There's something extra romantic about a train ride through some of the most beautiful places in the world. From the Glacier Express in Switzerland, showcasing the Swiss Alps, to the West Highland Railway in Scotland that Harry Potter fans are sure to recognize, there are plenty of train rides for the adventurous traveler.
Recently, Expedia rounded up eight of these train trips "to inspire and encourage people to experience journeys by train and see it as a part of the trip, rather than merely the transportation," spokesperson Kathrine Stakston tells A Plus. Stakston explains that the trips were hand-selected based on research on price-point and overall experience, resulting in budget-friendly railway options with spectacular views.
Click through the slideshow to see the complete list of these spectacular train trips.
8. Glacier Express — Switzerland
Embark on this 180 mile journey featuring 91 tunnels, 291 bridges, and 12 stops and stations along the way. Passengers will be able to see the Swiss Alps as well as green valleys on their way from Zermatt to St. Moritz.
7. The Flåm Railway — Norway
The track, which opened in 1941, takes passengers from the mountain station of Myrdal to the village of Flåm. Along the way, passengers can see snow-covered mountains, waterfalls, steep valleys, and more.
6. Cinque Terre Railway — Italy
This track, which opened in 1874, takes passengers on a ride from La Spezia to Genoa, passing through Cinque Terre's small towns: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore. Passengers can jump on and off and explore each stop as they please.
5. Hiram Bingham Orient Express — Peru
Travel from Cusco to Machu Picchu on the Peru Rail or the Belmond Hiram Bingham, with both taking passengers on a scenic journey through the Urubamba River Valley.
4. The Snowdonia Railway — Wales
This track, which opened in 1896, takes passengers through snowcapped mountains with the opportunity to catch some pretty stunning views. The train begins in the village of Snowdon, in the Snowdonia National Park, and moves up to the summit of Snowdon Mountain, the highest mountain in Wales.
3. The TranzAlpine Railway — New Zealand
Traveling from Christchurch to Greymouth, passengers will cross the south Island of New Zealand in 4.5 hours, looking out to farmland and the Waimakiriri River as well as the Southern Alps and native beech forest.
2. West Highway Railway — Scotland
Travel from Glasgow to Mallaig, passing through 33 stops along this railway line. Trains move along the Mallaig branch line, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, where, yes, Harry Potter was filmed.
1. Blue Coast Train — France
Passengers will travel from Miramas to Marseille along the cost of France, passing through 23 tunnels and over 18 viaducts. They'll catch beautiful views of the sea as well as rugged hills.
