Train holidays Europe
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Journeys you’ll love
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Once-in-a-lifetime adventures by rail in Europe
Europe’s greatest rail journeys
Cologne, Frankfurt, Vienna, Zürich, Locarno, Chur, Milan, Monterosso al Mare, Genoa, Nice, Marseille, Barcelona, Cádiz, Madrid, San Sebastián, Bordeaux
One for the real train lovers: traverse across the continent by way of Europe’s most esteemed heritage railways and scenic train journeys around.
Orient Express route to Turkey
Budapest, Cluj-Napoca, Bucharest, Veliko Tarnovo, Istanbul, Bucharest, Brasov, Vienna
Our most ambitious flight-free adventure to date. Stop off through five countries with five sleeper trains to reach Europe’s dividing line with Asia.
Balkans and the Aegean
Vienna, Bucharest, Sofia, Istanbul, Ankara, Ìzmir, Marmaris, Rhodes, Athens
A trip for adventurous sojourners. Traverse by sleeper trains through the Balkans to Europe’s border, before heading to Greece’s ancient wonders.
Island escapism by ferry
Sicily
Zürich, Rome, Naples, Reggio Calabria, Catania, Syracuse, Palermo, Messina and Milan
Italy’s ancient cities meet island escapism. Stop off through Italy and travel along the Tyrrhenian coastline, crossing the Strait of Messina to Sicily.
Corsica
Cassis, Ajaccio, Calvi, Bastia, and Marseille
Soak up the sea on this adventure by overnight ferry to Corsica. Explore the island’s beaches, ancient towns and mountains by train and bus.
The Balearics
Nîmes, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Girona and Paris
Sail through the night from Barcelona and wake up to the beautiful island of Mallorca. Explore secluded coves, historic towns and rugged mountains.
Classic European coastlines
Amalfi coast
Paris, Naples, Amalfi, Florence, Milan and Chambery with sleeper train
Above the buzz of fine seafood and aperitif spots carved into the cliffs, the Monti Lattari lead up into green landscapes of citrus trees and umbrella pines.
Bay of Biscay
Bordeaux, Biarritz, San Sebastián, Santander
For fans of surf—or surf ‘n’ turf. Failsafe waves meet one of the best gastronomy scenes in Spain. Hit the waves, and then the Pintxo bars of La Cuchara.
The Algarve
Bordeaux, San Sebastián, Madrid, Faro, Seville, Barcelona, Paris
Opt for off-season for a dose of the Algarve’s authentic side. The beaches are peaceful and the Ria Formosa teem with rare waterfowl and flamingoes.
Epic railways in Europe
(Better than) the Bernina Express
Basel, Lugano, Varenna, Chur, Zürich and Paris
You’ve heard of the Bernina Express. Lesser known is the local train running along the same railway: fewer tourists, more flexibility, the same epic views.
West Highland Line
Glasgow and Fort William
Experience a wild feast of Highland landscapes as you skirt Loch Lomond, snake through Rannoch Moor and cross the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Portugal’s Douro Line
Nîmes, Madrid, Porto, Pocinho, Vigo, Santiago de Compostela, Burgos and Bordeaux
Portugal’s spectacular journey to ‘nowhere’. Board a Wes Anderson-esque carriage heading along the Douro River valley to the border’s edge.
City breaks in Europe by rail
Antwerp
Antwerp
Pull into one of the most spectacular train stations in Europe for a city break in Belgium’s Diamond Capital, a hub for up-and-coming fashion designers and bursting with roasteries.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Explore canal towpaths and Amsterdam’s lesser-known neighbourhoods on two wheels, with stops for superb coffee and Stroopwafel.
Lille
Lille
Oh-so-cool neighbourhoods, vibrant fusion food and vintage markets. Meet the capital of the Hauts-de-France region and rising star of regenerative tourism.
Historical holidays in Europe
In Flanders Fields
Kortrijk, Ypres
From your base in Ypres, venture out into the Salient battlefields by bike. In the evening, gather under Menin Gate for the daily performance of the Last Post.
Medieval Alsace
Riquwihr, Strasbourg and Dijon
Immerse yourself in the medieval architecture of Alsace, for strolls around Petite France and a visit to Dijon’s grand Palace of the Dukes. Local wine-tasting makes the perfect pitstop.
Ancient Andalusia
Nîmes, Valencia, Seville, Granada, Córdoba, Girona and Paris
Uncover Andalusia’s cities that brim with striking Moorish architecture, gothic cathedrals, and palatial gardens. Don’t miss Córdoba's Mezquita, a blend of Islamic and Christian artistry.
Rural exploration
Rural Tuscany
Paris, Turin, San Gimignano, Florence, Munich
Weave through rural Tuscany to reach the hilltop town of San Gimignano, overlooking miles of cypress-studded countryside and rolling vineyards.
The flower bulb region
Lisse, Haarlem and Amsterdam
Each Autumn, seven million bulbs are hand-planted across the Keukenhof. By spring, the fields bloom with miles of tulips to be admired by foot or bike.
Alpine lakes
Basel, Locarno, Lugano, Lecco and Paris
Lake hopping is the new island hopping. Hop from Lake Maggiore to Lake Lugano to Lake Como, strung together by scenic Swiss railway lines.
Here’s the minimum time you’ll need for a relaxed train trip around Europe ,starting from London. We do other departure stations, too!
How long does it take?
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