In pursuit of more sustainable travel, many are turning to the romance and tranquil pace of trains. From a food lover’s tour of Italy to Asian adventures, Original Travel explores the world’s best and most beautiful train routes
Travel trends come and go (and often come back round again), but one that is gradually gaining momentum – quite literally – is train travel.
Travelling by train is, of course, nothing new. And that’s surely part of its appeal. In fact, this year marks the 200th anniversary of the first passenger railway – the Stockton and Darlington Railway – which opened in England in 1825. In an age that values instant gratification, choosing to go at a leisurely pace is a welcome antithesis.
There is something romantic, old world and deliberate about train travel. Although it’s something of a cliché, time spent on a train watching the world go by with a drink in one hand, perhaps a good book in the other, or just closing your eyes and being in the moment, is when you appreciate that the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination itself. Within the travel industry, train excursions are certainly having a moment.
Tom Barber, co-founder of luxury travel group Original Travel, extols the virtues of trains over planes as a ‘rare opportunity to slow down’. ‘Train travel is a much better way to immerse yourself in the country, because you see so much more of the landscape,’ he explains. ‘It’s the definition of the adage that travel is as much about the journey as the destination, so we are thrilled to see – and service – this travel trend.’
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Original Travel, which was founded in 2003, is a bespoke travel service with a unique setup: in every country it sends people to, it has clued-up local concierges installed, so you always have an expert with local knowledge on standby. The company has noted that train bookings have shot up by 37 per cent since this time last year, with enquiries up a whopping 125 per cent from 2023. There are a number of reasons for this, not least the inherently leisurely, romantic nature of train travel compared with more stressful modes of transportation. It’s why the Orient Express (now known as the Venice Simplon Orient-Express) remains as popular as ever, with guests more than willing to shell out thousands of pounds for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to step back in time amid unashamed opulence and free-flowing champagne.
Then there is the fact that in 2025 travellers are increasingly aware of their carbon footprint and actively seeking out more sustainable itineraries. According to Booking.com, 93 per cent of British tourists have pledged to make more sustainable travel choices (a huge increase from just 32 per cent in 2016), and 60 per cent of Londoners would support banning short-haul flights where high-speed rail alternatives exist, according to research by GlobeNewswire.
With all this in mind, it’s little surprise that Original Travel has launched its first-ever train brochure. The new guide includes insider picks of the world’s most beautiful rail routes, insights on sleeper services and planning tools for those looking to tick off their dream bucket-list adventure by train. Original Travel cites 2026 as a ‘landmark year for luxury rail’ and notes that there has been major investment in rail infrastructure and a mass reintroduction of sleeper trains across Europe. Itineraries range from a top-to-toe tour of Italy, starting in Milan and ending in sun-drenched Sicily, to an epic 10-day journey from Singapore to Bangkok.
Rail travel is a way to visit multiple countries and must-see destinations while travelling in the lap of luxury and seeing parts of the country untouched by tourism.
Original Travel’s itineraries also align with emerging trends and destinations, with journeys that combine food, nature, history and cultural experiences. As railways enter their third century, they feel less like an anachronism and more like a reset button. And in a world that moves fast, what could be more luxurious than that?
