Cox & Kings Launches New Europe by Rail Routes

10 new tailormade journeys offer European adventure by train, exploring the region’s historic cities and lesser-known gems.

Cox & Kings, the world’s oldest travel company, has unveiled its latest series of tailormade itineraries: Europe by Rail – a collection of 10 routes offering travel by train across the continent, focusing on destinations with some of the best rail links and all starting in the UK. These have been designed to include major historic cities as well as off-the-beaten-path destinations, allowing guests to see and experience the breadth of what these European countries have to offer. The countries featured include Belgium, Austria, Germany, Spain, France, Switzerland, Czechia, Poland, Hungary and Romania.

The introduction of this new rail product line has been driven by a greater concern for climate conscious travel, enthusiasm for more immersive cultural experiences and the appealing ease and charm of trains. 2025 is the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway journey and the nostalgia of travelling by train has contributed to this growing appetite, linking to trends in slow travel and placing value in the journey as well as the destination.

Demonstrating this customer interest, traffic to the Cox & Kings’ train journeys webpage is up by 400% compared to this time last year, highlighting the demand for an expanded offering. Through these new expertly designed itineraries, train hopping through Europe is no longer a holiday reserved for young people and students but is now seamlessly available, complete with the high-quality service, expert guiding and unique experiences that Cox & Kings is known for.

All of Cox & Kings’ existing European tours have been available with rail only transport on request since 2023 however these new routes have been specifically created with train comfort and simplicity in mind. Utilising the recently launched European Sleeper trains as well as direct and scenic lines they remove the hassle of flying and offer logistical ease without compromising on the experience of the journey.

“We’ve seen huge enthusiasm for rail itineraries over the last few years and we’re thrilled to be launching this new collection,” says George Colvin-Slee, Product Manager, Cox & Kings. “Cox & Kings has always focused on providing immersive and knowledge-based itineraries for the culturally curious and through this rail series, clients can get closer to the captivating landscapes and must-visit sites across Europe.”

The routes are available as tailormade itineraries, completed independently (unaccompanied) with guiding and experiences ranging from wine tastings in Burgundy to hot springs in Aachen offered and arranged by Cox & Kings on request. Some routes feature a flight however can be arranged as rail only.

NEW ITINERARIES

• The Rhineland by Rail | Private holidays to Germany | Cox & Kings
• Journey through Central Europe | Railway holidays | Cox & Kings
• Vienna to Brașov by Rail | Holidays to Austria, Hungary & Romania | Cox & Kings
• Gdańsk to Vienna by Rail | Central Europe holidays | Cox & Kings
• In the footsteps of the Plantagenets | Private holidays to France | Cox & Kings
• Champagne, Lorraine & Burgundy by Rail | Holidays to France | Cox & Kings
• Vienna, Munich & Zurich by Rail | Cox & Kings
• London to Madrid by Rail | Cox & Kings
• Bohemia to Berlin | Holidays to Germany & Czech Republic | Cox & Kings
• Bavaria and Bohemia | Holidays to Germany & Czech Republic | Cox & Kings

The Rhineland by Rail

• Day 1 – Travel from London to Cologne by Eurostar from London St. Pancras (via Brussels). Arrive and check-in at Hotel Wassertum by Hilton for 3 nights.
• Day 2 – Enjoy a full day at leisure to explore Cologne, highlights include the city’s cathedral, Flora Botanical Gardens and the city’s twelve Romanesque churches.
• Day 3 – Travel by train from Cologne to the city of Aachen, once the ancient capital of Emperor Charlemagne. Visit the impressive Palatine Chapel, one of the finest examples of Carolingian architecture, as well as the city’s medieval city-hall.
• Day 4 – Together with a private driver, travel south and visit two of the Rhineland’s finest castles, Schloss Sayn and Schloss Stolzenfels, followed by time at leisure for lunch in Koblenz. Proceed to Frankfurt by train and check-in at LUME Boutique Hotel for 3 nights.
• Day 5 – This morning visit Mainz, just a short distance from Frankfurt by local train. Founded by the Romans, this historic city boasts both an impressive cathedral and picturesque old town. Return to Frankfurt and spend the afternoon exploring the city, highlights include the city’s historical museum, as well as the Cathedral of St. Bartholomew, where Holy Roman Emperors were crowned for many centuries.
• Day 6 – Travel south to the historic university town of Heidelburg, explore the historic centre and medieval Schloss, parts of which date to the 13^th Continue to Speyer and visit the city’s 11^th century cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before returning to Frankfurt.
• Day 7 – Depart Frankfurt by train for London St. Pancras (via Paris).

Cox & Kings (www.coxandkings.co.uk; 03330 603 303) offers a 6-night no-fly tour of the Rhineland, as part of their wider Europe by Rail portfolio, from £2395pp, based on two sharing, including trains, selected sightseeing with a private driver and accommodation on a B&B basis.

Journey through Central Europe

• Day 1 – Travel from London St. Pancras to Berlin, connecting in Brussels with the overnight sleeper service operated by ÖBB/Austrian Federal Railways.
• Day 2 – Arrive in Berlin and check-in at the Hilton Berlin for 2 nights, rooms for immediate occupancy will be arranged.
• Day 3 – Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Berlin.
• Day 4 – Depart Berlin and travel south to Prague by rail. Arrive in Prague and check-in at Art Deco Imperial Hotel for 2 nights.
• Day 5 – Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Prague.
• Day 6 – Depart Prague and travel by rail to Vienna. Check-in at Hotel Kaiserhof Wien for 2 nights.
• Day 7 – Enjoy a day at leisure to explore Vienna, highlights include the Habsburg palaces of the Hofburg and Schönbrunn, St. Stephen’s Church or a visit to one of the city’s renowned Cafes or Konditorei (Patisserie).
• Day 8 – Depart Vienna for Munich by train, check in at Hotel Excelsior by Geisel for 2 nights.
• Day 9 – Day at leisure to explore Munich, recommended visits include, the city’s Frauenkirche, the Residenz Schloss, which houses the only surviving medieval crown produced in England, as well as the Feldherrnhalle.
• Day 10 – Travel from Munich to Zurich by train, check-in at Hotel Adler for 2 nights.
• Day 11 – Day at leisure to explore the historic centre of Zurich, recommended visits include the Fraumünster and Grossmünster churches or a cruise on the picturesque river Limmat.
• Day 12 – Depart Zurich for Paris, before proceeding via Eurostar to London St. Pancras.

Cox & Kings (www.coxandkings.co.uk; 03330 603 303) offers an 11-night no-fly Journey through Central Europe, as part of their wider Europe by Rail portfolio, from £2695pp, based on two sharing, including trains, selected sightseeing with a private driver and accommodation on a B&B basis.

See Cox & Kings’ full Europe rail offering online here.