You’ve been counting down the days. Your dream adventure has finally arrived. Then comes the familiar feeling… have I packed too much? Will it fit within the weight allowance? Can I squeeze those last liquids into the tiny bag? The alarm is set for 3am and your first day is already feeling rushed before it’s even begun.

However, there is an alternative. You set off in the morning while it’s still light. Your legs are stretched out, there’s space for everything you need. The landscape begins to unfold outside your window. No queues, no stress - just time to settle into the journey.

This is travelling by train.

This way, your adventure doesn’t just begin when you arrive, it begins the moment you leave home. Across Europe, some of the most incredible destinations for walking, cycling and exploring are easily reached by rail, offering a more relaxed, more immersive and often more rewarding way to travel.

In this guide, we explore why 10 reasons why rail travel is becoming such a popular choice for reaching your next adventure and how it can transform the journey into part of the experience itself.

Your holiday has finally arrived, so why spend the first part of it stuck in airports and queues? Travelling by train turns the journey into part of the experience, as landscapes gradually shift and unfold outside your window.

On our Walking Wild Tuscany trip, the route from Paris to Turin takes you through eastern France, into the Alps and out into Italy’s sun-drenched scenery. Heading to Austria? Travel from Munich towards Salzburg and watch as rolling countryside gives way to Alpine foothills on our Walking Austria’s Salzkammergut adventure. For those bound for the Alps, glide through the French countryside before the mountains rise around you as you approach Saint-Gervais.

This is travel as it should be - where the adventure begins long before you arrive.

One of the biggest advantages of travelling by train is the flexibility it offers - the chance to shape your holiday into something more than just a single destination. If you’re heading to Chamonix, why not end your week of Alpine walking with a few nights in Paris - sipping coffee by the Seine and reminiscing on your time in the mountains. Or if you’re Cycling The Danube, spend a few days exploring Vienna before you set off, making the contrast with Budapest at the end of your journey even more memorable.

With rail travel, one trip can easily become several - adding new places, new experiences and even more to look forward to along the way.

While some destinations require a flight, many of Europe’s best adventure holidays are easily accessible from the UK by train. So why put yourself through the stress of the airport if you don’t have to? No one looks forward to security queues, having carefully packed bags opened, liquid limits forcing tough decisions, or early check-ins that leave you tired before your holiday has even begun. By travelling from your local station, you can arrive minutes, not hours, before departure and start your journey in a far more relaxed way.

You’ve just spent the best two weeks of your life tackling Switzerland’s Classic Haute Route - the ultimate Alpine mountaineering adventure. It’s been tough, but the journey from Mont Blanc to the Matterhorn made every step worth it. Your legs are aching, your body is tired in the best possible way… and the journey home begins.

By train, the journey home feels very different. More space to stretch out, the freedom to move around, proper tables with ever-changing views and no seatbelt signs keeping you in your seat. It’s a chance to relax, read or simply enjoy the journey at your own pace.

Don’t be put off by destinations further afield - just because you can’t get there in a day doesn’t mean you need to fly. If you’re heading somewhere like Austria or Italy, why not take a sleeper train? Travel overnight, save on a hotel night and wake up in your destination to stunning views, refreshed and ready for the adventure ahead.

While flying can sometimes be quicker, it isn’t always the most reliable way to travel. Delays, cancellations and unexpected disruptions can all impact your plans and finding alternatives at short notice isn’t always easy. Rail travel, on the other hand, often offers a more consistent and predictable journey across Europe. With regular departures and well-connected networks, you’re more likely to arrive on time and with far less uncertainty along the way.

Packing light for an adventure isn’t always easy - especially when you’re preparing for changing weather and different conditions along the way. By travelling by train, you’re free from the strict baggage limits imposed by airlines. Bringing walking gear, trekking poles and sturdy boots becomes far simpler, without worrying about weight restrictions or extra fees. For bigger adventures, like the Italian High-Level Route where you may need down jackets, poles, or even crampons, this flexibility makes all the difference - allowing you to pack properly and travel with confidence.

It’s easy to worry that travelling by train might mean taking extra time off and when adventure calls, those holiday days are precious, but things are changing. Some companies now offer paid travel days for lower-carbon journeys, recognising the benefits of more sustainable travel. If it’s not something your workplace currently offers, organisations like ClimatePerks can help you make the case. It’s a small shift that can make a big difference giving you the freedom to travel more thoughtfully, without sacrificing your time off.

It’s often the most talked about reason, but also the most important. Travelling by train is one of the simplest ways to reduce the environmental impact of your holiday. Rail travel produces significantly less CO₂ than flying on equivalent routes, with emissions often up to seven times lower. On average, trains emit around 6–50g of CO₂ per passenger kilometre, compared to 150–250g for flights.

So not only is it a more enjoyable way to travel, it’s a more responsible one too. If we want to keep exploring these incredible landscapes for years to come, it’s something worth considering.

Ultimately, this is why we encourage travelling by train - it aligns with our commitment to responsible travel. As we work towards reducing our emissions and moving closer to a net zero future, choosing lower-impact ways to travel is an important step we can take together.

We’re proud that our adventures support local communities, often in rural and remote areas and we’ve always aimed to travel responsibly - protecting the environments we explore and ensuring tourism has a positive impact, but we also recognise that travel comes with an environmental cost. That’s why we’re continually working to reduce our footprint, both in our UK office and across our trips worldwide. By choosing to travel by train, you’re helping us take another step in the right direction - for the future of travel and for the places we all love to explore.