Call to book1-877-929-7245

Tour Search

Favorites

Winter Holidays

Winter Vacations

Switch up your holiday itinerary this year with a winter vacation. There are many appealing things about traveling during the winter months: Popular attractions are devoid of summertime tourists, trains are less crowded and, of course, the scenery is amazing. Plains and prairies are blanketed with freshly fallen snow, and mountain peaks are dressed in their winter white. All of this paired with ice-encrusted rivers and frozen lakes make for some of the most incredible sights to behold. The best winter vacations highlight the beauty of the landscape while also capturing the spirit of the season.

Visit alpine towns chock-full of winter activities, such as Banff or Jasper in the Rocky Mountains of Canada or the resort cities of the Swiss Alps. In these destinations, skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing are among the most popular ways to savor the winter scenes. Ride a snow train from Chicago to San Francisco or Seattle for a look at the ever-changing vistas of winter as you travel between states. Take a train trip past the Arctic Circle to watch the Northern Lights play across the sky in places like Alaska and Scandinavia. A winter holiday may also venture to Europe, where traditional Christmas markets fill the air with spiced aromas and the joyous sounds of festive music.

Winter holiday destinations do not have to be cold, though. Rather, travelers have the option to escape to warmer havens to soak up the sun and leave the cold far behind them. These trips combine thoughtful train itineraries with ocean cruising to destinations like Hawaii and the Western Caribbean. Winter vacation ideas are as diverse as the travelers that set out upon them.

Our customers love our Winter Tours tours

Classic Coast to Coast by Rail

16 Apr 2024

BEDWARD DUNLAP

“This can be expensive for some people. Maybe you should offer discounts to older travelers.

Collected by Trustpilot

Alaska Northern Lights & Aurora Train

15 Apr 2024

TERESA ALLUMS

“Aurora lights another amazing beauty of the Lord. The Yurt experience was great.

Collected by Trustpilot

Cuisine & Culture: Barcelona, Madrid & Seville

13 Apr 2024

STEVEN FELIX BECK

“The travel arrangements were great. All airport/train station to and from the Hotels were spot on. Private tour guides were first rate.

Collected by Trustpilot

Grand Canyon Railway Rails to the Rim Adventure

12 Apr 2024

BARRY BLAIR

“Everything was so organized and well planned. We had absolutely no problems. It was an amazing trip!

Collected by Trustpilot

Winter in the Rockies

11 Apr 2024

Helen Adams

“This was a great trip; the hotels were beautiful and we loved the overnight train! Just the right amount of coordination by Vacations by Rail so that our time was our own but all of the transportation details were arranged conveniently and expertly. This was our second Vacations By Rail trip, and we will definitely take more of them as we are big train travel fans.

Collected by Trustpilot

Anchorage & Talkeetna Northern Lights Getaway

05 Apr 2024

JAMES ANTHONY HORN

“The staff was very professional and knowledgeable about the northern lights. We gathered a lot of information from them. Great staff.

Collected by Trustpilot

Aurora Viewing at Bettles Lodge

03 Apr 2024

Chit Aquino

“Bettles Lodge had a homey, family ambiance. Staff were very friendly and entertained us with their personal stories. I was so happy that the Aurora Borealis did not disappoint me. I will definitely recommend this adventure at Bettles Lodge.

Collected by Trustpilot

Northern Lights at Borealis Basecamp

03 Apr 2024

Carol

“The Borealis Basecamp location is unique. Two nights were just right for us. The igloos were cozy. May be nice to have some different games available. The staff was excellent. All well coordinated. Received information in time and the instructions on the vouchers helped. Liked our stay at Springhill in Fairbanks. Did you know that the bus system in Fairbanks is free if you are over 60? The Aurora train was comfortable and enjoyed mixing with others in the dining car. We booked a separate city tour package in Anchorage. No free breakfast at the hotel. Some amenities were not free. We found a great breakfast at Snow City Cafe. Will definitely explore Vacations by Rail again. Customer Service was spot on!

Collected by Trustpilot

Aurora Viewing at Chena Hot Springs

24 Mar 2024

HEATHER

“Chena was cool, but very crowded. Especially with only one restaurant.

Collected by Trustpilot

Winter Vacations

54 results matching: Winter Tours