12 Luxury Train Rides That You'll Want to Add to Your Bucket List

Often referred to as the world’s most luxurious train, Japan’s Cruise Train Seven Stars brings old-school luxury to a technologically advanced railway. It lays claim to being the country’s first luxury sleeper, with its first run in 2013.

With multi-day tours around the island of Kyushu, riders onboard the Seven Stars will get up close to both mountains and the seaside. But be warned: Booking this trip is not as simple as just putting in your credit card info. The train can only carry up to 28 passengers at a time and demand is so high that prospective riders must enter a lottery. Winners are then invited to purchase their place on an upcoming itinerary.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is mythical for a reason. The train runs course from London to Venice, stopping in Paris and Verona on the way. Cars are decked out in Art Deco finery, creating an atmosphere of old-school glamour. Food is sourced along the route, meaning that when you sit down to dinner, there’s likely to be lobsters from Brittany or crisp tomatoes from Provence on your plate. After dinner, stop by the champagne bar for a cheers that will transport you back to the golden age of luxury travel.

Explore Scotland’s lochs, castles, and countryside on a slow-moving train. As the Royal Scotsman chugs through the Highlands, nestle underneath tartan wool blankets in your suite or nurse a scotch in the mahogany dining car. But what makes the Royal Scotsman unique among luxury trains is the onboard spa. Book a facial, massage, or manicure in the spa car for relaxation with a side of picturesque scenery.

Get a taste of the diverse landscapes in South Africa on the Rovos Rail journey from Pretoria to Cape Town. The three-day excursion takes passengers on a wide-ranging tour of environments, from the grasslands of Highveld to the desert of Great Karoo. The view is particularly exceptional from the train’s open-air balconies on the observation car. The train stops in the Cape Winelands for a parting drink before leaving passengers at the station in Cape Town. Aboard the train, guests can simultaneously experience lavish Edwardian furnishings and modern air conditioning.

Almost 600 years ago, the Inca Road System was a feat of engineering. Inca people used to trek the 25,000 miles of road by foot or by llama. Today, travelers can go in luxury on the Belmond Andean Explorer. The train starts at the ancient capital of Cusco and proceeds through the Andean Plains, up to Lake Titicaca. Because of the high elevation in Peru, this train claims itself as one of the highest in the world. Inside, the cars are festooned with local flair, complete with Peruvian tapestries (made from alpaca wool) on the bed and pisco sours served in the rear observation bar car.

There are a few reasons why this train is consistently ranked among the most luxurious vacations one can have on the rails. Every car on a Maharajas' Express train has a private butler, and there's an impressive presidential suite for those willing to splurge. The eight-day “Heritage of India” tour is among the rail line’s most popular offerings, which includes stops in Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, and Delhi.

Portugal’s Douro Valley has become an internationally recognized culinary destination. The Presidential Train brings some of the world’s finest chefs to some of the world’s freshest food as it chugs from Porto to Quinta do Vesuvio, on the eastern coast of the Douro Valley. Acclaimed chefs board every day for ten hours of gastronomic delight, paired with wines from the region. Passengers can relax in private cabins and watch the golden valley through their windows as they wait for meal service.

Not every journey through the Australian Outback needs to be one of dust and toil. The Ghan Expedition is one of Australia’s premiere luxury train routes that takes passengers on a four-day journey from Darwin to Adelaide. The train’s been in operation since 1924, although it has been modernized and made more reliable. Onboard meals include local fare like saltwater barramundi and grilled kangaroo fillet.

Journey across the Great White North but stay warm in your cabin. The Canadian offers services across the country, from Toronto to Vancouver. If you never disembark the train, it will take four straight days to complete the route. Along the way, passengers will see waterfalls, charming small towns, and the grand Rocky Mountains. Take the train in winter for the best views of snow-capped peaks and endless fields of white powder. Spring for the prestige class of service to make the trip luxurious.

If you like your luxury with a dose of history, book these tickets. Four of the cars on the Transcantabrico Gran Lujo are original 1923 Pullman cars. The trains are decorated to evoke the feeling of stepping back almost 100 years ago. Passengers can experience some of Spain’s best vistas from the panoramic viewing car. Service goes across the northern coast of the country from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela. During that whole time (it takes seven nights), passengers are surrounded by a full-on, five-star luxury experience on wheels.

The Trans-Siberian Express is now over 100 years old. And you don’t get to be a centenarian without offering something pretty impressive. The train runs from Moscow all the way to Vladivostok on the eastern coast (or reverse, if you prefer). Along the way, passengers can take Russian language lessons, dance to a live pianist on the baby grand, or just spend as much time as possible in the bar — it won’t close until the last person leaves. The 15-day journey starts at $17,695 per person.

Since 1993, this elegantly-decorated train has been making stops in three of Asia’s most glittering cities — Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Singapore. The interiors of the Eastern & Oriental Express were inspired by the 1932 Marlene Dietrich film “Shanghai Express,” and come complete with Thai silk, Malaysian embroidery, and cherrywood paneling. The rich decorations are enhanced when the train passes through lush rainforest or ancient temples. Be sure to pack apparel worthy of the scene — evening wear is required for dinner.