10 Luxury Train Journeys in Asia That Will Take You Back in Time

Air travel may be the fastest way to move across a continent, but it rarely leaves much room for the journey itself. Luxury train travel offers a different rhythm, with panoramic windows and changing landscapes rolling by along the route. 

Across Asia, a growing collection of luxury rail experiences is reviving the romance of train travel. Some follow historic trade routes, others wind through mountains, coastlines, deserts, and countryside that are difficult to appreciate from any other mode of transport. From Southeast Asia to the Arabian Peninsula, here are 10 luxury train journeys in Asia worth adding to your bucket list.

The cream-and-green carriages of Belmond’s Eastern & Oriental Express have become one of Southeast Asia’s most recognizable rail icons. First introduced in the early 1990s, the train was inspired by the grand railway journeys of the past and continues to travel through Malaysia’s forests, historic towns, and coastal landscapes. 

Modern itineraries focus on Malaysia, giving passengers the opportunity to experience everything from cultural heritage sites to island escapes.

Official website: www.belmond.com

Operating between Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang, The Vietage by Anantara takes a more intimate approach to luxury rail travel. Each carriage accommodates only a small number of guests, creating an experience that feels like a private club. 

The route passes through central Vietnam’s changing scenery, from agricultural plains and mountain ranges to stretches of coastline overlooking the South China Sea. Along the way, passengers can settle into spacious seating, enjoy regionally inspired cuisine, and watch everyday life unfold outside the windows.

Official website: www.thevietagetrain.com

For those who want to see Vietnam in depth, SJourney offers a week-long rail voyage connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The train travels the length of the country while making curated stops that highlight local culture, history, and cuisine. 

Its design draws inspiration from the Indochine aesthetic that once defined luxury travel across French colonial Southeast Asia, with warm wood finishes and vintage touches throughout the cabins and common spaces.

Official website: www.sjourneytrain.com

When Seven Stars in Kyushu launched in 2013, it became Japan's first luxury sleeper train and quickly developed a reputation as one of the country's most sought-after travel experiences. The train explores the southern island of Kyushu through carefully curated itineraries that highlight local craftsmanship, historic communities, natural landscapes, and culinary traditions. 

Accommodating only a limited number of guests, it offers a highly personalized experience. Onboard spaces include a lounge with live music, a traditional tea room, and suites finished with materials sourced from across the region. 

Official website: www.cruisetrain-sevenstars.jp

The Twilight Express Mizukaze combines luxury rail travel with a deep appreciation for western Japan's landscapes and cultural heritage. Its routes weave through the Kansai, Chugoku, and San'in regions, connecting destinations known for historic temples, coastal scenery, hot springs, and centuries-old traditions. 

Designed with influences from the Art Deco era, with large windows and observation decks. Dining cars, on the other hand, showcase ingredients and culinary traditions from the regions visited along the way. 

Official website: www.twilightexpress-mizukaze.jp

The Blue Jasmine takes travelers through Thailand at a deliberately unhurried pace. Spanning nine days, the journey combines rail travel with overnight stays in boutique hotels and cultural excursions across the country.

The train's restored carriages date back to the 1960s and have been reimagined with interiors that draw from Thai design traditions. Stops include historic towns, temples, craft communities, and performances that offer a closer look at Thailand beyond its most familiar tourist destinations.

Official website: www.thebluejasminetrain.com

The Maharajas' Express has earned a reputation as one of India's premier luxury trains, linking some of the country's most famous destinations through a collection of multi-day itineraries. 

Depending on the route, passengers may visit Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi, Ranthambore, and Mumbai, among other destinations. The train draws inspiration from India's royal heritage, with richly decorated cabins, formal dining cars, and lounges designed to evoke the grandeur of princely travel. 

Official website: www.the-maharajas.com

Launched in 2004, the Deccan Odyssey was created to showcase India's western and central regions through luxury rail travel. Its itineraries cover destinations ranging from historic cities and palace complexes to coastal regions and national parks. 

The train itself reflects different periods of Indian royal history, with each carriage featuring distinct design influences. Alongside restaurants and lounge spaces, the train also includes wellness and leisure facilities.

Official website: www.deccanodyssey.com

Scheduled to redefine rail travel in West Asia, Dream of the Desert brings luxury train journeys to Saudi Arabia's dramatic desert landscapes. Its routes connect Riyadh with destinations known for archaeological sites, rock formations, historic settlements, and vast stretches of sand dunes. 

The train's interiors incorporate Saudi artistic traditions and architectural references. Excursions, meanwhile, focus on cultural discovery, from ancient rock art and desert camps to historic regions that played important roles in the Arabian Peninsula's past. 

Official website: www.dreamofthedesert.com

Few rail journeys evoke the spirit of historic exploration quite like the Golden Eagle Silk Road Express. The train forms part of an ambitious route that follows sections of the ancient Silk Road from China into Central Asia, connecting destinations such as Beijing, Xi'an, Dunhuang, Kashgar, Samarkand, and Tashkent. 

The experience stretches across several weeks and combines onboard luxury with extensive cultural exploration. Along the way, travelers encounter UNESCO-listed sites, desert landscapes, historic trading cities, and centuries-old monuments. 

Official website: www.goldeneagleluxurytrains.com