The eastern orient express navigates a narrow mountain valley in Turkey, alongside a river.

Around the world in 59 days—luxury train trip to cross 12 countries, 4 continents

From Scotland to Singapore, this luxury train adventure spans the globe--and costs $120k

by Henry Cesari

Published on September 24, 2024 8:56 pm

2 min read

During a year off from college, I had this romantic notion that taking the Amtrak across the U.S. would feel like the golden age of rail. Spoiler: it didn’t. I boarded in San Francisco overdressed and starry-eyed. I tumbled off in Albany, 24 hours late, looking like a crumpled mess. In hindsight, maybe I was just on the wrong train.

If you want to experience rail travel at its finest, Rail Bookers has you covered with their newly announced 59-day luxury around-the-world journey kicking off in September 2025. This isn’t your standard Amtrak fare. Let’s say you hop aboard: over nearly two months, you’ll ride seven different trains across 12 countries and four continents. Along the way, you’ll spend 21 nights onboard these luxury trains and 32 nights in high-end hotels, stopping to take in the Taj Mahal, Edinburgh Castle, the Blue Mosque, jeep safaris in Africa, tiger sanctuaries in Malaysia, and much more.

Here’s what your rail adventure will look like:

Rocky Mountaineer

The journey begins in Vancouver, where you’ll hop aboard this iconic blue-and-gold train to see some of the most breathtaking landscapes in northwest Canada. You’ll spend a week riding through dramatic mountain ranges and end up in Banff National Park.

Royal Scotsman

Next up, you’ll find yourself in Scotland for a scenic three-day round trip. Picture local dishes, live entertainment, and a journey to Inverlochy Castle for tea. You’re not just riding a train; you’re immersing yourself in Scottish culture.

La Dolce Vita

From the UK, you’ll fly to Rome and board La Dolce Vita, the latest in the Orient Express fleet. Two nights of fine dining and rolling Italian countryside views will have you in Venice and back before you know it.

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Baggage handler and conductor wheels two pieces of luggage along a platform next to the Orient Express. — Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train | kmn-network via iStockPhoto

Now it’s time for the big one. You’ll board the famous Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, with its original 1929 carriages restored to perfection. This leg takes you from Venice to Paris and then on to Bucharest and Istanbul, offering a rare chance to experience the Orient Express on its historic longer routes.

Maharajas’ Express

In India, you’ll spend a week aboard the Maharajas’ Express, a luxurious train complete with Victorian-inspired decor and impeccable service. From Delhi to Mumbai, you’ll explore India’s vibrant culture and historic sites.

Rovos Rail

The adventure continues in Africa. You’ll fly to Johannesburg and board Rovos Rail for a 13-day journey through South Africa’s national parks, visiting wildlife reserves and even Victoria Falls.

Eastern & Oriental Express

The trip wraps up in Southeast Asia on the Eastern & Oriental Express. From Singapore, you’ll explore tiger sanctuaries, rainforests, and tropical islands over five days before heading back to Singapore.

While this itinerary is shorter than last year’s 80-day trip (which included Eastern Europe aboard the Golden Eagle), it still covers some serious ground. That said, the one continent missing is South America. Maybe next year, the trip will add Peru’s Andean Explorer.

And while $120k is nothing to sneeze at (ticket price before flights), if you’ve ever dreamed of seeing the world from a train window, it’s the ultimate experience. Just don’t expect to look fresh after two months of non-stop travel. Trust me, I know.

Check out some of the trains featured in the around-the-world trip in the video below:

Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.