Travel + Leisure Unveils 2026 Readers' Choice Awards for Best Train Trips Globally

Travel + Leisure, a prominent travel magazine with a long history of guiding discerning travelers, has announced its highly anticipated 2026 Readers' Choice Awards. This annual recognition celebrates the pinnacle of train travel experiences worldwide, as determined by the direct votes and preferences of its extensive readership. The awards aim to inspire wanderlust by showcasing journeys that offer not only breathtaking scenery but also profound cultural immersion and unforgettable memories.

This year's accolades span diverse geographical regions, underscoring the global appeal of rail travel. Among the distinguished honorees is a remarkable route that winds through the rugged Peruvian highlands. This journey is celebrated for providing passengers with unparalleled, sweeping vistas of the majestic Andes mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the longest continental mountain range in the world. Beyond the dramatic landscapes, the trip offers a unique opportunity to connect with the region's rich ancient Incan heritage, a civilization that once thrived in these high altitudes. The route is lauded for its ability to blend natural grandeur with historical significance, allowing travelers to experience the legacy of the Incas firsthand.

Another standout recognized in the 2026 awards is the romantic Canadian Rockies expedition. This iconic journey is renowned for traversing some of North America's most spectacular natural landscapes, characterized by towering, snow-capped peaks, impossibly pristine turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife, including elk, bears, and bighorn sheep. This route exemplifies a classic luxury rail experience, meticulously designed to combine the utmost comfort and service with the awe-inspiring beauty of national parks like Banff and Jasper. It offers a quintessential way to witness the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies.

The awards also shine a light on train journeys that delve into diverse cultural tapestries, offering travelers a window into the heart of different societies. While the full list of winning routes is extensive, the consistent recognition of these journeys highlights the enduring and evolving appeal of train travel. Readers' preferences, as reflected in the voting, often emphasize key factors that contribute to an exceptional experience. These include the impeccable quality of onboard service, the uniqueness and exclusivity of the chosen route, the comfort and elegance of the accommodations, and the overall immersive nature of the journey. These elements collectively transform a simple trip into a rich narrative, where the act of traveling by train becomes a destination in itself, offering a slower, more deliberate way to engage with the world.

Travel + Leisure's Readers' Choice Awards serve as an invaluable resource for travelers seeking authentic, enriching, and memorable experiences. The selection process, driven by the direct feedback and genuine satisfaction of its global readership, ensures that the recognized journeys represent the highest standards of traveler appreciation and enduring appeal. The publication's consistent commitment to spotlighting these exceptional train trips reinforces the growing trend towards experiential travel, a movement that prioritizes the journey's significance as much as the final destination. The 2026 awards continue this esteemed tradition, effectively spotlighting the enduring magic and unparalleled charm of rail travel for a worldwide audience.