These train journeys have the best views, according to eye-tracking technology

EuroNews · 🇫🇷 public France · Apr 15, 2026 · 628 words · By Rebecca Ann Hughes

Scientific Validation of Aesthetics Tourism and Travel

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What to know about Scientific Validation of Aesthetics

The article describes a ranking of the world's most scenic train journeys based on eye-tracking research conducted by InsureandGo. It highlights five specific routes: the Sagano Romantic Train in Japan, the Bernina Express and Glacier Express in Switzerland, the West Highland Line in Scotland, and the Alishan Forest Railway in Taiwan.

Propaganda risk 20%

Claims checked 13

Techniques found 1

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center80%

Right20%

5 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train takes the crown, while three of the top five routes are in Europe.

Why it matters

The views from the carriage window are one of the greatest appeals of a long train journey, and there are myriad rankings of the world’s most scenic routes.

Common ground

Now, one company has decided to delve into the matter a little more scientifically.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Scientific Validation of Aesthetics story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that Insurance experts InsureandGo turned to eye-tracking technology to analyse the attractiveness of the scenery on some of the world’s most popular rail routes?
How does this story connect Scientific Validation of Aesthetics with Tourism and Travel over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://euronews.com/travel/2026/04/15/these-train-journeys-have-the-best-views-…

analyticsAnalysis

20%

Propaganda Score

confidence: 95%

Minor concerns. Some persuasive language detected, but largely factual.

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 1 propaganda technique in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 13 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

check_circle Corroborated 5

schedule Pending 3

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified 2

info Single Source 1

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Claim 1: “Insurance experts InsureandGo turned to eye-tracking technology to analyse the attractiveness of the scenery on some of the world’s most popular rail routes.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources confirm that InsureandGo used eye-tracking technology to analyze the attractiveness of scenery on popular rail routes.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Insurance experts InsureandGo turned to eye-tracking technology to analyse the attractiveness of the scenery on some of the world’s most popular rail routes.
https://www.euronews.com/travel/2026/04/15/these-train-journ…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — According to an eye tracking study from InsureandGo, Coast Starlight and the White Pass & Yukon Route made the top ten.
https://www.timeout.com/usa/news/these-two-u-s-train-journey…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Using eye-tracking technology, the experts tracked how long they spent looking at the scenery and how quickly their eyes were drawn to it. The full list of the world's 10 most eye-catching train journ…
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/scotland-now/scottish-railway-…

help

Claim 2: “the West Highland Line in Scotland. Travelling between Glasgow and Mallaig”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results for this specific claim.

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Claim 3: “the Glacier Express rounding out the top three. Its nickname of ‘the world’s slowest express train’ makes sense considering the eight-hour journey between Zermatt and St. Moritz.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the Glacier Express runs between Zermatt and St. Moritz and that the journey takes approximately 8 hours.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — St. Moritz. The cosmopolitan mountain village at 1800 meters above sea level treats guests to 300 days of sunshine a year and is located on the edge of a beautiful lake district which is the centre of…
https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en/route

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Experience the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views!Thanks to the panoramic windows, you have the best view of the unique mountain landscape between Zermatt and St.…
https://www.glacierexpress.ch/en

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The full Glacier Express journey from Zermatt to St Moritz takes about 8 hours. Despite it’s name, it is a slow train, allowing you to enjoy the scenery at a leisurely pace.
https://swissfamilyfun.com/glacier-express/

schedule

Claim 4: “the Jacobite Steam Train runs seasonally along a portion of the route”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 5: “The route crosses the Alps between Chur in Switzerland and Tirano in Italy, climbing up to the Bernina Pass, at a dizzying altitude of 2,253 metres.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources confirm the route connects Chur (Switzerland) and Tirano (Italy) and reaches an altitude of 2,253 meters at the Bernina Pass.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Bernina Express is a named train in Switzerland running as a Panorama Express that connects Chur and Tirano by crossing the Swiss Engadin Alps.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernina_Express

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web search NEUTRAL — Discover the full Bernina Express route and stations, including top stops, timings, and travel tips. Plan your scenic train journey across Switzerland and Italy.
https://www.europe-train-passes.com/bernina-express-tickets/…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The Bernina Express Route. Heading through Chur, Switzerland to Tirano, Italy, this route offers a feast of alpine views, sparkling glaciers and charming villages.You'll also cross the Bernina Range, …
https://www.byway.travel/inspiration/bernina-express

verified

Claim 6: “the Bernina Express runs along a UNESCO World Heritage railway”

VERIFIED

Multiple web sources and the Rhaetian Railway's own information confirm the Bernina Express runs on a UNESCO World Heritage site.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Bernina railway line (German: Berninalinie; Italian: Linea del Bernina; Romansh: Lingia dal Bernina) is a single-track 1,000 mm (3 ft 3+3⁄8 in) metre gauge railway line forming part of the Rhaetia…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernina_railway_line

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Glacier Express is a named train in Switzerland, running as a Panorama Express (PE), which directly connects railway stations of the two major mountain resorts of Zermatt and St. Moritz via Anderm…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glacier_Express

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites are places of importance to cultural or natural heritage as described in the UNESCO World Heritage Co…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Heritage_Sites_i…

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 7: “Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train which passes by the Arashiyama bamboo forest in Kyoto.”

VERIFIED

Web search results confirm the train runs in the Kyoto region along the Hozugawa River, and Wikipedia confirms the Sagano Scenic Railway operates in the Kyoto area. While the specific 'bamboo forest' mention is common knowledge for this route, the provided evidence confirms the location and train identity.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Saga-Arashiyama Station (嵯峨嵐山駅, Saga-Arashiyama-eki), formerly known as Saga Station, is a railway station situated in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan, operating on the Sanin Main Line (Sagano Line) under the m…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saga-Arashiyama_Station

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Sagano Line (嵯峨野線, Sagano-sen) is the popular name for a portion of the San'in Main Line in the suburbs of Kyoto, Japan. The electrified and double-tracked railway is a commuter rail line in the K…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagano_Line

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Sagano Scenic Railway (嵯峨野観光鉄道, Sagano Kankō Tetsudō) or Sagano Sightseeing Railway is a wholly owned subsidiary of West Japan Railway Company (JR West) that operates the Sagano Scenic Line (嵯峨野観光…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagano_Scenic_Railway

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 8: “Taiwan’s Alishan Forest Railway rounds out the top five.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 9: “crossing through three different vegetation zones as the train climbs higher and higher up to an altitude of over 2,000 metres.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 10: “This is a short 25-minute ride along the Hozu River between Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web sources confirm the journey is approximately 25 minutes long, runs along the Hozu River, and connects Saga-Arashiyama and Kameoka.

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 11: “Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train takes the crown”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent sources explicitly state that the Sagano Romantic Train was named the world's most scenic train journey by the InsureandGo study.

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+ 3 more evidence sources

help

Claim 12: “Harry Potter fans will instantly recognise the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the bridge that the Hogwarts Express crosses in the films.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results for this specific claim.

info

Claim 13: “three of the top five routes are in Europe”

SINGLE SOURCE

While web results confirm the study exists and mentions European routes and a UK route in the top five, the specific count of 'three of the top five' is not explicitly corroborated by multiple independent sources provided in the evidence.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — The study was conducted by insurance company InsureandGo. Kim Bergström.According to the study, the Sagano Romantic Train beat out famous rail journeys across Europe and beyond, despite strong competi…
https://en.japantravel.com/news/sagano-romantic-train-named-…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — If the Swiss Alps are the crown jewels of Europe, then the Schynige Platte Railway is one of its most glittering gems.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxYGs0nDDJU

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Topping the global ranking is Japan’s Sagano Romantic Train, followed closely by Europe’s iconic alpine routes, according to InsureandGo. Scenic routes across the world made the rankings, with a stand…
https://www.gbnews.com/travel/train-journeys-world-most-beau…

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.