Intrepid Travel has launched a new range of trips dedicated to rail travel to promote slower, more sustainable travel.
The new rail travel collection features 40 trips, including three new itineraries in Asia and Europe for 2025.
Intrepid said the launch reflects the company's long-term product development plans, replacing internal flights with less carbon-intensive options, where viable, as part of its global decarbonization strategy. The company also said that new customer data showed that 75% of travelers are hoping to take a train on their next trip.
Where Intrepid's new rail trips go
The Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure is an 11-day itinerary that will familiarize guests with the Trans-Mongolian Railway and the ties it has to an ancient route that tea caravans used between Mongolia and China. The trip starts in Beijing, traveling across China's hilly landscapes en route to Inner Mongolia, visiting Khustai National Park, the dunes of the Gobi Desert and Sainshand along the way. Departures begin in June 2025 and fares start at $3,365 per person.
Express to the Orient: Paris to Istanbul is a 15-day tour that begins with a high-speed rail journey from Paris to Budapest, following the same route as the historic Orient Express and stopping in Strasbourg, France; Munich; and Salzburg, Austria. From there, travelers take local trains to get from Belgrade, Serbia, to Istanbul, spending days in between tasting local delicacies or enjoying a traditional Serbian lunch in a Salas home. Departures begin next April, with fares starting at $4,560 per person.
On the 10-day Paris to Rome by Rail itinerary, travelers will take the Gotthard Panorama Express through Switzerland, where they will see the historic route of the Gotthard railway, constructed in the 19th century. Travelers will take in panoramic views of the Swiss countryside and its majestic mountain ranges in between scenic hikes, visits to medieval castles and farm-to-table Swiss Italian cooking. Departures begin next April, with fares starting at $4,200 per person.