One of the best ways to see a destination is on a relaxing train journey, winding through picturesque towns and cities, some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, and often to exhilarating heights, otherwise unreachable.
Perhaps admire Norway’s breathtaking scenery on the renowned Oslo to Bergen railway line and the Flåm Railway, one of the world’s steepest standard-gauge railway lines. Whether you want to sit back and admire the incredible views, or marvel at the outstanding engineering behind each great train, we offer a range of superb rail journeys within our tour collection.
Our favourite rail journeys
The Glacier Express, Switzerland
The Glacier Express is arguably one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the world and will, without a doubt, be a highlight of your Swiss tour. On our Switzerland, the Matterhorn & the Glacier Express tour, we spend a full day travelling through the Swiss Alps, stopping at charming mountain villages, such as Chur and Klosters, passing mountain ranges, cascading waterfalls, forest-covered hillsides and ravines with torrential rivers along the way. A journey on this specially designed train, with its large panoramic windows, offers a thrilling experience and truly stunning views.
Did you know?
- The highest point on the journey is the Oberalp Pass at 6,700 feet, far above the treeline. Snow can remain here well into June.
- The Upper Rhine Gorge, sometimes called the ‘Swiss Grand Canyon’, was completely inaccessible until the railway opened in 1903.
- To cope with the steep mountain gradients, the train requires several changes of locomotive along the way.
The Rocky Mountaineer, Canada
The Rocky Mountaineer train begins its spectacular 585-mile journey in Banff and ends two days later in Vancouver, with an overnight stay in Kamloops on the way. On our tours to Canada’s Rocky Mountains, we cross endless rivers, canyons, creeks and bridges, all with excellent on-board commentary, which highlights the intriguing history of the towns en-route and the building of the railway line. The snow-capped peaks of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains serve as a constant backdrop throughout the journey. Our tour includes SilverLeaf service and comfortable seats in a single-level dome coach with panoramic views through oversized windows, but you may wish to upgrade to GoldLeaf, which includes access to an outdoor viewing platform. Discover our Holidays to Canada here.
Did you know?
- The train has travelled more than 8 million km since its inaugural journey in 1990. That’s the equivalent of circling the globe 150 times!
- The cuisine on-board is prepared by Michelin-trained chefs using locally sourced products.
- A staggering 58 pieces of rolling stock (coaches and locomotives) make up the Rocky Mountaineer train
Shinkansen Bullet Train, Japan
Shinkansen, meaning ‘new trunk line’, is the term used to describe bullet trains in Japan. Riding the shinkansen is a remarkable experience; once you’ve boarded in Hakone on our best of Japan tour, the train carriages are pressurised for high-speed travel before seamlessly rolling out of the station. The needle-nosed bullet train passes Mount Fuji, one of the most iconic images of modern Japan. With reclining seats, plenty of legroom, air-conditioned comfort and speeds up to 189 mph, this is an incomparable way to travel.
Did you know?
- The average delay time for the shinkansen is only 36 seconds.
- The first bullet train service in Japan travelled between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 1964.
- The Tokaido Shinkansen Line is the busiest high-speed line in the world, carrying 420,000 passengers or more on a typical weekday.
All rail journey tours & cruises
All of the tours and cruises below feature a great rail journey within the itinerary and is listed on the tiles below. Select the holiday you are interested in to view the full details, including itinerary and availability.
Watch our video of the World's Greatest Railway Experiences
One of the best ways to see a destination is on a relaxing train journey, winding through picturesque towns and cities, some of the most spectacular scenery on earth, and often to exhilarating heights otherwise unreachable.
