The Great Rail Renaissance: Why Slow Travel Wins Summer 2025

I stepped off the train in Tirano, my collar cool with pine-scented mist and my shoes dusted with alpine slate, and immediately checked the flight tracker on my phone. My original flight option from Zurich to Milan had been delayed three hours, stranded on a tarmac baking under midsummer heat.

Meanwhile, over the past four hours, I had carved through 55 tunnels, glided across 196 bridges, and watched glaciers melt into turquoise cascades while sipping an espresso from a polished ceramic cup.

Traveling by air has become an exercise in endurance—a sprint through sterile security corridors only to be wedged into a middle seat above an opaque layer of clouds. Rail travel, conversely, turns the journey itself into the headliner.

Across Europe, North America, and South America, travelers are staging a massive comeback for the iron road. Modern slow travel isn't about compromise; it’s about trading grey runways for cobalt lakes, deep glens, and mountain passes inaccessible by any highway. If you are planning your summer escape, here are five trending train journeys that thoroughly outshine flying.

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1. The Bernina Express: From Swiss Glaciers to Italian Palm Trees

```
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| QUICK FACTS: THE BERNINA EXPRESS |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Route | Chur / St. Moritz (Switzerland) to Tirano (Italy) |
| Duration | 4 hours, 15 minutes |
| Estimated Cost ($) | $75 – $160 USD (Standard seat vs. Panoramic Pass) |
| Best Time to Visit | June to September for clear skies and lush alpine blooms |
| How to Get There | Direct SBB trains connect Zurich Airport to Chur in 1h 15m |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
```

The Route Experience

Starting in Switzerland’s oldest city, Chur, the red carriages of the Rhaetian Railway climb steadily toward the Engadin Valley before tackling the Bernina Pass. The track climbs to an astounding 2,253 meters (7,391 feet) above sea level at Ospizio Bernina without the assistance of a cog or rack system—a feat of civil engineering that earned it UNESCO World Heritage status.

You pass the ice-blue tongue of the Morteratsch Glacier, rumble along the turquoise shore of Lago Bianco, and then execute a dramatic, winding descent into the sun-drenched vineyards of Lombardy, Italy.

Architectural & Sensory Highlights

The moment you cross the Landwasser Viaduct—a 65-meter-high limestone masterpiece that arcs directly into a sheer tunnel cliff—the carriage goes silent. You can smell alpine pine resin drifting through the air vents, mixed with the faint metallic tang of cast-iron brake shoes biting into the steel rails as the train negotiates the famous 360-degree helical loop at Brusio.

Insider Pro-Tips

* The Window Secret: Skip the heavily hyped (and extra-fee) official Panoramic Carriages if you care about photography. Instead, reserve a seat in the regional non-reserved carriages (often attached to the same train or running hourly). The windows in these standard cars slide down at the top, allowing you to capture reflection-free, crystal-clear photos of the viaducts.
* Best Side to Sit: Sit on the right side when traveling south from St. Moritz to Tirano for the dramatic approach to the Landwasser Viaduct and the open views of Lago Bianco.
* Culinary Stop: Don't rush off the end of the line. Walk 500 meters from Tirano station to Ristorante Paruscio for a plate of Pizzoccheri—buckwheat ribbon pasta smothered in local Valtellina Casera cheese, cabbage, and sage-infused butter.

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2. The Jacobite Steam Train: Crossing the Wild Scottish Highlands

```
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| QUICK FACTS: THE JACOBITE STEAM TRAIN |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Route | Fort William to Mallaig (Scotland, UK) |
| Duration | 2 hours, 15 minutes (one way) |
| Estimated Cost ($) | $82 USD (Standard) – $130 USD (First Class) |
| Best Time to Visit | July to August for heather-covered mountains and long daylight |
| How to Get There | Take the Caledonian Sleeper train direct from London to Fort William |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
```

The Route Experience

Famed worldwide as the visual double for the Hogwarts Express, the Jacobite runs 42 miles from the foot of Ben Nevis (Britain’s highest peak) to the coastal port of Mallaig. This isn't just movie magic; it’s an immersive trip through some of the last true wilderness in Western Europe.

Architectural & Sensory Highlights

The train chugs past deep sea lochs, ancient oak woodlands, and the stark, boggy beauty of Glenfinnan. The air inside the Vintage Mk1 carriages smells of sweet peat smoke, damp wool tweed, and black tea.

The undisputed crescendo occurs when the K1 2-6-0 steam locomotive crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The 21 concrete arches curve majestically across the valley, overlooking the still water of Loch Shiel and the monument honoring the 1745 Jacobite rising.

Insider Pro-Tips

* Carriage Positioning: Request seats in Carriage D or E when booking First Class. This puts you directly behind the tender, giving you the best vantage point to see the black steam engine belching thick white plumes as it curves over the viaduct.
* The Hidden Viewpoint: If you want to photograph the train from the ground, skip the crowded main viewing trail at Glenfinnan. Take the lesser-known path behind the Glenfinnan Station Museum up to the hillside vantage point at 10:45 AM (for the morning train crossing).
* Seafood Pick: Upon arrival at Mallaig, head straight to Jaffy’s Mallaig Kippers near the harbor for hot-smoked salmon rolls caught fresh off the Hebridean coast.

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3. The Rocky Mountaineer: First Passage to the West (Canada)

```
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| QUICK FACTS: ROCKY MOUNTAINEER |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Route | Vancouver to Banff / Lake Louise (British Columbia/Alberta) |
| Duration | 2 Days (Includes overnight hotel stay in Kamloops) |
| Estimated Cost ($) | $1,600 – $2,400+ USD (Includes meals, drinks, hotel) |
| Best Time to Visit | Late June to early September for wildlife sightings |
| How to Get There | Fly into Vancouver International (YVR); seamless depot transfer |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
```

The Route Experience

If flying over the Canadian Rockies gives you a high-altitude overview, the Rocky Mountaineer puts you right inside the canyon walls. Travelling exclusively by daylight so passengers don't miss a single acre of scenery, this legendary luxury service cuts through rugged backcountry where roads simply do not exist.

Architectural & Sensory Highlights

You move from the lush green agricultural plains of the Fraser Valley into the barren, rock-strewn geography of the Fraser Canyon, culminating at Hell’s Gate, where roaring water churns through a narrow granite gorge. As you approach the Continental Divide, the train navigates the engineering marvel of the Spiral Tunnels, looping back on itself inside the belly of Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain to handle the extreme elevation drop.

Insider Pro-Tips

* GoldLeaf Upgrade: Pay extra for GoldLeaf Service. The full glass-dome upper deck provides a 360-degree view of mountain peaks towering 10,000 feet overhead, and the downstairs dining room serves three-course meals cooked to order (think pan-seared Pacific salmon and Alberta prime rib).
* The Vestibule Secret: Spend time on the open-air viewing platform on the lower level of the GoldLeaf cars. You’ll feel the temperature drop as you enter mountain passes, smell the crushed Douglas fir needles, and hear the metallic echoing roar of the engine echoing off canyon walls.
* Bear Spotting: Keep your camera set to a fast shutter speed (at least 1/1000s) and watch the shoreline of the Thompson River between Kamloops and Revelstoke—this is prime territory for spotting black bears and grizzlies foraging for berries.

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4. The Flåm Railway (Flåmsbana): Norway’s Vertical Thrill Ride

```
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| QUICK FACTS: THE FLÅM RAILWAY |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Route | Myrdal to Flåm (Norway) |
| Duration | 50 minutes |
| Estimated Cost ($) | $65 – $85 USD (One Way) |
| Best Time to Visit | May to August for roaring waterfalls and green landscapes |
| How to Get There | Connect via the main Oslo-to-Bergen mainline at Myrdal |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
```

The Route Experience

Stretching just 20 kilometers (12.4 miles), the Flåmsbana is one of the steepest standard-gauge railway lines in the world on adhesion tracks, descending from the high mountain station of Myrdal down to the edge of the Aurlandsfjord at sea level. It drops 863 meters over an 18-degree gradient, winding down terrifyingly sharp ravines and sheer rock faces.

Architectural & Sensory Highlights

This route is raw, unvarnished Scandinavian topography. You’ll pass isolated farmhouses clinging to tiny ledges, roaring rivers of glacial runoff, and misty mountain pastures. The highlight is a five-minute operational halt at the mighty Kjosfossen Waterfall, where the train stops directly on a wooden trestle bridge so passengers can step out and feel the freezing spray on their faces.

```
MYRDAL (863m High Alpine Plateau)
│
├──► Tunnels carved by hand through sheer gneiss
├──► Kjosfossen Waterfall (Glacial spray halt)
├──► Rjoandefossen (140-meter vertical drop)
│
FLÅM (0m Fjord Level - Aurlandsfjord)
```

Insider Pro-Tips

* Beat the Cruise Crowd: Huge cruise ships dock at Flåm around 10:00 AM, clogging the train with day-trippers. Book the 08:35 AM early-morning departure from Myrdal or the 18:00 PM evening run to get quiet carriages and peaceful photography conditions.
* Seating Strategy: Sit on the right side when descending from Myrdal to Flåm for the most dramatic views of the river gorge and small farming hamlets.
* Fjord Add-On: Pair your train ride with a silent electric ferry cruise across the Nærøyfjord (a UNESCO World Heritage site) right from the Flåm terminal.

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5. Belmond Hiram Bingham: High-Altitude Luxury to Machu Picchu

```
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| QUICK FACTS: BELMOND HIRAM BINGHAM |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
| Route | Poroy (Cusco) / Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes (Peru) |
| Duration | 3 hours, 30 minutes |
| Estimated Cost ($) | $500 – $1,100 USD (Includes meals, cocktails, site entry) |
| Best Time to Visit | May to September (The dry season in the Peruvian Andes) |
| How to Get There | Fly into Cusco (CUZ); taxi transfer to Poroy or Sacred Valley |
+----------------------+------------------------------------------------------------+
```

The Route Experience

While most tourists squeeze onto crowded shuttle buses or hike four days on foot, the Hiram Bingham turns the trek into an indulgent 1920s Pullman-style gala. Named after the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to international attention, this polished wood and brass train threads through the Sacred Valley of the Incas along the churning Urubamba River.

Architectural & Sensory Highlights

As the elevation gently drops from Cusco toward the Amazon basin, the landscape shifts dramatically from dry, high-altitude Andean plains (puna) to lush, tropical cloud forest. Inside, polished mahogany panels reflect the light of brass lamps, white linen tablecloths hold fine wine glasses, and the lingering scent of native Muña (Andean mint) tea fills the dining car.

Insider Pro-Tips

* Skip Poroy Station: Save two hours of slow, serpentine switchbacks coming out of Cusco by boarding at Ollantaytambo Station in the Sacred Valley instead. This leaves you refreshed and gives you extra time to explore the ancient Incan fortress ruins in Ollantaytambo town before boarding.
* Observation Car Culture: Head straight to the rear Observation Bar Car the moment you board. Order a freshly shaken Pisco Sour, step out onto the open-air balcony, and enjoy the live Peruvian musicians performing traditional folk songs using indigenous charango guitars and bamboo flutes.
* Ticket Value: The high ticket price includes direct bus transfers from Aguas Calientes station up to the Citadel gates, a private guided tour of Machu Picchu, and an exclusive afternoon tea at the Sanctuary Lodge at the top—sparing you hours of waiting in line.

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The Ultimate Rail Traveler’s Playbook: Packing & Logistics Strategy

Traveling by train requires a different tactical approach than flying. Keep these battle-tested travel habits in mind:

```
PACK LIGHT SEATMAP TOOLS MEAL PREP
────────── ───────────── ─────────
Keep to one spinner Use Seat61.com & Bring local deli
bag; luggage racks VagonWEB to check finds; train cafe
fill up fast. window alignment. options can run low.
```

1. Master the Seat Alignment Secrets

Not all seats are created equal. Use platforms like VagonWEB or The Man in Seat 61 to inspect exact carriage layouts. On trains like the Bernina or Glacier Express, some seats face thick window pillars rather than full panoramic glass.

2. Manage Your Luggage

Unlike airlines that swallow your bags at check-in, you carry everything on board. Most high-speed and scenic trains have luggage racks near the carriage doors and overhead bins above the seats. Bring one high-quality medium roller bag and an accessible daypack. Never leave valuables in the end-of-car racks; keep cash and cameras in your daypack under the seat in front of you.

3. Build a DIY Culinary Basket

Even high-end trains can run out of hot meals during long summer runs. Do what savvy locals do: stop at a high-end gourmet shop at your departure station (like SBB FoodVille in Zurich or M&S Simply Food in the UK) and build a hamper with local cheeses, cured meats, artisan bread, and bottled wine. Train travel allows you to drink your own beverages at your seat without TSA hassle.

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