Recently there’s been the exciting news that the luxurious Orient Express is getting ready to depart Paris again in 2024, a whole 141 years since it first took off for Istanbul back in 1883!
But while we’re waiting to be able to board the iconic train, here’s the top 10 of the best scenic train journeys you can make in the meantime in 2022 and 2023.
1. Sagano Railway | Japan | Kyoto
While there are many scenic railway journeys you can take in Japan, like the exclusive Shiki-Shima and the luxury train journey on Seven Stars, or the Tokaido Shinkansen that takes you past Mt. Fuji, it’s the Sagano Romantic Train that’s made this list purely for the beauty of the Hozukyo Ravine it passes through on its route. The train itself is nostalgic, with wooden bench seats and charming decor.
The Journey
All four seasons are a treat – Sakura blossoms in the Spring, lucious greens in the Summer, Japanese maple colours in the Autumn and sometimes a dusting of snow in the Winter all make for an incredible trip no matter the time of year.
The Sagano Romantic Train first departs from the Saga Torokko Station, which is adjacent to the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station and can be reached from Kyoto Station within 15 minutes on the Sagano Line.
The journey completes 25-minutes later at the Kameoka Torokko Station.
Operating Times
Operating from 1 March to 29 December, trains run hourly from 9am to 4pm, Thursday to Tuesday.
Tickets
This inexpensive train trip only costs ¥880 (€6) for adults and ¥440 (€3) for children, and tickets can be purchased in-person at JR West and Japanese travel agencies up to one month in advance, or online here. If you purchase your ticket online you can use a green ticket machine or a JR ticket counter at a major JR West train station to pick up your ticket.
Additional Info
Car No. 5, known as the ‘Rich’ car, has no windows, and has an open design right down to the floor. If you want to ride in the Rich car, you need to tell the staff member when purchasing your ticket, or select ‘Sagano Rich Car’ when when making a reservation online.
Is the Sagano Railway plus-size friendly?
The seats in both the normal and ‘Rich’ cars are bench-like, so they may not be the most comfortable, but they are wide enough that you shouldn’t have to worry about fitting in one. However, one bench is meant to seat two, so if you sit next to someone, they might have a bad time of it.
2. TranzAlpine | New Zealand | Christchurch to Greymouth
The TranzAlpine scenic train trip runs between Christchurch and Greymouth in New Zealand, covering 139 miles (223km) in just under 5 hours. Featuring carriages that contain panoramic windows, reclined seats, and spacious leg room, the train has been designed to keep passengers as comfortable as possible as they lean back and take in the views. A nice bonus is the outdoor viewing carriage, which means you can get incredible unobstructed shots of the scenery on your camera, and also experience the environment first-hand.
The Journey
Running through the mountainous South Island, the TranzAlpine begins its journey over the vast plains of Canterbury, before joining the Waimakariri River gorge as it starts to ascend up the high plains of Craigieburn, giving incredible views of Mount Binser and a glimpse of Arthur’s Pass National Park.
Continuing its journey through the 5.3 mile (8.5km) long Otira Tunnel, the train emerges into scenery that turns greener and wetter, following a series of river valleys on its descent to Greymouth.
Operating Times
At the moment, the TranzAlpine only runs once a day from Friday to Monday, but from 26 December 2022 it will run seven days a week.
Tickets
A one-way ticket from Christchurch to Greymouth costs $179–$219 (€110-€134) for adults and $125-$153 (€77-€94) for children. You can book online here.
Additional Info
An on-board café serves everything from soup, salad, cakes and snacks to main meals and sweets. Hot drinks, beer and wine are also on the menu. Commentary in 5 languages is available at your seat via headphones, alongside information displays and overhead HD videos, and central heating/air conditioning is standard. There are onboard washroom and toilet/disabled toilet facilities, plus spaces for wheelchairs.
Is the TranzAlpine plus-size friendly?
The seats are roomy, and the hand-rests are able to be put up, so there’s no problem fitting into a seat.
3. Rocky Mountaineer | Canada | Vancouver to Banff
The Rocky Mountaineer First Passage to the West connects Canada from east to west retracing the steps of 19th century explorers, and winds through scenic mountain passes and canyons over two days for a truly unforgettable journey. Glass-dome coaches offer panoramic views, reclining seats have ample leg room, and there is also an outdoor viewing area onboard.
The Journey
After boarding at Vancouver, you’ll take in views over the first day of the Fraser Valley, watching the landscape change from lush greenery to the peaks of the Coast Mountains. Highlights will include the rushing waters of Hell’s Gate and the steep slopes along the Thompson River, before disembarking in Kamloops for an overnight stop at a hotel.
On day 2, you’ll head on to the Shuswap region, with lake views eventually turning into mountainous surroundings. Castle Mountain, between Banff and Lake Louise, is particularly memorable for its imposing appearance. Highlights include the climb over Rogers Pass, the Spiral Tunnels, and the snow-capped peak of the Canadian Rockies. Finally, after a full day of sightseeing, the train journey ends in Banff.
Operating Times
The train departs Vancouver at 7:30am, and arrives into Kamloops between 6-7:30pm. On day 2, the train will depart Kamloops at 6:25am, and arrives at final destination Banff between 7-8:30pm.
Tickets
Many different packages are offered, but for the Silverleaf service level, tickets cost upwards of €1,531 per person, based on 2 people sharing a room. This includes the overnight stay in a hotel, all food and drink onboard, and 2-day passage on the Rocky Mountaineer.
Additional Info
Two hot breakfasts, two hot lunches, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks are all included onboard, and the meals are regionally-inspired. Transfers are offered between the station and hotels in Kamloops.
Wheelchair users are accommodated, but wheelchairs need to either be folded down, or for full-time wheelchair users, not be wider than 23″ (in order to fit through the doorway).
Is the Rocky Mountaineer plus-size friendly?
While the seats in the silverleaf package are roomy with adjustable hand-rests, the seats in the goldleaf package come with solid armrests, meaning that people on the larger side might struggle to fit in one. Go for the cheaper package to ensure you’ll fit your seat.
4. Cinque Terre | Italy | Levanto to La Spezia
While technically not a scenic train journey in itself, the Cinque Terre Express more than makes up for it by providing access to the five villages that make up Cinque Terre in Italy. Colourful buildings built into craggy cliffs, pristine beaches on a beautiful coastline, scattered vineyards and olive groves, and of course the typical Italian cuisine to explore all come together for an incredible railway trip.
While you’re able to hike between the villages, which in itself is an unmissable experience, if you’d rather take the tour at a more relaxed pace, then take the local train which stops at all five spots along the Cinque Terre.
The Journey
From La Spezia, which can be easily reached by mainline trains from Florence, Pisa, Rome, Nice and Genoa, you can catch the local train Cinque Terre Express in the direction of Levanto. You can then get off at any of the five villages, including Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
Operating Times
The train runs every 15 minutes from mid March until 1 November.
Tickets
A one-way ticket between two of the five Cinque Terre villages costs €5 for adults and €2.50 for children, but it’s recommended to purchase the Cinque Terre Card, which costs €18.20 for adults for one day’s travel, €33 for two day’s travel, or €47 for three day’s travel. A one day travel card for children costs €11.40.
The Cinque Terre Train Card gives you access to unlimited train travel on the Lavanto – La Spezia line, and also gives you access to the two hiking trails that require a trekking card, between Monterosso and Vernazza, and Vernazza and Corniglia. You can also use it on the bus services.
Always remember to validate your ticket before you board the train. The green stamp machine is located in the stairs on the way to the platform. Fines are expensive!
You can buy tickets online here. If you buy online, you don’t need to validate your ticket as the dates are already specified.
Additional Info
In the off-season, between 1 November and Mid March, the hiking trails are all free and it’s recommended to buy single train tickets instead, which in the Winter costs about €2.50 one-way between two villages.
Is the Cinque Terre Local Train plus-size friendly?
The seats are normal train seats with adjustable hand-rests, so there’s no problem with fitting in here. The maximum length journey between La Spezia and Riomaggiore is only 9 minutes anyway, so if you end up having to stand, it won’t be for very long.
5. Bergensbanen | Norway | Oslo to Bergen
Known as one of Europe’s most scenic railway journeys, the trip from Oslo to Bergen on the Bergensbanen takes you past villages, fjords, lakes, rivers and waterfalls for some of the most spectacular views you’ll ever see.
The Journey
Starting from Norway’s capital Oslo, the train begins by following the Drammenselva river, before continuing past forests and lakes and up through increasingly snowy weather to reach the mountain village of Geilo, midway between Oslo and Bergen.
The train then moves onto Europe’s largest high mountain plateau, the Hardangervidda plateau, before carrying onto the highest station on the line, Finse, which sits 1,222 meters above sea level. If you’re lucky, you may get to see the largest wild reindeer herd in Europe, which lives on the plateau and consists of over 10,000 animals!
Fjords, waterfalls and rivers soon follow as you head back down, with the climate clearing as you approach the maritime coast.
The whole journey takes six and a half hours over 308 miles (495km).
Operating Times
You can catch around six trains each day from Oslo to Bergen, with the earliest leaving around 6:30am, and the latest leaving around 11pm.
Tickets
You can buy tickets online here up to 90 days in advance, and you can also buy tickets in person at Oslo Central Station or Bergen Station from the ticket office or vending machines. Depending on the season, tickets can cost anywhere between 250 NOK (€25) and 1000 NOK (€99).
Additional Info
There is a café onboard and the train also has wifi. There are disabled facilities, power sockets, and air conditioning to ensure a comfortable ride.
One of the stops between Oslo and Bergen is Myrdal, where you can change trains to go straight down the world’s steepest railway line. The Flåmsbanen to Flåm offers panoramic views of the wilder side of Norway’s scenery, and tickets cost from 650 NOK (€64).
Is the Bergensbanen plus-size friendly?
The seats are reasonably spacious with adjustable hand-rests, in both economy and business class, so there should be no problems for larger people.
6. The Jacobite Steam Train | Scotland | Fort William to Mallaig
The Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig has got to be one of the greatest railway journeys of Britain. Although most people will know of it through Harry Potter, and especially through that iconic scene of the Hogwart’s Express over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, riding one of the last steam trains in the United Kingdom is a unique experience that should be on any traveller’s bucket list!
The Journey
The 84 mile round trip start off near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, continuing on to pass over the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which overlooks Loch Shiel. The train will stop en route to Mallaig at the village of Glenfinnan. More beautiful villages follow, including Lochailort and Arisaig, as does the freshwater Loch Morar and silvery beaches that you might recognise from the films ‘Highlander’ and ‘Local Hero’. Finally, views of the seawater Loch Nevis can be seen as the Jacobite fulls into Mallaig.
The journey takes around 1 hour and 30-40 minutes each way.
Operating Times
There is both a morning service and an afternoon service that runs seven days a week. From Sunday-Friday, you can catch the Jacobite from Fort William at 10:15 and 12:50, and on Saturday, at 10:15 and 14:40.
Tickets
For standard tickets, an adult return costs £52 (€61) and a child return costs £30 (€35).
A return private table for two costs £180 (€212), and a compartment costs £349 (€410) and sits up to 6 people.
For first class tickets, an adult return costs £79.50 (€93) and a child return costs £57 (€67). If you purchase a first class ticket, you can add on a cream tea for £25, and chocolates, flowers, whisky and champagne are all available as extras too.
You can book tickets online here.
Additional Info
The carriages were built in the 1950s and 1960s, and are not designed to accommodate wheelchairs. While portable wheelchairs can be folded up and stored, motorised wheelchairs are not allowed onboard.
Is the Jacobite Train plus-size friendly?
All seats, regardless of whether they’re in a standard or first class carriage, have fixed armrests on the sides, so they may be uncomfortable for those with larger bottoms. In first class, one side of the carriage has single seats around a table, and the other pairs of seats around a table. Standard class have pairs of seats on both sides of the carriage around tables.
If you’re sitting next to someone, it might be a squeeze. But if you’re in a pair of seats and the one next to you is empty, you’ll be fine, as there is no armrest in the middle. But it’s a gamble! If you’re really worried, your best bet is to either book two seats, or splash out on a compartment and take one side to yourself.
7. The Ghan | Australia | Adelaide to Darwin
Of all the train journeys in Australia to make, The Ghan is simply an unmissable experience. Named after the Afghan cameleers who helped explore and build infrastructure in the outback from the 1860s to the early 20th century), The Ghan runs South to North (and vice versa) through the whole of the continent, from Adelaide to Darwin and back, making it an unbeatable way to travel 1,851 miles (2,979km) through Australia and see what the country has to offer.
The Journey
On the first day of the three day journey, The Ghan departs Adelaide and rolls through pastures and scrub as you’re served lunch, crossing over the Dingo Fence and on through rustic towns and Aboriginal land. You’ll see some of the oldest rock formations in the world, the Flinders Ranges, before indulging in a regionally-inspired dinner and fine wine.
On day two, you’ll sip your morning coffee while watching dawn break at Marla in the heart of the outback. Heading on through the MacDonnell Ranges, you’ll arrive at Alice Springs around noon, where you can alight the train to explore the ‘capital of the outback’. Once you’re back on the train, you’ll enjoy dinner while continuing north through the desert.
On the last day you get to explore the historic town of Katherine, where you have the opportunity to explore it from the water on a cruise through Nitmiluk Gorge, or head off to the Katherine Outback Experience. Back on the train, you’ll speed on to Darwin, watching the rainforest of the Northern Territory rush by as you eat lunch.
2023 Operating Times
From March to November, The Ghan leaves at 12.15pm on a Sunday from Adelaide and arrives in Darwin at 17.30pm on the following Tuesday, a total of two nights/three days.
From April to September, an additional train leaves at 12.10pm on a Wednesday, and arrives at 19:50pm the following Friday.
2023 Tickets
There are many different fares to choose from, depending on the cabin and the time of year you chose to ride in. But the prices can range anywhere from $2,225 – $9,405 (€1,508 – €6,375). Children aged between 4 and 15 are eligible for cheaper child fares.
The cheapest ticket is the advance purchase gold single cabin between Mar-Apr and Sept-Nov.
Additional Info
The journey is all-inclusive with meals, wines and drinks served onboard. There are optional upgrades in Alice Springs and Katherine for helicopter flights, which have additional costs.
Is The Ghan plus-size friendly?
No matter which cabin you decide to pay for, you’ll be very comfortable in the seat and converted bed. The Gold rooms themselves are a little snug, but not claustrophobically so.
The only thing you might struggle with as a larger person is the bathroom. If you’re travelling alone and opt for a Gold Single, you’ll share a toilet and shower with the other 15 passengers in your carriage, but the shower space is a lot larger than the private en-suite shower you’d get sharing a Gold Twin cabin. Also the Gold Twin cabin comes with bunk beds, so you might struggle to climb into the higher one.
Platinum fares comes with bigger rooms and bigger en-suite showers, but are more expensive. This is something to consider when booking your ticket.
8. The Zephyr | USA | Chicago to San Francisco
The California Zephyr is one of the most scenic railway journeys in all of Northern America, and quite possibly the world. Running between Chicago and San Francisco, you experience everything from snow-capped mountains to vast plains over the 52-hour, 2,438 mile (3,923km) route. Travelling on the Zephyr isn’t about the final destination – it’s about the journey.
The Journey
Departing from California, the Zephyr glides past the plains of Nebraska and the magnificent Colorado River Valley, across the Continental Divide and the Rocky Mountains, up into the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas and through the deserts of Utah and the forests of Northern California, before arriving in Emeryville for its final stop.
All of these remarkable landscapes can be watched from the Sightseer Lounge observation car, which is open to all passengers on a first-come-first-serve basis and features floor-to-ceiling windows for the best possible views.
Operating Times
The California Zephyr departs daily at 2:00pm from California, and arrives two days later in Emeryville (San Francisco) at 4:10pm.
Tickets
There are four options for travellers on the California Zephyr. The cheapest ticket option, the Coach Class, costs from $141 (€138) and is simply a seat on the train.
A roomette is a space big enough for two, with seats facing each other that transform into two berths at night, and a small table. It costs from $1,052 (€1,030). There is private shower and toilet access in the car.
A bedroom has an en-suite shower and toilet, have a chair and sofa during the day, and upper and lower berths at night. It costs from $2,261 (€2,213).
The family bedroom costs from $1,838 (€1,800), has two adult beds and two child beds, and the shower and toilet are nearby outside the room.
Additional Info
Each seat offers 120v power sockets, although there is no wifi, and drinking water is available in each coach.
Your Coach class reservation does not secure you a specific seat, so you can sit where you like when you board and an attendant will then mark your seat as ‘taken’.
All sleeper passengers get breakfast, lunch & dinner in the dining car, and each sleeping-car has complimentary tea/coffee and fruit juice available in the morning.
There is a special bedroom onboard that is wheelchair accessible, with a private toilet and two berths. There is no shower inside, but there is one just outside the room, although it’s non-wheelchair-accessible.
Is the California Zephyr plus-size friendly?
Toilets are similar to ones you’d find on an airplane, and can be a squeeze.
The dining cart has fixed tables and chairs that people with chunky thighs might struggle to slide into as the table is quite low.
Coach seats are spacious, reclining, and have lots of legroom, so are pretty comfortable. Roomette berths include an upper, which can be a struggle to climb into. The bedrooms are much bigger and pose no problems, unless you’re assigned the upper berth in the family room.
9. Reunification Express | Vietnam | Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
After the reunification of the northern and southern regions of Vietnam, bridges, tunnels, and more than 150 train stations were repaired, connecting a route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for the Reunification Express to rumble through. Crossing the central spine of Vietnam, there’s plenty to see from beaches to mountains, lush jungles, quaint villages, wetlands and cities.
The Journey
The total journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh takes around 32-37 hours, and stops in Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phan Thiết.
Between Hue and Da Nang you’ll head through the Hai Van Pass, getting views of peaceful fishing villages and bays along the coast of the South China Sea. On the final leg towards Ho Chi Minh City, you’ll see traditional thatch-roofed houses in fields of rice, and the jungle-covered Annamite mountain range rising overhead.
But the most enjoyable part of the journey isn’t just the quintessential Asian scenery scrolling past the window, but the opportunity to hop on and off the train and explore the impressive and variable Vietnamese cities in person, meeting local people and learning their stories, language, and perhaps sharing something in return.
Operating Times
Four trains leave every day from Hanoi, around 6am, 9am, 7:30pm and 10:20pm. For the southbound trains, you normally need to enter the station through the main gate A, located at 120 Le Duan Street, Hoan Kiem District. But do bear in mind that this is more of a rough guide than a precise schedule!
Tickets
There are four different seating or sleeping options available. The cheapest is known as Hard Seat, rows of bare wooden benches, costing €49. The next one is Soft Seat, which looks like normal bus seating, and costs €62. The Hard Berth are rooms that have six beds with no padding, and costs €84. Lastly, the Soft Berth costs €88 and are rooms with four beds that have cushions.
Children under the age of five travel for free. From five to nine years old, they pay 75% of what an adult would pay. Over ten and they pay the adult price.
It’s not possible to buy a ticket with multiple stops, so you’ll have to buy a separate ticket every time you get off the train to explore a new area.
Book your tickets online here.
Additional Info
You can keep your luggage in a compartment under your bunk, or on overhead racks in seating areas.
Food is sometimes available onboard, but it’s easier and more reliable to bring your own.
Both squat toilets and Western toilets can be founded at the connections of carriages, but be aware they may not be the cleanest. All carriages are air-conditioned due to the hot weather in Vietnam. The railway also provides some basic amenities such as water dispensers and water basins.
Is the Reunification Express plus-size friendly?
The Soft Seat chairs are just like normal bus seats with adjustable arm rests, and other than these the other seats are either benches or berths, so a larger-sized person will be relatively comfortable no matter which option they choose. But considering you’ll likely want to sleep for part of the journey, consider spending the extra money on the Soft Berth option.
10. Bernina Express | Switzerland | Chur to Tirano
While the Glacier Express is probably the better known of the scenic railway journeys you can take up amongst the Alps, the Bernina Express has made this list because it’s more of a sightseeing experience than the Glacier, often done as a return day-trip. With panoramic windows in the carriages, you have unrestricted views of the impressive Alpine scenery, from glaciers to palm trees.
The Journey
The complete Bernina Express route runs from Tirano in Italy to Chur in Switzerland, taking just over 4 hours one way. For a shorter journey, the route from Torino to St. Moritz takes around 2 and a half hours to complete one way.
Between Torino and St. Moritz, you can take in views at Alp Grüm of the Palü Glacier, Bernina Range, Bergamasque Alps and Val Poschiavo Valley. Further on, you’ll experience the Alps at their most spectacular at the highest point in the journey, the Ospizio Bernina, which sits 2,253 metres above sea level.
Travelling onwards towards Chur, you’ll cross the Landwasser Viaduct, a famous landmark on the railway and an incredible architectural feat, considering it was built using only two cranes and no scaffolding.
Operating Times
Only two trains run the complete track from Tirano to Chur per day, leaving at around 8am and 2:30pm. If you only complete the journey to St. Moritz, there are three trains that leave at around 10am, 1:15pm, and 4pm from Tirano.
Chur is easily accessible from Zurich, Vienna, Salzburg, Paris, Munich and Cologne via train, and also Tirano from Milan.
Tickets
A return ticket from Tirano to Chur costs 126 CHF (€128), plus a reservation supplement that costs between 20-26 CHF (€20-26) depending on the season. You can book online here.
Additional Info
There are special seats available on the Bernina Express for passengers who cannot leave their wheelchair. While the train doesn’t have a restaurant car, a minibar does pass along the carriages serving snacks and drinks. Free wifi is included onboard.
Is the Bernina Express plus-size friendly?
The seats are comfortable and spacious with adjustable hand-rests, so there should be no problems for larger people.