Riding the Rails: Top Rail Tour Companies for Scenic Journeys

October 3, 2025

I love rail travel! It’s a calm, slow paced (or sometimes super speedy) way to explore a country’s landscapes and get to your destination fed, watered and refreshed. Whether you go by bullet, luxury, steam or electric train, rail travel is often on time and convieniently accessed from towns and cities. There are lots of large picture windows for watching the world slip by both in sleeper cars and coach class, as well as dining cars, cafe cars and viewing areas. So slow down the pace a bit, take a more eco-friendly ride from one destination to another and enjoy the journey. The following Rail Tour Companies are our picks for personalised boutique rail journeys with excellent customer service and inspiring itineraries.

Rail Tour Companies

Railbookers

Railbookers are a one-stop shop for trains, hotels, sightseeinh, transfers and more. They take the complexity out of independent travel and make holiday planning easy (I can vouch for that – we took a section of their America’s National Parks Rail Tour and made it our own with Railbookers’ help). 👌 You can choose independent or guided itineraries including multi-country, multi-city, pre and post-cruise, rail and sail, and book the level of luxury from 3 – 5 star all in the same trip. And best of all, global staff across five countries are there to handle any unplanned disruptions such as train delays, strikes or emergencies.

Vacations by Rail

Explore Australia by train on The Ghan, Indian Pacific, Great Southern and The Overland trains. It’s north to south and east to west of ever-changing landscapes, culture and people and onboard, the stage is set as your backdrop whistles by. Familiar and friendly service leads the way, with every moment another glorious memory in this spectacular show – the exceptional food, the plush cabins, the laid back Outback Explorer Lounge, the friends you make, the Off Train Experiences, the insanely beautiful Australian sunrises and sunsets. These are journeys of truly epic proportions made easy with Journey Beyond who offer enriching, expertly crafted, all-inclusive holiday packages.

Journey Beyond Rail

Avalon’s river cruises feature Suite Ships with spacious Panorama Suites & wall-to-wall windows for spectacular views. As part of the Globus family of brands, Avalon Waterways has been consistently named No.1 and Best in Class by the industry’s most trusted authorities and travel lovers.

Magnificent Rail

Magnificent Rail offers well-crafted, rail themed trips with a focus on culture, food, and adventures. With Magnificent Rail, you’ll see the world and make new friends while watching the countryside roll by. Inspired by the railway documentaries of British journalist, Michael Portillo, their trips follow in his footsteps, travelling through India, from Spain to Morocco, The Baltics, from Budapest to Istanbul and Japan by train, visiting places featured in the original Bradshaw Guides – and beyond. Magnificent Rail is the passion project of some of Australia’s most renowned travel experts who have drawn upon their decades of travel industry experience to put together wonderfully unique tours.

Railway Adventures

Railway Adventures, founded in 2012 by well-known Australian TV personality and self-confessed rail fan, Scott McGregor, has thrilled and delighted almost 1500 travellers on over 120 tours from Norway to Normanton, Transylvania to Tasmania and the Sri Lankan jungles to the South Australian Outback. Scott’s belief is that the most relaxing, romantic and engaging way to see a country is from the window of a train. Each one of our Tour Leaders is an experienced traveller and brings their own special brand of excellence to the Railway Adventures team. As a group, they offer unmatched passion, experience, and knowledge of rail history, local intel and tips, to culture and gastronomy.

Great Trains of Europe

Great Trains of Europe is a boutique Australian-based tour company specialising in historical/cultural tours of Europe, travelling on Europe’s great trains. They offer only a limited number of tours each year, all personally led by the company owner/manager, Mr Stan Klan of Toowoomba, who has more than 35 years’ experience as an historian/tour guide. Independent Touring is also offered – Depart any day and individual tour itineraries can be crafted especially for you! Trains featured on tours include great “name trains” such as the English Channel Eurostar, the French TGV, the German ICE, the Eurostar Italia, the Britrail 125, and the Cisalpino, as well as scenic trains such as Switzerland’s Glacier Express and Jungfraubahn, and the historic North Yorkshire Moors Steam Railway and the Carlisle to Settle train through the Yorkshire Moors and Dales in England. On the Great Trains of Europe Tours, every stop is at least 3 nights so you don’t feel like you are living out of a suitcase. Maximum number of participants on each tour is limited to 25 guests. This makes the group small enough to avoid the “herd mentality”, yet big enough to offer a variety of new friends.

Great Rail Journeys

Over the past 50 years, Great Rail Journeys has perfected the art of travel and today, their tours and cruises take you to the heart and soul of every destination, creating a lifetime of memories along the way. You will experience carefully selected hotels, unique excursions and authentic cultural experiences with award-winning itineraries, plus expert Tour Managers who are there from the start to ensure your journey is smooth and memorable. Inspired by the Dutch concept of ‘gezellig’ – the warm feeling of wellbeing and togetherness that comes from being part of a social group – an escorted tour with Great Rail Journeys means travelling with like-minded people enjoying good company and shared experiences.

McKinlay Kidd

Award-winning tailor-made holidays & Small Group Tours In Scotland, Ireland, England & Wales. Rated 100% In Independent Customer Reviews. McKinlay Kidd, launched in 2003 by husband and wife team Robert Kidd and Heather McKinlay, is dedicated to helping independently-minded visitors get the most out of their holiday. McKinlay Kidd believe in truely sustainability travel which is why they work almost exclusively with local, family-run businesses, building close and lasting relationships with business partners, based on mutual trust and an unerring commitment to customer satisfaction. In 2023 we enjoyed the McKinlay Kidd ‘Loch Ness, The Jacobite & Skye Guiided Rail Tour, and can highly recommend it!

Intrepid

Whether you’re a die-hard rail nerd or a novice train traveller, get on board because trains are the future of travel. Trains generally produce less carbon emissions than airplanes and fuel-powered cars, and by joining a rail trip, not only will you be taking a more scenic route, you’ll be skipping those tedious airport commutes and security queues. In a world that feels like it’s always going at full steam, rail travel invites you to settle in, turn to the window and appreciate the destination you’re in rather than rushing through it. Most trains taken on Intrepid’s tours are a mode of transport for local people. Whether it’s an overnight train from Delhi to Varanasi or a misty morning ride through the Scottish Highlands, rail travel doubles as an immersive cultural experience. With a local leader to help bridge language barriers, there’ll be plenty of opportunities to interact with your fellow passengers.

Rocky Mountaineer

The majesty of the Rockies meets the comfort of luxury train travel on the famous Rocky Mountaineer train. Travel through some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landscapes while enjoying world-class service, regionally-inspired cuisine, and rich stories from onboard Hosts, all from the comfort of our glass-dome coaches. The train offers GoldLeaf Service coaches which feature larger outdoor viewing platforms to get closer to the action, while SilverLeaf Service coaches are equipped with outdoor vestibules. No matter what level of service you choose, you’ll be immersed in breathtaking scenery during your luxury train experience and enjoy locally sourced gourmet meals with regionally-inspired onboard meals, snacks and included beverages. Overnight hotel accommodation(s) at our curated partner hotels are always included during your train journey so that, instead of losing landscapes to darkness, you’ll get a peaceful night’s sleep at a comfortable hotel before boarding the train again the next morning. Transfers for you and your luggage to and from the hotel during your overnight stay are included, making your travel on the Rocky Mountaineer as seamless and as stress-free as possible.

Golden Eagle Luxury Trains

Indulge in the epitome of elegance with Private Rail Cruising experiences, a magnificent way to immerse yourself in the alluring tapestry of culture and cinematic landscapes that define extraordinary destinations. unrivalled rail journeys by private train transport you across the regal landscapes of Europe, through the enchanting allure of India, and the mystical wonders of Central Asia along the historic Silk Road. We combine first-class customer service with an every day opportunity to uncover some of the world’s most awe-inspiring landmarks, all the while enjoying a ‘room with a view’ that presents an ever-evolving panorama of beauty. Onboard, prepare to be welcomed into a world of lavish comfort, with well-appointed cabins, exquisite dining experiences, and elegant surroundings that reflect the highest standards of luxury. Revel in a convivial atmosphere that knows no bounds, no matter which magnificent destination you choose to explore. Embark on a journey tailored just for you with a team of seasoned travel experts ready to transform your wanderlust into a bespoke adventure.