With demand for rail holidays accelerating and slow tourism gaining global traction, DTH Travel is introducing a refreshed portfolio of rail journeys across Asia.
The DMC has launched rail-based tours in Laos, China, Thailand and Vietnam for 2025/26, designed to meet rising traveller interest in immersive, low-impact, overland exploration.
Rail flagship itineraries for 2025/26
The Blue Jasmine – Thailand (nine days)
DTH’s signature new product is The Blue Jasmine, a premium heritage journey travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via Ayutthaya, Uthai Thani and Sukhothai. Launching its inaugural departure on November 16 2025, the 1960s charter train offers just 37 passengers a nostalgic, boutique experience.
Interiors are styled with Jim Thompson silk designs, and guests receive an exclusive amenity kit along with access to the world’s first onboard Jim Thompson showroom. Scheduled departures for 2026 include January 24, February 21, July 11, November 21 and December 12.
The Great Train Trip – Laos, China and Vietnam (14 days)
This new tri-country programme blends modern lines with meaningful cultural encounters. Travellers begin in Laos, exploring Luang Prabang and the Kuang Si Falls before joining the Khmu people for a cooking class in Namkat.
Crossing into China by rail, they meet ethnic communities such as the Yi and Sani in Kunming. The Vietnam segment includes a stay at the award-winning, sustainably run Topas Ecolodge in Sapa, visits to Red Dao villages and an overnight cruise on a traditional wooden boat in Ha Long Bay.
Rail and River – Cambodia and Vietnam (2026)
This combined land-and-water journey pairs the elegant Journey Train with the boutique Jayavarman river cruise. Travellers sail the Mekong from Phnom Penh to Ho Chi Minh City before continuing north by rail along coastal Indochina. The route takes in beaches, rice fields and UNESCO-listed sites en route to Hoi An.
The Night Train to Tibet – China
Already one of DTH’s best-selling products, this slow-travel route follows the Qinghai-Tibet Railway from Beijing to Lhasa. Guests witness dramatic alpine landscapes and engage with Tibetan culture through monastery visits and local encounters.
Sales tips for agents
DTH Travel is supporting the trade with guidance on positioning rail effectively.
Position rail as soft adventure: Highlight comfort blended with discovery, panoramic windows, scenic moments and the unique experiences only train travel can offer.
Promote Asia’s modern rail systems: Spotlight advantages over flying: downtown-to-downtown transfers, reduced queues and excellent punctuality.
Explain comfort classes clearly: Differentiate Business, First and Second Class, plus Soft vs Hard Sleeper options. Emphasise value: overnight travel can replace a hotel night.
Appeal to eco-conscious clients: Rail and river journeys carry a significantly lower carbon footprint than domestic flights.
Clarify practicalities: Advise on e-tickets, ID requirements, station navigation, lounges, boarding procedures and onboard dining. Agents can also recommend preparing snacks or arranging food delivery to station gates.
With DTH Travel managing complex elements such as ticketing, cross-border logistics and route coordination, agents gain reliable products while travellers enjoy seamless journeys across Asia’s most captivating regions.
“Train travel is one of Asia’s fastest-growing trends,” said Stephan Roemer, CEO of DTH Travel.
“As slow tourism becomes better understood, rail experiences will play a defining role in the region. Agents need partners who can deliver low-impact, high-value journeys that genuinely connect travellers with local communities. Our expertise lies not just in operating these routes, but in enhancing them with meaningful interactions along the way.”
