For generations, train travel has offered a unique kind of freedom—rolling through scenic landscapes, immersing oneself in stillness between destinations, and often finding oneself along the way. For several Black women, especially, train journeys can hold deeper meaning.
Milwaukee and Chicago-based globetrotter Sojourner White’s love of trains began with Amtrak trips as a young girl and continued as her primary mode of travel in college. That connection to the track deepened after she took her first long-distance ride in 2021.
“I fell in love with long-distance train travel in 2021 after taking the California Zephyr from Chicago to Emeryville, California. After that trip, trains appealed to me because I felt safe as a Black woman and as someone who is often solo. Also, because I often joke that I am a traveling homebody, sleeper trains in particular give me the best of both worlds—a room while traveling with gorgeous views.
Historical ties have also further enhanced White’s longing to travel by train often. While on her trips, she often reflects on the perseverance and strength of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. The organization, led by A. Phillip Randolph in New York City in the 1920s, was primarily composed of Black men and women, who fought against the poor working conditions endured by porters. Though faced with resistance along the way, after twelve long years, the demands were met.
“As Black Americans, train travel is a part of our history,” train travel influencer and blogger Sojourner White tells Sisters from AARP. “The Brotherhood of the Sleeping Car Porters fought for better train conditions and less discrimination for the sleeper car train porters. Because of them, I found a sense of peace on the train.”
Today, a growing number of Black travelers are embracing international rail adventures—not just for the convenience or comfort, but for the stories, reflections, and sisterhood they find along the way. And, fortunately, train travel has evolved, allowing you to opt for multi-day rides with stops or added excursions along the way, much like a cruise. It all depends on your selected company’s route and overall itinerary.
Before you set out for your luxe experience, White has a few tips to get you started:
- Do your research, as luxury train travel pricing varies all around the world.
- Bring things to keep you occupied because delays are common.
- Have a sense of adventure!
So, whether you’re dreaming of winding through the Swiss Alps, exploring Peru’s Andes Mountains from a different vantage point, or gliding along some of South Africa’s most picturesque landscapes, these train experiences come highly recommended by White and other Black women who’ve done it and loved it.
Ready to ride? Let’s go. Prices are subject to change.
Africa
Rovos Rail: Pretoria to Durban, South Africa
Average starting price: 40,800 rand ($2,319.95), but can vary for other routes.
Ride length: 2 nights, but this can vary depending on the route.
Learn more: rovos.com
Take in some of South Africa’s most gorgeous backdrops aboard the luxurious Rovos Rail. Although the price tag is a bit steep compared to the other experiences, this one is complete with bells and whistles. Not only are you able to take the multi-day journey on this posh sleeper train that’s designed to be a full-service hotel on wheels, but it also includes an African safari/game drive which gives you close encounters with Africa’s big 5 (lions, leopards, elephants, rhinoceros and buffaloes), as well as two cultural stops at a ceramics gallery and a local lodge for authentic storytelling. Travel content creator and co-founder of I Luv 2 Globe Trot, Nicole Brewer, opted for the Pretoria to Durban journey during a visit to Namibia a few years ago.