For the climate conscious traveller, finding ways to holiday whilst being kinder to the environment, has become a perennial challenge.
Rail tour specialist Ffestiniog Travel is assisting by offering no-fly escorted train tour options around Europe that leaves a low carbon footprint in their wake.
General manager, Maria Cook comments: “Trains are one of the most eco-friendly modes of transportation, producing significantly lower CO₂ emissions compared to air travel. By opting for rail and scheduled public transport, travellers can substantially reduce their environmental impact while still exploring diverse destinations.”
So, for the eco-tourer who enjoys the security and benefits of an escorted group tour, Ffestiniog Travel has a variety of European breaks that only uses scheduled trains, trams and even boats to showcase some of the most beautiful places in Europe.
Bonn – Spectacular Firework Festival Weekend Break
Combine a visit to the sophisticated city of Bonn in Germany with some quirky train travel and a spectacular firework display and you have the makings of an unforgettable weekend break. Rail tour operator Ffestiniog Travel has created a short 5-day escorted rail holiday to coincide with a high point in Bonn’s cultural calendar – the Rhein in Flammen Festival. Travel by train to Bonn to indulge in the colourful food, drink and craft stalls and enjoy the eclectic entertainment that lines the riverside promenade as part of the festival weekend. The highlight will be boarding a boat to join a parade of vessels on the Rhine to watch the night sky light up in an amazing firework display.
Daily excursions in the company of your tour leader and fellow travellers explores the beautiful Rhine region including a guided tour of the nearby Schloss Drachenburg Villa, a ride on the impressive Drachenfels Cog Railway and a memorable journey on the iconic Schwebebahn suspension railway in Wuppertal. The holiday includes plenty of free time in Bonn and Cologne. Departing 1 May 2025, the price from £1,045pp (two sharing) includes all rail travel, unlimited travel on local transport in Bonn city, daily excursions, B&B hotel accommodation and the services of a tour leader throughout.
Lake Lucerne – An Ideal Introduction to Touring by Train
Switzerland is an ideal holiday destination to enjoy some stunning scenic sightseeing from the comfort of the train. Lucerne in Switzerland sits on the banks of the lake that carries its name and is the perfect base to relax and enjoy a lakeside European break surrounded by glorious mountain and lake scenery. This 8-day escorted rail holiday in the company of a knowledgeable tour leader offers the option of daily escorted excursions or a travel pass for unlimited independent touring on scheduled trains, postbuses and lake steamers.
Journey by train from the UK via Aachen in Germany to Lucerne for a stay at the Hotel Waldstätterhof. The lakeside town, with its colourful Old Town reached by the iconic Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) and spired, turreted buildings, is the storybook image of a Swiss town. Its location lends itself to some incredible scenic touring and Ffestiniog Travel’s tour offers optional escorted excursions including lake cruises on the Vitznau, Alpnachstad and Flüelen, an ascent of the Rigi and Pilatus mountains by train and journeys through the Brünig and Gotthard Passes by rail. Departing 12 June 2025, the price from £2,195pp (two sharing) includes all rail travel, excursions, a Tell Pass, B&B hotel accommodation, welcome dinner and tour leader.
Take a scenic train ride through Europe to Innsbruck, nestled in the heart of the Austrian Tyrol. Explore Innsbruck’s charming Old Town, the Golden Roof, and the impressive Nordkette mountains before travelling through the beautiful Tyrol region on unforgettable train journeys. Ride the nostalgic Achenseebahn, Europe’s oldest cog railway, to the picturesque Achensee Lake, and ascend the Zugspitzbahn to Germany’s highest peak for stunning panoramic views. The charming Zillertalbahn narrow-gauge steam train through the lush Zillertal Valley and the UNESCO-listed Semmering Pass, a marvel of 19th Century railway engineering deliver stunning vistas. In Vienna, Austria’s elegant capital, you can visit Schönbrunn Palace, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and enjoy a classical music concert. Then, travel to Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart, to explore its baroque architecture, Hohensalzburg Fortress, and the idyllic Salzkammergut region.
This unforgettable rail tour combines Austria’s cultural treasures with the awe-inspiring beauty of its alpine landscapes, creating a truly magical experience. The tour also includes a day trip to nearby Bratislava. Priced from £3,150pp (two sharing) this 14-day tour departs on 14 June 2025 and includes all rail travel, city travel cards for Innsbruck and Vienna, excursions, B&B hotel accommodation and tour leader.
This is an ideal way to test your interrailing fortitude and carbon light travel – within the security of an escorted group! A tour that includes a Global InterRail Pass and visits three European countries from one base in one short 9-day holiday. Travellers can explore parts of Germany, Switzerland and Austria from the picturesque resort town of Lindau, situated at the north-eastern corner of beautiful Lake Constance. Its proximity to both Switzerland and Austria make it an ideal base for exploring the region by train and visiting each country in one short break.
All travel is by train from London to Germany and rail excursions include visits to Innsbruck in Austria via the scenic Arlberg Pass, a journey by narrow gauge electric train to St Gallen in the stunning Appenzell region of Switzerland and by rail to Oberstdorf in Germany to enjoy its lakes and mountain backdrop. Other highlights of this escorted holiday include a Rhine River cruise from Schaffhausen to Stein am Rhein in Germany. A 10-day Global InterRail Pass allows for unlimited travel including some independent sightseeing. Departing 1 September 2025, and priced from £1,995pp (two sharing), this 9-day tour includes all travel, B&B hotel accommodation, all excursions, overnight stays in Lindau and Cologne and Bonn outbound and homebound plus services of a tour leader throughout the holiday.
Maria Cook added; “There are so many benefits to travelling by train including the breath taking views as you journey through Europe; unlike airports, train stations are often located in city centres, saving time and reducing the stress of transfers and baggage limitations. Using scheduled public transport supports local economies and communities, fostering sustainable tourism practices. It also provides a more authentic travel experience, connecting with how locals navigate their daily lives.
“A no-fly rail holiday really is an eco-conscious, immersive, and stress-free way to explore Europe, combining sustainability with unforgettable experiences.”