LISBON, PORTO & CRUISE
Tuesday 2 to Tuesday 16 June 2026
- BOOK NOW
SPAIN & PORTUGAL 2026
Sun 10 May to Tues 30 Jun 2026
- BOOK NOW
SJR NEWSLETTER
Wed 10 September 2025
- New issue is available now
CANADA'S EAST COAST 2026
Tues 11 Aug to Wed 2 Sep 2026
- BOOK NOW
JAPAN - CHERRY BLOSSOMS 2026
Tue 24 March to Thu 16 April 2026
- BOOK NOW
Welcome, welcome back.
If you are new to St James Rail (SJR) - welcome.
To our regular SJR travellers - welcome back.
St James Rail specialises in personalised, escorted tours, across Australia and around the world - we’ve been looking after people for more than 40 years as we explore the world by rail.
We are very proud that our tours are researched, planned and led by us - Takako Ishige and Owen Johnstone-Donnet - who are your personal contacts and tour leaders from the first email or phone call, until the end of the tour.
Featuring Tours
CHERRY BLOSSOMS 2026
Embark on an unforgettable fifteen-day adventure through Japan’s cherry blossom season, from Kyushu’s southern tip to Honshu’s northern landscapes. Travel first-class on the Shinkansen, join locals in hanami picnics, and explore both iconic cities and hidden villages. On this carefully curated itinerary that follows the blossoms, with expert bilingual guides, and authentic encounters, this small-group tour offers a deeper cultural connection and the thrill of discovering Japan beyond the ordinary.
​
Date: Tue 24 March - Thu 9 April 2026
JAPAN BY RAIL
SPAIN AND PORTUGAL
Join us for our unforgettable journeys through Spain and Portugal. Travel in comfort aboard scenic trains, glide along the Douro River on a luxury cruise, and indulge in the elegance of one of Europe’s most celebrated luxury trains. You can choose one, two or three section(s) of the itineraries that inspire you most – or combine them for the ultimate Iberian adventure.
​
Date: Sunday 10 May - Tuesday 30 June 2026
BY RAIL, RIVER CRUISE & LUXURY TRAIN
CHERRY BLOSSOMS 2026
Join us for one of our most popular tours to Japan – a 22 day tour with deeper cultural experiences during the cherry blossom season. We travel accross the Japanese islands from Kyushu, Shikoku, Honshu and to Hokkaido in first class on the impressive and comfortable Shinkansen. Enjoy various accommodations including beautiful Ryokan, and a range of Japanese foods from street food to Kaiseki meals. This tour is led by Takako and Owen who are proud and passionate about our tours - we make it possible to experience the real Japan.
​
Date: Tuesdaay 24 March to Thursday 16 April 2026
SRI LANKA by RAIL
THE ‘VICEROY SPECIAL’
Explore Sri Lanka by private train aboard the Viceroy Special. Stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, captivating cultural heritage and unique experiences within a compact location. Boasting eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 1,330 km of coastline, 15 national parks, an abundance of wildlife, 250 acres of botanical gardens, 350 waterfalls, and a culture that extends back to over 2,500 years. The island has a wonderful broad gauge colonial-relic railway system very much as the British left it, none of it electrified. Travel with our private “Viceroy” train and explore the extremities of the island. Excellent hotels, dedicated coach to transfer luggage and us to / from hotels, trains and local sights.
​
Date: Monday 19 January to Tuesday 10 February 2026
Sign up for SJR Newsletter
