The Most Luxurious Sleeper Trains
- G. Rhodes
- Aug 2, 2025
- 6 min read
Long distance train travel comes with one very important life lesson. Letting the world pass you by can indeed be a good thing. Riding the rails is as romantic as travel gets. Peaceful and slow, it can show you the world outside your window. Plus, it makes the trip about the journey, not just the destination. But, like all travel, there are still ways to upgrade an already stellar experience. And with train travel, that means booking a sleeper car so you can see the world in style. Luxury train companies can be found all over the world, just waiting to take you on a vacation of your dreams. All travelers need to do is purchase a ticket and make their way to the station before the conductor calls, "All aboard!" Need a little inspiration to get you there? Here are seven luxury sleeper car trains with routes crisscrossing the globe. Let’s face it, sleeper trains are wonderful because they combine travel time with rest, allowing you to wake up in a new location ready to explore. They offer a comfortable and often more relaxed travel experience compared to flying or driving, with amenities like private cabins, meals, and the novelty of doing it all in style.
Venice Simplon Orient Express
The Venice Simplon Orient Express (VSOE) is one of the most well known luxury train companies in the world and for good reason. I can attest its trains are opulent, with plush velvet furnishings in rich jewel tones, dark wood walls and top-notch service that’s hard to beat. It’s the world's most authentic luxury train. The 1934 classic detective story Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie catapulted it to fame. The fabled train offers a luxurious and nostalgic journey back to the glamor of the 1920s and 30s, combining opulent Art Deco design with exquisite dining and unparalleled service. It's not just a train ride; it's a curated experience of history, romance, and adventure. Passengers can expect impeccable white-glove service, gourmet dining with menus inspired by the route, and a selection of fine wines and spirits. Cabins are designed for both daytime travel and comfortable nighttime sleep. While the classic route between Venice and London is the one we enjoyed, VSOE also offers journeys to other European destinations, including Paris and Istanbul. Taking a journey on this legendary train is a chance to experience these iconic cities in a uniquely luxurious way.
Belmond's Andean Explorer
Meander through Peru in total luxury on a train ride aboard the region's first luxury sleeper train, the Belmond Andean Explorer. Inside, guests will be delighted by the bright furnishings, including crisp, white bedding and supple leather seating with just the right pops of color, thanks to the Peruvian textiles. On board, passengers will dine on locally sourced cuisine and can even book a spa appointment, so they can rest and recharge before arriving at their final destination.This luxury sleeper train offers journeys through the Peruvian Andes, known for its stunning scenery and high-altitude routes. It’s the first luxury sleeper train in South America, traveling between Cusco, Lake Titicaca, and Arequipa. The train features elegant cabins, gourmet dining, a spa car, and an open-air observation deck, providing an immersive experience of Peru's landscapes and culture. The train has 35 cabins, including bunk bed cabins, twin bed cabins, and suites, all with en-suite bathrooms. It traverses the Peruvian Andes, reaching altitudes of up to 15,700 feet, offering breathtaking views.
The Maharajas' Express
The Maharajas' Express is a vintage train travel dream come true for those with a sense of adventure and plenty of time. This train takes guests on a seven-day trip through India from Delhi to Mumbai, stopping at different countryside locations, including Udaipur, where passengers can take a quick boat ride on Lake Pichola, and Jodhpur, where you can roam through the Bishnoi Village. The guest carriages provide seating and sleeping capacity for 84 passengers. All accommodations are spectacular, including the 20 deluxe cabins, 18 junior suites and four suites and every one features a full bath. If money is no object, go ahead and book the presidential suite, which features 448 square feet of living space and two bedrooms. The Rajah Club serves as the lounge with a private bar and there are also two dining cars. The train is even equipped with its own water filtration plant! The Maharajas' Express is often referred to as the Orient Express of the Orient. It was voted "The World's Leading Luxury Train" for seven consecutive years at the World Travel Awards from 2012 through 2018 and again in 2024 for the eighth time.
The Blue Train
Sometimes, all you need is 36 hours to have the ideal vacation, and that's exactly what you'll get on the Blue Train from Pretoria down to Cape Town. This luxury South African train is renowned for its opulent accommodations, exceptional service, and scenic routes, offering a unique travel experience. It combines the charm of train travel with 5-star hotel comfort, providing guests with a luxurious journey through South Africa's diverse landscapes. The Blue Train features lavish suites with comfortable beds, private bathrooms, and personalized butler service. Guests enjoy exquisite cuisine, including South African specialties and fine wines, in an elegant dining car. On board, passengers will find their suite and the common spaces to be all decked out in deep brown leather with emerald green accents. And perhaps best of all, each suite comes with a soaking tub for ultimate relaxation. Passengers can also partake in high tea before settling in for a world-class dinner experience and later enjoy a nightcap before bed.
Belmond's Royal Scotsman
The Belmond Royal Scotsman is a luxurious, small-capacity train that offers an exclusive journey through the Scottish Highlands, combining opulent accommodations with stunning scenery and fine dining. It offers a more intimate setting than other luxury trains, with only 12 twin or double cabins accommodating a maximum of 24 passengers.The train features elegant, mahogany-clad cars that evoke the romance of a bygone era, blending Edwardian style with modern comforts. The Royal Scotsman traverses some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Scotland, from the rugged west coast to the remote expanses of the Highlands.The train offers gourmet cuisine using the best of Scottish produce with menus crafted by talented chefs. The Royal Scotsman offers various itineraries, including whisky trails, historical explorations, and scenic routes that allow you to explore Scotland in all directions, from north to south and east to west.
The Ghan
If the Australian Outback is calling your name, the Ghan Expedition Train is the answer. The Ghan takes a unique route through the heart of Australia, offering luxurious comfort, immersive off-train experiences, and a blend of adventure and relaxation. It connects Adelaide and Darwin, traversing vast deserts and diverse landscapes, showcasing the country’s rugged beauty and rich cultural heritage. The four-day, three-night trip takes guests on a cross-continental adventure, with off-train excursions in towns like Alice Springs and Coober Pedy, as well as plenty of activities on board. While riding across Australia, guests will dine from a regionally inspired menu and sip locally sourced wines as they watch some of the most remote landscapes on the planet pass by outside. To make this trip as spectacular as possible, book at the Platinum Level, which comes with the largest suite and even more personalized service.
Belmond's Eastern & Oriental Express
Come spend three perfect days aboard the luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express as it makes its way from Singapore to Bangkok. The train offers a nostalgic experience reminiscent of the Golden Age of rail travel, combined with modern comforts and personalized service. It comes decked out in antique-style furnishings, including floral upholstery, polished cherry wood paneling and large picture windows in each cabin. On board, guests can mingle in the bar car, which harkens back to a time when jazz reigned supreme, and where stewards serve champagne like it's going out of style. For a more subdued moment, head to the observation car to admire the scenery after your fine dining experience. The rooms and suites, meanwhile, come with more gorgeous furnishings and slippers, so you can kick back and relax. Suites are converted into private lounges during the day, and feature a sofa and rattan chairs, along with a window-side desk, just in case inspiration strikes to write the next great romance novel while aboard.
While I love airplanes and airports, I can understand the surge in popularity of sleeper trains. Travelers are rediscovering the perks of these overnight journeys - avoiding crowded airports while enjoying the scenery and fine dining - all in the company of other like minded passengers.
Until next time…safe travels.
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