How much time is spent actually traveling on trains?

The time on trains varies depending on your route. In Italy, trips between major cities are pretty manageable - Rome to Florence takes about 1.5 hours, while Venice to Milan is around 2.5 hours. If you're doing something like the Swiss Glacier Express, you'll spend about 8 hours on the train, but that's part of the experience. As one of our TourRadar travelers put it: "The train rides were comfortable and the perfect length to enjoy the scenery without feeling rushed."

What types of trains are used on train tours through Europe and Switzerland?

You'll travel on modern trains across Europe, including the famous Glacier Express in Switzerland and fast trains throughout Italy and France. The Glacier Express is special - you'll ride in trains with big windows that cross 291 bridges and climb up to 6,700 feet (2,044m) in the Swiss Alps. In Italy, the fast trains connecting Venice, Florence and Rome are smooth and quick, usually getting you there in 2-3 hours. Our TourRadar travelers consistently mention how comfortable these trains are.

What are the typical accommodations like on a train tour?

You'll stay in comfortable 3 to 4-star hotels picked because they're close to train stations and city centers. For example, places like the Welcome Piram Hotel in Rome or Hotel Campanile in Venice Mestre make it easy to get to and from the trains. Here's what one TourRadar traveler said: "Hotels were in good location from train station with excellent breakfasts and clean, comfortable rooms."

What's the best season for train tours in Europe?

These tours run all year, but most people travel between April and September. If you want to avoid crowds but still get nice weather around 68°F (20°C), try going in spring (April-May) or fall (September-October). Summer (June-August) is busy but gives you more daylight hours to explore.

What's the best time of year to take a train tour?

It really depends on where you're going. Switzerland is great in summer (June-September) when you can see the mountains clearly. Japan is popular when cherry blossoms bloom (March-April) or when fall colors appear (October-November). One of our TourRadar travelers shared: "We took the Switzerland tour end of April/first of May and got to see both snow in the mountains and spring flowers in the valleys."

How physically demanding are train tours?

You'll need to be comfortable walking with your luggage between stations and hotels, and some stations don't have elevators. Plan on walking about 3-6 miles (5-10km) each day while exploring cities. Weather can be a factor too - Italian summers can hit 95°F (35°C), while German winters can drop to 30°F (-1°C). As one TourRadar traveler mentioned, "be prepared for lots of walking and managing your luggage through busy stations."

What's the best time of year for train tours in Europe?

May through September is peak season, with temperatures around 75°F (24°C) - perfect for sightseeing, but expect more crowds. March-April and October are quieter with mild 60°F (16°C) weather. Winter trips (November-February) are cooler at about 40°F (4°C) but offer special treats like Christmas markets. One TourRadar traveler noted: "shoulder season travel means fewer tourists and better rates while still enjoying good weather."

Train & Rail Tours & Trips

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Train & Rail
Whole Hog: 2 Weeks - Self Guided Rail Tour
5.0 (6 traveler reviews)
"This was my first taste of travelling and having someone sort it all out for you and look after whilst still giving you that independence was amazing."
Caitlin, traveled in August
Duration
15 days
Destinations
England France Netherlands Germany Czech Republic Austria Italy+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Operated in
English
Operator
Euroventure Travel
From
US$1,795per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
5-Day Vancouver to Rockies VIA Rail Adventure
4.1 (18 traveler reviews)
"The tour is organized and the entire team were nice and helpful. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who is interested in discovering the Rocky Mountains."
Manar, traveled in July
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Vancouver, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park,Lake Louise,Yoho National Park,Calgary+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Regions
Canadian RockiesWest Coast CanadaAlbertaThe PrairiesIcefields Parkway+4 more
Operated in
English, Chinese
Operator
Tourland
8% Off
From $2,153
US$1,980per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen
4.6 (15 traveler reviews)
"The tour was a great way to see a bit of Scotland without the stress of driving it ourselves."
Kirsten, traveled in June
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Dunkeld,Cairngorms National Park,Culloden,Fort Augustus,Fort William,Mallaig,Glencoe+6 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Highland Experience Tours
8% Off
From
US$474per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Machu Picchu by Train: 2-Day, 1-Night Adventure
4.9 (87 traveler reviews)
"The views, the food, were just amazing. I can highly recommend it."
Anna, traveled in July
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Cusco, Ollantaytambo, Aguas Calientes, Machu Picchu
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English, Spanish
Operator
TreXperience
8% Off
From
US$860per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Venice, Florence, Rome: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
4.4 (15 traveler reviews)
"I found the hotel. It was a great trip!"
NancySmith, traveled in July
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Venice, Murano, Burano, Florence, Rome, Vatican City
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Meet and Greet Italy
8% Off
From
US$1,760per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Golden Triangle on Wheels Indian Railways
4.2 (9 traveler reviews)
"Very well organized tour. All guides and drivers were good."
Duration
6 days
Destinations
New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Taj Mahal
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Golden Triangle
Operated in
English, German,Italian,Portuguese,French,Spanish,Chinese,Dutch+6 more
Operator
Yolo India Tours
25% Off
From $552
US$414per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
14 Days Rajasthan Tour By Local Trains
5.0 (2 traveler reviews)
"The organization of the trip was great. We didn't have to worry about anything; everything worked out wonderfully."
Johann, traveled in February
Duration
14 days
Destinations
Delhi, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Tordi, Jaipur,New Delhi+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Country Region
Rajasthan
Operated in
English
Operator
TTI TOURS
25% Off
From
US$1,076per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-30 year olds)
4.9 (17 traveler reviews)
"We saw some amazing buildings! The colosseaum, roman forum, towers of Sagrada familia and the scuba diving were incredible!"
Issy, traveled in August
Duration
29 days
Destinations
England Netherlands Germany Czech Republic Hungary Austria Italy France Spain+4 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
English
Operator
Euroventure Travel
25% Off
From
US$4,915per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Europe by Rail Budapest to Milan
5.0 (66 traveler reviews)
"She was very knowledgeable and knew a lot about every city we visited, the best things to see, places to eat."
Becca, traveled in September
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Hungary Austria Slovenia Italy
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Operated in
English
Operator
TruTravels
25% Off
From
US$1,975per person
Price based on Shared Room
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In-depth Cultural
Naples Express & Sorrento - Small-Group Tour
3.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
4 days
Destinations
Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Amalfi CoastSouth ItalyCampania+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Omega Tours
25% Off
From
US$1,379per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Our most booked and loved tours
Best Seller
In-depth Cultural
13-Day Japan Tour: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka & Beyond
4.4 (161 traveler reviews)
"It was well paced with lots of free time to explore the things you want to after being shown around the area."
BRETT, traveled in January
Duration
13 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Oshino, Kyoto, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Okayama,Osaka+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18-55
Regions
Southern JapanHonshu+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Dragon Trip
25% Off
From
US$3,151per person
Price based on Shared Room
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Handpicked adventures loved by our team
TourRadar Curated
Explorer
Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures
4.8 (337 traveler reviews)
"The structured plans and free time were appreciated. The recommendations on what to do were also helpful."
Toni, traveled in November
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka
Age Range
Ages 18-39
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
Operator
One Life Adventures
25% Off
From
US$1,845per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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Explorer
Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
4.7 (7 traveler reviews)
"Having the hotels and train rides booked for us in advance made the trip go smoothly. We definitely would do it again."
casey, traveled in May
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Venice, Murano, Burano, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Positano,Amalfi,Ravello,Pompeii+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
Meet and Greet Italy
25% Off
From
US$3,069per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry & Cliffs of Moher
4.0 (1 traveler review)
"Humorous & knowledgeable."
Seymour, traveled in September
Duration
3 days
Destinations
Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Blarney, Cobh, Killarney,Ring of Kerry,Limerick,Bunratty,Cliffs of Moher,Galway+5 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Southern IrelandRing of KerryIreland Wild Atlantic WayMunster+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Railtours Ireland First Class
25% Off
From
US$879per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Italy By High-Speed Train
4.4 (93 traveler reviews) award winner
"The accommodations were top notch and close to the main tourist attractions. The process was seamless."
Shawn, traveled in March
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Rome, Florence, Siena, Castellina in Chianti,San Gimignano,Venice+2 more
Age Range
Ages 10+
Country Region
Central ItalyTuscany+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Flag Travel Holidays
25% Off
From
US$1,795per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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