Unforgettable Train Trips That Redefine Travel, From Himalayan Steam Rides to Swiss Glacier Views and Cambodia’s Bamboo Thrills
Trains are a great way to see the world, taking you through truly phenomenal scenery that is often inaccessible by other forms of transport and at a pace perfect for appreciating the view.
From straw mats on a bamboo track to a coal-powered steam train chugging through the Himalayas, bookmark these most wonderful train trips for when you plan your next travel which Booking.com has rounded up for everyone to experience.
Darjeeling ‘Toy Train’, India
With a shrill whistle, plumes of steam and smoke billowing from its coal engine, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway rumbles along its narrow track through the misty mountains. Affectionately-known as the ‘Toy Train’, this locomotive has been transporting tea and passengers up the steep inclines of the Lower Himalayas since the late 1800s; a feat of engineering at the time that still impresses today.
As it makes its way from Darjeeling to Ghum, the highest train station in India, the blue carriages of the train skim buildings and traffic by inches along the old Hill Cart Road. Before opening up to mesmerizing views of the terraced tea plantations and snow-capped Himalayas. Stay at the Dekeling Resort, overlooking the Darjeeling Hills and Kanchenjunga Range.
Battambang Bamboo Train, Cambodia
In the sleepy town of Battambang, tucked away in northwestern Cambodia, a one-of-a-kind rail experience awaits the adventurous traveller. The Battambang Bamboo Train, locally known as the norry, offers an exhilarating ride that’s equal parts rustic thrill and cultural curiosity. Originally improvised by locals to transport goods and people when Cambodia’s rail network was in disrepair, this DIY-style train has become a beloved icon of offbeat travel.
The setup is delightfully simple. A lightweight bamboo platform is mounted on a pair of axles salvaged from old tanks, topped with straw mats, and powered by a small motorbike engine. Once in motion, it becomes a tropical toboggan zipping across narrow, uneven railway tracks. The train reaches speeds of up to 40 kilometres per hour, sending wind rushing through your hair as you fly past lush rice paddies, palm-fringed fields, and the occasional water buffalo ambling nearby.
The landscape is classic rural Cambodia, where time seems to move slower than the norry itself. That said, your ride will feel fast enough when bumping across rickety bridges and swaying slightly as the bamboo train clatters along the tracks. The journey usually lasts around 20 to 30 minutes, with a short stop at the turnaround village where travellers can browse handmade souvenirs or sip fresh coconut water.
Though modern railway upgrades have threatened to phase it out, the bamboo train has been revived in a slightly relocated format for tourists. It remains one of Battambang’s most memorable attractions, offering a slice of ingenuity and adrenaline wrapped in Southeast Asian charm.
Stay nearby at Ramchang Guesthouse, an affordable and brightly coloured property in the centre of Battambang. Its friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere make it a perfect base for exploring this quaint Cambodian town and its quirky railway wonder.
Puffing Billy, Australia
The opportunity to dangle your legs out the window of an old steam train as you chug through a verdant mountain range makes Australia’s Puffing Billy an unforgettable experience. The route winds through the Dandenong Mountains and the Yarra Valley, past cascades, creeks and lime-green ferns, with sunlight seeping through the tall, thin gum and mountain ash trees.
But the most photogenic part of the train trips is probably the Monbulk Trestle Bridge, an old timber bridge that carries the train out of Belgrave and towards Menzies Creek. And it’s only an hour from Melbourne, so pack a picnic for an easy and whimsical afternoon in the bush. Use this highly rated apartment in South Yarra, Melbourne, as your base in the city.
Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, USA
Step aboard a living piece of American history with the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, a heritage steam railway that winds through some of Colorado’s most breathtaking backcountry. Originally constructed in 1882 by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway to haul silver and gold ore from the San Juan Mountains, this narrow-gauge line is now a cherished route for those seeking a nostalgic yet awe-inspiring journey into the heart of the American wilderness.
The train runs between Durango and Silverton, two historic towns that once thrived during Colorado’s mining boom. The journey follows the Animas River, its twisting waters carving through deep gorges and lush alpine forests. Much of this rugged terrain is inaccessible by car, giving travellers an exclusive window into remote landscapes where civilisation hasn’t intruded. Along the route, passengers are treated to jaw-dropping vistas of towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, pine-covered valleys, and snow-capped peaks that rise dramatically in the distance.
But the charm of the ride lies not only in the scenery. The train is powered by lovingly restored coal-fired steam locomotives, which chug and whistle through the mountain air, evoking the golden era of rail travel. Carriages feature vintage details and open-air gondolas that let passengers feel the wind, hear the river, and soak in the untamed beauty of the San Juan National Forest.
Wildlife sightings are common along the way. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, bald eagles, and if fortune favours you, a moose grazing near the water’s edge.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a nature lover or simply chasing cinematic landscapes, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad offers an unforgettable escape into Colorado’s wild frontier. It’s not just a train ride; it’s a journey into the soul of the American West.
Choose between open-air viewing gondola carriages for breathing in the fresh mountain air, or sit in one of the Historical Narration cars where you listen to on-board narrators in period costume discuss the history of the railroad and the region. These type of train trips takes 3-and-a-half hours each way and you can board either end, so stay at the highly rated Leland House in Durango, or The Hotel Telluride, an hour’s drive from remote Silverton.
The Presidential Train, Portugal
The Presidential Train, Portugal’s crown jewel, has hosted kings, presidents, heads of State, and popes for more than a century. Built-in 1890, The Presidential Train is a time capsule in which passengers travel through history, with a special aroma and purposeful music. As it travels from Porto to Quinta do Vesuvio, on the eastern shore of the Douro Valley, the Presidential Train brings together the world’s best chefs with the world’s freshest food, paired with wines from the region. Passengers can relax in private cabins and watch the golden valley through their windows as they wait for meal service.
Glacier Express, Switzerland
Dubbed the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express is anything but dull. Traversing the heart of the Swiss Alps between two legendary mountain resorts, Zermatt and St. Moritz, this 8-hour rail journey is a visual masterpiece designed to linger, not rush. With an average speed of around 24 mph (39 km/h), it allows passengers to savour the sweeping landscapes, glacial valleys, alpine meadows, and the kind of fairytale villages one usually sees only in storybooks.
What makes this journey truly extraordinary is the engineering feat it encompasses: 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and soaring landmarks like the famed Landwasser Viaduct, a six-arched curved bridge that disappears straight into a mountain tunnel. The train’s panoramic windows stretch up into the ceiling, ensuring you don’t miss a single snow-dusted peak or crystal-clear lake.
Luxury takes centre stage aboard the Glacier Express. While all classes offer panoramic views, the Excellence Class elevates the experience into something closer to fine art. Passengers here are pampered with a six-course gourmet meal inspired by Swiss cuisine, wine pairings from local vineyards, concierge service, and guaranteed window seats for uninterrupted views.
The journey starts (or ends) in Zermatt, a car-free town at the foot of the Matterhorn, Switzerland’s most iconic peak. Stay at the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof, a five-star historic hotel with old-world charm and modern elegance. Built in 1879, it’s nestled in the heart of Zermatt and offers Matterhorn-facing balconies, a world-class spa, and rich Alpine hospitality that complements the grandeur of your rail adventure.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a luxury traveller, or a railway romantic, the Glacier Express offers an unforgettable voyage where the journey itself is the destination. This is Switzerland at its most magical, one slow, mesmerising kilometre at a time.
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