G Adventures Rail Collection: Best Train Tours for Solo Travelers

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Looking for the best G Adventures Rail Collection tours for solo travelers? I’ve gone through every single itinerary in their new collection to find the train tours that actually give you independence, with just the right amount of support. Because let’s be honest, there’s something kind of magical about watching the world roll by from a train window.

How to Choose the Best Rail Travel Tour for You

Before jumping into specific itineraries, ask yourself these four questions to narrow down your options:

• What’s your comfort level with foreign transit? Be honest about whether you’d enjoy figuring out Chinese train stations solo or if you’d rather have someone guiding you
• What’s your social style? Some tours have more free time, others more group activities. That’s why the different G Adventures travel styles matter when choosing the right fit.
• What’s your budget range? Rail journeys range from $600 to $6,000+
• What’s your ideal pace? Some tours hit a new city almost daily, others have multiple nights in key destinations.

Now, let’s explore the best rail group tours for solo female travelers!

7 Best G Adventures Rail Collection Tours for Solo Female Travelers

See all available G Adventures train tours here.

1. Korea & Japan Encompassed

Duration: 16 days, Seoul to Tokyo
Price: From $6,071
Perfect for: Culture enthusiasts who value efficiency and safety

What’s Included:

• 14 nights accommodation (hotels, 1 night temple stay)
• 16 meals (14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
• All transportation, including bullet trains
• Seoul city tour
• DMZ visit
• Gyeongju UNESCO site tour
• Kyoto orientation walk
• Fushimi Inari shrine visit
• Lake Ashino-ko boat ride
• Tokyo orientation walk

Itinerary Highlights: The tour begins in Seoul with exploration of palaces and markets, visits the DMZ, then heads to Gyeongju to experience a temple stay. From there, you’ll fly to Osaka, travel to sacred Mount Koya for another temple experience, then hit Hiroshima, Kyoto, and Hakone before ending in Tokyo. Throughout, you’ll experience both countries’ high-speed rail systems, which is very cool. This is one of those iconic rail journeys where even the transport feels like an adventure.

Why You’ll Love It: Both countries consistently rank among the safest for female travelers. Public transportation is incredibly clean, efficient, and safe, even late at night. The biggest challenge is language barriers in rural areas, which the tour eliminates by having a guide handle all transportation logistics.

2. Solo-ish Adventures: China

Duration: 11 days, Shanghai to Beijing
Price: From $2,111
Perfect for: Adventurous travelers wanting support in a challenging destination

What’s Included:

• 10 nights accommodation (8 in hotels, 1 in a guesthouse at the Great Wall, 1 possibly overnight train or another hotel stay – depending on final routing)
• 5 meals (3 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner)
• All train transportation, including bullet trains
• Shanghai walking tour
• Zhujiajiao water town excursion
• Terracotta Warriors guided visit
• Dumpling-making class at the Great Wall
• Great Wall hike at Jinshanling (less crowded section)
• Forbidden City tour

Itinerary Highlights: Beginning in Shanghai, you’ll explore the modern city and nearby water town before taking bullet trains to Xi’an for the Terracotta Warriors. The journey continues to Luoyang for the Longmen Grottoes, then to Beijing for comprehensive exploration, including the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, and the Forbidden City.

Why You’ll Love It: China can be overwhelming solo due to significant language barriers and a complex train booking system. This tour removes those obstacles while still providing plenty of free time. The “Solo-ish” concept means you’ll have help when needed but independence when desired.

3. Ultimate Italy

Duration: 14 days, Rome to Venice
Price: From $3,314
Perfect for: Food lovers and photography enthusiasts

What’s Included:

• 13 nights accommodation
• 15 meals (13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
• All train transportation
• Rome migrant-led walking tour
• Pisa visit
• Montepulciano wine tasting
• Siena orientation walk
• Florence guided walking tour
• Cinque Terre National Park pass and unlimited train ticket
• Lake Como ferry pass
• Venice guided walking tour

Itinerary Highlights: Starting in Rome, you’ll take trains to the Tuscan countryside (Montepulciano) for wine tasting, then to Florence for Renaissance art and architecture. The journey continues to the colorful coastal villages of Cinque Terre, elegant Lake Como, and finally Venice. The tour balances iconic cities with smaller towns that solo travelers might skip when planning independently.

Why You’ll Love It: Italy offers an ideal mix of safety, walkable cities, and social dining culture. The tour includes centrally located accommodations, typically within walking distance of regional train stations, making solo exploration during free time easy and safe. The mixture of structured activities and free time provides plenty of opportunities to make friends without feeling constantly supervised.

4. Solo-ish Adventures: Spain

Duration: 9 days, Barcelona to Seville
Price: From $2,294
Perfect for: Social travelers who love food and nightlife

What’s Included:

• 8 nights accommodation
• 9 meals (8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
• All train transportation
• Barcelona walking tour
• Migrant-run cooking class
• Madrid orientation walk
• Granada orientation walk
• Tapas bar crawl with first drink included
• Seville orientation walk

Itinerary Highlights: Beginning in Barcelona with a cooking class at a G Adventures-supported social enterprise, you’ll travel to Madrid to explore the capital. Continue south to Granada with its magnificent Alhambra fortress (optional visit) and enjoy a tapas crawl through local neighborhoods. End in colorful Seville, one of Spain’s most famous cities, with its Moorish influences and flamenco culture.

Why You’ll Love It: Spain combines excellent safety with a social culture centered around shared meals and nightlife – activities that can sometimes feel awkward solo. Having built-in companions for Spain’s famously late dinners (often starting 9-10pm) and evening activities makes a huge difference. The high-speed AVE train network connects all destinations efficiently and comfortably.

5. Japan Express – Osaka to Tokyo

Duration: 9 days, Osaka to Tokyo
Price: From $2,924
Perfect for: Time-limited travelers who want efficiency

What’s Included:

• 7 nights accommodation (6 in hotels, 1 in monastery)
• 9 meals (7 breakfasts, 2 dinners)
• All train transportation, including bullet trains
• Mount Koya temple stay
• Hiroshima Peace Park visit
• Miyajima Island excursion
• Kyoto Nijo Castle and garden visit
• Fushimi Inari shrine visit
• Lake Ashino-ko boat ride
• Tokyo orientation walk

Itinerary Highlights: Starting in Osaka, you immediately head to Mount Koya for an overnight temple stay. Then visit poignant Hiroshima and the scenic island of Miyajima before continuing to historic Kyoto. The journey concludes with scenic Hakone (for Mt. Fuji views) and vibrant Tokyo. The tour uses Japan’s legendary bullet trains to maximize sightseeing time.

Why You’ll Love It: Japan’s exceptional safety extends to its high-tech commuter trains – clean, fast, and easy to navigate with English signage. However, the precise timing and connections can be stressful when traveling alone. This tour removes that pressure while still delivering a comprehensive Japanese experience in a limited time.

6. Delhi to Kochi: Hampi Ruins & The Taj Mahal (India)

Duration: 22 days, Delhi to Kochi
Price: From $1,410
Perfect for: Adventurous souls seeking cultural immersion

What’s Included:

• 14 nights accommodation (hotels, hostels, homestays)
• 5 overnight trains
• 5 meals (4 breakfasts, 1 lunch)
• All transportation
• Taj Mahal guided tour
• Amber Fort guided tour
• Rural village walks
• Pushkar orientation walk
• Mumbai orientation walk
• Hampi ruins tour
• Mysore orientation walk

Itinerary Highlights: This comprehensive north-to-south journey begins in Delhi, visits the Taj Mahal in Agra, explores the “Pink City” of Jaipur, and continues to Pushkar and Udaipur before heading to Mumbai. From there, you’ll go south to Goa’s beaches, the ancient ruins of Hampi, and end in Kerala. Multiple overnight train journeys create an authentic Indian experience.

Why You’ll Love It: India can be challenging for solo female travelers due to cultural differences and persistent attention. This tour provides a buffer through its group structure while still allowing deep cultural immersion. The overnight train journeys and local train rides – including some of India’s famous night trains – are much more enjoyable and safe with a group of people.

7. Paris to the Mediterranean: Coasts & Cafés

Duration: 22 days, Paris to Lisbon
Price: From $4,399
Perfect for: European enthusiasts who want variety without logistical headaches

What’s Included:

• 19 nights accommodation (hostels, hotels)
• 2 overnight trains
• 3 meals (1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner)
• All train transportation
• Paris orientation walk
• Eiffel Tower picnic
• Rome orientation walk
• Cinque Terre National Park pass
• Monaco day trip
• Barcelona cooking class
• Various orientation walks
• Multiple “Big Night Out” group activities

Itinerary Highlights: This extensive journey begins in Paris, heads to the Swiss Alps (Interlaken), continues to Rome and the Italian Riviera, then to the French Riviera (Nice) with a Monaco day trip. The tour continues to Barcelona and Madrid in Spain, Granada with its Moorish influences, Seville, Portugal’s Algarve coast, and finally Lisbon. The variety of landscapes, cultures, and cuisines is unmatched.

Why You’ll Love It: Coordinating train tickets across five countries would be a logistical nightmare independently. This tour handles all reservations and connections while providing accommodation near train stations for easy navigation. The included “Big Night Out” events are great for experiencing Europe’s nightlife safely. The route also includes two of Europe’s famous night trains, making the ride part of the adventure.

Rail Travel: Practical Tips for Solo Female Travelers

Check G Adventures’ official FAQ section for more helpful travel tips and info.

What to Pack Specifically for Train Travel

• Compact daypack for essentials while your main bag is in overhead storage
• Refillable water bottle and snacks for longer trips
• Portable phone charger as not all trains have outlets
• Comfortable slip-on shoes for overnight trains
• Eye mask and earplugs for sleeping on trains
• Crossbody bag that zips securely for valuables
• Adapter with multiple USB ports because outlets are limited in train stations
• Offline maps downloaded for each destination

Balancing Group Time and Alone Time

One of the biggest advantages of rail tours is flexibility. The chief experience officers (CEOs) also make it easy by helping you navigate local customs, stations, and group dynamics.

• Take early morning walks alone before group activities start
• Use train rides for personal time (reading, journaling, photography) and to soak in everyday scenes you’d miss if you just bypass local life by flying
• Be direct about needing space: “I’m going to explore solo this afternoon, but will see everyone for dinner”
• Join group activities when they align with your interests, opt out when they don’t

Making Friends on Train Tours

• Take photos for others and ask them to reciprocate
• Suggest sharing dishes at restaurants to try specialties from local sellers
• Ask about others’ previous travels for conversation starters
• Offer to watch someone’s belongings during a bathroom break on the train
• Share snacks during longer train journeys
• Lean on your chief experience officers (CEOs) for tips – they’re low-key friendship wizards

Results

• Mostly A’s: Japan Express or Ultimate Italy
  • You value comfort, efficiency, and clear communication. These small group rail tours offer excellent infrastructure, comfortable accommodations, and a balance between exotic experiences and comforts.
• Mostly B’s: Korea & Japan Encompassed or Solo-ish Spain
  • You appreciate a mix of adventure and comfort. These train tours have rich cultural experiences with strong transportation systems and a perfect balance of guided activities and independent exploration.
• Mostly C’s: Delhi to Kochi or Solo-ish China
  • You’re ready for deeper cultural immersion and more challenging environments. These rail group tours have transformative experiences that will push your comfort zone in rewarding ways – and for the price, they’re a pretty unbeatable travel deal.
• Mixed Results: Paris to the Mediterranean
  • This European sampler has an incredible variety, allowing you to experience different cultures while maintaining excellent comfort.

Why G Adventures Trips by Train Are Great for Solo Female Travelers

Train travel lets you see more, stress less, and still feel like you’re on an adventure. It’s scenic, social, and takes you through rarely seen landscapes you’d completely miss if you were flying.

For solo women, G Adventures takes care of the messy stuff – like train schedules and connections – giving you stress-free transport logistics so you can focus on enjoying the ride (and not sprinting through a station with your backpack at midnight). Whether it’s Japan, India, or Europe, these are some of the most iconic rail journeys you can take as a solo traveler. And if you are looking for something more custom, G Adventures private travel is also an option. It’s ideal if you travel with a few friends or want a more flexible experience.

Tried any of these train tours or planning to? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Let’s get lost together!