Train networks around the world

Updated on 20 July, 2008

Train travel is fast, convenient, and usually cheaper than flying. As an added benefit, you get to see the beautiful countryside you're traveling though, and don't have to deal with airport security. Or that horrible airplane food. Here's a rundown of the most important rail systems of the world and how to book.

North America

• Amtrak (U.S. and Canada)
• VIA Rail
• Ontario Northland
• Rocky Mountaineer
• Algoma Central

Europe

Europe-wide rail systems

• Eurostar
• Eurail
• ThaylsCNL
• Cisalpino
  

Eurail has the most extensive, but occasionally costly, network. Every European country also has its own rail network or special discount tickets.

European country-specific rail systems

• France but read this first
• Germany
• Italy
• Poland
• Russia
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom

Asia

• Japan
• Thailand
• China
• Vietnam

Australia

• Rail Australia
• Sydney to Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra
• Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide,Perth, Alice Springs, Darwin
• Brisbane, Townsville, Cairns
• V-Line Victoria

A phenomenal resource for train and sea based travel is Seat61. It's the big daddy of rail travel information sites, and I highly recommend that you visit it.

Trains are much more eco-friendly than train. You can check out the table in this article about eco-friendly travel habits, which shows that at least 7 times as far per ton of CO2 as on a full airplane. And if the train is electric rather than diesel, that rises to an enormous 73 times as far! So please consider taking the train, and help save the environment for all of us.