National Geographic Traveller (UK)
Great rail journeys
Want to chase the midnight sun, explore Vienna or spot a tiger in the wild? We pick three train trips where the journey matters as much as the destination
Snow-capped peaks, a glittering ord and a golden spire rising above a medieval city — just some of the views that scroll past the carriage window, giving passengers a tantalising glimpse of the spectacular landscapes waiting to be discovered.
Trains have long been the preferred choice for travellers who know that the journey can be part of the adventure. While some choose to travel independently under their own steam, others join organised tours that include trips on iconic trains to see world-renowned landmarks and natural attractions.
Great Rail Journeys, the world’s largest operator of escorted rail holidays, has been crafting tours for nearly 50 years. With over 300 itineraries, finding the tour to suit you can be overwhelming; here are three to try.
B E S T F O R N AT U R E - L OV E R S ARCTIC NORWAY AND THE MIDNIGHT SUN IN LOFOTEN
ITINERARY: Fjords, mountains, waterfalls and fishing villages.
TRAINS: Bergen Railway, Flåm Railway, Nordland and Raumabanen Railway
Take a journey from Oslo on the Bergen Railway, snaking around mountains, glaciers and ords towards Norway’s second-largest city. After exploring Bergen, board the famous Flåm Railway for an unforgettable ride along one of the steepest lines in the world. Cruise on Geirangerord, Europe’s highest ord, then continue by train to the former Viking capital of Trondheim. Cross the Arctic Circle on board the Nordland Railway to experience the midnight sun before ending the trip in Svolvær, the heart of the Lofoten Islands.
DETAILS: Visit late May to mid June, when the sun never sets in Lofoten. The 12-night inclusive tour, departing from Heathrow, costs from £3,095 per person. greatrail.com/ tours/norway-and-the-arctic-circle BEST F OR C ITY E XPLORERS
EUROPE’S GRAND IMPERIAL CITIES
ITINERARY: Vienna, Budapest, Prague and Berlin.
TRAINS: Eurostar, Railjet, InterCity Express and Children’s Railway
After an overnight journey from London’s St Pancras International to Brussels, it’s onward to Frankfurt, then Vienna, to spend three days exploring the stunning Austrian capital. Next stop is the Hungarian capital, Budapest, to enjoy the historic skyline by night, sprinkled with gargoyles and gothic bastions. Highlights of the short stay include a hillside tour of Buda on the Children’s Railway. Next stop: Prague, to explore this magical city of bridges and medieval architecture, before riding the rails to Berlin for a two-night stay, then taking the Eurostar from Brussels to London.
DETAILS: The 12-night inclusive trip from St Pancras has departure dates from March to October and costs from £2,095 per person.
greatrail.com/tours/grand-imperial-cities
BEST FOR EXPERIENCE-SEEKERS ULTIMATE RAJASTHAN AND THE PALACE ON WHEELS
ITINERARY: The Himalayan foothills, Rathambore National Park and the Taj Mahal.
TRAINS: Palace on Wheels, Shatabdi Express and the Shimla toy train.
Begin the tour exploring Delhi then coast through the Shivalik foothills on the toy train arriving in the mountain town of Shimla for an overnight stay in the Himalayan foothills. The journey continues on to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, where passengers board the Palace on Wheels for an experience reminiscent of travel during the days of the Raj with coaches representing different Rajput states. It’s a gateway to excursions such as Bengal tiger-spotting in Ranthambore National Park and cruises across Udaipur’s Lake Pichola. After five nights, the voyage ends in Agra with its sandstone citadel, Agra Fort, and the iconic Taj Mahal.
DETAILS: The 13-night trip, including flights from Heathrow, starts from £5,095 per person with departure dates from October to April. greatrail.com/tours/indias-palace-on-wheels