Thanks to a constantly improving European rail system, with faster international trains and seamless border crossings, the unique and spectacular sights of the Continent are now more accessible than ever. At Great Rail Journeys we choose our trains with care, using the most swift and efficient services between cities and the best available trains on scenic routes. By rail you can experience sights that cannot be seen any other way. Whether you're travelling into the breathtaking Alps, along panoramic coastal routes, through dramatic Greek gorges or beside the sparkling Fjords of Norway, the train provides the ideal viewpoint.

High speed trains

One thing is for certain, train journeys to Europe are getting faster. The new TGV Est European high-speed line cuts previous journey times by as much as half. The journey from Paris to Frankfurt, for example, now takes just three hours and 50 minutes. The modern trains of the TGV Est not only get us to our destinations quickly - they also provide extra leg-room, reclining seats and individual reading lights. And, designed by Christian Lacroix, they look pretty impressive too!

High-speed trains represent the elite of European rail travel. They run on dedicated tracks through highly efficient, integrated networks, with excellent levels of reliability. They use the very latest technology, often tilting to straighten out the curves. These super-efficient trains include Eurostar (from London to the Continent), the TGV and TGV Est (for travel through France) and Thalys (as the TGV is known on routes between Brussels, Cologne and Amsterdam). The ICE train is Deutsche Bahn's well-appointed Inter City Express, for journeys through Germany and into Austria and Eastern Europe, Cisalpino provides travel between Italy/Switzerland/ Germany, AVE on high-speed lines through Spain, Eurostar Italia on Italy's new high-speed lines and, in Sweden, the X2000.

For more information on Eurostar's new departure points, St Pancras International and Ebbsfleet International, click here.

Traditional trains

Traditional trains like the InterCity, EuroCity and Corail are the backbone of Europe's rail system. Less glamorous than their high-speed cousins, they benefit from high levels of rail investment and most of the trains you will encounter are either new or recently refurbished. These are fast trains offering the traditional rail experience, linking major centres on our longer journeys where high-speed trains are not available or where scenic routes are preferable.

Local, scenic and heritage trains

Many of the most scenic rural routes are operated by smaller, local trains - some of them historic - which give you an ideal opportunity to take a trip back in time or immerse yourself fully into the local culture. As well as forming vital communication links between towns and villages, the scenic nature of local trains means they are also important tourist attractions. We offer local trains as either the focal point of our tours, or as exciting and interesting excursions in themselves. Many of our tours include trips on heritage lines, often steam-hauled.

Overnight Sleeper trains

Sleeper trains are an increasingly popular way to travel as they allows us to cross hundreds of kilometres overnight, arriving in a new and exciting destination, early the next morning. Many sleeper carriages have been recently refurbished, and offer two-berth accommodation and privacy, with comfortable seating converting to upper and lower berths for the overnight journey. Whilst the sleeper services we use are clean and functional, the space inside compartments can be limited. Facilities vary from service to service, but most compartments benefit from their own washbasin and, in some cases, a private WC. Some sleeper carriages also benefit from shower facilities. In addition, most sleeper services have a restaurant car, open from the moment our train departs until late into the journey, serving hot and cold meals and a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Dinner in the restaurant car or a light meal and drinks are included on some journeys. Where a restaurant car is not available, a porter is on hand to provide a small selection of snacks and drinks, at a small extra cost. There is often an attendant to look after you, bring additional refreshments, make the beds and bring that welcome breakfast in the morning.

Private/cruise trains

On a select few holidays, we feature travel by private trains which are chartered (either partially or wholly) for the enjoyment of our tour group. These trains act as our accommodation as well as our mode of transport; meals are usually included, and there are often off-train excursions.

Convenient timings

We take great care planning our holiday itineraries to ensure you travel on the best trains available, and we try to avoid early starts or late arrivals. There is usually time for breakfast before you catch your train and time for dinner after arrival at your hotel.

Seating arrangements

Where more than one class of service and seating is available on a journey, we usually reserve seats in First Class or its equivalent. However, on certain holidays, Standard Class may be the only option available - details are shown in each tour description. We do our best to satisfy any specific seating requirements you may have, for example a forward-facing seat or to be seated with friends, but please understand that as we make our arrangements at least a year in advance, it is not possible to guarantee such requests.