A scenic New Zealand rail route has been named among the world’s most beautiful train journeys.

The TranzAlpine train, which takes passengers between Christchurch and Greymouth, placed 13th in a new global study from UK-based travel insurance specialist InsureandGo which ranked the world’s most eye-catching train journeys.

Operated by Great Journeys New Zealand, the TranzAlpine travels 223km coast-to-coast from the Pacific Ocean across the Canterbury Plains, through the Southern Alps, including the 8.5km-long Ōtira Tunnel and the 73m-high Staircase Viaduct, reaching the rugged West Coast in under five hours. Highlights en route include passages through the Waimakariri River gorges, native beech forests and alpine snow-capped peaks.

Tracey Goodall, executive general manager passenger at Great Journeys New Zealand, said it was “really meaningful” to see the TranzAlpine being recognised on the world stage through a study like this.

“Particularly one that measures how people naturally respond to the landscapes they’re travelling through,” she said.

“What the research highlights is the value of slowing down and giving people the time and space to take in the beauty of their surroundings, from alpine peaks and braided rivers to the dramatic landscapes of the Southern Alps. This is central to the Great Journeys experience.”

The TranzAlpine travelling through the snow. Photo / Rob Pine, KiwiRail

Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train took the top spot, judged to be the world’s most visually appealing train route. “Both sides of the train have incredibly scenic views of the Hozugawa River valley and Arashiyama’s lush mountains, and tickets sell fast,” InsureandGo said.

“Those looking for a breezier experience can also choose to sit in carriage No 5 which has no glass windows or roof.”

The TranzAlpine was flanked in the rankings by Australia’s Kuranda Scenic Railway at No 12 and South Africa’s Blue Train at No 14.

To determine the top 15, 100 participants from around the world took part in the research. Each was presented with a series of images along each train route and their visual engagement was measured using eye-tracking technology.

Two key metrics were recorded: the speed at which participants first focused on an image, indicating immediate visual appeal, and the average length of time participants spent looking at each image, reflecting sustained interest.

To finalise the rankings, these metrics were combined into a single weighted formula.

The study organisers say with train-line locations spanning everywhere from the vast Australian outback aboard The Ghan to the high-altitude landscapes of Peru’s Central Andean Railway, the rankings “show that sustainable, comfortable and incredibly scenic views can be found by train in any corner of the world”.

Letitia Smith, head of communications at InsureandGo, said: “Travelling by train is a huge draw for many holidaymakers but specifically those looking for slower and more sustainable ways to explore. With so many beautiful routes around the world, we wanted to reveal once and for all which journeys are the most visually appealing.”

The Sagano Romantic Train is a vintage, open-air sightseeing train that runs along a 7.3km stretch of the Hozugawa River in Kyoto.

The top 15 most eye-catching train journeys

Sagano Romantic Train – Japan

Bernina Express – Switzerland/Italy

Glacier Express v Switzerland

West Highland Line – Scotland

Alishan Forest Railway – Taiwan

Serra Verde Express – Brazil

Rocky Mountaineer – Canada

Semmering Railway – Austria

Coast Starlight – USA

White Pass and Yukon Route – USA/Canada

Central Andean Railway – Peru

Kuranda Scenic Railway – Australia

TranzAlpine – New Zealand

Blue Train – South Africa

The Ghan – Australia