Luxury Rail Journeys: A Different Way to Travel
There is something romantic about travelling by train.
Not simply as a way of getting from one place to another, but as an experience in itself — where the journey becomes the destination. In a world of fast travel, luxury rail offers something far rarer: time, space, and a slower, more considered way to see the world.
These are not ordinary journeys. They are designed to be immersive, detailed, and, in many cases, once-in-a-lifetime.
Britannic Explorer, Belmond, UK
Britannic Explorer — The UK
The newest addition to the world of luxury rail, the Britannic Explorer offers a different perspective on the UK.
Designed by Albion Nord, the train moves away from traditional rail aesthetics, instead taking inspiration from British landscapes and country houses. Interiors feel residential, understated, and contemporary. Three-night journeys through Cornwall, the Lake District, and Wales focus on pace and immersion, rather than distance.
Best time to travel:
Late spring through early autumn (May–September), when landscapes are at their most vibrant and days are longer.
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express — Europe, At Its Most Iconic
Few journeys carry the same sense of history.
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is perhaps the most recognisable luxury train in the world — defined by restored 1920s carriages, polished wood, and an atmosphere that feels entirely removed from modern travel.
Routes between London, Paris, Venice and beyond are as much about the experience on board as the destinations themselves.
Best time to travel:
Spring and autumn offer the most balanced experience — avoiding peak summer crowds while still enjoying the scenery.
Rovos Rail —South Africa
Rovos Rail offers one of the most expansive rail journeys in the world.
Travelling through South Africa and beyond, the experience is defined by scale — long stretches of landscape, slower travel, and a strong sense of place.
Interiors reflect a more classic style, while the journey itself allows access to regions that would otherwise be difficult to experience in a single trip.
Best time to travel:
May to September, during the cooler, drier months, particularly for combining with safari.
Rovos Rail, South Africa
Maharajas' Express — India
India by rail offers a completely different perspective.
The Maharajas’ Express combines opulence with structure, taking in some of the country’s most iconic destinations while maintaining a high level of comfort throughout.
The contrast between life on board and the intensity of the destinations visited is part of what makes the experience so memorable.
Best time to travel:
October to March, when temperatures are more manageable across northern India.
Maharajas' Express
The Ghan — Australia, At Its Most Expansive
The most iconic luxury train in Australia, The Ghan travels between Adelaide and Darwin, cutting directly through the heart of the country.
This is less about a single destination and more about scale — vast desert landscapes, changing light, and a sense of distance that’s difficult to replicate any other way. The journey unfolds over several days, with off-train experiences built in, from outback towns to guided excursions.
On board, the experience is fully inclusive. Private cabins, dining that reflects the regions you travel through, and a slower rhythm that encourages you to settle into the journey rather than rush it.
Recent additions such as the Aurora and Australis suites have elevated the experience further — offering expansive, residential-style spaces with butler service and panoramic windows that frame the landscape as it passes.
Best time to travel:
May to September. Cooler temperatures in the Red Centre, Ideal for combining with Uluru or Top End experiences
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience
Luxury rail is not about efficiency.
It is about choosing to travel differently — to prioritise the experience of the journey itself over simply arriving.
For many, it is something done once. For others, it becomes a different way of seeing the world entirely.
What Makes These Journeys Different
Across all of these experiences, a few things remain consistent:
Space — fewer guests, more room to enjoy the journey
Design — interiors that feel considered, not functional
Pace — travel that unfolds gradually
Access — routes and perspectives not easily replicated
But perhaps most importantly, they offer something that is increasingly rare — the opportunity to slow down.
If you’re considering a luxury rail journey, we would be delighted to talk through the options — and how they might be shaped into a wider itinerary.
The Ghan, Australia