European Rail Journeys
Ever dreamt of experiencing the luxury on board the Orient Express or climbing through the Swiss Alps aboard the Glacier Express? From exploring the French Riviera to city-hopping from London to Budapest, your next unforgettable rail journey across Europe is ready and waiting.
Popular Rail Journeys View all
10 or 9 Days Zurich to Lucerne or Lake Maggiore to Lucerne
Operator: Collette
From 4,511pp
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Explore has been taking small groups on adventure holidays all over the world for almost 40 years. The expert team, at home and overseas, works together more to create itineraries that leave you feeling that you’ve really explored a destination rather than just visited. You’ll see the highlights, the must-sees, of course. But you’ll also get away from the beaten track, and get a different perspective on your destination. You’ll get closer to a place, its people and cultures.
Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences.
We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences.
We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
APT is an Australian family-owned company whose essence began in Melbourne in the 1920s. More than 90 years on, APT offers life-enriching trips to every more continent, and through the company’s vast industry experience, meticulous planning and unquestionable passion it's earned a place among the world’s most well-regarded travel companies.
From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.
Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
From boutique river cruising to small-group 4WD adventures; traditional coach touring with a decadent twist; epic rail journeys to small-ship expeditions; classic ocean cruising to safaris of discovery by both land and air – there’s little APT are unwilling to consider in pursuit of creating the finest holiday experience for its valued guests.
Timeless luxury, exclusive experiences, life enriching moments and true personalisation. APT offers all-inclusive holidays so everything is taken care of. We invite you to join us; you won’t be disappointed.
Topdeck's origin story was small group touring. It was 14 absolute adventurers who were fun and spirited and ready to go out there and see everything. more At the end of the 90's and into the 2000's, Topdeck moved to large coaches and now we're returning to or roots. Our travellers don’t see bigger groups as ‘more social’ -they want to connect quickly, with like-minded people, in a way that feels less overwhelming and less intrusive.
Small group touring unlocks up so many opportunities. We can now get into local tavernas or hole-in-the-wall restaurants, sit family-style, and build that cultural connection. We can run small optional expereinces and secure entry to highlights like the Alhambra much more easily than with a large coach. It makes each experience more immersive and flexible.
What’s changed is the trip itself: better choice of centrally located accommodation, richer in-destination experiences, and more inclusivity.
Small group touring unlocks up so many opportunities. We can now get into local tavernas or hole-in-the-wall restaurants, sit family-style, and build that cultural connection. We can run small optional expereinces and secure entry to highlights like the Alhambra much more easily than with a large coach. It makes each experience more immersive and flexible.
What’s changed is the trip itself: better choice of centrally located accommodation, richer in-destination experiences, and more inclusivity.
Discover Travel the Tracks to Europe's Cities
Step off the platform into Austria's elegant capital. Full of architectural beauty and cultural vibrancy, explore imperial palaces, sample classical music, marvel at modern art or get cozy at one of Vienna's many coffeehouses - where to start?
Arrive in Krakow and take a stroll through the medieval Old Town - Rynek Główny - Europe's largest medieval square and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, take a sombre tour to nearby Auschwitz and Birkenau.
Wind along the scenic coast by train to the picture-perfect Côte d'Azur. With inviting turquoise waters, pebbled beaches, and vibrant markets, you'll soak up endless sunshine in the French Riviera, with Nice and Monaco at your fingertips.
Journey by rail to Trondheim and explore the Bakklandet neighbourhood with its coloured storehouses. Visit the world's northernmost medieval cathedral, Nidaros Cathedral, or check out the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology.
Enjoy a scenic trip through diverse landscapes on your way to Casablanca. A coastal city with French colonial architecture, the iconic Hassan II Mosque also awaits exploration; a rail journey to Morocco calls. Here's looking at you, Casablanca.
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys through Europe
Soloish travel through Italy Solo-ish Italy Gina, MN, United States, Oct 2025
The soloish trip to Italy was the best trip I have taken. Having a group of solo travelers patriciate in a pasta making class the first night was an excellent bonding moment. I had such a good time, our CEO was outstanding and I have made lifelong friends. I will definitely travel with G adventures again.
Amazing Switzerland Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains Wendy, WA, Australia, Sep 2025
A good tour. Damiano was a good tour director, was very helpful when we got stuck in Milan after our train to Zurich was cancelled due to flooding. Got to Zurich but again missed the first day of the tour. Some hotels were disappointing. The meals together were OK nothing special. Thought we should of had professional guides in some cities instead of read more Damiano being guide. His English is ok but maybe a guide would of been better.
Spectacular Scenery Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains Ros and Gayle, Qld, Australia, Sep 2025
The highlight of this tour was the trip on the Bernina Express. The scenery was 'wow' factor around every corner. The tour was very well organised and ran smoothly. The bus driver, Enzo, was an incredibly careful driver, especially as some of the roads were very high, with difficult bends. The main guide, Dario and local guides were all excellent. read more The hotels were of superior quality. As a suggestion, it would have been preferable to have one less day (3 night stay) in Lake Maggiore and instead stay one night at Lake Como, as we drove straight past and only caught glimpses of the Lake.
The visit to the cheese farm before reaching Lake Maggiore should be reviewed. It was a little disorganised and too long, although in fairness, it was their first time in hosting tours. The conclusion of the tour in Lucerne meant that all passengers had the additional cost of taxis to Zurich, for the flight home, as Lucerne does not have an international airport. Perhaps the tour could have terminated in Zurich, were it commenced.
The visit to the cheese farm before reaching Lake Maggiore should be reviewed. It was a little disorganised and too long, although in fairness, it was their first time in hosting tours. The conclusion of the tour in Lucerne meant that all passengers had the additional cost of taxis to Zurich, for the flight home, as Lucerne does not have an international airport. Perhaps the tour could have terminated in Zurich, were it commenced.
Fabulous Train Trip Around Switzerland Scenic Switzerland by Train Maureen and Rita, PA, United States, Aug 2025
We had a wonderful time traveling all around Switzerland with our tour guide Flo. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for her! She was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and we highly recommend her for any Alpine trips! While the hotels and meals were a bit “less” than we expected, the trip was great! Working with our travel advisor Candace McCrae was beyond read more superior! We asked many many questions, which she aptly answered, and if she didn’t know offhand, she did research and hot back to us! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for her!
