Rail Holidays 2025 / 2026

Sit back and enjoy the ride

Even in this age of aviation, train travel will never run out of steam: it offers an experience that just can’t be rivalled by any other mode of transport. Part of it is rooted in nostalgia – there’s just something about stepping aboard that evokes the romance of Brief Encounter, and waiting in an airport lounge just can’t compete. But as well as the glamorous reputation of train travel, there are many practical advantages, too. 

With a ticket to ride, you can stay on track by using time more efficiently. Whether you’re travelling overnight on a sleeper train or simply treating the travel aspect of your break as a part of your sight-seeing adventure, rail travel saves time and helps make your holiday more relaxing. Going by locomotive can also reduce your carbon footprint, so you’re treading more gently on the planet, minimising your impact on the beautiful places you visit. And often, train travel is more direct – you can go straight to your destination without the need for lengthy airport transfers.

Clifftop adventure on the Italian Riviera

Looking for a traditional, authentic break in Italy? Take the train from Florence to the beautiful, unspoilt villages of Cinque Terre – a group of five coastal towns nestling on the clifftops, looking over the Ligurian sea. The centuries-old settlements of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore are car-free, so you can explore their picture-perfect charms by foot. The Cinque Terre Express connects all the villages, so you can travel the short distances from one to the other at leisure. 

Overnight rail odyssey from Paris to Venice

Continental Europe is home to many memorable rail journeys, offering great-value tickets and the opportunity to pack in as many sights as you can. One of our favourite European itineraries allows you to go to sleep in one romantic city and wake up in another! Paris needs no introduction: the French capital is famed for its iconic monuments, café culture and unrivalled chic. After a day and a night in la belle Paris, you’ll travel by overnight train to Venice, the city of canals. On arrival, you’ll start your day in Italy refreshed and ready to explore. As soon as you step out of Santa Lucia station you’ll be greeted by a view of the Grand Canal. Just jump on the vaporetto (water bus) and journey to the centre of this stunning city for an unforgettable Venetian experience.

Alpine wonders by train

For some of the world’s most stunning views, look no further than a train through the Swiss Alps. There are a number of different rail journeys you can take in this breathtakingly beautiful part of the world, all of which offer awe-inspiring mountain vistas that’ll set your pulse soaring. It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate the sheer engineering genius that has made these routes possible, with countless tunnels, viaducts and sheer climbs to facilitate your journey through the mountains.

Bernina Express

The Bernina Express runs through epic Alpine scenery from Italy and Switzerland, past starkly stunning glaciers, lakes and mountains from Tirano to Chur. You’ll pass through the impressive Landwasser Viaduct and the world-famous Montebello Curve, with gorgeous views of the Bernina mountain range, the Morteratsch glacier and Lakes Pitschen, Nair and Bianco. Sensational surroundings aside, the Bernina Express is also an impressive feat of engineering, taking trains to an altitude of 2,253 metres. It’s no wonder this classic route has protected UNESCO World Heritage status.

Glacier Express

The Glacier Express is another Alpine rail marvel, weaving through the Swiss Alps on the epic eight-hour journey from St Moritz to Zermatt. The train’s panoramic carriages frame majestic views of the Matterhorn and the Rhine Gorge – Switzerland’s answer to the Grand Canyon. On board you can dine in style, with freshly-prepared authentic Swiss fare served at your seat.  

Golden Pass Panoramic Express

The Golden Pass Panoramic Express weaves a scenic route through the charming Swiss resorts of Lucerne, Interlaken and Montreux, passing stunning countryside and picturesque villages. Highlights of your journey include views of beautiful Lake Brienz, the Saanenmöser mountain pass, the Simmental valley, and Lake Geneva. On your trip, there’s also the option to travel by train or cable car from Interlaken to Jungfraujoch, Europe’s highest railway station, which is famously known as “the top of Europe”.

Norway’s most popular rail route

In Norway, the Flåm railway is a picturesque route through beautiful mountains with a steep drop down the vertiginous valley to the unspoilt village of Flåm. Take the train from Bergen and enjoy scenic views of the fjord landscape. Alternatively, if time is short, opt for the funicular railway up Bergen’s Floyen Mountain – saving your breath for the amazing views you’ll get from the top. 

Speed between cities on Japan’s world-famous bullet train

The shinkansen (bullet train) is one of Japan’s most iconic inventions, and reaching speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour, it definitely lives up to its name. But although you’ll travel cross-country at jaw-dropping velocity, your experience of the ride will remain smooth and comfortable.  Like everything else in Japan, the shinkansen is noted for being reliable, punctual, clean and safe.

Travel by train from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto and experience the very essence of Japan, as you glide on the shinkansen past Mount Fuji. Look out for this amazing view at around 40 minutes into your journey from Tokyo, near Shin-Fuji Station. Because you’re travelling so fast, your journey will be brief but enjoyable: it’ll take just 2 hours 15 minutes to reach Kyoto from Tokyo, or 2 hours 30 minutes to get to Osaka.

Plan your Great Rail Journey today

Make room in your timetable for a holiday by rail, and we promise you an experience you’ll never forget. From funicular cable-cars to bullet trains that go like a shot, there’s no better way to see the world than a trip on the train. Browse our selection of Great Rail Journeys to find your perfect break.