AROUND THE WORLD · TRAIN EXPERIENCES

15 Train Trips Worth Flying For

26 tours  ·  from $15 a head

Good train trips fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.

Porto: City Train Tour, River Cruise & Wine Cellar - The city train is a useful first look at Porto
Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Wine Tours

Porto: City Train Tour, River Cruise & Wine Cellar

1.City Train Tour, River Cruise & Wine Cellar

★★★★★★★★★★3.9 · 2,601 reviews · 3 hours · from $43Our pick

Start beside Porto Cathedral with a Magic Tourism voucher, then ride the city train to Real Companhia Velha for a short film, cellar tour, and two port tastings. Continue through central Porto before taking a one-hour Douro cruise. You can split the train and boat over two days.

“The experience was absolutely fantastic. The exchange of the email confirmation at the magic Tourism office for individual tickets was so easy and well organised - the guy manning the desk was friendly and helpful. I really enjoyed being able to split the activities over two days which proved even better value for money in my opinion. Plus helped us avoid a spot of bad weather too! We went on the train to the wine cellar one day followed by the boat cruise the day after when the sun returned. Everything was really clearly explained to us regarding pick up location and times. Would 100% recommend”

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Porto: Douro Valley Full-Day Boat, Train, and Lunch Tour - The road from Porto to the first viewpoint
Douro River Cruises, Full-Day, Lunch Experiences, Porto River Cruises, Portugal River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Porto: Douro Valley Full-Day Boat, Train, and Lunch Tour

2.Douro Valley Full-Day Boat, Train, and Lunch Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 787 reviews · 7 hours · from $128

Travel from Porto to the Douro Valley by shared minivan, boat, train, and foot. Enjoy a Port or sparkling wine on the river, a regional lunch, a winery visit, and tastings. Guides including Manuel, Antonio, Carlos, Rita, and Ricardo are praised for humor, local insight, and care.

“We felt very well taken care of by Manuel and the winemakers, restaurant owners, boat captains, and locals. We would recommend this trip to lovers of natural beauty, port wine, and relaxed merriment. Bring friends, but it's also great for families. our group was delightful. our favorite section was the boat!”

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Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour - The early start from Bangkok
Bangkok River Cruises, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

3.Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 658 reviews · from $108

Leave Bangkok at 6:30 am for Kanchanaburi, where you’ll visit the war cemetery and JEATH War Museum, ride a long-tail boat beneath the River Kwai Bridge, and take a 90-minute Death Railway journey. Guides such as Betty, Luck, and Peter add clear historical context.

“Not the best tour we have been on could have been a bit more forthcoming with information of where we were, Places we were passing etc.”

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Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Guided Tour - The long-tailed boat on the river
Bangkok River Cruises, Guided, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Guided Tour

4.Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 353 reviews · from $94

Travel from central Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with a Thai guide such as Oom or Rach. Walk across the Bridge on the River Kwai, visit a POW cemetery and JEATH War Museum, ride a long-tailed boat, and take the Death Railway train. Expect a moving, very long day with about five hours of road travel.

“It’s a very long day and early start but worth it. Educational as learnt a lot about how prisoners of war were treated by the Japanese in the Second World War.”

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Hanoi Jeep Tour: Red River Countryside+ Backstreet+ Train-street - Red River countryside: Hanoi beyond the old center
Hanoi River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences, Vietnam River Cruises

Hanoi Jeep Tour: Red River Countryside+ Backstreet+ Train-street

5.Hanoi Jeep Tour: Red River Countryside+ Backstreet+ Train-street

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 338 reviews · from $57Top rated

Spend four hours with an English-speaking guide such as Jelly, Ria, or Tuna, riding a Vietnamese Army Legend Jeep from Hanoi’s Old Quarter to Red River countryside, West Lake, Bay Mau Lake, Train Street, and a local café. Groups are capped at six, with hotel pickup from the Old Quarter.

“Seeing the countryside made the tour more interesting instead of just the touristy sights of Hanoi. Megan, the guide, and Cody, the driver, did their job very well. It was a relief avoiding crossing the streets full of scooters.”

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Paris: Montmartre Train Ride w/ Optional Seine River Cruise - What you see during the 30-minute circuit
France River Cruises, Paris River Cruises, River Cruises, Seine River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Paris: Montmartre Train Ride w/ Optional Seine River Cruise

6.Montmartre Train Ride w/ Optional Seine River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 250 reviews · 1 day · from $15Best value

Board the Montmartrain beside Sacré-Cœur for a 30-minute, non-stop ride through Montmartre. See Moulin Rouge, Lapin Agile, the vineyard, cemetery, and Paris viewpoints. Add a one-hour Seine cruise with 14-language audio commentary, but arrange your own transfer between the two.

“Pleasant journey around Montmarte which was a relief from trudging around in 30 degrees of heat ! We had amazing weather ! The only negative was the guide which was a recorded voice, in three different languages ,which we could barely hear .”

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Bridge over River Kwai and Hellfire Pass Tour with Train Ride - Walking through Hellfire Pass
Bangkok River Cruises, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Bridge over River Kwai and Hellfire Pass Tour with Train Ride

7.Bridge over River Kwai and Hellfire Pass Tour with Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 199 reviews · from $172

Spend 10 to 12 hours tracing the Death Railway from Bangkok with a private guide and driver. Walk Hellfire Pass, visit the war cemetery and JEATH Museum, see the Bridge over the River Kwai, and ride the train through western Thailand. Guides may include Ken, Lucky, Rudy, Maha, or Anna.

“My husband and I spent a great long day with Maha as our guide and Kampala as our driver. Maha was very attentive and knowledgeable. As Australians this is a very memorable and moving tour and not to be missed on your visit to Thailand.”

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6 Days Nile Cruise:Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel with Train Tickets from Cairo - Day 2: Aswan, the High Dam, and Philae Temple
6-Day Experiences, Aswan River Cruises, Egypt River Cruises, Nile Cruises, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

6 Days Nile Cruise:Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel with Train Tickets from Cairo

8.6 Days Nile Cruise:Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel with Train Tickets from Cairo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 188 reviews · from $780

Travel from Cairo to Aswan by train, then cruise three nights to Luxor aboard a five-star Nile ship. Guides such as Mohamed Shakour, Osama Ghazaly, and Ahmed lead visits to Abu Simbel, Philae, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings, with meals and transfers included.

“We were very well taken care of since the moment we were picked up from our hotel to the train station till the last day when the driver brought us back. Felt very safe. The guide Mohamed Shakour was amazing, with the great knowledge of Read more”

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Private Tour: Thai–Burma Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai from Bangkok - The JEATH War Museum keeps the story personal
Bangkok River Cruises, Private River Charters, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Private Tour: Thai–Burma Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai from Bangkok

9.Private Tour: Thai–Burma Death Railway Bridge on the River Kwai from Bangkok

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 172 reviews · from $168

Travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi with a private English-speaking guide, visiting the war cemetery, JEATH Museum, River Kwai Bridge, and Death Railway. A long-tail boat ride, train journey, Thai lunch, hotel pickup, and entrance fees are included. Guides on past departures have included Betty, Jenny, Luk, and Pearl.

“Excellent trip with a knowledgeable and helpful guide. Also the driver was excellent. My only criticism was that the lunch was too westernised. The location was beautiful and the service great but the food, described as Thai food, was very basic and uninteresting (nothing like Thai).”

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From Bangkok: Death Railway & River Kwai Bridge Private Tour - Leaving Bangkok before the traffic builds
Bangkok River Cruises, Private River Charters, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

From Bangkok: Death Railway & River Kwai Bridge Private Tour

10.Death Railway & River Kwai Bridge Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 171 reviews · 8 hours · from $169

Leave Bangkok early in a private air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide such as Johnnie, Wes, or George. Visit the Burma Railway Museum, cemetery, bridge, Kra Sae Cave, and ride the Death Railway before lunch and the trip back.

“Our guide was friendly, helpful and informative. The aircon can was extremely comfortable and the driver was excellent. The timings at each place were just right. I would suggest taking a cushion as the train journey is quite long and the seats are wooden.”

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Egypt on Budget - 8 Days ( Cairo , Aswan , Nile Cruise - Luxor ) Sleeper Train - Day 2: Giza, Saqqara, and the old capital
Cairo River Cruises, Egypt River Cruises, Nile Cruises, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Egypt on Budget – 8 Days ( Cairo , Aswan , Nile Cruise – Luxor ) Sleeper Train

11.Egypt on Budget – 8 Days ( Cairo , Aswan , Nile Cruise – Luxor ) Sleeper Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · from $844

Spend eight days exploring the Giza Pyramids, Saqqara, Memphis, Cairo’s old quarters, Aswan, and Luxor. Your guide and private car handle the connections, while a five-star Nile cruise and private sleeper-train cabins cover the long stretches.

“The pyramids were amazing The temples and tombs were sensational The tour guides were really informative The drivers and all the connections went like clockwork The trip down the Nile was fantastic”

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Šargan Eight Railway, Wooden Town & House on Drina river day trip from Belgrade - Riding the Šargan Eight railway
1-Day Tours, Belgrade River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Train Experiences

Šargan Eight Railway, Wooden Town & House on Drina river day trip from Belgrade

12.Šargan Eight Railway, Wooden Town & House on Drina river day trip from Belgrade

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $133

Leave Belgrade for western Serbia on a small-group day trip with an English-speaking guide such as Jovan, Uroš, or Marko. Ride the historic Šargan Eight train, visit Kusturica’s Drvengrad, photograph the Drina River House, and stop at Gate of Podrinje.

“Such a memorable day out! My sister & I would say it was our favourite part of our trip during our stay in Serbia - highly recommend. Uros, our guide was great. Super informative.”

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Bangkok: Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour - Crossing the bridge and riding the Death Railway
Bangkok River Cruises, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Bangkok: Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

13.Bridge on the River Kwai and Thailand-Burma Railway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · from $99

Travel from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi by air-conditioned vehicle, long-tail boat, and train. Visit the Bridge on the River Kwai, JEATH War Museum, and Kanchanaburi War Cemetery with a Thai guide such as Rach or Oom. Lunch, hotel transfers, and entrance fees are included.

“This is an awesome and deeply moving excursion. Our guide went out of his way to make sure that everyone in his group was taken care of, and he shared his wonderful knowledge of history with us.. Definitely recommend.”

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Erawan Waterfalls-Death Railway & River Kwai Tour - The Death Railway adds meaning, not just scenery
Bangkok River Cruises, River Cruises, River Waterfall Tours, River Waterfall Tours in Bangkok, River Waterfall Tours in Thailand, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Erawan Waterfalls-Death Railway & River Kwai Tour

14.Erawan Waterfalls-Death Railway & River Kwai Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.5 · 43 reviews · from $123

Leave Bangkok at 6:30 a.m. for Erawan National Park, where you can walk, swim, and picnic beside seven waterfall tiers. Later, ride the historic Death Railway and visit the River Kwai Bridge. Expect a small group, hotel pickup, a long minivan journey, and limited time at the final stops.

“Our tour guide took my wife and I to the best places and explained everything On my own opinion she is the best went out of her way to make it pleasant for us she’s awesome”

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Bangkok: Kanchanaburi, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery: the quietest stop
Bangkok River Cruises, River Cruises, Thailand River Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours, Train Experiences

Bangkok: Kanchanaburi, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour

15.Kanchanaburi, River Kwai & Death Railway Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 36 reviews · 10 hours · from $102

Travel from Bangkok in a small group of up to nine with an English-speaking guide to Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, the JEATH Museum, River Kwai, Tham Krasae and Tiger Cave Temple. Expect strong historical context, a long road day, a cliffside railway stop and an 18-meter Buddha.

“It was a good experience. Our tourist guide, Nina, was lovely and very friendly. She was really easy-going and answered all our questions and requests.”

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New in Train Experiences

★ 4.54 Days Nile cruise luxor, Aswan,Hot air balloon&abu simbel with Train from CairoFrom $75012 reviews
★ 4.5Private Historic River Kwai Death Railway, War Cemetery and Hellfire Pass TourFrom $16212 reviews
★ 4.5Kanchanaburi River Kwai & Death Railway Small Group tourFrom $9913 reviews
★ 5.04 Days Nile Cruise Luxor,Aswan,Hot Air Balloon,Abu Simbel with Train from CairoFrom $75012 reviews
★ 4.6Kanchanaburi: River Kwai and Death Railway Day TourFrom $9615 reviews

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