GoldenPass Line Belle Epoque train vintage interior with wood paneling and blue seats
VIPMAKKI Travel Guide

Luxury TrainJourneys Guide 2026

From the legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Japan's Seven Stars Kyushu — the definitive guide to the world's most extraordinary rail experiences. VIPMAKKI curates every detail so you travel through time, in uncompromising luxury.

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Experience EverythingVIPMAKKI Offers

From the world's finest hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to superyacht charters and private aviation — every luxury experience, curated by VIPMAKKI.

The Definitive Guide

The World's Finest Luxury Trains

Each of these extraordinary trains represents the pinnacle of rail travel — where the journey is the destination. VIPMAKKI secures the finest suites aboard each one, with bespoke pre- and post-journey arrangements including private transfers, hotel suites, and exclusive experiences at every stop.

White-gloved Venice Simplon Orient Express steward in blue and gold uniform beside a navy service car
Europe

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

The undisputed icon of luxury rail travel. Restored 1920s Art Deco carriages carry you from London to Venice, Paris to Istanbul — each cabin a masterpiece of marquetry, Lalique glass, and polished brass. Three gourmet restaurant cars serve haute cuisine prepared by French chefs, while the Baby Grand piano bar pours vintage champagne well past midnight. This is not merely a train; it is a rolling time capsule of the Golden Age of travel, with every steward trained in the art of anticipatory service that defined the original Orient Express.

London – Venice Paris – Istanbul Grand Suites Available
Interior of vintage old train carriage with leather chair, wooden floor, yellow curtains
United Kingdom

Belmond Royal Scotsman

Scotland's only luxury sleeper train, with just 36 guests aboard. The mahogany-paneled Observation Car offers panoramic views of the Highlands, while the dining cars serve Scottish cuisine that rivals any Michelin-starred restaurant in Edinburgh. Days are spent exploring castles, distilleries, and ancient battlefields; evenings bring single-malt tastings, storytelling, and the haunting sound of bagpipes echoing across the glens. The Bamford Haybarn Spa Carriage offers massage and treatments inspired by the Scottish landscape — a sanctuary of calm as the Highlands roll past your window.

Scottish Highlands Whisky Trail 2-7 Night Journeys
An antique railroad passenger car decorated beautifully
Africa

Rovos Rail

The Pride of Africa. Edwardian elegance meets epic African landscapes on journeys spanning from Cape Town to Dar es Salaam, through the Namibian desert to the Victoria Falls. Each wood-paneled suite features 24-hour butler service, while the dining cars serve five-course meals paired with South Africa's finest wines. The open-air observation car at the rear is the soul of Rovos — where you watch the African sunset paint the savannah in impossible colours, gin and tonic in hand, as elephants gather at a distant waterhole.

Cape Town – Dar es Salaam Victoria Falls Royal Suites
Train passing Chillon Castle on Lake Geneva shore with mountain scenery
Japan

Seven Stars in Kyushu

Japan's first luxury sleeper train and arguably its most exclusive travel experience. Just 14 suites across seven carriages, the Seven Stars blends Japanese omotenashi hospitality with Art Deco design. The journey circuits Kyushu — Japan's southernmost main island — through volcanic landscapes, ancient temples, hot spring towns, and ceramic villages. The onboard kaiseki cuisine is prepared by rotating chefs from Kyushu's most celebrated restaurants, each dish a meditation on seasonality and terroir. Demand is extraordinary; suites are allocated by lottery. VIPMAKKI navigates this process to secure your place.

Kyushu Circuit 14 Suites Only Kaiseki Cuisine
Budapest-Split Adria intercity dining car with elegant tables and white tablecloths
Southeast Asia

Eastern & Oriental Express

Southeast Asia's answer to the Orient Express, recently reimagined by Belmond. Cherry wood and Thai silk interiors evoke a colonial-era romance as the train winds from Singapore through Malaysia's jungles, rice paddies, and ancient rainforests to Bangkok. The open-air observation car is pure magic at dusk — a gin fizz in hand as the train crosses the legendary River Kwai. Malaysian and Singaporean culinary traditions inform the dining cars, with Peranakan-inspired tasting menus that capture the spice and complexity of the region. The Presidential Suites feature a permanent double bed, separate sitting area, and 24-hour butler service.

Singapore – Bangkok Wild Malaysia Presidential Suites
Your Questions Answered

Luxury Train Journey FAQ

All Aboard

Your Luxury Rail Odyssey Awaits

From the Art Deco carriages of the Orient Express to the wild African routes of Rovos Rail, VIPMAKKI secures the finest suites aboard the world's most extraordinary trains. Contact our concierge team to begin planning your journey — every detail, from departure champagne to final destination, curated with absolute precision.

The VIPMAKKI Platform

Experience EverythingVIPMAKKI Offers

From the world's finest hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants to superyacht charters and private aviation — every luxury experience, curated by VIPMAKKI.