12 Of The World’s Most Luxurious Sleeper Trains

It’s the gold standard, the legendary and most widely known sleeper train in the world. And all the hype? It’s deserved.

This palace on wheels softly glides in a whirl of sophistication between Paris and Istanbul (they also do part legs, like London to Venice) and a trip on the train is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event, and it comes at a once-in-a-lifetime prices, too. But if your pockets are deep enough, consider it; after all, a five-day trip comes in at around the same as a private jet charter for the same trip, and I know which I’d rather…

The Eastern & Oriental Express takes guests through some of the most diverse and fascinating countries in the world. Join trains from Bangkok to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for two days of stunning scenery and equally impressive service.

Belmond are perennial purveyors of just-so perfection, so it comes as little surprise that the group responsible for luxury sleepers like the Andean Explorer, The Scotsman or the Orient Express would have an equally impressive rolling five-star in the Far East.

Originally envisioned at the turn of the last century as a means of traversing the continent of Africa from the Cape all the way to Cairo, the tracks may not have made it out of South Africa but the same epic vision is alive on The Blue Train.

The South African sleeper invokes the Empire-builders of old Africa, and the train’s heyday was the 1920s when it was widely described as a “Palace on Wheels”.

Revived 25 years ago, the modern incarnation of the Blue Train is equally splendid, bringing modern-day luxury to some of South Africa’s most beautiful railway routes.

Two of the world’s greatest romances, railway travel and the subcontinent collide (metaphorically) in The Maharajas’ Express.

Although seemingly harking back to a time gone by, The Maharajahs’ Express actually launched in 2010 to provide luxury rail travel throughout North West India.

As you’d expect, no expense is spared in providing guests with every possible amenity, from roll-top baths to a choice of two onboard restaurant cars. The lavish half-mile train, set over 14 carriages, takes in the sights of Rajasthan and generally runs from Bombay to Delhi or loops out of Delhi.

The Trans-Siberian Railway vies with the Hogwarts Express for the title of the world’s most famous railway. Slicing through the truly vast continent that is Russia, the route starts at Moscow in the West and ends on the Eastern coast at Vladivostok.

The Trans-Siberian Express, operated by Golden Eagle is the epitome of luxury, all cabins are en suite with the latest mod cons, which contrasts with the locomotive hauling the 20-car train the breadth of the world’s widest country, which is a beautiful steam train heightening the out-and-out romance of a route that travels over the Urals, the magnificent steppe and along the shore the world largest freshwater lake.

Named after the seven prefectures of Kyushu, the southern island of Japan which is often known as the ‘Gateway to Asia’, the Seven Stars is the perfect gateway to Japanese luxury culture.

With just twelve suites, each with its own bathroom and sitting room, travel aboard is a predictably intimate and special experience. Billing itself as a ‘cruise train’ Japan’s first luxury train emulates the grace of cruise liners, with fabulous food, a lounge and dining car offering panoramic views of the island’s active volcanoes, beaches and natural hot springs.

Launched in 1929 to connect the far-flung cities of Darwin and Adelaide, Australia’s weekly sleeper train, The Ghan is one of the truly great railway journeys and takes travellers deep into the heart of this great continent.

Traversing deserts and breathtaking sceneries, The Ghan is a unique way to enjoy Australia. With regular stops en route, Australia’s vastness is punctuated with sightseeing and excursions and, no doubt, kangaroos.

If your experience of British rail travel is a cold bacon butty and a polystyrene cup of milky PG Tips then think again. The Royal Scotsman is the epitome of all the best British luxury traditions, trains, dinners and old stuff. Each of the vintage Pullman carriages has been fully refitted to high modern standards; so high, indeed, that there are even two spa rooms in this luxury hotel on wheels.

The restaurant car menu is the best of Scottish cuisine and perfectly cooked for a fine dining experience, surrounded by the Edwardian splendour of the Royal Scotsman. All, of course, distractions from the main event: the stunningly beautiful Scottish scenery.

Travelling at a steady (if not heady) 37 mph through some of the world’s most stunning scenery, Rovos Rail bills itself as the most luxurious train in the world and it might well be right. Surrounded by wood panelling and waited upon hand-and-foot guests can soak up Southern Africa in style, from South Africa to Namibia and Tanzania.

Operating various routes and taking in some of the world’s most notable sites (including Victoria Falls) guests can relax, enjoying the luxury of their ensuite cabins (some feature Victorian-style bathtubs), or sink into sofas in the observation carriage waiting for the next meal, taken in the pre-1940s dining carriage.

Although not strictly a sleeper, the Rocky Mountaineer does deserve mention. With no cabins, the entire train is given over to fine dining and scenery-watching, while guests instead stay in stunning 5* hotels en route. The train carves through the Canadian Rockies allowing travellers the chance to view some of the most inaccessible sites on the planet, from the comfort of a luxury train.

As the mountains and canyons go by, sip on cocktails or indulge in the dining car on food specially made from locally sourced ingredients from the Pacific Northwest and cooked by a team of onboard chefs. Each night, guests stay in some of Canada’s most beautiful hotels, which are definitely, to borrow a ghastly but appropriate phrase imported from North America, ‘upscale’.

In a country that embraces technology and design so drastically, it should come as no surprise that the Skiki-Shima isn’t your ordinary sleeper. While other luxury trains focus on rekindling faded glories, the Shiki-Shima is ultra-modern, a magnificent ten-car double-decker modern palace, designed by Ferrari and Maserati industrial designer Ken Kiyoyuki Okuyama.

Throughout the train, no expense is spared, the suites include maisonette sitting rooms while the restaurant menu was devised by Katsuhiro Nakamura, Japan’s first Michelin-starred chef. The modern geometric patterns of the windows contrast with the calming traditional artisan-created interiors. Relax with a cocktail listening to the pianist in the piano bar and watch Japan sail by.

To South America, where the Andean Explorer glides from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, across the lofty Andean plains to the white city of Arequipa, all while you relax, dine and enjoy the view.

Take in the region’s spectacular highlights en route, including Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon from the Andean Explorer’s beautiful carriages, which used to operate in Australia as the Great South Pacific Express.

Now fully refitted, the opulent surroundings inside are nearly as impressive as out, while the muted palate oozes luxury inside and contrasts with the vibrant colours outside. The two restaurant cars serve local dishes created by chef Diego Muñoz.