Scenic Train Journeys in Latin America You Should Experience

Travelling by rail has a timeless appeal. The gentle rhythm of the tracks, ever-changing landscapes beyond your window and the chance to truly slow down all make train travel one of the most rewarding ways to experience a destination. The finest scenic train journeys in Latin America combine spectacular scenery with fascinating history, exceptional hospitality and unforgettable destinations, taking you through landscapes that simply can't be appreciated in the same way by road or air.

From luxury sleeper trains crossing the Peruvian Andes to historic mountain railways in Argentina and remarkable engineering feats in Ecuador, the scenic train journeys in Latin America featured here offer experiences that become highlights of a holiday in their own right. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning to discover somewhere new, these iconic rail adventures deserve a place on your itinerary.

Belmond Andean Explorer, Peru

If there's one railway that perfectly captures the magic of scenic train journeys in Latin America, it's the Belmond Andean Explorer.

As South America's first luxury sleeper train, it travels between Cusco, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa, crossing the vast Peruvian Altiplano at elevations of more than 4,300 metres. Outside, dramatic Andean scenery unfolds in every direction. Snow-capped mountains give way to rolling plains where llamas, alpacas and vicuñas graze, while remote villages provide a glimpse into traditional life high in the Andes.

Inside, beautifully designed cabins, elegant lounges and an open-air observation carriage create an atmosphere of understated comfort. Meals showcase the very best of Peruvian cuisine, while every detail has been carefully considered to make the journey as memorable as the destinations themselves.

This extraordinary rail experience fits perfectly into a tailor-made Peru holiday, combining seamlessly with time exploring Cusco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca and Arequipa.

Why you'll love it

• South America's first luxury sleeper train
• Spectacular Andean scenery
• Elegant cabins and exceptional dining
• One of the world's most memorable rail experiences

Belmond Hiram Bingham, Peru

For many travellers, visiting Machu Picchu is the highlight of Peru. Arriving aboard the Belmond Hiram Bingham makes the experience even more special.

Named after the explorer who brought Machu Picchu to international attention, this elegant day train follows the Urubamba River through the Sacred Valley before reaching Aguas Calientes. As the journey progresses, fertile valleys gradually become cloud forest, creating a wonderful sense of anticipation before arriving at one of the world's most celebrated archaeological sites.

Live Peruvian music, beautifully prepared cuisine and attentive service ensure the journey feels every bit as special as the destination itself.

It's easy to understand why many consider this one of the finest scenic train journeys in Latin America.

Perfect to combine with

• Classic Peru Holiday
• Sacred Valley
• Machu Picchu

PeruRail Vistadome Observatory

Not every unforgettable railway journey has to be luxurious. The PeruRail Vistadome Observatory offers an exceptional way to experience the spectacular route to Machu Picchu while enjoying uninterrupted panoramic views.

Expansive windows and glass roof panels maximise every opportunity to admire the Sacred Valley, allowing you to watch rivers, mountains and traditional farming communities pass by from the comfort of your seat.

For many clients, it's the ideal balance between comfort, scenery and value, making it one of the most accessible scenic train journeys in Latin America.

PeruRail Titicaca Train

Connecting Cusco with Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca, this full-day railway journey showcases another side of Peru.

Crossing the impressive La Raya Pass before descending across the Altiplano, the route passes peaceful lakes, grazing alpacas and colourful Andean villages where traditions remain largely unchanged.

The journey includes gourmet dining, live cultural performances and access to an observation carriage, making the hours pass remarkably quickly as some of Peru's most beautiful landscapes unfold around you.

If you're travelling between Cusco and Lake Titicaca, this is one of the most enjoyable scenic train journeys in Latin America.

Recommended with

• Peru Explorer
• Lake Titicaca
• Arequipa Holidays

Train to the Clouds, Argentina

Argentina is perhaps better known for Patagonia and Iguazú Falls, but one of its greatest travel experiences lies in the country's northwest.

The famous Train to the Clouds (Tren a las Nubes) departs from Salta before climbing into the Andes, eventually reaching over 4,200 metres above sea level. Along the way, passengers cross dramatic viaducts, winding valleys and vast mountain landscapes before arriving at the spectacular La Polvorilla Viaduct.

The railway represents one of South America's greatest engineering achievements and offers breathtaking views throughout the journey.

For travellers exploring Salta & Northwest Argentina, it's undoubtedly one of the most impressive scenic train journeys in Latin America.

Perfect to combine with

• Argentina Holidays
• Salta & Northwest Argentina
• Cafayate
• Humahuaca Gorge

End of the World Train, Ushuaia

At the southern tip of Argentina lies the southernmost railway on Earth.

The End of the World Train retraces part of the historic railway once used to transport prisoners from Ushuaia into what is now Tierra del Fuego National Park. Today, beautifully restored steam locomotives carry visitors through forests, rivers, mountains and peat bogs while guides share stories about the railway's fascinating past.

Although the journey is relatively short, it offers a wonderfully atmospheric introduction to one of the world's most remote destinations.

For those exploring Patagonia, it remains one of the most distinctive scenic train journeys in Latin America.

Related destinations

• Ushuaia 
• Tierra del Fuego
• Patagonia Holidays

Devil's Nose Railway, Ecuador

Ecuador's Devil's Nose Railway (Nariz del Diablo) is famous not only for its scenery but also for the remarkable ingenuity behind its construction.

To overcome an almost vertical mountainside, engineers designed an ingenious system of zigzag switchbacks that allowed trains to safely descend steep Andean slopes. The result is one of Latin America's most famous railway routes, offering dramatic mountain views and a fascinating insight into Ecuador's railway heritage.

Rail operations continue to evolve, so availability can vary, but when operating this remains one of the continent's most memorable scenic train journeys in Latin America.

Combine with

• Ecuador Holidays
• Quito
• Avenue of the Volcanoes
• Cuenca

El Chepe Express (Copper Canyon), Mexico

No list of scenic train journeys in Latin America would be complete without Mexico's legendary El Chepe Express.

Running between Los Mochis on the Pacific coast and Creel in the Sierra Tarahumara, the railway travels through the spectacular Copper Canyon, a network of six immense canyons that together are larger and deeper than the Grand Canyon. Over the course of the journey, the train crosses almost 40 bridges and passes through more than 80 tunnels, climbing from sea level to over 2,400 metres.

One of the highlights is watching the landscape transform as you travel from subtropical lowlands to dramatic mountain scenery, pine forests and rugged canyon viewpoints. Along the route you'll pass remote villages, rivers and towering cliffs while sharing the railway with local Rarámuri (Tarahumara) communities, whose connection with this region stretches back centuries.

The modern El Chepe Express offers several classes of service, including a premium carriage with panoramic windows and regional cuisine inspired by northern Mexico. Whether you travel the full route or simply enjoy one of the scenic sections, it's an unforgettable way to experience one of Mexico's most remarkable landscapes.

For clients looking to discover a different side of Mexico beyond the Yucatán Peninsula or Mexico City, the Copper Canyon railway is an exceptional addition to a tailor-made itinerary.

Why you'll love it

• Journey through one of the world's largest canyon systems
• Cross 39 bridges and travel through 86 tunnels
• Incredible mountain and canyon scenery
• Experience the culture of the indigenous Rarámuri people
• Comfortable panoramic carriages

Perfect to combine with

• Mexico Holidays
• Copper Canyon
• Chihuahua
• Baja California
• Mexico City

Why include a rail journey in your holiday?

Train travel allows you to experience Latin America differently.

Rather than simply travelling between destinations, the journey becomes an experience in its own right. You'll have time to appreciate landscapes that many visitors simply pass through, enjoy conversations with fellow travellers, sample regional cuisine and arrive feeling relaxed rather than rushed.

Whether you're crossing Peru's spectacular Andes, exploring Argentina's mountain landscapes or discovering Ecuador's remarkable railway heritage, scenic train journeys in Latin America offer some of the continent's most rewarding travel experiences.

At Latin Routes, our Travel Specialists can seamlessly include many of these iconic rail journeys within your tailor-made holiday, combining them with world-famous highlights such as Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca, Salta, Patagonia and beyond. If you'd like to discover scenic train journeys in Latin America for yourself, speak to our team and we'll help create a holiday that's designed entirely around you.

Our top tips for travelling by train in Latin America

• Book early, especially for luxury rail journeys, as departures often sell out months in advance.
• Pack layers. Temperatures can vary significantly, particularly in the Andes.
• Keep your camera handy. Some of the best scenery appears when you least expect it.
• Sit back and enjoy the slower pace. Rail travel is all about appreciating the journey as much as the destination.
• Ask your Travel Specialist which rail experiences can be incorporated into your itinerary, as many work perfectly alongside our tailor-made Peru, Argentina and Ecuador holidays.

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