Best Cross-Country Journeys Around the Globe in 2027

6 May 2026

You know that itch. The one that hits when you stare at a map and realize just how much ground you haven't covered. A flight from New York to Tokyo gets you there in 14 hours, but what did you really see? Nothing but clouds and a bag of pretzels. Cross-country journeys are different. They force you to slow down, smell the diesel, and watch the landscape change like a slow-motion slideshow. In 2027, the world is more connected than ever, but the best trips still happen on rails, wheels, and even your own two feet. Let me walk you through the most epic overland adventures you can take this year.

Why Cross-Country Travel Still Matters

Look, I get it. Planes are fast. But a cross-country journey is like reading a book instead of watching the movie adaptation. You get the subplots, the characters you meet at rest stops, and the weird local snacks you'd never find in an airport terminal. In 2027, sustainable travel is also a big deal. Trains and buses leave a much smaller carbon footprint than jets. Plus, you actually remember the trip. When was the last time you vividly recalled a six-hour flight? Exactly.

1. The Trans-Siberian Railway: Russia's Iron Spine

This is the granddaddy of all cross-country journeys. We're talking 9,289 kilometers from Moscow to Vladivostok, cutting through eight time zones. In 2027, the route is more polished than ever. The trains have upgraded sleeper cars with USB ports and better dining options. But the real magic is still the same.

You start in Moscow, grab a final decent coffee, and then board the train. For the next seven days, you watch the birch forests of European Russia give way to the Ural Mountains. Then comes Siberia. And here is where it gets surreal. You'll see Lake Baikal in winter, frozen so thick that trucks drive across it. In summer, the water is so clear you can see 40 meters down. The locals sell smoked fish and pickled mushrooms at every stop. You'll share a cabin with a Russian grandmother who offers you tea from a thermos. By the time you reach Vladivostok, you've lived a whole novel.

Pro tip for 2027: Book the "Rossiya" train, the flagship service. It's not luxury, but it's comfortable. Pack instant noodles and a deck of cards. You will thank me.

2. The Indian Pacific: Australia's Spine

Australia is huge. I mean, really huge. You can fly from Sydney to Perth in five hours, but the Indian Pacific train takes four days. And those four days are worth every minute.

The train leaves Sydney, cuts through the Blue Mountains, and then hits the Nullarbor Plain. For two full days, you see nothing but red dirt, scrubby bushes, and the occasional kangaroo. It sounds boring, but it's hypnotic. The sky is bigger than anything you've ever seen. At night, the stars are so bright they look fake. The train stops at a tiny town called Cook, population four. You get off, stretch your legs, and feel like you're on Mars.

In 2027, the Indian Pacific has a new "Gold Service" option with private cabins and a restaurant that serves kangaroo steak and barramundi. But the real highlight is the "Outback Explorer" lounge car. You sit there with a glass of Australian Shiraz, watching the sunset turn the desert orange. It's a moment that sticks with you.

3. The Glacier Express: Switzerland's Slow-Motion Dream

Now, this one is short compared to the others. The Glacier Express runs from Zermatt to St. Moritz, covering 291 kilometers in about eight hours. But don't let the length fool you. This is one of the most beautiful train rides on Earth.

The train crawls through the Swiss Alps, crossing 291 bridges and passing through 91 tunnels. You glide past glaciers, pine forests, and tiny villages with churches that look like they belong in a snow globe. The windows are huge, panoramic affairs. In 2027, the carriages have been redesigned with even more glass, so you feel like you're floating through the mountains.

Here's the thing: this journey is not about speed. It's about luxury. You get a three-course lunch served at your seat, with local cheese and wine. The train climbs to 2,033 meters at the Oberalp Pass, and you can see the entire valley below. It's like riding a magic carpet, but with better food.

Why 2027 is special: The Glacier Express now offers a "Night of the Glaciers" moonlight departure twice a month. You ride through the Alps under a full moon. Unforgettable.

4. The Pan-American Highway: Driving from Alaska to Argentina

This is not a train. This is a road trip on steroids. The Pan-American Highway runs from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, all the way to Ushuaia, Argentina. That's about 48,000 kilometers, cutting through 14 countries. In 2027, the route is more accessible than ever, with better roads and more fuel stations.

You start in the Arctic, where the tundra is frozen and the only sounds are wind and the crunch of gravel. Then you drive through Canada's Yukon, past moose and grizzly bears. You hit the United States, where you can stop in Denver for a burger. Then Mexico, with its colorful towns and endless tacos. Central America is a blur of volcanoes and jungle. Colombia? The people are the friendliest you will ever meet.

The real challenge is the Darien Gap, a 100-kilometer stretch of swamp and forest between Panama and Colombia. There is no road. In 2027, you can take a ferry around it or hire a guide to walk it with a mule. I recommend the ferry.

What you need: A sturdy 4x4, a good spare tire, and a sense of humor. This trip takes months. But you will see more of the world than most people see in a lifetime.

5. The Ghan: Australia's Desert Run

Wait, another Australian train? Yes. Because Australia has two of the best cross-country journeys on Earth. The Ghan runs from Adelaide to Darwin, covering 2,979 kilometers through the red center of the continent.

You start in the green hills of South Australia, then hit Alice Springs. The landscape turns to ochre and rust. The train stops at Katherine, where you can take a boat ride through a gorge. Then Darwin, with its tropical humidity and Asian markets.

The Ghan is named after the Afghan camel drivers who used to cross this desert. In 2027, the train has a "Platinum Service" with a private bathroom and a butler. But the real treat is the "Off Train Excursions." You get off at remote stops and go on guided tours of ancient Aboriginal sites. You learn about bush tucker, the native plants that sustained people here for 60,000 years.

Honest moment: The Ghan is expensive. But it's worth every cent. You will never see a sunset like the one over the MacDonnell Ranges.

6. The Qinghai-Tibet Railway: The Roof of the World

This is the highest railway on Earth. It runs from Xining, China, to Lhasa, Tibet, crossing the Tibetan Plateau at an average altitude of over 4,000 meters. The highest point is Tanggula Pass at 5,072 meters. In 2027, the train has oxygen supply systems in every carriage, because you will feel it.

The scenery is stark and beautiful. Snow-capped mountains, frozen lakes, and herds of wild yaks. You pass through the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve, home to the endangered Tibetan antelope. The train moves slowly, giving you time to soak it all in.

Lhasa itself is a spiritual experience. The Potala Palace rises above the city like a giant wedding cake. The air is thin, and the prayer flags flutter in the wind. You feel like you're on top of the world, because you basically are.

Warning: Altitude sickness is real. Drink water, avoid alcohol, and take it easy for the first day.

7. The Eurostar and Beyond: London to Istanbul by Rail

You can now go from London to Istanbul entirely by train, without ever boarding a plane. In 2027, this route is smoother than ever. Start with the Eurostar from London to Paris. Then hop on the TGV to Milan. From there, take a night train to Venice. Then another to Ljubljana, Slovenia. Then Zagreb, Belgrade, and finally Istanbul.

The journey takes about a week, but you can break it up. Stay a night in Paris, eat a croissant. Spend a day in Venice, get lost in the canals. Sofia, Bulgaria, has some of the cheapest and best food in Europe. And Istanbul? It's a city that straddles two continents. The Grand Bazaar, the Blue Mosque, the smell of kebabs and spices.

Why 2027 is great: New sleeper trains have launched on the Balkan route. They are clean, cheap, and have real beds. Plus, the Schengen visa rules have been relaxed for tourists, making border crossings faster.

8. The California Zephyr: America's Most Beautiful Train

If you want a cross-country journey in the United States, skip the long-haul flights. Take the California Zephyr. It runs from Chicago to Emeryville, California (right across from San Francisco), covering 3,924 kilometers in about 51 hours.

You start in the flat farmlands of Illinois. Then the Mississippi River. Then the plains of Nebraska. But the real show starts in Colorado. The train climbs through the Rocky Mountains, passing through 29 tunnels. You see the Moffat Tunnel, which is 10 kilometers long. Then the red rocks of Utah. Then the Sierra Nevada in California.

The train has a "Sightseer Lounge" with floor-to-ceiling windows. You can sit there for hours, watching the landscape change. In 2027, Amtrak has added more "National Park Service" guides on board. They give talks about the geology and wildlife you're passing.

Honest opinion: The food is decent, not great. Bring your own snacks. But the scenery? Unbeatable.

9. The Reunification Express: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam is a long, skinny country. The Reunification Express train runs from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) in the south, covering 1,726 kilometers. It takes about 30 hours, but you can break it up with stops.

The train passes through rice paddies, coastal cliffs, and bustling cities. You stop at Hue, the ancient imperial capital. Then Da Nang, with its beaches. Then Nha Trang, where you can eat fresh seafood for pennies. The train itself is basic, but charming. You buy snacks from vendors who hop on and off at stations. Hard-boiled eggs, sticky rice, and fresh fruit.

2027 update: The government has upgraded the tracks, so the ride is smoother. New sleeper cars have air conditioning that actually works. And the price is still a steal.

10. The Bergen Railway: Norway's Fjord Express

This is a short one, but it packs a punch. The Bergen Railway runs from Oslo to Bergen, Norway, covering 496 kilometers in about seven hours. It climbs to 1,222 meters at Finse, the highest point on the line.

You start in Oslo, a sleek city of glass and water. Then the train climbs into the mountains. You see frozen lakes, snow-covered peaks, and tiny red cabins. At Myrdal, you can switch to the Flam Railway, which drops 900 meters down a valley to a fjord. It's one of the steepest train rides in the world.

In 2027, the Bergen Railway has new panorama cars with glass roofs. You can lie back and watch the northern lights in winter or the midnight sun in summer. It's a short trip, but it's a perfect introduction to Norway's wild beauty.

The Bottom Line

Cross-country journeys are not for everyone. They take time. They require patience. But they reward you with stories you will tell for the rest of your life. In 2027, the world is still big, and the best way to see it is slowly. So pick one. Book it. And get ready to watch the world change outside your window.