There’s something timeless about traveling by train—the rhythm of the wheels, the unfolding scenery, and the unhurried pace that turns every window into a moving frame. Across the U.S. and Europe, certain rail journeys transcend transportation and become experiences worthy of the big screen. Here are ten routes where landscapes steal the spotlight.
1. California Zephyr (USA)
From Chicago to San Francisco, this epic ride glides through the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada. With sweeping canyons, snowy passes, and sunlit deserts, it’s cinematic at every turn.
2. Coast Starlight (USA)
Running along the Pacific coast between Seattle and Los Angeles, passengers trace cliffs and beaches where ocean horizons melt into the sky.
3. Rocky Mountaineer (USA/Canada)
This luxury route between Denver and Moab showcases red rock mesas and the grandeur of the American West, often accompanied by onboard storytelling and fine dining.
4. The Empire Builder (USA)
Crossing the northern plains from Chicago to Seattle, it captures the vast solitude of America’s big skies and the majesty of Glacier National Park.
5. Glacier Express (Switzerland)
Nicknamed the “slowest express train in the world,” it links Zermatt and St. Moritz with a panorama of Alpine peaks, stone viaducts, and postcard-perfect villages.
6. Bernina Express (Switzerland/Italy)
A UNESCO World Heritage route winding through glaciers and over spiraling viaducts before descending to Italy’s sunlit Tirano.
7. The West Highland Line (Scotland)
From Glasgow to Mallaig, this journey crosses moody lochs and misty glens—an atmospheric route straight from a classic adventure tale.
8. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
Step into the art deco elegance of the 1920s on this luxury train linking cities like Paris, Venice, and Vienna, where every carriage feels like a film set.
9. Flåm Railway (Norway)
One of Europe’s steepest lines, descending from mountain plateaus to fjord villages surrounded by waterfalls and green valleys.
10. The Cinque Terre Express (Italy)
Hugging the Ligurian coastline, this short but spectacular ride unveils colorful seaside towns perched on cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.
Each of these journeys reminds us that travel isn’t always about the destination—sometimes, the most unforgettable stories unfold between the stations.
