Instagram’s top luxury train journeys for autumn/winter travel

As longer days and sunshine give way to amber hues and crisp air, travellers’ are struck with a sense of wanderlust for the autumn/winter season. 

Pinterest Predicts index reported train travel is set to make a comeback this year, with pins for “train trip aesthetic” up a whopping 205%. With this in mind, Rant Casino analysed Instagram hashtag volumes to reveal which luxury train journeys around the world are most sought after this autumn/winter.

*Instagram hashtag numbers collected on 2nd October 2023.

The most Instagrammed luxury journey is Switzerland’s Bernina Express, which takes you on a winter wonderland through the Swiss Alps into Italy. With windows spanning the entire walls of this train, there is no missing the picturesque views of snow-capped mountains. There are a total of 96,691 hashtags for this icy journey. Despite this, a single adult standard ticket will only set you back approximately £56.

In second place is Scotland’s Jacobite train journey, made famous as the train that transported Harry Potter to Hogwarts. Perfect for a cosy autumnal ride, there are currently 67,168 documented hashtags for this journey, and an adult standard ticket will set you back £57.

The Bergen Line journey is in third place; the luxury train even seeks out the northern lights on long arctic nights whilst taking you from Bergen to Oslo, with 53,254 hashtagged posts to capture the magic.

Taking the next spot is The Rocky Mountaineer. Canada’s most scenic train ride boasts 52,508 related hashtags, taken through its panoramic windows of the unparalleled beauty of Canada’s highest peaks.

Rounding off the top 5 is the Glacier Express, which offers breathtaking views of Switzerland’s snow-capped mountains, deep valleys and sparkling lakes. The luxurious journey through the alps has been captured 45,710 times on Instagram with fares of approximately £152 per journey.

Travelling from Alaska to Canada, the White Pass and Yukon ranks 10th, with a total of 14,500 posts on Instagram. With fares starting at £115 per passenger, this journey is the one of the priciest on the list. This train covers a non-stop journey through glacial rivers, waterfalls and wildlife if you’re lucky.

Other popular train journeys include Thailand’s Death Railway, the ideal train journey this spooky season (22,818), The Blue Train (43,439) for some winter sun, and Norways’s Flam Railway (21,229).