Have you ever dreamed of travelling the world by train?
Or how about discovering the most magical train journeys around the world?
I remember watching White Christmas as a kid and seeing them travel by train all the way up to the fictional town of Pine Tree, Vermont.
It had me hooked on the concept or train travel! Growing up in the states, this is simply not the way any of us would ever travel.
Now as a full time travelling adult, I am grateful to fulfil the dreams of younger me by getting to travel on some of the absolutely amazing, most magical train journeys around the world.
I have so many wonderful train journeys on my list and I cannot wait to explore and adventure to as many as I can.
The criteria for a magical train journey includes: incredible scenery, destinations and a once in a lifetime onboard experience.
As I make my way around the world finding the best and most magical train journeys, I’ll continue to add to this list, but for now, read on for some of my favourites.
Most magical train journeys around the world
The Glacier Express train journey through the snowy Swiss mountains
St. Moritz to Zermatt, Switzerland
The Glacier Express in Switzerland is a serious bucket list travel moment… and so was buying the most expensive train journey tickets of my life.
As a massive fan of winter and all things that remind me of real life Narnia or Hogwarts, it should come as no surprise that booking what is easily described as a magical wonderland journey through the Swiss mountains.
Well, seats in the Excellence Class on the Glacier Express is right up there in my top “must-do” things in my lifetime.
Excellence Class seats on the train guarantee a window seat and stunning panoramic views.
You will be travelling over 291 bridges and through 91 tunnels between St. Moritz and Zermatt and having a window seat to witness it all is imperative. Of course, a seven course meal including wine with each course doesn’t hurt either.
So our grand total for two tickets from Chur to Brig in Excellence Class was CHF 884.00 or £720.
I won’t pretend this isn’t an expensive experience. But that’s why they call it bucket list travel, after all? It’s an entire experience and it’s a treat.
Something you wouldn’t do every time you go somewhere, but something very special that I will always remember.
And don’t forget, Excellence Class is not the only option. There are several difference carriages along the Glacier Express, so you can still journey along for slightly cheaper ticket prices.
It is still an expensive journey either way, so we decided to splurge with our tickets on this occasion.
You can learn all about how to book The Glacier Express train in my detailed blog post here.
The famous Hogwarts Express train journey
The Jacobite Steam Train, Scottish Highlands, Scotland
Did you know that you can actually buy tickets and ride on the Hogwarts Express in real life?
So it’s not exactly called The Hogwarts Express in the real world.
Located in the Scottish Highlands, in Fort William, there is a train line called West Coast Railways who run an old school train service featuring “The Jacobite” steam train.
In fact, the Harry Potter movies filmed using The Jacobite steam train as the Hogwarts Express!
And along the journey, you will even pass other famous Harry Potter film locations, like the famous “bridge” the Glenfinnan Viaduct as well as Loch Eilt which is the final resting place for Albus Dumbledore.
I would recommend buying the Standard seats. Standard seats on The Jacobite cost roughly £50 per ticket (this is what we had for our journey.
They also offer First Class Tickets (£72 per ticket) and even those with a private table which are £180 (total for two tickets).
Lastly, you can book out the Compartments which are very Harry Potter-esque train compartments that you can book out entirely. Think what you see in the first few films when they board the train, those private sliding door style compartments.
But truthfully, all of the carriages feel just like you’re stepping straight onto The Hogwarts Express!
So I think it’s best to go for the cheaper option. It’s not like Harry, Ron and Hermione were travelling to Hogwarts in First Class after all.
You can learn all about how to book The Jacobite Steam Train in my detailed blog post here.
An overnight sleeper train on the Caledonian Sleeper
London Euston to Scotland
My very first experience on an overnight train! The novelty of doing this is so beyond incredible. I cannot recommend this experience enough for those after unique travel journeys.
From London Euston to Fort William, the Caledonian Sleeper is an overnight train that takes you on an adventure up through the United Kingdom.
I had the pleasure of working with the Caledonian Sleeper on a journey from London to the Scottish Highlands.
We boarded the Caledonian Sleeper and found our Club Twin room. The rooms are cosy! The beds are also ridiculously comfortable which is worth nothing for your comfort.
The train journey up to Fort William takes 13 hours.
However, there are also many stops along the way or routes that are available to take. You could get the train from London to Edinburgh, Inverness, Fort William, Glasgow, or Aberdeen.
Throughout the journey depending on you room, you will also have access to the club car. This is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal and watch the world go by.
Pro tip? Book your travel for the summertime! Because it’s light so late out during peak summer months, you can see so much more of the scenery.
The Scottish Highlands are absolutely breathtaking. My advice would be to wake up early and take the sight in with coffee and breakfast in the club car. We booked our breakfast very early so we could soak it all in.
Happy train travels everyone!
Until next time, with another train journey adventure to be had and another destination to explore…
Kelly xoxo
