The most interesting thing about traveling by train is the view from the window. Leaving the disgusting cities, we take a seat closer to the windows to enjoy the picturesque landscape. An inquiring mind will always find something interesting along the way, whether it is a desert terrain or elevations that change each other during a trip. From time immemorial, railway tracks were laid in inaccessible terrain. This only increased the interest of travelers racing in high-speed trains in the midst of pristine nature.
Despite the fact that almost all railway trips are exciting, there are the most beautiful routes crossing glaciers, tunnels, mountains and ponds. Driving along such roads, you literally feel the atmosphere of the surrounding places, penetrating deep into rich farms, endless pastures and found cities. The picture outside the window will make you forget about adulthood, once again becoming a child who dreams of adventure.
We suggest learning about the 15 most interesting train routes from around the world. Sit back, let's go!
1
Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia
Interval: from Moscow to Vladivostok
With 9,300 km of railways and 120 stops, the Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest and most impressive railway in human history. We wrote about it more than once on TheBiggest.ru. A trip from one end of the highway to the other will take 6 days and 5 hours. During the journey, you will cross 8 time zones and see a lot of attractions donated by nature itself to our vast Motherland. Cross the whole of Russia by train, what could be more fun and interesting? A sea of positive emotions is guaranteed to you!
The presented map will help to clearly demonstrate the path that the Trans-Siberian Railway follows, connecting Europe and Asia by rail.
2
Konkan Railways, India
Interval: from Tokur to Roch
Blessings are different: some consider the majestic four-level Dudhsagar Falls, located in the Indian state of Goa, others call the blessing Konkan Railways connecting the southern and western parts of India. One thing is for sure, while traveling along this road, you will see both.
The train passengers crossing the bridge near the 600-meter-high Dudhsagar have a wonderful view: a waterfall flows down the hills, giving the impression of milky streams among the forest thickets. A cool breeze filled with water droplets creates a mystical aura, making you forget about reality. On other sections of the road, passengers can enjoy the Arabian Sea washing the west coast of India. This trip is definitely not to be missed.
And we advise you to see an article about the highest waterfalls in the world.
3
South Railway, India
Interval: from the city of Rameswaram on the island of Pamban to mainland India
The Pamban Railway Bridge, which is the second name of the Indira Gandhi Bridge, is one of the five sea bridges of India and the oldest of them. A motorway runs parallel to it, also connecting the island to the mainland through the Palk Strait. The bridge is 2.3 km long, which until 2010 made it the longest Indian railway bridge, until the Bandra-Worley railway line (5.6 km) was opened.
On the Pamban bridge, trains run daily, from whose windows a wonderful view of the strait opens. It is noteworthy that the bridge is equipped with a special mechanism that lifts the supports to ensure the passage of ships. This year the bridge celebrated its 105th anniversary.
4
Expo Rail, Sri Lanka
Interval: from Kandy to Ella
Traveling by train in Sri Lanka from Kandy to Ella is considered one of the most exciting in South Asia. On the way you will discover a whole kaleidoscope of picturesque places of this wonderful island. The Expo Rail train route is undoubtedly one of the main attractions of Ceylon (the former name of Sri Lanka). The railway track is laid through the "wavy" meadows, tea plantations and stunning waterfalls. Photos cannot convey the sensations that you will experience by breaking the 6-hour route. Along the way, you can get off in the city of Nuwara Eliya, amazing in its beauty. Here are conditions for fans of any type of tourism. A pleasant bonus of Expo Rail will be the relatively low cost of the trip with a sufficient level of comfort.
5
Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Rocky Mountaineer is a Canada-based rail travel company spanning four destinations. At each stretch of the path, you will be surrounded by an impressive landscape. The canvas of the railway was laid in rugged mountainous terrain. RockyMountaineer tours include various cities and attractions in Western Canada. Among the directions of the tourist route it is worth noting Seattle (USA), Vancouver, Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper National Park and Calgary. High mountains and steep cliffs, "enveloping" the route, will make the trip unforgettable, filling it with positive emotions. Canada is a favorite destination for adventurers who prefer the pristine nature to urban comfort. If you want to combine business with pleasure - feel free to take a ticket for Rocky Mountaineer!
6
Grand Canyon Railway, United States
Interval: from Williams in Arizona to the Grand Canyon
If you want to take an express tour of the Grand Canyon without leaving the transport, book a ticket for the Grand Canyon Railway train going from Williams to, in fact, the main attraction of these places. During an exciting 2.5-hour trip, you will have time to enjoy the southern part of the Grand Canyon National Park. The total length of the route is 105 km, each of which will provide you with a breathtaking view outside the window, making you dream of great achievements. Passing rocky cliffs, you will feel all the greatness of nature, which is able to create miraculous masterpieces. It is simply amazing how one train ride can leave an indelible mark on a lifetime.
On our site thebiggest.ru, you can also find out about other interesting places in the USA that are obligatory for visiting by every tourist.
7
El Chepe, Mexico
Interval: from Chihuahua to Los Mochis
Passing through the Copper Canyon in northern Mexico, the El Chepe train offers one of the most beautiful train routes in the world. During a 15-hour trip you will be surrounded by nature of incredible beauty. In some sections of the track, it may seem to you that the train is just floating above the ground.
At El Fuerte and Divisadero stations, the train makes long stops so that passengers can get off and enjoy the beauties here. A nice feature of the route of this company is that you can stop at one of the stations for several days, and then continue on the same ticket.
8
Gan, Australia
Interval: from Darwin to Adelaide
The Ghan is a passenger train heading from Adelaide to Darwin, which allows it to cross Australia from south to north and vice versa. The train is named after camel drivers (Afghans), which is reminiscent of the camel logo on wagons. The Gan train route is Australia's longest rail. Passengers of The Ghan cover 2979 kilometers in almost 4 days of travel.
Throughout the trip you will be surrounded by picturesque landscapes, there are also several train excursions that make the trip more exciting. These include a tour of Katherine, Coober Pedy and Alice Springs. It is erroneous to believe that Australia is continuous deserts, but such a statement is not true. The Ghan will help to make sure of this, taking passengers beyond imagination. And on our site, we have written more than once about Australia. Those who regularly read us know that there are a lot of interesting things on this continent, from dangerous animals to cozy cities.
9
TranzAlpine, New Zealand
Interval: East to West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand
Cruising between Christchurch, Arthurs Pass and Greymouth on the New Zealand South Island, the TranzAlpine train offers one of the most exciting rail travels in the world. During the trip, you will see the Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps, the Vaimakariri Valley, the Arthurs Pass and, of course, the famous Franz Joseph and Fox glaciers. Along the way, the picturesque villages of the New Zealand Alps, tropical forests, tunnels and gorges will flash. The whole trip will take about 4 hours one way. Believe me, this route is definitely worth it to spend one day of your life on it.
10
Blue Train, South Africa
Interval: Pretoria to Cape Town
Driving through the mountainous areas dotted with the territory of the Republic of South Africa, the Blue Train offers its passengers amazing landscapes. It is considered the pride of the railways of this African country, being a five-star hotel on rails. The whole trip takes 27 hours, for which you have time to overcome 1600 km without getting bored for a second. When traveling on the Blue Train, you can experience the atmosphere of colonial times by getting off at Matiesfontein and checking into the Lord Miller Hotel. In addition to the interior of the hotel and the quality of service, tourists are immediately attracted to the picturesque buildings of the 19th century and vintage lampposts.
11
Rovos Rail, South Africa
Interval: from Cape Town to Pretoria
The luxurious interiors of the cars are combined with the chic scenery outside the window - just a dream for the traveler. A trip to Rovos Rail opens the best in the Republic of South Africa, forcing the passenger to stay in good shape so as not to miss a single sightseeing prepared by nature. The pearl of the route is rightfully considered Victoria Falls. Also along the way there will be endless valleys, impassable gorges and dense forests that guarantee you a vivid experience throughout the trip. It is worth paying tribute to the organizers of the trip, who took care of the comfort of passengers and now rightly call Rovos Rail the best train in the world.
12
West Highland Line, Scotland
Interval: From Fort William to Mallaya (From Highlands to Glasgow)
This train is often called the Hogwarts Express, a reminder of the Harry Potter movies. The railroad track is laid across the Scottish Highlands, reaching the central part of Scotland. The dense "stream" of smoke that blows from the engine’s chimney creates the atmosphere of the century before last, and the Glenfinnan viaduct recalls the adventures of young wizards from the school of magic. If you prefer harsh nature over tropical landscapes - a trip along the West Coast of Scotland is exactly what you need! Such a landscape can only be seen on postcards.
13
The Bergen Railway, Norway
Interval: from Bergen to Honefoss
We can repeat ourselves, calling each railway line represented in the rating, the most beautiful in the world, but it is really difficult to choose the only one. And the Norwegian Bergen Railway, which is only 371 km long, cannot leave indifferent any traveler. Overcoming the entire route will take about 7 hours. During this time, you will overcome the magnificent plateau, enjoying the beauty of the virgin nature of the Scandinavian Peninsula. Looking at the view from the window, you will understand why, according to statistics, the happiest people live in Norway.
14
The Glacier Express, Switzerland
Interval: from St. Moritz to Zermatt in the Swiss Alps
Carrying passengers through the Swiss Alps, the Glacial Express fully lives up to its name, as it shows the beauty of the snowy slopes. Also, Glacier Express is called the “slowest express train in the world”, because it travels a relatively short distance in 8 hours. However, travelers are only at hand, because it takes time to view landscapes from 291 bridges and plunge into 91 tunnels. Those wishing to ride the express train should take into account the time of year - in November the line closes, and in winter there are much fewer flights than in summer.
15
Tranz-Harz Railway, Germany
Interval: from Wernigerode to Nordhausen
This railway line, stretching from north to south of Germany, stretches for only 60 kilometers, so overcoming the route does not take much time. On the way from Wernigerode to Nordhausen, you will observe from the window the picturesque landscapes of the Harz, mountains covered with fabulously white snow. Passing through a narrow gorge will delight any traveler. A locomotive engine, spewing puffs of smoke, will create a fabulous atmosphere that the passenger’s imagination will turn in any direction. It would seem that only 132 km in both directions, and emotions overwhelm you for several years, forcing again and again from memory to restore the details of a magnificent mountain trip.
Finally
So our small review of the picturesque railway routes of the world came to an end. And as usual, thebiggest.ru expects feedback from you. Write what train routes you like, share your impressions about them! You can write in the comments below.
Author: Maxim Svistunov