Green Travel: Try Out These Best Train Journeys In The World

These days there is much talk about reducing our carbon footprint whilst traveling the world and one of the best methods is to travel by train. While it might sometimes take a little longer than flying, it can be far more enjoyable. In fact, traveling by rail can become a vacation in itself. For those who love relaxing on a train and watching this beautiful world go by, Travel and Leisure has polled its readers to find out the best train journeys in the world. Almost 200,000 travelers voted for the best, rating factors like value, destinations, food, itineraries, and service to tie down their choice.

Take the Inca Rail in Peru to Machu Picchu

For a short but glorious ride, the Inca Rail in Peru offers something for every budget with five tiers offering everything from Voyager to Private. These include options like a simple window seat, right up to a luxury carriage with live music and a private balcony.

The Inca Rail heads out from Ollantaytambo, 45 miles outside of Cusco, all the way to Machu Picchu, with stunning views along the way. Budget prices start at $120, while luxury options cost around $500.

Travelers have described the Inca Rail train journey as a “magical experience.” They also described the “breathtaking scenery” along the way. Meanwhile, the train offers panoramic vistas of the gorgeous Peruvian valleys. Meanwhile, live onboard entertainment plays out the romance between Princess Cusi Coyllur and Inca warrior Ollanta. This gives travelers a magical insight into the past in Machu Picchu before they even get there. Find out more on the Inca Rail website here.

The Rocky Mountaineer – US and Canada

As anyone who has been there knows, the Rocky Mountains are a spectacular sight to behold. One of the best ways to see them is on a train journey on the Rocky Mountaineer, heading through the mountains with scenic views of rocky gorges and pretty streams from the glass-domed rail cars.

What makes this ideal for anyone is the choice of a two-day or two-week journey, depending on travelers’ finances and time off work. Meanwhile, travelers were particularly impressed with the top-notch service with one writing:

The commentary provided by the staff that attended our car is what made the trip a 5-star experience we won’t soon forget… they told you everything about what was going by the window. It made the trip.

Meanwhile, when it comes to stopping for the night, travelers enjoy a comfortable hotel stay. Moreover, while on the train, those polled praised the high-quality food on the train, served around the clock.

Prices vary, starting at $1,385 for popular short journeys, and right up to $5,000 for the longer routes. Among the most popular routes is the Banff to Vancouver, or “Passage to the West,” however, other roundtrip journeys are as follows:

• Vancouver – Kamloops – Jasper (Journey Through The Clouds)
• North Vancouver – Whistler – Quesnel – Jasper (Rainforest To Gold Rush)
• Moab – Glenwood Springs – Denver (Rockies To The Red Rocks)

The British Pullman, A Belmond Train – England, UK

For a completely different experience, climb aboard the British Pullman, a Belmond Train in the UK. Again, there are choices, including a day trip through the English countryside, or connecting to the luxurious Venice Simplon Orient Express. That option takes passengers back to the glitz and glamor of the 1920s in the wonderfully revamped train.

Among the train journeys to choose from, Belmond’s train does day trips to some of the most popular destinations in England. Think Bath, the film set for the popular series Bridgerton, or the university cities of Cambridge and Oxford. However, there are many more popular routes to choose from across the country.

Ticket prices start at around $600, and can increase to $3,000 for special journeys with guided tours.

Whatever your choice, these three train journeys offer the best in spectacular views along the way.