Luxury train travel is experiencing a major renaissance in 2025, as discerning travellers gravitate toward journeys that blend comfort, nostalgia, and bespoke experiences. Companies like Belmond, Railbookers, and Orient Express are leading new high-end routes, delivering sumptuous interiors, curated dining, and immersive off-train experiences. For many, the journey now competes with—or even surpasses—the destination. Sleeper cars offer plush suites, panoramic observation cars, and service that mirrors boutique hotels on rails.
This revival is driven by multiple intersecting trends. First is the desire for slow travel: many travellers are tired of airport hassles and express itineraries, preferring instead to savour historic landscapes via classic rail corridors. Sustainability plays a role too—rail journeys often have a smaller carbon footprint than flying, particularly when scheduled routes replace short-haul flights.Finally, there’s the added allure of exclusivity: suites designed by celebrated interior designers, private dining cars with Michelin-level chefs, and off-train excursions that connect travellers with local culture and lesser-known destinations.
From an E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) perspective, luxury train travel checks all the boxes. The experience is distinguished: the rhythm of rails, changing scenery, and historic charm offer something no plane ride can replicate. Expertise shows in the craftsmanship of restored vintage carriages, gastronomy onboard, and refined service standards. Authoritativeness is reinforced by the heritage brands reviving or expanding classic train lines—Orient Express, Venice Simplon, Andean Explorer—and their documented commitment to quality and authenticity. Trustworthiness hinges on transparency: in pricing (some grand suites cost over US $30,000 for one night), in service promises, in environmental impact messaging, and in the real feedback of travellers.
