The best luxury rail cruises of 2024: routes, perks, prices

Rail cruises continue to win over travelers, offering a rare mix of luxury, ease, and ever-changing scenery. In 2024, journeys aboard lavish trains have only grown in demand, opening the door to far-flung landscapes without sacrificing comfort or attentive service.

These trips are more than a way to get from A to B. They are meticulous, slow-burn experiences that blend fine dining, polished hospitality, and views that keep you glued to the window. Guests linger over regional cuisine, unwind in intimate lounges and cabins, and join curated excursions at station stops that add depth to the route.

Among the many options, a handful of trains have become true style icons on rails. The top-tier rail cruises of 2024 let you savor the world’s beauty while staying swaddled in elegance. Whatever the itinerary, each train delivers moments that stick—not least because they revive an era when travel was treated as an art form in its own right.

• Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)
• Rovos Rail (Africa)
• Maharajas' Express (India)
• Eastern & Oriental Express (Southeast Asia)
• The Royal Scotsman (United Kingdom)
• Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
• Premium cars on Russian trains

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Europe)

This legendary journey across Europe pairs unmatched luxury with 1920s elegance, running itineraries that feature Venice, Paris, and London. Expect lobster on the menu, champagne at the bar, cinematic views outside, and interiors that make the train itself part of the spectacle.

The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express restores the pleasure of unhurried travel—the gentle rhythm of the rails, conversations that stretch on, and landscapes that unfold at a measured pace. Styled in art deco, it channels the Roaring Twenties—an era of polish and prosperity. Beautifully finished modernist cabins can be combined, a thoughtful touch for families traveling with children.

There are three restaurant cars serving European cuisines and a bar car with an exclusive champagne selection. The set includes the Côte d’Azur, with René Lalique glass panels; Etoile du Nord, adorned with wood marquetry; and L’Oriental, finished in black lacquer; plus the “3674” bar car and a boutique. On board are 84 double Cabins, 5 single cabins, and 3 Grand Suites. Restrooms are located at the end of each carriage. Prices start at $2,230 per passenger.

Rovos Rail (Africa)

South Africa’s Rovos Rail is known for plush interiors and attentive service. Routes span Southern Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Tanzania, with stops at scenic and historic sites. A standout is the Dar es Salaam itinerary, which crosses multiple countries and weaves in wildlife and heritage excursions.

Rovos Rail moves you not only across a continent but back in time. Restored vintage carriages—originally built in Europe in 1911 for members of royal families—made their first journey in 1989. The train carries up to 72 passengers and blends Victorian charm with modern comforts. Facilities include two restaurant cars, a lounge, a club car, an observation car, board games, a library, a gift shop, laundry service, and in-cabin service. Smoking is permitted in cabins and in the club car; internet access is limited. Mobile phones and laptops are allowed only in cabins. To protect the sense of retreat, there are no televisions or radios, and a dress code applies.

Cabins come with air conditioning, heating, a minibar, safe, hair dryer, and slippers. Dining feels like a first-class restaurant, with white tablecloths, fine china, and refined African and European dishes. Meals and drinks are included. For conversation, there’s a plush lounge for 26 guests and a designated smoking car. At the rear, a bar car with a glazed end wall opens up sweeping views. Routes traverse some of Africa’s most striking scenery.

Maharajas' Express (India)

Regularly cited among the most luxurious trains in the world, Maharajas’ Express runs through India’s historic and cultural highlights. Guests dine on Indian cuisine in richly appointed restaurants and retreat to cabins finished with striking detail.

Launched in January 2010, Maharajas’ Express was created to make every passenger feel like Indian royalty. It is the first joint venture between Indian Railways and a private company. The 23-car set includes Deluxe Coaches, Junior Suites, Suites, and a Presidential Suite. Each cabin offers Wi‑Fi, an LCD TV, and direct-dial telephony, along with spacious en-suite bathrooms with showers, a personal butler, and 24-hour service. Carriages feature central air conditioning, interiors blending the classical elegance of India’s royal families with modern refinement, plush beds, and electronic safes.

Two restaurant cars seat 42 guests and serve exquisite cuisine in polished surroundings, with à la carte options and in-cabin dining available. Connoisseurs gravitate to the serene Safari Bar for tastings of local and imported wines and spirits. Itineraries start at $3,850 per person.

Eastern & Oriental Express (Southeast Asia)

The Eastern & Oriental Express runs two itineraries—Essence of Malaysia and Wild Malaysia—traveling through Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It is defined by luxurious interiors, grand views, and cultural excursions.

The experience is steeped in nostalgia and crafted comfort. Operated by Belmond, the train offers not just a serene ride, but a journey that brings you face to face with landmarks across several Asian countries. Outside the window, exotic forests and rubber plantations give way to modest Thai villages and dazzling palaces. Programs consistently include visits to famed historic sites and guided trips through scenic natural areas. With elegant cabins, a high-caliber kitchen, and impeccable service, the train wins over even the most exacting travelers. On board are two restaurant cars serving European and Asian gastronomy, a bar with live piano music, an open-air observation car, a boutique, and a library.

Pricing varies by route and cabin category, with journeys typically lasting 1–2 nights. A night in one of the spacious suites starts at $13,000 and includes round-the-clock butler service, unlimited champagne, and private in-salon dining. Historic or standard cabins cost significantly less—from $4,500 per night.

The Royal Scotsman (United Kingdom)

The Royal Scotsman winds through Scotland’s storybook landscapes with stops at castles and whisky distilleries. On board, guests enjoy a personal butler, refined dining, and Dior spa treatments.

Designed for just 40 passengers, the train runs a variety of itineraries and tends to convert even those who claim not to enjoy trains. Excursions include mountain castles, distillery tours, walks in some of Scotland’s loveliest parks, and feasts of national dishes in elegant dining cars. A signature strength is the range of themes—routes tailored to Scottish genealogy, golf, and even gastronomy. Part of Belmond’s collection of hotels, trains, and river cruises, the Royal Scotsman pairs tradition with comfort for a pitch-perfect introduction to Scotland. There are five sleeping cars, two restaurant cars, a lounge car with an open terrace, and the Bamford Haybarn Spa with two treatment rooms. A dress code applies. The train has 16 twin cabins and 4 singles, each with heating, a ceiling fan, and an en-suite with shower and toilet. Prices start at $3,600 per person.

Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)

Rocky Mountaineer offers 1- to 6-day luxury trips across western Canada and the American Southwest. It is best known for its glass-domed coaches that frame panoramic views of mountains, lakes, and dense forests.

Service levels include GoldLeaf and SilverLeaf, each with distinct perks. GoldLeaf features bi-level dome cars with panoramic windows, spacious seating on the upper level, and a dining area below. Guests enjoy chef-prepared meals on board and unlimited beverages, including alcoholic drinks, plus access to an exclusive open-air viewing platform for even closer contact with the scenery.

SilverLeaf uses single-level coaches with large picture windows and comfortable seating. Meals are preselected and served at your seat; drinks, including wine and beer, are included. Both tiers deliver high comfort and polished service that make the journey memorable.

Popular routes include Vancouver to Jasper, Banff, and Lake Louise in Canada, as well as a U.S. Southwest itinerary through Utah and Colorado, with desert and canyon vistas. In 2024, packages start at $1,500, depending on duration and inclusions.

Premium cars on Russian trains

Russian Railways offers luxury cars within its tourist trains. These cars appear on 11 tours by FPK: Pearl of the Caucasus, Blooming Steppe, Winter Tale, Russian North, Baikal Tale, Legends of the Volga Region, To Siberia, Along the Golden Ring, To the Seaside Vineyards, To the Northern Lights, and Into the Lotus Valley.

One option is a rail cruise on Pearl of the Caucasus in a luxury carriage. An 8-day journey that visits several republics of the Caucasus—with excursions, transfers, and additional services—starts at 148,000 rubles per passenger.

A four-day luxury-car tour on Legends of the Volga Region starts at 99,500 rubles per person. Travelers can expect new carriages and an upgraded service concept, including showers in luxury-category cars and cosmetic kits with all essentials.

Luxury-class cars in Russia typically feature 4–6 double cabins, each with a private shower. Four-compartment cars also include a dedicated bar. The lower bed in these cabins is 110 cm wide and easily converts into a sofa. Cabins offer a wardrobe and air conditioning, and each passenger receives a bathrobe, slippers, and a stylish amenities kit.

High-speed Sapsan trains include premium cars with leather seats that recline to a semi-lounging position. Passengers receive high-quality amenity kits, pillows, and blankets; children’s entertainment is provided. The entertainment system is available to all, and snacks and drinks are served regularly, while hearty, varied dishes come on classic tableware. Tickets for these services typically range from 24,000 to 27,000 rubles.