Train journeys

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Train journeys
Holiday guide

Train journeys

Environmentally friendly, spacious, and often delivering you to the centre of your destination with ease, any train journey is an adventure in itself.

The world's most amazing train journeys: Trips to suit every taste

The world's most amazing train journeys: Trips to suit every taste

Nothing is more delightful than to be aboard a sleeper train and to awake at dawn and gaze upon a radically different vista than the one that left you at dusk the night before.

  • by Tim Richards
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Board some of Europe’s most scenic railways with a Eurail pass, including Jungfrau.

Six perks of a Eurail pass most travellers overlook

Think a Eurail pass is just about trains? Think again: six money-saving perks to bookmark for a Euro summer.

  • by Natasha Bazika
Acrtic Circle Express Train crosses Lylling Bridge

Five of the world’s best new (or revamped) train journeys

A new version of the Orient Express, an extended Australian epic and high-speed trip through South-East Asia are some of the highlights.

  • by Tim Richards
Voralpen-Express.

No matter which train you take in this country, the journey is spectacular

Ah, Switzerland; the scenery is always a delight to look at, and even more so from its extensive railways.

  • by Tim Richards
Paris Gare du Nord, Europe’s busiest train station.

What you need to know about Europe’s train stations

For all their busyness, European train stations are remarkably easy to use, as long as you’re familiar with a few basic operational instructions.

  • by Brian Johnston
Into the great beyond.

Australia’s epic, 4352-kilometre train journey beats driving any day

Imagine crossing our vast, intimidating outback from ocean to ocean without raising a sweat or forgoing a fine meal. How? By riding the rails.

  • by Brian Johnston
The Xplorer regional train in NSW.

Is there an Australian equivalent of a Eurail train pass? Sort of

There’s nothing more fun than a rail pass, and Australians may be surprised to learn that it’s possible to travel that way in our own country. Here’s how.

  • by Tim Richards
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The Empire Builder traverses both the coastal Cascade Mountains and Rocky Mountains.

This could be the glorious future of travel in the US

Amtrak’s routes take in a marvellous array of scenery across the nation. Here are some tips to make the most of your trip on a long-distance Amtrak train.

  • by Tim Richards
The carriage caters to a maximum of eight people occupying four couches in an open compartment.

On board Indonesia’s most indulgent luxury train journey

Train travel is an excellent option for travelling around Java, but it’s only the fortunate few who will enjoy this five-star experience.

  • by Penny Watson
ON TRACK TO OHIYA: Sri Lanka has over 1500 kilometres of railway line and the higher you get the more scenic the journey. From Nan Uoya, at 1613 metres, it's an hour by train to Sri Lanka's third highest railway station at 1774 metres. Ohiya opened in 1893 as part of a British colonial government network created to transport tea and coffee from the hill country to the port of Colombo. The best views of villages, farms and forest on this north-to-south route are from the right-hand side of the train. Tickets can be bought on the day at the station and dangling your limbs out the windows and doors is permitted.

One of the world’s most spectacular train rides costs less than $10

Chugging along at 40km/h past tea plantations, gorges, rivers, waterfalls, viaducts and villages is slow travel at its finest.

  • by Julia D'Orazio
TRA 4OCT 08. The Ghan between Adelaide and Darwin. Supplied by Tourism NT

One of Australia’s epic train journeys is now even more remarkable

This railway divides Australia down the middle like a zipper, the 2979-kilometre journey opening up parts of the country in a way that no other holiday can.

  • by Kerry van der Jagt
The Solkan Bridge, Slovenia.

I visited eight European countries without flying, and loved it

My epic 40-day journey marks a grand return to rail travel, unlocking the sheer pleasure of seeing the continent unfold at ground level.

  • by Tim Richards
Designated train driver ,,, no better way to do a winery tour.

This heritage sleeper train will take you from Melbourne to wine time

It makes sense to have a designated driver while you’re exploring wineries, but on this journey we have a designated train driver.

  • by Tim Richards
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The regular commuter trains in Switzerland afford admirable views.

$6600 v $127: How to travel Europe’s spectacular train routes on the cheap

The Orient-Express takes you from Paris to Venice for $6600 but you can make the same rail journey in a sleeper for about $127.

  • by Brian Johnston
Japanese trains don't have restaurant or bar cars, only snack trolleys.

Japan’s bullet trains are the world’s best way to travel

Hunt around, prod and poke every corner of the travelling world, and see if you can come up with a better way to get from A to B than a train in Japan.

  • by Ben Groundwater
The route from Singapore to Luang Prabang takes you through Malaysia.

Travelling on a ‘Belt and Road’ China-built railway

It's now possible to travel from Singapore to Luang Prabang, Laos, by train - thanks to China's controversial 'Belt and Road' project.

  • by Kurt Johnson
The TranzAlpine passes Lake Sarah on New Zealand's South Island.

How to go from north to south by rail in NZ

New Zealand's great rail journey across the North and South Islands involves three trains, plus a ferry.

  • by Tim Richards
The Trans-Siberian stretches 10,000km from Moscow all the way to Vladivostok.

Experts’ tips on doing the epic Trans-Siberian and Trans-Mongolian

The Trans-Siberian and the Trans-Mongolian are names that are instantly recognisable to many travellers.

  • by Ben Groundwater
Now that domestic airfares have skyrocketed, it can be cheaper to catch the train.

The pros and cons of getting the XPT overnight train from Sydney to Melbourne

With airfares sky high, there are plenty of benefits - and sadly plenty of pitfalls, in catching a train from Sydney to Melbourne.

  • by Ben Grubb
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You can explore America's Southwest on a two-day luxury train journey on the Rocky Mountaineer.

Rocky Mountaineer: A luxury train journey through America's Southwest

Rocky Mountaineer's new luxury train journey takes the scenic route from Colorado to Utah.

  • by Kristie Kellahan
The sit-up bar on The Vietage.

Luxury train journey to Vietnam’s ‘Cancun without the crowds’

If you’re looking for luxury digs without the crowds, then is your destination. And in this instance, getting there really is half the fun.

  • by Kylie McLaughlin
xx6bestAlpine Six 6 best Swiss Alpine Train Rides Switzerland Railway Rail ; text by Brian Johnston
cr: Switzerland Tourism
(handout image supplied via journalist for use in Traveller, no syndication) 

Six of the best Swiss alpine rail trips

There's no better way to experience the Swiss Alps than by rail.

  • by Brian Johnston
Passing beneath Mount Ruapehu.
★★★★½

Views from this train are so spectacular, it doesn’t matter where you sit

On this New Zealand train route the dramatic scenery is matched by engineering masterpieces.

  • by Kerry van der Jagt
AFR L&L 1 April story by Helen Hayes -  Indian Pacific
Gold-Service-Cabin
Opinion

Forget beach resorts – no other holiday is as relaxing as this

If you want to remove yourself from life’s troubles, there’s no better escape than a long-distance journey across outback Australia.

  • by Brian Johnston
Mae Khlong

Thailand’s most unusual train ride is chaotic and surreal

Thailand’s Mae Klong Railway Market is one to watch out for. Quite literally.

  • by Julia D'Orazio
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The Gold Premium Lounge.

New class of luxury unveiled on board iconic Australian trains

A new class of rail travel offers more room and art-deco distinction.

  • by Julietta Jameson
The sumptous piano bar on board the Eastern & Oriental Express.

South-East Asia’s version of the Orient Express is back, better than ever

It might not enjoy the same history as the original Orient Express, but the five-star service and opulent decor have the same appeal.

  • by Penny Watson