Indian Pacific Train
dishes in the dining car, and be sure to spend a few days acclimating to the elevation before getting on the train.
London ally view an underwater world surrounding them as they pass through the Channel using either a VR headset (which you can purchase at the station) or a smartphone or tablet screen. Be sure to book your tickets early for the lowest prices. Istanbul in the late 1880s, there were many iterations of the trains and routing before it ran its final trip in December 2009, a remarkable 126 years after its first journey. While they may have officially taken the Orient Express off the timetables, you can still ride its original route — all of which is included in a Eurail Global Pass. and have plenty of time to see the beautiful Russian countryside passing by the windows or sample food from the stalls set up on station platforms. Staying in the platzkart, a bunkstyle sleeper set up with a dormitory vibe, gives you the most opportunity to interact with fellow passengers (though it has the least privacy). Or you can opt for the private sleepers. Because mostly Russians ride this train, it’s also a great opportunity to join in on some local games and social drinks.
Where it goes: Sydney to Perth, Australia
How long it takes: 3 days
If you’ve ever wanted to travel in comfort through the Australian outback, this train is your ticket. It’s bucket-list worthy for a few reasons. One: You’re essentially riding from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Two: Once you’re done, you’ve officially crossed an entire continent by train. And three: It gives you access to Australia’s hauntingly barren, but beautiful, outback — from the comfort of an air-conditioned coach. Departing from Sydney, you’ll be able to cozy up with a cuppa in your private sleeper car for three days while traveling the 2,698 miles to Perth (with four short stops). Along the way, you can peek out the windows and try to spot emus, koalas, and kangaroos; soak in the vast landscape of the Nullarbor Plain (which is also home to the longest stretch of straight railroad tracks — 297 miles — in the world); and even stretch your legs at the Kalgoorlie stop (part of Australia’s gold rush Golden Mile).