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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.

European Topsellers

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

Classic Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(208 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,195 pp £2,145 pp
View Details
Sirmione on Lake Garda
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(190 reviews)
2023Oct
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
10 days from
£1,895 pp £1,845 pp
View Details
Girolata Bay
Save up to £150pp
2024AprMayJunAugSepOct
12 days from
£2,995 pp £2,945 pp
View Details
Grand Imperial Cities
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(106 reviews)
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
12 days from
£2,195 pp
View Details
Roses, Cadaques & The Catalan Coast
Save up to £150pp
4.2 stars(61 reviews)
2024MayJunSepOct
9 days from
£1,895 pp £1,795 pp
View Details
Glacier Express & St Moritz
Save up to £150pp
4.4 stars(66 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,795 pp £2,745 pp
View Details
Carcassonne & the Canal du Midi
Save up to £150pp
4.2 stars(100 reviews)
2024MayJunJulAugSepOct
7 days from
£1,795 pp £1,745 pp
View Details
Puglia & Basilicata
Save up to £150pp
3.9 stars(76 reviews)
2024MayJunSepOct
12 days from
£2,495 pp £2,445 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.

148 results matching: European Rail Holidays

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First Class Glacier Express in Winter (Brig-Chur) 2016
Small Group
Save up to £150pp
4.7 stars(75 reviews)
2024JanFebMar
9 days from
£2,695 pp £2,595 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,695
£2,595
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
The Northern Lights & Lapland
Save up to £300pp
4.3 stars(138 reviews)
2024JanFebMar
10 days from
£2,695 pp £2,645 pp
View Details
Save up to £300pp
10 days from
£2,695
£2,645
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationNorway, Sweden
  • Starts / EndsLondon Heathrow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportFlight, Rail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Classic Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(208 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAugSep
9 days from
£2,195 pp £2,145 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£2,195
£2,145
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Sirmione on Lake Garda
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(190 reviews)
2023Oct
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
10 days from
£1,895 pp £1,845 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,895
£1,845
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Save up to £300pp
8 days from
£1,695
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationBelgium, The Netherlands
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationCruise
  • TransportRail, Cruise
Map and accommodation
The Outer Hebrides
Save up to £100pp
4.1 stars(120 reviews)
2024AprMayAugSep
8 days from
£1,735 pp £1,635 pp
View Details
Save up to £100pp
8 days from
£1,735
£1,635
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsGlasgow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Skye, Orkney and the Wild North
Save up to £100pp
4.4 stars(30 reviews)
2024MayJunAugSep
8 days from
£1,595 pp £1,545 pp
View Details
Save up to £100pp
8 days from
£1,595
£1,545
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationScotland
  • Starts / EndsGlasgow
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Glacier Express
Save up to £150pp
4.6 stars(218 reviews)
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
8 days from
£1,695 pp £1,645 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
8 days from
£1,695
£1,645
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Simply Lake Garda
Save up to £150pp
4.3 stars(189 reviews)
2024MarAprMayJunJul...
10 days from
£1,595 pp £1,545 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,595
£1,545
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
The Italian Riviera
Save up to £150pp
4.0 stars(114 reviews)
2024AprMayJunJulAug...
10 days from
£1,995 pp £1,945 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
10 days from
£1,995
£1,945
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationItaly
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail, Coach
Map and accommodation
Girolata Bay
Save up to £150pp
2024AprMayJunAugSepOct
12 days from
£2,995 pp £2,945 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
12 days from
£2,995
£2,945
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationFrance, Italy
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Jungfrau Express
Save up to £150pp
4.5 stars(106 reviews)
2024MayAugSepOct
9 days from
£3,595 pp £3,495 pp
View Details
Save up to £150pp
9 days from
£3,595
£3,495
per person
View Details
tour map
  • DestinationSwitzerland
  • Starts / EndsSt Pancras International
  • AccommodationHotel
  • TransportRail
Map and accommodation
Our customers love our Europe tours
The Magic of Sicily
28/Sep
Paul Fitzpatrick
5 stars
“We had a wonderful time. The itinerary was extremely interesting with plenty of sightseeing and historic sites to visit. We highly recommend this tour
Collected by Trustpilot
Skye, Orkney and the Wild North
28/Sep
Kathleen Stanley
5 stars
“This trip was simply amazing. We could not have asked for a better tour manager!
Collected by Trustpilot
Norwich, Sandringham and the Norfolk Broads
28/Sep
P Wood
5 stars
“Sandringham was very good and felt very homely and not like a museum. Norfolk Broads was a very good experience. All trains were very enjoyable and interesting.
Collected by Trustpilot
Classic Glacier Express
28/Sep
Mark Barry
5 stars
“Booked this trip as a treat immediately after retiring. Overall the trip exceeded expectations and despite a couple of days of poor weather got to enjoy the scenery amd the company on the whole trip. Slight word of warning though. This issue didn’t affect me or my travel companion but the trip did involve quite a bit of walking that wasn’t explained in the trip description. This was an issue for a few of the group who were not the most able. It was a particular problem when moving from train to accommodation and many on the group were trying to cope with luggage while only having a couple of minutes to get on or off trains, and when walking between station and hotel. We used the Sherpr service offered to move our main luggage about so we only had backpacks but apparently some in the group were let down. Nevertheless even without luggage there was more walking than anticipated. As you can imagine Switzerland is very hilly so if you have difficulty walking this isn’t for you. Personally, although I am terribly unfit, this wasn’t an issue for me and the extra exercise did me good.
Collected by Trustpilot
Traditional Glacier Express
28/Sep
Mrs Lynn Cole
5 stars
“The scenery was stunning with wonderful mountains, glaciers, valleys and lakes whether on the Glacier or Bernini Express or a local railway. Very well organised trip with an exceptional guide. Switzerland impressed, everywhere was so clean and well looked after.
Collected by Trustpilot
The Outer Hebrides and the Highlands
28/Sep
Carol H
5 stars
“Enjoyable, well managed trip. Interesting historical and cultural sights.
Collected by Trustpilot
Grand Imperial Cities
28/Sep
Chris Wright
5 stars
“Grand Imperial Cities is a magnificent tour of four capital cities, with guided tours to set the scene in each capital, you will then have free time to complete your personal tour of the city. Hotels are excellent, and quite near the centres. It is a very active tour and you need to be relatively fit to sustain the pace. Together with a Tour manager your holiday will certainly be less stressful.
Collected by Trustpilot
Norway, Lofoten and Arctic Circle
28/Sep
Mrs A O'Brien
5 stars
“Well organised trip as usual. Norway is such a lovely clean country to visit and the people are very friendly. We were also travelling with a fab group of people. Icing on the cake was the northern lights.
Collected by Trustpilot
Puglia: Italy’s Undiscovered Coast
28/Sep
C Pascoe
5 stars
“A very enjoyable holiday with a great group of people and a very professional tour manager. We visited so many unspoilt features of Puglia and experienced good quality local food and wines.
Collected by Trustpilot
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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

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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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Escorted Holiday Cruising Sailing Through Europes Winter Beauty

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