Sometimes the most luxurious railway journeys have little to do with the things that are inside, such as luxury interiors, decadent dinners, and five-star ensuite amenities, instead of what the exterior is and what it looks like.
What is a better way to get fully immersed in the majesticity of the Canadian Rockies than crossing Jasper National Park while watching snowy peaks through a bi-level glass breeding coach? Why not ride the Vistadome Carriage with a view of the Napa Valley Wine Train and incorporate the wine-rich California vineyards into the vast California vineyards?
These are two examples of why I love glass dome trains, from full-length super dome lines to lounge cars surrounded by small glass of Vista domes. Whether you want to travel a more contemporary journey with a vintage, Pullman Standard experience or a touch of modern style, these six glass roof trains are guaranteed to provide the best views before you pull into the station.
Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru
Book Now: belmond.com
- start: Peru, Poloi
- end: Peruvian water calienz
- distance: 62 miles
- time: 3-4 hours
The Lost Machu Picchu may be your destination for this train ride, but Peru’s sacred valley will undoubtedly steal the attention of those riding on the stylish Belmond Hiram Bingham. A day trip to the famous Inca Citadel begins a few miles in the ancient city of Cusco. (Departures from Poloi’s small district from May to December are from Rio Sagrado at the Belmond Hotel from January to April.) Guests will receive a warm welcome from traditional Peruvian dancers at the station before boarding the train for a 3-4-hour scenic ride through the Andes.
The glass-enclosed observation lounge offers incredible views of the highlands, archaeological sites and vast farmlands cultivated here by the Peruvian agricultural community that grew corn, potatoes, beans and squash for generations. The window shows the remains of ancient Inca fragments. Adenhillside and stone structures once used for food storage. A cluster of terracotta roofed villages on the Urubamba River along the route.
Additionally, a vintage barker pours Pisco Sesa and other signature cocktails are available, as well as a dining car that offers a multi-course gourmet lunch and dinner for round-trip passengers. You are almost sad except that the train delivers passengers to the entrance to Machu Picchu.
Stay here: Belmond Hotel Monastar (Cusco), Belmond Hotel Rio Sacred (Sacred Valley)
Napa Valley Wine Train (Vista Dome), USA
Book Now: winetrain.com
- start: Napa, California
- end: St. Helena, California
- distance: 36 miles
- time: 3-6 hours
You can enjoy views of the vineyards of Northern California, the Golden Valley and the palace winery and resorts on the Napa Valley wine train. As part of the Vista Dome experience, guests enjoy a three-hour lunch or dinner from the lavish dining booth on the second level of the train, with windows to ceiling windows overlooking the valley.
Built in 1952, the Vista dome is one of the ten Pullman Glass Dome observation vehicles ever built. From its large windows, passengers can admire the low roof and wide eaves of the ranch-style winery, the confluence of old and new on the mid-century farm, and the wooden façade of the restored Victorian train depot.
Journey options include a four-course meal with dishes such as citrus cured salmon, a short rib of red wine and blazed beef, and a ricottagnock with a wine combination. You can also add it The Sommelier-led wine flight features a selection of Far Niente, Beaulieu Vineyard and Opus One.
Stay here: Aliranapa Valley
Swiss Glacier Express
Book Now: glacierexpress.ch
- start: St. Moritz, Switzerland
- end: Switzerland, Zermatt
- distance: 180 miles
- time: 8 hours
Swiss famous Glacier Express proudly declares it the “world’s slowest express train.” That means you can more easily draw majestic views of the Swiss Alps towering over a glacier stream strolling with chalet-style houses and glacier streams strolling over them, crossing the bridge and passing through tunnels such as the famous Landwasser altitude. This trip takes about 8 hours each way to travel between St. Moritz and Zermatt. This could potentially disembark to a selected stop during your trip. It operates every day from mid-October to early December, when trains take a break every year.
All passengers have comfortable seats under panoramic windows that curve the ceiling. Tickets include options such as Graubünden Barley Soup, Chicken Tikka Masala and Vegetable Curry, and include meals that were just served at the seat. Choose from the second, first, or Excellence class. The latter includes access to a reclining window seating, an exclusive five-course alpine menu, and a private glacier bar for cocktails and curated wines.
Stay here: Grand Hotel Devaines Kempinski Cent Moritz
Rocky Mountaineer (Silver Leaf or Gold Leaf Service), USA and Canada
Book Now: Rockymountaineer.com
- start: Vancouver, British Columbia, or Denver, Colorado
- end: Banff, Alberta, or Moab, Utah
- distance: 185-280 miles
- time: Diverse. 2-3 days or 6-11 days
Pass through the mighty Canadian Rockies or cross the heart of the American West for the comfort of a rocky climber’s glass-like observation vehicle. Guests booking Premium Silver Reef Service are riding in a single-level carriage with seat-to-sailing windows that offer partial sky views. Guests booking luxury gold leaf service will receive a complete panoramic experience in two levels of cars with full glass roofs. Gold Class also offers access to a separate dining room and an outdoor viewing platform.
Rocky Mountaineer shortens travel for more than a few days, ranging from 6 to 11 nights. This includes traces of sightseeing tours. The rail portion of the itinerary takes place during the day and passengers are transferred to hotel accommodations at night.
In Canada, you travel between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper, stopping along the way at destinations such as Kamloops, Lake Louise, and Whistler. (A new route between Jasper and Banff is coming in 2026.) Scattering through the famous spiral tunnels in the Cathedral mountains near Banff, incorporating the turquoise waters of Louise’s glacier, a lake sandwiched between pines, white spruce and Douglas-fir forests in Rocky Mountain.
In the US, you will travel between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah, and stop by Glenwood Springs Midway. This journey to “Red Rock Country” will not only cross the Colorado River canyonlands and stretches, but also the continental division of the Americas, separating the basins that flow into the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. (Only the SliverLeaf service is available for these trips.)
Stay here: Fairmount Hotel Vancouver or Crawford
Grand Canyon Railroad (Luxury Dome Class), USA
Book Now: thetrain.com
- start: Williams, Arizona
- end: Grand Canyon National Park
- distance: 64 miles
- time: 2 hours 15 minutes one way
Aboard the gorgeous dome-class Grand Canyon Railway, you won’t miss the most notable sights on your way to the iconic southwestern landmarks, from the Ponderosa Pine Forest surrounding the town of Williams to the wide open prairie before your approach to Grand Canyon National Park. This full-length glass dommy coach comes in two levels. The lounge features an observation car top and a full bar and a vintage sofa.
Passengers toast the beginning of their journey with a glass of sparkling wine before departing Williams Depot for the Grand Canyon. Like the fight between the gangsters in Katalak Creek and the town’s Marshall on the departure platform, the ridiculous cowboy heist on a horse riding a train, and the banjo player serenading guests on a western song, expect Wild West to see Wild West’s performance on the train.
The train departs from Williams Depot at 9:30am daily, arrived at South Rim in Grand Canyon around 11:45am, began his return trip at 3:30pm and returned to Williams Depot at about 5:45pm.
Stay here: Canvas Under Grand Canyon
Alaska Railroad (Gold Star Service), USA
Book Now: alaskarailroad.com/
- start: Anchorage, Alaska
- end: Seward or Fairbanks, Alaska
- distance: 120 miles (Seward), 356 miles (Fairbanks)
- time: 4 hours 25 minutes (Seward), 12 hours 20 minutes (Fairbanks)
Take a look at the final frontier through an unobstructed view using the premium class of the Line, the Alaska Railroad’s Gold Star service. Goldstar guests can travel between Anchorage and Seward on the coastal classic train, along the Turn Again Arm and the backcountry wilderness of the Kenai Peninsula, or between Anchorage and Fairbanks on the Stars of Denali trains.
Along the way, they will have access to a higher-level outdoor viewing platform. A meal like a reindeer Pennebolognese and grilled Alaskan cod, a private bar, two free alcoholic drinks, an Alaska tour guide (included in the price) and an Alaska tour guide to narrate the scenery. Both routes are from mid-May to mid-September.
Stay here: Wildvilch Hotel
