Train Routes Worldwide
351 routes across 75 countries — find journey times, distances, and live timetables for every major rail corridor, from Japan's 300 km/h Shinkansen to the week-long Trans-Siberian odyssey.
Featured Train Routes of the World
From alpine panoramas to bullet-train velocity, these eight iconic rail journeys represent the pinnacle of passenger rail. Whether you're chasing speed records, mountain scenery, or sheer epic distance, each route offers an experience that no other mode of transport can replicate.
Glacier Express
Zermatt → St. Moritz
Switzerland's slowest express train — and proudly so. The route threads through 91 tunnels and crosses 291 viaducts in the heart of the Swiss Alps, delivering panoramic views of the Matterhorn and the Rhine Gorge that no road can match.
Switzerland schedulesShinkansen Nozomi
Tokyo → Osaka
Japan's bullet train flagship hits 300 km/h on the Tokaido Shinkansen corridor — the world's busiest high-speed line, carrying over 150 million passengers per year with a perfect safety record since 1964. Views of Mount Fuji on a clear day are a bonus.
Japan schedulesPalace on Wheels
Delhi → Jaipur → Jodhpur circuit
India's most celebrated luxury train is a rolling palace styled on the personal coaches of Rajasthani maharajas. The week-long circuit through Rajasthan visits Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bharatpur, Agra, and Ranthambore — each carriage a lavish suite with butler service.
India schedulesTezgam Express
Karachi → Lahore
Pakistan's premier express service links the country's two great metropolises overnight, crossing the Indus plains and the storied landscapes of Sindh and Punjab. Air-conditioned sleeper berths make it the preferred choice for long-distance travellers on Pakistan Railways' main line.
Pakistan schedulesCaledonian Sleeper
London Euston → Inverness
Britain's most romantic railway service has connected London with the Scottish Highlands every night since 1873. Modern Mk5 coaches with en-suite private rooms deliver a refreshed arrival in Inverness, Fort William, or Aberdeen — saving both travel time and a hotel night.
UK schedulesICE 516
Hamburg → Munich
Germany's high-speed spine links the port city of Hamburg with Bavaria's capital at speeds up to 300 km/h on the Hanover–Würzburg and Ingolstadt–Nuremberg new lines. The ICE 3 trainset offers wide panoramic windows, a bistro car, and reliable onboard Wi-Fi.
Germany schedulesTGV Duplex
Paris → Marseille
Europe's busiest high-speed rail corridor carries over 20 million passengers annually between Paris Gare de Lyon and Marseille Saint-Charles. The double-deck TGV Duplex reaches 320 km/h on the LGV Méditerranée — making the journey faster than flying once airport time is counted.
France schedulesCalifornia Zephyr
Chicago → San Francisco
Amtrak's most celebrated long-distance service traverses the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevada in a glass-roofed Superliner observation car. Passing through the Colorado River canyon, Donner Pass, and the Nevada desert, it is widely considered the most scenically diverse train journey in the United States.
View schedulesBrowse Routes by Country
How to Choose the Right Train Route
With hundreds of train routes available in every major region, picking the best service for your journey requires balancing five key trade-offs. Here is a practical framework to help you decide.
Direct vs Transfer
A direct train always wins on simplicity — no risk of missing a connection, no platform changes with luggage, and a single booking. However, transfers at a major hub can unlock frequency advantages: if a direct service only runs twice daily but connecting services run hourly, transfers might get you there sooner. Use the journey planner to compare both options side by side.
Express vs Regional
Express and intercity trains skip intermediate stops, often running on dedicated high-speed lines that can be 40–60% faster than the equivalent regional service. For journeys over 100 km, the express is almost always the right choice. Regional trains shine for scenic routes through smaller villages, or when your destination is not served by express services — check live schedules for both options.
Seat vs Sleeper
For journeys over 500 km that span an overnight period, a sleeper berth typically costs less than the equivalent seat fare plus a budget hotel. A couchette (shared open berth) is the most economical option; a private sleeper cabin gives you complete privacy and usually includes breakfast. Night trains in Europe, India, and Pakistan make the overnight seat-or-sleeper question especially relevant — see our full guide to train fares.
Speed vs Scenery
High-speed rail lines are engineered for velocity — meaning long stretches in tunnels and on elevated viaducts that bypass the most dramatic landscape. If scenery matters, choose a classic line: Switzerland's Glacier Express deliberately takes the mountain route rather than the tunnel, adding six hours to the journey time. Norway's Bergen Railway, India's Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and the Bernina Express all prioritise panorama over pace.
Cost vs Comfort
Most national rail operators offer tiered booking classes. In Europe, first class typically adds 30–60% to the second-class fare and provides wider seats, complimentary meals on long journeys, and quieter carriages. In India and Pakistan, the class hierarchy is more nuanced — ranging from unreserved general seating to air-conditioned first class. Compare classes and book early for the best prices using our fare comparison tool.
A Quick Decision Guide
Under 2 hours? High-speed or express beats flying every time once airport transfer time is included. 2–6 hours? Consider whether a scenic regional route adds enough value to justify the extra time. Over 6 hours? Compare overnight sleeper costs against flying plus a hotel night — sleepers often win on total cost. Over 500 km? Always check whether a night train runs the route.
Whatever your priorities, TrainTrackings provides verified timetables, live schedule data, and fare information for every major route in our database. Start by browsing your destination country above, or use the Journey Planner to find the best connection between any two cities.
World's Longest Train Journeys
Long-distance rail travel is in a category of its own. These epic journeys — measured in days rather than hours — cross multiple countries, ecosystems, and time zones, offering an immersive way to experience the scale of a continent that no flight can provide.
Each route below has become a bucket-list journey for rail enthusiasts worldwide. Some are defined by luxury (Rovos Rail, The Ghan), others by sheer geographic ambition (Trans-Siberian, Canadian), and a few by historical romance (the Indian Ocean coast, the Silk Road corridor). Booking is typically required months in advance for sleeper accommodation on all of these services.
| Journey | Route | Countries | Distance | Duration | Operator |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trans-Siberian Railway | Moscow → Vladivostok | Russia | 9,289 km | ~7 days | RZD |
| The Canadian | Toronto → Vancouver | Canada | 4,466 km | ~87 hours | VIA Rail |
| California Zephyr | Chicago → San Francisco | USA | 3,924 km | ~51 hours | Amtrak |
| Indian Pacific | Sydney → Perth | Australia | 4,352 km | ~65 hours | Journey Beyond |
| The Ghan | Adelaide → Darwin | Australia | 2,979 km | ~54 hours | Journey Beyond |
| Deccan Odyssey | Mumbai → Goa circuit | India | 2,500 km | ~8 days | Indian Railways |
| Rovos Rail Pride of Africa | Pretoria → Cape Town | South Africa | 1,600 km | ~48 hours | Rovos Rail |
| Rajdhani Express (Delhi–Mumbai) | New Delhi → Mumbai | India | 1,384 km | ~16 hours | Indian Railways |
| Tezgam Superfast | Karachi → Lahore | Pakistan | 1,288 km | ~14 hours | Pakistan Railways |
| Iron Ore Line | Narvik → Luleå | Norway / Sweden | 520 km | ~17 hours | Trafikverket |
The Trans-Siberian Railway deserves particular mention as a cultural phenomenon as much as a transport option. The route passes through Yekaterinburg (the gateway to Siberia), Novosibirsk (Siberia's largest city), Irkutsk (gateway to Lake Baikal), and Khabarovsk before terminating in Vladivostok on the Pacific coast. Travellers typically break the journey into stages, spending a day or two at Lake Baikal — the world's deepest freshwater lake — before continuing east.
In the Southern Hemisphere, Australia's two great transcontinental trains — The Ghan and the Indian Pacific — traverse landscapes that are genuinely extraordinary: the Red Centre's ochre plains, the Nullarbor's flat immensity, and the Blue Mountains' dramatic descent to the Pacific coast. Both trains now operate primarily as tourist experiences rather than essential transport, with off-train excursions built into the itinerary.
For travellers on a budget, long-distance trains in India and Pakistan offer a uniquely immersive alternative: comfortable air-conditioned sleeper berths at a fraction of the cost of luxury rail experiences, shared dining cars serving regional cuisine, and the authentic experience of long-distance travel as millions of people in South Asia have always known it.
Night Trains & Sleeper Routes
Night trains are one of the most sustainable and practical ways to cover long distances. You travel while you sleep, arrive at your destination in the morning with a full day ahead, and save the cost of a hotel night. In an era of rising aviation costs and growing environmental consciousness, sleeper rail is staging a remarkable comeback — especially across Europe and Asia.
The carbon footprint of a night train is typically 80–90% lower per passenger-kilometre than the equivalent flight. Austria's ÖBB Nightjet network alone carries over three million passengers annually across a web of routes connecting Vienna, Munich, Hamburg, Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Rome, and Zurich.
Caledonian Sleeper
London Euston → Scotland
Operated by Serco under the Caledonian Sleeper brand, this iconic service runs every night of the year to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William. The Mk5 fleet introduced in 2019 brought en-suite private rooms with fold-down beds, power sockets, and hotel-quality bedding to what had been a much-loved but somewhat dated service. Prices start from £19 for a seated recliner and from £85 for a standard private room.
ÖBB Nightjet
Vienna → Amsterdam · Brussels · Paris
Austria's national rail operator ÖBB has become the undisputed leader of Europe's night train renaissance. After acquiring Deutsche Bahn's night rail operations in 2016, Nightjet now runs an expanding network connecting over 20 European cities. Accommodation options range from a standard seat to a six-berth couchette to a private single or double sleeper cabin, all with breakfast included in the cabin class fare. New rolling stock entering service through 2024–2026 brings enhanced comfort and accessibility.
Rajdhani Express
Delhi → Mumbai · Chennai · Kolkata
India's premium overnight network, the Rajdhani Express ("Capital Express") connects New Delhi to all major state capitals. Fully air-conditioned with meals included, the Rajdhani offers three berth classes — 2AC (two-tier), 3AC (three-tier), and executive chair car — at prices that remain affordable by international standards. The Delhi–Mumbai route (1,384 km, 16 hours) is one of Indian Railways' most prestigious services, running daily in both directions.
Tezgam Express
Karachi → Lahore
Pakistan's flagship express service covers the 1,288 km between Karachi and Lahore in approximately 14 hours, departing in the late afternoon to arrive the following morning. Air-conditioned berths and a dining car serve the route, which passes through Hyderabad, Multan, and Faisalabad — the industrial heartland of Pakistan. The Tezgam is the preferred overnight choice for business and leisure travellers alike on Pakistan Railways' main north–south corridor.
Trans-Siberian Railway
Moscow → Vladivostok
The world's longest continuous rail journey is also one of the most immersive multi-night experiences on the planet. Sleeper classes range from open platzkart berths (communal, great for meeting locals) to private kupe compartments for four, to the rare luxury single compartment. The dining car serves Russian staples and is a social hub throughout the journey across 8 time zones and through boreal forest, steppe, and the shores of Lake Baikal.
The Ghan
Darwin → Adelaide
Named after the Afghan cameleers who traversed central Australia before the railway arrived, The Ghan runs from Darwin to Adelaide through the Red Centre on a 54-hour, 2,979 km journey. Off-train experiences at Katherine Gorge and Alice Springs are included in the premium Gold and Platinum service tiers. The train carries its own bar car and two restaurants, making the journey itself the destination.
Sleeper Train Tips
- •Book early: Private sleeper cabins sell out 60–120 days in advance on popular routes. Set a reminder for the booking opening date.
- •Pack light: Storage under the berth accommodates one large bag. A smaller day bag stays accessible on the bunk.
- •Bring ear plugs and an eye mask: Even in a private cabin, train sounds and corridor lighting can disturb sleep.
- •Cabin types explained: Couchette = open shared berth (budget). Sleeper = lockable compartment, usually 4–6 berths. Private = single or double room with door lock and often en-suite shower.
- •Compare fares to hotels: A private sleeper cabin priced at £120 versus a £80 flight plus a £90 hotel is often the better deal — and you save a morning transfer.
Scenic & Heritage Train Routes
Some train routes were never about getting somewhere quickly. Scenic and heritage railways exist to savour landscapes at pace, preserve engineering heritage, and connect passengers with terrain that roads and airports simply cannot reach. These six routes represent the finest scenic and heritage rail experiences on the planet.
Many of these routes have UNESCO World Heritage designations or national cultural monument status, reflecting their significance beyond simple transportation. Booking a seat on a scenic heritage railway is as much a cultural act as a travel one — preserving both the routes and the skills needed to maintain them.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway
New Jalpaiguri → Darjeeling
Known as the "Toy Train," this narrow-gauge UNESCO World Heritage railway climbs 2,134 m through tea gardens, misty forests, and Himalayan foothills in a journey that has barely changed since 1881. The steam-hauled heritage service between Darjeeling and Ghum — at 2,258 m, India's highest railway station — is one of the world's most atmospheric rail experiences. The full journey takes approximately 7 hours, with the track winding through the centre of Darjeeling town itself.
India schedulesBernina Express
Chur → Lugano
The Bernina Express crosses the Alps from the German-speaking canton of Graubünden to Italian-speaking Ticino via the highest crossing of the Alps by rail, reaching 2,253 m at the Bernina Pass. The 196 km journey traverses glacial landscapes, mountain lakes, and the famous Brusio circular viaduct — a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the wider Rhaetian Railway. No rack-and-pinion: the train climbs solely on adhesion, a remarkable feat of 1910 engineering.
Switzerland schedulesBergen Railway
Oslo → Bergen
Opened in 1909 and still considered one of the finest mountain railway journeys in Europe, the Bergen Line crosses the Hardangervidda plateau — Scandinavia's highest mountain plateau — at an elevation of 1,222 m. The 500 km journey takes approximately 6.5 hours, passing through Finse (a ski resort accessible only by rail), fjord-side villages, and the dramatic descent to Bergen's waterfront. The section between Myrdal and Flåm (the Flåm Railway) is one of the steepest standard-gauge railways in the world.
View schedulesFfestiniog Railway
Porthmadog → Blaenau Ffestiniog
Founded in 1832 to carry slate from the Blaenau Ffestiniog quarries to the harbour at Porthmadog, the Ffestiniog Railway is the world's oldest surviving independent railway company and Wales' most-visited heritage attraction. The 21 km narrow-gauge line winds through the Snowdonia National Park, crossing the Cob embankment over the Glaslyn estuary and climbing through oak woodland and moorland to the slate-mining heartland of north Wales. Vintage steam locomotives haul Victorian-era carriages on most services.
UK schedulesKhyber Pass Railway
Peshawar → Landi Kotal
One of the world's great engineering achievements, the Khyber Pass Railway was built by the British colonial administration between 1905 and 1926 through the legendary mountain pass connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan at 1,070 m. The 57 km line includes 34 tunnels, 92 bridges and culverts, and a unique zigzag section at Changai that allowed trains to gain altitude without a rack rail. Occasional heritage excursion services still run on the lower sections of the route, offering glimpses of one of history's most strategically significant mountain passages.
Pakistan schedulesBlue Train
Pretoria → Cape Town
South Africa's legendary luxury train has operated between Pretoria and Cape Town since 1939, covering 1,600 km in approximately 27 hours through the Karoo semi-desert and the Hex River Pass. The Blue Train is classified as a five-star hotel on wheels, with suites featuring private bathrooms, butler service, and panoramic observation lounges serving fine South African wines. The journey is a showcase of South African landscape at its most diverse — from the bushveld of the highveld to the winelands of the Western Cape.
View schedulesFrequently Asked Questions — Train Routes
Everything you need to know about finding, comparing, and booking train routes worldwide.
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TrainTrackings covers 340+ routes across 150+ countries. Search live timetables, compare fares, and find the perfect route for your next journey.