The World’s 10 Best Train Experiences

1.Puffing Billy Railway: Heritage Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,195 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $29Our pick

Ride Puffing Billy, a preserved steam railway built in 1900, through the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. Choose a journey from Belgrave or Lakeside, sit on the carriage sill between Belgrave and Lakeside, and allow 2 to 4 hours. The Lakeside Visitor Centre adds cafés, toilets, dining, retail, and displays beside Emerald Lake Park.

“I loved the views and the whole trip! I really recommend this journey, I'd do that again”

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2.Ancient Ostia Antica Semi-Private Day Trip from Rome by Train with Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 579 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $59

Meet your English-speaking guide near Piramide, ride the train to Ostia Antica, and spend about 2.5 hours walking through Rome’s old port city. With a maximum of 12 people, the tour covers the Decumanus Maximus, Baths of Neptune, amphitheater, shops, homes, and public buildings. Alberto, Barbara, Laura, Rob, and Cat have all led highly praised departures.

“Laura was an amazing guide. Ostia Antica beautiful spot to visit. Rich in history and intact artifacts. Quiet, peaceful seaside city and refreshing diversion from Rome.”

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3.Dublin to Cork, Blarney Castle & Cóbh Heritage Centre by train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 510 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $195

Take an early train from Dublin to Cork, then continue by coach to Blarney Castle and Cobh. You’ll see castle gardens, kiss the Blarney Stone, shop in Blarney village, and visit the Queenstown Story Heritage Centre. Guides such as Norman, Paul, John and Peter have earned praise for clear explanations and careful timekeeping.

“Would highly recommend to anyone going to Ireland! You get to experience riding on a train! Traveling through magical little villages and seeing the Blarney Stone Castle! All without having to worry about the travel plans! Everything was very well organized!”

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4.From Nice: Historic Train Ride & Alps Villages

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 312 reviews · 11 hours · from $200Top rated

Travel from Nice on the Chemin de Fer de Provence with a small group and a guide such as Cyril, Carmela, William, or Alex. Visit two mountain villages, see Baroque and medieval sights, eat a local lunch, and choose between gentle village walks and a longer hike through chestnut woods, caves, and sandstone formations.

“We really enjoyed the tour. William knew lots of interesting facts that made the trip come to life. I recommend this tour.”

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5.Tour of the historic center by train

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 242 reviews · 1 day · from $11Best value

You’ll tour Palermo’s historic center aboard a small sightseeing train with an audio guide in eight languages. The 24-hour ticket covers three stops: Porto di Palermo, Palazzo dei Normi, and Teatro Massimo. Trains run hourly from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, making this a simple way to see major sights without a long walk.

“la guida disponibile per ogni richiesta e informazione. potete utilizzare il trenino più volte lo stesso giorno”

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6.Fairbanks: Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 219 reviews · 2 hours · from $89

Spend two hours at Fairbanks’ Gold Dredge 8, riding the narrow-gauge Tanana Valley Railroad, hearing stories from guides such as Tim, viewing the dredge and Trans-Alaska Pipeline, then panning for gold. You can keep your small find, browse the gift shop, and enjoy this rain-or-shine outing.

“Tour was great! Everyone was very friendly and the guide was perfect for the job!”

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7.Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 188 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $128

Travel from Curitiba to Morretes aboard the historic Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway, crossing bridges, tunnels, waterfalls, and Serra do Mar rainforest. With a Portuguese-speaking guide, you’ll tour Morretes and Antonina, visit the Hisgeopar miniature park, eat traditional barreado, and return by road along Estrada da Graciosa when conditions allow.

“Alex and Josiane are great!! Caring, gentle and patient. Beautiful tour! Nice people! It could drop me at my hotel Radisson Blu.”

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8.Sedona, AZ: Grand Canyon Guided Tour and Historic Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 122 reviews · 11 hours · from $350

Travel from Sedona through Oak Creek Canyon and Flagstaff to Williams, then ride the Grand Canyon Railway to Grand Canyon Village. Your guide meets you at the depot for about four hours of South and East Rim touring, including Grandview Point, Desert View Watchtower, Cameron Trading Post, and Little Colorado River Gorge. Choose standard or first class.

“It was great having the tour guide who knew the process for getting our train tickets, informing us where we would reunite and what would happen throughout the day. By keeping us, informed it made planning easy to slip in additional walk throughs of gift shops and museums.”

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9.Skip the Line: Historic RailPark and Train Museum Ticket with Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 59 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $22

Tour Bowling Green’s 1925 L&N Depot and its rail museum, then walk through historic cars including a railroad post office, Duncan Hines Diner, Pullman diners, a sleeper, and the 353 Presidential office car. Your $22 ticket covers both the self-guided museum and guided railcar tour in about 45 minutes.

“Good experience with learning about old days and the old ways to deliver mail to different cities…..”

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10.Barbados: St Nicholas Abbey Distillery, CTH Heritage Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 33 reviews · 4 hours · from $128

Spend four hours at St Nicholas Abbey in Saint Andrew with hotel pickup, a guided house and distillery visit, a small rum tasting, and a Heritage Railway ride to Cherry Tree Hill. English-speaking guides, including the highly praised Shaun on the train, bring the plantation story to life. Expect bumpy island roads and a short tasting.

“It was a well balanced tour of the distillery, great house and the grounds (via train). We were fortunate to also be there during the cane harvest which was a added plus. Our driver was engaging, noting points of interest along our journey to and from the venue.”

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