The LUXE Report 2025 - Report - Page 22
Beyond Europe
Further afield, there are plenty of luxury rail services, both
established and newer routes, to sate the appetite of
the most intrepid explorers. The Golden Eagle Silk Road
Express, is launching in 2026, offering new luxury
train itineraries through China, Tibet, and
beyond. Operator Golden Eagle Luxury
Trains already offers a range of routes
through Europe, and destinations
including Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Uzbekistan.
Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental
Express gives travellers
the opportunity to journey
from the urban buzz of
Singapore deep into the
Malaysian jungle, enjoying
onboard glamour and
off-board adventure with
activities ranging from tiger
conservation and nature
photography to e-bicycle
rides to ancient caves.
The luxury brand also runs the
Andean Explorer, South America’s
first luxury sleeper train, which takes
guests through Peru’s breathtaking
landscapes, from the serene Lake
Titicaca to the ruins of Raqch’i, and the Hiram
Bingham, for groups that want to travel to Machu
Picchu in style.
Elsewhere, Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer, and India’s
Maharajas’ Express and South Africa’s Rovos Rail all offer
iconic journeys, while other regional players such as East
Japan Railway Company have helped propel the slowcruising rail experience to new heights with the Train Suite
Shiki-Shima, launched in 2017, which transports guests
around Tohoku and South Hokkaido in luxurious carriages –
but securing one of its 34 spots is a lottery.
With dazzling new trains and routes taking to the tracks,
the renaissance of luxury rail shows no signs of slowing.
Bookings are surging as the “slow travel” trend continues to
captivate travellers, with operators like Railbookers reporting
record-breaking demand in 2024.
For corporate and incentive groups, these journeys offer
more than just transportation: they combine fine dining,
exclusive activities and ever-changing landscapes into one
seamless, indulgent experience. As the sector continues
to grow, luxury rail is ushering in a new golden age of travel
– cementing its place as one of the most memorable and
rewarding ways to travel.
