You've likely heard some iteration of the adage "it's not about the destination; it's about the journey." Usually, the journey and the destination are metaphorical. But have you ever taken a scenic train ride?? It's the perfect (literal) example of this idea. A long journey through lush mountains along sparkling rivers is often as impressive as wherever you're headed. From the Swiss Alps to a Colorado canyon, you can take virtual train rides through some of the most beautiful places around the world thanks to these videos.

Royal Gorge Route Railroad, United States

Launched in 1999, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad train takes passengers through the Royal Gorge canyon in Colorado. The train in this video travels along the rushing Arkansas river and near the Royal Gorge Bridge.

Flåm Railway, Norway

Running through Bergen's fjord landscape, the Flåm Railway is one of the most stunning train journeys in the world. The steep standard gauge railway takes passengers through tunnels, verdant mountainsides, and foaming waterfalls. Filmed on a rainy and sunny day, this video features the journey from Flåm to Myrdal.

Bernina Express, Switzerland

The Bernina Express takes passengers through the Swiss Alps with picturesque views of green valleys and snowy mountains. This video show the trip from the alpine town of St. Moritz to Tirano, Italy.
 

Noto Railway, Japan

This video features the journey from Anamizu to Wakura Onsen. You'll see both nature and towns, as the train travels through tall trees and mountains and alongside houses, roads, and buildings.

Belgrade–Bar Railway, Serbia

While tracking the changes in altitude, this video shows the a trip on the Belgrade–Bar Railway line, which travels between the Serbian capital and Montenegro in the Balkans. On its long, scenic route, the train passes through 254 tunnels and over 435 bridges.