Article Highlights
- Discover why Switzerland is one of the best Countries For Train Travel for spectacular Alpine scenery
- Explore Japan’s regional railways and luxury scenic trains beyond the famous Shinkansen
- Learn why Norway’s Bergen Railway is ideal for mountain and fjord scenery
- See how Canada’s long-distance trains reveal forests, Prairies and the Rocky Mountains
- Explore India’s historic mountain railways and Peru’s scenic journeys through the Andes
Train travel has a quality that air travel rarely offers. Instead of treating the landscape as something passing beneath you, a good railway journey makes the scenery part of the experience. Mountains appear gradually, rivers follow the tracks, villages come into view, and entire regions unfold outside the window at a pace that lets you actually appreciate them.
For travelers who want more than simply reaching the next destination, choosing the right country matters. The best Countries For Train Travel combine dramatic landscapes with reliable railways, interesting routes, comfortable trains, and opportunities to stop along the way.
From the Swiss Alps and Norwegian fjords to Japanese countryside, Scottish Highlands and the Peruvian Andes, these are some of the Countries For Train Travel that deserve serious consideration when planning a scenic rail holiday.
1: Switzerland
Switzerland is arguably the easiest choice for travelers who want spectacular scenery without sacrificing convenience. Its rail network connects cities, mountain towns and remote valleys with remarkable efficiency, while several dedicated panoramic routes turn the journey itself into a major attraction.
The Glacier Express is the best-known example. It links Zermatt and St Moritz and takes roughly eight hours, crossing numerous bridges and tunnels while passing through Alpine valleys and high mountain landscapes. Switzerland Tourism says the route crosses 91 tunnels and 291 bridges.
The Bernina Express offers a different experience. It travels through the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway landscape and crosses from the Alpine region toward Italy, with scenery changing from glaciers and high mountains to lower valleys and Mediterranean-style landscapes.
What makes Switzerland particularly strong among Countries For Train Travel is the flexibility. You do not have to book an expensive luxury train to experience beautiful scenery. Ordinary scheduled trains can deliver extraordinary views, often while connecting naturally with local buses, boats and mountain railways.
For a first trip, consider combining Lucerne, Interlaken, Zermatt and St Moritz. Allow time to get off the train rather than treating the country as one continuous rail ride.
2: Japan
Japan belongs near the top of any serious list of Countries For Train Travel, but not simply because of its famous Shinkansen. The country’s regional railways provide some of the most interesting scenic journeys in Asia.
The Japan National Tourism Organization highlights scenic railways across Hokkaido, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Kanto, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku and Kyushu. These trains pass through rural landscapes, marshlands, forests, mountains and coastal areas.
One advantage of Japan is variety. You can travel on a modest regional train for a relatively ordinary fare or choose a sophisticated sightseeing sleeper such as Seven Stars in Kyushu. Japan also operates luxury cruise trains including Train Suite Shiki Shima and Twilight Express Mizukaze.
For most travelers, however, the luxury trains are not necessary. The real pleasure is combining major cities with smaller regional routes. A journey through Kyushu, for example, can introduce hot spring towns, volcanic scenery, coastal landscapes and traditional communities that are easy to miss on a conventional Tokyo and Kyoto itinerary.
Among Countries For Train Travel, Japan is especially attractive to travelers who value punctuality, clean stations, excellent onboard service and the ability to build a detailed itinerary around rail connections.
3: Norway
Norway offers some of the most dramatic scenery you can see from a train window. The country’s mountains, valleys, waterfalls and fjord landscapes make rail travel particularly rewarding.
The Bergen Railway connects Oslo and Bergen across approximately 500 kilometers and takes about seven hours. The route crosses Hallingdal and the Hardangervidda mountain plateau before descending toward western Norway.
One of the smartest ways to experience the railway is to combine it with the Flåm Railway. My recommendation for travelers with enough time is not to rush through the connection. Spend a night or two in the region and explore the fjords before continuing toward Bergen.
Norway stands out among Countries For Train Travel because the scenery changes substantially with the seasons. Summer provides long daylight hours and green valleys, while winter can transform the journey into a snowy mountain experience. Weather can also affect visibility, so travelers should avoid choosing a particular season solely because of photographs seen online. If fjords are your priority, Norway is one of the strongest choices on this list.
4: Canada
Canada is made for long-distance rail travel. The scale is enormous, and a train allows you to experience that scale without spending hours behind the wheel.
VIA Rail’s Canadian route between Toronto and Vancouver covers about 4,406 kilometers and takes four nights and four days. The landscape changes from forests and lakes in Ontario to the Prairies and eventually the Rocky Mountains.
The transition is part of the appeal. The Rockies receive most of the attention, but the earlier sections show a different side of Canada, including the Canadian Shield, immense forests and prairie landscapes.
Travelers who want a more focused mountain experience can consider routes involving Jasper and Vancouver. Luxury operators also offer dedicated Rocky Mountain journeys, including routes between Vancouver, Kamloops, Jasper, Banff and Lake Louise.
Canada is one of the Countries For Train Travel where the journey can become a destination in itself. The important practical point is to allow flexibility. Long-distance Canadian trains can take considerably longer than domestic flights, and delays are possible. That is not necessarily a problem if you treat the trip as an experience rather than transportation between fixed appointments.
5: Scotland
Scotland proves that a scenic rail journey does not need to cross an entire continent. Some of the country’s most memorable railway experiences happen within a relatively compact area.
The West Highland Line travels through mountains, lochs and glens toward Fort William and Mallaig. VisitScotland describes the route as passing through some of the most striking landscapes in the Scottish Highlands.
The Jacobite Steam Train is particularly famous because of its appearance in the Harry Potter films and its crossing of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The surrounding scenery, rather than the film connection, is the real reason to make the trip.
Scotland is one of the Countries For Train Travel that works especially well for travelers who enjoy combining walking with rail travel. You can use the train to reach Highland towns and then spend time hiking through the surrounding landscape.
Do not plan your Scottish rail trip entirely around the steam train. Regular scheduled services also offer excellent scenery and often give you greater flexibility.
6: India
India offers a completely different kind of railway experience. Its trains are not simply scenic attractions. Railways remain a fundamental part of everyday life, and that gives train travel a cultural dimension that luxury sightseeing trains cannot easily reproduce.
For travelers specifically seeking mountain scenery, India’s historic mountain railways are particularly important. UNESCO recognizes the Mountain Railways of India, which include the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, Nilgiri Mountain Railway and Kalka Shimla Railway. All three remain operational.
The Kalka Shimla Railway is one of the most fascinating examples. The route climbs into the Himalayan foothills through steep terrain and includes numerous tunnels, curves and bridges. India’s official tourism site describes the journey as a scenic route through the mountains.
India belongs among the Countries For Train Travel for another reason.
The experience varies enormously according to the route and class of travel. A premium tourist train can provide polished service, while an ordinary long-distance train gives you a much closer look at daily life.
Travelers should plan carefully around weather, booking availability, and regional holidays. Train journeys can also be slower and more crowded than visitors accustomed to European railways might expect. That is part of the experience, but it rewards patience.
7: Peru
Peru is one of the Countries For Train Travel to consider when the destination and the railway experience are closely connected.
The most famous example is the journey toward Machu Picchu. PeruRail operates several services, including Expedition, Vistadome and Vistadome Observatory. The latter is designed around wider views, including panoramic windows and an observation area.
The scenery becomes increasingly impressive as the route enters the Andes. River valleys, steep mountain walls and small settlements create a very different visual experience from European Alpine railways.
Peru also offers longer scenic experiences. PeruRail’s Titicaca service crosses the Andes toward Lake Titicaca, providing an opportunity to experience a much broader landscape rather than simply using the railway as a way to reach Machu Picchu.
If Machu Picchu is your main goal, book the train and archaeological site arrangements together in your planning process. A train ticket does not automatically provide admission to Machu Picchu, and availability for the archaeological site is separately controlled. For travelers interested in mountains, archaeology and culture, Peru is one of the most rewarding Countries For Train Travel.
8: Austria
Austria deserves attention from travelers who want Alpine scenery with a strong combination of historic cities and mountain destinations.
Rail routes connect Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck and numerous smaller Alpine communities. The major advantage is that travelers can build a journey that combines urban culture with dramatic landscapes instead of spending the entire holiday on a dedicated sightseeing train.
Austria works particularly well as part of a wider European rail itinerary. You can travel from Vienna toward Salzburg and continue into the Alps, stopping in smaller communities along the way. The scenery becomes increasingly mountainous as you move west.
Among Countries For Train Travel, Austria is a particularly sensible option for first-time rail travelers because it combines beautiful scenery with established tourism infrastructure and relatively straightforward connections.
9: Italy
Italy is another strong option because its railway network allows travelers to combine famous cities with coastal and mountainous landscapes.
High-speed services are useful for covering long distances quickly, but the slower regional routes can be more rewarding when scenery is the priority. Routes through northern Italy provide access to Alpine landscapes and lakes, while rail travel around the Italian Riviera can introduce dramatic coastal scenery.
Italy is not necessarily the country I would choose for a single dedicated scenic train journey. I would choose it when the goal is to combine food, history, architecture and landscapes in one rail holiday.
That distinction matters when comparing Countries For Train Travel. The best country is not always the one with the most dramatic single route. It can be the one that gives you the greatest variety without requiring complicated transfers.
10: South Africa
South Africa offers a different interpretation of scenic rail travel, particularly for travelers interested in long-distance luxury journeys.
Luxury operators offer multi-day rail experiences through landscapes that can include mountains, open countryside, and semi-arid regions. These journeys are less about efficient transportation and more about experiencing the country from a moving hotel.
South Africa is therefore one of the Countries For Train Travel that suits travelers looking for comfort and slower travel rather than a conventional rail backpacking experience.
The practical consideration is price. Luxury rail journeys can cost substantially more than ordinary train travel, so travelers on a tighter budget may find regular rail services more appropriate while using other forms of transport for scenic excursions.
Choosing the right country
Not all Countries For Train Travel suit the same traveller. Your ideal destination depends on whether you want a polished panorama train, a practical national network or a social local ride.
| Country | Best for | Scenic character | Planning level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Switzerland | Alpine rail enthusiasts | Glaciers, lakes, viaducts and mountain passes | High during peak seasons |
| Norway | Fjords and dramatic weather | Fjords, valleys, waterfalls and high plateaux | Moderate |
| Japan | Efficient multi city travel | Mountains, coasts, villages and fast intercity links | Moderate to high |
| Canada | Premium big landscape journeys | Rockies, rivers, forests and wide open distances | High |
| New Zealand | A scenic rail highlight within an outdoor trip | Southern Alps, plains, forest and West Coast scenery | Moderate |
| Sri Lanka | Characterful, budget conscious adventure | Tea country, valleys, bridges and hill stations | Moderate to high |
What Makes A Country Good For Train Travel
The most scenic railway in the world is not necessarily the best choice for every traveler. Before choosing among Countries For Train Travel, consider what kind of experience you actually want.
If you want easy connections and predictable services, Switzerland and Japan are difficult to beat. If mountains are the priority, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, and India stand out. If you want cultural immersion, India and Japan offer especially strong experiences. If your dream journey involves the Andes, Peru deserves a place near the top.
The length of the journey also matters. A two-hour scenic railway can be ideal for a short holiday, while a multi-day Canadian journey requires a different mindset. You should be comfortable with long stretches of time onboard and accept that the landscape itself is the entertainment.
Another important factor is the season. Mountain scenery can look completely different in summer and winter. Norway is a particularly good example, while Switzerland offers distinct experiences depending on whether the Alps are green or snow-covered.
How To Choose Your Route
Start with the landscape rather than the train. Decide whether you want mountains, fjords, forests, coastlines, deserts or rural countryside.
Next, decide how much time you want to spend onboard. A scenic journey lasting several hours is very different from a multi-day sleeper train.
Then look at the practical details. Check operating dates, reservation requirements, luggage rules and seasonal schedules before booking flights around a particular train. Timetables can change, and some tourist trains operate only during specific parts of the year.
Window seats are usually worth paying attention to, but do not assume one side is always best for the entire route. The direction of the most interesting views can change as the railway curves through valleys and mountains.
A good Travel Insider habit is to leave room in the itinerary. The most memorable railway trips often involve getting off the train somewhere interesting rather than simply collecting another destination.
Scenic Train Travel Versus Road Trips
Train travel and road trips offer different kinds of freedom.
A car gives you access to remote viewpoints and lets you stop whenever you want. A train allows you to relax while someone else handles the driving, and it often follows valleys and corridors that provide excellent views without requiring you to navigate unfamiliar roads.
For mountain regions, trains can also be more comfortable than driving. You can move around, take photographs, read, eat, and watch the scenery without worrying about traffic or weather conditions.
The strongest Countries For Train Travel are therefore not necessarily places where trains replace cars completely. They are places where the railway itself provides an unusually good way to experience the landscape.
Tips For A Better Scenic Journey
Do not spend the entire journey looking through a phone screen. Keep your camera accessible, but give yourself time to watch the landscape.
Pack light snacks and water unless meals are clearly included. Even on comfortable trains, service schedules can vary.
Carry a light layer of clothing because temperatures can change when trains move between valleys, mountains, and different climates.
If photography matters to you, clean the window before taking pictures and avoid pressing the camera directly against the glass. Reflections can ruin otherwise excellent photographs.
Most importantly, do not schedule a major flight immediately after a long-distance scenic train. Railways can experience delays, especially on routes exposed to difficult weather or shared railway infrastructure.
My Personal Opinion
There is no single winner among the Countries For Train Travel because each offers a different interpretation of scenic rail travel. Switzerland is the strongest all-round choice for Alpine scenery and easy connections. Japan is exceptional for regional variety, service and railway culture.
Norway is ideal for mountains and fjords. Canada delivers scale and wilderness. Scotland combines dramatic scenery with historic railway lines and hiking opportunities. India provides mountains alongside an authentic everyday railway culture. Peru connects spectacular Andean landscapes with extraordinary cultural attractions.
The best approach is to choose the country that matches the landscape you want to experience rather than choosing a train simply because it is famous.
For travelers who believe that the journey should be part of the holiday rather than a gap between destinations, these Countries For Train Travel offer some of the most memorable ways to see the world.
