UK Train Tours: 15 to Book

1.3-Day Isle of Skye, ‘Hogwarts Express’ Train and Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 972 reviews · from $926Our pick

Spend two nights in Portree on a small-group coach tour from Edinburgh, with breakfast, lodging, a Jacobite Steam Train ride, and a guide. You’ll see Glencoe, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and Dundreggan.

“The scenery was spectacular, but it was our driver/host Mark who made the trip especially enjoyable. He had the best mixture of storytelling, interesting facts and activities and challenges that kept all of us engaged and connected to the experience while spending so much time on a bus. And he managed to do all of this while navigating narrow roads and passing lanes to keep us all safe. Bravo!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.From Inverness: Jacobite Steam Train and Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 921 reviews · 12.5 hours · from $268

Spend 12.5 hours exploring Loch Ness and the Highlands by coach, then ride the Jacobite Steam Train one way from Fort William to Mallaig. Guides such as Iain, Karen, Craig, Sonia, and Harrison are known for Scottish history, humor, music, and practical help along the route.

“I think we missed quarmquart castle??? In what town was that - or did I not find it today”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Magical Highlands Tour with Jacobite Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 726 reviews · 13 - 14 hours · from $80

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands, passing Harry Potter filming sites, Loch Shiel, Glencoe, and Rannoch Moor. The optional Jacobite steam train runs between Fort William and Mallaig, crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct. Guides such as Ian, Brendan, Brian, and Willie add Scottish history, local stories, and plenty of humor.

“Absolutely amazing! It was the best part of my trip. We enjoyed every stop and fully saw all of the sights. The highlands are stunning! Our driver, Brenden, was outstanding and made this trip so much better. We learned so much about Scottish geography, history and culture. I would highly recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Paris by Rail with Sightseeing Bus and River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 578 reviews · 15 hours (approx.) · from $387

Travel from London to Paris by reserved-seat Eurostar, then see the Eiffel Tower, Champs-Élysées, Arc de Triomphe, Notre-Dame, and Sacré-Cœur by sightseeing bus and Seine cruise. Choose standard or upgraded rail service. Some departures include a guide, while independent options let you set your own pace.

“This experience was exactly what I was hoping for! I booked the guided tour, as I was traveling alone and this was my first time to Paris. It’s a great way to manage how you will get from place to place, ensure you will see the top sights of Paris without wondering why they were created or how you will get to the next point of interest, and also ensure your safety by avoiding being a lone target for anyone who may wish you danger. My goal was to see the main sights of Paris, and we saw everything on my list and then some. Carol, our guide, was impressively…”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Moors, Whitby & The Yorkshire Steam Railway Day Trip from York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 366 reviews · 8 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $108

Travel from York in a comfortable 16-seat minicoach with a local driver-guide such as Mark or Chris. Visit Hutton-le-Hole, Whitby, Goathland and the North York Moors, with an optional steam train ride to the Harry Potter film station.

“This is a great way to see parts of Yorkshire you would not find for yourself. Our tour guide Mark has some much knowledge and was very personable with all of us, his passion for travelling and history shone through and he shared his wealth of knowledge of the area and the national Park to enrich our day. We truly would not have managed this ourselves if we had tried to replicate. Mark was kind, caring and funny and put all the guests from age 10 -80 at ease. We would always recommend using a local firm to travel with.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Postal Museum Entry Ticket and Underground Rail Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 363 reviews · 1.5 hours · from $24Best value

Explore the Postal Museum, see the Penny Black and historic postal weapons, then ride a miniature train through London’s former Mail Rail tunnels. Allow more than the listed 1.5 hours if you want time for the interactive exhibits, sorting games, and café.

“The rail ride explaining the history of the postal system.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Scotland in 5 Days Including Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · from $1,330

Travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe, Skye, Loch Ness, Culloden, and the Trossachs with a Scottish guide-driver. Your package includes four nights, breakfasts, the Jacobite Steam Train, ferry, Loch Ness cruise, whisky tasting, and a small-group coach journey.

“Our host Caroline was amazing! Totally exceeded my expectations! Definitely worth every penny! You will not regret such a wonderful experience!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Steam Trains, Whitby, and the North York Moors Full-Day Tour from York

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 320 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $137

Travel from York in a climate-controlled minibus with a local guide, stopping in Helmsley, Hutton-le-Hole, the North York Moors, Whitby, and Goathland. You’ll hear local tales, visit the Harry Potter filming station, and ride the heritage steam train to Pickering.

“Friendly, knowledgeable guide good at looking after different types of audience. Choice of sights were really nice, and made the experience special”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.From York: Moors, Whitby, and the Yorkshire Steam Railway

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 306 reviews · 8 hours · from $79

Leave York in a small air-conditioned minibus with an English-speaking guide such as Mark or Chris. Visit Hutton-le-Hole, Whitby, Goathland, and North York Moors viewpoints, with time for fish and chips, Dracula lore, Harry Potter sites, and an optional steam train ride.

“Plenty of stops, very informed guide who made the whole day a pleasure.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Manchester: Lake District Tour with Lake Cruise & Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 304 reviews · from $92

Travel from Manchester in a small group of up to six, with an English-speaking guide such as Jean, Tom, Scott, or Paul. See Windermere, Tarn Hows, and Hawkshead, then enjoy either a seasonal heritage train ride or a cream tea at Lindeth Howe.

“Recommend tour. Jean was a great guide and our bus driver too . She took is to the best places and covered a lot more than expected in a day . Thanks to her :) .”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Edinburgh Rail Trip from London with Castle entry and Hop-on Hop-off bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 227 reviews · 16 hours (approx.) · from $329

Take an unescorted day trip from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh by reserved-seat train. Use the city sightseeing bus, enter Edinburgh Castle, and explore the Royal Mile at your own pace. You get roughly six hours in Edinburgh, so plan your stops carefully and expect plenty of walking.

“Great experience. Easy to transfer using the Underground to get to Kings Cross Station. Hop on Hop Off bus had all the stops required to see Edinburgh and its castle. Train ride was comfortable. Able to see much of England’s country & costal side.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Isle of Skye & Optional Jacobite Train 3-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 191 reviews · 2.5 days · from $473

Travel from Edinburgh through Dunkeld, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan, Glen Coe, and Skye’s best-known sights. Stay two nights in Portree, hear Scottish myths from a local guide, and choose the Jacobite steam train from Mallaig to Fort William between April and October.

“This is a must! Our first visit to Scotland and the Isle of Skye - absolutely incredible!! Steve was a wonderful guide, well versed in both the spectacular countryside and in amazing stories, legends, yarns and tales! To be able to see and breathe this spectacular country in a comfortable bus and not have the stress of driving is priceless! We planned this for the beginning of our trip and it totally enriched the entire vacation. What a grand tour!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Liverpool: Lake District Tour with Lake Cruise & Train Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 191 reviews · from $106

Travel from Liverpool into the Lake District with an English-speaking driver-guide, a Windermere cruise, Tarn Hows, Hawkshead, and seasonal extras. April to October brings the Haverthwaite steam train through Leven Valley. From November to early April, a cream tea at Lindeth Howe replaces the train.

“Thanks Jean for the amazing trip. You are great at your job. I enjoy every stops and the stories during the journey.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.The Magical Highland Tour Including the Jacobite Steam Train Journey

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 179 reviews · 13 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $262

Travel from Edinburgh to Fort William by coach, then ride the Jacobite Steam Train to Mallaig, crossing Glenfinnan Viaduct. Your guide, such as Brendan, provides commentary on Highland scenery and Harry Potter filming locations. Allow 13.5 hours, bring lunch, and expect a maximum group of 48.

“The highlands where amazing and the scenery breathtaking, especially for Harry Potter fans. The train ride was an ordinary ride, we expected it to be a bit more magical, however an overall enjoyable day.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.3 Day Isle of Skye and Jacobite Steam Train Tour from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 161 reviews · 3 days (approx.)

Travel from Inverness through Loch Ness country to Skye, ride the Jacobite steam train across Glenfinnan Viaduct, visit the Fairy Pools, Quiraing, Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden, and Clava Cairns. A driver-guide leads a maximum of 16 people, with two breakfasts included.

“Excellent guide, Torquil, who was friendly and helpful and went out of his way to keep us safe and happy. The accommodation at The Skye Inn was comfortable and the staff friendly and happy to help in any way.”

Check availability →Read our full review