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There’s something magical about taking in sweeping views of a coastline. Combine that with the nostalgic charm of train travel, and the experience becomes both dreamy and relaxing. Picture yourself in a luxe private suite or a comfortable lounge chair as rugged cliffs, remote beaches, marine life, fishing villages, and oceanfront mountains glide past your window.
This is exactly what you’ll get on some of the world’s best-loved coastal train rides. Whether you choose an opulent sleeper train with a multi-day itinerary through Europe’s rivieras or a shorter ride along the US East Coast, a rail trip that traces the waterfront is sure to be a restorative experience.
Here are seven train journeys around the world that offer stunning coastal vistas.
Breakfast onboard the Venice Simplon Orient Express come with sides of Riviera views.
Paris to Amalfi aboard Belmond’s Venice-Simplon Orient Express
One of the most iconic luxury trains will traverse some of Europe’s most scenic coastlines in spring 2026 when the Venice-Simplon Orient Express launches a new route from Paris to the Amalfi Coast.
The new journey departs in early May and will ferry travelers along both the French and Italian Rivieras in Art Deco luxury. Guests will enjoy gourmet lunch and dinner in the train’s dining cars outfitted with Lalique glass and black lacquered marquetry, as views of sparkling Mediterranean waters and craggy cliffs glide by. The train departs Paris at 11 a.m. and arrives in Pompeii the next day at 3:30 p.m., giving passengers plenty of daylight hours to soak in the stunning panoramas.
The waterfront experiences aren’t limited to the rails. Once the VSOE arrives in Amalfi, guests can take a boat tour of the majestic coastline as one of several excursions included in the trip. A two-night stay at the seaside Hotel Caruso is also included in the journey.
The Alaska Railroad operates year-round with five different seasonal routes.
Kerry Tasker/Alaska Railroad
Anchorage to Seward aboard the Alaska Railroad Coastal Classic
To get up close to the breathtaking natural wonders of Alaska, consider a ride on Alaska Railroad’s Coastal Classic line. On its way from Anchorage to Seward, the Classic meanders along the Turnagain Arm, with its pristine aquatic inlets framed by snowcapped mountains and shocks of pine trees. At points along the waterfront journey, travelers will see the sheer faces of the Chugach Range rise out of the sea before the route terminates at Resurrection Bay in Seward.
For the most comfortable ride, opt for a GoldStar Service ticket, which guarantees a seat in a glass-domed observation car, access to outdoor, upper-level viewing platforms, a private bar with two free drinks (alcoholic or nonalcoholic), and a meal in the dining car.
The glass-dome ceilings in the Coastal Classic train’s premium class are designed for expansive views.
Glenn Aronwits/Alaska Railroad
To ensure the best views, take the morning route from Anchorage to Seward that departs at 6:45 a.m. (The reverse journey leaves at 6 p.m., but the scenery will be enveloped in darkness). The route runs daily from mid-May to mid-September.
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Take a trip on the Pacific Surfliner for unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean sparkling under the California sun.
Courtesy Amtrak
Southern California on Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner
One of Amtrak’s most scenic train rides is the Pacific Surfliner, which winds along 351 miles of California’s coast from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Outside the picture windows, passengers can drink in unobstructed views of the Pacific Ocean sparkling under the California sun, as well as the region’s undulating foothills.
According to Amtrak, the most scenic legs of the route unfurl from Ventura to Grover Beach, where the train hugs miles of undeveloped coastline and sea bluffs, and between Oceanside and San Clemente, which has the route’s longest expanse of uninterrupted views of the Pacific’s untamed shores. For the best sightseeing, be sure to sit on the left side of the train on northbound routes and on the right side when heading southbound.
Although the train’s interior isn’t necessarily glamorous, its cars are spacious and comfortable, with roomy seats and power outlets. For the ultimate California experience, stop at one of the beach towns along the way, which include Oxnard, the home of Channel Islands National Park, the surfing town of Ventura, and Santa Barbara, where the train station is perfectly placed in the center of the city’s downtown area.
The Saphir Odoriko train ambles along serene stretches and seaside cities from Atami to Izukyu-Shimoda.
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Tokyo to Izu on JR East’s Saphir Odoriko
Japan Railway East decided to use the French word for “sapphire” in the name of its sightseeing line that runs from Tokyo to the Izu Peninsula “to evoke the sparkling, bright sapphire blue of Izu’s ocean and sky,” the company says on its site.
The Saphir Odoriko train indeed delivers on that lofty promise of glittering ocean and stunning landscape vistas. Ocean views start after the train leaves Yokohama, when the tracks begin to hew to the coast. Expect up-close views of glistening ocean that bleed into the azure horizon as the train ambles along serene stretches and seaside cities from Atami to Izukyu-Shimoda.
On board, a sleek and minimalist dining car serves up local specialties like yuzu shrimp wonton soup and spicy mapo noodles. An upgrade to the premium Green Car is worth it for the quilted leather seats with privacy wings that pivot toward the picture windows and skylights overhead. Group travelers can book one of two private rooms in the Green Car that seat up to six passengers in a secluded cabin.
Journey along the Pacific ocean coast in New Zealand and you’ll be treated to windswept cliffs and the steely white-tipped Kaikōura mountains.
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Picton to Christchurch, New Zealand, aboard the Coastal Pacific
This line along the east edge of New Zealand’s South Island offers a visual feast of awe-inspiring seaside landscapes. Windswept cliff sides give way to the steely white-tipped Kaikōura mountains presiding above the Pacific’s vast blue expanse. The majority of the route runs directly along the sea and traverses secluded coves and remote beaches, where sharp-eyed passengers might spot New Zealand fur seals, albatross, and even the occasional whale. Farther along, guests will also spot the otherworldly pink-sand shores of Lake Grassmere, a natural seaside lagoon used for salt production.
On board, the Coastal Pacific has an open-air viewing carriage where travelers can catch epic views of the dramatic seasides drifting by. Back inside the train, travelers will find a casual café serving up local dishes like lamb shank and steak and cheese pie, as well as a selection of New Zealand wines.
Hop off the train in Blenheim to tour some of New Zealand’s top vineyards in its famous Marlborough region or explore the coastal town of Kaikōura, known for its abundant marine life, natural beauty, and whale watching tours.
London to Cornwall aboard Belmond’s Britannic Explorer
The newest luxury train to join Belmond’s illustrious line-up is the UK-based Britannic Explorer. Travelers craving oceanfront views should book a journey aboard the line to Cornwall. The four-day rail voyage whisks travelers through verdant countryside and beach towns as they explore Southwest England.
On the second day of the journey, the train ambles along the UK’s famed Riviera Line, historic tracks along the seaside that lead to the English beach resort areas of Devon and Cornwall. Along this heritage track, stony sea cliffs submerge into translucent aquamarine waters and postage stamp-sized fishing villages slide by the windows. Take in the views while having tea service in the elegant dining car, designed to evoke an English garden party, or enjoy the panoramas from the plush bed in your private suite.
As the train enters Cornwall, watch sailboats bob at their moorings as the train skates by the town of St. Austell. Passengers stop for the afternoon in south Cornwall to explore the seaside hamlets of Penzance.
Vietnam’s Central Coast aboard the Vietage by Anantara
Winding its way through the heart of Vietnam, Anantara’s Vietage train cuts a partial path along Vietnam’s central coast. The scenery is a combination of tropical countryside and waterfront views. The railway runs between Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Nha Trang, with each journey spanning a leisurely five to six hours. Amid the lush greenery rushing by the windows, travelers will experience portions of the journey that hug the stunning oceanfront along the section of track between Quy Nhon and Nha Trang. Travelers will also glimpse the tranquil shores of An Khe Lake and the seaside city of Quang Ngai, as well as other scenic points of interest, including ruins of ancient cities.
On board the train, passengers are assigned comfortable booths with bamboo privacy dividers. Along the way, tuck in to local dishes like Hoi An chicken rice, as well as an afternoon tea service featuring caviar and Vietnamese tea. There is also a selection of Vietnamese gins, along with other spirits and wines, that pair beautifully with the views rolling by.
