“What is travelling by train like?”

Travelling by train 

We plan our holiday itineraries carefully to ensure that you travel on the best trains available and try to avoid early starts or late arrivals into destinations. Normally our guests have time for breakfast before catching the train to the next destination and time for dinner after their arrival.

With Great Rail Journeys travelling by train is a highlight of the holiday; you can travel through scenery that is normally unreachable and enjoy journeys on heritage railways. Whilst travelling you can talk to new-found companions, immerse yourself in a book or sit back and relax as you pass through breathtaking landscape.

Great Rail Journeys’ Trains 

The trains used on each of our tours vary; you can find out all the details of the trains used under the "Trains" section on the holiday page. Our experienced team chooses the trains used with care, selecting the most efficient services between cities and the best trains available on scenic routes.

If you have specific seating requirements, for example you would like a forward facing seat or to be seated with friends, we will do our best to meet your requests. Please understand that as we make our arrangements over a year in advance, it is not possible to guarantee such requests.

Do we always travel First Class? 

Where more than one class of service and seating is available on a journey, we usually reserve seats in First Class or its equivalent.

Some of our tours do now travel Standard Class and this is highlighted on the holiday pages so you are aware before you book. Additionally, due to capacity restrictions on certain journeys, Standard is sometimes the only class of service available and where known, this is clearly stated within our itineraries.

We request places from our rail suppliers months in advance, giving us the best possible chance of attaining the preferred class for our customers. However every rail company replies to our request at different times and a last minute amendment by a supplier may affect the rail class of a connection. Fortunately, Standard Class on the majority of European trains is of a high standard, meaning that the enjoyment of your journey is relatively unaffected.

Do we carry our own bags? 

We arrange porterage whenever possible. However many trains (especially in Europe) do not have a specific luggage carriage, so you will have to lift your luggage to stow it in the rack above your head or in the designated area of the carriage. Unfortunately porterage is also unavailable at some stations.

For these reasons we recommend keeping your luggage to a minimum - just one suitcase and one small piece of hand luggage per person. The best type of suitcase is a vertical one with built in wheels and a retractable handle. We strongly recommend keeping the weight to 15kg (33lb). If your holiday includes a flight airline luggage restrictions apply.

In several destinations you can avoid the hassle of taking your luggage to and from London with First Luggage. The company collects your cases from home a few days before the start of your holiday and delivers them to the first hotel of your tour. The suitcases are returned to your home a few days after the end of your holiday. Prices are available on request.