Some of the best travel money you’ll ever spend is a train ticket — not because trains are faster than planes, but because the window is the whole point. On a handful of routes across the world, the landscape outside is extraordinary enough that the journey becomes the destination. The four rides below are the ones worth planning a trip around: each has a genuine engineering backstory, a distinct character, and practical details that most travel round-ups leave out.
Here is what to expect from each route, which side of the train to sit on, how to book, and what it actually costs.
1. TranzAlpine — New Zealand
Route: Christchurch → Greymouth, South Island
Distance: 139 miles (223 km)
Duration: 4 hours 30 minutes
Operator: Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail)
The TranzAlpine crosses the entire width of New Zealand’s South Island in a single morning — from the flat Canterbury Plains on the east coast to the rain-soaked western edge of the Tasman Sea. Few train journeys in the world swap climates so dramatically, and even fewer pass through civil engineering that took four decades to complete.
The route, section by section
The train departs Christchurch at 8:15 AM and rolls west across the Canterbury Plains for the first hour. The Southern Alps grow steadily on the horizon until, just past Springfield, the track swings north into the Waimakariri River gorge. The aqua-blue river appears and disappears from view several times as the train climbs the gorge walls. Engineers in the 1880s realised these pre-cut river channels were the only viable route through the mountains — but even so, a 13-mile (21 km) section required 15 tunnels and four major viaducts hacked out of terrain that a government engineer of the era described as having a river that “runs in a fearful gorge all the way.”
The most dramatic of those viaducts is the Staircase Viaduct, which carries the tracks 73 metres (240 feet) above the Otarama Stream, wedged between two tunnels. Have your camera ready — it passes in seconds.
At Arthur’s Pass — the route’s highest point at 920 metres (3,018 feet) — there is a brief platform stop. From here, the train descends into the Otira Tunnel: 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) long, requiring around 15 minutes to pass through. When it was completed in 1923 after nearly 20 years of construction, it was the longest railway tunnel outside the European Alps. The workers drilled from both ends simultaneously and met in the middle with their alignment off by less than 2 centimetres.
Crossing the tunnel also crosses a weather system. The Southern Alps block prevailing westerly winds, making the west coast noticeably wetter and greener. Vegetation thickens after Otira. The train passes through beech forest and river valleys, past Lake Brunner (Moana Kōtuku) — the largest lake on the west coast — before pulling into Greymouth at approximately 12:45 PM.
Booking and what to pay
Book through the Great Journeys NZ website. Scenic Class costs approximately NZ$219 (around £100 / US$130) one-way. Scenic Plus Class — which adds a freshly cooked meal served at your seat and a dedicated open-air carriage — is priced higher and worth considering for the alpine section of the journey.
The train runs daily in peak season (December–February). It reduces to four days per week (Fridays–Mondays) during the quietest winter months. Book well ahead during New Zealand school holidays.
Which side, and a word about the open-air car
Travelling west from Christchurch, sit on the right-hand side for the Waimakariri gorge and Staircase Viaduct views. Seats are not allocated at booking but assigned by the train manager before departure. Call KiwiRail with your booking reference the day before to make a seating request.
The open-air viewing carriage delivers unobstructed views and far better photographs than shooting through glass. Practical note: it is also cold, windy, and coated in a light film of diesel soot during longer spells. Bring a layer you don’t mind ruining.
The Arthur’s Pass stopover
Passengers can disembark at Arthur’s Pass Village — a small settlement that serves as the gateway to Arthur’s Pass National Park — spend a few hours hiking, and catch the return train to Christchurch. The track to Devil’s Punchbowl Falls (about 1 hour round trip, 1.9 km / 1.2 miles) is the most popular option. Arthur’s Pass is roughly 2.5 hours from Christchurch by train.
2. El Chepe Express — Copper Canyon, Mexico
Route: Los Mochis (Sinaloa) → Creel (Chihuahua)
Distance: 220 miles (354 km) — Chepe Express route
Duration: approximately 9 hours
Operator: Chepe Express (Ferromex)
The Copper Canyon is not a single canyon. Barrancas del Cobre is a system of six interconnected gorges in the Sierra Madre Occidental of northwest Mexico — collectively four times larger in volume than the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and at its deepest point descending over 1,870 metres (6,135 feet) into the earth. Almost none of it is reachable by road. The only way through its heart is this train.
63 years to build
Construction began in 1898. The project was interrupted by the Mexican Revolution, chronically underfunded, and repeatedly declared unfeasible by engineers confronted with the terrain. When the line finally opened in 1961, it had taken 63 years and approximately US$90 million. The finished railway required 86 tunnels and 39 bridges, some cantilevered directly over canyon walls with sheer drops of hundreds of metres below the tracks. The route climbs from near sea level at Los Mochis to nearly 2,400 metres (7,874 feet) above sea level in the Sierra Tarahumara — an elevation gain comparable to ascending from the English coast to the summit of Ben Nevis and back, entirely by rail.
The Rarámuri — more than a backdrop
The Sierra Tarahumara is named for the Rarámuri (also known as Tarahumara — a name given to them by Spanish colonists in the 16th century who pushed their ancestors into the canyon’s most remote reaches). The Rarámuri, whose name translates roughly as “runners on foot,” have lived in Chihuahua for nearly 2,000 years. Their reputation for extraordinary long-distance running is well-documented, but it is only one aspect of a living culture that most train passengers glimpse only through glass.
At the village of Huetosachi, near Divisadero station, Rarámuri women offer cooking and weaving workshops in their homes. Visitors learn to prepare pinole — a ground corn drink that Rarámuri runners use for fuel during multi-day endurance events — and blue corn tortillas. Basket weaving uses yucca leaves or sotol, a plant native to the Chihuahuan desert. These workshops require advance arrangement through local operators and cannot be booked at the station, but they represent some of the most substantive cultural access available anywhere along a scenic railway.
Chepe Express or Chepe Regional?
There are two services on this line:
- El Chepe Express — Tourist-focused, running between Los Mochis and Creel (not Chihuahua City). Three classes: Tourist, Business, and First. First Class includes an observation terrace and a meal. Runs three days a week in each direction. This is the service most international visitors take.
- El Chepe Regional — The original full-route service from Los Mochis to Chihuahua City (approximately 16 hours). More affordable, more local, no observation terrace. Runs twice a week in each direction.
A one-way Chepe Express Tourist Class ticket from Los Mochis to Creel costs approximately 2,887 MXN (around £130 / US$160). First Class is approximately 4,820 MXN (around £215 / US$265). High season adds roughly 25–30% to these prices.
Use the stopovers — they change the trip
Both services allow up to three stopovers at no additional ticket cost, provided you select them before travel. This transforms a 9-hour transit into a multi-day slow journey. Key stopover points include:
- El Fuerte — a colonial town that works well as a first night before the dramatic scenery begins
- Divisadero — perched on the canyon rim with panoramic views, zip-lining, and access to Rarámuri villages
- Creel — the main hub for canyon exploration, with options from budget hostels to the historic Copper Canyon Sierra Lodge
Many travellers spread the journey across a full week. The most spectacular canyon views come between Bahuichivo and El Fuerte — ensure you are in your seat and not in the dining car for this section.
Which side, and how to actually book
Travelling east from Los Mochis toward Creel, sit on the left-hand side of the train. In the opposite direction, sit right.
Book through the official Chepe website. If the online system proves unreliable — some travellers report difficulties — email chepereservaciones@ferromex.mx directly with your dates, preferred class, and seat side. Wait for written confirmation before booking flights or accommodation around the trip.
Safety context
The train itself has a strong safety record. The wider Copper Canyon region has experienced isolated incidents of cartel-related violence; visitors are advised to travel with reputable local operators if venturing beyond the established tourist towns, and to check current Foreign Office or State Department travel advisories for Chihuahua and Sinaloa before booking.
3. Hudson Line — Metro-North, New York
Route: Grand Central Terminal, New York City → Poughkeepsie
Distance: 82 miles (132 km)
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours
Operator: Metro-North Railroad
Placing the Hudson Line alongside the TranzAlpine and El Chepe requires a brief caveat: this is not a luxury scenic railway in the same category. It is a commuter service that happens to run along one of the most visually dramatic river corridors in the northeastern United States. The distinction matters practically — there is no observation dome, no dining car, no assigned seat — but the Hudson Valley views are genuinely striking, the train runs dozens of times a day, costs around US$30 each way, and requires no advance booking. For a spontaneous day out from New York City, nothing else comes close on value.
Where the scenery concentrates
The first stretch through the Bronx and Yonkers is unremarkable. North of Tarrytown, the Hudson River opens and the Palisades cliff-face on the opposite bank begins to dominate. The scenery intensifies through the Hudson Highlands — the stretch between Breakneck Ridge and Storm King Mountain — where sheer cliffs drop to the water and the river broadens into a wide slate-grey channel between two mountain ranges.
The train passes through a pair of short tunnels at Breakneck Ridge, a flag stop where hikers disembark for one of the finest day hikes accessible by commuter rail in the country. Across the river, Storm King Mountain stands at 442 metres (1,449 feet) directly above the water. The section from Cold Spring to Beacon is the visual peak of the journey.
The three best places to get off
- Cold Spring (1 hour 10 minutes from Grand Central) — A well-preserved Hudson Valley town with independent shops and a riverside walk facing Storm King. Easy to explore on foot.
- Beacon (1 hour 20 minutes from Grand Central) — Home to Dia:Beacon, one of the most significant contemporary art museums in the United States, housed in a former Nabisco printing factory on the river. The museum alone makes the journey worthwhile.
- Poughkeepsie (1 hour 40 minutes from Grand Central) — The Metro-North terminus, and the starting point for the Walkway Over the Hudson, a former railway bridge converted into the world’s longest elevated pedestrian walkway at 1.28 miles (2.06 km), with open views of the river in both directions.
When to go and which side to sit on
Travelling north from Grand Central, sit on the left-hand side for the Hudson River views. Returning south, move to the right. Autumn — late September through early November — is the best season by a significant margin, when the Hudson Valley’s deciduous forests are in full colour. Off-peak fares (weekday trains after 9 AM) are cheaper and the carriages are quieter, making it easier to move for a better view. The full off-peak return from Grand Central to Poughkeepsie costs approximately US$60.
For a longer Hudson River experience with reserved seating, Amtrak’s Adirondack service from Penn Station continues north of Poughkeepsie through scenery that Metro-North doesn’t reach — but it runs only once daily and requires booking ahead.
4. Grand Canyon Railway — Arizona, USA
Route: Williams, Arizona → Grand Canyon Village (South Rim)
Distance: 65 miles (105 km) one way; 130 miles (209 km) round trip
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes each way
Operator: Grand Canyon Railway
The Grand Canyon Railway is not the most remote journey on this list, nor the most technically daunting. It earns its place for two reasons: it solves a genuine logistical problem — reaching the Grand Canyon without adding to the South Rim’s notorious traffic — and it comes with more theatre than almost any other train ride in North America.
The history behind the tracks
Before 1901, getting to the Grand Canyon from the nearest railway stop at Williams meant 65 miles (105 km) of stagecoach travel on dusty, rutted desert roads. When the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway completed its branch line to Grand Canyon Village on 17 September 1901, tourism to the canyon changed within a single season. By 1905 the railway had funded the construction of the El Tovar Hotel — still operating, just 20 feet (6 metres) from the canyon rim — and what had been a gruelling frontier detour became one of America’s defining rail journeys.
Passenger service closed in July 1968, defeated by the car. On the very last run, three passengers were aboard. The tracks sat unused for two decades until private investors restored the line and restarted service on 17 September 1989 — exactly 88 years to the day after the first scheduled train. The entire Grand Canyon Railway corridor is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
What the journey is actually like
The train departs Williams daily at 9:30 AM from the 1908 Williams Depot — the oldest wooden train station in any US National Park. Before departure, the Cataract Creek Gang stages a costumed Wild West gunfight in the car park. On the return trip from the canyon, the same gang boards the train for a mock robbery with the passengers as the audience. It is theatrical and slightly corny; children remember it for years.
The 65-mile (105 km) journey winds through high desert grassland and ponderosa pine forest, arriving at Grand Canyon Village at 11:45 AM. This gives passengers approximately 3 hours 45 minutes at the South Rim before the return train departs at 3:30 PM (2:30 PM in winter). The South Rim sits at 7,000 feet (2,134 metres) elevation — temperatures can be significantly colder than Williams on spring and autumn mornings. Dress in layers.
If the time at the rim feels short — and for most visitors, it does — the railway offers overnight packages including lodging at Maswik or Yavapai Lodge inside the park, allowing a full second day to explore the canyon.
Classes and prices
Six classes are available, from Pullman Class (1920s bench-style coaches, approximately US$70 per adult) to Luxury Parlour Class (private rear-platform car with bar service, approximately US$225 per person). The most popular is Coach Class — 1950s streamliner cars with large windows and air conditioning — at around US$90 per adult. Children are not permitted in the dome or Parlour cars. Book through the Grand Canyon Railway website.
The steam locomotives — and an unusual fuel
The railway’s heritage steam engines, including No. 4960 (built in Pennsylvania in 1923) and No. 29 (built in Ohio in 1906), run at least once per month during summer and on selected special dates. They were modified to run on waste vegetable oil collected from restaurants across Northern Arizona — making them among the most environmentally unusual heritage locomotives operating anywhere in the United States. Check the steam schedule before booking if catching a steam-hauled run matters to you.
Polar Express in winter
From mid-November through Christmas Eve, the railway runs its Polar Express service — an evening train from Williams to a stop called “the North Pole” (approximately 17 miles / 27 km north of town). It is based on the children’s book and sells out months in advance. Book at least 90 days ahead if you are travelling with young children over the holiday period.
Which ride is right for you?
These four journeys suit different kinds of travellers and planning windows. A direct comparison:
- Best for landscape and engineering combined: TranzAlpine. The Staircase Viaduct, the Otira Tunnel, and the coast-to-coast drama are hard to match anywhere at this price point.
- Best for cultural depth and adventure: El Chepe Express. Use the stopovers, spend time in the Rarámuri communities, and this becomes the most substantive journey on the list — but it requires more planning and flexibility than the others.
- Best value, lowest barrier: Hudson Line. No reservation required, around US$30, departing from one of the world’s most beautiful railway stations every 20 minutes. For visitors already in New York City, this is an exceptional afternoon trip with near-zero planning overhead.
- Best for families and first-time long-distance train travellers: Grand Canyon Railway. The entertainment, the history, the built-in afternoon at one of the world’s great natural wonders, and the self-contained structure make it the most forgiving trip on the list to organise.
Each of these journeys rewards a small amount of research before you board. Which side of the train to sit on, which stopovers to make, which season to travel — these details separate a good trip from one you’ll still be describing years later.