

If you rather stay on and just look out your window, keep an eye peeled for arctic foxes, reindeer, snow owls, and other species of Arctic fauna and flora that inhabit this austere land. There are different stops where you can get off during the journey, including the mountain village of Finse, which has been described as a ‘miniature Antarctica’ for its extreme weather conditions. The fact that the railway itself was built between 18 adds to the appeal, as one can’t help but wonder how, exactly, Norwegians managed to pull off such an engineering feat back then (182 tunnels were carved out of rock to make way for the train). The scenery spans meadows and fast-flowing rivers, tumbling waterfalls, and dramatic fjords, all of which are brisk, snow-laden, and decidedly polar-looking in winter, heightening the feeling of being in the middle of an otherworldly place. Heading to Greymouth, the best views are on the right side of the train.Northern Europe’s highest railway-it climbs to 1,222m above sea level-the Bergen Line runs for 306 miles between Oslo and Bergen, taking six and a half hours to cross the beautiful (if utterly remote) Hardangervidda mountain plateau. The café offers food, snacks, beer, wine, and spirits. Reclining seats, panoramic windows, and skylights make the ride comfortable and rewarding. After a one-hour stop in the small town of Greymouth, the train returns to Christchurch, making the coast-to-coast round trip about an 11-hour journey. There’s a short stop at Arthur's Pass station and then a trip through one of New Zealand’s longest tunnels, over a deep valley, and across another river with views of waterfalls. After about an hour, the climb into the mountains begins, across steel bridges over deep gorges and through short tunnels. Departing Christchurch at 8:15 a.m., the train passes through farmland, past sheep and cattle, and then on towards the Southern Alps. The four-and-a-half-hour journey between Christchurch and Greymouth on New Zealand’s South Island is run once daily by KiwiRail as one of their Great Journeys of New Zealand. With an Excellence Class ticket, exclusive amenities include a premium multi-course meal with local wines and a special seating area.
Switzerland scenery train full#
Several classes of service are available, and there’s a snack trolley, full meals, and an onboard bar.
Switzerland scenery train windows#
The train’s panoramic windows make viewing easy, and headphones are provided for narration. Moritz, Switzerland’s elegant vacation resort city. From there, the train descends along the Rhine Valley with one of the most dramatic views of the trip, the Rhine Gorge, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of Switzerland.” Continuing south through a narrow valley and through the Albula tunnel, the eight-hour journey ends in St. The Oberalp Pass, near the source of the Rhine River, is the highest point of the trip at nearly 7,000 feet. Starting in the mountain village of Zermatt near the Matterhorn, the journey continues past rocky peaks, crossing the Rhone into the Upper Rhone Valley. Moritz, Switzerland, through the Swiss Alps with breathtaking views of mountains, streams, and quaint towns. This train travels between Zermatt and St. Check tour hours before stopping, and for the best views, sit on the train’s left heading north.

These include Boscobel in Garrison, Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow, Springwood in Tarrytown, the Vanderbilt Mansion in Hyde Park, and Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie. The river and its lush surroundings attracted wealthy individuals to build fabulous mansions, many of which are open for tours. Beacon is a walkable artist community offering galleries, boutiques, and the Dia Beacon contemporary art museum. Heading north out of Manhattan’s Grand Central Terminal - a must-see destination in itself - the train passes Yankee Stadium in the borough of the Bronx and continues along the river through towns well worth the time to stop and visit. While daily commuters might take the scenery for granted, sightseers can enjoy the beautiful round-trip journey for less than $50. The trip takes about two hours and passes through historic towns with views of the river, forests, and stately mansions. This commuter train originates in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal and travels along the eastern shore of the Hudson River to Poughkeepsie.
