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- renowned 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 criteria such as: breathtaking scenery; cultural and historical value; unique experiences; connectivity and exploration; and the potential to inspire sustainable travel. Below are the first 10 names on Lonely Planet's list.
The Reunification Express – Vietnam's North-South railway line – tops the list, touted as one of the most beloved railway routes in Southeast Asia. The more than 1,700 km journey connects the two major cities of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi , departing daily and lasting approximately two days, traversing provinces and cities from North to South. Traveling by train across Vietnam is considered an impressive experience, winding through ancient cities and gliding along spectacular coastal routes.

2. The California Zephyr train journey, USA

The train departs daily from Chicago to San Francisco, a journey of over 3,900 km in nearly 53 hours. The California Zephyr is considered one of the most scenic train journeys in the United States, taking passengers across prairies, deserts, the Rocky Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada. It's the ideal way to fully experience the grandeur of the North American continent throughout the journey from the Midwest to the West Coast of the United States.

3. The Lake Titicaca train journey, Peru

The Altiplano train journey from Lake Titicaca to the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco takes 10 hours, covering a distance of 388 km. With three trips per week, the train takes passengers through snow-capped Andes peaks, deep valleys, and vast plains. Along the way, passengers may encounter farmers wearing bowler hats tending alpacas, and glimpses of towns and traditional life characteristic 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 a distance of over 3,700 km in 40 hours. Throughout the journey, the train glides past herds of yaks grazing, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, snow-capped mountain peaks, and an endless blue sky. Upon arriving in Lhasa, passengers will encounter monks in deep red robes waiting to welcome pilgrims.

6. The Bergensbanen train journey, Norway

The Bergensbanen train conquers canyons, crosses rivers, traverses mountains and snow-covered landscapes of Northern Europe to bring travelers to the port city of Bergen on the Atlantic coast. The train departs four times daily from Oslo, stopping in Bergen, with a journey time of nearly 7 hours covering 496 km.

7. Tazara Railway, Tanzania and Zambia

The Tazara Railway offers a rare opportunity for travelers to spot wildlife right from the train. The train runs twice a week, departing from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi, covering a distance of over 1,800 km in 46 hours. The appeal of this journey lies in the opportunity to observe daily life in East Africa, witnessing the lively atmosphere at each stop.

8. Sunset Limited, USA

The classic trans-American railroad route runs from east to west, from the bustling bars of New Orleans to the Pacific coast of Los Angeles. Along the way, travelers will encounter the Louisiana swamps, the skyscrapers of Houston, the deserts of Texas and Arizona, and finally the sun-drenched hills of California. The train runs three times a week, departing from New Orleans to Los Angeles. The trans-American journey by train covers 3,000 km and takes 48 hours.

9. Caledonian Sleeper, England
From the bustling neighborhoods of London to the majestic Scottish Highlands, the Caledonian Sleeper overnight train embodies the romance of train travel, according to Lonely Planet. Passengers can chat in the buffet carriage, drift off to sleep to the rhythm of the rolling wheels, and wake up to breathtaking views of the rocky mountains outside the window. The train departs daily from London to Fort William, traveling over 800 km in nearly 14 hours.

10. Mombasa-Nairobi Route, Kenya

Dubbed "the train that sparked the modern safari concept," the Mombasa-Nairobi Railway has been upgraded with new tracks and stations. What remains constant is the stunning journey through the Kenyan savanna, with the silhouette of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance and the Great Rift Valley horizon in the foreground. Trains depart daily from Mombasa to Nairobi, a journey of just over 5 hours covering nearly 600 km.

TH (according to VnExpress)

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