Train Journeys that are Better Than the Orient Express (2025 Guide)
The Orient Express may be one of the most iconic train rides in the world, but in 2025, it comes with a jaw-dropping price tag of €3,500 for just one night. And while it’s long on luxury, it’s surprisingly short on scenery. So if you’re after truly epic views, authentic experiences, and incredible value, these five train journeys deliver everything the Orient Express promises—for a fraction of the price.
From Alpine glaciers to Hogwarts bridges, here are five unforgettable train rides that prove you don’t need velvet curtains and champagne service to have the rail trip of a lifetime.
Our video gives you a quick rundown of these epic train rides
5. Bernina Express, Switzerland – A UNESCO-Protected Mountain Masterpiece
While the Orient Express glides past flat countryside, the Bernina Express winds through the Swiss Alps, crossing 196 bridges and diving through 55 tunnels on its UNESCO World Heritage route. It’s not just transportation—it’s a panoramic experience built for photographers.
You’ll ride in a bright red train with floor-to-ceiling windows, giving you views of snowcapped peaks, alpine lakes, and glacial valleys. Whether you go in winter for snowy mountain landscapes or summer for lush green valleys, the views are always stunning.
- Tickets: €60 (standard), €90 (luxury class with full glass domes)
- Best time to ride: Winter for snow, summer for wildflower meadows
This is one of the world’s most scenic train journeys—and a true rival to the Orient Express for less than 3% of the cost.
4. Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland – The Real-Life Hogwarts Express
Forget silver-plated dinner service—the Jacobite Steam Train takes you through Scotland’s dramatic Highlands, over the actual Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous as the Hogwarts Express route in the Harry Potter films.
This nostalgic steam train travels between Fort William and Mallaig, showcasing misty lochs, rugged mountains, and castle ruins. The train itself is a throwback to a bygone era, with wood-paneled carriages and old-school charm.
- Tickets: £50 (standard), £80 (first class)
- Best time to ride: May to October for good weather and golden-hour photos
It’s romantic, cinematic, and just the right kind of magical—no wizard robes required.
3. Hanoi to Sapa, Vietnam – Budget Sleeper with Mountain Views
Think sleeper trains are only for luxury travelers? Think again. The Hanoi to Sapa overnight train is one of Asia’s most scenic—and most affordable—rail journeys, taking you from the capital into the misty mountains of northern Vietnam.
For as little as $35, you get a bunk bed in a shared sleeper cabin. For a private cabin, expect to pay around $50. As you wake up, you’ll pass through terraced rice fields, mountain ridges, and hill tribe villages.
- Tickets: $35–$50
- Best time to ride: September to November for clear skies and golden harvest colors
It’s not luxurious, but it’s real travel—adventure, culture, and scenery packed into one overnight journey.
2. Shinkansen, Japan – Futuristic Speed with Mount Fuji Views
The Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto proves that you don’t need vintage decor to feel elite. This futuristic ride travels at 320 km/h (200 mph) and is known for being punctual to the second.
You’ll glide past Mount Fuji, rice paddies, and cityscapes in ultra-smooth, whisper-quiet comfort. Trains are spotless, efficient, and futuristic, with vending machines, clean restrooms, and onboard announcements in multiple languages.
- Tickets: $120 (reserved seat, one-way)
- Best time to ride: Winter mornings for the clearest Mount Fuji views (sit on the right side)
The Shinkansen isn’t about nostalgia—it’s about experiencing the future of train travel today.
1. Bergen Railway, Norway – Fjords, Mountains, and Arctic Light
The Bergen Railway is Norway’s crown jewel of train journeys, stretching between Oslo and Bergen and offering a showcase of fjords, glaciers, high-mountain plateaus, and waterfalls. It’s one of the highest train routes in Europe, and the views are mind-blowing.
What sets it apart? You can also connect to the Flåm Railway, a detour considered the steepest standard-gauge railway in the world. From sea level to mountain summit in a short ride, it’s a must for any rail traveler.
- Tickets: €80 (standard), €110 with panoramic car upgrade and Flåm add-on
- Best time to ride: Summer for 20-hour daylight and lush views; Winter for snowfields and a chance to spot Northern Lights
This journey makes Switzerland look tame—and delivers Arctic drama without Arctic prices.
Final Thoughts
The Orient Express is legendary—but it's no longer the best way to see the world by rail. In 2025, these five train journeys offer better views, more authentic experiences, and way more adventure—all for under $150.
So whether you want to ride the Hogwarts Express, cross the Alps, or travel at 200 mph past Mount Fuji, there’s a scenic railway out there waiting for you. Save your euros—and upgrade your journey.