How much does it cost?

From £3,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,997 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.

Is the train travel included?

Yes. The price includes all rail travel: the Mount Washington Cog Railway, North Conway Scenic Railroad, and Amtrak Downeaster, plus all coach and cruise travel throughout the tour.

Is this an escorted or independent tour?

Escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London Heathrow through to the return flight; all guided tours, rail journeys, and transfers are arranged.

Which trains are included?

The Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of Mount Washington, the North Conway Scenic Railroad's Mountaineer on the Crawford Notch route, and Amtrak's Downeaster from Portland back to Boston.

What hotels are included?

The Revere Hotel in Boston (2 nights), the North Conway Grand Hotel in North Conway (3 nights), and the Aloft Portland Downtown Waterfront in Portland (3 nights), all 3- or 4-star.

When does the tour run?

Departures run in September and October 2026 and 2027, to experience New England's autumn colours.

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

New England in the Fall

Ten-day New England autumn loop from Boston through White Mountains to Portland

Great Rail Journeys operates this 10-day escorted tour to New England in autumn, departing London Heathrow and spending days in Boston, the White Mountains, and Portland, Maine. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group throughout. The itinerary balances guided city exploration with scenic rail journeys: Day 1 arrives in Boston; Day 2 covers a guided walking tour of the Freedom Trail and historic landmarks. Day 3 combines a cruise to Salem with a coach journey to North Conway. Days 4 and 5 feature two heritage railways: the Mount Washington Cog Railway (the world's first, opened 1869) climbing to the summit, and the North Conway Scenic Railroad's Mountaineer train running through Crawford Notch. Days 6 through 8 move to Portland, Maine, with a lake cruise, trolley museum visit, and lighthouse tour. Day 9 returns to Boston by Amtrak Downeaster before an overnight flight home. The tour is suited to first-time rail travellers and history enthusiasts seeking guided comfort and dramatic autumn scenery.

Price history

Across 5 checks, this price has risen £100 since 4 Jul, to £3,699.

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 5 points are a live read of the operator's page. Hollow points are values shown when the trip was first listed here and never confirmed with the operator.

What to know before you look closer

Single supplement is GBP 1,500 (from GBP 5,099 total), significantly higher than half the double price; couples receive better value.
Group size capped at 30 travellers; the tour is escorted but not intimate.
Only two dinners are included; most other meals require independent arrangement or payment.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Boston
Arrival in Massachusetts' capital, Boston
Meet the Tour Manager at London Heathrow for the flight to Boston, transferring to a downtown hotel in the theatre district for the first group dinner.
Day 2overnight: Boston
Uncovering historic Boston
Guided tour of Boston including the Freedom Trail, Harvard University, Faneuil Hall, the Paul Revere House and a drive past the USS Constitution to Copley Square and Beacon Hill, with free time to explore independently.
Day 3overnight: North Conway
Sailing to Salem and the White Mountains
A cruise across Massachusetts Bay to historic Salem with free time, then a coach journey into New Hampshire's White Mountains to the village of North Conway for a three-night stay.
Day 4railovernight: North Conway
Mount Washington Cog Railway and Kancamagus Highway
Board the Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit for panoramic views, then a scenic drive back via Woodstock and the Kancamagus Scenic Highway's waterfalls and covered bridges.
Day 5railovernight: North Conway
A superb journey on the North Conway Scenic Railroad
Ride the Mountaineer train on the Crawford Notch route of the North Conway Scenic Railroad through the Saco River Valley to Bartlett, with a free afternoon back in North Conway.
Day 6overnight: Portland
Cruising Lake Winnipesaukee to Wolfeboro
Coach to Weirs Beach to board the historic MS Mount Washington for a narrated cruise, with free time in Wolfeboro before continuing to Portland, Maine.
Day 7overnight: Portland
Seashore Trolley Museum and Portland Head Lighthouse
Visit the Seashore Trolley Museum near Kennebunkport for a vintage tram ride, then Fort Williams Park to see the historic Portland Head lighthouse.
Day 8overnight: Portland
Free day in Portland
A free day to explore Portland's Old Port district, museums, galleries and craft breweries, with a final group dinner in the evening.
Day 9railovernight: In flight
Return to Boston on Amtrak's Downeaster
Travel by rail on the Amtrak Downeaster back to Boston (luggage carried by coach) with free time before transferring to the airport for the overnight flight home.
Day 10
Homeward bound
Arrive back in the UK and make your own way home.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 4Ride the Mount Washington Cog Railway, the world's first cog railway opened in 1869, climbing by bio-diesel to the summit with an hour for panoramic views.
Day 5Travel the North Conway Scenic Railroad's Mountaineer train in restored 1950s-era streamlined passenger cars through Crawford Notch alongside the Saco River Valley.
Day 3Cruise across Massachusetts Bay to historic Salem to explore the town linked to the 1692 witch trials.
Day 6Board the MS Mount Washington for a narrated cruise across Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake, to Wolfeboro.

Included

Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
8 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
Coach Seat Class rail travel; all rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
Return flights from London Heathrow and Boston
Breakfast each day, 2 dinners
All guided tours and excursions

Not included

Cancellation & Travel Insurance

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Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?: From £3,699 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $4,997 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is the train travel included?: Yes. The price includes all rail travel: the Mount Washington Cog Railway, North Conway Scenic Railroad, and Amtrak Downeaster, plus all coach and cruise travel throughout the tour.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?: Escorted. Great Rail Journeys provides a UK Tour Manager from London Heathrow through to the return flight; all guided tours, rail journeys, and transfers are arranged.
Which trains are included?: The Mount Washington Cog Railway to the summit of Mount Washington, the North Conway Scenic Railroad's Mountaineer on the Crawford Notch route, and Amtrak's Downeaster from Portland back to Boston.
What hotels are included?: The Revere Hotel in Boston (2 nights), the North Conway Grand Hotel in North Conway (3 nights), and the Aloft Portland Downtown Waterfront in Portland (3 nights), all 3- or 4-star.
When does the tour run?: Departures run in September and October 2026 and 2027, to experience New England's autumn colours.