Train travel is on the rise – it's more climate friendly, relaxing and the perfect way to see beautiful landscapes while traveling. 

Rail travel for business or leisure is extremely popular in Europe and other regions outside of the U.S., though U.S. ridership is gaining speed.

In the U.K. survey, two-thirds of respondents stated they prefer traveling by train over flying, with 66 percent more likely to travel Europe by train for business, and 77 percent for leisure.

In the U.S., Amtrak ridership has grown substantially in the last 20 years, increasing by 55% since the late 90s. 

Join the hassle-free and eco-friendly trend of train travel with these stunning scenic rail routes across the world.

North America

Grand Canyon Railway – Williams, Arizona to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park, 130 miles round-trip.

Enjoy music, cowboy re-enactors and scenery that ranges between Ponderosa pines, open prairie and the Grand Canyon formations. Spot elk, mountain lions, deer and California Condors. You’ll also have a few hours to explore the Grand Canyon and the historic Grand Canyon Train Depot, dating to 1910.

Napa Vallery Wine Train – Downtown Napa to St. Helena, 36 miles round-trip.

Enjoy a variety of stops and wine tours, with meals and wine tastings during the train journey. You’ll be riding in renovated antique train cars, adorned with mahogany paneling, etched glass partitions and luxe fabrics. Take in the slow ride past sleepy rows of grapevines and rolling hills of Northern California. 

Asia

Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan – Choose from journeys of multiple lengths, all of which begin and end in Hakata.

Seven stars offers a luxurious sleeper car service. Enjoy seasonal Japanese cuisine prepared by expert chefs. Lounge in the salon, tearoom or bar car and gaze at the lush, green scenery of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu.

Kandy to Ella, Sri Lanka  - Four hours

“This seven-hour trip takes passengers through remote villages, past waterfalls and lush green hills, and through the tea plantations for which the country is known,” writes Travel & Leisure. Most of the trains on the route feature large observation windows. In Kandy, explore Buddhist shrines and the picturesque Kandy Lake. Check the route’s schedule online and purchase tickets at train stations across the country. 

Oceania

TranzAlpine Train, New Zealand – A four-and-a-half-hour trip between Christchurch and Greymouth on New Zealand’s South Island.

This geographically diverse journey will take you past fields of sheep and cattle, and across gorges and through tunnels in the Southern Alps.  Reclining seats, panoramic windows and skylights ensure you get the best views. 

Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia – A two-hour trip between Cairns and Kuranda.

Ride through some of the world’s most incredible and ancient rainforests in Queensland, Australia. Pass by waterfalls, mountains and revines and Barron Gorge National Park. “Some visitors choose to take the railway in one direction and the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway in the other to fully experience the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area,” writes Travel & Leisure.

Africa

Luxury Tanzania to Angola Rail Journey – 15-day trip 

After setting off from the city Dar es Salaam, hop off the train at Nyerere National Park, one of the largest wildlife areas in the world, for a safari. You’ll reboard and head to South Luangwa National Park in Zambia for another safari journey. Visit villages and ride through forests and past copper mines and waterfalls. Relax and sightsee in an open-air observation car. 

Luxury South African & Namibian Rail Journey – 10-day trip

Starting off in Pretoria, this route traverses the historic Rovos Rail journey. You’ll see green countryside and vast deserts. In Namibia, you will be stunned by the majestic Fish River Canyon and the other-worldly Quiver Tree Forest. Spend a night in the desert underneath the sand dunes in Sossusvlei. View the wildlife in Etosha National Park. End your journey with a view of the sea at Walvis Bay. 

South America

The Belmond Andean Explorer – Arequipa to Cuzco, 3-days, two nights

Take a slow, comfortable journey through Peru on South America’s first luxury train. Gaze at rugged and mountainous Andean landscapes. Journey from Cusco through the plains of the Andes, to Lake Titicaca and then Arequipa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through the Cordillera de la Raya natural area. Enjoy a relaxing massage at the spa on board.

Coffee & Rum in Rail in Colombia & Panama – 19 days & 18 nights 

Get off the train and explore! Visit regions with the best coffee in Colombia and learn how this bean is farmed and prepared. Learn how to prepare the best coffee from master baristas. Visit some of the best distilleries in the Americas to learn how rum is made. Travel on a variety of rail vehicles and cruise the Panama Canal.

Europe

The Bohinj Railway from Nova Gorica to Jesenice, Slovenia – Two hours

Starting at the Italy-Slovenia border for a scenic ride that will take you through villages beside the Soca River, past mountains and the photogenic Lake Bled. On a wooded island in the center of the lake is iconic Gothic 17^th century Lake Bled’s Church.

Bergensbanen from Oslo to Bergen – Six hours and 30 minutes

Lonely Planet calls the Bergensbanen route “one of the wonders of 19^th century railway building.”¹ 

“In just over six hours and some 300 miles, it covers the spectrum of Norway’s natural splendor: climbing canyons, crossing rivers, burrowing through mountainsides, swooping past fjords and traversing barren landscapes.”

It’s hard to believe most people outside of Norway don’t know about it!

Travel insurance is essential for every trip. Did you know that many healthcare facilities abroad won’t accept your domestic health insurance? Emergency Medical benefits included in certain Allianz Travel Insurance plans can help in the event of a covered medical emergency while traveling. Certain Allianz Travel Insurance plans can also reimburse non-refundable expenses if your trip is canceled or delayed for a covered reason. 

Get a quote today to find out how Allianz Travel Insurance can make your next train trip blissfully stress free.

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