The Trans-Siberian: Moscow to Vladivostok (Russia)
Frequency: Daily
Distance: 9,289km
Scheduled running time: 144 hours — 6 days
The grand-daddy of them all, the legendary Trans-Siberian rail journey spans seven timezones and takes six days as it departs from Moscow on its journey to the far eastern Russian port city of Vladivostok. The scenery includes the Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal, the largest freshwater lake in the world. Popular alternatives to the route include the Trans-Mongolian to Beijing and even an option from Moscow to Pyongyang in North Korea.
The Canadian: Toronto to Vancouver (Canada)
Frequency: Three services weekly during peak season and two times in off peak
Distance: 4,466km
Scheduled running time: 80 hours approx.
Travelling three-quarters across the world’s second-largest country, The Canadian is an epic journey that sets out from Toronto’s Union Station. The train crosses amazing scenery as its passes through the Prairies and the Rocky Mountains before it hits the coast and Vancouver. The ride is further enhanced by sleeper cars and the chance of seeing moose, deer and even bears from the windows.
Indian Pacific: Sydney to Perth (Australia)
Frequency: Three times a week
Distance: 4,352km
Scheduled running time: 65 hours
Spanning the entire continent of Australia, the Indian Pacific explores the vast wilderness of our sunburnt country. The sheer distance is most apparent as it crosses the Nullabor and the longest stretch of straight railway track in the world, when passengers will not see a bend for 478km. The route includes stops in Broken Hill, Adelaide, Port Augusta and Kalgoorlie.
California Zephyr: Emeryville (San Francisco) to Chicago
Frequency: Daily
Distance: 3,924 km
Scheduled running time: 51 hours 20 minutes
Taking in a little more than two days, one of the longest train journeys in the United States takes in everything America has to offer. From the beaches in California, the journey passes by the Colorado River, the Rockies and the Sierra Nevada range as it makes steam through eight states to America’s third largest city, Chicago.
