High Speed
The world's original bullet train. Our guide covers Nozomi vs. Hikari vs. Kodama services, luggage rules, JR Pass supplements, and exactly which seat to book for Mt. Fuji.
Sleeper Express
Navigate Vietnam's historic North-South Railway: 4-berth soft sleepers, the Hai Van Pass coastline, imperial Hue, and booking tips for Vietnam Railways.
Ultra Luxury
An in-depth breakdown of India's flagship luxury train: royal suites, butler service, tiger safaris in Ranthambore, and private excursions to the palaces of Rajasthan.
| Route | Distance | Duration | Travel Style | Best For | Book Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokaido Shinkansen | 515 km | 2h 21m – 4h | High-speed day train | Efficient city hopping, Fuji views | Up to 1 month |
| Reunification Express | 1,726 km | 32 – 36 hours | Overnight sleeper | Slow travel, coastal scenery, budgets | 2 – 4 weeks |
| The Maharajas' Express | ~2,700 km | 7 days / 6 nights | All-inclusive luxury cruise train | Milestone trips, heritage & wildlife | 6 – 12 months |
Operators adjust schedules seasonally. Always confirm departure times directly with JR Central, Vietnam Railways, or IRCTC before finalising onward connections.
A slim daypack for passports and electronics, a power bank, and slip-on shoes make overnight and long-haul journeys far more comfortable.
Every great route has a "good side." Our guides tell you which seat letter or berth faces the mountains, coast, or palaces along the way.
Foreign travellers are regularly asked for identification when collecting tickets, boarding sleepers, or passing through station security.
Our Rail Dispatches cover field reports from Sri Lanka's tea country, the Trans-Mongolian border gauge swap, and more.
Read Rail Dispatches → Ask a Rail Specialist