Escorted Tours with the Experts

To give you the best value, each of the following is included in the price of your escorted tour:

• All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
• Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
• All guided tours and excursions
• Hand-picked hotels

To make sure you have the best experience possible, each of our tours is rated from 1 to 4 based on their level of physical activity.

Level 1 - Leisurely Tourist
Level 2 - Everyday Traveller
Level 3 - Comfortable Explorer
Level 4 - Active Adventurer

We understand that everyone has different abilities and concerns, so if you're not sure if a tour is right for you after doing your research, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us. View the full Mobility Rating Scale.

It varies between tours, but our average group number is 24 and will not be more than our limit of 40. Our group size means everyone gets a personal service from their Tour Manager and we can enjoy exclusive excursions that are only suitable for smaller groups.

Excursions are included in the price of your holiday. They are designed to give a balance of cultural, historical and social interest and to give you insight into the areas we visit. We try to use trains for excursions, however we sometimes utilise coaches or boats to get to places of interest. Where coaches are used, these are of high quality and aim to keep coach journeys to a maximum of two hours between stops. On most excursions, in addition to your Tour Manager, we are accompanied by a local guide to impact specialist knowledge of the sights being visited. Some excursions are to off-the-beaten-track destinations that simply would not be stumbled upon without this local knowledge.

Travelling on a Great Rail Journeys holiday, you will never feel "herded", and customers sometimes break away from the group to explore independently. There is plenty of flexibility within the itineraries and options to dine and explore independently. Many of our excursions will feature free time at a destination, to explore it at your own pace. There are also those who prefer to forego a particular excursion to relax at the hotel - it is your holiday after all.

Your Tour Manager is there to provide help when you need it or to discreetly 'disappear' when you don't. The programme of activity is comprehensive, but not compulsory - it is very easy to opt in or out as one pleases. There is time to yourself and freedom to indulge your own interests.

You will find that each of our escorted tours is part of a collection. Whatever type of holiday you're looking for, there is an option that will tick all your boxes.

The Discoveries collection offers great value.
The Classic collection showcases our signature holidays.
The Landmark collection is a choice of premium journeys.

Find out more about our collections.