Train Journeys That Rival Flights for Scenery: A Complete Guide

Flying's all well and good, but you're stuck staring at clouds for most of it, aren't you? Trains are different. Proper different.

I've done my fair share of flights over the years - cramped seats, tiny windows, and views of nothing but sky. But the first time I took a scenic train route? Game-changer doesn't even cover it.

Why Trains Beat Planes for Views

Simple really - trains hug the ground. You're not 30,000 feet up looking down at ant-sized everything. You're right there in the landscape, watching it unfold like a massive moving painting.

The windows are massive too. None of this squinting through airplane portholes. Most scenic routes have panoramic carriages where you can actually see what's happening.

Plus you can wander about. Fancy a coffee? Off you go. Need the loo? No waiting for the seatbelt sign. Want to chat to other passengers about that incredible view? Go for it.

And here's the kicker - trains often go places planes can't. Through valleys, alongside rivers, past tiny villages that most tourists never see. It's like getting the VIP tour of a country's best bits.

Routes That'll Blow Your Mind

The Glacier Express, Switzerland

This one's mental in the best possible way. They call it the "slowest express train in the world" and they're not wrong. Eight hours to cover what you could drive in three. But that's the point.

Also Read: The Hidden Costs of Skipping Airport Parking Pre-Booking.

291 bridges, 91 tunnels, and the Swiss Alps doing their thing outside your window the whole time. The panoramic carriages mean you're basically in a moving glass box surrounded by some of the most ridiculous scenery on the planet.

The West Highland Line, Scotland

Runs from Glasgow to Mallaig and it's stunning. Proper Scottish Highlands drama - lochs, moorlands, and that famous viaduct from the Harry Potter films.

Did this one in autumn once. The colours were absolutely mental. All those Highland peaks reflected in still lochs, mist rolling through valleys. Beats any flight over Scotland, hands down.

The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada

Now this is how you do luxury rail travel. Glass-domed carriages, proper meals, and the Canadian Rockies putting on a show outside.

Turquoise lakes that look like they've been Photoshopped. Dense forests stretching forever. Mountains so big they make you feel tiny in the best possible way.

Also Read: Volcanic Beaches: 10 Unique Black Sand Spots Worth Visiting.

The Flam Railway, Norway

Only takes an hour but what an hour. This little train climbs through Norwegian fjord country like it's showing off.

Waterfalls everywhere, cliffs that drop straight into deep blue water, and gradients so steep you wonder how the train doesn't slide backwards. Short but absolutely sweet.

Japan's Shinkansen (Cherry Blossom Routes)

Everyone knows bullet trains are fast, but some routes are gorgeous too. Especially in spring when the cherry blossoms are out.

Racing through the countryside at 200mph with Mount Fuji in the distance and pink trees lining the tracks? That's a commute I could get used to.

Sorting the Boring Travel Bits

Right, before you even get to the fun train part, you've got to handle the logistics. If you're flying somewhere to catch your scenic train, don't mess about with airport stress.

For Gatwick departures, book your parking way ahead. I learned this lesson the hard way - driving around car parks at dawn is not relaxing. These days I always use meet and greet at Gatwick services. Drive up, hand over keys, walk to check-in. Done.

Cheap airport parking deals are everywhere if you look. Takes five minutes to compare options online and saves you proper money. Plus knowing your car's sorted means you can actually enjoy the anticipation instead of worrying about logistics.

Getting It Right

Pick Your Season

Scenery changes massively through the year. Swiss Alps in winter? Snow-covered fairytale. Scottish Highlands in autumn? All those incredible colours. Do your homework.

Book the Good Seats

Panoramic cars cost more but they're worth every penny. Regular seats are fine, but those massive windows make all the difference.

Travel Off-Peak

Fewer crowds mean better photo opportunities and more space to enjoy the views. Plus it's usually cheaper.

Pack Smart

Comfortable clothes, decent camera, maybe a thermos of coffee. Phone charger too - you'll be taking loads of photos. Snacks are good for longer journeys, though most scenic routes have decent food.

Why It Actually Matters

There's something therapeutic about train travel that flights just can't match. Maybe it's the gentle rocking motion, maybe it's watching landscapes change gradually instead of suddenly appearing below clouds.

Whatever it is, I always get off scenic trains feeling more relaxed than when I got on. It's like moving meditation with incredible views thrown in.

Flying gets you there fast, but trains let you experience the journey. There's anticipation as the scenery builds up to the good bits. You feel connected to the places you're passing through instead of just flying over them.

Making It Happen

Combining trains with flights can work brilliantly. Fly somewhere quickly, then take your time exploring by rail. Best of both worlds.

The key is sorting everything in advance. Book those meet and greet parking services, compare airport deals, and give yourself time to actually enjoy the experience instead of rushing about.

The Real Deal

Look, planes will always be faster. But if you've got time and want to see something special, trains are unbeatable for scenery.

Whether it's alpine peaks, Highland lochs, or Norwegian fjords, these routes offer views that stick with you long after you're home. The journey becomes part of the holiday instead of just the bit you endure to get there.

Also Read: How to Actually Enjoy Getting to the Airport.

Next time you're planning a trip, consider the slow option. Your Instagram feed will thank you, and more importantly, you'll actually remember the journey for all the right reasons. Sometimes the best way to travel is the one that reminds you why you're travelling in the first place.