Step Into the Golden Age of Luxury Train Travel

From the new Britannic Explorer to the legendary Orient Express, slow journeys are back — blending timeless glamour with modern sustainability.

In July, Belmond launched the Britannic Explorer - the first ever luxury sleeper train connecting London to Wales. It seems a new Golden Age of train travel is dawning this Autumn, with more and more discerning travellers choosing sleeper trains — even over private jets. But why is this? And where can you climb aboard this latest luxury travel trend?

Railroads and the Return of Retro Glamour

There is something seductively alluring about the vintage layout of many luxury trains — a retro, old-school glamour no modern aircraft can hope to match.

Inside the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which offers overnight journeys from Paris to Venice, are historic 1920s and 30s cabins with plush velvet seats, hemispherical lamps that create cinematic lighting and art deco black and gold geometric designs. There is even a saloon-style bar car where travel becomes time travel. Live piano music is available all night, recalling a bygone era when long journeys meant dance, song, cocktails and chance encounters.

Belmond Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Japan’s coveted Seven Stars Kyushu — so exclusive that tickets are only allocated by lottery — offers an extended bar service in its gorgeous fretwork-panelled Blue Moon Lounge. The deluxe suites on this luxury sleeper train have a belle époque quality, with the added bonus of panoramic private viewing windows.

Seven Stars Kyushu

The stunning interiors of the new Britannic Explorer were designed in a collaboration between visual artist Luke Edward Hall and the Albion Nord studio in London. Creamy neutrals and flower details give the dining cars a fresh, contemporary feel, while statement lampshades are a nostalgic nod to the 1920s.

Charles Dickens once observed that train travel slows down time. ‘I can't read, I can't think’, he wrote: ‘ — I can only dream’. These spacious cabins make the process of travelling — the journey not just the destination - a luxury experience. Travelling in a carriage as indulgent as this one makes every second an oneiric, beautiful, dreamlike moment of escapism.

Slow Travel in Sustainable Style

Slow travel is more than self-indulgence, however. It is also a more sustainable, climate-conscious option than flying. In fact, many countries are deliberately reintroducing sleeper trains (which were previously going out of fashion) in order to provide bon vivants with a greener alternative.

This is because train journeys almost always have lower carbon emissions than a flight, often by considerable margins. By choosing upscale trains over luxury planes, you’re choosing to travel mindfully in two senses: mindful of precious time, but also mindful of the environment.

There is often a misconception, however, that train travel always takes significantly longer than flying. While there is certainly a big difference over very long distances, environmentalist Mark Smith reminds us that: “you could have breakfast in London, lunch in Paris and dinner in Milan.”

And it is not just in Europe that sustainable travel is a priority. Golden Eagle’s Vietnam Express is an especially environmentally-aware choice with a wholesale commitment to sustainability, opting for elegant glassware over disposable materials, refillable containers for their luxury bath products and a pledge to give back to the communities they visit.

Golden Eagle Vietnam Express

A Voyage With Views

‘To travel by train,’ wrote the novelist Agatha Christie: “is to see nature and human beings, towns and churches and rivers, in fact, to see life.” Another advantage of the luxury locomotive is that it allows you to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the natural landscapes and vibrant cityscapes passing outside your window.

For example, Belmond Royal Scotsman permits its passengers to look out at the wild splendour of the Scottish Highlands from inside its wood-panelled carriages.

South Africa’s Rovos Rail offers a route that begins in Pretoria and sojourns past the magnificent Zambezi river, with unforgettable vistas of Victoria Falls.

Rovos Rail Safari

Switzerland’s Glacier Express is an eight-hour, decadently slow adventure, passing the snow-covered Swiss Alps, the glittering Rhine Gorge and luscious green forests. For winter travellers, this is a truly magical, wondrous delight.

Photo Credit: Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld/ Getty Images

‘Bottled Poetry’: Fine Wines and Delectable Dining

The delights of luxury trains are not only outside the window, however, but within.

The Napa Valley Wine Train in California is a spectacular wine-tasting experience as well as a tour of the region’s expansive vineyards. Expert chefs craft bespoke, made-to-order gourmet meals onboard using premium local ingredients. Not only that, but Napa’s sumptuous, seasonally curated menus showcase the best of its self-proclaimed ‘bottled poetry’ — from chardonnay to cabernet sauvignon.

The UK’s Northern Belle , named after the historic Brighton Belle, offers a seven-course Christmas lunch, making it the perfect choice for the festive season.

Even at other times of year, their luxurious train journeys include a champagne reception, with Sommelier’s choice wine served onboard. The Northern Belle's à la carte cuisine is similarly impressive, ranging from Royal Siberian caviar and lavish port and cheese boards to high-end afternoon teas with a complimentary bottle of Laurent-Perrier for every couple.

Northern Belle

A Ticket to Timeless Travel

From opulent interiors to exquisite cuisines, luxury trains are redefining how we see travel. Where quick flights treat time as disposable, rail journeys invite us to slow down, savour landscapes, and relish the journey itself.

This isn’t just transport — it’s theatre, fine dining, and a moving five-star hotel rolled into one. Whether you’re sipping champagne in a velvet-lined carriage or gazing at the Alps from a panoramic suite, this Golden Age of train travel blends retro glamour with sustainable modern luxury.

So if the chance arises this Autumn, take your ticket to timeless travel. Trust me — you won’t want to miss the ride.

Ready to book your journey? Discover luxury travel options here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Luxury Train Travel

1. What is the most luxurious train in 2025?
The legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is often considered the most luxurious, with restored 1920s cabins, fine dining, and world-class service. However, the brand-new Britannic Explorer is fast becoming a contender, offering a modern take on classic glamour.

2. Are luxury sleeper trains sustainable?
Yes. Compared with flying, trains typically have far lower carbon emissions. Many luxury rail operators, such as the Golden Eagle Vietnam Express, have introduced eco-friendly measures like reusable containers, local sourcing, and reduced waste to make journeys more sustainable.

3. How much does a luxury train journey cost?
Prices vary depending on route and service level. A short UK trip on the Northern Belle might start at around £300 per person, while an overnight journey on the Orient Express can easily cost several thousand pounds.

4. Which luxury trains operate in the UK?
The UK is home to several iconic trains, including the Northern Belle and Belmond’s Royal Scotsman. The latest addition in 2025, the Britannic Explorer, connects London to Wales, bringing a new chapter to British luxury rail travel.