Tourist Railways
While a standard train gets you to work, a tourist railway gets you inspired. These lines are curated specifically for the view outside the window and the experience inside the carriage. From soaring mountain passes to lush coastal tracks, tourist railways turn the journey into the main event.
Unlike heritage railways, which focus strictly on historical preservation, tourist railways are designed for spectacle and comfort.
Panoramic Views: Many lines feature "observation cars" with floor-to-ceiling windows or open-air carriages for unobstructed photography.
Narrated Journeys: Learn about the local folklore, geology, and wildlife through onboard commentary or digital guides.
Access to the Inaccessible: These tracks often wind through national parks, canyons, and peaks where cars simply cannot go.
Africa
Madaraka Express / Kenya / A modern contrast to heritage rail, this Standard Gauge Railway connects Nairobi and Mombasa. The "scenic" part of the journey is the passage through Tsavo National Park, where passengers can often spot elephants, giraffes, and zebras from their seats while crossing high-altitude viaducts.
Shongololo Express / Southern Africa / Owned by Rovos Rail but offering a slightly more "adventure-focused" experience, the Shongololo Express provides long-distance tours like the "Southern Cross" (Pretoria to Victoria Falls). It includes a fleet of air-conditioned vehicles that travel with the train to take guests on off-rail safaris and cultural tours.
TAZARA Railway / Tanzania & Zambia / The Tanzania-Zambia Railway is a bucket-list item for intrepid travelers. While not a "luxury" train in the traditional sense, the Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi route offers incredible views of the African bush and the Selous Game Reserve. It is a vital and historic link between East and Southern Africa.
Desert Express / Namibia / This semi-luxury tourist train runs between Windhoek and Swakopmund. It is designed specifically for travelers to witness the stark beauty of the Namib Desert. The schedule often includes stops for "dune boarding" or sunset views over the mountains.
Al Boraq / Morocco / Africa’s first high-speed rail line connects Tangier and Casablanca. While it emphasizes speed (reaching 320 km/h), the journey offers a sleek, modern way to see the Moroccan coastline and the changing architecture of the Maghreb region.
Train d'Ebene / Benin / This is a unique "rail safari" in West Africa. The train consists of refurbished vintage carriages and takes tourists from Cotonou to the northern regions of Benin. It’s an immersive way to see the country's diverse landscapes and traditional villages.
The Mulobezi Railway / Zambia / For those seeking an authentic, "off the beaten path" experience, the Mulobezi line runs from Livingstone (near Victoria Falls) into the Zambian interior. It is often cited as one of the most rustic and slow-paced rail journeys on the continent, used by locals and adventurous tourists alike.
Asia
The Qinghai-Tibet Railway / China / As the highest railway in the world, this "Rocket to the Rooftop of the World" connects Xining to Lhasa. The train features pressurized cabins and oxygen supplies to help passengers handle the altitude as they cross the Permafrost of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, offering views of the Kunlun Mountains and wild Tibetan antelopes.
The Alishan Forest Railway / Taiwan / Originally built for logging, this narrow-gauge railway is now a major tourist attraction. It climbs through three different climate zones—from tropical to temperate—ending at Alishan National Scenic Area, where visitors gather to watch the "sea of clouds" at sunrise.
The Gorgan-Sari Line / Iran / Part of the Trans-Iranian Railway (a UNESCO World Heritage site), the stretch through the Alborz Mountains is a masterpiece of engineering. The train crosses the famous Veresk Bridge and navigates the "Three Golden Lines"—a spiral of tracks on the mountainside that allows the train to gain elevation through lush Hyrcanian forests.
Sri Lanka’s Main Line / Kandy to Ella / Often cited as one of the most beautiful train rides in the world, this route takes travelers through the heart of Sri Lanka’s Hill Country. Passengers can look out over rolling tea estates, cascading waterfalls, and the iconic Nine Arch Bridge in Ella.
The Green Line Express / Pakistan / Often cited as Pakistan’s premier rail service, the Green Line connects Islamabad and Karachi. While it serves as a high-standard passenger express, it is popular with tourists for its "Business Class" comfort and the diverse landscapes it traverses—from the Margalla Hills in the north, through the salt ranges, to the vast plains of Sindh.
The Bolan Pass Route / Pakistan / For sheer adventure, the route from Sukkur to Quetta is legendary. The train navigates the Bolan Pass, a vital mountain pass connecting the Indian subcontinent to the Kandahar region of Afghanistan. It features massive tunnels and dramatic viaducts that cling to the rugged, ochre-colored cliffs of Balochistan.
Kalka-Shimla Railway / India / Another UNESCO-listed gem, this narrow-gauge line was built to transport the British Viceroy's staff to their summer capital. The journey from the plains of Kalka to the hill station of Shimla passes through 103 tunnels and over 800 bridges, offering a quintessential "Himalayan" atmosphere.
The Khyber Train Safari / Pakistan / Though its operation can be intermittent due to regional conditions, this heritage train is one of the most famous in the world. It traditionally ran from Peshawar to Landi Kotal, winding through the Khyber Pass. It is a dream for historians, as the tracks are flanked by ancient forts and tribal watchtowers.
Rawalpindi Division / Pakistan / While there is no direct rail link to the high peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan, the rail journey into the Pothohar Plateau is the gateway for mountain tourists. The tracks here are known for their "Deep Curves" and dramatic gradients, offering a rugged preview of the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges that lie just north.
Australia and New Zealand
The TranzAlpine / New Zealand / Often ranked among the top ten scenic train rides globally, the TranzAlpine crosses the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth. It traverses the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before climbing into the dramatic peaks and viaducts of the Southern Alps.
Indian Pacific / Australia / This transcontinental giant links the Indian Ocean (Perth) with the Pacific Ocean (Sydney). The four-day journey includes the world’s longest stretch of straight railway track across the Nullarbor Plain, an arid and awe-inspiring landscape where the stars at night are exceptionally bright.
Kuranda Scenic Railway / Australia / Winding through the tropical rainforests of North Queensland, this historic line runs from Cairns to Kuranda. The train passes hand-cut tunnels and skirts the edges of deep ravines, offering a spectacular view of Barron Falls as it climbs 328 meters above sea level.
The Northern Explorer / New Zealand / New Zealand’s longest running passenger service connects Auckland and Wellington. The 10-hour journey is famous for the Raurimu Spiral, an engineering masterstroke that allows the train to navigate the steep terrain of the Central Plateau near the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park.
Puffy Billy Railway / Australia / Located in the Dandenong Ranges near Melbourne, this is one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. It is a favorite for families and heritage enthusiasts, known for its iconic timber trestle bridges and the tradition of passengers sitting on the sills of the open-air carriages.
The Coastal Pacific / New Zealand / Running along the rugged coastline of the South Island between Picton and Christchurch, this train offers front-row seats to the Pacific Ocean. Passengers can often spot fur seals lounging on the rocks just meters from the tracks, with the snow-capped Kaikōura Ranges rising on the other side.
Forgotten World Adventures / New Zealand / For a completely different experience, this "rail cart" adventure allows you to self-drive a motorized cart along 142 km of decommissioned heritage tracks. The route travels through the remote "Forgotten World" of the North Island, passing through 25 hand-cut tunnels and over historic bridges.
The West Coast Wilderness Railway / Australia / Deep in the rainforests of Tasmania, this railway follows a historic route originally built for the copper mines. It uses a rare "Abt" rack-and-pinion system to climb the steep grades, crossing high bridges and stopping at remote stations accessible only by rail.
Glenbrook Vintage Railway / New Zealand / Located south of Auckland, this award-winning heritage railway is operated by volunteers and features beautifully restored steam locomotives. It offers a nostalgic 15 km trip through rolling countryside to the historic town of Waiuku, providing a classic "Golden Age" rail experience.
Europe
Glacier Express / Switzerland / Self-proclaimed as the "slowest express train in the world," this iconic journey connects Zermatt and St. Moritz. The 8-hour trip features panoramic cars that offer floor-to-ceiling views of the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels, including the spectacular Landwasser Viaduct.
The Flåm Railway / Norway / One of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world, the Flåmsbana runs from the mountain station of Myrdal down to the village of Flåm on the Aurlandsfjord. In just 20 kilometers, it drops 863 meters, offering views of cascading waterfalls and sheer mountainsides.
The Jacobite Steam Train / Scotland / Famously known as the "Hogwarts Express," this steam-hauled service runs from Fort William to Mallaig. It crosses the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, providing stunning views of Loch Shiel and the rugged Highlands of the West Coast.
Semmering Railway / Austria / The world's first mountain railway to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site, the Semmering line connects Gloggnitz and Semmering. Built between 1848 and 1854, it features 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels that were revolutionary for the time, blending perfectly into the "civilized wilderness" of the Austrian Alps.
Ferrocarril de Sóller / Spain / This vintage electric train on the island of Mallorca has been running since 1912. It connects the capital, Palma, to the town of Sóller, winding through the Sierra de Alfàbia mountains, passing through 13 tunnels and several bridges while traveling through fragrant orange and lemon groves.
The Brocken Railway / Germany / Part of the Harz Narrow Gauge Railways, this steam-operated line climbs to the summit of Brocken, the highest peak in Northern Germany. It is particularly popular in winter when the steam engines push through deep snow in the Harz National Park.
Al-Andalus / Spain / A "palace on wheels," this luxury train focuses on the Andalusia region. The journey usually starts and ends in Seville, visiting historic cities like Córdoba, Granada, and Ronda. The carriages are original 1920s gems once used by the British Royal Family for travel between Calais and the French Riviera.
Settle-Carlisle Railway / England / Widely regarded as the most scenic stretch of standard-gauge track in England, cutting a 72-mile path through the rugged heart of the Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines. The journey is defined by its masterful Victorian engineering, most notably the Ribblehead Viaduct, whose 24 massive stone arches soar 104 feet above the boggy Batty Moss.
The Rauma Line / Norway / Norway's most beautiful rail journey, spanning 114 kilometers between the mountain junction of Dombås and the coastal town of Åndalsnes. The journey’s engineering highlights include the Stavem Tunnel, a 180-degree "horseshoe" tunnel built inside the mountain to manage the steep elevation drop, and the magnificent Kylling Bridge, a hand-built stone arch suspended 60 meters above the river.
Inlandsbanan / Sweden / A 1,288-kilometer railway stretching from Kristinehamn in the south to Gällivare in the far north. Operated primarily during the summer months, the train winds through nine provinces, crossing the Arctic Circle just south of Jokkmokk. The train often slows for reindeer, moose, and the occasional bear.
Le Petit Train Jaune / France / Affectionately nicknamed "The Canary," is a symbol of the French Pyrenees that has been climbing through the Catalan territory since 1910. Serving the highest railway station in France and famous for its open-air carriages that offer passengers an immersive, vertigo-inducing view of the Séjourné Viaduct and the deep Tet Gorges.
Le Petit Train d'Artouste / France / Carries travelers along a dizzying 10-kilometer ledge at an altitude of 2,000 meters, offering unparalleled views of the Soussouéou Valley and the jagged peaks of the Ossau Valley.
Belgrade to Bar Railway / Serbia-Montenegro / Linking the Serbian capital with Montenegro’s Adriatic coast. The 476-kilometer journey takes roughly 11 hours to traverse the Dinaric Alps, passing through 254 tunnels and over 435 bridges. The crown jewel of the route is the Mala Rijeka Viaduct, which rises nearly 198 meters above a deep gorge.
North America