The Prices of Train & Rail Tours to Europe
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Few things capture the romance of travel quite like exploring Europe by train. With scenic views rolling past your window, train and rail tours offer a unique blend of adventure, relaxation, and timeless charm. Imagine gliding through picturesque villages, vast countrysides, and historic cities—all without the hassle of driving or planning. Whether it's a leisurely ride through scenic landscapes or an iconic rail journey, these tours make travel as enjoyable as the destination itself.
In this guide, we'll break down the costs of train and rail tours in Europe, highlight the standout options, and share the must-visit destinations that make these trips truly magical. To ensure you find the best rail adventure, we've analyzed a variety of tours, comparing prices, quality, amenities, and one-of-a-kind experiences. Whether you're dreaming of a budget-friendly excursion or a luxury rail escape, these tours are your ticket to a stress-free journey with a view. All aboard for an unforgettable adventure!
Why does Europe appeal to sightseers?
Europe's efficient and scenic rail network appeals to travelers looking to explore in comfort and style. Rome, Istanbul, and Paris offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Rome is known for its iconic archaeological sites such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, as well as its gelato, Italian cuisine, and strong religious roots. Rome, Istanbul, and Paris are foodie destinations with fantastic cuisine and world-class restaurants. You can't miss the nightlife of Rome, Paris, and London, either. The region's blend of iconic destinations and breathtaking rail routes makes it ideal for exploring by train.
How much do Train & Rail Tours in Europe cost?
The average price per day for train and rail tours in Europe is $299, based on our analysis of 49 tours. While the overall prices can vary greatly, when we look at the daily price of these tours, the costs range from $125 to $940 per day.
Budget-friendly tours average around $163 per day, while higher-end luxury tours average about $468 per day.
Budget tours will usually provide less luxurious accommodation, have larger group sizes, and visit less expensive destinations. They will also sometimes have you pay for more activities on your own instead of including everything up front.
Mid-range tours often provide a step up in accommodation and transportation, and include more guided activities.
Luxury tours usually provide the highest levels of service, luxury hotels, more gormet food choices, comfortable transportation, and offer more all-inclusive payment options.
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The Best Tours in Europe
Budget-Friendly Tours
Budget-friendly and affordable train and rail tours in Europe average $163 per day, with daily prices from $125 to $197. Budget tours usually include hotels, meals, and activities that are not quite as nice as other tours. Often, they might only include transportation, lodging, and some activities, leaving you on your own to pay for meals and other attractions during the tour. This can be a very convenient and economical way to visit France without spending too much money, as it gives you control over the amount you spend on meals and extra services. If you're looking for a really great option, check out Europa Railroad: City Crawl to Canals, Peaks & Gelato here.
Mid-Range Tours
For typical train and rail tours in Europe that fall in the middle range of prices, the average cost is $268 per day. Daily prices range from $198 to $362. Taking this step up in price from the cheaper tours to mid-range will often get you plenty of extra amenities and service for a great price. These tours usually include very comfortable hotels, meals at delicious local restaurants, comfortable transportation, knowledgable guides, and entry to many of the top attractions. One of the best tours is Mediterranean Express: Rivieras & Railroads.
Luxury Tours
Luxury train and rail tours in Europe average around $268 per day, with daily costs ranging from $366 to $940. At this price, you'll be very well taken care of and pampered on your journey through the scenic destinations. Knowledgable guides, the best accommodation options, the finest restaurants, comfortable transportation, and quick entry into attractions are all part of the itinerary. Every luxury and detail has been planned and thought about so that you don't have to deal with any hassle, you simple show up and enjoy your vacation. One of the best luxury tours here is Mediterranean Coastal Journey Spain, France & Italy (Barcelona to Tuscan Countryside) (2024).
Which tour companies offer train & rail tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer train and rail tours in Europe. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
Meet and Greet Italy
Focusing on Italy, Meet and Greet Italy is a smaller tour company which provides a personalized level of service to customers. Traveling with Meet and Greet Italy provides for a very personal experience, because most of their tours have less than 13 people. Some of their offerings cater to families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from Meet and Greet Italy
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
TruTravels
TruTravels is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, and Italy. Budget travelers will appreciate the relative affordability of the company's offerings. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as island hopping, surfing, snorkelling, camping, kayaking, and cooking classes.
G Adventures
G Adventures is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Thailand, Peru, South Africa, and Vietnam. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, island hopping, snorkelling, surfing, wine tasting, kayaking, cooking classes, water sports, jungle surfing, and canyoning.
See All Tours from G Adventures
Train & Rail Destinations in Europe
Wondering where train & rail tours visit in Europe? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Rome
Rome is the capital city of Italy, and for many visitors it serves as the entry and departure point of their trip. Rome is filled with ancient ruins hidden next to modern development. It's a history enthusiasts dream. The city is also filled with cafes and Italian restaurants where you can sip wine and dine on Italian pasta dishes.
Venice
Venice is one of the most popular attractions in Italy, and at times it does feel more like an attraction than a city. But that doesn't mean that it's not truly beautiful and romantic - a not -to-be-missed stop on any Italian itinerary. Part of the experience in Venice is simply getting lost. Tucked away in the hidden corners you'll find what really makes this city one-of-a-kind.
Florence
Florence is the capital of Italy's famous Tuscany region. It's a city filled with some of the world's most famous and beautiful art and architecture. There are many iconic sights including the famous Duomo, the Uffizi Gallery, and the The Galleria dell'Accademia where you'll find Michelangelo's David. The city is also filled with cafes and shops where you can buy fine Italian items or souvenir knockoffs.
Paris
Paris is not only the capital city of France, but it is one of Europe's most iconic cities. For many visitors, its a dream destination that is filled with wide boulevards, charming cafes, and world class landmarks. The food is widely recognized as some of the best in the world. The city sits along the River Seine, and a stroll down the river at night is a quintessential Parisian experience.
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Other popular destinations for train & rail tours through Europe include San Gimignano, St Moritz, Vatican City, Capri, and Fort William.
Train & Rail Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
When deciding between a self-planned trip and an organized tour, remember to evaluate the key features of each travel style.
Organized Tours
Pros- Guided tours ensure you see all the major attractions efficiently.
- Professional guides provide historical context and interesting facts.
- You don’t need to navigate or worry about transportation.
- Tickets and entry to popular sights are often pre-arranged.
- Group tours can offer discounts on attractions and services.
- Local guides help you discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots.
- Tours often include additional perks like meals or refreshments.
- The itinerary is planned for you, saving you time and effort.
- You can meet other travelers with similar interests.
- Guides help with language barriers and local customs.
- The fixed schedule may not align with your personal preferences.
- Tours may include stops that don’t interest you as much as others.
- You have less flexibility to explore attractions at your own pace.
- Some tours cater to general audiences and may lack depth.
Independent Travel
Pros- You can create an itinerary tailored to your specific interests.
- Independent travel allows you to spend as much time as you want at each location.
- You have the freedom to explore at your own pace.
- Flexibility allows you to visit attractions on your own schedule.
- You can discover unique experiences not included in standard tours.
- Researching and planning can be time-consuming.
- You must navigate unfamiliar places on your own.
- Managing transportation between attractions can be challenging.
- Popular attractions may sell out or have long lines.
- You might miss out on local insights provided by professional guides.
- Language barriers can make communication more difficult.
- There’s no support system if unexpected issues arise during your trip.
Which is cheaper?
Are guided train and rail tours more expensive than independent travel? It depends. Tours typically bundle accommodations, transportation, meals, tickets, guides, and activities into one price, while independent travel requires paying for these elements separately. To understand the cost difference, compare the total price of a tour with the estimated cost of handling all arrangements yourself. Personal preferences, like staying in budget accommodations or dining at upscale restaurants, could tip the balance either way. Always check what's covered in the tour to make an informed comparison.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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