Train Travel: The World's Most Beautiful Routes

September 2025 marked 200 years since the first passenger train service in England. Since then, trains have become an integral part of world history and culture. Today, they are not only a means of transportation, but also a way to discover the beauty of nature, learn about traditions, and experience the spirit of the past. In honor of the anniversary, the publication with the BBC has collected the most picturesque and iconic routes in the world - from Spain and Portugal to Japan, Mexico and the Gulf Coast.

On September 27, 1825, journalists and spectators from all over England gathered in the town of Darlington. There, they witnessed a new milestone in the history of transport. That day, hundreds of passengers boarded 20 carriages pulled along the Stockton-Darlington line by the steam locomotive Locomotion. a train It covered a distance of 40 km – a short journey and became the first public passenger train in history, marking the beginning of the modern railway.

Two hundred years later, trains still travel the world. They operate both leisurely routes and modern high-speed lines. Although air travel became more popular than trains in the 1950s and 1960s, the railway still evokes a sense of nostalgia and wonder. Train remains one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel.

Spain: British line through 'bandit lands'

Mr. Henderson's Railway is a Victorian legacy that winds through the Andalusian landscape. Its origins are linked to a fascinating period in British and Spanish history.

On the subject: New York will launch direct flights to two popular European islands that were previously difficult to reach.

The route was named after British financier Alexander Henderson. In 1892, he financed the construction of a railway to connect British Gibraltar with the rest of Spain.

Previous attempts to connect the port of Algeciras with central Andalusia failed. The forests and mountains, once home to bandits, were the reason. Today, the train passes through remote mountainous areas and makes stops at natural landmarks, including the 100-meter-deep Vultures Canyon.

India: Slow Train Through the Eastern Ghats

The Visakhapatnam Kirandul Passenger Special is a four-hour journey through the Eastern Ghats. The train travels slowly through 58 tunnels. Each tunnel is accompanied by the joyful shouts of passengers.

The road winds through misty mountains and oak forests. The route's final destination is the town of Araku, where tourists can experience the local coffee industry.

Central Europe: New route with transfers

Baltic Express is a new line that allows travellers to explore Central Europe.

The route begins in Prague and winds through pine and oak forests to the Polish coastal city of Gdynia. The eight-hour journey offers the opportunity to see little-known sites in the region.

Among them are the Czech city of Pardubice, with its pastel-colored houses and colorful spires, and Poznan, Poland. Poznan is a cultural capital with a historic square reminiscent of a scene from a Disney film.

Japan: Traveling at 321 km/h

The Shinkansen, known as the "bullet," celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2024. It reaches speeds of 321 km/h. It was the world's first high-speed railway.

The Shinkansen is renowned not only for its speed but also for its punctuality. It has had a huge impact on travel in Japan. Today, there are nine Shinkansen routes.

The newest of these is the Hokuriku Shinkansen, also known as the New Golden Route. The train connects Tokyo and Tsurugi.

Mexico: Visiting Tequila

Tequila tourism is growing in popularity in Mexico. The Tequila Express train offers the opportunity to learn more about this drink and see the agave fields of Jalisco.

The trip lasts two hours. It begins in Guadalajara and ends in the city of Tequila, where the drink is believed to have originated.

A nostalgic trip through Portugal

The historic Vouga train winds through the hills of the Vouga Valley, pulled by a 1964 Basque Railway diesel locomotive. It is the only remaining narrow-gauge railway in the country.

The wooden carriages are painted bright colors—red, dark green, and blue. The interior is light green, with varnished wooden seats. There are open areas where passengers can get some fresh air during the six-hour journey.

The train operates only in the summer, making stops in several cities. In Maxinhata do Vouga, passengers are greeted by a folk ensemble of 10 musicians in traditional costumes. In Águeda, you can see street art, installations, and performances.

The only electric mountain railway in the British Isles

The Snaefell Mountain Railway rises above the Irish Sea and passes through the mountains of the Isle of Man. It is the only electric mountain railway in the British Isles.

Together with the Manx Electric Railway, it played a significant role in the development of tourism. The first line opened in 1893.

Many features of the Victorian era remain to this day: wooden interiors, glass vestibules and mirrored panels.

Scotland's most remote journey

The Far North Line railway connects Inverness and Thurso. The journey takes four hours and covers 270 km.

The route passes through Flow Country, the world's largest undisturbed peatland system.

It is the only such area included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Beauty of the Gulf Coast and the Return of the Mardi Gras Train

On August 18, 2025, Amtrak resumed service along the Gulf Coast line. The service was named the Mardi Gras Service.

Twenty years have passed since Hurricane Katrina devastated the region. Now the train is back on the road.

The route passes through coastal marshes, beaches, and vibrant towns. It connects famous cities in the southern US, including Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans, Louisiana.