Looking out at an endless expanse of ocean blue while the foaming tide rolls in is enough to put anyone in a vacation state of mind. Add to that the soothing rhythm of a cozy train rocking along its tracks, and everyday stresses start to melt away.

Suffice to say, the world’s best coastal train trips make for an enviable summer vacation—whether you’re heading to a secluded beach for a relaxing day of lounging in the sand, exploring seaside towns along the Italian Riviera, or traveling up the Pacific Northwest‘s rugged coastline.

Here’s a look at five of the best coastal train journeys around the world—from ultra-luxe sleeper journeys to short sightseeing routes—that are worth planning your next summer trip around.

The Cinque Terre Express is a scenic, efficient, and affordable way to travel along the Italian Riviera.

Oleh_Slobodeniuk/Getty

Italian Riviera on the Cinque Terre Express

One of Europe’s most iconic coastal destinations has its very own sightseeing train line, the Cinque Terre Express. The affordable passenger train travels between all five mountainous villages in Italy’s Cinque Terre region, running from spring until late fall. It departs every 20 minutes, making quick five-minute stops in Levanto, Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore, and La Spezia. It’s one of the best ways to travel along the area’s vertiginous cliffs, ferrying passengers between rocky outcroppings, through mountainside tunnels, and to the center of Cinque Terre’s charming seaside towns. From the train windows, expect to spot the aquamarine waves of Ligurian Sea crashing against the stony coast, candy-colored houses huddled together on the hillsides, tiny wooden boats gliding through village harbors, and flecks of golden-sand beaches. Spend a summer day hopping on and off the train and enjoying the ocean displays while visiting all five of the towns, from the winsome fishing village of Vernazza to Manarola’s trattoria-lined piazza.

Amtrak’s Cascades route offers coastal views during the four-hour leg between Seattle and Vancouver.

Courtesy Amtrak

America’s national parks shine in the summertime, with spectacular mountain passes thawed for the season, sparkling lakes and glittering beaches at the peak of their allure, and blankets of wildflowers exploding into bloom.

Everyone knows the national park road trip is an American classic—but it’s also possible to experience the magic of the parks by rail, no car required. Amtrak has several routes that stop directly in cities that are gateways to some of the most popular national parks in the US.

There are two main ways to plan a summer national park trip with Amtrak. If you want to explore the parks independently, all you need to do is figure out your route: it might be as simple as hopping aboard a train for a few hours and hopping off at a station that’s mere steps from the entrance to a park. For travelers who want additional logistics like shuttles and overnight hotel stays arranged for them, Amtrak Vacations (Amtrak’s official tour operator and travel booking partner) offers both customizable and pre-planned packages—especially useful for linking together national parks that are farther away from the route.

Naturally, Amtrak routes that bring you up close and personal with national park land are some of the most scenic train rides in the US. Most long-distance Amtrak trains feature Sightseer Lounges with floor-to-ceiling glass domed windows, perfect for taking in the soaring desert canyons, rugged mountain ranges, and towering river gorges, all from the comfort of your seat. If a train trip is calling your name this summer, these are some of the best Amtrak routes for a national park adventure.

Courtesy Amtrak

Grand Canyon National Park aboard the Southwest Chief

One of the best ways to appreciate the otherworldly natural formations of the American Southwest is a ride aboard Amtrak’s Southwest Chief train. The long-haul route begins in Chicago and crosses a total of eight states, but the most scenic portions of the route begin as the train crosses into New Mexico and Arizona before terminating in Los Angeles. Passengers are treated to rare desert vistas that aren’t visible from surrounding interstates as the train glides by vast ranches, undulating mountains, and scenic pueblos. Expect stunning views of the Painted Desert, the Red Cliffs of Sedona, Raton Pass in Southern Colorado’s Sangre Cristo Mountains. In Northern New Mexico, the Southwest Chief crosses Apache Canyon, a unique passage that’s only a few feet wider than the train itself. Soak up the scenery from the Sightseer Lounge Car, the train’s double-decker, glass-domed observation car with special seats that swivel toward the panoramic views.

There’s no better way to explore Canada’s vast and awe-inspiring wilderness in style than taking a summer train journey. From the untamed beauty of British Columbia and the magnificent Rocky Mountains, to the coastal charm of Nova Scotia and remote river canyons in Northern Quebec, train journeys connect some of Canada’s most unique landscapes into one seamless itinerary.

Summer is the ideal season to venture into the deep recesses of the Canadian wilderness, thanks to mild temperatures that allow travelers access to regions that could otherwise be inaccessible due to snow. There’s also abundant daylight to absorb the unforgettable scenery passing by the window. Below, our five favorite routes for a once-in-a-lifetime summer rail trip through Canada.

This summer only, Rocky Mountaineer is operating a 2-day itinerary called “Passage to the Peaks” with stops in Banff, Kamloops, and Jasper.

Rocky Mountaineer

Traverse the Canadian Rockies with Rocky Mountaineer

The most luxurious train in Canada is offering a special, limited time route for summer 2026. For this summer only, Rocky Mountaineer is operating an itinerary called “Passage to the Peaks.” This two-day rail journey ferries travelers through some of Western Canada’s most scenic pockets, with stops in Banff, Kamloops, and Jasper, and is a supplementary offering for the influx of travelers expected to visit Vancouver during the FIFA World Cup in June and July.

Passengers can expect jaw-dropping scenery throughout the journey, from towering evergreens and pristine glacial lakes to panoramas of the Rocky Mountains. From the train’s glass-domed observation cars and outdoor viewing platforms, there’s ample opportunity to take in landmarks like the wide expanse of Shuswap Lake, the majestic peaks of Mount Rundle and Castle Mountain, and the stunning evergreen valley and band of ice-capped Rockies at Rogers Pass.

Daytime is dedicated to sightseeing, and each night, guests are transported to hotels along the route to sleep. Travelers can add up to nine nights in hotels along the way, depending on the rail package. For guided off-train experiences, passengers can purchase add-on tours of the Columbia Icefields, Maligne Lake (which is the largest natural lake in the Canadian Rockies), Jasper National Park, and more.

Via Rail’s overnight Ocean Train travels from Montreal to Halifax.

VIA Rail Canada

The best train journeys in the world have an intangible allure about them. Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it’s permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people’s lives. Trains bring us up close and personal—both inside and outside the carriage. On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains. Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.

As climate change takes hold and travelers look for slower, more conscious ways to move through the world, trains are returning with renewed vigor. Sleeper trains are seeing a resurgence and the golden oldies are busier than ever. From regular commuter rides to glamorous tourist trains, a number of services have garnered iconic status for the scenery, their role through history, or perhaps their place in popular culture. Türkiye’s Doğu Express, once a migration train carrying agricultural workers and the military, is now wildly popular with young Turks who traverse the 800-mile route in winter, decorating the compartments with fairy lights and spreading out picnic blankets covered with baklava, börek, and cold cuts. From the glass-dome cars of the Rocky Mountaineer, passengers watch as Canada’s teal-green lakes shimmer like mirrors, snow-capped peaks looming overhead. The Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond train, is back after a hiatus, winding through Malaysia’s tropical rainforests, while Japan’s Seven Stars Kyushu grants reservations via a lottery system, so sought-after is the opulent train. Think Americans don’t ride Amtrak? Think again, as the California Zephyr, the longest route in America crosses through seven states, carving up Colorado’s canyons, then passing into Utah where the sun ignites mesas into flaming towers of rock. Sit back and listen to the clack of the Darjeeling toy train as it chugs up the Himalayan foothills, or let the swaying carriage of the Rovos Rail lull you to deep sleep as it takes you deeper into places wild and distant… —Monisha Rajesh, author of Moonlight Express: Around the World By Night Train

Americans are one step closer to having modern, European-inspired trainsets on one of Amtrak’s most scenic routes.

The first Airo trainset arrived in Seattle this week for the final phase of testing on the Amtrak Cascades tracks, which runs from Vancouver through Washington and Oregon. It’s the first of eight trainsets that Amtrak plans to roll out along the route by the end of 2026.

The new trains will feature modern amenities, upgraded dining options and, perhaps most importantly, even bigger windows for taking in the views of some of the most dramatic scenery in the country. Here’s what travelers need to know about the new Airo trains before they welcome the first passengers on board later this year.

What to expect on board

Airo’s sleek coach cars feature upgraded, ergonomic seats with plenty of legroom, USB charging ports, sturdier tray tables, seatback tablet stands, and cupholders. “It’s a more open experience. It’s better lit. It’s newer materials,” Derek Maier, senior director of Amtrak’s Airo program, told the New York Times.

They’ll also have more capacity on board, Amtrak says. The new Airo trains will seat around 300 passengers, roughly 50% more than the current aging equipment on the line. That should help with growing ridership. More than 950,000 people traveled on the Cascades service in 2025, a 1.4% increase over the previous year.

There’s also an upgraded business class with both single and double seats, and an updated cafe car that will provide “more contemporary” and self-service food options.

The exterior of the new Airo trainset on the Cascades route.

Courtesy Amtrak

The trainsets were built domestically by Siemens, the same manufacturer as Amtrak’s new Acela trains, which debuted in the Northeast in 2025.

Prior to Seattle, the trains were first tested in Colorado on a dedicated test track, Amtrak says, and then on active tracks in the Northeast Corridor. They even stopped in Washington, DC for a photo op before heading west for this final phase of testing. Now, Amtrak will be training staff and doing practice runs along the route they’ll actually serve.

Which Amtrak routes will have the new Airo trains?

In total, 83 trainsets are on order for use across the Amtrak network, the first eight of which are set to be delivered for use on the Cascades by the end of 2026.

There are currently seven roundtrips per day along the Cascades corridor, which roughly follows Interstate 5: All but one run between the main cities of Portland and Seattle—a 3.5-hour trip—with two extending south to Eugene, Oregon and two going north to Vancouver. In 2025, the trains were on time 67% of the time.

Europe is home to some of the most glamorous train rides in the world, and there’s no better time to experience them than over the summer.

The best train rides in Europe connect both cosmopolitan capitals and peaceful small villages, but even though the destinations are certainly exciting, it’s the journey itself that’s the main attraction. Each of these graceful trains cater to passengers’ every comfort, with cozy dining cars and plush cabins, no matter if the journey is for a few hours or several days.

But the real draw unfurls outside the cabin, with impeccable scenery flashing past the windows. Whether gliding through an impossibly verdant Alpine valley, navigating the heather-laden hills of the Scottish highlands, or rolling along Italy’s southern coastline, summer European train rides immerse travelers in the continent’s most magnificent landscapes. Here’s a look at six of the best.

The Glacier Express glides through dramatic valleys and green Alpine meadows.

Stefan Schlumpf

Traverse the Swiss Alps with Glacier Express

This eight-hour ride through the Swiss Alps from Zermatt to St. Moritz passes through two UNESCO World Heritage areas and over nearly 300 bridges. When the snow melts in the summer, the scenery becomes even more majestic, with dramatic valleys and green Alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. The journey begins at the foot of the iconic Matterhorn in the town of Zermatt and winds its way through natural wonders like snow-capped glaciers and pristine lakes. But the most spectacular views arrive as the cherry-red train glides directly through the Rhine Gorge, which is nicknamed the Swiss Grand Canyon. Sheer cliffs of white rock slope dramatically toward a snaking aquamarine river, which the train hugs, gliding along its banks amid lush evergreens. A dining car serves up a menu of entrees and snacks, including a selection of Alpine cheeses and Swiss wines. For an even more luxe experience, book into Excellence Class, which offers more comfortable seats that offer guaranteed access to the massive panoramic windows, and a welcome glass of Champagne.

The mahogany-paneled dining car aboard the Royal Scotsman

The Royal Scotsman

“I think those human interest stories are what resonate with people,” he tells me. “Yes, we got to talk about the rocks—but being able to find a human interest story along the way is great—it’s important.”

The day prior, as we trundled along Ruby Canyon’s riverside cliffs and cross over the Utah-Colorado border, I asked our hosts why some of the mesas we’ve passed contain pale stripes of green. “If you take a shovel to one of the ant hills along the rail tracks, you can find fossilized shark teeth,” Mike told our car of a dozen-plus passengers. “That’s because 100 million years ago, this was an ancient sea.” The jade-like tint of the rock, he went on to explain, is that color because underwater (where there’s little oxygen), iron deposits from volcanic ash turn green. It’s the opposite of how iron reacts with oxygen, which forms the reddish-brown of rust.

I returned my gaze to the desert and attempted to picture the millions of years of history coded within the exposed earth. “So that rock was around when there were dinosaurs?” I asked, incredulously. A tangible object remaining constant for that long, among so much change, was unfathomable to me. And that I could reach out and hold this dinosaur dust in my fragile human hand, even more so.

That is when Mike reminded me that the Earth itself is just a really old rock, and that its 4.5 billion years of history are always there, right beneath our feet. It just takes the right combination of salt and erosion—and a good storyteller—to reveal the hidden layers.

Onboard experience

The Canyon Spirit offers several different all-inclusive packages and eastbound and westbound itineraries along this route. No matter which you choose, the journey will include daylight-only train service, regionally inspired meals served to your seat (breakfast and lunch), alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, overnight hotel stays, and luggage transfers. Some itineraries also feature off-train experiences—the six-day “Mighty 5 Explorer Package,” for example, includes guided tours of Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion national parks.

The best train journeys in the world have an intangible allure about them. Since the dawn of time, the romance of railways has seduced poets, spellbound novelists, and dealt directors the perfect hand for capturing fleeting friendships, illicit affairs, and all manner of crimes and capers. A ticket is not just a permit to ride, it’s permission to trespass on the intimacies of other people’s lives. Trains bring us up close and personal—both inside and outside the carriage. On board, passengers chat politics in Finnish dining cars, clamber into couchettes above strangers on the Trans-Siberian, and share samosas on India’s many raucous mail trains. Outside, the world flashes by, a slideshow of rivers growing into oceans, deserts rising into mountains and cities sprawling then receding into darkness as the train thunders on through the night.

As climate change takes hold and travelers look for slower, more conscious ways to move through the world, trains are returning with renewed vigor. Sleeper trains are seeing a resurgence and the golden oldies are busier than ever. From regular commuter rides to glamorous tourist trains, a number of services have garnered iconic status for the scenery, their role through history, or perhaps their place in popular culture. Türkiye’s Doğu Express, once a migration train carrying agricultural workers and the military, is now wildly popular with young Turks who traverse the 800-mile route in winter, decorating the compartments with fairy lights and spreading out picnic blankets covered with baklava, börek, and cold cuts. From the glass-dome cars of the Rocky Mountaineer, passengers watch as Canada’s teal-green lakes shimmer like mirrors, snow-capped peaks looming overhead. The Eastern & Oriental Express, a Belmond train, is back after a hiatus, winding through Malaysia’s tropical rainforests, while Japan’s Seven Stars Kyushu grants reservations via a lottery system, so sought-after is the opulent train. Think Americans don’t ride Amtrak? Think again, as the California Zephyr, the longest route in America crosses through seven states, carving up Colorado’s canyons, then passing into Utah where the sun ignites mesas into flaming towers of rock. Sit back and listen to the clack of the Darjeeling toy train as it chugs up the Himalayan foothills, or let the swaying carriage of the Rovos Rail lull you to deep sleep as it takes you deeper into places wild and distant… —Monisha Rajesh, author of Moonlight Express: Around the World By Night Train

Passengers can expect long desert stretches across Al Dhafra, where flat sand plains open out towards the western coastline, followed by low-lying salt flats and industrial zones near Ruwais. As the route moves east, the landscape begins to shift—date farms, wadis, and rocky foothills appear, particularly on journeys towards Sharjah and Fujairah.

The railway includes 593 bridges and crossings and nine tunnels spanning 6.5km, allowing trains to pass cleanly through mountain terrain without disrupting existing roads or communities. On future cross-border routes, the Hafeet Rail connection towards Oman is expected to offer views of Jebel Hafeet, Abu Dhabi’s highest mountain, from which it takes its name.

While city skylines will briefly come into view near Abu Dhabi and Dubai, much of the journey runs through areas rarely seen by car—a quieter, slower unfolding of the country’s less familiar landscapes.

Can I travel from Saudi Arabia to Oman on Etihad Rail?

Eventually, yes—and maybe even to the rest of the GCC. Thanks to a 2023 agreement, Etihad Rail will connect Abu Dhabi to Sohar Port. Construction on this line, Hafeet Rail, began in May 2024. The train ride between Abu Dhabi city and Sohar will likely take 1 hour 40 minutes, compared to the nearly three hours it takes by road. From Al Ain to Sohar will take just 47 minutes.

At the other end, Ghuwaifat, the border crossing town between the UAE and Saudi Arabia, is expected to be one of Etihad Rail’s launch stations. So, connectivity between the northern emirates—or indeed Oman—and Saudi Arabia’s eastern province won’t be a problem.

Saudi Arabia already has a track that connects Al Haditha near the Jordanian border to Riyadh, and another between Riyadh and Dammam. When a link between Dammam and Ghuwaifat is complete, a three-country trip should be possible.

Does Etihad Rail connect to the rest of the GCC?

Etihad Rail’s 900km network will extend across the UAE, from the border of Saudi Arabia to the border of Oman. For now, Oman is the only international operation where work is underway. However, there are signals that Etihad Rail could connect to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula within a few years as part of the $100-billion Gulf Cooperation Council regional rail network. It’s been in discussion since at least 2004, but has begun chugging along in recent years. A 650km Saudi-Kuwait rail link is expected to be finished by 2028.

Is there going to be First Class on Etihad Rail?

Etihad Rail has confirmed that its passenger trains will feature three travel classes: first, business, and economy. Designs revealed for the fleet show all classes equipped with WiFi, charging ports and work-friendly seating, with first and business offering more spacious layouts and quieter cabin zones.

While full service details—including catering, pricing, and lounge access—have yet to be announced, Etihad Rail has indicated that comfort and productivity will be central to the onboard experience across all classes. More information is expected closer to the launch of passenger services in 2026.

Etihad Rail is partnering with Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale on the train’s design.

Courtesy Arsenale

Etihad Rail’s luxury service

This being the UAE, there certainly is a luxury version. Etihad Rail agreed with Italian luxury hospitality company Arsenale to recreate the golden age of train travel in the UAE, with what it calls a “rail cruise”.

The French alps are home to some of the best skiing in Europe—and the glitziest resorts. This winter, it’s easier than ever for travelers to access the region’s charming towns and scenic mountainscapes via high-speed rail.

Earlier this year, Eurostar announced that Eurostar Snow would be returning for the 2025-2026 winter season with convenient weekend departures from major cities like London and Amsterdam. A sustainable and immersive alternative to flying, the special winter routes offer stunning alpine views and seamless connections. Here’s what to know before you book.

Courchevel is approximately a 30-minute drive from the Moûtiers train station.

Getty Images

The routes

Eurostar Snow journeys from London St Pancras International to Bourg-Saint-Maurice first travel to the charming French city of Lille, where passengers can then make a simple transfer to the French Alps. On its way to Bourg-Saint-Maurice, which acts as the gateway to resorts including Tignes and Val-d’Isère, the train stops at Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, and Landry. Each stop acts as a gateway to resorts via a drive that’s considerably shorter than airport transfers tend to be. Hop off at Albertville for the likes of Megève and La Giettaz, check into one of Courchevel’s fanciest hotels from Moûtiers, or see what Montchavin has to offer from Landry.

For travelers departing from the Netherlands or Belgium, the snow train also operates direct routes from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, and Antwerp to Chambéry, Albertville, Moûtiers, Aime-La-Plagne, Landry, and Bourg-Saint-Maurice—no transfers required.

How much does it cost?

One-way fares start from £99 (around $130).

How long does it take?

The journey from London to Bourg-Saint-Maurice takes just under 8 hours, while the train from Amsterdam takes 7 hours to get to Albertville and 9 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice. Departures from Brussels offer the shortest route, taking five hours to get to Albertville and 6.5 hours to Bourg-Saint-Maurice.

Eurostar trains whisk skiers to an array of French stations that act as gateways to popular ski resorts.

Getty Images

Eurostar Snow services run every weekend from Saturday, December 20, 2025 to Sunday, April 5, 2026. The train is also an excellent option for winter travelers bringing their own gear; each passenger is entitled to two suitcases, one piece of hand luggage, plus skis or a snowboard at no extra cost.

This story was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.