These 5 Once-In-a-Lifetime Train Adventures Will Leave You Speechless

We’ve definitely taken our fair share of road trips, boat rides, and flights in our adventures to over 100 countries around the world. However, throughout our travels we have found ourselves addicted to another form of transportation – trains. Over the past 9 years, we have traveled by train across Japan, Russia, the United States, and more.

Which of these train rides were our favorite? Read on to find out the 5 train journeys we think truly took us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

1). Maharajas’ Express, India

The Maharajas’ Express, 7-day journey across India might just be the most luxurious way to see India. Seriously, it is unlike any other train journey we have ever taken. While most trains just travel non-stop from point A to point B, this train is a bit more like a cruise ship on land. During the 7-day journey, passengers are taken to different cities around India to see amazingly unique sights like the blue city in Jodhpur or the famous Taj Mahal in Agra. Tickets for this train start as low as $5,000 for a Deluxe Cabin and as high as $28,000 for the Presidential Suite. The $28k price tag includes a suite that takes up half a train car, access to a menu of over 500 local dishes, a butler, entertainment and a full bathroom with a bathtub (something we have not seen on any other train). This train ride past sand dunes, cities, lakes and forests truly allows you to experience all sides of India.

2). The Canadian, VIA Rail, Canada

Canada’s longest train journey, from Vancouver to Toronto, seriously might be our favorite train journey in the world. We spent this 95 hour journey in the Via Express’ Prestige-class room which includes a comfy couch, pull-down bed, plenty of storage and a huge window to enjoy the sweeping views of the cities and the Rocky mountains. The food on the train was absolutely delicious, but the one thing that made this journey one of our favorite train journeys ever was the observation car that provided top-down views of the vast forest of frosted trees in the mountains. Seriously, train travel does not get better than this!

3). Indian Pacific, Australia

The 82 hour journey from Perth to Sydney, roughly the same distance from Los Angeles to New York City, is one of the longest train journeys in the whole world. Actually, 3 of the journeys on this list fall among the top 10 longest train rides in the world. A ticket on the Indian Pacific includes all meals and despite tough competition, we thought that the food on the Indian Pacific was the best train food we’ve ever had (yes, even better than #4 below). Truthfully, this was one of the bumpier train rides we’ve been on, especially on the stretch between Adelaide and Sydney. However, we enjoyed seeing parts of Australia that most tourists never visit like the town of Cook in the Nullarbor Plains which has a population of about 4 people. The journey culminated in a magical view of the Blue Mountains covered in fog as we descended into Sydney.

4). Venice Simplon Orient Express, Budapest

We’ve been on train journeys all around the world and none of them have been quite as luxurious as the Grand Suite on The Venice Simplon Orient Express, also known as the most expensive room on the most expensive train in the world. This 24-hour journey from Budapest to Paris cost $28,000 but that ticket price might just be worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. Guests in the Grand Suite will be driven to the train station by a private chauffeur and welcomed to their gilded room with a $232 welcome tin of caviar and free flowing champagne. There are a myriad of ways to pass the time on this journey. A butler can serve you afternoon tea that can be enjoyed from the suite’s dining area while you take in sweeping views of the French countryside. After purchasing a souvenir from the on-board jewelry shop, you can relax in the bar car while enjoying more free flowing champagne and live music. If you still can’t picture how fancy this train is, it is important to know that if you forget to bring a suit and tie or cocktail dress, you might not be allowed to eat in the train’s dining cart.

5). Peru Rail Lake Titicaca, Peru

The 10 hour train ride from Cusco to Lake Titicaca travels directly through the Andes mountains and is one of the highest rail journeys in the world. Each passenger on the train gets to enjoy a 3 course meal, learn to make a local cocktail, and enjoy live local music. There are no sleeper cars on this train, but there are plenty of seats throughout the train to take a nap, play games or enjoy the views. The caboose of the train boosts an open-air observation deck where we could have stayed for hours enjoying all the views. Seriously- we were blown away by everything we got to see on this train journey. From the bustling city center of Cusco, through the mountains and rivers, past soccer fields, and through tiny mountain villages of locals going about their daily lives, this train journey had it all!

The best part of this train ride was that it cost us $0 thanks to the help of miles and points. Want to learn more about booking travel using miles and points? Visit our Daily Drop website and sign up for our free newsletter to learn more about the best travel deals and how to maximize using miles and points to see the world for cheap – or even free.