I know a popular tour transport method is by bus/coach. But Europe has an extensive rail network, and I really like travelling by train and think it adds something else to the journey.
Are there any suggestions for Europe tours that uses trains as the main transport for the tour?
I took a night train from Rome to Vienna a few years ago to save $ on accommodation, haha it’s definitely a great way to travel! There are also a lotttt of tour options that have rail as the primary transportation method: 10 Best Train & Rail Tours in Europe 2025/2026 - TourRadar
You can filter down the list on the left and add in the countries you definitely want to see/the duration etc!
Thanks for the link and tips! Let me do some investigating on TourRadar 
I completely agree that travelling by train adds something unique!
I would love to do this in Switzerland and have seen this tour: Scenic Switzerland Train Tour with Glacier Express, Daily Departure by Agate Travel with 2 Tour Reviews (Code: CH05) - TourRadar
It is not with a group, which is fine for me, but the company arranges all tickets/accommodation etc. And it includes the Glacier Express - thats on my bucket list for sure!
Wow @ck_explorer1000 that Scenic Switzerland trip looks amazing! 
But it is a bit on the pricey side of things. That almost works out to a 1000 Dollars a day. I would think that travelling by train would be a bit cheaper. haha
That’s true @roann - it is pricey and on my ‘dream’ list rather than anything I can do soon! 
But Switzerland is an expensive country from what I’ve seen, and I think trains would cost more than travelling with a group on shared transport for example. I’m from the Uk and train prices here are extremely expensive - you can get a coach for a fraction of the price anywhere!
I’m sure there are some more budget friendly options elsewhere in Europe, or even in Switzerland (that one just caught my eye). Hope you find something - let us know what you choose 
All the tours I’ve done have used buses. Now from when I was in Spain for two months in 2024, I found I preferred using the bus system to trains. My mom thinks I’m nuts, but the buses have little TVs, reclining seats, charging ports, etc. I was just there again in September 2025 and the tour company used a bus. It was very nice — it was privately operated for the tour and had the same amenities I mentioned. I thought the seats were more comfortable too. However, every country is different when it comes to that — I learned that years ago.
You have some good points @Erin - which tour did you take in September that had these buses?
Hi @roann - I’ve done a lot of travel by train in Europe, but never on an ‘organised tour’.
When I was younger, I used to Inter Rail around the continent; after a couple of summers spent hitch-hiking from Scandinavia to the South of France.
With Inter Rail, I could see all the places out on the wings that I missed, from Portugal to Romania and Yugoslavia, and even down to Island Hopping in Greece.
Night trains were a great way to enjoy a good night’s sleep, for free.
At least it felt free, because the pass had already been paid for.
I met Americans and Australians who were doing similar, but they were travelling 1st Class with Eurail.
Your question inspired me to look at Train Tours on offer, and see what’s included in the price.
Some, like Interrailing Packages, were little more than an itinerary planner with hotels included; No Meals.
The Ultimate Bucket List - 29 days, starting and ending in London - came in at around €3,000 per person.
At first that might seem a little expensive for a ‘self-guided tour’, but considering all accommodation is arranged and the price includes all compulsory seat reservations, it whittles down to around €100 a day.
Something like Contiki’s London to Budapest by Train (Summer) - via Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, and Vienna - comes in at a little over €2,000 for 15 days.
But there’s a little more included: four dinners, fourteen breakfasts, a trip manager, and local guides. You also have the chance to make some new friends, as it’s a modular trip; meaning fellow travellers will join and leave at various stages along the journey.
At the other end of the spectrum, Uniworld offer an interesting Cruise & Rail: Grand Alpine & Enchanting Danube Experience (Passau to Venice); but boy is it pricey.
For the fully-guided fifteen days you can expect to pay around €25,000 per person.
But you really have to look at what’s included:
7-night cruise in a riverview stateroom onboard the majestic S.S. Maria Theresa.
6 nights in a luxury cabin onboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express private train.
1 night in Venice at the Kempinski San Clemente Palace hotel (or similar).
All meals onboard cruise and train; 14 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 14 dinners.
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions, Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners, and unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water.
Then there’s all the excursions as well.
Amazing. Certainly beats hitch-hiking and sleeping on beaches.