Rail Plus announces its top five train journeys for 2019

RIDE THE RAILS ON TOP TRAINS

THE team at Rail Plus has come up with a list of the top train trips for travellers to do in 2019 and while there are a couple of old favourites on the list there’s also a fab new Australian experience to consider.

GREAT SOUTHERN

Topping the list is the new Great Southern which will journey between Adelaide and Brisbane for just a few weeks around Christmas in 2019.

The first departure will happen on December 6 with the last ride for the season leaving the station on January 21 the following year and highlights of the two-night itinerary from Adelaide to Brisbane include exploring the Grampians, discovering Canberra, and enjoying a beachside dining date.

On the return three-night ride from Brisbane to Adelaide travellers will also explore the Hunter region and see the Great Ocean Road’s Twelve Apostles.

COASTAL PACIFIC

Across the Tasman Sea in New Zealand and the Coastal Pacific is back in the Great Train Journeys portfolio after a two-year suspension due to earthquake damage.

A daily service will operate until April 28 in 2019, taking five hours to dash between Christchurch and Picton via Kaikoura, and travellers can easily connect to the TranzAlpine in Christchurch and the Northern Explorer via the Interislander service.

During the comfortable journey passengers will see the rugged Kaikōura Coastline, Canterbury Plains, the marine wildlife living along the coast, and the South Island’s towering mountains.

TREN CRUCERO

On the other side of the Pacific Ocean in South America Tren Crucero is travelling between the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Quito and Guayaquil.

The four-night journey includes the wild Pacific Coast, traversing the scenic Devil’s Nose Pass, and appreciating at the Avenue of the Volcanoes in the Ecuadorian Andes with departures on Tuesday from Quinto and Saturday from Guayaquil.

ULTIMATE GREAT TRAIN TOUR OF SWITZERLAND

On the Continent the Ultimate Great Train Tour of Switzerland has been created for those that favour sightseeing in comfort.

The encounter starts and finishes in the art and culture capital of Basel, where travellers can easily connect to their river cruises, and the 13-day itinerary includes hotel accommodation and breakfast.

The excursion will run from April 1 to October 13 in 2019 with highlights of the extended tour including the Glacier Express, the Bernina Express, the Gotthard Panoramic Express, the GoldenPass Line, and an excursion to Jungfraujoch.

BELMOND BRITISH PULLMAN

Rail Plus wants to remind travellers visiting the United Kingdom that the Belmond British Pullman offers a series of themed day journeys that perfectly complement any London-based itinerary.

The outings start at $610 per person and sightseers can choose from The Golden Age of Travel, Murder Mystery, Historic Bath and Valentine’s Day Lunch.