Your guide to luxury train travel (updated for 2025)
Luxury train travel is becoming more and more popular every year. Here at LuxuryTrainTickets.com, we’re seeing more and more demand from both those who have experienced a luxury train trip before and those who are brand new to the idea of a luxury journey. With luxury trains available all over the world offering a wide range of journeys, it’s possible to travel on the same train more than once but experience a completely different journey.
A luxury train journey is very much like a cruise; you pay a ticket price upfront, and almost everything is then included in the price. Depending on the journey you choose, you then get to see many different parts of the country (or sometimes different countries) all from the comfort of a very luxurious train. Unless you have travelled on a luxury train before, there really is no comparison. They are built purely for luxury with exceptional details everywhere you look and stewards at your service to take care of your every need.
In this guide, we hope to share with you everything you need to know about taking your first, second, third or ongoing luxury train journey. We will cover the reasons why you should take a luxury train trip, the differences between day trips and sleeper journeys, the costs and what you get for the price of your ticket. But if you do still find yourself with questions, our team of experts are on hand by phone or email to answer any query you may have.
All aboard!
Why take a luxury train trip?
Quite simply, there is nothing else in the world quite like a luxury train journey. You can’t really compare one trip to another, because each is truly unique. From the route you take to the cuisine, every detail is distinctive to that particular journey.
Luxury train travel is also remarkably effortless. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, almost everything in your itinerary is included. Typically, this means exquisite multi-course meals freshly prepared on board by expert chefs. Depending on the journey, you may also enjoy VIP tours of stately homes, exclusive access to world-renowned gardens or distilleries, or even luxury hotel stays with private excursions.
With trains carrying no more than a couple of hundred guests at most, the experience feels wonderfully exclusive. There are no long queues or crowded spaces—just attentive service, delivered to the highest standard. With more stewards per guest, the level of personal attention is unparalleled.
Ultimately, it’s about the service, the experience, and the memories you’ll treasure forever. Luxury train journeys have enchanted travellers since the golden age of rail, and now it’s your turn to discover what life is like when travel reaches the pinnacle of luxury.
What about the Orient Express?
We are often asked about the most famous train in the world, the Orient Express. Famed for being the setting in many a novel and movie, the Orient Express was a luxury train that came into service in 1883 and ran from Paris to Istanbul during the 1920s and 1930s. Known as ‘The Golden Age of Travel’, this was when luxury train travel was a very aspirational thing to do and only available to the rich and famous.
From the Orient Express came many similar trains, including the Simplon Orient Express and the Alberg Orient Express. Each of these trains offered the same lavish levels of luxury but took different routes across Europe.
You might also be interested in our guides ‘How Much Does It Cost To Go On The Orient Express’ or our ‘The Orient Express Route’.
Unfortunately, the Orient Express stopped servicing in 2009, so it’s not possible to ride the original train. You can find out more in our blog Can I ride the Orient Express?
How luxurious are the journeys?
Imagine a five-star hotel on wheels. Attentive stewards are on hand 24 hours a day to cater to your every need. Exquisite meals, freshly prepared on board with the finest ingredients, are served across multiple courses. Step into the bar car, where any drink is possible, and enjoy the soft melodies of a pianist playing in the background. Every carriage is adorned with glamorous décor, with the finest fabrics gracing every chair—and your bedding crafted for the utmost comfort.
Whether it’s a day trip or an overnight adventure, each luxury journey is an unforgettable experience. From the moment you step aboard to the moment you depart, everything about your time on the train feels truly magical.
Throughout your journey, you’ll be cared for with impeccable attention to detail. No request is ever too much trouble—whether it’s a simple helping hand while boarding, a special arrangement for a milestone celebration, or tailored dining to suit your preferences. Every guest is treated as an individual, ensuring your experience is as personal and perfect as you wish it to be.
Day trips or sleeper journeys?
Day Trips
A day trip typically departs in the morning and returns to the same station that evening, often taking up the whole day. These experiences vary: some focus purely on fine dining and impeccable service, with no set “destination,” offering guests a relaxing round-trip paired with a spectacular multi-course meal. Others include time to explore, taking you to iconic country houses, famous gardens, or vibrant cities.
Popular examples include The Golden Age of Travel, where passengers enjoy a decadent journey complete with gourmet dining, and Historic Bath at Leisure, where you will receive a three-course champagne brunch on the outward journey, a few hours to spend in Bath, and a 5-star dinner with champagne and wine on the way home!
Sleeper Journeys
Sleeper journeys, on the other hand, feel much more like holidays. Shorter one-night trips are usually one-way, with passengers spending the entire journey onboard. These often depart at midday and arrive at their destination the following afternoon. The emphasis is on indulgence—fine dining, relaxation, and the unmatched atmosphere of luxury rail travel. They are particularly popular with first-time travellers, as they offer a more affordable “taster” of the experience. Many guests, for example, take a one-night journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express before continuing their adventure in the destination city. Paris to Venice is the most popular route.
Longer sleeper journeys can last three to seven nights, such as those on the Royal Scotsman through Scotland, or the Britannic Explorer through England. These round-trips provide a rich blend of comfort and discovery: each day reveals a new highlight—whether that’s a charming town, a historic castle, a stately home, or a famous distillery—while every meal is freshly prepared and served onboard.
Cabins & Comfort
Sleeper journeys also include your own private accommodation. Options range from beautifully appointed cabins to the ultra-luxurious Grand Suites of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. During the day, cabins are converted into elegant lounges where you can unwind in privacy, then transformed back into bedrooms for a restful night’s sleep. Larger cabins offer both a dedicated sleeping area and a sitting space without the need for conversion.
Most cabins feature private en-suite bathrooms with a shower, basin, and WC. Fresh towels, robes, and thoughtful amenities are all included, making life onboard feel very much like staying in a five-star hotel—only with ever-changing views just beyond your window.
How much does a luxury train trip cost?
The cost of a luxury train ticket can vary greatly depending on the train, the route, and the length of the journey. As a general guide, day trip prices range from around £435 to as much as £800 per ticket - depending on the type of experience you choose. Prices for most of the trains we work with are dynamic, which means that they can increase depending on availability.
As your budget increases, so do the possibilities. Tickets in the thousands will typically secure a one- to three-night sleeper journey, complete with your own private cabin, all meals on board, and a carefully crafted itinerary.
At the very top end, the most luxurious trains in the world offer week-long itineraries, ultra-spacious suites, and exclusive experiences—some even feature onboard spas. The higher the ticket price, the more lavish the inclusions, with longer journeys providing even more opportunities to explore destinations along the way.
At LuxuryTrainTickets.com, we’re proud to offer exclusive discounts not available when booking directly. We can tailor packages to your individual needs and help secure the very best price. To make things easier, we also allow you to reserve your tickets with a deposit, giving you the flexibility to pay the balance at a time that suits you.
What is included in the cost?
Quite simply, almost everything is included. Your ticket covers the full journey, all meals—whether enjoyed on board or at a special destination—as well as tours, excursions, and VIP access to experiences outlined in your itinerary. For sleeper journeys, your private cabin is included for the duration of your trip, along with most drinks on board, including alcohol.
In some cases, certain premium drinks may carry an additional charge, and if your train features an onboard spa, treatments such as massages or therapies are usually available at a supplementary cost.
Where do luxury trains go?
The luxury trains we offer are available across England, Scotland, Europe and South East Asia. Each train has its own unique route and set of destinations that it visits. Luxury journeys are available throughout the year and offer different destinations throughout each month.
A sample of these destinations includes:
- The Scottish Highlands
- Cornwall
- Lake District
- Paris
- Venice
- Verona
- Prague
- Istanbul
- Singapore
But this is by far not an extensive list. UK journeys, for example, may visit areas of interest such as:
- Bath
- York
- Highclere Castle
- Whitstable
- Canterbury
- Edinburgh
- Oxford
As well as so many more. If you have a destination you’d particularly like to visit, please do get in touch, and we will check our many hundreds of journeys to see what we have available.
