The Yellow Train, Sejourne Bridge

European Rail Holidays

From Spain’s Blossom train to Italy’s Bernina Express, we’re bringing you some of the most legendary rail pathways across the continent.

Some of Europe’s prettiest landscapes are best appreciated from the wide, bright windows of a train. A European rail journey means you can venture into the heart of a region, as well as to the wilder, more remote passes. Think the alpine valleys and peaks of Switzerland, the castle-sprinkled Cathar Country of France, or even the citrus and almond groves of Mallorca. It’s not your ordinary holiday, but then again, that’s what makes the experience special.

Striking landscapes aside, the very experience of a rail journey can be a powerful hit of nostalgia, a kind of transportation into a whole other era. Some memorable trains include the Bernina Express of Italy and Switzerland, the 100-year-old Train du pays Cathare et du Fenouilledes (the Red Train) of France, or the vintage Orange Blossom Train of Spain, all alike in their being marvels of engineering, but distinct in their varying routes through Europe and unique stylistic quirks.

Our featured European Rail holidays

Lake Maggiore in Italy, with an Italian town on the shore beneath a bright, partly cloudy sky
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New
Lake Maggiore, Zermatt & the Centovalli Railway – Premier Collection
Italy, Switzerland
From your base at a beautiful lakeside hotel in Baveno, discover the most picturesque landscapes of Italy and Switzerland by boat and train.Premier CollectionSmall Group+ 4 More
  • Travel on the scenic Centovalli Railway to Locarno and Lake Maggiore in Switzerland
  • Enjoy a free day to explore Baveno’s city centre and waterfront promenade
  • Explore the three Borromean Islands by boat, which are home to beautiful villas and terraced gardens
  • 8 days from £1,836 pp

    was £2,039 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    April 2026 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    8 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    6 included

  • Meals

    7 included

Little Train, Douro Valley
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Little Trains of the Douro
Portugal
Experience Portugal’s railway nostalgia with rides on historic trains, enhanced by vineyard tours and tastings at renowned wine estates in the Douro Valley.RailFly Local+ 3 More
  • Journey on the historic Douro Historical steam train through the UNESCO-listed Douro Valley
  • Visit Viana do Castelo, a picturesque coastal town and ride the Santa Luzia Elevator, Portugal’s longest funicular
  • Set off on a scenic journey aboard the MiraDouro train from Porto to Régua, an authentic vintage railway experience
  • 8 days from £1,575 pp

    was £1,749 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    June 2026 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    14 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    6 included

  • Meals

    14 included

The Yellow Train, Sejourne Bridge
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Little Trains of the Pyrenees 7 Nights
Spain, France
Enjoy mountain scenery on this holiday in the Pyrenees, which is based in the resort of Roses, on the Costa Brava, and includes four scenic train journeys.RailFly Local+ 2 More
  • Spend seven nights on the beautiful Costa Brava
  • Ride the Little Yellow Train to the French Pyrenees
  • Travel on the Nuria Rack Railway, which offers the only access to the year-round Spanish mountain resort
  • 8 days from £1,364 pp

    was £1,515 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    May 2026 - September 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    13 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    4 included

  • Meals

    14 included

Molveno Lake in Italy, with colourful houses in the foreground and rolling hills alongside the lake
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The Italian Dolomites
Italy
Find out more about this Newmarket Holidays Dolomites Rail Tour and book online with confidence. ABTA & ATOL protected. Fly LocalScenery & Nature
  • Visit to Bolzano and enjoy a cable-car ride
  • Ride the Renon narrow-gauge railway to Collabro
  • Choose to travel to delightful Trento on an optional excursion
  • 8 days from £1,130 pp

    was £1,255 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    May 2026 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    11 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    6 included

  • Meals

    14 included

The Bernina Express going across a bridge, with grassy mountains in the background
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Lake Como, St Moritz and the Bernina Express
Italy
Stay on the shores of Lake Como, visit Bellagio, & take the Bernina Express to St Moritz. Book your escorted break with confidence from Newmarket Holidays.Best SellingRail+ 2 More
  • Ride the Bernina Express to St Moritz
  • Discover Bellagio, "Italy's most beautiful town"
  • Enjoy a week on the shores of Italy’s most romantic lake
  • 8 days from £1,424 pp

    was £1,675 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    April 2026 - October 2026

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    14 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    6 included

  • Meals

    7 included

Goldenpass Belle Epoque Near Montreux
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No Single Supplement
Swiss Alpine Glories and the GoldenPass Train
Switzerland
Explore the Swiss Alps on this escorted tour that includes visits to the Bernese Oberland, Bern and Gruyeres, and ride the GoldenPass TrainRailFly Local+ 1 More
  • Discover medieval gem and cheese-making village Gruyères
  • Ride the spectacular GoldenPass Train to and from Montreux, with free time to explore the city, located on the shores of Lake Geneva
  • Set off on the GoldenPass Express Train to Interlaken, take a coach to Grindlelwald and return to Chateau d'Oex
  • 8 days from £1,385 pp

    was £1,629 pp

    Flights included
  • Dates Available

    May 2026 - September 2027

  • Duration

    8 days

  • Depart From

    9 airports

  • Excursions & Visits

    5 included

  • Meals

    12 included

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