Train journeys feel like travel within travel — not just a way to get from one place to another, but an experience on their own.
One of my all-time favorite routes is the Bernina Express in Switzerland.
The changing landscapes, glaciers, lakes and mountain villages make it feel like moving through a living postcard.
I’m curious to hear from others —
which train journey left the strongest impression on you, and why?
Wow. So many.
The Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt is right up there with the Bernina.
Swiss Tourism have even put together something of a Grand Train Tour of Switzerland.
I’ve been on all of them a number of times.
The Centovalli Railway is another scenic train route that runs between Locarno in Switzerland and Domodossola in Italy; through the picturesque ‘Hundred Valleys’ (Centovalli), with stunning views of remote valleys and mountainous terrain in northern Italy and southern Switzerland.
From Domodossola we took the train to Stressa, then back to Locarno by boat on Lago Maggiore.
One of my favourites was the ‘Hida Wideview Express’ from Nagoya to Takayama in Japan. The train has extra wide windows to help you take in the view and has the bonus of arriving to the wonderful mountain town of Takayama, which is picture-perfect in its own right. The journey can be taken on the JR Pass and is also used by a number of tour operators whose itineraries include Takayama. You can read more about it on the JR Pass blog here: The Wide View Hida express train - the scenic route between Nagoya and Takayama
The Bernina Express panoramic train is the highest mountain railway in the Alps. The section between Thusis and Tirano has been classed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Taiwan harbors what might be my favorite ever train ride: the scenic mountain train from Chiayi Station to Alishan.
The train starts at sea level and steadily climbs its way through fields, hills, and eventually curves its way up into the mountains. The views are spectacular.
The first major stop is Fenqihu, a mountain village, famous for its old street and bento boxes.
Then, it continues all the way up to the Alishan Recreational Area, where travelers are blessed with another forest train that drops hikers off at different hiking spots. The forest is magical, as you’ll be surrounded by thousand-year-old trees.
There is a sunrise train you can take early in the morning in the Alishan Recreational Area. It takes you close to a viewing spot that offers the legendary view of a “sea of clouds,” one of the main reasons people flock to Alishan. While we didn’t catch the sunrise train, we did catch the sunset when making our way by bus down the mountain.
@TravelNotes Absulatetly! It was my best! 
@Garry Japan with train definitely is on my list! I hope I can do in this year
@DomiTravelini Wouwww! It also sounds incredible! Thank you 
