UK by Train: Book Your British Rail Holiday


UK by Train: Book Your British Rail Holiday

A British rail holiday is an increasingly popular activity among both young and old, as there is no need to travel outside the UK to discover scenic railway lines and remarkable destinations.

From the beaches of Cornwall to the rugged mountains of the Scottish Highlands, rail travel in the UK gives you access to a wide range of incredible destinations on your British rail holiday.

The UK has a dense railway network and frequent, high-quality train services, making it easy to explore British cities such as London, Edinburgh, Bath, York, Manchester, and Liverpool, as well as many other appealing destinations.

If you are after beautiful natural destinations, you can easily reach the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and the Cotswolds by train. Even the wild beauty of Scotland and Wales is best experienced by train on a UK rail holiday.

Although railway lines on the European continent often steal the limelight, some British scenic train journeys, such as the West Highland Line, the Cumbrian Coast Line, and the Settle & Carlisle Railway, can easily compete with them.

Whether you want to explore scenic British railway lines, visit a particular part of the UK, discover cities, or head into nature, a train holiday in the UK will be a memorable experience, for both short breaks and longer trips.


UK rail holiday packages

In partnership with the specialist rail travel company Byway, we offer a wide selection of rail holidays across the UK, departing from your local railway station, with train tickets, accommodation, and full support all included in the package.

As one of Britain’s most established and trusted rail travel specialists, Byway provides a broad range of attractive train holiday packages, all backed by comprehensive consumer protection.

You can explore all available packages by scrolling through the selection above, entering your preferred destination, or refining the results using filters such as duration, price, and other criteria.

Use the discount code DiscoverByRail75 to receive £75 off any rail holiday booked through Byway.

Customise your rail holiday

Byway’s UK rail holiday packages can also be fully tailored to suit your preferences, should you wish.

Whether you would like to swap Manchester for a stay in Liverpool, prefer Yorkshire over Kent, or simply extend your time in Brighton or include a stop in Devon on your way to Cornwall, everything can be arranged.

The trains are also entirely up to your choice. If you prefer to travel in first class, with more spacious seats drinks and snacks included, rather than second class, this can be arranged. You could take the Night Riviera Sleeper from London to Cornwall, the Caledonian Sleeper from London to Glasgow, Inverness, or Fort William, or simply opt for daytime trains. Everything is possible.

Simply get in touch with Byway by email, telephone, or WhatsApp, and their agents will be happy to create your ideal British rail holiday and answer any questions you may have about train travel in the UK.

Byway takes care of every part of your trip, from arranging train tickets to booking hotel accommodation. That means you can enjoy a stress-free travel experience without having to worry about planning and booking everything yourself. All you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the train journey as well as the wonderful destinations you will visit on your UK rail holiday.

If a train is delayed or cancelled, potentially affecting your travel plans, a dedicated out-of-hours emergency line is available to provide advice and assist with rebooking. This service is included in the cost of your holiday package.

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A train of London North Eastern Railway (LNER), one of the many rail operators in the UK. ©DiscoverByRail
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Newcastle railway station. ©DiscoverByRail
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Food and drinks are typically included when travelling in first class on British trains. ©DiscoverByRail

Visiting the UK as a foreign tourist?

Byway caters to both British citizens who would like to take a rail holiday in their own country, as well as overseas tourists who want to explore the UK.

If you are travelling from elsewhere in Europe, Byway can also arrange your entire journey to the UK by train, starting from the station where you choose to begin your trip.

For example, if you live in Germany, Byway can arrange your entire rail holiday from there to the UK, including the train to France and the Eurostar from Paris through the Channel Tunnel to London.

Byway is also experienced in helping tourists from other continents, such as the Americas and Asia, to create bespoke European rail holiday packages that include not only the UK, but any other country they may wish to visit.

Indeed, why not combine a British rail holiday with travel adventures on the European continent, by visiting exciting destinations such as Amsterdam, Bruges, Cologne, or even cities and countries beyond by train?

By using the services of Byway – whether it’s their inventive online trip builder or the human touch of their experienced travel agents – you can create your own rail holiday itinerary across Europe, including the UK.

Byway can accommodate any route you prefer, giving you the freedom to tailor not only the British part of your trip but also the journey there and back. You decide where you want to stop over and how long you want to stay in each place.

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Combine a rail holiday of the UK with some destination on the European continent, such as Paris, Amsterdam, or even Rome. ©DiscoverByRail

Customised rail holiday packages

If you would like to arrange a customised British rail holiday tailored to your preferences, or if you have any questions before booking, please contact Byway.

You can get in touch with Byway through the contact form on their website, by calling +44 1692 660805 if you are based in the UK or Europe, or +1 608 305 8106 if you are in the US.

Don’t forget to mention that you discovered Byway through DiscoverByRail. When you quote the discount code DiscoverByRail75, you will receive £75 off off any rail holiday booked with Byway.

Organise and book a rail holiday yourself

Byway is a great option if you prefer to book your UK rail holiday as a fully organised package, with train tickets, accommodation, and support all included – ideal for travellers who enjoy train journeys but find arranging every detail themselves overwhelming.

However, if you would rather plan and book a rail holiday yourself but find it difficult to create an itinerary or work out where to book all the necessary train tickets, then do take a look at DiscoverByRail’s travel architect service.