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Inspiring short breaks

Great escapes to exciting places

Short Breaks Rail Tours & Holidays

If you'd like to escape for just a few days, look no further than our magnificent selection of short breaks in the Great British Isles and Europe. From a short cultural getaway immersing yourself in the history of medieval Bruges, to a long weekend discovering the outstanding beauty of the Great British Isles, our varied collection of short break holidays mean that no matter how little time you have to spare, you always have time for an exciting getaway. We believe that you shouldn't have to compromise on quality just because you're short on time, so we strive to ensure that our short break itineraries are packed with unforgettable excursions, carefully chosen hotels and many delicious meals.

A short break with Great Rail Journeys puts the world within easy reach; we take care of all arrangements in advance, from travel to accommodation to meals and excursions, so that you can relax with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that every aspect of your holiday is taken care of before your departure. All of our tours include the services of a professional Tour Manager, who will be on hand to guarantee that your time away is as enjoyable and relaxing as possible, and will happily assist you with anything from travel advice to restaurant recommendations.

An escorted rail holiday is a perfect way to experience a destination in a short amount of time, as it makes the journey a part of the adventure. From the moment your tour departs you can sit back and relax, taking in the scenic views as they roll past your window, and socialising with fellow, like-minded passengers.

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Our customers love our Short Breaks tours

Highland Adventure

19/Jul

Molly Wolfe

“Absolute value for money and beautiful countryside blessed by fair weather

Collected by Trustpilot

Railways & Castles of Wales

18/Jul

Ann Burgess

“A really lovely holiday. The tour manager was exceptional, and the itinerary was spot on. This was our first time with this company, but it certainly won’t be our last.

Collected by Trustpilot

Vintage Railways of the Isle of Man

18/Jul

Ann

“So easy to book. Wonderful hotel. Great excursions. Knowledgeable escort

Collected by Trustpilot

Explore Yorkshire

15/Jul

ex-customer

“Based in lovely Harrogate which is also home to the well known (in Yorkshire anyway) Betty's cafe which is well worth a visit. Good balance between trips out and time to explore locally.

Collected by Trustpilot

Norwich & the Norfolk Broads

14/Jul

Maryd

“Excellent trip. Sue was a wonderful tour manager who helped us to enjoy every aspect of the trip

Collected by Trustpilot

German Christmas Markets of the Rhine

10/Jan

Ian

“A magical pre-Christmas trip, organised and delivered to Great Rail Journey's usual high standards! The crew, cabin, facilities and food on the Amadeus Cara were fantastic, and the views as we cruised the Rhine gave us some amazing memories. We did get a little 'Christmas market overload' at times, but...

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Harz Mountains Christmas Markets

26 Dec 2025

Brian

“Beautiful historic towns and the best Christmas Markets.

Collected by Trustpilot

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo & the Highlands

31 Aug 2025

Christine Charie

“Good show, well organized and we enjoyed it very much.

Collected by Trustpilot

Bavarian Christmas Markets

25 Dec 2025

Neil

“Generally a very good short holiday. Hotel in Nuremberg , central and convienent

Collected by Trustpilot

Short Breaks Rail Tours & Holidays

18 results matching: Short Breaks