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Rediscover the romance of Europe

Escorted European Holidays

Europe is a beautifully diverse continent, home to the dramatic landscapes of the Scottish Highlands as well as the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean. And with train lines connecting much of what's in between, an escorted holiday with Great Rail Journeys offers a relaxing and scenic way of exploring its different countries. Travel with people who share your interests and enjoy similar activities, as we bring to life unique towns and cities from Scandinavia to Sicily, through engrossing excursions, hand-picked hotels, comfortable travel, and meals bursting with local flavour.

Find out more with a free brochure and enjoy weekly travel inspiration and offers in our e-newsletter.

European Topsellers

Here are some of our customer favourites for experiencing Europe by Rail

Classic Glacier Express
4.6 stars(227 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
2025AprMayJunJulAug...
9 days from
£2,445 pp
View Details
Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi
4.2 stars(124 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,945 pp
View Details
Glacier Express & St Moritz
4.2 stars(73 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details
Grand Imperial Cities
4.6 stars(118 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
12 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
Puglia & Basilicata
3.9 stars(92 reviews)
2024MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
Roses, Cadaques & The Catalan Coast
4.3 stars(67 reviews)
2024MayJunSepOct
9 days from
£2,045 pp
View Details
Sirmione on Lake Garda
4.4 stars(216 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
2025MarAprMayJunJul...
10 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
Slovenia, Croatia & Montenegro
4.0 stars(45 reviews)
2024MayJunAugSep
13 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details

The Wonder of Rail

The adventure often starts as we depart London St Pancras, beginning our journey towards mainland Europe. Travelling by rail has always had romantic connotations, and as we pass rural villages that seemingly haven't changed in centuries and coast through cosmopolitan cities, it's hard to deny that trains offer a different perspective.

With freedom to move around the carriages as you please, make new friends or just wallow in the luxury of time to sit back and read a book, feel yourself unwind a little more with each passing mile before arriving in the heart of your destination, relaxed and ready to explore.

Great Rail Journeys by name, Great Rail Journeys by nature. On nearly every holiday we run, relaxing, impressive or once-in-a-lifetime rail journeys are par for the course. Whether it's the 180-mile trip the Glacier Express makes through the mountains of Switzerland, an experience aboard the steepest railway line in the world - the Flåm Railway in Norway, or a beautifully-restored journey on the Jacobite Steam Train through the Scottish Highlands, we know all of the best rail experiences to be had across Europe.

164 results matching: European Rail Holidays

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Classic Glacier Express
4.6 stars(227 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
2025AprMayJunJulAug...
9 days from
£2,445 pp
View Details
9 days from
£2,445
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International, London St Pancras
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express
4.6 stars(233 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
8 days from
£1,895 pp
View Details
8 days from
£1,895
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Simply Lake Garda
4.3 stars(205 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,795 pp
View Details
10 days from
£1,795
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Grand Imperial Cities
4.6 stars(118 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
12 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
12 days from
£2,545
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Sirmione on Lake Garda
4.4 stars(216 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
2025MarAprMayJunJul...
10 days from
£2,545 pp
View Details
10 days from
£2,545
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International, London St Pancras
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
The Italian Riviera
4.0 stars(126 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
10 days from
£2,145 pp
View Details
10 days from
£2,145
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Fjords of Norway rail tour
Save £200pp
4.4 stars(66 reviews)
2024MayJunJulSepOct
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,595 pp £1,395 pp
View Details
Save £200pp
7 days from
£1,595
£1,395
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationNorway
  • Starts / EndsLondon Heathrow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportFlight, Rail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Highlights of Tuscany
4.2 stars(139 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£2,145 pp
View Details
10 days from
£2,145
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Girolata Bay
2024AprMayJunAugSep
12 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details
12 days from
£3,145
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Italy
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Zell am See
4.3 stars(100 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
9 days from
£2,095 pp
View Details
9 days from
£2,095
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationAustria
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express & St Moritz
4.2 stars(73 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£3,145 pp
View Details
9 days from
£3,145
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi
4.2 stars(124 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
2025MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,945 pp
View Details
7 days from
£1,945
per person
View Details
Tour map
  • DestinationFrance
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International, London St Pancras
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Europe tours
The Northern Lights and Lapland
18/Mar
Lawrence McAuliff
5 stars
“Hotels, food, transportation, locations and guide were all near perfect.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express in Winter
17/Mar
Dr Mike Smith
5 stars
“We were blessed with fine weather, blue sky and sunshine most of the time. Given that, much of the experience was “out of this world“. A breathtaking experience in fact. Excellent and interesting hotels throughout. The tour manager, James Crowe, was friendly, supportive and well organised, providing us with information on each day. Trains were modern, clean, and comfortable throughout, and well designed for maximum viewing. Truly memorable.
Collected by Trustpilot
Interlaken and the Jungfrau Express in Winter
16/Mar
NEWALL
5 stars
“superb holiday. The tour leader Yasmyn ( not sure how to spell it) was very good. Dealt with all train problems well. Hotel was good. The group of people were also very companionable. Overall fantastic. It would have been nice to have had another day, there was more to do. Picture is view from hotel room, lovely.
Collected by Trustpilot
Northern Lights on a Winter Arctic Cruise
14/Mar
Michael Reynard
5 stars
“Very well organised holiday. Loved the cruise up to the northern parts of Norway and seeing the Northern Lights for the first time was an added bonus.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Cote d'Azur and Nice Carnival
13/Mar
Rosalind
5 stars
“A great trip with a great leader. My first ever escorted tour. Nice hotel right on the Promenade des Anglais. The carnavale was spectacular.
Collected by Trustpilot
Italian Christmas & Austrian New Year
18/Jan
Rowena Wolfe
5 stars
“Excellent food and hotels. Very well planned and, above all a great tour leader.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express at New Year
16/Jan
Clifford Smy
5 stars
“Great scenery. Kay, our tour manager, was brilliant.
Collected by Trustpilot
Harz Mountains Christmas Markets
30 Dec 2023
Dale Buche
5 stars
“It was overall a wonderful trip. The trains were great. The accommodations were wonderful and most of all our tour guide was exceptionally great. The towns we visited were everything I hoped they would be.
Collected by Trustpilot
Christmas Markets of the Rhine
25 Dec 2023
Melanie Gold
5 stars
“This 4-city cruise was a great introduction to the Rhine and the fabulous German Christmas markets. Food was excellent, the stateroom felt luxurious, the walking tours informative, and for travelers who speak only English, there are no language barriers. Most helpful was our Great Rail Journeys coordinator, who gave me such helpful advise when I opted to spend an additional day in Germany and return to the UK on my own.
Collected by Trustpilot
Latest articles from our journey blog
Behind the Journey: Adrian Müller

Behind the Journey: Adrian Müller

07/09/2023 · By

As part of our 50th celebrations, we meet the people who help make our journeys so memorable. We love working with people who are as passionate about places as we are, creating unforgettable memories during their stay. Adrian Müller embodies this. He is the owner of the oldest hotel in Chur, a historic Swiss town on the route of the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express. Adrian and his team have been welcoming our customers for 18 years.

Read more
Wrapped Up Warm: Packing Essentials for Your Winter Holiday in Europe

Wrapped Up Warm: Packing Essentials for Your Winter Holiday in Europe

24/08/2023 · By

Winter in Europe is a magical time, filled with Christmas markets, snow topped mountains, glaciers, and Glühwein. But winter holidays do require a little more thought when it comes to packing than summer holidays. T shirts and swimsuits are easy, but considering the temperatures and the equipment you might need to make the most of a winter holiday is a bit more in depth. To get the right ratio between having everything you need and packing light for travelling can be tricky, but never fear, here’s our handy guide to packing the essentials for a winter holiday in Europe.

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