All Aboard! EF Go Ahead Tours Launches Seven New Train Tours, Tapping into Growing Nostalgia and Demand for Experiential Rail Travel

New research finds nearly 3 in 4 travelers highly interested in train tourism, as new collection debuts seven new guided rail journeys across Europe and North America

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EF Go Ahead Tours, a leader in guided group travel, today announced the introduction of an expanded collection of new Train Tours, featuring seven guided travel experiences for travelers who want the journey to be just as meaningful as the destination.

See the new collection of train tours here: https://www.goaheadtours.com/tours/train-tours 

The launch comes as new research from EF Go Ahead Tours and Qualtrics Research reveals strong enthusiasm for train tourism among U.S. and Canadian travelers. Nearly 900 survey respondents gave an average of 73.06 on a 100-point scale when asked how interested they are in travel where the train journey itself is a central part of the experience—not simply a means of transportation.

"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," said Lael Kassis, Vice President of Market Innovation and Development, EF Go Ahead Tours. "Some places are simply best seen by rail. From the Swiss Alps to the Pacific Northwest, our new Train Tours join a growing collection of rail journeys we offer around the world, from Japan's Shinkansen to Norway's Flåm Railway to New Zealand's Coastal Pacific to Peru's train to Machu Picchu."

Among travelers open to train-related tourism, the top motivations were:

• Comfort (66%) — comfortable seating, sleeping cabins, and the ability to unpack once and let the journey come to them
• Scenic views (64%) — rail routes that reveal landscapes roads and flight paths can't reach
• Uniqueness of experience (63%) — access to places only trains can reach, without complex logistics
• Convenience (49%) — moving between stops without coordinating multiple flights or transfers
• Sustainability (29%) — a lower-carbon way to travel

Seven New Ways to See the World by Train

With new departure dates in June and July of 2027, the Train Tours Collection now includes seven additional tours ranging from leisurely and staggeringly scenic sweeps through Switzerland to multi-city adventures – from the United Kingdom to Italy – that connect iconic European destinations by high-speed rail. 

• Grand Train Tour of Europe: London to Venice — 14 days | from $5,299 USD*
  This new train tour traces the legendary rail corridor of the Belle Époque era, from London to Paris, Paris to Lausanne, and through the heart of the Alps into Milan and on to Venice, following sections of the same storied route once traveled by the historic Orient Express at the height of its golden age. Along the way, Belle Époque-inspired sightseeing tours and cultural experiences bring to life the comfort, glamour, and romance that made this route, the Alpine crossings, and the era of grand rail travel so enduringly iconic.
• Alps by Train: Germany, Austria, Switzerland & Italy — 12 days | from $5,209 USD*
  The marquee tour of the launch combines five scenic railways, including the Zugspitze Cogwheel Train to Germany's highest peak, the Arlberg Railway's climb into Switzerland, the Vigezzina-Centovalli Railway connecting Switzerland and Italy, and the Gotthard Panorama Express, which pairs a vintage paddle steamer with a panoramic train through the heart of the Alps. 
• Swiss & French Alps by Train: Lucerne to Chamonix — 10 days | from $4,949 USD*
  This shorter Alpine combination threads together the GoldenPass Express; the rack railway to the Jungfraujoch—Europe's highest train station at 11,332 feet; and the Mont-Blanc Express toward the glaciers above Chamonix, with a detour to the Cailler chocolate factory via the aptly nicknamed Chocolate Train. 
• A Week in Switzerland by Train: St. Moritz, Zermatt & Interlaken — 9 days | from $4,849 USD*
  Built for travelers who are limited on time but still want to see all of Switzerland's iconic rail routes, this tour includes the UNESCO-listed Rhaetian Railway and the Glacier Express—billed as the world's slowest express, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels over six and a half hours. 
• A Week in Italy by Train: Venice, Florence & Rome — 9 days | from $3,499 USD*
  Experience Italy's high-speed rail network, connecting three of the country's best-loved cities in just over three and a half hours of total train time. Travelers will board Italy's flagship high-speed train, journeying from Venice through the Apennines to the heart of Tuscany, then continuing from Renaissance Florence to the Eternal City.
• Imperial Cities by Train: Berlin, Prague & Vienna — 10 days | from $3,499 USD*
  Linking three former imperial capitals via EuroCity and Railjet service, with an optional extension to Budapest, this new tour gives travelers a taste of local life in each city through guided sightseeing and optional excursions—all accessible by public transportation and on foot. 
• Pacific Northwest by Train: Portland, Seattle & Vancouver — 8 days | from $4,599 USD*
  For travelers who want to take in epic landscapes and modern, character-filled cities in the United States and Canada, this new Train Tour delivers. Travelers will ride the newly renovated Amtrak Cascades train between Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, passing Mount St. Helens and the San Juan Islands, and exploring each city's history and highlights, along the way. Travelers can even take a day trip to the magnificent Mount Rainier.

*The tour includes expert Tour Director guidance, handpicked accommodations, immersive sightseeing experiences, and select meals. Travelers can also book flights and airport transfers directly through EF Go Ahead Tours for a seamless travel experience.

The Train Tours are now open for booking through 2028 via EF Go Ahead Tours.

An EPIC way to explore the world. 

EF Go Ahead's tours are designed for modern travelers balancing a global bucket list with busy schedules and a desire for meaningful exploration while truly immersing themselves in one of the more than two hundred guided trips across six continents we offer.

Each itinerary offers:

• Dedicated Tour Director who handles travel logistics, fosters on-tour community, and brings each destination to life through cultural insight 
• Guided sightseeing with guaranteed entrance to iconic, hard-to-book sites and landmarks that are difficult to access independently 
• A range of activity levels for exploration that fits your travel style 
• Fun, interactive experiences – from culinary tastings and wine pairings to Irish step dancing and hands-on cultural activities – that bring each destination to life 
• 24/7 traveler care focused on traveler support, travel safety, and on-tour operational support 
• Interest-free monthly payment plans and low-down payments making travel in the Americas or overseas possible for all. 

Best Price Guarantee
Have the confidence that the price of your tour is the best price. EF Go Ahead's Best Price Guarantee is valid at the time of booking for new reservations and applies to the price of the tour including airfare and after the value of any promotional offer or discount is applied. Learn more about the Best Price Guarantee: https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/terms.

Benefit from our New Referral Program!
The new referral program offers travelers an easy way to connect and invite friends, family members, and fellow adventurers to experience a guided group tour for themselves. 

How it works: Give $100. Get $100. 

• Refer a friend: Any traveler who has taken a trip with or is currently booked on tour with EF Go Ahead Tours, EF Ultimate Break, or EF Adventures can now share a personal referral link via email, text, social media, or their respective EF World Journeys mobile app. Friends must be new to EF World Journeys, 18 or older, and have a valid email address to qualify.
• Both travelers earn $100: When the referred traveler books, both receive $100 in travel credit. Rewards are issued 60 days after booking confirmation, and referrals must book within six months.
• Earn $1,000 when you hit your fifth referral: Referring travelers earn $100 for each of their first four successful referrals, plus an additional $600 payout for their fifth referral—bringing their total earnings to $1,000. There is no limit to how many referrals can be made, and rewards never expire.

Learn more: https://www.goaheadtours.com/about/referrals.

Are you a travel advisor?

EF Go Ahead Tours is now working with travel advisors and travel agencies!

• Competitive commissions
• A company with 60+ years of experience in travel
• Traveler support every step of the way
• 250+ tours to choose from

Sign up to learn more by visiting: https://www.goaheadtours.com/travel-advisors 

About EF Go Ahead Tours
EF Go Ahead Tours has been a leader in guided group travel for more than 30 years, offering expertly crafted itineraries across the globe. With a focus on immersive experiences, cultural connections, and seamless travel, Go Ahead helps travelers explore the world with confidence and curiosity.

Go Ahead offers more than 200 guided trips across six continents. Each carefully planned, expertly led tour makes it easy for curious travelers of all ages to get to the heart of a destination. With a maximum group size well below the industry average, each trip has the perfect balance of planned sightseeing and free time to explore.

EF Go Ahead Tours is a tour operator brand within EF World Journeys, one of North America's leading guided, experiential travel companies.

Join EF Go Ahead Tours' affiliate program, supported by AWIN, and earn commissions on booked tours.

SOURCE EF Go Ahead Tours