The World’s Most Beautiful Train Journeys Revealed: Australia’s Ghan Takes Top Spot in 2026 Index

[London, October 2025] — Australia’s Ghan has secured the top position in the Holafly Express Train Index 2026, signaling a global shift toward "destination travel" where the rail journey itself replaces traditional sightseeing.

Holafly Express Train Index 2026: Methodology & Criteria

The 2026 index evaluates rail journeys using a multi-factor scoring model that measures the overall value of experiential rail travel rather than relying solely on visual landscapes:

• Protected Wilderness Access: Proximity to national parks, reserves, and remote natural landscapes.
• Onboard Accommodation & Comfort: Quality of private sleeper cabins, dining cars, and hospitality service.
• Heritage & Historical Value: Operational history, cultural significance, and vintage rail preservation.
• Booking Accessibility: Streamlined booking procedures and international travel access.
• Visual & Geographical Diversity: Variety of ecosystems traversed during the journey.

Index Rank	Rail Journey	Country / Region	Index Score	Primary Landscape & Journey Highlight
1	The Ghan	Australia	70.8	Transcontinental Red Centre & Tropical North
2	The Blue Train	South Africa	69.2	Pretoria to Cape Town via interior mountains
3	Glacier Express	Switzerland	58.8	Alpine passes & viaducts between Zermatt & St. Moritz
4	Eastern & Oriental Express	Southeast Asia	57.8	Tropical rainforests & cultural villages
5	California Zephyr	United States	55.0	Rocky Mountains, river canyons & Sierra Nevada
6	Venice Simplon-Orient-Express	Europe	54.2	Vintage 1920s luxury across historic European routes
7	West Highland Line	Scotland (UK)	53.0	Scottish lochs & Glenfinnan Viaduct
8	Belmond Andean Explorer	Peru	52.9	High-altitude Peruvian altiplano & Lake Titicaca
9	Rocky Mountaineer	Canada	52.5	Daytime Canadian Rockies sightseeing
10	Danube Express	Central/Eastern Europe	48.9	Multi-country European heritage routes

Detailed Breakdown of Top Ranked Global Rail Routes

1. The Ghan (Australia) – Score: 70.8

Operated by Journey Beyond, The Ghan connects Adelaide to Darwin over a 2,979 km transcontinental line. Passengers experience changing climatic zones—from southern farmland through the arid Red Centre near Alice Springs to the tropical Top End. Included off-train excursions into Nitmiluk (Katherine) Gorge and Standley Chasm underpin its top position.

2. The Blue Train (South Africa) – Score: 69.2

Operating since 1937 between Pretoria and Cape Town, South Africa's Blue Train offers a 1,600 km luxury sleeper journey featuring butler service, private suites, and views of the Karoo desert and Winelands.

3. Glacier Express (Switzerland) – Score: 58.8

Renowned as the world's slowest express train, the Glacier Express connects Zermatt and St. Moritz over an eight-hour daytime journey crossing 291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 meters elevation.

Practical Traveler Advisory and Strategic Insights

4. Eastern & Oriental Express (Southeast Asia) – Score: 57.8

Traveling through Malaysia and Singapore, this Belmond service features restored wooden-paneled carriages, open-air observation cars, and guided excursions through tropical rainforests and cultural landmarks.

5. California Zephyr (United States) – Score: 55.0

Operated by Amtrak, this 3,924 km transcontinental route between Chicago and San Francisco crosses the Colorado Rockies, Ruby Canyon, and the Sierra Nevada, featuring double-decker Sightseer Lounge cars.

6–10. European, American & Asian Icons

• Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (54.2): Restored 1920s Art Deco carriages running historic routes across Western Europe.
• West Highland Line (53.0): Public railway connecting Glasgow to Mallaig across the Scottish Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct.
• Belmond Andean Explorer (52.9): South America's first luxury sleeper train operating through high-altitude Peruvian landscapes.
• Rocky Mountaineer (52.5): Premium glass-domed daytime rail service through the Canadian Rockies between Vancouver and Banff/Jasper.
• Danube Express (48.9): Private luxury train covering historic routes between Budapest, Vienna, and Istanbul.

Traveler Logistics & Remote Connectivity Guide

Taking a long-distance train across remote regions requires advance logistical planning:

Booking Windows & Seasonal Planning

High-ranking luxury sleepers (including The Ghan, Belmond suites, and The Blue Train) sell out 6 to 12 months in advance due to limited cabin capacity. Public scenic routes like the West Highland Line or Amtrak's California Zephyr offer flexible year-round reservations.

Onboard Connectivity & Roaming Solutions

Traversing mountain passes, outback deserts, and dense forests often results in patchy cellular coverage. Travelers can prepare by setting up global travel eSIM profiles prior to departure to maintain connectivity when crossing international borders or rural areas.

Day-vs-Night Rail Experience Selection

• Overnight Sleepers: Ideal for slow travel, combining private accommodations, fine dining, and multi-day transit without repeated hotel bookings.
• Daytime Panoramic Trains: Best for maximizing continuous daylight scenery (e.g., Glacier Express, Rocky Mountaineer) with overnight hotel stays.

Key Index Takeaways

• Top Winner: Australia's Ghan (Score: 70.8) outperforming all global competitors.
• Key Trend: Growing traveler demand for multi-day luxury sleeper trains combining transit and accommodation.
• Scoring Factors: Wilderness access, accommodation comfort, heritage value, and booking ease.

Frequently Asked Questions: World's Most Beautiful Train Journeys (2026)

Why did Australia's Ghan rank first in the 2026 index?

The Ghan scored 70.8 out of 100 due to its 2,979 km transcontinental route across Australia's Red Centre, high-end sleeper accommodation, and included wilderness excursions in Nitmiluk Gorge and Alice Springs.

What is the difference between a luxury sleeper train and a scenic daytime train?

Luxury sleepers (like The Ghan or The Blue Train) feature private bedrooms, fine dining, and multi-day itineraries, acting as mobile hotels. Scenic daytime trains (like the Glacier Express) focus on continuous daylight viewing with passengers staying in hotels overnight.

Which American train route made the top 5 global ranking?

Amtrak's California Zephyr ranked 5th globally with a score of 55.0, recognized for its 3,924 km journey across the Colorado Rockies and Sierra Nevada.

The rail is no longer the path to the destination; it is the destination.

---

Related Travel Guides

• Spain Stands With Italy and More to Change the European Cross-Border Travel Experience Through Massive Rail Expansion From 2026
• Ukraine’s Uzhhorod Transforms Into A European Travel Hub With Direct Hungary, Austria And Czech Rail Links
• Omio Group Strengthens Rail Europe Future With New President and Global Integration Strategy