How much does it cost to go around the world by train?

How much does it cost to go around the world by train? $20k+

Knowing how much does it cost to go around the world by train prevents unexpected financial shortfalls. This global rail journey represents a massive travel investment. Careful planning is necessary to match your personal expectations. Exploring different itinerary structures ensures you avoid overspending on your upcoming adventure.

What does a luxury around-the-world train tour actually cost?

Booking an organized luxury train tour that circles the globe is a major investment, typically ranging from $113,000 to over $146,000 USD per person. This price tag covers meticulously planned journeys that last between 60 and 100 days, including travel on multiple iconic trains, stays in high-end hotels, most meals, and guided excursions. It is the ultimate, hassle-free way to see the world by rail.

The most well-known operator for this is Railbookers. Its Railbookers 80 days around the world price variation or its 59-day itinerary starts at $125,557 per person. This trip covers 12 countries across four continents, letting passengers ride on legendary trains like the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, the Rocky Mountaineer, and South Africas Rovos Rail. Alternatively, Adventures by Train around the world cost starts at £112,900 per person (around $146,000 USD), which is notable for being almost entirely flight-free, using cruises for ocean crossings.

Is that price for solo travelers or couples?

There is usually a significant discount for couples. For example, Adventures by Trains 100-day tour costs £89,950 per person for two people sharing, compared to £112,900 for a solo traveler. For Railbookers 59-day trip, the solo supplement is built into the base price, but booking for two still reduces the per-person cost. This makes these globe-trotting adventures slightly more accessible for pairs.

What's included in a luxury world rail tour (and what's not)?

Understanding exactly what youre paying for is crucial. The headline price covers a lot, but the excluded items are where many travelers get surprised.

Whats included: The price includes your cabin or suite on the train, with meals and often alcoholic beverages. It covers stays in high-end hotels, private transfers, and a packed schedule of guided excursions (e.g., a tour of the Taj Mahal or a visit to the Colosseum). You also get the services of a tour leader and gratuities are often pre-paid.

Whats NOT included (and why it matters): The biggest exclusion is international flights. While youre traveling by train, you often need flights to jump between continents. For instance, Railbookers 59-day itinerary requires separate flights from Canada to Scotland, Europe to India, and South Africa to Singapore. These are not included in the luxury world rail tour cost often advertised. Visas, travel insurance, and some meals are also typically excluded.

Can you travel around the world by train on a budget?

Heres the real kicker: the answer is a resounding yes, but its a completely different experience. A self-planned, DIY trip using regular passenger trains, local buses, and budget accommodations costs a fraction of the luxury tours. A realistic estimate for a cheapest way to go around the world by train or a one-year, round-the-world sabbatical on a budget is between $20,000 and $30,000 per person. Thats a huge range, and hitting the lower end requires serious research and flexibility.

To put it in perspective, a solo ticket for the 7-day Trans-Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok costs about $200-300 for a second-class berth (kupe compartment). A 4-night journey on The Canadian from Toronto to Vancouver is around $1,600 for a cabin. You could book these segments yourself, stay in hostels or mid-range hotels, and plan your own excursions, saving hundreds of thousands of dollars. However, this approach requires months of planning, managing visas, and dealing with potential delays or missed connections on your own.

Key considerations before booking a world train trip

Before you start planning, there are a few things to keep in mind. One of the biggest is the time commitment. Even the shortest luxury tours are two months long. Can you take that much time off work? For DIY trips, the recommended duration is often 6 to 12 months to truly experience the journey without rushing.

Another factor is the complexity of logistics. For a self-planned trip, you are the tour leader, travel agent, and crisis manager. For a luxury tour, you pay a premium to have someone else handle everything. Also, consider that luxury train cabins are often small, and youll be living out of a suitcase for months. Its an incredible adventure, but not necessarily a relaxing beach vacation.

Comparing the major luxury world rail tour operators

If you're considering the all-inclusive route, here's a quick comparison of the two leading operators.

Railbookers vs. Adventures by Train: Which world tour is right for you?

Railbookers: 'Around the World by Luxury Train'

Focuses on 7-8 luxury trains, including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Rocky Mountaineer, Maharajas' Express, and Rovos Rail. Visits 12 countries.

59 days, starting at $125,557 per person.

Includes luxury trains, hotels, excursions, and some meals. Excludes international flights between continents.

Travelers who want to ride the world's most iconic luxury trains and prefer a shorter, more 'greatest hits' style itinerary.

Adventures by Train: 'Around the World in 100 Days'

Almost entirely flight-free, using cruises for ocean crossings. Aims for a more 'authentic' and immersive experience across 14 countries.

100 days, £112,900 per person solo, £89,950 per person for couples.

Includes a dedicated tour leader, first-class tickets, cruises, and most meals. The focus is on a greener, slower pace.

Travelers seeking a flight-free, intimate small-group experience (max 12 people) and who value a slower, deeper journey.

The Lone Luxury Traveler: Sarah's 59-Day Railbookers Trip

Sarah, a 58-year-old retired physician from Austin, Texas, had always dreamed of riding the Orient Express. She booked the Railbookers 59-day tour as a solo traveler, paying the full $125,557 price. Her biggest fear was the logistics—coordinating visas, flights, and train schedules across 12 countries felt overwhelming.

The first week was a whirlwind. She boarded the Rocky Mountaineer in Vancouver, and by day ten, was sipping champagne in her Grand Suite on the Royal Scotsman. However, the packed schedule of early morning excursions and formal dinners was more exhausting than she anticipated. She struggled to find time to simply relax.

The breakthrough came in Italy. She realized she didn't have to do every optional tour. She skipped a Colosseum visit to simply wander the streets of Rome alone. From then on, she cherry-picked the excursions, using the included private transfers as a chance to rest. She also connected with a fellow solo traveler, and they started sharing meals.

After 59 days, Sarah had visited 12 countries and ridden 7 legendary trains. She admitted she was exhausted, but the memories—watching the Canadian Rockies from a glass-domed carriage and the sunrise over the Taj Mahal—were priceless. Her total cost, including flights and extras, was closer to $140,000, but she had no regrets.

The DIY Couple: Mia and Ben's 8-Month Overland Adventure

Mia and Ben, a 29-year-old graphic designer and a 31-year-old teacher from Manchester, UK, had a dream to see the world, but their budget was $30,000 total for both. They decided to plan their own 8-month overland journey across Europe, Russia, Southeast Asia, and the US using local trains, buses, and budget flights.

The planning was brutal. They spent six months researching visas (Russia's was a nightmare), booking cheap hostels, and mapping routes. Their first big mistake was buying a non-flexible Trans-Siberian ticket. A missed connection in Irkutsk meant losing $400 and a day's travel, forcing them to sleep in a train station.

The turning point was learning to embrace the chaos. They stopped over-planning and started booking just a few days in advance. They discovered that overnight trains in Vietnam and Thailand saved them both time and money on hostels. They learned to ask locals for help, which led to hidden-gem restaurants and cheaper fares.

After eight months and over 25,000 miles, they returned home, having spent just under $32,000. They missed some luxury experiences, but the sense of accomplishment was immense. Ben's biggest takeaway? 'It was hard. Really hard. But we proved you don't need $100,000 to go around the world by train. You just need patience and a high tolerance for uncertainty.'