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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Nature & Wildlife
5-Day Vancouver to Rockies VIA Rail Adventure
4.1 (19 reviews)
"All personnel very accommodating. Good tour overall."
Shirley, traveled in September
Duration
5 days
Destinations
Vancouver, Jasper National Park, Banff National Park,Lake Louise,Yoho National Park,Calgary+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
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Canadian RockiesWest Coast CanadaAlbertaThe PrairiesIcefields Parkway+4 more
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Eco-Comfort - Tour Of Italy By Train
4.5 (25 reviews)
"Train travel is way to go in Europe. Was especially pleased with the hotels we were booked into both for quality of hotel and location."
Randall, traveled in July
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Venice, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano,Castellina in Chianti,Rome,Pompei,Vico Equense,Amalfi,Naples+6 more
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All Ages Welcome
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Flag Travel Holidays
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Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
4.5 (8 reviews)
"This was a 25th Anniversary trip and it could not have been better!"
Marcus, traveled in September
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Venice, Murano, Burano, Florence, Rome, Sorrento, Positano,Amalfi,Ravello,Pompeii+3 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
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Meet and Greet Italy
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Rome, Sorrento, Florence, Venice: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
4.0 (1 review)
"The quality and ease of access for the daily tours seemed largely dependent on the individual tour groups that Tour Radar consults with."
Lauryn, traveled in April
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Rome, Vatican City, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Ravello,Pompeii,Florence,Venice,Murano,Burano+5 more
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All Ages Welcome
Operated in
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Meet and Greet Italy
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Europe by Rail Budapest to Milan
5.0 (68 reviews)
"The tour provided the best understanding of the culture, history and sights."
Sophie, traveled in October
Duration
11 days
Destinations
Hungary Austria Slovenia Italy
Age Range
Ages 18-39
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TruTravels
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US$1,778per person
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Ancient Wonders
2-day Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen
4.6 (15 reviews)
"Very comfortable bus and great driving. I recommend this tour. My accommodation at fort William was fantastic."
Colleen, traveled in September
Duration
2 days
Destinations
Cairngorms National Park, Dunkeld, Fort Augustus,Culloden,Forth Bridge,Glencoe,Mallaig+4 more
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All Ages Welcome
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Highland Experience Tours
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City & Culture
Whole of Europe Group Rail Tour (18-30 year olds)
4.9 (17 reviews)
"The whole experience was so easy we just got taken from city to city and got to see so much. It was really hassle free."
Duration
29 days
Destinations
England Netherlands Germany Czech Republic Hungary Austria Italy Vatican City (Holy See)France Monaco Spain+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
Operated in
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Euroventure Travel
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Central Europe Group Rail Tour (18-30 year olds)
5.0 (5 reviews)
"The whole trip was thoroughly planned and so enjoyable! Such a stress free experience."
Juliet, traveled in August
Duration
15 days
Destinations
England Netherlands Germany Czech Republic Hungary Austria Italy+2 more
Age Range
Ages 18-35
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Venice, Florence, Rome, Sorrento: essential (3* hotels) low carbon tour by train
3.0 (1 review)
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Mestre, Venice, Murano, Torcello, Burano, Florence, Rome,Sorrento+1 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
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Meet and Greet Italy
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Venice, Florence, Rome: signature (4* hotels) low carbon tour by train
4.4 (16 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
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Destinations
Tokyo, Oshino, Kyoto, Miyajima Island, Hiroshima, Okayama,Osaka+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18-55
Regions
Southern JapanHonshu+1 more
Operated in
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The Dragon Trip
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Japan Essentials 9 Day - One Life Adventures
4.8 (359 reviews)
"Amazing tour, great plan and made the experience unforgettable."
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Duration
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Destinations
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Age Range
Ages 18-39
Islands
Honshu
Operated in
English
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One Life Adventures
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"a great mix of planned and optional activities with free time on other days"
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27 days
Destinations
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Age Range
Ages 18-55
Operated in
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The Dragon Trip
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Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry & Cliffs of Moher
4.7 (6 reviews)
"Every aspect of the tour was well organised. We would recommend Tour Radar to anyone interested in travelling on an organised trip."
Anita, traveled in May
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3 days
Destinations
Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Blarney, Cobh, Killarney,Ring of Kerry,Carrauntoohill,Waterville,Sneem,Glenbeigh,Limerick,Bunratty,Doolin,Cliffs of Moher,Burren,Ballyvaughan,Kinvarra,Galway+13 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
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Southern IrelandRing of KerryIreland Wild Atlantic WayMunster+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Railtours Ireland First Class
15% Off
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US$878per person
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Italy By High-Speed Train
4.4 (93 reviews) award winner
"The seamless travel, remarkable excursions, and superb hotel accommodations exceeded expectations."
Tiffany, traveled in July
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
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US$1,529per person
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