It’s not the destination, it’s the journey. If that’s your travel motto, you’re probably a fan of experiential rail travel. New research from EF Go Ahead Tours and Qualtrics Research found that nearly three in four U.S. and Canadian travelers are highly interested in train tourism, travel where the train journey itself is a central part of the experience and not just a method of transportation at some point of the trip.
A desire for scenic views and unique experiences, plus comfortable, convenient, and sustainable ways to travel, are helping to drive that interest. To tap into that demand, EF Go Ahead Tours is launching seven new train tours, with the first new tours departing in June and July of 2027.
“Train travel has always carried a certain romance and nostalgia, but today’s travelers are looking for experiences that let them slow down, take in the scenery, and enjoy the journey,” says Lael Kassis, vice president of market innovation and development for EF Go Ahead Tours. “Some places are simply best seen by rail.”
If the Alps immediately come to mind, EF Go Ahead Tours has several options among its new train tour lineup. The marquee tour of the launch is the company’s 12-day Alps by Train: Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Italy trip, which includes travel on the Zugspitze Cogwheel Train to Germany’s highest peak, the Arlberg Railway into Switzerland, the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway connecting Switzerland and Italy, and the Gotthard Panorama Express through the heart of the Alps.
The 10-day Swiss & French Alps by Train: Lucerne to Chamonix tour brings travelers along scenic routes aboard the Luzern-Interlaken Express, GoldenPass Express, and Mont-Blanc Express trains. Optional excursions include a ride on the rack railway to the Jungfraujoch (Europe’s highest train station at 11,332 feet) and an outing on the GoldenPass Chocolate Train to Switzerland’s oldest chocolatier.
For travelers who are limited on time, the nine-day A Week in Switzerland by Train: St. Moritz, Zermatt & Interlaken trip takes riders on the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the Glacier Express. The latter is billed as the world’s slowest express, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels over six and a half hours.
EF Go Ahead already offered a popular Switzerland by Train tour that travels from Lucerne to Zurich on well-known routes like the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. But these new tours will travel on less familiar paths. “We wanted to build on that and introduce more of these scenic train routes that maybe less people know of, but that are equally spectacular,” says Kassis.
EF Go Ahead’s new train tours will also travel around other parts of Europe. The nine-day A Week in Italy by Train: Venice, Florence & Rome trip will utilize Italy’s high-speed rail network to experience three of the country’s much-loved cities. The 10-day Imperial Cities by Train: Berlin, Prague & Vienna will give travelers a sense of local life in each city through guided sightseeing excursions, with an optional extension to Budapest.
The 14-day Grand Train Tour of Europe: London to Venice follows the legendary rail corridor of the Belle Époque era, traveling on sections of the same route the historic Orient Express did in its heyday. Belle Époque–inspired sightseeing tours and cultural experiences along the way will help bring that iconic past to life.
And you don’t even have to leave North America to experience the delights of traveling by rail. The eight-day Pacific Northwest by Train: Portland, Seattle & Vancouver tour will travel on the newly renovated Amtrak Cascades train between the three cities, taking in sights like Mount St. Helens and the San Juan Islands along the journey.
It will be the company’s first tour that incorporates an Amtrak train journey. “It’s an incredibly beautiful route that goes right along the Puget Sound,” says Kassis. “We’re excited about that itinerary.”
The new train tours are open for booking through 2028. Each train tour itinerary includes handpicked accommodations, select meals, a dedicated tour director who handles logistics and provides cultural insight at each destination, immersive sightseeing experiences and guaranteed entrance to hard-to-book sites, and 24/7 traveler care. Travelers can also book flights and airport transfers directly through EF Go Ahead Tours if desired.
EF Go Ahead has seen interest in train travel across different generations, so these new tours are likely just the start. “People are realizing that trains are not just about getting from point A to point B,” says Kassis. “It’s also an experience of getting on the train, viewing the scenery outside the window, seeing the local people. It’s a way of connecting destinations in a very cohesive way.
“I think this is just the beginning of a greater and more long-term expansion of train tours,” he continues. “I don’t see this trend slowing down…So I see us continuing to expand with new itineraries, more options, and other parts of the world.”
