31 Luxurious Train Journeys That Rival First-Class Flights

17. The Tren Crucero – Ecuador’s Andes to Coast Journey

For those looking to explore South America’s most diverse landscapes, the Tren Crucero offers a breathtaking journey from Quito in the Andes to Guayaquil on the Pacific Coast. This luxury train crosses towering volcanoes, deep gorges, cloud forests, and traditional Ecuadorian villages, making it one of the most scenic rail trips in the world. Unlike other luxury trains, Tren Crucero combines rail and road travel, stopping for guided tours of indigenous markets, haciendas, and Incan ruins. One of its most thrilling highlights is the Devil’s Nose, a dramatic railway switchback that descends nearly 1,000 feet in less than 8 miles.