The global luxury travel market is steaming ahead, set to reach a jaw-dropping R7.4 trillion by 2028. But the days of luxury being defined by gold taps and marble lobbies are fading fast and being replaced by trains.
Today’s elite travellers crave something different: cultural immersion, adventure, and sustainability now trump old-school opulence.
LUXURY TRAINS AND SLOW TRAVEL
This shift has fuelled a renaissance in slow travel, with luxury train journeys taking centre stage.
A recent study by Japan Rail Pass has crunched the numbers-TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram hashtags, and global search volumes-to reveal the world’s most sought-after luxury train rides for 2025.
The verdict? The Rocky Mountaineer, based in Vancouver, Canada, claims the crown as the world’s best luxury train experience, scoring an impressive 8.88 out of 10.
South Africa’s own Rovos Rail is hot on its heels, ranked fourth globally with a score of 8.55 out of 10.
THE TOP FIVE TRAIN TRAVELS
Let’s take a whistle-stop tour through the top contenders:
- Rocky Mountaineer (Vancouver, Canada)
This train is a feast for the senses. Think panoramic glass-domed coaches, gourmet cuisine, and jaw-dropping views of the Canadian Rockies. “We want our guests to feel like they’re part of the landscape, not just passing through it,” says a Rocky Mountaineer spokesperson. With over 60,000 Instagram hashtags and 48,000 monthly searches, it’s clear this ride is on everyone’s bucket list. - Napa Valley Wine Train (California, USA)
Second place goes to this vintage charmer, gliding through California’s wine country. Passengers sip and savour as vineyards roll by. It’s no wonder the train boasts a 4.5-star TripAdvisor rating and nearly 30,000 monthly searches. - GoldenPass Express (Montreux, Switzerland)
In third, the GoldenPass Express offers a front-row seat to Switzerland’s lakes and mountains. Its panoramic windows turn every journey into a moving postcard. - Rovos Rail (Pretoria, South Africa)
South Africa’s pride, Rovos Rail, is a rolling five-star hotel. With wood-panelled charm, fine dining, and routes that showcase our country’s dramatic landscapes. It’s a must for anyone seeking “the most luxurious train journey in the world.” Over 13,700 Instagram hashtags and 17,000 monthly searches prove its global appeal. “It’s about more than travel-it’s about reliving a golden era of rail in modern comfort,” says a Rovos Rail representative. - The Ghan (Adelaide, Australia)
Rounding out the top five, The Ghan slices through Australia’s wild heart, from Adelaide to Darwin, according to Railbookers Group.
THE DEMAND FOR ‘SLOW TRAVEL’
Why the surge in luxury rail? Haroun Khan, founder of JR Pass, explains:
“We’ve seen a clear shift in demand toward these kinds of journeys, not just as transport, but as destinations in themselves. Sightseeing and experiential travel are now key motivators.”
For South Africans, there’s pride in knowing Rovos Rail ranks among the world’s best.
SOUTH AFRICAN PRIDE
And with the luxury travel market booming, there’s never been a better time to book that bucket-list journey.
Whether it’s across the Rockies, through the vineyards of Napa, or right here at home, from Pretoria to Cape Town.
All aboard for a new era of luxury-where the journey is the destination, and the world’s most beautiful landscapes unfold outside your window.
HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED A LUXURY TRAIN JOURNEY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
