Luxury rail travel is having a renaissance, with more and more people swapping flights for the romance of slow, scenic and sustainable journeys on land.
But one tour operator, Adventures by Train, is taking things to the next level with its flagship journey: Around the World By Train in 100 days.
It’s exactly what it says on the tin – travellers can explore the world by rail, experiencing everything from the snow-capped peaks of the Swiss Alps to the bustling streets of Tokyo.
The route takes passengers through 14 countries and weaves in some of the world’s most iconic rail routes, including the California Zephyr train and China’s high-speed rail to Xian.
It’s not exactly cheap; you’ll need to have a spare £112,900 lying around to be in with a chance of bagging a seat.
But for the hefty price tag, there’s certainly a lot included, with Adventures by Train director Jim Louth claiming the ‘trip provides the perfect mix of world-class rail travel with hand-picked immersive experiences in optimum comfort’.
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Where will the route take you?
Departing from Southampton, passengers will embark on a completely flight-free journey across Europe, Asia and North America, passing through 14 countries: France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Türkiye, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Japan, Canada and the USA.
Along the way, travellers will roll through the Swiss and Austrian Alps, board sleeper trains across Central Asia, ride Japan’s famous Shinkansen bullet train and take in the stunning landscapes of the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains aboard the California Zephyr Amtrack.
Guests will have a front-row seat to breathtaking scenery, with sprawling valleys, national parks and mountain ranges on show from the carriage windows.
They’ll experience plenty of cultural attractions too, including classical music performances in Vienna, a Turkish marbling workshop in Istanbul, traditional tea ceremonies in Japan and wine tasting in Georgia’s Kakheti region.
The train will also stop along the way to explore Unesco World Heritage Sites like Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia, Azerbaijan’s Gobustan rock carvings and China’s Terracotta Warriors in Xian.
What accommodation is included?
As well as traversing the rails (with passengers spending overnight journeys in their own private sleeping compartments) the trip will include two luxurious cruise journeys to cross to different continents, starting with 23 days aboard the North Pacific Passage Luxury Cruise from Tokyo to Vancouver.
The second voyage is a seven-night Atlantic crossing aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 from New York to Southampton, which completes the 100-day trip.
There are a couple of other sea crossings, including a 24 to 30-hour boat from Azerbaijan to Kazakhstan and an overnight cruise from Shanghai to Osaka, both with private cabins included.
And alongside all this, guests will also have the chance to stay at some historic five-star accommodations throughout the trip.
Among the luxurious locations on the itinerary are The Langham in New York, The Fairmont Peace Hotel in Shanghai and Istanbul’s Pera Palace, where Agatha Christie is believed to have written parts of her famous novel, Murder on the Orient Express.
How much will the trip cost?
The 100-day-long journey is set to depart on March 17 next year – and with only 12 spaces available, it’s certainly exclusive.
Those hoping to secure a place will have to fork out £112,900 per person. Couples, meanwhile, can take advantage of a reduced rate of £89,950 each, based on sharing the cost of accommodation.
While the trip costs more than double the average UK house deposit, there’s plenty of luxury packed in.
Passengers will enjoy first-class rail travel during daytime journeys and private sleeping compartments for overnight rail journeys, along with guided sightseeing tours, entry fees to the listed attractions and most meals (breakfast, lunch or dinner) included in the price.
It’s not your average all-inclusive menu either, with the package featuring Michelin-starred dining at renowned restaurants such as New York’s Atomix or Shanghai’s Taian Table.
Although the trip is set to last longer than three months, the company advises passengers to pack light, as most rail operators do not provide a checked luggage service and baggage needs to be suitable for overhead racks.
To help reduce bulky luggage, guests will be designated $100 (£76) per person per hotel stay for laundry services.
You can enquire about the around-the-world trip via the Adventures by Train website.
If you can’t commit to a quarter of a year, the operator offers several shorter journeys, from 13-day trips from Jakarta to Bali to 18-day routes from London to Malta via Sicily.
Europe’s 8 most beautiful train routes to travel in 2025
If an around-the-world train journey sounds too long, there are plenty of other incredible rail adventures to enjoy.
Metro has rounded up some of the most beautiful train routes to travel in 2025. Whether you’re looking for an under-the-radar adventure or a luxurious sleeper train, there’s something for everyone.
Read the full list of destinations here or get inspired by the highlights below:
- Cannes to Menton, France – A coastal journey along the French Riviera.
- The Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy – A Unesco-listed journey through the Alps that crosses the famous Landwasser Viaduct.
- Venice Simplon-Orient-Express – A route from Paris to Istanbul immortalised in cinema through Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.
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Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
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