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You Need To Take This Train Ride At Least Once In Your Life! Voted One Of The Best In The World, The Journey Through The Serra Do Mar Paranaense Reveals Spectacular Landscapes, Rich History, And A Unique Experience. Embark On This Unforgettable Adventure And Discover Why This Railway Charms Tourists From All Over The World!
Imagine boarding a train and traveling through one of the most charming railway routes in the world, surrounded by mountains, valleys, and some of the most lush vegetation on the planet.
The train ride through the Serra do Mar Paranaense, operated by Serra Verde Express, is an experience that should be on the list of any travel lover.
Internationally recognized, this journey has been featured in major publications like the British newspaper The Guardian and the American The Wall Street Journal.
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In 2025, it was voted one of the best train rides in the world by the Amazing Train Journeys ranking from the renowned publisher Lonely Planet, achieving the 14th position.
A Stunning and Historical Route
The journey begins in the Parana state capital, Curitiba, and continues to the historic town of Morretes.
The complete round-trip takes about eight hours, but many travelers opt to take one of the van routes, reducing the duration to four hours and approximately 70 km of railway journey.
Along the way, passengers are treated to cinematic landscapes, composed of waterfalls, rivers, deep valleys, and stretches of untouched Atlantic Forest.
Highlights of the route include the imposing Carvalho Viaduct, which offers an impressive view, and the Marumbi State Park, an ecological sanctuary of rare beauty.
The route crosses 41 bridges and 13 tunnels, reaching its highest point at 952 meters above sea level.
The architectural highlight is the São João Bridge, with a free span of 113 meters in height, which impresses even the most experienced travelers.
A Century-Old Railway with Rich History
Built in the 19th century, the Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway was inaugurated in 1885 and continues to operate today, with 140 years of history.
This feat of Brazilian engineering was designed by brothers André and Antonio Rebouças, the first black engineers in the country, and had a remarkable characteristic for the time: the labor used was paid, without the use of slave labor.
During the journey, guides share fascinating stories about the railway and its illustrious past passengers, such as Princess Isabel, Dom Pedro II, and the Baron of Cerro Azul.
The tour provides not just a scenic ride, but a true journey back in time.
The Categories of Cars: From Traditional to Luxury
The train operating the route can accommodate approximately 1,200 passengers and features three categories of cars:
- Tourist: upholstered bus-style seats, with a snack and simple beverage service.
- Boutique: themed cars, including pet-friendly and inclusive options, along with support tables and balconies for greater contact with nature. The onboard service includes snacks, soft drinks, juices, water, coffee, and unlimited beer.
- Luxury (Litorina): air-conditioned autonomous cars adorned with retro charm. Passengers in this category receive sparkling wine, in addition to premium onboard service.
Experience in Morretes and Return via Estrada da Graciosa
Upon arriving in Morretes, tourists have free time to explore the charming historic town, famous for its cobblestone streets and the traditional barreado, a typical dish of the region.
For those who choose to return by van, the return route takes place via the stunning Estrada da Graciosa, a winding road surrounded by dense vegetation, waterfalls, and spectacular viewpoints.
This road was used by muleteers in the past and today is one of the most beautiful scenic routes in Brazil.
One of The Best Train Rides In The World
The selection made by Lonely Planet placed the Serra Verde Express alongside iconic routes such as the Reunification Express in Vietnam and the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada.
The magazine highlighted that, in addition to the lush landscape, the route offers an immersion in history, passing through railway stations dating back to the late 1800s.
Among the 15 best train rides in the world, according to Lonely Planet, are:
- Reunification Express (Vietnam)
- California Zephyr (United States)
- Lake Titicaca Train (Peru)
- Beijing-to-Lhasa Express (China)
- TranzAlpine (New Zealand)
- The Bergensbanen (Norway)
- Tazara Railway (Tanzania and Zambia)
- Sunset Limited (United States)
- Caledonian Sleeper (United Kingdom)
- Mombasa to Nairobi (Kenya)
- Tangier to Marrakesh (Morocco)
- Rocky Mountaineer (Canada)
- Alexandria to Aswan (Egypt)
- Serra Verde Express (Brazil)
- Darjeeling Toy Train (India)
Whether for its historical impact or its breathtaking scenery, this train ride is a must-do experience for any traveler.
If you haven’t embarked on this journey yet, perhaps it’s time to plan your next adventure on the rails!
Porque Paranaguá berço da civilização do Paraná foi excluída do trajeto
O transporte ferroviário é importante. Com a privatização ferroviária, o sistema ferroviário ficou insustentável, com ferrovias isoladas, trens de passageiros e até de cargas abandonados, sobrecarregando o movimento das rodovias, com mais cargas rodoviárias.
Como adquirir as passagens?