Is there a more charming way to witness the wonders of the world while travelling than from a train window? Unlike the cramped confines of economy class on a plane, or the stuffy backseats of a bus, railway travel combines first-class service with unbeatable views – all of which you can take in at a leisurely pace. Considering that, it makes complete sense that a luxury Australian train ride has just been ranked among the world’s best.
Easily the most iconic overnight train in Australia, The Ghan, not only cracked the top ten, but was named the third most popular and talked-about luxury train ride globally. To determine the rankings, Japan Rail Pass – aka the top dogs of train travel – analysed the world’s greatest trains on several factors, including Tripadvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags and global search volumes.
The Ghan ranked third with a total indexed score of 8.35 out of ten, tallying an average of 4.4 in Tripadvisor reviews, more than 12,500 Instagram hashtags and more than 22,200 average monthly searches. Given that the legacy locomotive has been hosting unforgettable (and extremely Instagrammable) train journeys for 95 years, we think it’s fully deserving of a podium position on the list.
‘The Ghan Expedition,’ a four-day all-inclusive trip running from Adelaide to Darwin, is the train’s signature line, but they also offer shorter and slightly more affordable trips to Alice Springs. On board, passengers can unwind with a glass of chilled Aussie wine, while tucking into crocodile sausages and taking in the vast landscapes of Australia’s rugged red outback. If you can pull yourself away from the top-notch service, upgrades including scenic helicopter flights and camel rides can be added to your trip, while other experiences like gorge cruises and cycling tours are included in your fare. Chug-ching!
Here are the 10 best luxury train rides in the world:
- Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
- GoldenPass Express, Switzerland
- The Ghan, Australia
- Rovos Rail, South Africa
- Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
- The Blue Train, South Africa
- Venice Simplon Orient Express, England
- British Pullman, England
- The Royal Scotsman, Scotland
- Maharajas’ Express, India
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