The best winter train rides that let you enjoy the snowy scenery

Amtrak's California Zephyr is a 51-hour train route across the US, starting in Chicago, Illinois, and ending in San Francisco, California, according to the Amtrak website.

The website dubs this route "one of the most beautiful train trips" in North America, and it's not difficult to imagine why. This trip offers the unique opportunity to view a wide range of the country's natural landscapes, including the Rocky Mountains, Colorado's Gore Canyon, and Winter Park, which are transformed into snow-capped wonderlands in the winter months.

Ticket fares vary depending on the chosen route and departure station. Children under the age of two travel for free, while those between the ages of two and 12 receive a 50% discount on all Amtrak services, according to the website.

The Polar Express is a Christmas-themed train operated by Adirondack Railroad in Utica, New York, which runs from November 17 to December 18, according to an online press release.

The two-hour journey departs from Utica's Union Station and ends at North Pole, a town in New York.

This train journey is a favorite among families with young children. Passengers are provided with hot chocolate and cookies and families will be visited by Santa Claus, the website states. Guests are also encouraged to stay cozy and wear pajamas for the duration of the trip, according to the website.

Ticket fares start at $47 for adults and $39 for children.

The Glacier Express train in Switzerland is also known as the "window to the Alps" as it offers a panoramic view of various mountain ranges, according to its website. The route spans eight hours and begins in St. Moritz, a resort town in southeast Switzerland, and ends in Zermatt, another town in southern Switzerland.

Prices range depending on the departure station and the type of ticket. A standard adult ticket, known as the Glacier Express classic, begins at 159 Swiss Franc, or around $179, for the entire route, according to the website.

An "Excellence Class" ticket includes several luxury amenities, including a five-course meal and a concierge service. Prices start at 470 Swiss Franc, or around $529, the website states.

Children under the age of six travel for free, and those aged between six and 16 are granted a 50 percent discount on fares, the website states.

The Bernina Express departs from St. Moritz in Switzerland and ends in Tirano, a town in Italy near the Swiss-Italian border.

Traveling through the highest train tracks in Europe and the steepest tracks in the world, according to its website, this train journey is bound to offer a bird's-eye view of glaciers and mountain ranges.

Whether you're thinking of taking a family skiing trip or you want to enjoy the snowy scenery from afar, the views from this train will likely be a highlight of your European vacation.

Adult ticket fares begin at 132 Swiss Franc, or around $148, for a round-trip, the website states.

Children under the age of six travel for free, while those aged between six and 16 receive a 50% discount, the website adds.

The West Highland Line is a five-hour and 30-minute journey operated by Scotrail.

The route begins in Glasgow, the country's largest city, and ends in Mallaig, a town on the west coast of the Highlands. This train is most famously known for crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, used as the backdrop for the fictional Hogwarts Express train in the "Harry Potter" films.

In winter months, the viaduct is often surrounded by frosted lochs and snow-covered trees and mountains.

Adult ticket fares begin at £42, or around $51, for a round-trip, according to the website. And tickets for children aged between five and 15 cost as little as £1, or around $1.25, as part of Scotrail's "kids for a quid" campaign which is part of a larger government trial allowing all train passengers in Scotland to travel with off-peak tickets at any time of the day until March 31, 2024.