Before the chaos of parenthood got to us, anything that was added to our ever-growing bucket list had something to do with travel.

Glamping. Staying in a tree house. Traveling in a caravan. Waking up somewhere new.

Some of those dreams we managed to tick off before we went from being a family of two to a family of three. And honestly, I hadn’t really thought about my bucket list in a while. Six years, to be exact.

Sure, we traveled here and there. Weekend getaways, family visits, the occasional holiday. But those weren’t exactly bucket-list adventures. They were more like practice runs, slowly introducing our little one to the vagabond life his parents once dreamed about.

And while I absolutely love the convenience of flying—eating our way through the airport, arriving at our destination within a few hours—something about slow travel has started calling to me in my wiser years.

Maybe it’s the idea of not worrying about lost luggage. Maybe it’s the thought of curling up with a book while mountains, forests, lakes, and tiny villages roll past the window. Or maybe it’s the image of snuggling up with our kiddo in a sleeper cabin and letting the journey become part of the adventure.

The kiddo’s very first trip actually involved an overnight train journey. We booked a first-class coupe for less than the cost of flight tickets, had the entire cabin to ourselves, slept through the night, and arrived rested and ready to explore.

We’ve taken a few more train trips since then, and I think he’s finally ready for some truly epic bucket list train Journey adventures.

And these are the train journeys currently sitting at the very top of my bucket list.

1. Glacier Express, Switzerland

If there is one train journey that screams “bucket list,” it’s this one.

Often called the slowest express train in the world, the Glacier Express winds through the Swiss Alps, crossing hundreds of bridges, gliding through mountain tunnels, and serving up postcard-worthy views almost every minute of the journey. The epitome of bucket list train journeys.

I’ve always been fascinated by Switzerland—not just because of the mountains, but because the country has turned transportation into an experience in itself. The Glacier Express isn’t simply a way to get from Zermatt to St. Moritz; it’s part of the destination.

Back when my sister took my parents to an Euro Trip, I postponed my invitation to a few years. I knew Mount Titlis were their main attraction and my kiddo was just so small back then. I was like we are going a few years later, when we can experience Switzerland at it’s best without slowing anyone down. And now I am sure that day has come.

2. Inlandsbanan, Sweden

This train wasn’t even on my radar until recently, and now I can’t stop thinking about it.

The Inlandsbanan travels through the heart of Sweden, passing forests, lakes, tiny villages, and vast wilderness. It even crosses the Arctic Circle.

There is something incredibly romantic about spending days slowly moving through the Scandinavian countryside while watching reindeer wander through the landscape.

It feels less like transportation and more like an adventure.

3. The Iron Ore Line, Sweden to Norway

If Glacier Express is Switzerland’s showstopper, this might be Scandinavia’s.

Running between Kiruna and Narvik, the train journeys through Arctic wilderness, dramatic mountains, and some of the most remote scenery in Europe.

During winter, there’s even the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights.

I honestly can’t think of a more magical way to introduce a child to the Arctic.

4. Bernina Express, Switzerland & Italy

Imagine boarding a train surrounded by glaciers and stepping off surrounded by palm trees.

The Bernina Express crosses the Alps from Switzerland into Italy, passing turquoise lakes, towering mountains, and breathtaking viaducts that look like they belong in a fairy tale.

5. Palace on Wheels, India

Every little girl who grew up reading stories about kings and queens secretly dreamed of this.

The Palace on Wheels turns train travel into a royal experience. Lavish interiors, heritage-inspired cabins, fine dining, and some of Rajasthan’s most iconic destinations all rolled into one unforgettable journey.

6. Venice Simplon Orient Express, Europe

The train that inspired a thousand travel fantasies.

Art Deco interiors. White-glove service. Elegant dining cars.

Everything about the Orient Express feels impossibly glamorous.

7. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Mountains, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and glass-domed train cars.

Need I say more?

This is the kind of train journey where every seat feels like a front-row ticket to nature’s greatest show.

8. The Ghan, Australia

A legendary journey through the Australian Outback.

The landscape changes dramatically throughout the trip, from red deserts to tropical scenery, making it one of the most unique rail adventures in the world.

9. Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

As a Potterhead, probably travelling with another Potterhead from the UK (my sister) the Hogwarts express absolutely has to be in our bucket-list.

The steam train crosses the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct and winds through some of Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes.

10. Flåm Railway, Norway

One of the steepest railway journeys in the world and one of the most beautiful.

Waterfalls tumble down mountainsides while dramatic fjords appear around every corner.

The millennial green paint gives the Flåm Railway a classic, nostalgic and unique vibe. Over the course of about an hour, the train winds through deep valleys, plunging waterfalls, beautiful nordic cottages, snowcapped peaks, and traditional Norwegian farmsteads clinging to hillsides.

11. TranzAlpine, New Zealand

Snow-capped mountains, river valleys, and stunning alpine scenery.

New Zealand is famous for it’s breathtaking sceneries, and this train journey would be the perfect way to experience it.

12. Maharajas’ Express, India

If Palace on Wheels is royal, Maharajas’ Express takes luxury to another level. Think 7-star, all-inclusive luxury hotel on wheels. With a special focus on the rich heritage of Rajasthan, Mararajas Express is considered the most luxurious trains in the world. It travels through multiple routes over the course of few days, stopping at iconic locations.

13. West Highland Line, Scotland

Often described as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world, the West Highland Line passes through lochs, glens, and rugged Highland landscapes.

14. Reunification Express, Vietnam

A train journey that stretches almost the entire length of Vietnam.

Rice paddies, fishing villages, mountain passes, and coastal views make this one of Asia’s most unforgettable rail adventures.

15. Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan

I have been fascinated by Japan since I was in my teens. And our shared love and fascination towards Japan was something Arko and I bonded over. I think naming our kid Seiji kind of tells the story. And Seven Stars is the epitome of the rich Japanese Culture on tracks. This is a train straight out of dreams.

Elegant interiors, incredible Japanese hospitality, gourmet dining, and carefully curated routes through Kyushu.

It’s the kind of experience that feels less like a train ride and more like a moving luxury hotel.

🚆 Planning this journey?

If you’re travelling around Europe, you can compare train routes, reserve seats and purchase rail passes through Rail Europe.

👉 Check Rail Europe prices and passes (affiliate link)

For European adventures, I usually compare prices between Rail Europe and Omio before making a booking. Rail Europe is fantastic if you’re planning multiple train journeys or travelling with a Eurail Pass, while Omio makes it easy to compare trains, buses and flights in one place.

For international journeys outside Europe, it’s worth checking each train’s official website or trusted local operators.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Dream trips deserve peace of mind too.

Whether you’re travelling across Europe by rail or crossing continents for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, travel insurance can protect you from unexpected cancellations, medical emergencies and lost belongings.

👉 Compare travel insurance plans with VisitorsCoverage

Final Thoughts

A decade ago, my bucket list was all about seeing as much of the world as possible.

These days, it’s become more about how I see it.

Maybe that’s what happens when you become a parent. You stop rushing from destination to destination and start appreciating the journey itself.

And if there is one thing these bucket list train journeys have taught me, it’s that sometimes the most memorable part of a trip isn’t where you arrive.

It’s everything you see along the way.