There is a particular appeal to travelling by train overnight: settling into a cabin in one city, watching the landscape disappear into darkness and waking up somewhere completely different. From luxury hotel trains crossing the Andes to long-distance services traversing India and Australia, sleeper trains offer a way to experience travel at a slower pace.
A CNN Travel roundup published on August 22, 2026, highlighted the enduring appeal of overnight rail journeys and pointed readers towards a wider selection of notable services across six continents. The journeys range from traditional sleeper services and modern European night trains to elaborate luxury trains designed around the experience itself.
For travellers, these journeys offer more than a way to reach another destination. They bring together changing landscapes, regional food, onboard accommodation and the pleasure of travelling without spending the night in an airport or hotel.
Europe: From Alpine Connections to Luxury Hotel Trains
Europe has seen renewed interest in overnight rail travel, supported by established sleeper services and new-generation trains.
Caledonian Sleeper, United Kingdom
The Caledonian Sleeper connects London with several Scottish destinations, including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Fort William. Its Highland route offers views of valleys, moorlands and mountain scenery, particularly along the West Highland Line.
Passengers can book sleeping compartments and use the onboard lounge car. For those travelling towards Fort William, the route offers a way to reach the Scottish Highlands while travelling overnight.
Nightjet, Central Europe
Operated by Austrian Federal Railways, Nightjet connects major European cities through hubs including Vienna and Zurich. Its network serves destinations such as Berlin, Hamburg, Brussels, Amsterdam, Rome and Milan.
New-generation trains introduce features including compact private sleeping pods, sleeping compartments with en-suite facilities and dedicated spaces for bicycles and larger luggage. The service is particularly useful for travellers looking to cover longer distances without taking a daytime flight.
La Dolce Vita Orient Express, Italy
Italy’s La Dolce Vita Orient Express takes a different approach, presenting rail travel as a luxury hospitality experience. Its itineraries showcase destinations across the country, including Rome, Venice, Matera and Palermo.
The train features a bar car, music and dining experiences built around Italian cuisine and regional ingredients. Its 11-car design includes private cabins and larger suites, making the experience closer to a moving boutique hotel than a conventional overnight service.
Asia: Rail Journeys Across Mountains and Islands
Asia offers contrasting overnight rail experiences, from high-altitude journeys through the Tibetan Plateau to carefully designed luxury trains in Japan.
Qinghai–Tibet Railway, China
Often called the Railway to Heaven, the Qinghai–Tibet Railway connects the Chinese rail network with Lhasa. The route from Xining to Lhasa extends approximately 1,955 kilometres and reaches an elevation of about 5,070 metres at Tanggula Pass.
Trains travelling towards Lhasa have specially designed pressurised carriages to help passengers cope with the high-altitude environment. Outside the windows, travellers can see grasslands, mountain ranges, lakes and remote sections of the Tibetan Plateau.
Seven Stars in Kyushu, Japan
Japan’s Seven Stars in Kyushu is a luxury hotel train designed to introduce visitors to the culture, crafts and landscapes of the country’s southwestern island.
With accommodation for just 28 passengers, it offers a more intimate experience than conventional rail services. Its seven coaches include sleeping cabins, a lounge and a salon space, with itineraries lasting between two and four days.
Rather than simply connecting major cities, the train focuses on regional experiences and Japanese craftsmanship.
Vivek Express, India
India’s Vivek Express offers a very different perspective on sleeper travel. Connecting Dibrugarh in Assam with Kanniyakumari in Tamil Nadu, it covers approximately 4,184 kilometres across the country.
The journey can take up to 75 hours, passing through a wide range of landscapes, states and communities. Unlike the luxury hotel trains featured elsewhere in the global sleeper-train landscape, Vivek Express represents the everyday long-distance rail experience that remains central to Indian travel.
India also has premium tourist trains such as the Maharajas’ Express, Deccan Odyssey, Golden Chariot and Palace on Wheels, which offer curated itineraries and upscale onboard accommodation.
Australia: Crossing the Outback Aboard The Ghan
Australia’s The Ghan is among the world’s best-known long-distance train journeys. It connects Adelaide in the south with Darwin in the Northern Territory, crossing approximately 2,979 kilometres of the Australian interior.
The full journey takes more than two days and includes extended stops that allow passengers to explore places along the route. Experiences can include visits to remote settlements and excursions into the Outback.
The train combines private cabins and dining facilities with views of red desert landscapes, open plains and changing terrain. For travellers interested in seeing Australia’s interior beyond its major coastal cities, it offers an alternative to road travel and domestic flights.
North America: The Canadian’s Transcontinental Journey
VIA Rail Canada’s The Canadian connects Toronto with Vancouver on a journey spanning approximately 4,467 kilometres.
The four-day trip passes through forests, lakes, prairies and the Rocky Mountains. Its panoramic dome cars give passengers an opportunity to observe the scenery from elevated viewing areas.
The train combines private sleeping accommodation with shared lounges and dining spaces. Unlike a short overnight journey between neighbouring cities, the route is an extended experience in slow travel, with opportunities to meet fellow passengers and watch Canada’s landscape change across several days.
South America: Exploring the Andes Aboard Andean Explorer
Peru’s Andean Explorer offers a luxury journey through the country’s high-altitude landscapes. The train links Cusco and Arequipa through Puno, with a stopover and an excursion around Lake Titicaca.
The two-night journey reaches elevations of approximately 4,300 metres at La Raya. Its design includes private cabins, lounge areas, dining facilities and an observation car.
The experience combines mountain scenery with Peruvian food and cultural excursions. Due to the altitude, passengers should consider the physical demands of travelling through the high Andes and plan accordingly.
Africa: Heritage and Safari Experiences with Rovos Rail
South Africa’s Rovos Rail has developed a reputation for combining historic railway design with luxury hospitality. Its restored vintage carriages feature private suites, dining areas and shared spaces.
The operator offers journeys lasting from two to 11 nights, with itineraries across southern Africa. Depending on the route, passengers can experience destinations and landscapes associated with Victoria Falls, the Cape Winelands, the Kalahari and wildlife reserves.
Some journeys extend beyond South Africa into countries including Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Malawi and Tanzania. Off-train excursions and safari experiences are an important part of the itineraries.
Why Sleeper Trains Are Finding a Place in Modern Travel
Sleeper trains are attracting interest because they combine transportation with accommodation and destination experiences. They can reduce the need for separate overnight stays, make long-distance journeys part of the holiday and offer a different perspective on landscapes that are often missed by air travellers.
Their appeal, however, varies considerably. A scheduled night train such as Nightjet serves a practical transport purpose, while a luxury service such as Rovos Rail or La Dolce Vita Orient Express is designed as a holiday experience in its own right.
For travellers choosing between these options, the important considerations include journey duration, cabin type, ticket price, route availability and the experiences included along the way.
As interest in slower and more experience-led travel continues, sleeper trains offer an alternative way to explore the world: not by rushing towards the next destination, but by making the journey itself an important part of the holiday.
