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Take The Scenic Route on a Luxury Train Ride
Black women are on board with the global travel trend that blends beautiful vistas, charming spaces, impeccable service, and gourmet food and wine.
For generations, train travel has offered a unique kind of freedom—rolling through scenic landscapes, immersing oneself in stillness between destinations, and often finding oneself along the way. For several Black women, especially, train journeys can hold deeper meaning.
Milwaukee and Chicago-based globetrotter Sojourner White’s love of trains began with Amtrak trips as a young girl and continued as her primary mode of travel in college. That connection to the track deepened after she took her first long-distance ride in 2021.
“I fell in love with long-distance train travel in 2021 after taking the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville, California. After that trip, trains appealed to me because I felt safe as a Black woman and as someone who is often solo. Also, because I often joke that I am a traveling homebody, sleeper trains in particular give me the best of both worlds—a room while traveling with gorgeous views.
Historical ties have also further enhanced White’s longing to travel by train often. While on her trips, she often reflects on the perseverance and strength of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The organization, led by A. Phillip Randolph in New York City in the 1920s, was primarily composed of Black men and women, who fought against the poor working conditions endured by porters. Though faced with resistance along the way, after twelve long years, the demands were met.
“As Black Americans, train travel is a part of our history,” train travel influencer and blogger Sojourner White tells Sisters from AARP. “The Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters fought for better train conditions and less discrimination for the sleeper car train porters. Because of them, I found a sense of peace on the train.”
Today, a growing number of Black travelers are embracing international rail adventures—not just for the convenience or comfort, but for the stories, reflections, and sisterhood they find along the way. And, fortunately, train travel has evolved, allowing you to opt for multi-day rides with stops or added excursions along the way, much like a cruise. It all depends on your selected company’s route and overall itinerary.
Before you set out for your luxe experience, White has a few tips to get you started:
- Do your research, as luxury train travel pricing varies all around the world.
- Bring things to keep you occupied because delays are common.
- Have a sense of adventure!
So, whether you’re dreaming of winding through the Swiss Alps, exploring Peru’s Andes Mountains from a different vantage point, or gliding along some of South Africa’s most picturesque landscapes, these train experiences come highly recommended by White and other Black women who’ve done it and loved it.
Ready to ride? Let’s go. Prices are subject to change.
Africa
Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Durban, South Africa
Average starting price: 40,800 rand ($2,319.95), but can vary for other routes.
Ride length: 2 nights, but this can vary depending on the route.
Learn more: rovos.com
Take in some of South Africa’s most gorgeous backdrops aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail. Although the price tag is a bit steep compared to the other experiences, this one is complete with bells and whistles. Not only are you able to take the multi-day journey on this posh sleeper train that’s designed to be a full-service hotel on wheels, but it also includes an African safari/game drive which gives you close encounters with Africa’s big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and buffaloes), as well as two cultural stops at a ceramics gallery and a local lodge for authentic storytelling. Travel content creator and co-founder of I Luv 2 Globe Trot, Nicole Brewer, opted for the Pretoria to Durban journey during a visit to Namibia a few years ago.
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“I wanted to experience a luxury train ride while I was in the region,” Brewer explains. “This particular journey appealed to me because it was an opportunity to literally have the red carpet drawn out to me upon every exit off the train, including for a short safari stop. The staff was extremely accommodating and delighted to see a sister on the train as a passenger.”
Asia
Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited Express
Average starting price: $10
Ride length: 35 minutes
Learn more: kintetsu.co.jp
Don’t let the short distance and remarkably low price throw you off from this one. According to White, it’s just as luxurious. This company offers three routes, each steeped in Japanese history and culture. During the journey, you’ll get glimpses of the storybook-like Japanese countryside, ancient temples, and even traditional neighborhoods. On board, there’s free Wi-Fi and authentic Japanese sweet treats available to purchase, too.
“The Aoniyoshi Sightseeing Limited Express from Kyoto to Nara in Japan is a short but cute luxury train,” says White. “Most people take it to go to Nara Deer Park to see the bowing deer in Nara.”
Europe
Glacier Express
Average starting price: 208 CFH ($262.42), but can increase with upgraded seat class.
Ride length: 4–8 hours
Learn more: glacierexpress.ch/en
Seeing the Swiss Alps was high on my list. So when I found out that I could also see them while kicking back with other Black women on a posh train, I was really sold. I rode the Glacier Express in March 2024 and was still able to see snow on top of the peaks of the famous range. (If you go in warmer months, you will have more greenery as your view.)
While the plan was to initially book the Excellence class—the most luxurious offering from the Swiss brand—it was sold out, so we opted instead for First Class, which is one step below Excellence. During the journey, we partook in a three-course meal service, indulged in wine and coffee, and, of course, took lots of photos amidst some good old girl talk. I recommend booking the Excellence class at least 3–4 months in advance of your visit to Switzerland. Only a few seats are sold per day, so they sell out very quickly.
North America
Rocky Mountaineer
Average starting price: Varies
Ride length: Varies
Learn more: rockymountaineer.com
Avid traveler and journalist Natalie Preddie heard about this luxurious experience and was told it was bucket-list worthy. As a result, she booked her ticket, and well, she says it was definitely worth it. This train offers routes across Canada and the United States. You can marvel at landmarks like the jaw-dropping vistas of Banff and perfectly blue-hued Lake Louise, as well as the jaw-dropping Rockies.
“The stunning Rocky Mountain vistas I saw through the dome glass roof were breathtaking, amplified only by the incredible Canadian menus,” Preddie shares. “The Rocky Mountaineer team does an incredible job of engaging the communities they pass through, using local ingredients and products that reflect the land, while respecting the cultures of the people they meet along the way. For me, it was the perfect way to truly appreciate the beauty of Western Canada.”
South America
Peru Rail Titicaca Train: From Cusco to Puno
Average starting price: $290
Ride length: 10 hours and 30 minutes
Learn more: perurail.com
Begin your journey in the charming city of Cusco, renowned for its traditional dishes, such as alpaca steak, and its extensive history. The train ride takes a full day, but there are stops along the way, including one in the very remote and often frigid town of Abra La Raya (also the official border between Cusco and Puno, Peru). However, be prepared, as the hamlet is situated at a very high altitude, 4,300 meters to be exact, which may cause some altitude sickness.
“I really loved the Peru Rail Titicaca train from Cusco to Puno,” White excitedly explains. “There was a terrace to get fresh air and enjoy the views outside, a pisco sour (a Peruvian cocktail made of simple syrup, Pisco, egg whites and lime juice) demonstration, a fashion show and lots of dancing. A 3-course meal was also included with my ticket, along with an afternoon tea. I ended up going from Puno to Lake Titicaca, which is the home of the Indigenous community called the Uros People.”
Where would you like to travel by rail? Where have you been? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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