The world’s 10 best train journeys – by the woman who’s done them all

Monisha Rajesh, Travel writer 27 June 2016 • 11:00am

Taking the train through the Canadian Rockies – one of the world's most spectacular rail journeys Credit: AP

After covering three continents and 45,000 miles by train for our Around the World in 80 Trains series, Monisha Rajesh shares her unmissable rail journeys

1. Xining to Lhasa

Climbing more than 17,000ft, the Qinghai-Tibet railway travels along the top of the world past ice-blue lakes and snow-capped mountains. A one-way soft-sleeper ticket costs from £84. tibettravel.org

Taking the train through the mountains of Lhasa

2. Mumbai to Madgaon

The Mandovi Express skims the western coast of India with the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, flanked by coconut groves and palms. A one-way ticket costs from £1.90 in general class to £26 in air-conditioned first class. indiarail.co.uk

The Mandovi Express winds its way down the west coast of India Credit: © Arunabh Bhattacharjee / Alamy Stock Photo/Arunabh Bhattacharjee / Alamy Stock Photo

3. Aranyaprathet to Bangkok

Leaving from the Cambodian border, this commuter service cuts through raw scenery straight to the heart of the Thai capital. A one-way ticket costs around £1 and can only be purchased from the station on the day of travel.

How to take the train through Thailand

4. New Orleans to Los Angeles

The oldest named train in the US, the Sunset Limited allows travellers to sit in a panoramic viewing car and watch the southern states roll by. A one-way coach-seat ticket costs from £89. amtrak.com

Start your southern odyssey in New Orleans Credit: © Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo/Sean Pavone / Alamy Stock Photo

5. Vancouver to Jasper

Easily the loveliest segment on The Canadian, this route winds around the Rockies, lakes and forests. A one-way ticket costs runs from £71 in economy to £334 in the sleeper-plus bedroom. viarail.ca

Not a bad view from your sleeper cabin travelling through Canada's Rockies

6. Hanoi to Danang

The Reunification Express cuts deep into the capital city before running through forest-filled clifftops along the coast. A one-way soft‑sleeper ticket costs from £40. vietnam-railway.com

Taking the train through the forests of Vietnam

7. Venice to London

Arguably the most famous train in the world, The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express revisits the golden age of luxury train travel. A one-way ticket in a double cabin costs £2,210. belmond.com

8. Cannes to Monaco

All passenger services run this route which hugs the French Riviera, offering a window on to beachgoers and yachts in the harbour. A one-way ticket costs from £7.50. uk.voyages-sncf.com

Hello, Monaco. Seaside splendour awaits at the end of the line

9. Tokyo to Osaka

Any Shinkansen is worth a trip, but this two‑and-a-half-hour journey on the hyper-fast Nozomi passes Mount Fuji. A one-way ticket costs from £80 and a seven-day rail pass starts at £154. insidejapantours.com