Slow Rail Travel: The Art of Journeying Well

Why the world’s most extraordinary adventures happen when we choose to slow down

In a world that is always rushing – with inboxes filling, calendars overflowing, and flights timed to the minute - there is something quietly revolutionary about choosing to slow down.

Not to stop.

Not to disconnect entirely.

But simply to move through the world at a human pace again.

Slow rail travel is the antidote to the restless modern holiday. It invites you to settle into a luxury cabin, let the landscape unfold like a film, and savour the kind of journey that makes you breathe a little deeper.

At Epitome Travel, we believe travel should feel elevated. Considered. Effortlessly indulgent. And nowhere is that more beautifully expressed than on the world’s greatest luxury rail journeys - where service is refined, comfort is reimagined, and time itself feels generously stretched.

Why Slow Rail Travel Speaks to the Modern Traveller

It brings back the elegance of travel

Rail travel has always been romantic - but on luxury trains, it becomes cinematic. The clink of fine glassware. Crisp linen at dinner. Attentive stewards. The slow sway of the carriage as you drift across mountains, deserts, fjords or coastlines.

The journey becomes the highlight, not the inconvenience

Where flying simply gets you “there,” slow rail invites you to relish in-between. Each vista becomes a chapter, each destination, a carefully crafted pause.

It’s travel without hassle

Forget queues, terminals, luggage restrictions, or racing for connections. On these trains, everything is taken care of. You unpack once, settle in, and let the world glide past your window.

It connects you to landscapes in a way flying never can

Rail is immersive. You feel the altitude shift. You watch the colours change. You see remote pockets of the world untouched by road. It’s grounding - and deeply inspiring.

The World’s Most Iconic Luxury Rail Journeys

Handpicked by Epitome Travel

Below, we spotlight the rail experiences that define slow luxury. Each offers exquisite cabins, world-class dining, and service that anticipates your needs before you think to ask.

Rocky Mountaineer - Canada & The Rockies

Best for: Mountain drama, world-class hospitality, glass-dome viewing

A moving postcard in every direction. Travel through the Canadian Rockies in daylight-only luxury, with panoramic domes revealing turquoise lakes, soaring peaks, deep forests and wildlife along the tracks. Think gourmet dining served to your seat, storytelling hosts, and uninterrupted views that feel almost impossibly pristine.

Bernina Express - Switzerland & Italy

Best for: Alpine spectacle, engineering marvels, snow-dusted fairytale landscapes

The Bernina Express glides through the Swiss Alps on the UNESCO-listed Bernina Pass - a feat of design and natural beauty. Though the journey is short compared to others, its luxury upgrades and front-row views of glaciers, spirals and viaducts make it unforgettable. A masterpiece of slow, scenic travel, and perfect in every season.

Balkan Explorer - Balkan Peninsula

Best for: Culture-rich routes, private cabins, off-the-beaten-path discovery

Cross nine extraordinary Balkan countries from the elegant comfort of a private luxury cabin. Expect plush interiors, tailored excursions, fine dining in the restaurant car, and a sense of stepping inside living history. Remote landscapes, old-world cities and warm hospitality define this remarkable rail adventure.

Venice Simplon–Orient-Express - Europe

Best for: Iconic glamour, 1920s style, once‑in‑a‑lifetime indulgence

The most legendary train in the world. Step into restored art-deco carriages, sip champagne in the bar car, dine on refined cuisine, and retire to cabins crafted with timeless elegance. The Orient Express is not just a train - it’s a fantasy made real, where every detail whispers of a golden age of travel.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express — Italy

Best for: Italian elegance, coastal views, vineyard landscapes

A contemporary tribute to mid‑century Italian glamour. Expect rich textures, warm dashes of colour, beautifully curated cabins and exceptional gastronomy. This is Italy seen slowly: rolling vineyards, historic towns, sunlit coastlines - all experienced in absolute comfort.

The Blue Train — South Africa

Best for: Safari luxury, vast landscapes, five‑star service

South Africa’s most iconic rail journey combines luxury with adventure. Think deep-blue interiors, private suites with bathtubs (yes, on a train), gourmet local cuisine, and ever-changing scenery - from the dramatic Karoo to the lush Winelands. An elegant way to experience the heart of South Africa.

The Ghan - Australia

Best for: Outback wilderness, immersive excursions, spacious private cabins

Cross the Australian continent from Darwin to Adelaide in style. The Ghan is a deep-dive into Australia’s red-earth soul - with immersive off-train experiences, sophisticated dining, and cabins designed for lingering. Sunrises here feel almost spiritual.

Ready to Slow Down?

Slow rail travel isn’t simply a trend. It’s a return to something we’ve been missing: time. Time to see. To feel. To savour. To reconnect with the joy of the journey itself.

If you’re dreaming of your next extraordinary escape, our team will help find the perfect rail adventure for you.