The Return Luxury train journeys: The Golden Age of Slow Travel
Epic overland rail journeys are emerging as a major trend in the travel industry. Booking agencies report a staggering surge in demand for luxury train journeys, driven by a collective exhaustion with the modern flying experience. Frankly, the era of folding yourself into a budget airline seat with the legroom of a glorified glovebox, after a two-hour sprint through airport security, is losing its appeal.
Instead, discerning travellers are driving a "slow travel" renaissance. The appeal boils down to three core factors:
The Journey is the Destination: Modern luxury trains are effectively rolling five-star hotels. You are swapping terminal queues for Michelin-starred dining cars, curated off-train cultural excursions, and uninterrupted, panoramic views.
Eco-Conscious Escapism: Rail travel generates a fraction of the greenhouse gas emissions per passenger-kilometre compared to flying. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing comfort, electrified luxury rail is the most elegant solution.
Space and Sanity: You can stand up, walk to the bar, and sleep in a real bed (or a highly appointed cabin). No middle seat, and your luggage won't get sent to a different continent by mistake.
Millions are currently being poured into reviving heritage routes and launching entirely new fleets to meet this demand. Here are the journeys defining the trend:
The Alps: The Glacier Express
Do not let the word "express" fool you; this is proudly billed as the slowest express train in the world, and thank goodness for that. Snaking through the Swiss Alps between Zermatt and St. Moritz, the eight-hour journey crosses 291 bridges, passes through 91 tunnels, and climbs the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres. The train features glass-roofed coaches for unobstructed views of deep gorges and the frankly terrifying Landwasser Viaduct. If you upgrade to Excellence Class, you receive a guaranteed window seat, concierge service, and a seven-course tasting menu with wine pairings. The Booking Strategy: Before boarding, spend a night acclimatising in Zermatt. You can secure a suite at the legendary Omnia Hotel—a necessary indulgence before undertaking the gruelling task of sitting still and drinking Swiss wine all day.
The Rockies: The Rocky Mountaineer
If you prefer your scenery a bit more rugged, the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada provides bespoke glass-domed coaches for panoramic views of the Rockies. It is a vastly superior alternative to driving, as it lets you take in snow-capped peaks, dramatic canyons, and glacial lakes while holding a proper gin and tonic. Unlike European sleepers, the Rocky Mountaineer travels only by daylight, ensuring you don't miss a single mountain in the dark. At night, you disembark to sleep in high-end hotels in locations like Banff, Lake Louise, and Kamloops. The Booking Strategy: Extensive rail and hotel packages are available, letting you bundle flights into Calgary or Vancouver with train tickets and overnight stops, saving you the administrative headache.
The Golden Age Classic: Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Belmond’s legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express continues to set the standard for unadulterated nostalgia, utilising painstakingly restored 1920s Art Deco carriages. It comes complete with 24-hour butler service and free-flowing Champagne. Alongside its classic Paris-to-Venice run, it has recently introduced a new multi-day route down to the Amalfi Coast. Dressing for dinner is strictly enforced, so leave the athleisure at home and pack a proper dinner jacket. The Booking Strategy: Arrive in Venice and disembark straight into a private water taxi. We highly recommend booking the Hotel Metropole to continue the oriental-inspired luxury theme seamlessly into your Italian stay.
The Highlands: The Royal Scotsman
For slightly more dramatic scenery and heavily peated whisky, the Royal Scotsman offers a rolling country-house experience through the Scottish Highlands. Limited to just 40 passengers, the train features elegant sleeper cabins, a mahogany-clad dining car serving fine Scottish cuisine, and an open-air observation carriage. The itinerary includes off-train excursions to private castles, remote distilleries, and Highland estates. The Booking Strategy: You can often find excellent pre-departure stays in Edinburgh; consider The Balmoral for its sheer proximity to Waverley Station and its frankly absurd whisky collection.
The Reality of Luxury Train Journeys
A final thought before you pack your vintage steamer trunks: modern luxury rail is undeniably glamorous, but it doesn't entirely exempt you from the laws of physics. I recently found myself in the dining car of a rather well-appointed sleeper, attempting to look sophisticated whilst enjoying a generously poured single malt. The train hit a rather aggressive set of points just outside Inverness. Within a millisecond, my air of quiet dignity was completely shattered as the whisky launched itself from the glass directly into my lap. I spent the remainder of the evening smelling strongly of a highland distillery, trying to convince the other passengers it was a bespoke new cologne. Dress sharply, by all means, but perhaps avoid wearing pale grey trousers in the bar car.
Disclaimer: This publication contains affiliate links. If you book a journey through the links provided, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the ongoing operation of the site and occasionally covers the dry-cleaning bill for trousers ruined by rogue whisky.
Disclaimer: This publication contains affiliate links. If you book a journey through the links provided, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the ongoing operation of the site and occasionally covers the dry-cleaning bill for trousers ruined by rogue whisky.
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