There is no slower, more romantic way to travel in style than by luxury train. In 2026 the field stretches from a five-hour Vietnamese dining carriage costing a few hundred dollars to a single carriage on the Orient Express priced near $100,000 a night. The best journeys share the same formula: restored historic carriages, fine dining, off-train excursions, and scenery you simply cannot see from 35,000 feet.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: The One That Defines the Category

Belmond's Venice Simplon-Orient-Express remains the benchmark, running restored 1920s and 1930s Wagons-Lits carriages with Lalique glass panels in the dining cars and a black-tie dress code at dinner. The classic one-night Paris to Venice journey starts from around £3,885 per person in a historic twin cabin, while suites climb past £9,000 and the grand suites beyond £13,000. The newest addition, L'Observatoire, is an entire carriage for exclusive use with a freestanding bath, a tearoom, and a library, priced from around £80,000 per night. Book six to nine months ahead for standard cabins, and note that historic cabins have no shower and shared facilities, so the suite upgrade is worth it for many travellers.

The Best of the Rest: Scotland, Africa, Asia and India

The Belmond Royal Scotsman carries just 40 guests through the Scottish Highlands on two to seven-night journeys from around £4,500 per person, with whisky tastings, guided walks, and visits to private estates. Rovos Rail in southern Africa is the value giant of the category, with two to fifteen-night journeys from roughly $2,000 to $2,500 per person and royal suites larger than many hotel rooms. The Eastern and Oriental Express now runs Singapore to Malaysia only, with three-night journeys from around $3,500 to $4,000 per person through jungle and plantation country.

India's Maharajas' Express has been voted the World's Leading Luxury Train seven times at the World Travel Awards, and Japan's Seven Stars in Kyushu is among the most exclusive, carrying just 20 guests. Newer options include Accor's La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy, a stylish all-suites train running since 2025 with one-night itineraries from around €4,160 per person and menus from a three-Michelin-starred chef.

How to Choose and Book the Right Luxury Train

Start with the experience you want, not the price. If it is the romance of the name and the finest dining, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express wins. For wildlife and space, choose Rovos Rail. For a short, celebratory trip, the Royal Scotsman or La Dolce Vita fits better than a week-long crossing. Check what is included, because most fares cover meals, drinks, and excursions, but some exclude premium wines and spa treatments. Ask about the cabin before you pay: shower access, bed configuration, and whether the train has air conditioning all vary widely. Finally, remember that the headline fare is rarely the landed cost, so add transfers, pre- and post-nights, and travel insurance before comparing trains side by side.

What to Pack and How to Prepare for a Luxury Train Journey

Packing for a luxury train is different from packing for a flight, because space is limited and the dress code matters. Cabins are compact, with storage under the bed and a small wardrobe, so pack a soft-sided bag rather than a hard suitcase, and keep an overnight bag handy for the things you need during the journey. Evenings call for smart dress, with black tie encouraged on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, while days are relaxed and best spent in comfortable layers, since temperatures vary between the carriage and the stops.

Book excursions early, because the off-train visits are often the highlight and the best ones fill up first. Bring a good book for the slow stretches, a camera for the scenery, and a power bank, because charging points in historic carriages can be scarce. Most of all, slow down: a luxury train is the one journey where arriving late is the point, and the travellers who enjoy it most are the ones who treat the train itself as the destination.