LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEYS WORTH BUILDING A HOLIDAY AROUND.

Some journeys are too good to fly over.

Not every trip is about getting from A to B as quickly as possible.

Sometimes, the journey is the point.

And, if we’re honest, with everything that’s been going on with flight routes and schedules recently, there’s something rather appealing about slowing things down a little and travelling in a way that feels… calmer, more considered, and a bit more special.

Over the years, I’ve found that some of the most memorable trips aren’t built around ticking off destinations, but around one standout experience — something that shapes the whole holiday.

A great train journey does exactly that.

Here are a few that are genuinely worth building a trip around.

Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)

If you’ve ever looked at photos of the Canadian Rockies and wondered how best to experience them — this is it.

The Rocky Mountaineer isn’t about getting somewhere quickly. It’s about sitting back in a glass-domed carriage and watching the landscape unfold: forests, lakes, mountains, the occasional bear if you’re lucky.

It works beautifully as part of a wider trip — Vancouver, Banff, Jasper, even an Alaska cruise — but the train is very much the highlight rather than just a transfer between places.

Rovos Rail (South Africa)

This is a completely different feel — slower, more elegant, and unapologetically indulgent.

Think vintage carriages, proper dining cars, and the kind of unhurried pace that makes you realise how rare that is these days.

It pairs brilliantly with a safari or a stay in Cape Town, but again, the train isn’t just an add-on — it’s a central part of the experience.

The Ghan (Australia)

There’s something quite special about crossing a continent by train.

The Ghan runs from Adelaide through the Red Centre to Darwin, and it gives you a real sense of the scale of Australia in a way that flying simply doesn’t.

It’s often combined with time in Sydney or a stay around Uluru, but the journey itself is what people remember.

Maharajas’ Express (India)

India can feel a little daunting to plan — which is where something like this comes into its own.

The Maharajas’ Express combines the highlights (Rajasthan, the Taj Mahal, cultural experiences) with a level of comfort and ease that makes the whole trip feel much more manageable. Clients of mine travelled earlier on the train earlier this year and said it was superb. It’s not the cheapest way to see India, but it is one of the most memorable.

Bernina Express (Switzerland & Italy)

Not every great train journey needs to be long-haul or ultra-luxurious.

The Bernina Express is a shorter, more accessible option — but no less spectacular. Think alpine scenery, dramatic viaducts, and panoramic windows designed to make the most of it.

It’s not a luxury train in the same way as some of the others here, but it absolutely earns its place for the experience alone.

It works very well as part of a wider European trip, or even as a standalone short break with a bit of a twist.

A different way of travelling

What all of these have in common is that they change the feel of a trip.

You’re not rushing through airports or watching the world from 35,000 feet — you’re actually in it, seeing it properly, with time to take it in.

And for a lot of people, that’s exactly what makes a holiday feel like a holiday.