While Great Britain boasts a variety of stunning rail paths, one specific route has ascended to the status of a global icon. Following a tracking study from InsureandGo, it recently named this journey the fourth most beautiful train ride on the planet. Passengers are treated to a rolling gallery of jagged Highlands, deep lochs, and historic sites.
The West Highland Line spans 164 miles, beginning at Glasgow Queen Street Station and terminating at the coastal outpost of Mallaig. As the train moves north, it brushes past the shores of Loch Lomond and Loch Etive, cutting right through the heart of the Trossachs National Park.
The journey is, perhaps, most famous for its passage over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a structure now globally recognised for its starring role in the Harry Potter film franchise. Mickledore characterises the trip as a “living canvas,” noting that the route traverses over 100 bridges and offers fleeting, majestic glimpses of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in the British Isles.
This isn’t the first time the route has claimed the crown: in 2009, Wanderlust magazine readers voted it #1 in the world. And today, it maintains its lead over iconic rivals like the Trans-Siberian and the Machu Picchu lines. What is more, leading outlets like the BBC and The Telegraph have long hailed its unparalleled vistas.
Planning your trip: routes and rates
Travellers looking to experience the West Highland Line can select from three primary branches originating in Glasgow, including to Oban, Fort William or to Mallaig. The journey takes between three hours and 20 minutes and five and a half hours. What is more, guests can purchase a return ticket from as little as £39 with ScotRail!
For those eager to witness Scotland’s dramatic wilderness, the West Highland Line remains a bucket-list essential, seamlessly blending cinematic scenery with deep-rooted heritage.
The most beautiful train journeys in the world
- Sagano Romantic Train, Japan
- Bernina Express, Switzerland / Italy
- Glacier Express, Switzerland
- West Highland Line, Scotland, UK
- Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan
- Serra Verde Express, Brazil
- Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
- Semmering Railway, Austria
- Coast Starlight, USA
- White Pass & Yukon Route, USA / Canada
- Central Andean Railway, Peru
- Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia
- TranzAlpine, New Zealand
- Blue Train, South Africa
- The Ghan, Australia
