{"id":424,"date":"2015-03-14T21:37:16","date_gmt":"2015-03-14T21:37:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/listopedia-the-best-train-journeys-around-the-world\/"},"modified":"2022-08-08T23:20:28","modified_gmt":"2022-08-08T23:20:28","slug":"listopedia-train-journeys","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com.au\/stories\/listopedia-train-journeys\/","title":{"rendered":"Listopedia: the best train journeys around the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

Speed or scenery, history or luxury \u2013 whatever kind of railway adventure you\u2019re looking for, you are bound to find a train that suits you. Here’s our Listopedia of the top train journeys around the world that should be on your bucket list.<\/p>\n

Food and drink: Napa Valley Wine Train<\/h2>\n

Route: Napa to St Helena to Napa, California
\nTravelling between cellar doors in one of America\u2019s most celebrated wine regions<\/a> doesn\u2019t have to mean getting behind the wheel, thanks to the beautifully restored vintage railcars of the Napa Valley Wine Train. Chugging along a 58km circular route with sun-kissed vines as a backdrop, the journey sees guests enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner as well as a tutored zinfandel tasting session, in addition to stops for winery visits where a host of delicious varietals await.<\/p>\n

Speed: Shinkansen Nozomi<\/h2>\n

Route: Tokyo to Osaka, Japan
\nCelebrating its 50th anniversary in October 2014, the \u2018bullet train\u2019 between Tokyo<\/a> and Osaka<\/a> continues to get faster and faster thanks to the introduction of the super high-speed Nozomi service, which shaved 1.5 hours off the journey time (it now takes just 2.5 hours). Grab a bento box from the vendors at Tokyo Station and settle into your plush surrounds \u2013 you\u2019ll have more legroom than on most first-class plane seats \u2013 as the train reaches dizzying speeds of 270km\/h.<\/p>\n

Local experience: Manakara Express<\/h2>\n

Manakara to Fianarantsoa: Madagascar
\nIt\u2019s not about the destination, it\u2019s about the journey. And nowhere is this more true than on the French colonial-era railway that trundles from Manakara on the southeast coast of Madagascar to the highland city of Fianarantsoa. In fact, the 140km journey takes 16 hours on a good day. Make like the locals and pack plenty of provisions and settle in for a fascinating glimpse into life in the tropical island while passing steep mountain gorges and lush rainforest.
\n<\/p>\n

Scenery: Glacier Express<\/h2>\n

Route: Zermatt to St. Moritz, Switzerland<\/a>
\nCameras at the ready for this stunning train ride through the Swiss Alps \u2013 a route that looks just as stunning when blanketed in thick white snow as it does in summer when the meadows and valleys are dotted with roaming diary cows and colourful wildflowers. Over the course of the seven-hour journey, the Glacier Express passes through 91 tunnels and over 291 bridges, with a feast for the eyes around every corner.<\/p>\n

Sightseeing: The Transylvanian on the Danube Express<\/h2>\n

Route: Budapest, Hungary to Istanbul, Turkey \u2013 or vice versa
\nSpend your days taking in the culture, history and architecture of Eastern Europe and your nights sleeping in a compartment on the \u2018hotel on wheels\u2019, as it whisks you to your next destination. The eight-day Danube Express journey traverses the Transylvanian countryside with stops at the fortified medieval town of Sighisoara (believed to be the birthplace of Dracula) and Bran Castle (yes, \u2018Dracula\u2019s Castle\u2019). Star attractions also include the Bulgaria\u2019s ancient capital of Veliko Tarnovo and the towering Sultan Ahmet Mosque (the Blue Mosque) in Turkey.<\/p>\n

History: Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad<\/h2>\n

Route: Durango to Silverton, Colorado
\nIn addition to chugging between the Colorado towns of Durango and Silverton, this coal-fired, steam-operated train transports passengers back to the 1880s. Fueled by six tons of coal and 10,000 gallons of water, top speeds don\u2019t exceed 29km\/h, it provides plenty of time to take in the steep mountain passes and sleepy way of life in this part of the world. The railway is a National Historic Landmark, and the journey also offers up a slice of Hollywood history \u2013 it was featured in the 1969 movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
\n<\/p>\n

\u2026.or closer to home:<\/h2>\n

Scenery: TranzAlpine<\/h2>\n

Route: Christchurch to Greymouth, New Zealand<\/a>
\nIf your budget doesn\u2019t stretch to a European rail adventure, New Zealand is home to a similarly mountainous rail route. Winding its way from Christchurch to the rugged wilds of Greymouth (where the Franz Josef Glacier gives passengers the opportunity to experience the country\u2019s icy surrounds up close) the TranzAlpine crosses the country\u2019s South Island in 4.5 hours. Enjoy views of the Canterbury Plains and Waimakariri River, followed by dramatic alpine viaducts leading to the breathtaking Arthur\u2019s Pass.<\/p>\n

Luxury: Eastern & Oriental Express<\/h2>\n

Route: Singapore (via Malaysia) to Bangkok<\/a>, Thailand
\nWhether you want a once in a lifetime luxury experience or you\u2019re the ultimate train enthusiast, take in the sights of Southeast Asia from a presidential suite or stateroom on the Eastern & Oriental Express. Departing Singapore, and making stops in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur and former colonial outpost of George Town, the train arrives in Bangkok four days later. Expect five-star service all the way \u2013 we\u2019re talking cocktails on the outdoor observation area, award-winning food and afternoon tea served by your personal butler.<\/p>\n

Expedia compensates authors for their writings appearing on this site, such compensation may include travel and other costs<\/i>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here’s our Listopedia of the top train journeys around the world that should be on your bucket list.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[15,17,6,28,2,3,14,7,20],"tags":[186],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-424","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-adventure","category-asia","category-destination","category-europe","category-experiences","category-explore","category-interests","category-oceania","category-usa","tag-listopedia","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nListopedia Train Travel Bucket List : Expedia.com.au<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here's our Listopedia of the top train journeys around the world that should be on your bucket list.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" 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