Many travelers find a certain allure in train travel since it provides breathtaking vistas of rural areas that are inaccessible by car. Explore the world’s longest train rides, such as the vast Trans Siberian Railway system, with our in-depth guide.
With a length of over 9,000 km, the Trans Siberian Railway network is the world’s longest rail journey, passing through stunning Russian sites including Lake Baikal and the Ural Mountains. The Beijing-Moscow Railway follows this path and provides interested travelers with a seven-day journey. While some routes have several trains, others, such as the world’s most opulent train, Palace on Wheels, cover particular routes across Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh in India with an emphasis on the nation’s historical sites.
The travel frequently ends up being the most memorable aspect of the trip, whether you are enjoying the opulent amenities or gazing out of the train’s windows at stunning scenery on the longest train rides in the world.
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6. The Maharajas’ Express
Take the Maharajas’ Express and set out on a regal expedition through the breathtaking state of Rajasthan, India. Over the course of seven days, this opulent train travels 3,285 kilometers while displaying colorful cultural treasures, impressive forts, and princely kingdoms as one of the longest train rides. Savor fine dining influenced by local flavors, travel in luxurious carriages from the colonial era, and take part in unique tours to famous locations like the Taj Mahal and Amber Fort. There is a condensed version of the train that operates for four days and three nights.
As per Tour My India, “The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) launched Maharajas’ Express, India’s premier luxury train, in March 2010.” The train carried 86 people when it made its first run. Numerous honors have been given to it over the years.”
Discover the pinnacle of extravagance and splendor aboard the Maharajas’ Express, which offers four meticulously planned heritage-themed voyages that span a variety of locations and lengths throughout India, including Jodhpur, Ranthambore, Agra, Khajuraho, and Varanasi. These six- to seven-day trips, which highlight India’s rich cultural tapestry, range from The Heritage of India and The Indian Splendour to The Indian Panorama and Treasures of India. The other train travels span durations ranging from 860 km to 2,724 km, with The Heritage of India being one of the longest train rides in the world at 2,771 km.
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5. The Indian Pacific
Take The Indian Pacific for an amazing transcontinental voyage over Perth, Adelaide, and Sydney, connecting the Indian and Pacific oceans. This experience, which offers three specially designed journeys to suit varying tastes, includes amazing off-train activities including a trip to the Blue Mountains, brunch at Adelaide Central Market, and a visit to the Barossa Valley alongside one of the longest train rides.
In Australia, another well-known train trip is the Indian Pacific. Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales are the three states covered in the four days and three nights of travel. You will pass through the Blue Mountains, the Nullarbor Plain, and the Outback on your journey.
The Indian Pacific travels from Perth to Sydney, covering a distance of four days and three nights. Adelaide, Cook’s abandoned town, and Broken Hill—a former mining town turned artist colony—are among the places it stops on one of the longest train rides. Views of the Australian outback and the Blue Mountains’ forests and waterfalls are available from your comfortable seat; in the meantime, tourists traveling east can now enjoy new off-train adventures.
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4. The Ghan
One of Australia’s most famous rail trips and one of the longest train rides is the Ghan. Three states are covered on the three-day, two-night trip: South Australia, Northern Territory, and Western Australia. The MacDonnell Ranges, the Nullarbor Plain, and the Outback will all be seen as you go.
The Ghan train, named for the Afghan cameleers who were instrumental in building the outback’s infrastructure, travels throughout Australia’s enormous landscapes, including verdant hills and pastures, on its route from Adelaide to Darwin, stopping at well-known locations including Alice Springs and Katherine. This wonderful three- to four-day trip offers delicious onboard dining experiences in addition to off-train adventures as one of the longest train rides. A highlight is a picturesque cruise through Katherine Gorge in Nitmiluk National Park, which offers amazing views of the surrounding landscape.
3. California Zephyr
The longest journey in the United States is from Chicago to San Francisco, which takes slightly longer than two days each way. It travels 2,438 miles following the pioneers’ trail, passing through the Sierra Nevadas, Colorado’s Western Slope gorges, and the Rockies. If you’re willing to give up the natural world for neon, you can also end the ride at Reno on one of the longest train rides.
In addition to being one of the longest train rides, the California Zephyr passes through some of the most breathtaking locations, including Chicago, Omaha, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Emeryville (San Francisco). Rocky Mountains, Sierra Nevadas, Moffat Tunnel, Colorado’s Gore, Byers, and Glenwood Canyons, Winter Park, Truckee River, Donner Lake, San Pablo Bay, and the Carquinez Strait are some of the breathtaking train ride’s highlights. The facilities and accommodations change according on which Amtrak train is selected for this particular itinerary.
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2. Beijing-Moscow Railway
The second-longest and most picturesque railway line in the world is the Beijing-Moscow Railway. Four nations are covered in the six days and five nights of travel: China, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. You will pass by the Great Wall of China, the Altai Mountains, and the Gobi Desert. “Such a journey covers three countries, Russia, Mongolia, and China, and provides a chance for the in-depth exploration of three great nations,” reads the Trans-Siberian Express website, advertising the longest train rides. Such a train journey often takes 20–23 days, or longer than three weeks.
There are two routes available for the Beijing to Moscow train trip: one departs from Manchuria and joins the Trans-Siberian Railway in Chita, while the other route goes through Mongolia. On this route, two trains run: 003/004 and 019/020 (Russia). The trip through Mongolia is roughly 7,622 kilometers shorter. This intriguing six-day train trip, which links two nations, promises one of the longest train rides as it passes through a variety of environments, including grasslands, deserts, and lakes, including the Gobi Desert and Lake Baikal.
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1. The Trans-Siberian Express – Longest Train Rides
A train trip that begins in Moscow and ends more than six days later in Vladivostok is the stuff of legends—the longest train rides in the world, and it’s only getting longer. The scenery continuously shifts as the train travels through multiple time zones, passing through the Ural Mountains, Lake Baikal, and all the desired steppes in between. Trains run every other day.
The trains on this route travel through the breathtaking Ural Mountains, the tranquil rivers Ob and Yenisey, Lake Baikal, Russia’s border with Mongolia, Khabarovsk on the Amur River, and, at last, Vladivostok. On this network, three trains with rather different routes run: the Trans-Siberian Train, the Trans-Mongolian Train, and the Trans-Manchurian Train.
