Top 10 Most Scenic Railway Routes

This iconic Swiss railway winds its way through the Alpine landscape, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, valleys, and mountain peaks along the route from Zermatt to St. Moritz. The train journey takes around 8 hours and passes through 291 bridges and tunnels, while also crossing 91 viaducts. Glacier Express travels at an average speed of 12 km/h (7.5 mph) and requires over 1 million gallons of fuel each year. The train's locomotives are powered by diesel-electric engines and have a unique "push-pull" system to increase efficiency.

This Scottish railway passes through some of the most stunning landscapes in Scotland, including Loch Lomond and Glencoe National Scenic Areas. The 83-mile (134 km) route runs from Glasgow to Mallaig and takes around 6 hours to complete by train. The line has a unique "wavy" profile due to its hilly terrain, with the highest point being at Crianlarich Station, where the elevation is over 700 feet (213 meters). The line was built in the 19th century as part of the Scottish mainland railway network.

This luxurious South African train travels from Pretoria to Cape Town along the scenic route of the Winelands and Cape Floral Region. The journey takes around 27 hours and passes through some of Africa's most beautiful scenery, including mountains, forests, and vineyards. The Blue Train is part of a luxury rail network that connects Pretoria with Cape Town and Durban, while its luxurious amenities include fine dining and en-suite bedrooms. The train travels at an average speed of 30 km/h (19 mph) due to the winding nature of the track.

This Norwegian railway is one of the steepest in the world, with a gradient of up to 60% in some sections. The 20-kilometer route runs from Myrdal to Flåm and takes around 1 hour to complete, while offering breathtaking views of fjords, waterfalls, and mountains. The train features modern electric trains and operates on an electrified line with overhead power lines. Flåm Railway is part of a network of scenic railways in Norway that attract millions of visitors each year.

This Swiss-Italian railway runs from Chur to Tirano and passes through the Alps, offering spectacular views of glaciers, mountains, and valleys along the way. The 122-kilometer route takes around 4 hours to complete by train, while also crossing 55 bridges and passing through over 180 tunnels. The Bernina Express features modern electric trains with air conditioning and a unique "push-pull" system for increased efficiency. The line was built in the late 19th century as part of the Swiss and Italian rail network.

This historic Russian railway spans from Moscow to Vladivostok, stretching over 9,289 kilometers (5,772 miles) through some of Russia's most breathtaking landscapes. The journey takes around 7 days and passes through vast plains, forests, and mountains along the way. The line was built in the early 20th century as part of the Soviet railway network and is still one of the longest commercial railways in the world. The train features modern diesel-electric locomotives and has a unique system for feeding passengers.

This Peruvian railway runs from Cuzco to Machu Picchu, offering breathtaking views of the Andes Mountains and Cloud Forests along the way. The 41-kilometer route takes around 6 hours to complete by train, while also crossing several bridges and passing through over 1,000 stone steps. The Belmond Hiram Bingham features historic wooden carriages with en-suite bedrooms, fine dining facilities, and expert guides on board. The line was built in the 1920s as part of a luxury tourist network.

This South African railway runs from Durban to Pietermaritzburg along the scenic route of the Natal Midlands. The journey takes around 3 hours and passes through several river crossings, tunnels, and bridges, while also offering views of rolling hills and vineyards. The line was built in the late 19th century as part of the Transvaal Railway network and is now one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations. The train features modern diesel-electric locomotives and passenger cars.

This Swiss railway runs from Interlaken Ost to Kandersteg along the scenic route of the Bernese Oberland, offering breathtaking views of glaciers, mountains, and valleys along the way. The 36-kilometer route takes around 2 hours to complete by train, while also crossing several bridges and passing through over 30 tunnels. The line was built in the late 19th century as part of a regional railway network, while its trains feature modern electric locomotives.

This Swiss-Italian railway runs from Chur to Landquart along the scenic route of the Rhine Valley and the Alps, offering stunning views of rivers, waterfalls, and mountains along the way. The 57-kilometer route takes around 2 hours to complete by train, while also crossing several bridges and passing through over 30 tunnels. The Rhaetian Railway was built in the late 19th century as part of a regional railway network, with many original wooden carriages still intact today.