There is a romance to train travel that no other form of transportation can match. The rhythmic clatter of wheels on tracks, the ever-changing panorama beyond the window, the sensation of moving through a landscape rather than merely over it. In an era of four-hour flights and high-speed rail connections, Europe's luxury trains offer something deliberately different: the journey itself as the destination, savored slowly and in extraordinary comfort.
Europe pioneered luxury rail travel in the 19th century, and the continent continues to offer the world's most storied and spectacular train journeys. From the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which evokes the golden age of travel with its meticulously restored 1920s carriages, to the Glacier Express winding through the Swiss Alps, these journeys combine breathtaking scenery with world-class hospitality to create experiences that linger in memory long after the final station.
This guide covers the essential luxury train journeys available in Europe in 2026, including routes, cabin options, pricing, and practical advice for making the most of each experience.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: The Legend Restored
No luxury train in the world carries the mystique of the Orient Express. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, operated by Belmond, runs on the original route from London to Venice (and occasionally beyond to destinations including Paris, Prague, and Istanbul) using meticulously restored carriages from the 1920s and 1930s. Every detail, from the Lalique glass panels to the polished mahogany marquetry, has been preserved or recreated with extraordinary fidelity to the original designs.
The journey from London to Venice takes approximately 24 hours and crosses five countries: England, France, Germany (briefly), Austria, and Italy. Departing from London's Victoria Station, the train passes through the English countryside to Folkestone, where guests transfer to a Belmond coach for the Channel crossing. In Calais, the Continental train awaits, resplendent in its distinctive blue and gold livery.
Cabin Categories
The train offers several cabin categories, each representing a different level of the golden age experience.
- Twin Cabins are the entry-level option, featuring two lower berths that convert to a seating configuration during the day. While compact, they are beautifully appointed with period fittings and crisp linens. A washbasin with hot and cold water is provided, with shared toilet facilities in the corridor.
- Cabin Suites provide a more spacious experience, created by combining two adjacent twin cabins. Guests enjoy a separate living area and bedroom, along with a private bathroom, a significant luxury aboard a heritage train.
- Grand Suites are the pinnacle of the Orient Express experience. Named after notable cities on the route (Venice, Paris, Prague, Istanbul, Vienna, and Budapest), each Grand Suite has been individually designed by master craftspeople. Features include a private bathroom with a full-size shower, a dedicated steward, and exclusive access to a private dining experience.
The Dining Experience
Dining aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is a highlight of the journey. Three beautifully restored restaurant cars serve a multi-course dinner that combines French culinary tradition with contemporary creativity. The dress code is formal, which adds to the sense of occasion. Gentlemen are expected to wear suits or tuxedos, and many ladies take the opportunity to dress in period-appropriate styles. The brunch service served as the train winds through the Austrian Alps toward Venice is equally memorable, with champagne flowing freely as the Dolomites rise beyond the window.
Pricing and Booking
Twin Cabin: From approximately 3,500 EUR per person one-way London to Venice.
Cabin Suite: From approximately 7,000 EUR per person one-way.
Grand Suite: From approximately 12,000 EUR per person one-way.
Season: March through November, with departures typically one to three times per week.
Booking tip: Reservations open approximately 11 months before departure. Grand Suites and popular dates sell out within days. Book through Belmond directly or through a luxury travel advisor for the best chance of securing preferred dates.
Glacier Express: The Slowest Express Train in the World
The Glacier Express traverses 291 kilometers between Zermatt and St. Moritz in approximately eight hours, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels as it winds through some of the most spectacular alpine scenery on Earth. Despite its name, it is deliberately slow, allowing passengers ample time to absorb the panoramic views of deep gorges, snowcapped peaks, and mountain villages that unfold outside the vast observation windows.
Unlike the overnight luxury trains, the Glacier Express is a daytime journey, and its appeal lies in the scenery rather than the accommodation. The route reaches its highest point at the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters above sea level, and the landscapes range from the gentle vineyard terraces of the Rhone Valley to the dramatic ice fields and glacial valleys of the high Alps.
Class Options
- Second Class provides comfortable seating with panoramic windows and a seat reservation. This is a perfectly enjoyable way to experience the journey at a fraction of the first-class price.
- First Class offers wider seats with more legroom, a quieter atmosphere, and a complimentary welcome drink. The first-class cars also tend to be less crowded, providing a more relaxed viewing experience.
- Excellence Class is the premium tier, offering a concierge service, a five-course gourmet meal with wine pairings, an open bar, and a lounge area with the best panoramic views on the train. Seats in Excellence Class face the windows at an angle that maximizes the scenery, and the personal service creates a genuinely luxurious atmosphere.
Pricing and Booking
Second Class: From approximately 160 CHF per person including seat reservation.
First Class: From approximately 290 CHF per person including seat reservation and welcome drink.
Excellence Class: From approximately 480 CHF per person including gourmet dining and beverages.
Season: Year-round, with the most dramatic scenery from December through March (snow-covered peaks) and June through September (alpine meadows in bloom).
Booking tip: Reserve seats on the right side of the train when traveling from Zermatt to St. Moritz for the best views of the Landwasser Viaduct and the Rhine Gorge.
Belmond Royal Scotsman: Highland Grandeur
The Belmond Royal Scotsman is an intimate luxury train that carries a maximum of 36 guests through the Scottish Highlands on journeys lasting two to seven nights. The train feels more like a country house on wheels than a railway carriage, with tartan fabrics, polished wood, and a warmth of atmosphere that reflects Scotland's legendary hospitality.
Routes vary by departure but typically include highlights such as the Cairngorms National Park, the remote northwest Highlands, the whisky-producing regions of Speyside, and the historic cities of Edinburgh and Inverness. The train parks at scenic sidings overnight, allowing guests to enjoy evening activities such as whisky tastings, traditional Scottish music, and stargazing in some of the darkest skies in Europe.
What Makes It Special
The Royal Scotsman's strength lies in its excursion program. Each journey includes guided walks through ancient Highland landscapes, visits to private castles and estates that are not open to the general public, whisky distillery tours with master blenders, and opportunities for activities such as clay pigeon shooting, fishing, and falconry. The onboard observation car, with its open-air veranda, provides an incomparable setting for watching the Scottish landscape glide past with a dram of single malt in hand.
The dining car serves Scottish-inspired cuisine that showcases the country's exceptional larder: wild venison, freshly caught salmon, hand-dived scallops, and artisan cheeses, paired with wines selected by the train's sommelier. The atmosphere is convivial rather than formal, and by the second evening, the small number of guests typically feels like a gathering of friends.
Price: From approximately 4,000 GBP per person for a two-night journey to approximately 8,500 GBP for a four-night journey.
Season: April through October.
Booking tip: The train's small capacity means popular dates sell out many months in advance. Spring departures often offer the most dramatic landscapes, with hills covered in heather and wildflowers.
El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo: Spain's Green Coast by Rail
El Transcantabrico Gran Lujo traverses Spain's northern coast, the so-called Green Spain, on a journey that combines luxury rail travel with comprehensive excursions through one of Europe's most underrated regions. The route runs between San Sebastian and Santiago de Compostela (or vice versa) over eight days and seven nights, covering the Basque Country, Cantabria, Asturias, and Galicia.
The train carries just 28 guests in 14 luxurious suites, each featuring a sitting area, a double or twin bed, and a private bathroom with a hydromassage shower. The interiors blend contemporary Spanish design with classic elegance, and the public spaces include a salon car, a dining car, and an outdoor observation deck.
Daily excursions visit some of northern Spain's most remarkable sites: the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the prehistoric cave paintings of Altamira, the medieval town of Santillana del Mar, the dramatic Picos de Europa mountains, and the Romanesque churches and pilgrimage routes of Galicia. The cuisine reflects the journey's passage through Spain's finest gastronomic regions, with meals often taken at celebrated local restaurants rather than on the train.
Price: From approximately 5,000 EUR per person for the eight-day journey, fully inclusive of excursions, meals, and beverages.
Season: April through October.
Booking tip: This train is popular with Spanish travelers as well as international guests, giving it a distinctive cultural atmosphere. Book at least six months in advance for summer departures.
GoldenPass Express: Lake Geneva to Interlaken
While not an overnight luxury train in the traditional sense, the GoldenPass Express deserves mention for its innovative design and spectacular route. Connecting Montreux on Lake Geneva with Interlaken in the Bernese Oberland, this recently launched service features panoramic coaches with extra-large windows and a premium class section with Prestige seating that offers a virtually unobstructed 270-degree view of the passing scenery.
The route passes through some of Switzerland's most diverse landscapes, from the vineyards and lakeshores of the Lavaux region (a UNESCO World Heritage site) through rolling green farmland to the dramatic Alpine scenery of the Simmental Valley. The entire journey takes approximately three hours and 15 minutes, making it an ideal day excursion or a scenic way to travel between two of Switzerland's most popular tourist regions.
Price: From approximately 75 CHF for a second-class reservation to approximately 160 CHF for Prestige class.
Season: Year-round, with daily departures.
Booking tip: Prestige class seats are limited and popular. Book at least two weeks in advance for summer travel.
Planning Your Luxury Train Journey: Practical Advice
What to Pack
Space in train cabins, even luxury ones, is limited compared to hotel rooms. Pack strategically with one formal outfit for dinner (essential on the Orient Express, appreciated on the Royal Scotsman), comfortable daytime clothing for excursions, and layers for varying temperatures. Most luxury trains provide toiletries, so you can save space by leaving yours at home.
Combining Trains with Other Experiences
Luxury train journeys pair beautifully with other premium travel experiences. The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express arriving into Venice connects perfectly with a stay at one of the city's finest luxury hotels. A Glacier Express journey through Switzerland can be combined with a visit to the country's celebrated wellness retreats and thermal baths. And arriving at your departure city via business class flight ensures you board the train rested and ready to enjoy every moment.
When to Travel
Each train has its optimal season, but as a general rule, May through June and September through October offer the best combination of pleasant weather, manageable crowds, and beautiful landscapes. Winter journeys on the Glacier Express and GoldenPass provide spectacular snow-covered scenery, while summer on the Royal Scotsman means the longest daylight hours and the warmest temperatures for outdoor excursions.
Comparison Table: Europe's Luxury Trains at a Glance
| Train | Route | Duration | Starting Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | London to Venice (and others) | ~24 hours | ~3,500 EUR pp | Romance, heritage, glamour |
| Glacier Express | Zermatt to St. Moritz | ~8 hours | ~160 CHF pp | Alpine scenery, day journey |
| Belmond Royal Scotsman | Scottish Highlands (various) | 2-7 nights | ~4,000 GBP pp | Highlands culture, whisky, nature |
| El Transcantabrico | San Sebastian to Santiago | 8 days / 7 nights | ~5,000 EUR pp | Spanish gastronomy and culture |
| GoldenPass Express | Montreux to Interlaken | ~3.25 hours | ~75 CHF pp | Scenic day trip, accessibility |
Final Thoughts
Luxury train travel in Europe is not simply a mode of transportation; it is a philosophy of travel. In choosing to journey by train, you are making a deliberate decision to slow down, to watch the world unfold at a human pace, and to appreciate the landscapes, cultures, and connections that reveal themselves only when you are not rushing past them at 900 kilometers per hour.
Whether you choose the storied glamour of the Orient Express, the alpine grandeur of the Glacier Express, the Highland hospitality of the Royal Scotsman, or the gastronomic richness of El Transcantabrico, you are investing in an experience that transcends the ordinary. These are journeys that create stories, the kind you tell and retell for decades, each time remembering a new detail: the way the light fell on the Dolomites at breakfast, the taste of a particular whisky in a Scottish glen, or the sound of the train rounding a bend high above the Rhine Gorge.
In our age of instant everything, the luxury of taking the long way round has never been more valuable. Europe's great trains remind us that sometimes the most extraordinary experiences are found not at the destination, but in the journey itself.
