A BUDGET-FRIENDLY train journey in the UK that takes just four hours from start to finish has been named among the best in the world.

From Scotland‘s West Highland Line to voyages on the East Coast Main Line, there are some pretty breathtaking stretches of track in the UK.

One of those is the Heart of Wales Railway Line, which has been ranked among the top 19 train journeys to take in the world in 2025 by National Geographic.

While it comes as no surprise to find luxury services like America’s Rocky Mountaineer and Italy‘s La Dolce Vita Orient Express, the pocket-friendly UK route won over judges thanks to its rustic charm.

National Geographic wrote: “The Heart of Wales Line is sometimes described as a railway line that time forgot — a sleepy, single-track artery that cuts diagonally across the centre of the country, clattering over castellated Victorian viaducts and through rustic stations where passengers must flag down services with a hopeful outstretched thumb.

“Railway aficionados ride it for its lo-fi charm — but holidaymakers, too, can use it to explore the quiet Cambrian hinterland at speeds rarely exceeding 30mph, alighting at quaint spa towns like Llandrindod Wells, discovering battle-scarred castles like those at Dinefwr and Llandovery or setting out on bracing walks in the uplands of Elenydd, where the treeless slopes brood over the rails.”

The Heart of Wales Line runs from Swansea to Shrewsbury, with journeys taking four hours between the two destinations.

Operated by Transport for Wales, the one-carriage train has 29 calling points on its route, including stations like Llandeilo and Llandovery.

Gazing out the window, rail passengers will be treated to epic views overlooking the green hillsides of Powys and the Millennium Coastal Path.

The one-carriage service also pootles underneath the Sugar Loaf Mountain before crossing the Cynghordy Viaduct.

Travelling from Shrewsbury, the final stop on the journey is Swansea.

From there, passengers can board onward connections to Cardiff and West Wales.

Given its countryside setting, the route is popular with walkers and ramblers.

Holidaymakers have praised the rail route in online reviews, with one person writing: “The scenery was breathtaking thanks to a fresh layer of overnight snow.”

Another person added: “A good no-nonsense journey with lovely views.”

The route continues to operate thanks to an army of volunteers who help keep some of the stations open.

Sun Online Travel have found one-way fares from £23.10.

Elsewhere in the UK, London‘s Elizabeth Line was recently named one the top 25 places to visit in 2025 by Bloomberg.

Here are the stops Sun Travel suggests you hop off and explore.

Last year, The British Pullman A Belmond Train was crowned best train journey in the world in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2024 Readers’ Choice Awards.

Sun Travel’s favourite train journeys in the world

Sun Travel’s journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.

Davos to Geneva, Switzerland

“After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass.” – Caroline McGuire

Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen

“Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you’re whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too – as you’ll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way.” Kara Godfrey

London to Paris by Eurostar

“Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord.” – Sophie Swietochowski

Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail

“From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond.” – Hope Brotherton

Beijing to Ulaanbatar

“The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city’s high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I’ve witnessed anywhere.” – Ryan Gray

Here are the seven stunning European cities that Brits could take direct trains to as London station plans huge expansion.

And, the longest train route in the UK is going to be scrapped.

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