Classic Rail Holidays, Train Holidays, Tours & Journeys
Our touring holidays now feature rail journeys and train tours across the USA, Canada, South Africa, Russia, China, Switzerland, Austria and many more destinations. Classic trains include The Rocky Mountaineer, VIA Rail’s ‘Canadian’, ‘Ocean’ and ‘Skeena’ trains, Trans-Siberian Express, The Blue Train, Bernina Express, Red Lizard Train, Japanese Bullet Train, Zillertal Train and more.
For full holiday itineraries, availability & prices click the links below.
USA & Canada Classic Rail holidays:
Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres and Toltec Railroad is one of the American West’s finest and most spectacular steam era railroads. Since its construction in the 1880s little has changed on this historic line, travelling along the rim of the 800ft deep Toltec Gorge and taking in the awe-inspiring sights of the Rocky Mountains as you travel from Colorado to New Mexico.
Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway in 1882, and was originally constructed to haul silver and gold from the San Juan Mountains. Passengers started to use the service due to its impeccable views, and the train has been in service for the last 126 years carrying people along the route with its vintage steam locomotives.
Napa Valley Wine Train
Travelling on the Napa Valley Wine Train will take you back to the elegant bygone era of beautifully appointed 1950s rail cars. The three hour journey takes you from the Napa Valley to the quaint village of St Helena and back again. The obvious highlights of this tour include trying some of California’s best wines and enjoying a superb luncheon aboard this exquisite train.
VIA Rail: Ocean Train
Ride VIA Rail's Ocean Train through the Quebec countryside and across New Brunswick to the harbour city of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The train leaves Montréal in the evening and travels through the small villages on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River before entering the Matapédia Valley. By very early morning, you'll see Chaleur Bay. From there, the Ocean heads south across New Brunswick, where it stops in Moncton before noon, and then continues on to Nova Scotia to arrive at Halifax around mid-afternoon. Discover VIA Rail’s Ocean Train on the following holidays.
Pikes Peak Cog Railway
The Pikes Peak Cog Railway is the worlds highest cog train and indeed the highest train in the USA. It travels to the 14,110-foot summit where passengers are able to experience the awe-inspiring views across Denver and Colorado Springs from Pikes Peak, a mountain in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.
Royal Gorge Railroad
With 24 miles of stunning scenery, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad journeys through 1,000ft deep canyons that run alongside the Arkansas River. The Royal Gorge is frequented by Bald Eagles, Blue Heron and Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, and your trip which runs parallel with the raging river, will give rise to some fascinating wildlife while passing through Colorado.
VIA Rail: Skeena Train
Prepare for the trip of a lifetime as you board the Skeena Train for a spectacular scenic rail journey through the majestic Coast mountains and alongside the mighty Skeena River, known as the ‘River Mists’, and the rainforests of the Pacific Coast. The route starts at Prince Rupert, a quaint fishing port, and retraces ancient Native Indian trading routes towards the former fur trading post and now thriving commercial centre of Prince George, all the while looking out for bald eagles, black bears, moose, and other wildlife from the comfort of the train’s observation dome.
The Rocky Mountaineer
A combination of glittering cities and mountainous scenery with a two-day rail journey through the Canadian Rockies to the Pacific Ocean aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, the ‘most spectacular train trip in the world’. Passing the mighty Mount Robson, the train follows alongside the mighty Thompson River and through the spectacular landscapes of the Monashee Mountains, vast icefields and ranchlands. Enjoy the stark beauty of Fraser Canyon, the raging turbulence of Hell's Gate and the fertile fields of the Fraser Valley, surrounded by the snow-capped Coast Mountains. Other tour highlights include Calgary, Banff National Park, Lake Louise, Columbia Icefield snowcoach ride, Jasper, Vancouver and Victoria as well as the Rocky Mountaineer journey. Discover The Rocky Mountaineer included in the following itineraries.
The Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer and Canadian Rail
The Rocky Mountaineer, Fraser Discovery Route
Named after Simon Fraser, an explorer of the region in the early 1800s, the Fraser Discovery Route is a two-day train journey from Jasper to Whistler taking you through rolling hills, mountains and the historic gold-rush region of Cariboo and the Canadian Rockies. You will enjoy the comfort of an overnight stay in the quaint town of Quesnel and see the astounding sight of majestic Mount Robson, the highest in the Canadian Rockies.
VIA Rail: The Canadian
Marvel at the scenery as you travel from Toronto to Vancouver by train and coach on our Grand Canadian Rail & the Rockies tour. Travel on the world-famous ‘Canadian', VIA Rail's premier trans-continental train on this classic trip across Canada's heartland. Your first-class accommodation is in charming fully refurbished Art Deco cars from the 1950s. Try the observation dome for unparalleled views of the Canadian countryside as you travel through Canada's landscape or pass the time in one of the comfortable lounges. Canada is even more breathtaking in winter and our Majestic Canadian Winter Rail tour takes you through magnificent snow covered scenery. Check out VIA Rail’s Canadian Train on the following holidays.
Grand Canadian Rail & the Rockies
Majestic Canadian Winter Rail
The Rocky Mountaineer & Canadian Rail
The Whistler Mountaineer
Climbing aboard The Whistler Mountaineer will provide you with an exclusive look at some of the most spectacular views in British Columbia. Following the famous Sea to Sky corridor, this three-hour train experience is a link between two world-class destinations, showcasing Vancouver to Whistler, British Columbia, like never before. Not only will you experience a relaxing and comfortable ride but you will also be privy to such scenic delights as cascading waterfalls, old-growth forests, snow-capped mountain peaks and brilliant Pacific waters from a unique train perspective. All guests will have access to the open-air observation car, offering fresh air and unrestricted views of the spectacular scenery.
European Classic Rail holidays:
Bernina Express
You can travel from ice-age glaciers to palm trees on the Bernina Express in just 2½ hours. On the Rhaetian Railway’s north-south Alpine crossing, pass wild gorges, soaring bridges, fascinating loop tunnels and white glaciers close enough to reach out and touch. We take the Bernina Express train to Tirano for one of Europe's most spectacular and breath-taking train rides. Starting in Pontresina you cross the lofty Bernina Pass via the Swiss Poschiavo area to Tirano in the Italian Valtellina, witnessing an array of beautiful mountain streams, glaciers and alpine scenery along the way. Take a look at the following holidays that use the Bernina Express.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express travels on the famous Swiss mountain railways from St.Moritz to Zermatt and vice versa. A 7½ hour railway journey across 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and across the Oberalp Pass at 2,033 metres in altitude. A panoramic trip through the Alps in the heart of Switzerland. The Glacier Express travels a beautiful route between the sights of the Graubünden holiday region, central Switzerland, including Lake Lucerne and Lucerne itself, the sunny Valais region with its glacier landscape, and the beautiful regions of the South. Travel in comfort through the unspoilt natural beauty of a landscape rich in ancient, fragrant mountain forests, peaceful Alpine meadows, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys, soaked in tradition and centuries-old culture. Check out the following itineraries that include the Glacier Express.
Alpine Adventure & Glacier Express
Scenic Switzerland by Rail
Golden Pass
The Golden Pass Panoramic train then takes you to from Lucerne to Lausanne. Cross the Brunig Pass en-route to Interlaken via Zweisimmen and Montreux. Stop in Meiringen, famous for its Reichenbach Falls and Sherlock Holmes museum. The Golden Pass Line is the natural link between Central Switzerland and Lake Geneva. From the shores of Lake Lucerne over Brünig Pass, past weathered timber houses and flower-decorated windows, it travels more than 149 miles though many highlights of Switzerland.
Gornergrat
A visit to the Gornergrat ridge of the Pennine Alps is a must, especially when you get to view the whole spectacular journey on the Gornergrat Bahn rack railway, heading off from Zermatt. On your trip you will get to see the Gorner Glacier, and visit Switzerland’s highest open-air train station. The railway opened in 1898 and climbs almost 1500 metres to the south-western tip of the ridge, which is over 3,000 metres above sea level.
Lossnitz Valley Railway
Built in 1884 the Lossnitz Valley Railway is one of the finest examples of Germany’s long valued narrow-gauge railways. It has been running every day for the last 120 years and starts its journey from Radebeul travelling across the stunning views and beautiful countryside of the Lossnitz Valley, passing through Moritzburg en-route to Radeburg. Whilst visiting its 11 stations and stops you will also travel along some 17 bridges on the way.
Zillertal Train
Explore the magnificent Alpine region of Austria together with the great city of Salzburg on our Discover the Mountains and Trains of Austria tour. The scenic train journey uses the Zillertal steam train from Fügen through the beautiful Ziller Valley to the pretty little town of Mayrhofen, steeped in rustic charm. The speed will not exceed 35 km/h, which gives you plenty of time to marvel at the beautiful landscape.
Classic Worldwide Rail holidays:
Red Lizard Train
Our Tunisian Adventure tour is an enchanting blend of European sophistication and Arabian exoticism and includes the ‘Old Bey's' train, now called the Red Lizard. Prepare to be enthralled as you take a spectacular rail journey through the otherwise inaccessible Gorges of Selja with plenty of opportunity for stunning photography. The train and track were built in 1910 so the Governor of Tunis could get to his summer palace.
Shatabadi Express
The Shatabdi Express trains are a super-fast passenger service operated by Indian Railways. Running at a regular speed of 130 km/h the lines were built to link the newly emerging modern metropolis’ of India. The Best of Kerala & Southern India tour incorporates a train schedule that will pass from Mysore to Chennai, travelling from west to east across India’s varied and stunning landscapes.
Trans-Siberian Express
Experience the world's greatest railway adventure on the epic Trans-Siberian Express - travelling across two continents from fascinating Moscow to Beijing. Highlights include Moscow, Irkutsk, Lake Baikal boat ride, Beijing Summer Palace, The Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven.
Bullet Train
Japan’s high speed trains, known as Shinkansen, act as the main connection for Japan’s largest towns and cities. The intricate network, operated by Japan Railways, is able to achieve speeds of over 300 km/h. This amazing mode of transportation is used on the Journey through Japan tour, linking two of our stops on the holiday, Hiroshima and Kyoto, by Bullet Train.
The Blue Train (South Africa)
With a name that has become synonymous with luxurious travel having accommodated Kings and Presidents during its service, The Blue Train is the ultimate in comfortable rail travel. The Blue Train travels from Johannesburg to Cape Town stopping at must-see sights en-route, including the Open Mine Museum. The train also takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of South Africa on the way to travelling along the Garden Route.
South Africa & The Garden Route
Cape Town and the Garden Route
Archers Direct Holidays
Archers Direct offer a huge range of great holidays including touring holidays (coach holidays), cruises, beach & resort holidays, river cruises, short breaks, multi centre holidays & twin centre holidays, special interest holidays, rail holidays, & safaris.
We offer year round holiday travel so we have hundreds holiday ideas for summer holidays, winter holidays, Christmas holidays & Xmas holidays, New Year holidays, half term holidays, Easter holidays, school holidays and bank holidays (January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November & December).
We fly direct from the following UK airports: London airports – Heathrow airport, Gatwick airport, Luton airport & Stansted airport as well as Birmingham airport, Bristol airport, East Midlands airport, Edinburgh airport, Glasgow airport, Manchester airport, Newcastle airport & Belfast airport.
Booking direct holidays with Archers Direct means you don't pay travel agent's commission, which is great news if you're searching for cheap holidays, bargain holidays, last minute holidays, holiday deals, discount holidays, package holidays & budget holidays. We offer great deals on trips for single travellers and groups and we are we are members of ABTA & ATOL.
Rail Holidays Train Holidays Tours Journeys Rocky Mountaineer USA Canada Russia China Switzerland Austria Tunisia Rocky Mountaineer Canadian Durango & Silverton Trans-Siberian Express Bernina Express Gisela Red Lizard
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable)
Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme.
© Copyright 2008. All rights reserved. All holidays & offers are subject to availability.