Travelling by train can be one of the best ways to discover a new country – relaxing in your carriage, watching the scenery roll on by. Some trains however, are almost better than their destination. These are the train journeys with afternoon tea, luxury bedrooms and cocktails.
But which train journey is the most impressive?
Canvas Holidays searched through Instagram, analysing over 275,000 photos to see which train journeys are filling up our feeds. Here’s the 20 most Instagrammable train journeys in the world…
1. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London – Venice
One of the most famous train services in the world, it’s no surprise to see The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express come out on top. While there are a few different routes you can take, the most popular is the London to Venice journey.
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2. The Bernina Express: Switzerland – Italy
Travelling between Chur in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, the 122km journey takes you through the stunning Swiss Alps.
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3. The Rocky Mountaineer: Canadian Rockies
Spread across two days, all your travel takes place during daylight hours, meaning you can sit back and take in the scenery, viewed through your glass-domed coaches.
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4. The Trans-Siberian Railway: Russia
The Trans-Siberian Railway is the longest railway line in the world. Connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East, the journey covers 9,289km over the course of 13 days.
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5. The California Zephyr: Chicago – San Francisco
You’ll start your journey in Chicago, travelling 3,924km west, climbing through the breath-taking Rockies and snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, before you arrive at your final stop in San Francisco.
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6. The Glacier Express: Swiss Alps
The Glacier Express is often known as the slowest express train in the world. Passengers can enjoy an 8-hour journey through the Swiss Alps, covering 291km of tracks, passing through 91 tunnels and across 291 bridges.
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7. The Coast Starlight: Seattle – Los Angeles
The Coast Starlight takes passengers down the West Coast of America, starting in Seattle, before passing through Portland, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, ending up in Los Angeles.
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8. The Brocken Railway: Harz Mountain Range, Germany
On this particular route you’ll climb the 1,142m-high Brocken, the highest peak in northern Germany, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
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9. The Bergen Line: Bergen – Oslo, Norway
During its 7-hour journey, the train travels through the desolate Hardangervidda plateau, at an ear-popping 4,058ft above sea level, spending almost 60 miles above the tree line.
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10. The Eastern & Oriental Express: Singapore – Malaysia
Not to be confused with the Orient Express, the Eastern & Oriental Express takes passengers on a journey through Southeast Asia, from Singapore to Bangkok via Malaysia.
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11. The Ghan: Darwin – Adelaide, Australia
Starting in Adelaide and ending in Darwin, the Ghan takes passengers on an epic journey through the heart of the Australian outback.
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12. The West Highland Line: Scotland
Travelling along the West Highland Line, the Jacobite Steam Train is probably best known for the role it plays in the Harry Potter movies – as the Hogwarts Express.
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13. The Pride of Africa: South Africa – Zimbabwe
One of the most luxurious trains in the world, the Pride of Africa travels on various routes throughout South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania.
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14. The Train to the Clouds: Argentina
Travelling through the Salta Province, passengers are brought to an incredible 13,850ft above sea level – making this the fifth highest railway in the world.
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15. The Caledonian Sleeper: London – Scotland
One of only two sleeper trains currently in service in the United Kingdom, the Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight service that runs between London and Scotland. Fall asleep in the capital and wake up in pretty Scotland.
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16. The Hiram Bingham: Cusco – Macchu Pichu, Peru
As you’re taken on your winding journey through Peru, sit back and relax with some gourmet food and drink, or sing along with the onboard musicians. You’ll end up in the ancient ruins of Macchu Pichu.
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17. The Welsh Highland Railway: Wales
The Ffestiniog and West Highland Railways stretch for 64km through the stunning Snowdonia National Park, taking you through the scenic Welsh countryside.
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18. The Old Patagonian Express: Argentina
This trip runs through the the Andes, between Esquel and Nahuel Pan. The journey was made famous by the 1978 Paul Theroux book The Old Patagonian Express, which described it as the railway almost at the end of the world.
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19.The Nordland Railway: Norway
The 729km journey takes you through a variety of different landscapes. The highlight has to be the Saltfjellet mountain range, where you cross the Arctic Circle.
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20. The Little Yellow Train: French Pyrenees
The Little Yellow Train takes you through the French Pyrenees, starting in Villefranche-de-Conflent and ending in Latour-de-Carol-Enveitg. A super scenic route.
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It’s easy to see why luxury trains and train journeys are so popular on Instagram. To start with, it’s their exclusivity – some of these trains such as the Orient Express can be quite expensive to travel on. Also there’s the beauty of the trains themselves, many featuring exquisite marquetry or artworks and then of course, there’s the stunning scenery that they travel through – pictures galore!
Darlington to Stockton? Terrible journey but so historic must be worth a photo
History counts for something!