Spectacular train trips around the world
For Americans, nothing feels quite so foreign and exotic as a long rail journey. The U.S. simply doesn't have much in the way of rail lines and, even in those places where we do, very few people use them.
I've traveled a good 4000 miles by train in my life and not so much as a mile of it was here in the States (unless you count subways, which I don't). I wish the U.S. train system would get its act together, but until then, train travel is one of the many great reasons to go abroad.
For those seeking the ultimate in train travel, two epic rail journeys spring to mind -- the Trans-Siberian railway and the Orient Express.
But there are many more than that and Matador Trips has a look at the world's ten most spectacular train trips. Yes, both the Trans-Siberian and the Orient Express get a mention, but there are some other, lesser-known gems in the list as well.
For instance, Switzerland's Glacier Express sounds intriguing:
the Glacier Express has a reputation for being the slowest ‘express’ in the world - but it’s also one of the most beautiful. Linking the two mountain resorts of St. Moritz and Zermatt in the Swiss Alps, the journey covers 291 bridges and 91 tunnels.
At its highest point, the Glacier Express reaches 2,033 meters (6,670 feet) in altitude at the Oberalp Pass as it travel through some of the most stunning mountain scenery Europe has to offer: alpine meadows, mountain streams, snow peaked mountains and glacial valleys.
For some more scenic train journeys, check out Matador's list and if you have a favorite train route that didn't make it in the Matador roundup, be sure to leave a note in the comments.
[Photo via Jsome1, Flickr]
2008-12-02 12:33
Thanks for the link and the recent posts about Train travel. I really hope trains can find their place in the US in the coming years.
2008-12-03 04:47
Don't you have the American Orient-Express?
2008-12-03 06:45
Spectacular train trips around the world...
the world’s ten most spectacular train trips. Yes, both the Trans-Siberian and the Orient Express get a mention, but there are some other, lesser-known gems in the list as well.
For instance,
For Americans, nothing feels quite so foreign and ...
2008-12-03 08:10
The Glacier Express in Switzerland is great! Take the ride if you're in the area.
2008-12-05 07:57
There are a few good train trips in the US but nothing like overseas. I've always been surprised that the US didn't get into the high speed train business, considering all the open space around here (unlike, say Japan). Imagine a bullet train from NY to LA. It would be an overnight (at worst) rip through the US.
My favorite train trip is the Nairobi to Mombasa (Kenya) trip. You ride the same cars/rails as Lt. Col Patterson built/rode through Tsavo when he dealt with the man eating lions (Ghost and the Darkness - based on real events). Old world style. Very cool. At least this was how it was in the late '70s and early '80s when I rode it with my parents. The line up country into the Great Rift Valley is also awesome. They used to unhook the trains and slide them down a zip line to the bottom of the Rift. Now that's a train ride!