Best Luxury Train Journey Experiences in Asia
For many, a leisurely holiday evokes visions of ship cruising. And while that may be relaxing, for most of the time you’ll be looking at vast stretches of blue on blue with minimal landscapes and only enjoying genuine cultural experiences during the brief stops.
On the other hand, train ‘cruising’ travel is just as leisurely but much more immersive, and today, even more luxurious than ever before.
Settled in a comfortable seat watching the ever-changing scenery and people going about their daily lives through large cinematic windows is so much more relaxing and stimulating than ship cruising, and not as cramped as air travel.
However, the next level is the luxury train journey. The added benefits of a stylish sleeping compartment, separate first-class dining and bar carriages, and in some cases even a specific observation carriage — who wouldn’t want this experience?
Luxury trains enable passengers to enjoy the scenery. Image: © JR East
After an uncomfortable long-distance travel journey, sleeping train carriages were first designed by American engineer and cabinetmaker George Pullman. His Pullman sleeping carriages were launched in 1865, but it wasn’t until 1883 when the European Oriental Express, with its separate sleeping and dining cars, that the rich and wealthy middle-class began to embrace long-distance train travel fully.
Railway routes expanded, and deluxe first-class trains emerged across Europe, North America and Asia. In fact, today, it’s possible to travel every continent in slow, decadent, luxurious style to see the world.
Top of mind is still the Agatha Christie, Poirot-fabled, Orient Express. But equally historic, impressively lavish, and majestic is Asia’s Eastern & Oriental Express that takes you from Singapore to Bangkok through Malaysia without any train changes. It’s where the east meets west with foods and cocktails inspired by the regions the train journeys through. A champagne breakfast in bed is also on the menu. Recently, the E&O carriages were restored to their original colouring and décor, creating the old-world charm of yesteryear but with today’s technology at hand.
All luxury train travel today includes top-notch drinks, fine dining meals produced by an array of awarded chefs and off-train tours along the way. The sleeping compartments usually offer single, twin and double beds along with ensuite bathrooms and often a butler who ensures your every creature comfort is met along the way.
The dining car of the Eastern & Oriental Express. Image: © Altrendo Images
Most luxury journeys range from two to four or five days, but because the days are languid and mindful, just two days on a train can feel as relaxing as a week away.
Since its launch in May 2017, the world’s most exclusive, expensive, and glamorously luxurious journey is Japan’s deluxe hybrid electric/diesel Train Suite Shiki-shima operated by East Japan Railway Company.
Japan may be known for its bullet trains to get you around the island nation quickly and safely, but the Shiki-shima epitomises the true Japanese spirit of a slower and finer side of life.
Shiki-shima means “island of four seasons”, and it doesn’t matter which season you decide to undertake this train's sweet, suite journey; it will be nothing short of magnificent.
Japan’s sleek, golden and very luxurious Train Suite Shiki-shima. Image: © JR East
Departing Tokyo’s Ueno Station, this ten-car train caters for a maximum of 34 passengers in 17 suites. You’re guaranteed to find plenty of room to absorb the scenic Japanese countryside in your own space and time and enjoy the regional cultural stops in Tohoku and Hokkaido.
Costing from US$3,000 to US$10,000, your two to four-day journey on this golden, slick, futuristic train includes a limousine and luggage service from home to your train suite, customised needs on the train as discussed with staff after booking, and a private lounge at the train station.
Before Covid-19, demand for a spot was so overwhelming that ballots were drawn for each trip. Currently, it’s a little easier to guarantee your suite in between the brief Japanese Government ‘State of Emergency’ closures such as they enforced for the recent Olympics. The train always begins service quickly afterwards.
No matter which suite you choose on the Shiki-shima train, it will be superbly memorable in more ways than one.
A fragrant cypress bath inside a Shiki-shima Suite Room. Image: © JR East
If you chose the Shiki-shima or Deluxe private suites, you can watch the beautiful eastern Japanese countryside glide by while you’re soaking away any previous worries in your unique designer and fragrant cypress bath. Or relax on the sofa and warm your toes by the fireplace in your lounge while watching it playfully flicker on the loft ceiling above.
In the Suite Rooms, the private shower ensuite and Japanese craftsmanship don’t disappoint either. All ooze Japanese sophistication and minimalist elegance in design.
The materials, arts, and crafts throughout the train come from the regions it travels through and evoke peacefulness. All foods on offer in the dining room also come from the surrounding regions. Everything is a slow-moving feast, freshly sourced, reflecting the seasons and surrounding countryside. Sometimes meals are even hosted in town restaurants that the train stops at. What a perfect way to get to know the locals at the same time.
The Komorebi lounge design replicates the surrounding forests. Relax alongside the fireplace with your favourite tipple while being serenaded by enchanting piano music.
Live entertainment in the Train Suite Shiki-shima lounge. Image: © JR East
There are two observation cars — one upfront, the other the last carriage. Like the Canadian Rocky Mountaineer, these cars have almost floor to ceiling glass, ensuring you are embraced by the passing forests, farmlands, fields and coastlines day and night as you glide through the northern Tohoku and Hokkaido regions.
However, unless I win the lotto, the Shiki-shima will be a distant dream on my bucket list. Luckily, there are many other outstanding luxury train journeys on offer around Asia.
Like the Eastern & Oriental Express, many were initially established during colonial times and have now been upgraded with the resurgence of slow, less carbon-emitting and peaceful train travel.
See the best of southern India aboard the 44-carriage Golden Chariot. It offers two week-long journeys. One around Karnataka state and its golden beaches, the other also includes Kerala and Tamil Nadu. With two dining cars, an ultra-fine Midira cigar bar lounge, a gym and spa, plus a TV in your room, there’s plenty to keep you occupied, including the picturesque countryside and beaches of Goa.
A welcome ceremony for guests on India’s Deccan Odyssey. Image: © CRS Photo
Be treated like royalty aboard the Maharajas’ Express in India. Partake in one of the seven different Indian heritage destination journeys on offer, plus first-class dining, bar and lounge with only 88 passengers. See how Maharajas lived by staying in the Presidential Suite with two spacious bedrooms, two bathrooms, a palatial bath, your own lounge and dining areas, plus a butler waiting on you hand and foot.
The fourth most luxurious train globally is the Palace on Wheels — another right royal affair complete with butlers. Each carriage is aptly named after the 14 royal Rajput States of old-world India. See Ranthambore reserve tigers, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Taj Mahal and other key attractions along the way.
Or jump aboard the iconic royal blue and gold Deccan Odyssey as it stops at the Asiatic lion reserve and crosses some of India’s best heritage sites on a week-long journey from Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Pattadakal, Hyderabad, Ellora and Ajanta Caves to Mumbai. With two dining cars, a gym, spa and a conference carriage with business services, you can even keep working along the way.
Other spectacular train journeys on offer around Japan include the Twilight Express Mizukaze. It’s everything you’d expect of a luxury hotel, except it’s on wheels and travels from Osaka, Kyoto to Okayama, Shinji and Higashihama, including a sunset stop at Lake Shinji.
Luxury trains offer fine dining with champagne service. Image: © Nannette Holliday
The eight-car, 100 passenger Royal Express is another lavish Japanese train. But there are no sleeping cars. The journey is just three leisurely lunching hours between Yokohama and Shimoda on the rarely visited Izu Peninsula. Relax with live piano and violin music while enjoying delectable foods, wines and coastline or mountain views. On arrival, you are welcomed by geishas and partake in various town tours. A return trip comes with an overnight stay at Shimodo’s renowned ryokan, Seiryuso, a soak in their onsen, followed by a 10-course dinner.
Enjoy the sweet life on board the stunning black and gold Aru Ressha. It oozes romance throughout. From its soft décor to the five-course meal, three of which are sweet ones! The day trip from Nagasaki to Sasebo changes its route and menu with the seasons. But its cost remains at US$210 — a bargain for this visual dining feast.
Then there is the ever-so-chic 12-suite Seven Stars Kyushu. It showcases the soul of Kyushu Island. See the splendorous countryside and meet the locals from Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Miyazaki to Oita and Fukuoka prefectures, with food delivered by different chefs every day. You even stay overnight in a traditional ryokan in either Yufuin Tamanoyu, Kamenoi Besso or Sansou Murata.
If you are taking a one-way luxury train trip and want to explore more of your destination region on arrival, then a comfortable way to do that is with a Japan Rail regional pass.
Longer and more classical journeys across Asia include the Shangri-La Express, China’s spectacular private train originally built for Chairman Mao. While not as luxurious as other Asian trains (the Heritage class has share bathrooms, Diamond has ensuites), it is China’s best train and an excellent way to experience the country's vastness.
A Chinese train on the Tibetan plateau. Image: © Marc Foggin
Over 13 days, 80 to 100 passengers see major and minor Himalayan peaks while traversing the ‘Roof of the World’, the Gobi Desert and ancient cities from Lhasa, Tibet to Kashgar, China. Or over 21 days travel across five countries from Beijing, China to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Moscow, Russia along the exotic and historic Marco Polo Silk Road route. The journey on both includes your bed, all meals, wines, off-train tours and gratuities.
The other epic journey to undertake is aboard the Trans-Mongolian Express. Reminiscent of Dr Zhivago days travel from Beijing across the heart of Siberia and massive steppes of Mongolia to St Petersburg and Moscow over 20 days. Apart from on-train accommodation and all meals, some homestays and camping is included along the way. At approximately US$5,500, it is also outstanding value to traverse half the world.
Today, luxury train travel remains unique. Some even say it’s exclusive. But one thing is for sure — it’s the most leisurely way to enjoy this otherwise, fast-paced world. Nowhere else can you relax in stylish comfort, enjoy lavish meals, special services, and the swish surrounds both inside and outside the train while it rambles across spectacular landscapes, plus share authentic local, immersive experiences along the way. Luxury trains have learnt what today’s generation needs, and they offer it all.
Header image: © CRS Photo
