10 most spectacular train routes in the world 2025

Lonely Planet introduces the 10 most beautiful train routes in the world, taking tourists through forests, seas, snowy mountains, Tibetan plateaus to the wild lands of Africa.

In June, the world- famous travel magazine Lonely Planet announced the 24 best train journeys in the world to experience in 2025 in its Amazing Train Journeys edition. The journeys were selected based on the following criteria: breathtaking scenery; cultural and historical values; unique experiences; connectivity and discovery; ability to inspire sustainable travel. Below are the first 10 names on the list mentioned by Lonely Planet.
Thong Nhat Train - Vietnam's North-South railway line tops the list with the introduction of one of the most favorite railway lines in Southeast Asia. The train is more than 1,700 km long, connecting the two major cities of Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi , departing daily and lasting about two days, passing through provinces from North to South. Traveling by train along the S-shaped land is considered an impressive experience. The train weaves through ancient cities and glides along spectacular coastal roads.

2. California Zephyr Train, USA

The train departs daily from Chicago to San Francisco, a distance of more than 2,400 miles in nearly 53 hours. The California Zephyr is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the United States, taking travelers through prairies, deserts, the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada. It is the ideal way to fully appreciate the majesty of the North American continent as it travels from the Midwest to the West Coast of the United States.

3. Lake Titicaca Train, Peru

The train travels along the Altiplano from Lake Titicaca to the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco in 10 hours, a distance of 388 km. The train runs three times a week, taking travelers through snow-capped Andean peaks, deep valleys and vast plains. Along the way, passengers may encounter farmers in bowler hats herding alpacas, towns and traditional life typical of the Peruvian highlands.

4. Beijing - Lhasa Express Train, China

From the modern capital of Beijing, the Z21 train takes travelers to the Tibetan plateau, departing from Beijing and stopping in Lhasa. This famous train runs daily, covering more than 3,700 kilometers in 40 hours. Along the way, the train passes herds of grazing yaks, fluttering prayer flags, snow-capped peaks, and endless blue skies. Stopping in Lhasa, passengers will encounter monks in dark red robes waiting to greet pilgrims.

6. Bergensbanen Train, Norway

The Bergensbanen train conquers gorges, crosses rivers, and passes through mountains and ice in Northern Europe to take travelers to the Atlantic port city of Bergen. The train departs four times a day from Oslo, stopping in Bergen, and takes nearly seven hours to travel 300 miles.

7. Tazara Train Line, Tanzania and Zambia

The Tazara Railway offers a rare opportunity to spot wildlife from the comfort of the train. The train runs twice a week from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi, a journey of over 1,800km in 46 hours. The appeal of the journey is that passengers get to see everyday life in East Africa, witnessing the excitement at every stop.

8. Sunset Limited, USA

The classic train route crosses America from east to west, from the bustling bars of New Orleans to the Pacific coast of Los Angeles. Along the way, you will encounter the swamps of Louisiana, the skyscrapers of Houston, the deserts of Texas and Arizona, and finally the golden hills of California. The train runs three times a week from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The journey across America by train is 3,000 km long and takes 48 hours.

9. Caledonian Sleeper, England
From the cramped quarters of London to the majestic Scottish Highlands, the Caledonian Sleeper is the epitome of romantic train travel, according to Lonely Planet. Travelers can chat in the buffet car, fall asleep to the rhythm of the rolling wheels, and wake up to towering rock views outside their windows. The train departs daily from London to Fort William, covering more than 500 miles in nearly 14 hours.

10. Mombasa - Nairobi, Kenya route

Dubbed “the train that invented the modern safari”, the Mombasa-Nairobi railway has been upgraded with new tracks and stations. What hasn’t changed is the stunning journey across the Kenyan savannah, with Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and the Great Rift Valley on the horizon. Trains depart daily from Mombasa to Nairobi, taking just over five hours, covering nearly 600km.

TH (according to VnExpress)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/10-tuyen-tau-ngoan-muc-nhat-the-gioi-2025-414583.html