Train Journeys Full of Unexpected Joy

Travel often dazzles with grand landmarks and long-awaited stops, but some of the most unforgettable moments happen en route—on the winding paths that surprise and delight. The true magic of train travel lies not just in destinations but in the serendipitous encounters, shifting scenery, and soothing rhythms that allow joy to sneak in quietly and stay a while. These unexpected joy train routes prove that the tracks less traveled often lead to the richest memories.

Linha do Douro, Portugal

Portugal’s Douro Valley is a mosaic of terraced vineyards, tranquil river bends, and sleepy hamlets, yet the Linha do Douro remains one of Europe’s best-kept secrets. The train from Porto to Pocinho hugs the river like a devoted companion, offering passengers a slow, golden glide through wine country.

It begins in the urban buzz of Porto, but the real charm unfolds an hour in—when the concrete dissolves into grapevines and ochre hills. The scenery is cinematic, yet curiously grounding. With every bend, there's a quaint stone station or a fisherman casting quietly into the river. One of the most soulful unexpected joy train routes, it’s a poetic blend of pastoral beauty and gentle nostalgia.

The Train des Pignes, France

France’s Train des Pignes is a dainty, narrow-gauge line that winds its way from Nice to Digne-les-Bains through Provence. It lacks the high-profile glamour of the TGV but compensates with rustic charm and spontaneous pleasures.

Think lavender fields in bloom, sleepy towns untouched by tourism, and a conductor who might just stop the train for a good view. The sound of cicadas, the smell of sun-warmed pine, and the hum of vintage engines create a rare atmosphere. This ride isn’t just picturesque—it’s emotionally resonant. Quiet and unpretentious, it's one of those unexpected joy train routes where happiness arrives without fanfare.

West Highland Line, Scotland

Scotland’s West Highland Line has cinematic credentials—famously featured in the Harry Potter films—but its magic goes far beyond fantasy fiction. Departing from Glasgow, this rail journey ventures into the rugged wilds of the Scottish Highlands.

With every mile, the world shifts from cityscape to wilderness. Glenfinnan Viaduct curves dramatically into view. Mist dances over lochs. Sheep pause to glance as the train rumbles past. And then comes the realization: it’s not just beautiful, it’s deeply moving. Raw, remote, and radically peaceful, this is one of the most stirring unexpected joy train routes, especially when the landscape shimmers in the golden hour light.

The Shongololo Express, Southern Africa

Named after the millipede, the Shongololo Express slinks its way across Southern Africa with a relaxed, exploratory spirit. Covering regions of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, this train is a roving passport through untamed lands.

The joy comes not only from the views—think deserts, savannahs, and baobab trees—but from the spontaneity. Unexpected game sightings. Surprise stops at villages. Conversations that linger long after the train departs. It’s an adventurer’s delight, wrapped in comfort and curiosity. Among the world’s most vibrant unexpected joy train routes, this one celebrates the joy of unpredictability.

Kuranda Scenic Railway, Australia

Built through lush rainforest and steep escarpments, the Kuranda Scenic Railway in Queensland is an engineering marvel with a tropical heart. The route begins in Cairns and ascends to the rainforest village of Kuranda, passing waterfalls, gorges, and heritage-listed jungle.

What begins as a touristy day trip turns into something profoundly meditative. The vegetation presses close to the windows. Birds call from treetops. The scent of rain-soaked earth seeps in. The slow pace invites introspection, and joy quietly unfurls. Tucked in the tropics, this ride is one of the greenest and gentlest unexpected joy train routes you’ll ever experience.

The Reunification Express, Vietnam

Spanning from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, the Reunification Express is more than just a long-haul train—it’s a living history lesson on wheels. The route, once divided by conflict, now symbolizes unity and progress.

The joy here is in the details: steaming bowls of pho from station vendors, coastal stretches where the ocean kisses the tracks, early morning light streaming through misty rice paddies. Fellow travelers might share stories, snacks, or even songs. This journey is emotional, imperfect, and full of life. A standout among unexpected joy train routes, it offers connection—not just across a country, but between hearts.

The Bergen Line, Norway

Rising from sea-level fjords to alpine plateaus, Norway’s Bergen Line stretches between Oslo and Bergen in an epic display of geological drama. Snowfields, lakes, and tunnels fly past in rapid yet soothing succession.

But the unexpected joy comes not from spectacle—it comes from silence. In winter, the landscape becomes a monochrome whisper. Passengers often fall into hushed awe. The train becomes a moving sanctuary, especially as it passes through Hardangervidda, Europe’s largest mountain plateau. As far as unexpected joy train routes go, this one delivers emotional stillness in the grandest way.

The Tren a las Nubes, Argentina

Climbing to over 4,200 meters above sea level, the Tren a las Nubes—Train to the Clouds—lives up to its name. This Argentine wonder runs from Salta to the Puna desert, cutting across viaducts and past Andean plateaus where llamas graze and the sky seems impossibly near.

The altitude may take your breath away, but so will the beauty. Travelers often report feeling transformed—not just by the scenery, but by the spiritual quietude. This is one of those unexpected joy train routes where the Earth feels both infinite and intimately close.

The Sunset Limited, USA

Running from New Orleans to Los Angeles, the Sunset Limited is the oldest named train in the U.S., and arguably one of the most underrated. While many opt for planes, this route lingers through bayous, deserts, and the wide-open expanse of Texas.

There's something dreamy about waking up in a new state, watching cacti fly past the window, or chatting with a stranger over diner-style coffee. Time stretches. Stories unfold. Laughter fills the observation car. Among North America’s unexpected joy train routes, this one proves that slower can mean sweeter.

The Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

Though it shares a path with the West Highland Line, the Jacobite Steam Train is a different kind of joy—one tinged with nostalgia and whimsy. Chugging from Fort William to Mallaig, this restored steam engine captures the golden age of travel.

The scent of coal. The puff of steam. The clatter of wheels on iron. Every detail feels cinematic, yet authentic. It’s a fairytale in motion, especially as it glides over viaducts and beside castles. Charming, emotional, and endlessly photogenic, it belongs high on any list of unexpected joy train routes.

Joy doesn’t always announce itself with grandeur. Sometimes it creeps in through an open window, nestles in a stranger’s smile, or emerges from a moment of stillness between stations. These unexpected joy train routes are more than transit—they’re invitations to feel, to see, and to remember. Because when the world rolls by outside your window and you feel peace blooming quietly inside, that’s when the real journey begins.