David Bowie Traveled by Ships and Trains

Posted by: Michael Grace April 9, 2022

David Bowie (8 January 1947 – 10 January 2016), who starred in the film The Man Who Fell to Earth, had a long-standing fear of flying.

David Bowie sailing into New York on the QE 2. Standing on the bridge; David Bowie in the First Class lounge of the QE 2.

Bowie sailed aboard Cunard’s QE 2, the Italian Line’s Leonardo da Vinci, P&O-Orient Line’s Oronsay and Canberra along with many other ships.

David Bowie arriving in New York aboard the Italian Line’s Leonardo da Vinci….in the 1970s…

David Bowie on board the QE 2, Oronsay and the Canberra. Having tea, visiting the bridge, sailing from Japan and arriving in New York.

So while other superstars would take the Concorde or private jets to cross the Atlantic, Bowie spent a leisurely five days on board trans-Atlantic liners such as Cunard Line’s QE2 and the Italian Line’s Leonardo da Vinci.
He sailed from Los Angeles to Japan aboard the Orient Line’s Oronsay.
He sailed aboard the former SS Lurline when it was owned by Chandris.
He took the train any time he could to avoid flying.

David Bowie enjoying lunch in a British Rail restaurant car; Bowie sleeping on a Russian train.

His spokesman said: “David is a lot better at flying these days and travels by plane when he has to. But sometimes he’s in no rush so he decides to take a leisurely cruise across the Atlantic. He enjoyed the trip and has had a relaxing break before he gets down to promoting his new album.”

David Bowie arrives in Japan after crossing the Pacific aboard the RMS Oronsay.

The last time Bowie traveled on the QE2 was over 11 years ago when he sailed from London to New York to unveil his Ziggy Stardust character to American fans.