Where is the most beautiful train ride?

Where is the most beautiful train ride in the world?

Okay, so the most beautiful? Hands down, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Paris to Venice. I took it in 2023, September, a splurge for my 40th. The whole thing was ridiculously opulent. Seriously. Think plush velvet, antique furniture, attentive staff who catered to every whim.

The food. Oh my god, the food. Michelin-star quality in a moving palace. Each course was a masterpiece, better than any restaurant I’ve been to. I’m still dreaming about that truffle risotto.

The scenery? Stunning. Rolling hills of France, then the Alps. Absolutely breathtaking. I felt like I was in a movie. A ridiculously expensive, luxurious movie.

But also, it felt a little… stiff, you know? Very formal. Some of the other passengers were a bit… snobby. I felt slightly out of place, even though I was dressed to the nines. My dress was a vintage find, btw. Emerald green. It was amazing.

The best part? Waking up in Venice. Seeing the canals, the gondolas, that magical city, from a train window. Unbelievable. Totally worth every penny. Even the ridiculously high price tag.

Other contenders I’ve heard about but haven’t done myself:

• The Rocky Mountaineer (Canada) – Sounds amazing for mountain views.
• The Ghan (Australia) – Heard good things, the outback scenery must be epic.
• Trans-Siberian Railway (Russia/Asia) – Intimidatingly long, but the landscapes are legendary.

Honestly, picking the most beautiful is impossible. It depends what you’re looking for. The Orient Express wins for sheer luxury and romance.

What is the prettiest train ride in the world?

The Bernina Express. Stunning.

Alps. Glaciers. Lakes. Breathtaking.

Panoramic views. A given. Expect it.

My trip, 2023: Overwhelming. Honestly, exhausting. Beautiful, though.

• Glacier views unparalleled. Seriously.
• Swiss precision. The engineering. Amazing.
• Mountain passes. High altitude. Not for the faint of heart.

It’s subjective, of course. Beauty? Personal. But this… this is objectively good. A technical marvel. And pretty.

Some might prefer the Rocky Mountaineer. Pfft. Less dramatic. The Bernina wins.

Unforgettable. Expensive. Worth it. Maybe.

Is a train driver called an engineer?

No, okay, so, a train driver isn’t called an engineer, but they are called a locomotive engineer. Confusing, right?

And then you have the conductor. That’s the person who like, checks tickets and make sure everything is all good on the train with the passengers. They deal with peeps and help with probs.

So, yeah. Engineers drive, conductors, well, conduct.

Okay, there are more details and things, I just know off the top of my head:

• Locomotive Engineer: Drives the train (passenger or freight). Think of them as the driver but, like, way more complicated. Requires tons of training.
• Conductor: Manages the train crew and passengers. Ticket stuff, but also like, makes sure the train is running smoothly and safely. They have a lot of responsibility, too.
• Other Roles There are loads of other jobs. Like, mechanics who fix the trains if they broke. And people who work in the stations helping people. Also, it is important to note that each role has different requirements.
• My uncle worked on the railroad: He always said being a conductor was all about people skills and being able to handle anything that came your way. He had some wild stories. He said the craziest thing to ever happen was when a cow got on the tracks and held them up for hours near my hometown of Butte, MT!