Long-distance rail journeys are making a comeback. Not only are they among the most eco-friendly modes of transport, many include the best 5-star dining and luxurious sleeper cabins that would rival the finest hotel rooms. From cinematic journeys through the Andes to ultra-modern trains in Japan and magical winter scenes on the Orient Express, here’s our pick of the world’s best sleeper trains where you’ll embrace the journey as much as the destination.
With polished mahogany-clad cars and Edwardian-inspired decor, the Royal Scotsman is among the UK’s most luxurious sleeper trains. With routes ranging from two to seven nights, this ‘palace on wheels’ journeys through some of the most majestic Highland scenery, taking in historic castles, monuments, lochs and glens. Most trips also include day excursions to top sights such as the Strathisla Distillery and Rothiemurchus Estate.
Those lucky enough to stay on this legendary sleeper train enjoy luxurious marquetry-lined suites, with fully equipped en suites and large windows to admire the view. You won’t forget you’re on Scottish soil with traditional tartan wool blankets, tweed furnishings and traditional entertainment including live ceilidhs, paired with the best local whisky. What makes the Royal Scotsman extra special is the onboard spa, offering a wide range of all-natural therapies, using luxurious Bamford products.
Journeying from Adelaide to Darwin, this epic 1,851-mile-long (2,979km) sojourn takes you through the remote heart of Australia, soaking up the spectacular sights of Katherine, Coober Pedy mining township, Nitmiluk Gorge and Alice Springs. During day excursions, there’s the option to upgrade your trip with scenic flights to Uluru and enjoy a dinner under the stars at the historic Alice Springs Telegraph Station.
Originally known as the Afghan Express, The Ghan has a long history dating back to pioneering cameleers who journeyed into Australia’s Red Centre some 150 years ago. Sleeper carriages come with Australian-made toiletries and beds are made up by staff while you enjoy local dishes in one of three dining carriages. The most luxurious, the Chairman’s Carriage, comes with quartzite tabletops, brass fittings and leather banquette seating.
Inspired by the 1930s Marlene Dietrich film Shanghai Express, this legendary sleeper train transports guests back to the golden era of rail travel. Journeying through Southeast Asia, these green and gold carriages take passengers on a two- or three-night trip between the big hitting cities of Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with many journeys including a guided cultural tour or cruise along the River Kwai en route.
Inside, the cherrywood panelling, traditional Thai silks and elaborate marquetry add to the luxury feel and private cabins are turned into sleeping quarters at night. The Presidential Cabin has a complimentary minibar and en suite shower room and the restaurant car offers Michelin-worthy cuisine which includes luxurious takes on Asian breakfast dishes, such as fried eggs with fresh crab and omelette with goose liver wonton. A 24-hour steward service runs throughout.
Offering what’s arguably one of the most picturesque overnight train journeys you’ll ever take, the midnight blue Andean Explorer takes you through the enigmatic Andean mountains, treating you to the top natural and manmade sights of Peru. The one- or two-night journey begins in the former ancient Incan capital of Cusco and ends in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Arequipa, taking in epic sights such as Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon on the way.
As guests marvel at panoramas of the Peruvian highlands, luxury comes in the way of linen-covered walls, Peruvian-inspired furnishings and alpaca wool textures. Cabins come with creature comforts such as robes and slippers while in-built oxygen means passengers won’t feel wobbly in high altitude areas. The train’s dining carriages, Llama and Muña, serve high-end Peruvian cuisine and South American wines. The Piano Bar and Observation Bar Car specialise in luxurious Pisco Sours and epic views.
With an aim to evoke a sense of romance and grandeur, the lovingly restored Venice Simplon-Orient-Express makes passengers feel like royalty. Connecting London and Verona via Paris, it’s a chance to see rolling Italian countryside and iconic European cities. In 2022, the Orient Express will also extended its schedule into December (typically it only runs from March until November), making it possible for travellers to enjoy Europe's most beautiful winter landscapes and Christmas markets.
There are six Grand Suites on the train and each one is decked out in intricately designed interiors inspired by the city they are named after (Vienna, Prague, Paris, Istanbul, Venice and Budapest). Expect geometric details, delicate light fixtures, polished cherrywood marquetry and marble en suite bathrooms. Michelin-starred food (including Brittany lobsters and salt marsh lamb from Mont St Michel) is served from three dining cars. There’s also a 24-hour butler onboard.
Taking its moniker from the name for an Indian prince, this 5-star train, which connects the metropoles of Mumbai and Delhi, is unapologetically lavish, adorned with rich tapestries, antiques and over-the-top decor inspired by Indian royalty. Trips vary in length, between three and six nights, but the popular six-day ‘Heritage of India’ tour stretches between some of the country’s most iconic, and interesting cities, including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaipur and Agra, with highlights such as a Champagne breakfast beside the iconic Taj Mahal.
The 14 guest carriages, individually named after precious gems, have their own private butlers and come with en suite bathrooms and large windows. The 220-square-foot (20.4sqm) suites have a bathtub and the 448-square-foot (41.6sqm) Presidential Suite has a living room with two bedrooms and washrooms. The Maharajas’ Express has two fine dining cars to choose from (one with a frescoed ceiling) as well as The Rajah Club lounge and themed Safari Bar.
Taking passengers back to the heyday of the 1920s, The Blue Train is steeped in nostalgia, with many kings and presidents having joined its illustrious guest list. This hotel on wheels takes guests on a two-day route between Cape Town and Pretoria (one that’s been traversed for decades) and new destinations have been added in recent years, including the iconic Victoria Falls, famed Garden Route and Kruger National Park where guests can take safari excursions.
The train has two lounges – which includes a gentleman’s club-style cigar room – decorated in wood panelling and rich tones. The high-end dining room serves a range of dishes using South African ingredients, from Knysna oysters to Karoo lamb. De Luxe Suites come with goose-down and percale cotton bedding and marble-clad en suites that have both a bath and shower. The Luxury Suites include a personal butler, added space to relax and choice of films.
The exclusive Shiki-Shima is one of the most rewarding ways to see eastern Japan, an area known for its colourful rice terraces, mountain villages and rich martial arts heritage. After boarding at Sendai, the five-day ‘Seasons of Eastern Japan’ begins with exploring the coastline and mountains of the Tohoku region (also known as the Michinoku region), passing through its six prefectures. Highlights include watching a traditional Shinto ritual at Mount Haguro and visiting the Akinomiya hot springs village.
Passenger suites on this ultra-modern train come in three categories and interiors are furnished with regional fabrics and handicrafts, from Aizu lacquer to Tsuiki copperware. The most superior cabin is a two-floor suite with a specially made cypress bath and traditional tatami mats. The cuisine is as beautiful as the train itself, with regional chefs coming aboard at various stops to cook delicious dishes from the eastern Japan and Hokkaido region.
The Canadian National Railways dates back to the early 19th century and VIA Rail’s exclusive sleeper train, known simply as The Canadian, journeys across the entire width of Canada from Vancouver to Toronto. With popular trips ranging from six to 19 days, guests get to witness some incredibly diverse landscapes, including the Vancouver coastline, vast prairies and the majestic Rocky Mountains. Highlights across this 2,762-mile (4,446km) trip include the dramatic scenery between Jasper and Kamloops, where the train clings to the steep mountainside.
Known for its giant windows which continue into the train’s ceiling, the views from The Canadian are incredible and dishes served in the dining car include regional specialties such as Alberta beef, Saskatoon berry salad and salmon from British Columbia. While the Sleeper Plus Class cabin has roomy armchairs and wash facilities, the roomier (and more luxurious) Prestige Class cabin comes with a double bed, flat-screen monitor and personal concierge, with turndown service available.
El Transcantábrico may have narrower suites than other trains (due to the fact it runs on a narrow-gauge railway), but what it lacks in space, it certainly makes up for in style. Covering the northern coastal region of Spain, known as España Verde (or Green Spain), its seven-night trip from San Sebastian to Santiago de Compostela takes in some of the greatest landmarks. Standout scenery includes the Santander beaches and cultural highlights include the 19th-century El Capricho – a palace designed by Antonio Gaudí – and Bilbao’s famous Guggenheim Museum.
There’s a distinct feel of a bygone era, with four of the train’s saloons being original 1923 Pullman cars. And most of the suites have double beds with leather banquette seating and hardwood panelling. Although meals are mainly offered in local restaurants, there is a dining car offering à la carte menu. There’s also a tea saloon, panorama coach and entertainment saloon housing a small nightclub.
Operated by the Kyushu Railway Company, the Seven Stars train covers the Kyushu region – Japan’s southernmost island – and its popular three-night package takes in five of its seven prefectures, with highlights including traditional onsens (hot springs), the scenic Ushinohama coast and Mount Aso, one of the world’s largest calderas. And there’s no excuse for missing out on the scenery with extra-large panoramic windows in the first and seventh cars.
Train interiors are more akin to a plush hotel with rich wood furniture and Japanese-inspired decor, including the intricate wood panelling known as kumiko. Live piano performances take place in the Blue Moon lounge car and the Jupiter dining car serves up regional cuisine. The most exclusive cabins, the Deluxe Suites, come with showers and lounge areas and have their own wall-to-wall window for the best views of the passing landscape.
With vintage-style carriages (some dating back to the 1950s), the Royal Canadian Pacific is one of the most glamorous – and nostalgic – ways to discover the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and British Columbia. Offering three- and four-night trips, this superior train passes through jaw-dropping scenery and landmarks, such as the National Parks of Banff and Waterton Lakes. As the trains stop overnight, there’s a chance to drink in dramatic scenery over dinner and cocktails.
With capacity for just 34 passengers on the Twilight Express, it’s hard to get your hands on a ticket to board this exclusive green and gold train. The company offers two- or three-day tours of western Japan and guests are treated to spectacular sights such as Kyoto, Osaka, Setonaikai National Park, Miyajima and Shimonoseki, taking stops at beautiful bays, historical temples and traditional Japanese Onsens en route.
Now discover the jaw-dropping rail journeys you'll never forget
A fusion of modern and Art Deco-style designs, the suites are decorated with hand-crafted items and the most prestigious sleeper cabin, known simply as The Suite, spans an entire carriage, with an expansive monochrome bathroom (featuring a roll-top bath), private balcony and lounge area. Chefs hailing from some of Japan’s top restaurants prepare picture-perfect dishes from the dining car’s open kitchen. A lounge car and two sleek observation decks (with expansive curved windows) offer panoramic views of the passing scenery.
Rovos Rail has been travelling through the African continent since 1989 and with vintage, wood-panelled coaches, which have been beautifully rebuilt, and plush Edwardian-style furnishings, this 72-passenger train does all it can to recreate the romance of rail travel. With journeys lasting between two and 15 days, one of the longest trips will take you on an epic 3,603-mile (5,800km) adventure from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, including two overnight stays in the Madikwe Game Reserve.
One of the highlights of the train is its beautiful open-air balcony where there’s nothing to obscure the view of the African wildlife. Its 36 suites are impressive too. The most luxurious, the Royal Suite, span half a carriage, comprising a lounge, bathroom with Victorian bath and separate shower. Four-course South African meals are served in the dining car while traditional afternoon tea is served in the lounge car, which has plush sofas and big picture windows. Historians also host lectures here.