The railroad revival is showing no sign of facing a stop signal, with travelers increasingly enticed by embracing the journey instead of just the destination. Afterall, entire countries get missed when up in the air in a private jet.
While public rail travel in the US leaves plenty to be desired – both in terms of comfort and coverage – the wider Americas have a stellar lineup of luxury train journeys. From meandering through the Canadian Rockies in a glass-domed carriage to sipping pisco sours in a restored 1920s car en route to Machu Picchu, these are the best luxury train rides in the Americas.
Best luxury train rides
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Canyon Spirit, Utah, USA
While a key allure for most revival train experiences – specifically the Belmond and Orient Express offerings – is sleeping onboard and waking up in a new destination every morning, on a Canyon Spirit trip, days are spent sweeping through the wild American West with overnight stays in hotels along the way. The brand offers two itineraries (one three-day, the other two), both starting in Denver and taking in the soaring orange canyons. The onboard experience is comfortable and spacious, with panoramic windows out to the view beyond – upgrade to Premier for additional perks including premium drinks and access to an exclusive lounge carriage.
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Napa Valley Wine Train
The Napa Valley Wine Train trundles through one of the world’s prettiest wine regions on a series of – you guessed it – oenophilic itineraries and tours. The trains’ 100-year-old Pullman carriages are all carefully restored to honor their heritage: there’s plush seating, velvet touches, and rich wood paneling. Each trip (ranging from 2.5 to six hours) is designed to have a firm focus on gastronomy, with an in-house culinary team creating seasonal menus paired with local wines. For a proper culinary immersion, book the Tasting on the Rails, which includes a seven-course meal. Other excursions include vineyard tours, afternoon tea, and themed murder mysteries.
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The Andean Explorer, a Belmond Train, Peru
One of the world’s finest examples of Golden Age revival travel, Belmond’s Andean Explorer is a bucket-list trip for even the most seasoned adventurer. The train runs a variety of routes throughout Peru, calling at Cusco, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire; Lake Titicaca, the largest freshwater lake in South America; and the beautiful Arequipa, with swatches of vast Peruvian landscape in between. The train has 35 guest cabins, including swanky suites with seating areas. Dedicated dining areas serve locally inspired food, while the lounge car offers live music and a party atmosphere.
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Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
Traversing through the Canadian landscape, Rocky Mountaineer takes in the vast Rockies scenery via a series of nation-spanning rail itineraries. Carriages are glass domed and almost entirely open to the views beyond. Like sister company Canyon Spirit, Rocky Mountaineer’s trips are multi-day, but with accommodation at hotels along the way, rather than on board. Both companies partner directly with hotels for smooth travel experiences.
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Haram Bingham, a Belmond Train, Peru
Belmond’s second Peru train connects historic Cusco with the incomparable Machu Picchu, set high in the Andes Mountains. The day-long trips begin with welcome cocktails and a gourmet brunch en route to the Lost City, with a lively traditional Peruvian performance soundtracking the return journey through the Sacred Valley. The train itself is all old-world charm, with vibrant colors, wood panels, and Art-Deco-esque lighting.
How we chose the best luxury train rides
Each train featured is independently selected by Elite Traveler’s editors and contributors, informed by first-hand experience where possible and in-depth research where not. Our curation spans the world’s most luxurious brands, chosen for their uncompromising quality and exceptional craftsmanship.
