European Rail Tours

Europe has one of the most developed rail networks in the world, and Railtrail’s escorted programme is built around using it well. Tours run to fourteen countries, from Norway in the north to Portugal in the south, with itineraries ranging from five-day heritage weekends to fourteen-day journeys across multiple countries. A dedicated Tour Manager travels with every group throughout.

On most European tours, your fare can include reserved rail travel, hotel accommodation, selected meals, and guided excursions, with a Tour Manager meeting you at London St Pancras before departure. Travellers who prefer to make their own way to the Continent can join at the tour hotel on a Tour Base Fare. Call the team on 01538 382323 for details on a specific departure.

Prefer to stay closer to home? Browse our train holidays in the UK for scenic escorted journeys throughout Britain and Ireland.

What European Rail Tours Include

Inclusions vary by tour, but most European departures cover hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis with some evening meals, guided excursions at key destinations, and the services of an experienced Tour Manager throughout. Some tours feature first class rail travel on scenic routes. See individual tour pages for confirmed inclusions.

Ground-only European packages are financially protected through ABTOT (member no. 5577). Flight-inclusive tours are ATOL protected under licence 9056.

European Train Tours By Destination

Switzerland is one of the most popular destinations in the Railtrail European programme, and the railway network is a large part of the reason. Tours are built around dedicated scenic railways that cross the Alps at altitude: the Glacier Express between Zermatt and Chur, the Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano, and the Golden Pass Line between Montreux and Interlaken. Many itineraries pair two or more of these routes in a single trip. View our Swiss train holidays for current departures.

Norway suits travellers who want spectacular scenery alongside a strong railway culture. The fjord landscape is best seen from the train, and itineraries are built around some of the most distinctive rail journeys on the continent, including the Flåm Railway, the Bergen Line, and the Rauma Railway through the Romsdal valley. See our Norway train tours for full itinerary detail.

Germany tours are well suited to travellers with a particular interest in heritage and steam rail. Itineraries are built around preserved narrow-gauge railways, specialist steam events, and exclusive photography sessions on lines including the Molli and the Rasender Roland. Browse our train tours in Germany to see current departures.

France offers one of the broadest ranges in the programme, from Mediterranean coast itineraries to preserved steam railways in the north. View our French train tours for dates and pricing.

Austria, Belgium, the Baltic states, Bulgaria, Denmark, Hungary, the Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, and Sweden are also featured in the programme.

European Train Tours For Older And Solo Travellers

European train tours are well suited to older travellers who want a fully organised holiday without taking on the logistics themselves. All rail journeys and connections are confirmed in advance, accommodation is booked and checked by the Railtrail team, and a Tour Manager travels with every group from start to finish. Most European tours run with fewer than 30 guests. Solo travellers can join any departure, and single occupancy pricing is available across the programme.

Railtrail has been operating escorted rail holidays for over 40 years, and the most experienced Tour Managers have completed more than 100 departures. Rated Excellent on Trustpilot, and a Silver winner at the British Travel Awards 2024 for Best Small Travel Company for Rail Holidays.

Sounds like the holiday for you? Request a Brochure or call the team on 01538 382323, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.