The North-South railway route with its journey through many beautiful landscapes along Vietnam is suggested in 9 world railway routes worth trying in 2025.
The Thong Nhat Train ranked 3rd among the 9 world railway routes worth experiencing in 2025, suggested by Björn Bender, CEO of Rail Europe, Europe's leading train service provider. The route takes travelers from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City or vice versa, a distance of more than 1,730 km.
Visitors will pass through outstanding landscapes in three regions of Vietnam, from mountains to plains and coastal towns.
The train has many stops, passengers can visit local areas to enjoy regional cuisine and experience the bustling life at each station. Photo: Lonely Planet
Glacier Express Train, Switzerland
Glacier Express tops the list. Dubbed the "world's slowest express train", the train connecting St Moritz and Zermatt offers visitors views of the alpine mountains and ancient Swiss villages during the 8-hour journey.
The train passes through 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. Passengers get new views of the Alps as they pass through the tunnels. The train then climbs to the Oberalp Pass, the highest point on the route.
Swiss wine specialties are served on board. Photo: Glacier Express
Orient Express train, Paris - Istanbul
If you want to experience luxury trains, you can refer to the Orient Express, the second journey on the list of suggestions. The interior of the train was designed by French architect Maxime d'Angeac. The seats and details on the train are all "exquisitely" inlaid to recreate the luxury of the legendary Orient Express.
It is expected that in 2026, the management company will open ticket sales to experience 17 antique train cars of the original Orient Express from the 1920s - 1930s. Photo: Dimorestudio
TranzAlpine Train, New Zealand
The train that takes visitors from Christchurch city to Greymouth mountain in 4 hours is ranked fourth on the list.
Visitors will be treated to New Zealand's dramatic landscapes, from vast plains to deep gorges, glaciers and the snow-capped Southern Alps. Photo: Great Journey New Zealand
Ffestiniog Railway, Wales
Ffestiniog was launched in 1832 and is listed as a Welsh heritage site with routes running through Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park.
In its early days, the train was used to transport stone from the quarries at Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog Harbour. Today, the historic railway offers a unique way to explore the history and nature of Wales, ranking fifth on our list of recommended places to visit.
The train departs from the town of Porthmadog, passing through fields, dense forests and lakes in the Blaenau Valley. Photo: Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways.
Derry / Londonderry Train - Coleraine, Northern Ireland
British actor and author Michael Palin once praised it as "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world".
The train departs from the River Foyle, out of Derry, and travels through the countryside before reaching the Atlantic coast and the golden sands of Benone Strand. The highlight of the hour-long journey is the misty landscape of Northern Ireland. Photo: The Times
Train from Ella to Kandy, Sri Lanka
Dubbed “one of the most beautiful train journeys in the world”, the 7-hour train journey from the town of Ella to Kandy takes visitors through Sri Lanka's tea capital.
The first class cabins on the train are air-conditioned and have amenities but no windows. For those who prefer to have their windows open and enjoy the fresh air, the second class cabins are considered ideal with comfortable seating. Both classes of tickets must be booked in advance.
Third-class tickets do not require reservations, but seats are not numbered and are served on a first-come, first-served basis. Third-class tickets can be purchased at the station. Photo: thecoastalcampaign
Rovos Rail, South Africa
The train has been in operation since 1989, with long journeys, moving slowly to let passengers enjoy the scenery outside. Impressive scenes include South African vineyards, Namibian deserts or the vast savannas of Botswana.
The interior of the train is nostalgic, with soft leather seats and polished wood furniture. The train offers luxury bedrooms with many amenities. Photo: Rovos Rail
Rocky Mountaineer train, Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer is a beloved North American journey, featuring four scenic routes through western Canada, the Rocky Mountains and the southwestern United States. Through the train’s glass windows, travelers can experience alpine landscapes, majestic waterfalls pouring from the Fraser Canyon and sometimes spot some wildlife roaming along the way.
The ship only operates during the day to ensure uninterrupted visibility. Photo: Rocky Mountaineer
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