The Absolute Best Places To Travel By Train

Tourists prefer to fly because it saves them time. But TSA security lines that can last for hours, lost luggage horror stories, and annoying fellow-passengers make the short trip feel like a lifetime of misery. Go ahead then, and take the train. Choose the scenic route over the quick one and make getting to your destination part of the vacation. Relax, take in the stunning sights and explore parts of the world you have never seen before. Some people prefer the train because it's mysterious, others because they have the time and not the money for a plane ticket. Whatever the reason, the outcome is often the same – an iconic journey. 

Explore Slovenia's upland highlights and rustic mountain villages. This is a 3-hour long trip aboard a vintage train. Enjoy the stunning views of Lake Bled, passing through numerous gorges, crossing many tunnels, the longest of which is 3.93 miles long, according to Slovenia Info. See: Off The Beaten Path Honeymoon Destinations for an Adventurous Couple

You'll go from the enchanting port of Picton, the gateway to the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, to Kaikoura, the home of whale watching, and onto Christchurch, according to Rail New Zealand. You'll pass stunning wine regions and the Pacific Ocean coastline with seals and penguins. See: The Most Thrilling Adventures in New Zealand

Take a trip across the mountainous part of the country. The region between Haputale and Ella is "one of the world's most scenic train rides," Lonely Planet says. The line performs a complete loop around a hillside and tunnels under itself. You'll pass by Kandy, famous for its sacred Buddhist sites. See: Unforgettable Bucket List Trips You Can Do on a Budget

Hop on the luxurious train and travel back in time. See some of the ancient architecture in Bulgaria. In Transylvania, you'll see medieval towns, mountains and castles, including where the legend of Dracula still lives. Romania is one of the most dollar-friendly destinations in the world. See: Craziest Adventures to Check Off Before You Die

The railcars are about a century old, but this is part of its charm. If you ever wanted to go to the world-famous wine region, take your time getting there so you can see the breathtaking views of the Valley during fall harvest. See: The Best Places to See Fall Foliage...Outside of New England

There are two scenic round trip excursions on this line. The park, its 800 miles of trails, stunning landscape and 2,100 miles of streams are the most visited in the country. The excursions this fall are themed after Charles M. Schulz's classic story "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." See: Jaw-dropping Photos of the Most Spectacular National Parks

See incredible panoramas of mighty mountains, intimidating glaciers, huge waterfalls, and historic sites from a vintage railcar. The railroad is a Historic, Civil Engineering Landmark. At one point you'll go 3,000 feet in just 20 miles and through cliff-hanging turns of 16 degrees. See: Waterfalls You Need To See in This Lifetime

Travel to Siberia by train along the longest continuous railway in the world. This is an amazing summer trip adventure that is about 6,000 miles and will take a week, if not longer. Stop in several cities and see Lake Baikal, the deepest lake in the world. See: Most Incredible Active Volcanoes You Can Actually Hike Around the World

Make one trip to Canada but make it count. Go on a 12-day tour through five of the country's provinces. Your journey begins from Vancouver, then it continues through charming alpine towns and unspoiled natural scenery with amazing wildlife. See: Canada's Most Spectacular National Parks...'Cause They're Free in 2017

Glacier Express is arguably the most iconic and scenic train in all of Switzerland. You'll treat yourself to a stunningly beautiful and unforgettable trip through the Alpine heartland of the country. Relax for 8 hours, admiring the architecture of castles and quaint villages and capturing views of the iconic Matterhorn Mountain. See: Adventure Trips You Need to Take Before You Turn 40

The rugged scenery and massive inlets are magnificent. Flamsbana – The Flam Railway is one of the steepest train lines in the world; almost 80 percent of the journey has a gradient of 5.5 percent, according to Visit Flam. You'll see rustic village resorts that look like they are from a fairytale. See: The Best Adventures to do in Fjords of Norway

This is the most famous train in the world, inaugurated in 1883. Its name has been featured in books and movies, making it synonymous with something exciting and mysterious. Take the classic trip from Venice through the Alps to Paris and on to London. See: 10 Reasons to Visit England Now

Take the Ethan Allen Express and leave the big, chaotic city. The trip is about 240 miles. It will take six hours to reach the final destination – time during which you get to enjoy awe-inspiring scenery of the Catskills of New York and of the Green Mountain in Vermont. See: Jaw-dropping Photos of the Most Spectacular Pools in the World

The Amtrak Cascades will take you pass gorgeous seascapes and mighty mountains, including Mt. Rainier in the south and Mt. Baker in the north. But remember to bring binoculars because you'll see inlets, rainforests and an abundance of wildlife – everything Washington is known for. See: Top 15 Reasons Why Canada Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

The California Zephyr is a passenger train operated by Amtrak. This epic trip through the Wild West will take you through the heart of the Rockies, and further west through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. See: 20 American Road Trips to Take Before You Die

Beginning in Darwin, this epic 4-day, 3-night, 9,773-mile tour will take you to some of the most remote yet captivating parts of Australia. You won't be bored on this trip as the panoramas are changing with every mile. See: Visiting These 15 Places Can Kill You