Why Travelling the World by Train is One of the Best Decisions You’ll Make This 2019

Looking for a trip that will allow you to embrace the slow tourism trend whilst soaking up the sights? Hayes & Jarvis have created a new tool to highlight some of the most iconic rail routes around the world. Covering each continent, you can explore a number of trips ranging from five to up to twenty-three days. View the piece for yourself here.

The World’s Greatest Rail Journeys

Often when people think about travelling the world, they think of planes or road trips – but one forgotten way of seeing the world is by train. By avoiding the hustle and bustle of a crowded airport, hopping onboard a train means you can sit back and watch some of the world’s wonders from the comfort of your carriage. 

Uncovering over 15 different rail routes in six different continents, here are some of the destinations featured on the list:

Spain & Morocco: Explore the beauty of Spain and Morocco in this trip, covering nearly 2,000 kilometres, you’ll see iconic sites such as the Sagrada Familia, Las Ramblas, the Moroccan Tangiers, and the breathtaking Atlas Mountains. Crossing the continents will take you just under two weeks to complete, as you uncover the stunning architecture of Moorish Spain and Morocco’s colorful and enchanting culture.

Japan: One of the most fascinating countries in the world, travel from Tokyo to Osaka on this epic rail trip. You’ll be onboard Japan’s renowned Shinkansen trains, also known as ‘Bullet Trains’, for their speed and on-time performance. Taking 13 days, you’ll see how tradition and innovation collide in Japan’s capital city of Tokyo, whilst discovering its history in Hiroshima. 

South Africa: Being one of the most versatile destinations on Earth, there’s something for everyone in South Africa to enjoy. With various stop-offs throughout your journey, you can spot the ‘Big Five’ in Kruger National Park on a game drive, or cableway up to Table Mountain. You’ll cover over 2,000 kilometres in this 12-day trip, whilst travelling from Kruger down to Cape Town.

Canada: The second largest country in the world, exploring Canada by train is one of the fastest ways to explore its majestic forestland. Taking 15 days to complete, and covering over 5,000 kilometres, this rail trip takes you from the western city of Vancouver to Toronto in the east. You’ll see natural wonders, from the Canadian Rockies to Emerald Lake, and then finally completing your trip with views of Niagara Falls.

Peru: Hop aboard a Titicaca train to explore the heritage of Peru and see one of the New Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. This two-week rail trip will take you from the vibrant capital city of Lima, all the way to the sacred village of Ollantaytambo, an Inca archaeological site.

Australia: No traveller’s dream is complete without a trip down under. Being one of the longest routes on the list, it takes 23 days to complete this 6,400km trip. From the Great Barrier Reef to Sydney’s Opera House, this is one of the most exciting adventures you’ll take. 

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