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Classic Rail Holidays, Train Holidays, Tours & Journeys

Our touring holidays now feature classic rail journeys & train tours across the USA, Canada, Russia, China, Switzerland, Austria, Tunisia & New Zealand. Classic trains include The Rocky Mountaineer, VIA Rail’s Canadian, Ocean & Skeena trains, Trans-Siberian Express Bernina Express, Gisela Train, Red Lizard Train, Tranzalpine Express and more.

For full holiday itineraries, availability & prices click the links below.

Canada Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to Canada

The Rocky Mountaineer

Canada

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.

The Rocky Mountaineer
The Rocky Mountaineer

VIA Rail: ‘Canadian Train’

Canada

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 Winter Rail tour takes you through magnificent snow covered scenery.

VIA Rail: ‘Canadian Train’
VIA Rail: ‘Canadian Train’

VIA Rail: ‘Ocean Train’

Canada

Ride the VIA Rail Ocean train with a comfortable bedroom 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.

VIA Rail: ‘Ocean Train’
VIA Rail: ‘Ocean Train’

VIA Rail: ‘Skeena Train’

Canada

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 of Mists', down to the rainforests of the Pacific Coast. The route starts at Prince George, formerly a fur trading post and now a thriving commercial centre then retraces ancient Native Indian trading routes and the paths of the earliest fur traders. Watch out for bald eagles, black bears, moose, and other wildlife from the train's observation dome. Finally, the train arrives in the fishing port of Prince Rupert.

VIA Rail: ‘Skeena Train’
VIA Rail: ‘Skeena Train’

The Whistler Mountaineer

Canada

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.

The Whistler Mountaineer
The Whistler Mountaineer

The Alaska Railroad

Alaska & Canada

Board the world-famous Alaska Railroad for a memorable journey through untamed wilderness. Sit back in comfort and enjoy spectacular scenery through wide windows. Be sure to take advantage of the domed roof car. The journey ends in Denali National Park, dominated by North America's highest peak, 20,320-foot Mount McKinley. You can watch the drama unfurl in the comfort of forward-facing seats, classic recliners, or sneak peaks of the breathtaking wilderness from one of the many outdoor viewing areas. Satisfy your wanderlust going from circa-50s style coaches, to the upper dome to the dining car, complete with polished silver and sparkling crystal. There is no restaurant in Alaska that can match the view.

The Alaska Railroad

USA Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to the USA

The Durango & Silverton Railroad & Others

Colorado, USA

On our National Parks & Trains of Colorado tour you'll explore magnificent mountain scenery, featuring some of the most famous rail journeys in the US. Visit the Colorado Railroad Museum, ride on the Pike's Peak Cog Railway and the Royal Gorge Railroad. On the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad you'll cross the Colorado-New Mexico border eleven times. Board the famous Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for a scenic ride through San Juan National Forest.

The Durango & Silverton Railroad & Others

Russia & China Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to Russia & China

The Trans-Siberian Express

Russia & China

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, Hutong, Great Wall, Ming Tombs, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven.

The Trans-Siberian Express
The Trans-Siberian Express

Switzerland Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to Switzerland

The Glacier Express Alpine Train

Switzerland

The Glacier Express travels on the famous Swiss mountain railways from St.Moritz to Zermatt and vice versa. A 7 1/2 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.

The Glacier Express Alpine Train
The Glacier Express Alpine Train

The Bernina Express Alpine Train

Switzerland

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 St Moritz 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.

The Bernina Express Alpine Train
The Bernina Express Alpine Train

The Golden Pass Train

Switzerland

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.

The Golden Pass Train
The Golden Pass Train

Austria Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to Austria

The Gisela Train & Zillertal Steam Train

Austria

Explore the magnificent Alpine region of Austria together with the great city of Salzburg on our Discover the Mountains and Trains of Austria tour. Enjoy a memorable trip on the Gisela Train to the quaint, old town of Kitzbühel, set in a spectacular location against a backdrop of mountains and lush, green meadows. The centrepiece of the original train is the Royal Imperial Mail Carriage, built in 1910. You can also vsit the Pullman car, where you’ll find the original post box with its own special stamp. Our second scenic train journey is 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.

The Gisela Train & Zillertal Steam Train

Tunisia Classic Rail Holidays & Train Tours

View all our classic rail journeys & train tours to Tunisia

The Red Lizard Train

Tunisia

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.

The Red Lizard Train

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