Train tours and holidays worldwide

Europe | East Asia | India | Central Asia | Latin America | Africa

Choose the railway over the runway

A journey by rail is one of the most romantic ways to travel, offering glimpses into rural life and scenic views that no other mode of transport can compete with. Cox & Kings offers a huge variety of classic rail holidays around the world, from the Eastern & Oriental Express in south-east Asia, to India’s Deccan Odyssey and the Trans-Siberian Express in Europe.

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Benefits of train travel

 The sustainable choice: by taking the train over the plane, you can reduce your carbon footprint and so travel the world more kindly.

 Journey in style: luxury trains chauffeur you in elegant carriages through cinematic landscapes, while heritage trains reveal the history of your destination. Both regularly feature on our tours, and are often a major highlight for our guests.

 Travel in comfort: while being free from the stresses of the airport and the congestion of the roads, maximise your comfort by choosing your preferred class of train ticket. Our destination experts can advise on the best options for each rail.

 No-fly holidays: we can arrange for you to join any of our Europe group tours by rail, so you need never step foot in an airport. We can also design a private holiday anywhere in the world that prioritises travel by train over air or road.

 See more scenery: through a plane porthole, one cloud looks much like another, but from a train carriage, you can see your destination in detail as each pastoral scene and romantic cityscape rolls by.

Luxury and high-speed trains

Luxury trains

Rail travel at its most romantic

The world’s best luxury trains evoke the golden age of rail travel, when the well-dressed and well-heeled journeyed between grand cities under towers of steam. Expect vintage carriages decked out in art-deco detail, on-board dining to satisfy the most discerning palates, and private cabins as sumptuous as five-star suites. Luxury trains we recommend include:

Belmond Andean Explorer: South America’s only luxury sleeper train takes passengers between Peru’s celebrated sights, and features stylish en-suite cabins, a restaurant, an observation carriage, and even a spa. Experience this on our Train to Machu Picchu group tour.

Maharajas’ Express: complete with comfortable overnight cabins and vintage interiors, this luxury train reveals North India in all its multicoloured finery. Experience this on our Indian Splendour private holiday.

Al Andalus: glamorous 1920s interiors combine with 21st-century luxuries aboard this ‘hotel on wheels’, which navigates the UNESCO-listed attractions of Spain’s Andalucía region. Experience this on a tailor-made holiday to Spain.

Rovos Rail: elegantly rebuilt, wood-panelled trains journey through the heart of Africa, blending breath-taking scenery with the glamour of the golden age of rail travel. Experience this on our Southern Cross Adventure private holiday.

High-speed trains

From A to B in the blink of an eye

In the age of high-speed rail, you can cross countries lightning-fast without compromising on comfort. Europe’s integrated network features several high-speed services, making multi-country tours of the continent easier than ever. Meanwhile, pioneering bullet and maglev trains link East Asia’s major cities. Highspeed services we recommend include:

Shinkansen: Japan was the first to build a high-speed rail network, cementing its reputation as a nation living in the future. Its bullet trains – or shinkansen – have been whisking people between the largest metropolises since 1964. Experience this iconic mode of travel on our Japan in Style private holiday.

Frecciarossa: Italy’s modern, comfortable ‘Red Arrow’ trains zip between popular destinations including Naples, Florence and Rome at up to 300km per hour.

HSR: No high-speed rail service carries more people as far as China’s HSR, developed at break-neck speeds worthy of the trains themselves. It features the world’s first commercial maglev line, on which Shanghai’s trains float free of friction. Experience the HSR on our China in Style by Rail private holiday.

Rail tours and holidays

Europe

Europe’s integrated rail network allows you to cross the continent seamlessly. Here, too – right on your doorstep – are some of the world’s most scenic and luxurious rail journeys. Furthermore, thanks to the Eurostar, you can travel from the UK to the mainland without ever leaving the ground.

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East Asia

Home of the first bullet trains, East Asia is a destination of tea, temples and pioneering technology. Choose rail travel to explore the major cities of Japan and China in comfort and at speed.

India

For more laidback sightseeing, India’s heritage ‘toy trains’ ease along metre-gauge tracks through mountains and old hill stations. Meanwhile, India’s luxury rail services promise to treat you like a maharaja.

Central Asia

Where once Silk Road merchants crossed the Central Asian steppe by hoof, today you can explore this storied region without a saddle. Journey by train between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan to discover the wealth of history and natural beauty in this oft-overlooked region.

Latin America

Latin America encompasses a dazzling variety of landscapes, and rail travel is one of the best ways to admire them. Drink in Peru’s Andean vistas from observation carriages and luxe sleeper cabins, be captivated by Mexico’s plunging Copper Canyon aboard the Chepe Express, and much more.

Africa

From the peaks to the plains, and the cities to the coast, Africa’s ever-changing scenery is a compelling reason to take the train. You can choose adventure at scale aboard the likes of the cross-country Rovos Rail, or opt for small-scale charm, such as the hop-on hop-off wine train in South Africa’s vineyards.