Trains are one of the most adventurous (and practical) ways to travel the world. You're able to traverse countrysides and mountain ranges, pass by oceans, and explore cities in ways you can't experience with any other form of transportation. National Geographic Traveler's August/September issue rounded up the best train trips in the world [1], from Europe and Africa to Asia and America. Check out some of the world's most amazing routes, and start planning your next trip via train.
Russia — Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian
National Geographic Expeditions offers a 16-day excursion through Russia [2], from Vladivostok to Moscow, aboard the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian [3], which rolls by Lake Baikal, the deepest lake on Earth.
Switzerland — The Glacier Express
The Glacier Express [4] distills the Alpine experience into eight hours of snowy peaks, mountain meadows, and storybook villages between Zermatt and St. Moritz, Switzerland [5].
Canada — The Canadian
Take The Canadian [6], where passengers can spend three days watching the countryside scenery from Toronto to Vancouver via dome cars.
Argentina — Train to the Clouds
The Train to the Clouds [8] climbs to 13,800 feet in the rugged Andes on its way from Salta, Argentina [9], to the Chilean border on one of the highest train journeys in the world.
New Zealand — TranzAlpine
In New Zealand [10], the TranzAlpine [11] runs between Christchurch and Greymouth, racing alongside the Waimakariri River and through the Southern Alps on a nine-hour, round-trip route.
Australia — The Ghan
Pack hiking boots and binoculars to explore Alice Springs on The Ghan [12], which runs north to south in the "Red Centre" of Australia [13] from Darwin to Adelaide.
India — Royal Rajasthan on Wheels
A mobile palace complete with on board spa, Royal Rajasthan on Wheels [14] highlights India [15]’s temples, forts, and the Taj Mahal on a seven-night passage.
South Africa — Blue Train
The overnight Blue Train [16] from Pretoria to Cape Town showcases South African [17] scenery and includes a station stop at the diamond mining town of Kimberley.
Europe — The Orient Express
Black-tie glamour still rules on the century-old Orient Express [18] from London [19] to Venice, which passes through Paris [20] while you’re having dinner and brings aboard fresh-baked croissants when the train stops in Switzerland.
Japan — Train Suite Shiki-shima
Japan [22]'s Train Suite Shiki-Shima [23] has just 10 cabins and serves up kaiseki cuisine created by Katsuhiro Nakamura, the country's first Michelin-starred chef.
Africa — The Shongololo Express
The Shongololo Express [25] pairs a safari with deluxe rail travel in Namibia [26], South Africa [27], and Zimbabwe [28].
California — The California Zephyr
Rolling from the Windy City to San Francisco [29], the California Zephyr [30] climbs both the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada before descending to the Pacific coast on its 2,447-mile traverse across the heartland of America [31].