Train Journeys: Why Spain And Beyond Offer More Than Just The Destination

Published on October 7, 2025

For those seeking a unsocial recreation experience, train journeys supply acold much than conscionable a intends to get from 1 spot to another. According to Everett Potter, a lifelong instrumentality of obstruction recreation and writer of National Geographic’s 100 Train Journeys of a Lifetime, taking nan scenic way tin move a elemental travel into an escapade successful itself. With a profession spanning complete 30 years of train recreation crossed six continents, Potter’s extended knowledge offers valuable penetration into really obstruction recreation stands isolated from different forms of transportation.

Train Travel: A Journey Beyond nan Destination

Everett Potter’s emotion for train journeys began years agone pinch a Eurail pass. Over nan decades, it has evolved into an in-depth exploration of nan champion train journeys worldwide, from nan breathtaking Glacier Express successful Switzerland to nan historical Orient Express successful Europe. As Potter states, nan entreaty of train recreation lies successful nan experience, not conscionable nan destination. Unlike aerial travel, wherever nan travel often feels for illustration a unreserved to get to nan end, train journeys induce you to slow down and bask nan moment.

Travel is astir much than conscionable reaching a place; it’s astir savoring nan route. For galore expatriates and semipermanent travelers, train recreation has go a measurement to afloat immerse themselves successful nan civilization of nan places they visit. From nan Machu Picchu way successful Peru to nan California Zephyr crossing nan United States, each travel offers a unsocial model into nan surrounding landscapes, section life, and history.

The Green Benefits of Train Travel

A caller study by Hitachi, a starring obstruction instrumentality manufacturer, highlights nan increasing liking successful obstruction travel. The study revealed that 31% of 11,000 world respondents are looking to trust much heavy connected obstruction successful nan future. This summation successful fame is driven by various factors, including nan biology benefits of trains, which connection a greener replacement to aerial and car travel. With nan European Union and different governments investing heavy successful obstruction infrastructure, sustainability has ne'er been much accessible to travelers.

Iconic Train Journeys Around nan World

From nan Ghan successful Australia, which traverses nan immense Outback, to nan Blue Train successful South Africa, which offers a luxury safari experience, train journeys let visitors to acquisition some nan beauty of nan scenery and nan convenience of comfortable travel. The Bernina Express, moving done nan Swiss Alps, is different must-see for train enthusiasts, offering panoramic views and luxury work successful 1 package.

For those looking to acquisition a spot of European glamour, nan Orient Express remains nan pinnacle of luxury train travel. Whether you’re readying a honeymoon aliases simply seeking an unforgettable experience, this legendary train offers comfort, history, and a touch of aristocracy connected each mile.

U.S. Train Travel: A Step Behind

Despite nan allure of world train routes, nan United States still lags successful position of high-speed obstruction infrastructure. Although location has been immoderate activity pinch nan allocation of national costs to amended Amtrak services, high-speed obstruction is still a distant dream. The California Zephyr, moving from Chicago to San Francisco, and nan Empire Builder, heading from Chicago to Seattle, are among nan astir scenic and historical U.S. train routes. However, Potter notes that for high-speed rail, nan existent U.S. infrastructure is simply not equipped to grip nan request for efficient, eco-friendly recreation connected nan standard of European aliases Asian countries.

Despite these challenges, location are still plentifulness of train experiences successful nan U.S. worthy taking. The Empire Builder, which travels done nan bluish states, is simply a beautiful way for some leisure travelers and business professionals seeking a slower, much scenic journey.

Short Train Journeys: Quick Escapes Close to Home

Not everyone has nan clip for a five-night travel done nan Australian Outback. Fortunately, short trips tin besides connection a rewarding experience. The Mount Washington Cog Railway successful New Hampshire, for example, takes visitors connected a historical way up nan famed mountain, offering breathtaking views of nan New England countryside. Similarly, nan Durango and Silverton Railroad successful Colorado offers a scenic way done nan Rocky Mountains, making it an fantabulous time travel for anyone visiting nan area. In California, nan Napa Valley Wine Train offers a time travel done nan picturesque vineyards, making it a cleanable blend of leisure and luxury for vino lovers.

Even successful Europe, short location train trips supply an fantabulous measurement to research areas successful depth. For instance, taking a location train on nan French Riviera tin move what is typically a elemental proscription way into a scenic and culturally enriching experience. For American travelers, European trains are a awesome measurement to research places they’ve ne'er encountered earlier successful their ain country.

Step-by-Step Guide for Train Travel

1. Plan your route: Check timetables and scheme your way successful advance. Websites for illustration Renfe (Spain) and Eurail connection easy-to-use schedules and way maps to thief pinch planning.
2. Book successful advance: While galore trains let for elastic booking, purchasing tickets early tin often prevention money and guarantee a spot during highest recreation periods.
3. Check nan amenities: Most long-haul trains, specified arsenic nan Glacier Express aliases Blue Train, connection sleeper cabins, eating cars, and study lounges. Be judge to cheque what’s disposable connected your route.
4. Pack appropriately: For overnight trips, beryllium judge to bring comfortable clothing, snacks, and entertainment. Many long-distance trains person fantabulous facilities, but it’s ever bully to travel prepared.
5. Keep sustainability successful mind: Train recreation is among nan astir sustainable forms of transport, truthful take it complete flying erstwhile possible, particularly for shorter routes aliases regions pinch well-developed obstruction systems.

Quick Tips for Train Travel

• Take advantage of discounts: Many obstruction companies connection typical deals for tourists, seniors, aliases young travelers. Check their websites for discounts aliases recreation passes.
• Pack light: Train compartments tin beryllium compact, truthful effort to battalion only what you need.
• Get comfortable: Bring a cervix pillow, blanket, and intermezo for longer trips.
• Observe your surroundings: Whether it’s a bustling position aliases a serene scenery extracurricular your window, beryllium judge to return successful nan scenery. Train journeys are an acquisition successful themselves.

Key Points for Travelers

• Train recreation provides scenic views and a much relaxed experience compared to flying aliases driving.
• The Glacier Express and Machu Picchu-Cusco way are among nan apical train journeys for travelers.
• Shorter trips, for illustration those connected nan Napa Valley Wine Train aliases Mount Washington Cog Railway, connection speedy escapes pinch beautiful landscapes.
• Despite nan U.S.’s lagging infrastructure, scenic routes for illustration nan Empire Builder and California Zephyr stay celebrated choices for home travel.
• For sustainable travel, trains are 1 of nan greenest proscription options available.