Train & Rail Tours in UK and Great Britain
4.5 stars on(8,092 reviews)- Choose from 22 UK and Great Britain tours
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10 best train tour packages in UK and Great Britain
Compiled by
SteffUK and Great Britain travel expert at TourRadar
- Best of Britain
- Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen
- One For The Road
- Loch Ness, the Jacobite and Skye Guided Rail Tour
- Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Guided Rail Tour
- Best of Britain by Train
- Titanic Trail Trail & Wild Atlantic Way including Donegal
- Manchester to the Scottish Highlands (Hotel) - 4 days
- London to Dublin & Waterford Crystal
- North Highlands & Orkney Guided Rail Tour
Duration 12 days Destinations England, Wales, Scotland Age Range 15 to 99 year olds Operator Intrepid Travel From $6,310
20% Off- NZ$5,048You save $1,262
Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The marvels of the region and the moving experience of the bagpipe playing made this a heartwarming tour.”
Aouabed, traveled in August
The UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge and Jacobite Steam Train's Glenfinnan Viaduct highlight Britain's rail heritage. Window seats guarantee views of Britain's highest mountains and shortest river.
Duration 2 days Destinations Edinburgh, Forth Bridge, Dunkeld, Cairngorms National Park, Culloden, Fort Augustus, Fort William, Mallaig, Glencoe Age Range 3 to 99 year olds Operator Highland Experience Tours From $881
10% Off- NZ$793You save $88
One For The Road
2 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I was very impressed by how flexible the team was in helping me customize my inter-rail tour. Thanks to TourRadar, I was able to see a vast amount of gorgeous Ireland.”
Patrick, traveled in June
Rail adventures connect Britain and Ireland from Dublin through Cork, Killarney, and Galway. The 15-day route features scenic railways, pre-booked seats, and central accommodations with comprehensive Interrail/Eurail passes.
Duration 15 days Destinations Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Galway Age Range 2 to 75 year olds Operator Interrailing Packages From
10% Off- NZ$4,452
Loch Ness, the Jacobite and Skye Guided Rail Tour
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The places we stayed were very nice and the food was delicious.”
Gretchen, traveled in May
Scottish railways link Glasgow's urban energy to Edinburgh's historic core. The route crosses the Forth Rail Bridge and Glenfinnan Viaduct, while the Kyle Line hugs the dramatic coastline with expert guides.
Duration 7 days Destinations Glasgow, Fort William, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Mallaig, Isle of Skye, Kyle of Lochalsh, Inverness, Edinburgh Age Range 18 to 85 year olds Operator McKinlay Kidd From
10% Off- NZ$5,680
Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way Guided Rail Tour
1 Review by TourRadar travelers“Irish roads are scary and the signs in towns are confusing, McKinlay Kidd is a good choice.”
David, traveled in September
Irish rails stretch from Dublin's vibrant center to Galway's colorful streets. The tracks lead through rural villages to Ennis's musical heritage and Killarney's Ross Castle, revealing landscapes from farmlands to coastal panoramas.
Duration 8 days Destinations Dublin, Galway, Ennis, Cliffs of Moher, Burren, Ring of Kerry, Killarney Age Range 18 to 80 year olds Operator McKinlay Kidd From
10% Off- NZ$5,680
Flexible anytime tickets connect Britain's landmarks from London to Edinburgh, including Bath, Oxford, Liverpool, and York. Standard class comfort and convenient station access, with hotels within 1 mile of stations.
Duration 13 days Destinations London, Bath, Oxford, Liverpool, York, Edinburgh Age Range 12 to 80 year olds Operator BTOURS From $15,390
5% Off- NZ$14,621You save $769
Historic railways link Dublin to Belfast and the Causeway Coast. First-class carriages wind through Northern Ireland's picturesque landscapes, connecting the Giant's Causeway and Belfast's Titanic Quarter.
Duration 11 days Destinations Dublin, Kildare, Cork, Blarney, Cobh, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Limerick, Bunratty, Cliffs of MoherSee all destinations Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Railtours Ireland First Class From
5% Off- NZ$6,828
The Jacobite Steam Train still crosses the historic Glenfinnan Viaduct. Mercedes mini-coaches connect Highland railways while visiting Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Stirling Castle.
Duration 4 days Destinations Manchester, Pooley Bridge, Glasgow, Luss, Oban, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, Glencoe, Stirling, Edinburgh Age Range 5 to 99 year olds Operator On The Go Tours From $2,965
15% Off- NZ$2,520You save $444
Western rails lead to Holyhead, meeting Irish Ferries' Ulysses. Historic railways wind through Counties Kildare, Carlow, and Tipperary, with Dublin's transport network access.
Duration 4 days Destinations London, Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Limerick Age Range up to 100 year olds Operator Railtours Ireland First Class From
15% Off- NZ$2,407
Northern rail routes stretch from Inverness's Far North Line to coastal tracks. Trains connect Helmsdale, Dunrobin Castle, and Thurso, coordinating with Orkney ferries for guided Highland community visits.
Duration 7 days Destinations Inverness, Thurso, John O'Groats, Kirkwall, Skara Brae, Stromness, Dornoch, Dunrobin Age Range 18 to 85 year olds Operator McKinlay Kidd From
15% Off- NZ$5,791
What people love about Train & Rail Tours in UK and Great Britain
- Highlights of Scotland
The trip was a huge success despite many challenges: our tour guide was ill and we had a last minute substitute (Sam) who was AMAZING, there was a railroad strike which necessitated last minute transportation changes and there was even a medical situation requiring a trip to A&E. Sam (first tour guide) was brilliant and he and Graham switched off towards the end of the trip. Graham was very professional, knowledgeable and even brought his guitar so we could all play and enjoy music in the evening. The hotels/accomodations were great, the travel was secure and the sites were well-chosen with a good mixture of outdoor walks/hikes as well as indoor activities such asmmuseums, etc. It was the first tour my husband and I have even been on, and it was top-notch. We met some amazing people, too. Bonus! This will be the first of many trips in the future for us! A deep and sincere "Thank you" is in order.
- Jacobite Steam Train & The Great Glen
great time had by my wife and me
Fabulous tour guide and drivers, beautiful scenery and very nice hotels. Train was fun but there was a strike on the train so we had to go by coach a little more than we would have liked. Also would have liked to go to more castles but r do other activities other than just driving and looking at scenery. Easily could have done the other distillery as well as go inside more castles. It was nice to have time on our own as well as very few early mornings.
Loch Ness, the Jacobite and Skye Guided Rail Tour
What our customers ask about Train & Rail Tours in UK and Great Britain
What are the most scenic train routes in UK and Great Britain?
The Scottish Highlands' West Highland Line stands out as a premier rail journey featuring the Glenfinnan Viaduct known from the Harry Potter films. The Kyle Line connects Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh offering views across to the Isle of Skye while the Far North Line runs through Helmsdale revealing the raw beauty of the northern Highlands. Reviews from travelers highlight well-timed stops for photographs of mountains and sea views. Accommodations range from the seaside Dornoch Hotel to the Alexandra Hotel which sits at the base of Ben Nevis Britain's highest peak.
What's typically included in a UK rail tour package?
Standard UK rail packages cover the essentials: accommodations at mid-range hotels like Edinburgh's Brooks Hotel all rail tickets with reserved seating and daily breakfast. Most tours provide guided city walks entry to major sites such as Bath's Roman Baths and Edinburgh Castle plus a tour guide. Hotels usually arrange station transfers. Recent travelers note the reliability of train scheduling and seat assignments with extended stays allowing thorough exploration of each destination.
What type of accommodation can I expect on UK train tours?
Most UK train tours place travelers in mid-range hotels and historic properties near rail stations. Large cities feature established chains while rural stops often showcase local guesthouses. Accommodations range from Glasgow's Grand Central Hotel connected directly to the station to family-run B&Bs in smaller towns like Fort Augustus near Loch Ness. Travelers report easy walks from most properties to train stations typically within 15 minutes.
What are the top stops along popular train routes in UK and Great Britain?
Key destinations include Edinburgh's castle-crowned Old Town Bath's Georgian architecture and York's medieval streets. Fort William serves as the jumping-off point for Ben Nevis hikes while Kyle of Lochalsh connects visitors to the Isle of Skye. Tours often incorporate stays at properties like Oban's Alexandra Hotel or Kyle of Lochalsh's Royal Hotel providing time to explore local attractions including Urquhart Castle and the Ring of Brodgar standing stones.
What are the best times of year for train tours in UK and Great Britain?
The prime touring season spans May through September when mild weather and long daylight hours benefit travelers. Scotland's Highlands burst with wildflowers in May and June while September brings rich autumn colors to regions like the Lake District. October temperatures average 10 degrees Celsius in Scotland making it suitable for exploration without peak-season crowds. Major routes operate year-round though winter brings reduced schedules on some lines.
How does train travel in UK and Great Britain compare to other forms of transport?
British trains offer practical advantages: spacious cars large windows and routes that connect major cities with remote destinations. The London to Edinburgh line covers the distance in 4.5 hours with modern carriages providing dining options power outlets and internet access. Trains reach places like Fort William's West Highland Hotel and Kyle of Lochalsh's Station Hotel making them particularly useful for visitors who prefer not to drive on Britain's left-side roads.