sweeping alpine valleys.

Panoramic carriages give you uninterrupted views, and you can enjoy Swiss specialities from your seat as the scenery keeps changing outside. It is a full‑day journey, but clients always tell me it feels like it passes in a series of “wow” moments rather than hours on a timetable.

Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

If you dream of wild landscapes and big skies, the Rocky Mountaineer through western Canada is a standout.

Travelling through British Columbia and Alberta, it traces rivers, skirts emerald lakes, and winds between jagged peaks and thick forests. There is a real feeling of wilderness, and it is not unusual for guests to spot wildlife such as bears or elk along the route.

The glass‑domed railcars are designed so you can see as much as possible, and the train only moves during daylight. Evenings are spent in comfortable hotels along the way, which gives the whole trip a relaxed, easy rhythm: incredible scenery by day, a proper bed and dinner each night.

Flåm Railway, Norway

For something shorter but incredibly dramatic, I often suggest the Flåm Railway in Norway.

This is a compact yet unforgettable ride between the mountain station of Myrdal and the fjord village of Flåm. In a relatively short distance, the train descends almost 1,000 metres, threading its way through some of Norway’s most striking landscapes.

You pass thundering waterfalls, sheer cliffs, tiny farms clinging to hillsides and lush valleys that open up towards the famous Norwegian fjords. There is even a scenic stop at a waterfall where you can step off and feel the spray. It may be brief, but it leaves a deep impression.

Why Rail Holidays Are Back in Fashion

The growing interest in rail holidays is about more than nostalgia. It lines up with wider changes in how many of us want to travel:

• A move towards slower, more meaningful trips
  Instead of ticking off as many cities as possible, people are asking for itineraries with breathing space. Rail journeys naturally lend themselves to that slower pace.
• Wanting the journey to be part of the story
  Rather than “dead time” between places, travellers increasingly want their travel days to be memorable too. Watching a new landscape unfold from your seat achieves exactly that.
• Thinking about sustainability
  For those who are conscious of their footprint, rail can often be a more environmentally friendly option than flying or driving long distances.
• Comfort and convenience
  No airport queues, no strict hand luggage checks, and you tend to arrive right in the city centre. Modern trains are generally very comfortable, with space to stretch, eat, chat and move around.

Put together, it is easy to see why rail holidays have moved from being a niche idea to something many clients now have firmly on their wish lists.

Is Planning a Rail Holiday Complicated?

It can look a bit daunting when you first start Googling train maps and timetables, especially if you are linking several routes together. That is often where I step in.

A well‑designed rail holiday can combine:

• Iconic train journeys
• Stays in carefully chosen hotels along the route
• Time in each destination to explore properly
• Optional guided tours, lake cruises, fjord excursions, mountain cable cars and more

Everything is joined up so connections make sense, tickets and reservations are in place, and you are not left worrying about logistics in another language.

Why the Journey Itself Matters So Much

What keeps drawing people back to rail holidays is that they offer a rare blend: exciting and scenic, yet soothing and unhurried.

You move through landscapes rather than just flying over them. You roll into the heart of cities rather than arriving miles outside. You see the places in between your “big” stops instead of skipping over them.

Whether you are crossing the Swiss Alps, gliding alongside the Canadian Rockies or weaving your way down towards a Norwegian fjord, rail travel gives you a different perspective on the world: more intimate, more connected and often surprisingly emotional.

If you are craving something memorable, immersive and just a little bit magical for a next trip, this might be the moment to start thinking about a rail holiday.