These two U.S. train journeys were just ranked among the most beautiful in the world

Two American rail journeys have earned a place among the world’s most beautiful, according to a new global study by InsureandGo—and they prove you don’t need to cross oceans to find unforgettable scenery.

The research used eye-tracking technology to measure how quickly landscapes grabbed attention and how long people stayed engaged. The result was an “eye-catching” score out of 100. While Europe and Japan dominate the upper ranks, two U.S. routes still broke into the global top ten: the Coast Starlight and the White Pass & Yukon Route.

The Coast Starlight, operated by Amtrak, comes in at number nine with a score of 77.8. Running from Los Angeles to Seattle, it’s like a rolling highlight reel of the American West. One minute you’re tracing the Pacific coastline, waves breaking just beyond your window. The next, you’re climbing into the misty forests of Oregon or winding through Washington’s mountain ranges. It’s a journey that rewards patience. At nearly 35 hours end to end, this is slow travel at its best. Go to sleep with ocean views, wake up to pine-covered peaks, and watch the landscape change as you go.

Just behind it, ranking tenth globally, is the White Pass & Yukon Route with a score of 76.9. This one trades coastal calm for rugged history. Built during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898, the narrow-gauge railway runs from Skagway, Alaska into the Yukon. The train climbs steep mountain passes, hugging cliffs and crossing trestle bridges, with glaciers, waterfalls and untouched wilderness stretching in every direction. There’s a rawness here that’s hard to replicate.

What stands out about both journeys is how different they are. One is long, varied, and cinematic. The other is shorter, steeper and steeped in history. But both turn the journey into the main event.

10 most beautiful train journeys according to InsureandGo

1. Sagano Romantic Train, Japan
2. Bernina Express, Switzerland and Italy
3. Glacier Express, Switzerland
4. West Highland Line, Scotland
5. Alishan Forest Railway, Taiwan
6. Serra Verde Express, Brazil
7. Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
8. Semmering Railway, Austria
9. Coast Starlight, USA
10. White Pass & Yukon Route, USA and Canada