Luxury Train Travel: Must-Book Journeys to Experience

Luxury train travel is back in vogue in 2025, with some of the most extravagant hotel rooms now on wheels. One of the most notable is L’Observatoire, a two-person suite aboard Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, which will debut in March. The luxurious cabin will cost £80,000 ($101,000) per night, making it the priciest train cabin ever. Guests will find unusual features like skylights to stargaze, a “secret” tearoom that comes with a fireplace hidden in it, and even a freestanding brass bathtub near the bed. Travel on scenic routes takes guests on adventures from Geneva to Innsbruck or Venice to Amsterdam. They can spend a night up to five nights on board.

Art Meets Hospitality

Belmond CEO Dan Ruff says this is the first time in hospitality history where “the art is the room.” L’Observatoire is part of a broader trend of artist-designed train suites, including Wes Anderson’s custom carriage for the British Pullman and two Grand Suites on the Royal Scotsman, all owned by Belmond under the LVMH umbrella. There are going to be more luxury trains being introduced in 2025 with experiences getting richer by the day, each one to offer across Europe. According to Samy Ghachem, general manager of La Dolce Vita Orient Express, this increasing demand is based on a new form of wanting to travel for people. Focusing on comfort, slow traveling, and getting off the beaten path, it seems to attract more youth into the scene. Embark Beyond’s Jack Ezon says he’s seen requests for train journeys jump 158% over the past five years, with millennials and Gen Z in particular. Such travelers appreciate the nostalgic luxury and are looking for the exclusivity such trips provide. As infrastructure expands for luxury rail travel, new trains will come on stream in the next few years.

Top Train Journeys to Book in 2025

Here are a few of the must-book luxury train journeys for 2025:

Eastern and Oriental Express (Belmond, Singapore and Malaysia)
This Southeast Asian icon delivers newly renovated cabins and seasonal three-night sojourns throughout Malaysia, beginning at $3,410 per person.

Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
This limited-availability 12-suite exclusive journey through Kyushu promises an uncommon taste of Japan’s mountains and seascapes, all starting at $4,293 per person.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (Belmond, Europe)
Experience old world luxury on the train, with cabins starting at $22,000 per person. Special itineraries available include a six-day trip from Paris to Istanbul.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express (Italy)
This luxurious 1960s Italian-style train launches in April with one-to-three-day itineraries through Italy: Prices begin from €4,160 per person ($4,285).

Rovos Rail, South Africa
The luxury train journey has 11 safari journeys across South Africa, taking in mini safaris and visiting national parks, starting at a price of 34,000 ZAR ($1,796) per person.