Top 10 Luxury Train Journeys for 2021

LuxuryTrainTickets.com offers some of the very best luxury train trips in the world, and with so many journeys on offer from the England to Southeast Asia, there’s always an exceptional range to choose from. Whether you are looking for a dining experience onboard a 1920’s train, a day trip excursion for a VIP tour of a stately home or a sleeper journey, you can find exactly what you’re looking for amongst our schedule.

But with so much choice, how do you know what was the very best? We’re often asked this question and it really comes down to your own personal preference. Do you have a budget or date in mind? Perhaps there’s somewhere you’d really like to go or something you’d like to experience. With all that aside, what really are the best luxury train journeys we have on offer?

With new journeys for 2021 being added to our schedule plus a few all-time favourites making a reappearance, we’ve decided to take on the tricky task of narrowing down all of journeys to just our top 10. These are in no particular order and vary greatly in terms of price, location and journey type, but with our years of experience, we believe these are the very best journeys we have available.

So without further ado, all aboard please!

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Champagne Afternoon Tea

Onboard the British Pullman. Departing from London Victoria.

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Upgraded from last year’s standard ‘Afternoon Tea’ journey, one of our most popular and most affordable journeys onboard the British Pullman now has a fizzy-twist to the journey. Expect the same beautiful views, the same tasty afternoon tea treats of saviours and cakes, but with added champagne.

This is a round-trip journey departing from London Victoria and returning the same day. The journey lasts around four to five hours, during which time you will be treated to one of the most spectacular afternoon teas you will have ever tasted.

On board the beautifully restored 1920’s British Pullman luxury train, you’ll see ever-changing views from your window as the train heads North our of London through the Kent gardens before heading back South along the coast before returning North to London.

This is a perfect way to dip your toe into the world of luxury train travel. This makes a very popular gift as well or just an ideal way to treat yourself and anyone you choose to bring along with you. Although this journey is very popular, it does tend to depart twice per month, so booking a ticket shouldn’t be difficult.


See full details of our Champagne Afternoon Tea luxury train journey.

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Golden Age of Travel

Onboard the British Pullman. Departing from London Victoria.

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Another exceptionally popular journey, the Golden Age of Travel offers a taste of what life was like back in the 1920’s at the epitome of luxury train journeys. You’ll be treated to a five-hour round trip onboard the British Pullman luxury train that has been beautifully restored. As you sit back in your arm chair, the stewards will make sure you have everything you need as you enjoy one of the most popular journeys we offer.

As well as a champagne reception, coffee, tea and petit fours that come as standard with all of our journeys, the main event of the journey is a sumptuous five-course lunch. Prepared fresh onboard using seasonable ingredients, you’ll enjoy some of the finest cuisine made by talented chefs onboard in the kitchen car.

This journey is incredibly popular due to it’s affordable price, regular availability and the incredible value this trip offers. Not only do you get to experience one of the most luxurious day trains in the world, but also sample some exceptional cuisine. This combination of exquisite food but in a unique setting makes this journey ideal for any celebration or for just enjoying the ride.

Available multiple times per month, this journey is another that’s easy to book. Seats do go quickly but booking a month or two in advance should be sufficient. We do offer a steam-hauled version of the Golden Age of Travel which does command a premium and is only available every now and then. These steam-hauled trips do get booked up very quickly.


See full details of our Golden Age of Travel luxury train journey.

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London to Venice

Onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Departing from London Victoria.

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Passengers start their journey not on the famous Venice Simplon Orient Express, but sister train the British Pullman. This luxurious day train takes passengers from London to Dover where everyone on board is treated to a brunch or afternoon tea depending on the time you travel. After a brief transfer, you’ll board the Venice Simplon Orient Express, be shown to your cabin and your adventure really begins.

A very popular journey and one our most affordable sleepers, our London to Venice trip is a one-night, one-way journey taking passengers across the continent in the highest levels of luxury. You’ll be treated to a multiple-course dinner, breakfast and brunch as well as 24 hour steward service.

Offering many unique and beautifully restored carriages, passengers are free to explore the train. Lounge in the bar, dine in the restaurant car or use your cabin as you wish. A one-night journey is the perfect way to sample what life was like onboard these luxurious trains during the Golden Age of Travel in the 1920’s.

This particular journey is popular and does get booked up very quickly. Journeys depart two or three times a month so there are plenty of dates to choose from, just make sure you book early to secure the date you require.


See full details of our London to Venice luxury train journey.

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Spirit of Travel Lunch

Onboard the Northern Belle. Departing from multiple Northern UK stations.

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Taking you back to the 1930’s and the opulent ‘Belle’ trains of the era, you’ll be shown to your seat on one of the many vintage carriages, each uniquely decorated and each with a unique story to tell. As strolling musicians entertain as they pass through the carriages, you’ll be treated to glorious British countryside views and an exceptional seven-course lunch.

Perfect for food connoisseurs, enjoy five hours of gastronomic bliss as you are treated so some of the finest cuisine you will have ever tasted. Prepared fresh onboard by talented chefs, each course is a journey in itself and one that will leave you fully satisfied.

Along with lunch, each journey includes a bottle of wine per couple, tea, coffee and petit fours as well as a welcome champagne reception to begin the journey. A popular journey for its affordability, wide range of dates but also varying departure points across the North of England, making it accessible and convenient for many people looking to experience luxury train travel.

This is a popular journey that runs many times per month, however departure stations do vary. Be sure to get on contact with us if you would like to know where your most convenient departure station is and when this journey next departs there.

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Scotland’s Classic Splendours

Onboard the Royal Scotsman. Departing from Edinburgh Waverley.

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One of the most epic journeys we offer, step onboard the incredible Royal Scotsman for a tour of the Highlands. Enjoy four nights onboard one of the most luxurious trains in the world, complete with its own onboard spa, as you embark on a truly unforgettable adventure.

For the price of your ticket, you’ll receive 24 hour steward service, all meals including a Scottish breakfast, three-course lunch and four-course dinner, all beverages including alcohol as well as a seal-watching boat trip, a trip to Ballindallock Castle, a visit to Rothiemurchus Estate and a guided tour of Glamis Castle.

This is the perfect way to see the hidden delights of Scotland in the most relaxing and luxurious way possible. Each day holds a new adventure as you are treated to a guided tour or a visit to somewhere truly exceptional. Not to mention the views that pass your window as you travel from destination to destination.

While this trip runs multiple times per year, it does get booked up months in advance. We recommend booking as far in advance as you can to guarantee your booking. That said, we offer many other journeys onboard the Royal Scotsman ranging from three to seven nights.


See full details of our Scotland’s Classic Splendours luxury train journey.

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Murder Mystery Lunch

Onboard the British Pullman. Departing from London Victoria.

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For a journey with a little theatre, nothing quite matches our Murder Mystery Lunch onboard the British Pullman. A dining trip with a delightful twist, passengers must solve a murder that has taken place onboard the British Pullman. Become a character in an Agatha Christie murder novel as you try to work out who the culprit is.

A fun journey with a narrative that passengers can take part in as much as they wish, this journey is another that is incredibly popular. As well as a scenic round-trip and a exquisite five-course lunch prepared fresh onboard by talented chefs, the journey takes passengers back in time to the 1920’s where you will meet all of the suspects onboard.

Using your clue sheet, you’ll interview them to see who is the likely murderer. As your piece together the clues, it will soon become clear who the culprit is as you play your part as an onboard detective.

A glamorous journey that is lots of fun with prizes for the best detectives, this journey is ideal for those who want to be involved in the journey itself. Feedback from passengers is always extremely positive and guests are guaranteed to return home with stories to tell.

The Murder Mystery Lunch runs usually once or twice per month but is quite popular and can become fully-booked quite quickly. We recommend booking as far in advance as possible, although a month or two is usually plenty.


See full details of our Murder Mystery Lunch luxury train journey.

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Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok

Onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express. Departing from Kuala Lumpur.

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Explore the exotic East in the most luxurious way possible onboard the Eastern & Oriental Express. A more modern train compared with our other offerings, but one equally as impressive nonetheless. Enjoy two nights of exceptional luxury as you journey from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok.

As well as 24 hour steward service, breakfast, three-course lunch and a four-course dinner, you’ll also be treated to a guided cruise along the River Kwai and a visit to the War Museum as well as a visit to a local Malaysian village with a choice of excursions. This journey also includes house spirits, beer and wine.

The perfect addition to perhaps a longer stay, this journey is an ideal way to explore the hidden gems of Southeast Asia. The train is incredibly well equipped and offers everything you could need for a delightful journey.

This journey departs regularly throughout the year but does become fully booked. We therefore recommend booking as far in advance as you can.


See full details of our Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok luxury train journey.

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Edinburgh at Leisure

Onboard the Northern Belle. Departing from multiple Northern UK stations.

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Day trips with excursions are exceptional value for money. Not only do passengers receive free time to spend at a location (in this case Edinburgh), but they are also treated to a multiple course brunch on the outward journey and a multiple course dinner on the return journey.

As the name suggests, day trips last almost all day. Usually departing early in the morning and returning late evening, they offer passengers the best of life onboard a luxury train but also the leisure time to spend exploring by themselves. This particular journey is very popular as it takes passengers over the boarder into Scotland for around five hours of free time in Scotland’s capital.

After a welcome sparkling Bellini, three-course brunch, morning tea and coffee, passengers can do as they wish for the five hours they are in Edinburgh. Back onboard they are welcomes with champagne and a five-course dinner complete with a bottle of wine per couple and tea, coffee and petits fours. All before taken back to the station from which they departed from.

Day trips run multiple times per month and our trips to Edinburgh run quite regularly. Availability is usually good, however since the rain departs from multiple stations, be sure to check which date offers the departure you require.


See full details of our Edinburgh at Leisure luxury train journey.

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Chatsworth House

Onboard the British Pullman. Departing from London Victoria.

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One of the most popular British Pullman journeys to include an excursion, steam onboard for a round-trip to the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire’s home. Departing at approximately 9am and returning around 9:30pm the same day, this is a full-day’s outing with plenty of time to explore.

Passengers are welcomed onboard with a sparkling Bellini before being treated to a delicious three-course brunch on the outward journey. Morning tea and coffees are served before arriving to the closest station to Chatsworth House, where a coach will take you the rest of the way.

The ticket price includes admission to the house with plenty of time to explore the grounds for yourself. You’ll be welcomed with champagne back onboard the British Pullman before being treated to a five-course dinner as you head back towards London.

A journey that runs a few times throughout the year but one that is often fully-booked very quickly. We’d recommend booking if there is availability.


See full details of our Chatsworth House luxury train journey.

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Paris to Istanbul

Onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express. Departing from Paris Gare de l’Est.

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The ultimate luxury train journey anywhere in the world. Step onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express, sister to the original ‘Orient Express’ as you retrace the famous Paris to Istanbul journey. Five nights of pure luxury including two hotel stays, excursions to Budapest, a cruise on the Danube, a visit to Peles Castle and a private tour of Bucharest.

Very few journeys can offer the same levels of luxury and the sheer number of sights you’ll see, all in the space of five days. Of course during your journey all meals are included and stewards are on hand 24 hours a day for your every need. You are treated like a VIP throughout the trip as you experience the closest anyone can get to a journey onboard the original Orient Express.

In total, you’ll spend three nights onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express in your very own cabin. There are a voice of three cabin styles: Twin Cabins, Cabin Suites and the Grand Suite. There are only three Grand Suites available on board, all of which are lavishly decorated and exceptionally spacious.

This journey does tend to be fully booked many months in advance. Our 2021 journey only has a couple of cabins available at the time of writing and we already have a waiting list for 2022. This really is the pinnacle journey and many see it as the trip of a lifetime. For the most lavish, glamorous, glorious and unique journey anywhere in the world, this is surely it.


See full details of our Paris to Istanbul luxury train journey.