There was a time when our travel bucket list grew faster than we could tick things off. And that’s what I could always think about, the next bucket list trip.

Before the chaos of parenthood we have ticked off most of it- Glamping, staying in a treehouse, staying in plantations, staying in remote locations, snorkelling, scuba diving, cruising. travelling in a caravan, waking up somewhere completely unfamiliar. Some we managed to experience before we went from being a family of two to a family of three. Some are still waiting. When we became a family of 3 from 2, the only thing left in our then bucket list was to travel long distance in a caravan, and a slow, long trip where we would stay like a local instead of doing touristy things.

After becoming parents we still travelled, of course. Mostly weekend trips and family trips, gradually introducing our little one to the joys—and occasional chaos—of travelling. But somewhere along the way, I became much more interested in the journey itself.

I still love the convenience of flying. There is something very convenient about eating your way through an airport, boarding a plane and arriving somewhere new a few hours later. But the older I get, the more appealing slow travel has become.

Perhaps it’s the thought of watching mountains and villages roll past the window instead of staring at a departure board. Perhaps it’s being able to sleep, eat, read or simply snuggle together without worrying about lost luggage and reaching the destination just like that.

And then there are the trains where the journey isn’t simply a way of getting somewhere. The journey is the destination.

These are ten luxury and iconic rail journeys I’d love to add to our family travel wish list.

1. Rovos Rail: Cape Town to Dar es Salaam

If I had to choose one journey from this list that feels like the ultimate African rail adventure, this would be it.

The Rovos Rail journey from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam crosses an extraordinary five countries—South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Tanzania—over an unforgettable multi-night journey through Southern Africa.

What makes it particularly special is that the train itself feels like part of the adventure. The vintage carriages have been beautifully restored with an old-world elegance that makes travelling by rail feel wonderfully unhurried. There’s fine dining, attentive service and beautifully appointed accommodation, but the scenery outside is just as important.

The journey can include wildlife encounters, dramatic landscapes, Victoria Falls and vast stretches of African wilderness. Rather than rushing between destinations, you’re given time to watch the landscape change outside your window.

If you’re dreaming of crossing Southern Africa by rail, the Rovos Rail Cape Town to Tanzania details are worth exploring to discover one of the world’s longest and most spectacular luxury train journeys.

For me, this is exactly what bucket-list travel should feel like: a little grand, a little adventurous and completely unforgettable.

2. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Europe

Few trains have captured the imagination quite like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

The name alone conjures up images of Art Deco interiors, elegant dining cars, beautifully dressed travellers and European cities passing beyond the window. It’s the kind of journey where getting dressed for dinner feels like part of the experience rather than an obligation.

And while the exact routes vary, the magic remains the same: luxurious vintage carriages, fine dining and the feeling that you’ve stepped into another era of travel.

3. Maharajas’ Express, India

Being an Indian traveller, I couldn’t possibly leave this one off my list.

The Maharajas’ Express combines some of India’s most fascinating destinations with an experience that feels distinctly regal. Think luxurious cabins, beautifully decorated interiors, fine dining and itineraries that can take travellers through some of India’s most iconic destinations.

I’ve travelled around India in many different ways, but there is something wonderfully indulgent about the idea of waking up somewhere new without having to pack and unpack a suitcase every morning. It’s India—but make it a moving royal, luxury hotel.

4. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Rocky Mountaineer is all about the breathtaking view. Travelling through the Canadian Rockies, the train passes towering mountains, dramatic valleys, turquoise lakes and landscapes that look almost too perfect to be real.
The glass-domed coaches are designed specifically for sightseeing, so the scenery gets the attention it deserves.

I can imagine spending hours simply sitting by the window, watching the landscape change while trying—and probably failing—to take enough photographs.

5. Eastern & Oriental Express, Southeast Asia

For a completely different kind of luxury rail experience, the Eastern & Oriental Express takes travellers through Southeast Asia, traditionally connecting Singapore and Malaysia.

The appeal here isn’t just getting from one city to another. It’s the combination of lush tropical landscapes, elegant interiors, exceptional dining and the romance of travelling through Southeast Asia at a wonderfully leisurely pace.

It is the sort of journey that makes you want to slow down rather than fill every hour with sightseeing.

6. Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan

Japan already has an almost mythical reputation for its trains, but the Seven Stars in Kyushu takes rail travel into another category altogether.

This luxury sleeper train explores Kyushu, Japan’s southernmost main island, combining spectacular scenery with beautifully crafted interiors, gourmet dining and traditional Japanese hospitality.

The attention to detail is part of the experience, from the design of the carriages to the food served along the way.

For anyone who loves trains, Japan and beautifully designed spaces, this one is difficult to resist.

7. Royal Scotsman, Scotland

There is something inherently romantic about travelling through the Scottish Highlands by train.

The Royal Scotsman takes that experience and turns it into an intimate luxury escape, with beautifully appointed carriages, fine dining and excursions into the surrounding countryside.

Instead of simply passing through Scotland, the journey gives travellers the chance to experience its landscapes, castles, villages and whisky heritage along the way.

And perhaps because my sister now lives in the UK, Scotland has been sitting on our family’s travel list for quite some time. A Highland rail adventure seems like a rather lovely way to finally make it happen.

8. The Ghan, Australia

The Australian Outback is vast enough to feel like another world, and The Ghan offers an extraordinary way to experience it.

The legendary rail journey crosses Australia from north to south, connecting Adelaide, Alice Springs and Darwin and passing through landscapes that change dramatically along the way. Red desert, rugged wilderness and enormous open skies replace the familiar scenery outside the window.

It’s also a reminder that luxury travel doesn’t always have to mean grand architecture or European glamour. Sometimes it means being able to experience a remote part of the world comfortably while still feeling connected to the landscape around you.

9. Glacier Express, Switzerland

Often described as one of the world’s most scenic train journeys, it travels through the Swiss Alps between Zermatt and St. Moritz, crossing dramatic bridges, passing mountain villages and winding through spectacular alpine landscapes. This is one of those journeys where you seat by the window and just stare in awe.

Switzerland has always seemed almost unfairly photogenic, and seeing the Alps slowly unfold from a train carriage sounds like one of the best ways to experience it.

10. Bernina Express, Switzerland to Italy

And because one Swiss train journey clearly isn’t enough, the Bernina Express makes the list too.

The route travels from Switzerland towards Italy, crossing the Alps and passing glaciers, turquoise lakes, mountain villages and spectacular engineering feats along the way.

What makes this journey unique is the dramatic change in scenery. You begin surrounded by snowy Alpine landscapes and eventually find yourself heading towards the warmer, more Mediterranean atmosphere of Italy.

It is a perfect example of why I have become so fascinated by slow travel. The destination is wonderful, but watching the world transform outside your window is an experience in itself.

Why Luxury Train Travel Is Back On My Bucket List

A few-years ago, my idea of a dream holiday involved catching a flight and arrive at the destination as fast as I can. But as I get wiser, I want to see the journey.

I want to relax throughout my journey and wake up somewhere new . To sit beside my family and watch mountains, forests, deserts and villages pass by. I want my son to experience that slightly old-fashioned magic of looking out of a train window and wondering what might be around the next bend.

Maybe that’s what happens when you get older—or perhaps it’s simply what happens when you become a parent.

Either way, luxury rail travel has officially found its way back onto my bucket list.

And this time, I don’t want to experience it alone.