Rail travel for most evokes scenic views, relaxed motion, and old-fashioned charm — but for a select few, it means ultra-luxury, bespoke experiences that cost more than many people’s annual vacations. At the peak of luxury travel sits the most expensive train in world journeys: extraordinary rail voyages blending heritage, fine dining, private suites, world-class service, and once-in-a-lifetime routes.
In this comprehensive guide, explore the most expensive train in world experiences — where they run, what they cost, and why luxury travelers around the globe aspire to ride them.
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What Makes a Train the “Most Expensive Train in World”?
The title “most expensive train in the world isn’t simply about ticket cost — it’s about the total experience. Factors that often push these journeys into ultra-luxury status include:
- Prestigious Heritage & Iconic Routes – Legendary services with centuries-old history or famous routes.
- Grand Suites & Private Cabins – Lavish suites with en-suite facilities, entertainment, and personal service.
- Gourmet Dining & Fine Wine – Multi-course menus prepared by expert chefs tailored to destinations.
- Personalised Attention – Butlers, hosts, and dedicated staff ensure seamless hospitality.
- Exclusive Routes – Remote landscapes or culturally iconic regions not accessible by typical transport.
These travel attributes combine to place certain train journeys among the most expensive train in world experiences — coveted, rare, and unforgettable.
Top 10 Most Expensive Train in World Experiences (2026)
| Rank | Train or Service | Region | Price Highlights (Approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Venice Simplon-Orient-Express | Europe | $10,000 – $100,000+ | Offers multi-day historic routes |
| 2 | Maharajas’ Express | India | $6,000 – >$25,000 per cabin | Presidential Suite highest |
| 3 | Train Suite Shiki-Shima | Japan | ~$6,000-$8,000+ | Highly exclusive cabins |
| 4 | Rovos Rail (Pride of Africa) | Africa | Custom pricing premium | Historic safari route |
| 5 | Blue Train | South Africa | Premium-priced luxury | Five-star hotel on wheels |
| 6 | Eastern & Oriental Express | Southeast Asia | Luxury pricing | Scenic journeys |
| 7 | Belmond Royal Scotsman | UK | Luxury routes | Scottish highland premium |
| 8 | Seven Stars in Kyushu | Japan | Luxury pricing | Refined art & hospitality |
| 9 | Golden Eagle Danube Express | Europe | €10,000+ trips | Eastern European route |
| 10 | La Dolce Vita Orient Express | Italy | €3,500+ /night | Elegant Italian luxury |
Table prices are approximate and subject to change based on season, itinerary, and cabin class.
1. Venice Simplon-Orient-Express
Often topping lists as the most expensive train in the world, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express captures the imagination like no other. With iconic art-deco carriages, sumptuous interiors, and meticulously curated routes across Europe, this is a journey into luxury’s golden age.
✨ Why it stands out:
- Multi-night routes including Paris ↔ Venice and themed heritage journeys.
- Grand Suites rival luxury hotel penthouses.
- Prices for premium cabins can exceed $60,000+ for multi-day, multi-city voyages.
It remains a defining answer to what is the most expensive train in world for classic rail luxury seekers.
2. Maharajas’ Express — Indian Royalty Meets Luxury Rails
Regarded as among the most expensive train in the world journeys, the Maharajas’ Express blends royal heritage with modern luxury. Operated by India’s IRCTC, it’s celebrated for its curated routes through Rajasthan and beyond.
💫 Experience highlights:
- Presidential suites with private service and lavish comforts.
- 6–7-night journeys covering Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, and more.
- Prices vary widely; top-tier cabins can exceed $25,000 for full journeys.
For many global travellers, this train epitomizes the most expensive train in world outside of Europe.
3. Train Suite Shiki-Shima — Japan’s Ultra-Exclusive Rail
Modern luxury meets Japanese excellence aboard the Train Suite Shiki-Shima, often mentioned among the most expensive train in world experiences.
🥂 Key features:
- Ultra-limited availability with few cabins.
- Gourmet seasonal meals, panoramic observation lounges, refined design.
- Prices commonly run into multiple thousands per passenger for a short journey.
Demand far exceeds availability — a hallmark of elite rail travel.
4. Rovos Rail – Pride of Africa
Rovos Rail’s Pride of Africa stands as one of southern Africa’s most iconic and immersive luxury train experiences, blending the romance of historic rail travel with first-class comfort and breathtaking scenery. Operated from Pretoria, South Africa, this beautifully restored train carries up to 72 guests in 36 elegant suites, each paneled with rich wood and equipped with modern amenities such as en-suite facilities, air-conditioning, and personalised service.
Passengers can choose from a variety of journeys ranging from classic routes like Cape Town to Pretoria — traversing Cape winelands, historic towns, and diverse landscapes — to epic cross-continent adventures that span multiple countries and thousands of kilometres.
Onboard, the train features dining cars serving gourmet cuisine, a lounge car for relaxation, and an observation car offering panoramic views of Africa’s vast natural beauty. Whether crossing savannahs, deserts, or rolling hills, the Pride of Africa offers a uniquely refined way to explore the continent’s most remarkable destinations.
5. Other Elite Most Expensive Train in the World Journeys
Blue Train (South Africa) – a rolling five-star hotel with sophisticated cabin design.
Eastern & Oriental Express (Southeast Asia) – lush inter-country scenic routes.
Belmond Royal Scotsman (UK) – aristocratic Scottish highland journeys.
Seven Stars in Kyushu (Japan) – small-scale refined luxury.
Golden Eagle Danube Express (Europe) – premium routes through Eastern Europe.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express (Italy) – modern reinterpretation of rail glamour.
Why These Are the Most Expensive Train in World?
Luxury train journeys are distinct from regular rail travel because they deliver:
Immersive cultural experiences through multiple destinations.
World-class gastronomy prepared onboard.
Rare and exclusive access to limited cabins and tailored service.
Lifestyle-scale accommodation while in motion.
The combination of these elements makes each one a contender for most expensive trains in the world status.
Final Thoughts
The most expensive train in the world experiences don’t simply transport you physically — they transport you into rich narratives of culture, history, and the art of luxury itself. From Europe’s iconic Orient Express to India’s royal Maharajas’ Express and Japan’s elegant Shiki-Shima, these journeys represent the pinnacle of experiential travel.
Whether you’re planning a future splurge trip or simply dreaming of rail romance, exploring these elite experiences shows that traveling in style has many forms — and the most expensive train in world journeys are some of the most unforgettable.
