7 Rail Holidays to Beat the Heat
When summer temperatures start climbing, many travellers find themselves looking for destinations that offer cooler weather, refreshing scenery, and a chance to escape the hottest days of the year. Fortunately, some of the best rail holidays in the world happen to do exactly that.
From alpine villages and glacier-fed lakes to coastal cities and northern wilderness, train travel makes it easy to leave the heat behind while enjoying some of the most beautiful landscapes on the planet.
If you're looking for a cooler summer getaway, here are seven rail holidays that deliver comfortable temperatures and unforgettable experiences.
1. Scenic Switzerland
If there were a gold medal for summer rail holidays, Switzerland would be a strong contender.
Scenic Switzerland takes travellers through some of Europe's most spectacular mountain landscapes, where alpine air, glacier views, and sparkling lakes provide a refreshing contrast to the heat often found elsewhere.
Destinations including Lucerne and Zermatt offer cooler temperatures thanks to their elevation, while scenic rail journeys through the Alps make every travel day memorable.
For travellers looking to combine incredible scenery with comfortable summer weather, Switzerland is hard to beat.
2. Norway in a Nutshell®
Few destinations offer a better summer escape than Norway.
Norway in a Nutshell® combines dramatic fjords, mountain railways, waterfalls, and charming villages into one unforgettable journey. Even during the height of summer, temperatures remain comfortable compared to many destinations across southern Europe.
The famous Flåm Railway, one of the world's most scenic train journeys, winds through mountain landscapes and past cascading waterfalls before arriving at the edge of a breathtaking fjord.
It's a trip that feels refreshing in every sense of the word.
3. Complete Scotland by Rail
Scotland is one of Europe's best-kept secrets for summer travel.
While much of the continent experiences intense heat, Scotland remains comfortably cool. Complete Scotland by Rail takes travellers through Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands, and some of the country's most dramatic landscapes.
Expect lochs, castles, rolling hills, and rugged coastlines rather than crowded beaches and sweltering temperatures.
The scenic rail routes through the Highlands are especially rewarding, offering views that feel worlds away from everyday life.
4. Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer With Rocky Mountaineer
Summer is one of the best times to experience the Canadian Rockies.
The Canadian Rockies and Lake Louise Explorer with Rocky Mountaineer combines comfortable mountain temperatures with some of North America's most spectacular scenery. Travellers enjoy panoramic views of glaciers, rivers, forests, and snow-capped peaks from Rocky Mountaineer's famous glass-dome carriages.
Destinations like Banff, Jasper, and Lake Louise offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors without the extreme heat often found elsewhere during the summer months.
It's a perfect blend of luxury rail travel and refreshing mountain air.
5. Denali National Park With Alaska Railroad
When it comes to escaping summer heat, Alaska may be the ultimate answer.
Denali National Park with Alaska Railroad takes travellers into the heart of Alaska's wilderness, where long summer days, cooler temperatures, and incredible wildlife create a truly unique experience.
The Alaska Railroad journey itself is a highlight, offering views of mountains, rivers, forests, and wide-open landscapes that seem to stretch forever. Once in Denali, opportunities for wildlife viewing and outdoor exploration are everywhere.
It's a holiday that feels both adventurous and wonderfully refreshing.
6. Zurich to Milan Via the Glacier and Bernina Express Trains
This itinerary offers a unique combination of cool alpine scenery and Italian culture.
The journey begins in Switzerland, where travellers ride two of the world's most iconic scenic trains: the Glacier Express and Bernina Express. These routes travel through high mountain passes, glacier landscapes, and picturesque alpine villages where summer temperatures remain pleasantly mild.
By the time you arrive in Milan, you've already experienced some of Europe's most spectacular mountain scenery while escaping the worst of the summer heat.
It's an ideal choice for travellers who want a little bit of everything.
7. Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City
For travellers who prefer cities over mountains, Eastern Canada offers a fantastic alternative.
Toronto, Montreal, and Quebec City combines three of Canada's most vibrant urban destinations into one seamless rail holiday. While summers are certainly warm, temperatures are generally more comfortable than many destinations farther south, and the cities offer plenty of opportunities to enjoy waterfronts, outdoor cafés, parks, and cultural attractions.
Quebec City in particular feels like a European escape without crossing the Atlantic, offering charming streets, historic architecture, and a relaxed pace that makes summer travel especially enjoyable.
Why Rail Holidays Are Perfect for Summer Travel
Beyond the destinations themselves, train travel offers several advantages during the warmer months.
Instead of sitting in traffic or navigating crowded airports, you can relax in comfortable seating, enjoy panoramic views, and let the scenery come to you. Many of the world's most scenic rail routes also travel through mountain regions, coastal areas, and northern destinations where temperatures tend to be naturally cooler.
Rail travel also allows you to experience the landscapes between destinations, not just the destinations themselves.
Trade Heatwaves for Mountain Views
Summer travel doesn't have to mean sweltering temperatures and crowded beaches.
Whether it's the Swiss Alps, Norwegian fjords, Scottish Highlands, Canadian Rockies, or the wilderness of Alaska, some of the world's most memorable rail holidays offer a cooler and more comfortable way to travel.
With Railbookers handling the planning, trains, hotels, and connections, all that's left to do is choose where you want to escape the heat first.
