Train travel represents perhaps the most civilised mode of covering distance — a form of transit that preserves the traveller's connection with the landscape while providing the comfort and social possibilities that road and air cannot match. From the legendary romance of Orient Express carriages to the quiet efficiency of Japanese shinkansen, from scenic Alpine railway routes to overnight sleeper services crossing entire continents, rail travel offers experiences where the journey's rhythm, views, and atmosphere constitute as much of the memory as the destination itself.

Our coverage of train experiences evaluates the quality and character of rolling stock, the scenic interest of routes, the standard of on-board dining and service, and the comfort of sleeping arrangements where applicable. We assess whether operators have invested in the journey experience — through panoramic observation cars, informative route commentary, gastronomy reflecting regions traversed, and the careful calibration of speed that allows passengers to truly see the landscapes they cross. Properties offering private carriages, dedicated suites, or exclusive access to heritage rolling stock receive particular attention.

Readers will discover train journeys that range from practical high-speed connections experienced in first-class refinement to multi-day odysseys where the locomotive itself becomes home. Each recommendation has been selected for its ability to remind travellers that speed is not always the measure of a journey's success — that sometimes the most rewarding way to arrive somewhere is slowly, watching the world transform beyond the window while the wheels maintain their reassuring, rhythmic pulse.