Booking, confirmation/invoice and tickets

Once you have booked your holiday with us and we have received your deposit (full payment due at the time of booking if less than 60 days (90 for cruise and private train holidays) prior to departure), we will send you a confirmation/invoice. This will summarise the arrangements made on your behalf, the outstanding balance and the date by which it must be received by us. Please check these details carefully ensuring athe initials or forenames and surnames given match those on your passport as we make reservations using this information and any inaccuracies will cause problems at a later date. Please contact us immediately if there are any inaccuracies. As your holiday approaches, we write to you again approximately 10 weeks prior to your departure to remind you of certain points concerning your holiday. Then, approximately 10 days prior to departure date, your final holiday documentation is sent. Individual flight and train tickets are NOT usually sent out in advance, but are given out by your Tour Manager at check-in.

Foreign Office advice

You are responsible for making yourself aware of Foreign Office advice and warnings in regard to the safety of the countries and areas in which you will be travelling to and to make your decisions accordingly. Global and political situations do change. Your safety is our first consideration and if the Foreign Office advises against travel to a certain country, we act on this advice. Advice from the Foreign Office to avoid or leave a particular country may constitute Force Majeure. The Foreign Office issues regular advice and updates on its website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice which you are recommended to consult before booking and in good time before departure.

Passports & travel documentation

Please note that you are entirely responsible for ensuring that everyone in your party has the necessary correct and up-to-date personal documentation before you start the holiday and that you all fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your chosen tour. We do not accept any liability if you are refused entry onto any transport or into any country due to failure on your part to carry correct documentation. If failure to have any necessary travel or other documents results in fines, surcharges or other financial penalty, costs or expenses being imposed on us, you will be responsible for reimbursing us accordingly. For British Citizens, a standard 10 year British passport is required for all holidays which must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned date of return travel. If your passport expires before this, it may still be acceptable, but you should contact your local passport office or the consulate or embassy of the country/countries you plan to visit/transit through, for detailed advice. Information is also available on or through the Foreign Office website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice. Customers applying for a first British passport should allow at least six weeks to obtain one as they are now required to attend a personal interview with the Passport Office. Customers renewing their passport should allow a minimum of 2 to 3 weeks. However, in all cases, please apply as far ahead as possible so as to allow time for unexpected delays.

Visas

We will advise British Citizens with a British passport at the time of booking of any visa requirements and we indicate in the 'Departures Panel' section of each tour whether British Citizens require a visa to enter the country or countries included in the holiday. Please note that when travelling on any of our cruise holidays, if you wish to explore the ports visited independently then you may also need to obtain additional visas for those destinations. We endeavour to keep the information regarding visa requirements up to date but requirements may change at short notice and we recommend that you check the latest position in good time before your departure. Information on this subject is available on or through the Foreign Office website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

If you have a British passport issued outside of the UK or if you are not a British Citizen, you must check immigration requirements with the relevant embassy or consulate of the country/countries that you plan to visit or transit through.

Our ability and that of our recommended visa agent to obtain any visa depends on you providing all information, documents (including your passport) and photographs, as applicable and accurately, when requested. If any application is refused or not granted in time and you are unable to travel on the holiday as a result, cancellation charges as shown in the booking conditions will apply.

It is your responsibility to check and fulfil the passport, visa, health and immigration requirements applicable to your itinerary. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel, or incur any other loss because you have not complied with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities. You agree to reimburse us in relation to any fines or other losses which we incur as a result of your failure to comply with any passport, visa, immigration requirements or health formalities.

Our recommended VISA agent

The process of applying for holiday visas with embassies and consulates can sometimes be confusing and time consuming and we will usually recommend a visa agent to assist you with this process. The visa agent we suggest you use is established and experienced and will save you time and worry. Dealing with our recommended Visa Agent avoids costly trips to London to visit embassies and consulates to spend several hours queuing; our agent takes care of all the necessary paperwork; and importantly they make sure you get the right visas on the right dates for the holiday that you are travelling on. Whilst you are free to apply with embassies and consulates directly, many customers have mentioned the peace of mind is the biggest advantage that our recommended visa agent offers through their service, knowledge and efficiency.

The ability of our recommended visa agent to obtain any visa depends on you providing all information, documents (including your passport) and photographs, as applicable and accurately, when requested. If any application is refused or not granted in time and you are unable to travel on the holiday as a result, cancellation charges as shown in the booking conditions will apply.

Our recommended visa agent is CIBT Visas, their website is www.cibtvisas.co.uk. Contact Telephone number 0207 593 6182.

Important note: the Visa Agent is entirely independent of Great Rail Journeys and we cannot accept any responsibility for the provision of the service or the Visa Agent's acts and omissions.

Insurance and holiday duration

It is a condition of booking that you take out sufficient and appropriate travel insurance cover. We recommend you do this at time of booking so that your deposit (less any applicable excess) is recoverable in the event of a cancellation covered by the policy. To purchase the insurance policy we offer please contact us for details. If you take out your own cover please provides us with details of the Insurance Company, the policy number and the 24-hour emergency telephone number when requested. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover you purchase is suitable and adequate for your particular needs. We do not check alternative insurance policies. The duration of the holiday in the brochure or on our website includes the day of departure and day of return and is the period to be used for insurance purposes. Read our policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday. Should you choose to extend your holiday (either at the start or the end of your holiday), you will need to extend the duration of your insurance cover. If you choose to travel without adequate insurance cover, we will not be liable for any losses howsoever arising, in respect of which insurance cover would otherwise have been available.

Disabilities, medical conditions and mobility

Regrettably, many of our tours are not suitable for customers with certain disabilities and they can also be physically demanding. Please let us know if you suffer from any medical condition or physical disability, which may affect your holiday arrangements or the booking process, or have any health or fitness concerns which may affect your ability to cope with the tour before any booking is made. If we are to help you choose the right holiday for your health, mobility and fitness, we must be aware of all details. Please note that Tour Managers cannot provide individual assistance with boarding trains or coaches, or handle your luggage. It is your responsibility to provide us with full and accurate details of your mobility, health and fitness (including any disability), so we can advise you on the suitability of tours. As standard practice all customers are asked at the point of booking whether they have any mobility limitations or health concerns which may impact on their holiday. Customers are required to provide all relevant information to ensure that this matter has been carefully considered and we are aware of any issues. If you are in any doubt as to whether the holiday you hope to book is suitable for you, please discuss this with our Reservations Team at the time of making your booking. We want all our customers to enjoy their holiday to the full, and are here to help answer any mobility, disability, health and fitness issues or concerns. You must advise us of any change in any disability or medical condition or in your health or level of mobility or if any medical condition or disability which may effect your holiday develops, between booking your holiday and joining your tour.

Health

It is your responsibility to ensure you are aware of all recommended vaccinations and health precautions in good time before departure. Details are available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.nathnac.org. Information on health abroad is also available on www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Travelhealth. For European holidays, you should obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to departure from www.ehic.org.uk for access to health care in many European countries. An EHIC is not a substitute for travel insurance. We will advise British Citizens of any applicable health formalities before or at the time of booking. Vaccination and other health requirements/recommendations are subject to change at any time for any destination. Please therefore check with a doctor or clinic not less than six weeks prior to departure to ensure that you have met the necessary requirements and have the applicable information.

Accommodation

• All our basic holiday prices are expressed in £ sterling and are per person, based on 2 people sharing.
• Supplements for accommodation upgrades are usually expressed per room or cabin/sleeper, on the assumption that two people are occupying it.
• Single supplements or prices are naturally expressed per person.
• In some hotels, triple or family rooms may be available and we are happy to provide a quotation accordingly.
• A hotel room shared by two people may contain a double or twin beds. In some countries a double bed may consist of two beds pushed or linked together.
• A single hotel room may be a 'true' single or may be a single occupancy of a double or twin room. Either way, the supplement shown is payable.
• Hotel rooms, particularly in older properties, may differ in size and amenities offered.
• Sleeping accommodation on trains is likely to take the form of seating which converts into a berth at night.
• Most hotel rooms and cabins on cruise ships include en suite facilities, which may be bath and WC or shower and WC.  Shared facilities exist on some tours and are specified on the relevant brochure page.
• Rooms/cabins are not usually available before 2pm on day of arrival and must usually be vacated by 11am on day of departure. You may request a specific configuration, room type or room location but, while we pass on all requests to our hotel partners, neither we nor they can guarantee that what you request can or will be provided.

Meals

• Please check the 'Included in your Tour' panels to see what meals are included on each holiday.
• Hotels: Meals are generally taken in the restaurant of the hotel. We usually dine together, with a set 'table d'hote' style menu that will often feature regional dishes. Drinks are usually not included in our arrangements.
• Trains: On private trains, most meals are included and are taken in the restaurant car of the train. If you are travelling Standard Premier Class on Eurostar a light meal and drinks are included, served at your seat.
• Cruise Ships: Meals are normally included, and are taken in the ship's main restaurant.
• Special diets: If you have a specific dietary need please discuss it with us before you book. We will do our best to cater for special diets when notified in advance however cannot guarantee that your requirements will be met. The more information we have, the better, but even then, some suppliers find it difficult to satisfy every requirement.  If you have a food allergy or intolerance you must declare it to us prior to travel so that we are able to notify our suppliers.

Meals on board (only in cruise specific brochures)

Please check the individual holiday itinerary and the 'Included in your Tour' panels to see what meals are included on each holiday. Once on board, each morning, enjoy a full buffet breakfast featuring a selection of fresh bread and pastries, eggs, fresh fruit, cheese and much more. For lunch on board, you can generally expect a full menu with several courses, or a light alternative such as a fresh salad buffet is usually available. Each evening on your cruise, you are treated to multi-course menus of regional or international specialities, all with a selection of wines available, and some cruises offer wine included in the price.

Meals times on board (only in cruise specific brochures)

Breakfast and lunch are flexible (normally between 7-9am and 12-2pm respectively), meanwhile dinner is generally taken at a more fixed time. Dinner can be either free seating or at an allocated table, depending on the capacity of the ship's restaurant, and is more of a formal experience, with several courses being served.

Shore excursions (only in cruise specific brochures)

On some cruises, shore excursions are included in the price of your holiday; however on other cruises they will be available at each of our ports of call, but at an additional cost - this information is clearly detailed on each tour page. Where shore excursions are optional and not included in the price of your holiday, there will be a selection of tours bookable on board at additional cost. You have the choice to buy these or explore independently. Prices for optional shore excursions vary depending on the contents and can be from, say, £15 for a guided walk to over £60 for a visit to a well known attraction with perhaps entertainment and a meal. A good rule of thumb is to budget approximately £30-£50 per person per shore excursion.  Some optional shore excursions are subject to minimum numbers, including minimum numbers of English speaking customers for the inclusion of English language guides. Where the shore excursion is an optional extra, it is not included in the package we sell to you and does not form part of your contracted arrangements with us. For any optional shore excursion that you book, your contract will be with the operator of the shore excursion and not with us. We are not responsible for the provision of the shore excursion or for anything that happens during the course of its provision by the operator.

Special evenings on board  (only in cruise specific brochures)

On most cruises, there will be a Welcome Reception on either the first or second night on board the ship, which is when the ship's officers and management present themselves to guests. In addition, there is normally a further gala event and a 'Farewell' evening at the end of your time on board.

Dress code  (only in cruise specific brochures)

Casual dress is fine on board during the day and low-heeled rubber soled shoes are recommended for strolling around the decks, with comfortable walking shoes or sandals for your time ashore. For the evening, smart casual dress is generally appropriate, and during 'Welcome' and 'Farewell' evenings and gala events, the recommended dress code includes jacket and tie for gentlemen and cocktail attire for ladies.

Money on board (only in cruise specific brochures)

Cruise ships operate a cash-less system, with incidental expenses (eg. purchases from the gift shop, optional shore excursions, bar purchases etc.) being signed for at the point of purchase. An account is established for each guest, and this is settled at the end of the cruise. To keep track of your expenses, you can normally check your account at any point through the cruise through the Ship's Purser or Reception Desk. At the end of the cruise, a final statement will be delivered to your cabin for payment through either the Ship's Purser or Reception. Several payment options exist, including credit and debit cards, approved ship currency or travellers cheques. Currency varies between ships and destinations - with the Euro being the most common.

Tips

The price of your holiday usually allows us to reward staff who serve you during your time on a GRJ holiday and on some occasions, your Tour Manager will provide a gratuity on behalf of the group. However, there are instances when an additional gratuity may be appropriate, perhaps because it is customary in your host country, or because of the nature of the activity undertaken, or simply because you have received exceptional service. Cruising has an established culture of tipping and your Tour Manager will be on hand to offer advice on this topic. Such additional gratuities will be on an individual basis and at your own discretion, however our river cruise partners recommend you should budget for tips of approximately €8-12 per person per day, provided you feel you have received good service. On ocean cruises there is a fixed service charge of US$11-12 per person per day plus a 15% gratuity automatically added to bar charges and wine purchases.

Tour itineraries & travel arrangements

Our holidays are planned many months in advance. We do our best to follow the detailed itineraries shown, but reserve the right to make changes if we need to react to schedule changes or local conditions. The sightseeing tours and excursions described may also have to be amended to suit local conditions or Public Holidays.

Rail reservations

We request rail reservations many months in advance but occasionally there are insufficient First Class (or equivalent) seats available. In these situations we will book Standard Class seats and refund the difference to you. Although we do our best to follow the routes noted in the itinerary there might be occasions when a different routing or departure time is necessary due to timetable variations or seat availability. Increasingly, trains are 100% non-smoking, and reservations are requested in non smoking accommodation, although at busy times we may be allocated some smoking seats. We cannot make specific requests for smoking seats. Prices quoted in this brochure are based on special fares, negotiated with our rail partners for group travel. Should you wish to travel on any Eurostar or other rail service, other than that included as part of your group holiday, a rail variation charge of £25 per person per service will apply in addition to the difference in cost between our special group fare and the normal published fare applicable at time of request for the journey in question. Any change involving sleeper services will be quoted on an individual basis. Tickets for Eurostar train services are issued subject to the conditions set out in Eurostar International Limited's conditions of carriage and/or the conditions of carriage of the carrier in question, copies of which are available from travel agents appointed by Eurostar International Limited or supplied on request.

Joining Eurostar at Ebbsfleet International

For travellers wishing to avoid London, many Great Rail Journeys tours can be arranged to depart from Ebbsfleet International. In some instances, travellers electing to depart from Ebbsfleet International may have to travel on an earlier train from the main group who depart from St Pancras International. See rail reservations above for applicable fees.

Travel delays

The vast majority of flights operate without problems, although the reality of air travel in the world today is that congestion and economic pressures can lead to the possibility of lost luggage, delay, cancellation and overbooking. Crowded airports, queues, check-in, security and flights are often a test of patience and endurance, and customers should be prepared to cope with the consequences of disruption including delays. In the event of undue delay the group will be looked after in accordance with the standard practice of the scheduled carrier or transport operator.

Flights

International flights are generally provided by major scheduled airlines and are usually but not always direct to your destination. Where flights are indirect, your baggage will always be checked through to your final destination.  Your holiday price is based on economy class seating unless otherwise specified.  If known at time of printing, we show the name of the airline we plan to fly with although this can be subject to change. The type of aircraft is not usually known at the time of printing, but if it is of interest to you we are happy to provide this information when we can. Regardless of any information given in good faith, operational changes can be made by an airline at any point and we cannot be responsible for this. Prices quoted in this brochure are based on special fares offered to us by the airlines for group travel. These represent a reduction on the normal IATA fares which generally include greater flexibility. Should you wish to book our holiday using a flight other than that shown in the brochure, a flight variation charge of £50 per person will apply in addition to the difference in cost between our special fare and the normal IATA fare for the flight(s) required. Tickets at our special fare are valid only on the airline and dates shown and do not automatically entitle passengers to switch to another carrier in the case of a flight cancellation, delay or technical problem with the aircraft or the reservation. While we pass on any airline seating requests, no guarantees can be given by us or by the airline. Additional leg-room will be provided if you purchase a flight upgrade.

Maintenance and development work

Every holiday visits a number of different destinations. There may well be maintenance, re-development, building, road works or track work in the vicinity of any of the hotels. If we know about such work and any associated disruption or noise which is reasonably likely to affect the enjoyment of your holiday, we make every effort to tell you about it as quickly as possible. Please appreciate that we are not the only passengers travelling on the trains or ships used in our holidays, nor the only guests staying in the hotels. We cannot be held responsible for the behaviour or noise of others.

Overseas standards

In some countries, you may experience laws and standards that might not be the same as you are used to in the UK. On some holidays we visit countries with less advanced infrastructures. Travellers with an open, yet cautious mind and a flexible approach should enjoy the experience.

CLIA UK & Ireland

CLIA UK & Ireland brings together cruise lines, travel agents and associated partners to help promote cruise holidays within the UK and Ireland.

ATOL protection

Our ATOL number is 3278. All the flights and flight-inclusive holidays* in this brochure or on our website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay, you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. Please see clause 19 of our booking conditions for further information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to http://www.atol.org.uk/ATOLCertificate.

*The flights and flight-inclusive holidays we arrange are ATOL protected providing they are made available in the UK.

Our AITO membership

Great Rail Journeys is a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators, an organisation representing over 150 of Britain's best specialist tour operators. Members of AITO strive to create holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality, personal service and customer satisfaction. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating and all members are fully bonded for clients' protection, in compliance with UK and European regulations. Great Rail Journeys - like all other AITO members - are also bound by the organisation's Quality Charter. For further information about AITO visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.

AITO Quality Charter

AITO is the Association for independent and specialist holiday companies. Our member companies, usually owner-managed, strive to create overseas holidays with high levels of professionalism and a shared concern for quality and personal service. The Association encourages the highest standards in all aspects of tour operating.

Exclusive membership

AITO sets criteria regarding ownership, finance and quality which must be satisfied before new companies are admitted to membership. All members are required t adhere to a Code of Business Practice which encourages high operational standards and conduct.

Financial security

An AITO member is required to arrange financial protection for all holidays and other arrangements (including accommodation only) booked by customers with the member under the AITO logo. This financial protection applies to customers who are resident in the UK at the time of booking and to most overseas customers who have booked directly with the member. In doing so, the member must comply with UK Government regulations. Members are required to submit details of their financial protection arrangements to AITO on a regular basis.

Accurate brochures and websites

All members do their utmost to ensure that all their brochures and other publications print or electronic, clearly and accurately describe the holidays and services offered.

Professional service and continual improvements

All members are committed to high standards of service and believe in regular and through training of employees. Members continually seek to review and improve their holidays. They listen to their customers and always welcome suggestions for improving standards.

Monitoring standards

AITO endeavours to monitor quality standards regularly. All customers should receive a post-holiday questionnaire from their tour operators, the results of which are scrutinised by the Association.

In addition, customers can leave detailed feedback, accessible from the homepage of AITO's website, or via a direct link supplied by their AITO tour operator, about their holiday.

Sustainable tourism

Our members acknowledge the importance if AITO's Sustainable Tourism ethos, which recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities of tour operating.

Customer relations

All members endeavour to deal swiftly and fairly with any issues their customers may raise. In the unlikely event that a dispute between an AITO member and a customer cannot be settled amicably, AITO's low-cost Independent Dispute Settlement Service may be called upon by either side to bring the matter to a speedy and acceptable conclusion. For further information about AITO visit www.aito.com or call 020 8744 9280.

Links to external websites

Throughout the website we provide links to external websites owned by third parties, for example the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department of Health. Please note that such third parties Great Rail Journeys Ltd is not responsible for the content of their sites. For links to each page of this website, see our website sitemap.

Important information about Great Rail Journeys

Head office and contact address:

Great Rail Journeys Ltd
4th and 5th Floors
HQ Building
Hudson Quarter
Toft Green
York
North Yorkshire
YO1 6JT

Tel: 01904 521 936
Email: grj@greatrail.com

Registered in England No: 3208093
VAT Registration No: 870 3844 14

At Great Rail Journeys, we will always respect your privacy, and we are committed to protecting your personal data. This policy explains what we do with the personal data we receive from you when you visit our website, download our app or call us. It also explains your privacy rights and how the law protects you.

This version of the privacy policy was last updated on 1st July 2024 and replaces all previous versions. We may update the policy at any time and if the changes are significant, we will highlight this on the website. In some circumstances, send an email to notify customers of changes to the privacy policy.

To make it easier for you to find the information you need, we've broken it down into sections.

Our website (www.greatrail.com) uses cookies, pixels, and other technologies to identify you from other users of our website. This allows us to improve our site and provide you with a more relevant experience. This Cookie notice provides you with information about the cookies we use and the purposes for which we use them.  

We understand and respect the importance of your privacy and we are committed to safeguarding your personal information. By continuing to browse the site, you consent to our use of cookies and other technologies as described in this notice. Please read this Cookie notice alongside our Privacy notice.

What are Cookies?

The cookies we use are either necessary or optional. A cookie is a small file of letters and numbers that a website transfers to the cookie file on your device so the website can remember who you are. Cookies typically contain the name of the domain the cookie has come from, how long the cookie will last, and a value, usually a randomly generated unique number.

Cookies allow us to understand visitors to our site, helping us to provide a better experience by tailoring our content to you. We may collect information such as your IP address, online activity, web browser details and online activity. We never collect or store any of your passwords or sensitive data.

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Cookie Settings

The Cookies we use

We use the following cookies:

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If you use the buttons that allow you to share products and content with your friends via social networks like Instagram and Facebook, these companies may set a cookie on your computer. Find out more about these here:

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How do I block or change my cookie settings?

Most browsers have an option that allows you to control whether your browser accepts cookies, rejects cookies, or notifies you each time a cookie is sent. You can reject or block cookies by activating these settings. If you do use your browser settings to block all cookies (including essential cookies) you may not be able to access all features on our website for example previously viewed tours and favourites.

Find out how to manage cookies on popular browsers:

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To find out more information about cookies, please visit www.allaboutcookies.org. Other tools that can be used to exercise your choice of not being tracked for the purpose of advertising includes:

http://www.aboutads.info/choices and http://www.youronlinechoices.eu/

Cookies and your Privacy

The information cookies collect, and how we use that information, may count as personal data. We may also be able to identify you by name, IP address or session ID. You have rights regarding how we collect, store and use your personal data. You can learn more about how we use your personal data in our Privacy notice.

Last updated: 11th August 2022

It is possible to alter the size of text on our webpages for maximum visibility and readability.

All standard Internet browsers provide options to increase or decrease text size. Find your browser below for instructions:

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Select 'View' from the menu bar and move your cursor to 'Text Size'. To choose from 'Largest' to 'Smallest' click on the size you wish to use.

Mozilla Firefox

Select 'View' from the menu bar, move your cursor to 'Zoom' and select 'Zoom Text' Only. Select 'View' from the menu and then 'Zoom' once again. Click on 'Zoom In' or 'Zoom Out' to alter the text sizing on a page you are viewing.

Google Chrome

Select the wrench, or spanner, icon on the menu bar. Select 'Settings', move to 'Show advanced settings' and then the section labelled 'Web content'. The font size drop-down menu allows you to select a comfortable reading size.

Apple Safari

Select 'Preferences' from the Safari menu, then choose 'Appearance'. Go to 'Select', located alongside 'Standard Font', and choose the text size you wish to display by clicking on a number in the 'Sizes' column. You will also need to select a size from the 'Fixed-width font' option.

This website is owned and operated by Great Rail Journeys of 4th and 5th Floors, HQ Building, Hudson Quarter, Toft Green, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6JT ("the Company"). Access to and use of any information on this website is conditional on your acceptance of these website terms and conditions ("the Conditions"). We recommend you read them carefully and print out and keep a copy of them for your future reference. If you do not wish to accept any part of these Conditions then you may not use our website.

Please Note:

When you visit our website or send e-mails to us, you are communicating electronically. We will also communicate with you by e-mail. You agree that all notices, agreements, disclosures and other communications that we provide to you electronically satisfy any requirement that such communications be in writing.

By using this website, you warrant to us that:

1. You will not use this website or any material or information on it for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Conditions;
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You must not link (including deep linking) to our website or access, monitor or copy any content or information of this website using any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means or any manual process for any purpose without our prior written agreement.

Copyright Notice

All content of this website (such as text, graphics, logos, button icons, images, audio clips, digital downloads, data compilations and software) is our exclusive property or that of our content suppliers (if applicable) and is, unless specifically stated otherwise, protected by copyright or similar ownership rights. It is published by us and may not be reproduced other than by downloading and viewing on a single computer and/or printing a single hard copy, for private purposes only. It is not to be otherwise reproduced, transmitted, made available on a network or used to create derivative works without our prior written consent. All rights are reserved.

The trade marks, logos and service marks shown on our website, unless otherwise specified, are our intellectual property. No rights are granted to use any of them without our prior written consent.

Booking Conditions

All bookings made on this website are subject to our booking conditions in addition to these Conditions. We recommend that you read our booking conditions carefully and print out and keep a copy of them for your future reference.

Website Content

We are an English registered Company. Our business and the services we offer are governed by the applicable laws of England and Wales except where otherwise stated in our booking conditions. No warranties, promises and/or representations of any kind, express or implied, are given as to the accuracy or completeness of any of the material or information contained on this website (in accordance with English law or with any laws of any other country) or as to the nature, standard, suitability or otherwise of any services offered by us or on our behalf.

We shall not be liable for any loss or damage or other sum or claim of any nature whatsoever (direct, indirect, consequential or other) which arises, directly or indirectly, in connection with this website.

The information contained on this website may contain technical inaccuracies and typographical and other errors. The information on these pages may be updated from time to time and may at times be out of date. If any price or other information is obviously incorrect, we will not be bound by it. You must ensure you check all details of the chosen arrangements (including the price) with us at the time of booking.

Occasionally, we may upload traveller reviews, blogs and recommendations on to our website. Such reviews and blogs are the personal opinions of the author of said content and not that of the Company. We take no responsibility and accept no liability in relation to these reviews, blogs, recommendations or other similar content on the website, or any resulting acts, omissions or losses incurred.

This website may contain links to other websites. Except where they belong to us, such other websites are not under our control or maintained by us. We are not responsible for the content of such websites. We provide these links for your convenience only but do not monitor or endorse the material on them. We cannot accept any liability in relation to any such other websites or in relation to any material or information appearing on them or which you may otherwise come across after leaving our site by way of a hypertext link or any other means.

This website or any part of it (or any websites that are linked to this website) may not be compatible with your browser or computer configuration and we make no warranty that it is. We make no warranty that your access to our website will be uninterrupted, timely or error free. It is your responsibility to ensure you carry out sufficient checks (including virus checks) to satisfy your particular requirements.

User Reviews

Occasionally, we may allow users to upload comments, videos, photographs, reviews, blog entries and other material in relation to travel or other holiday services. Where you upload such materials, you disclaim any proprietary or other rights you may have in the materials, and agree that such materials can be freely used by the Company for any reason whatsoever, without your permission.

You agree that, at the date of posting, the material submitted by you is appropriate and accurate. You warrant that the material is not misleading, defamatory, untrue, malicious, offensive or abusive. You agree that you will not post any information or material that is owned by another third party without their express authority to do so.

You agree to indemnify the Company for the full amount of all damages, losses, costs and expenses in (including legal costs) in relation to claims brought by any third party against the Company arising out of or in connection with breach of these Conditions in relation to the materials.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to post or remove (without notice) any materials for any reason at its sole discretion.

Law and Jurisdiction

Access to this website is conditional on your agreement that all information contained in it and all matters which arise between you and us will be governed by English law. Access is further conditional on your agreement that any dispute or matter which arises between you and us will be dealt with by the Courts of England and Wales only to the exclusion of the Courts of any other country.

If any exclusion(s) or limitation(s) contained in these Conditions is found, in whole or part, to be unlawful, void or for any other reason unenforceable for any purpose(s), that exclusion(s) or limitation(s) or the part(s) in question shall be deemed severable and omitted from these Conditions for that purpose / those purposes. Such omission shall not affect the validity, effectiveness or enforceability of the other provisions of these Conditions.

We may alter these terms and conditions at any time. If we do so, all subsequent use of our website will be governed by the newer version. You must check these terms and conditions regularly.

Updated: October 2016

Introduction

Great Rail Journeys Limited is a global tour operator dedicated to promoting ethical and sustainable tourism. We are committed to ensuring that modern slavery and human trafficking have no place in our operations or supply chains. This statement outlines the steps we have taken during the financial year ending October 2024 to comply with the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.

Our Commitment

As a global business, we recognise the risks associated with modern slavery within the travel and tourism sector, including the sourcing of goods and services and our interactions with partners worldwide. We are committed to working transparently and collaboratively to safeguard human rights and prevent exploitation across all aspects of our operations.

Supplier Code of Conduct

Our suppliers and partners are required to adhere to our ethical standards, with clear contractual obligations prohibiting modern slavery and human trafficking.

Due Diligence and Risk Assessment

We conduct risk assessments across our supply chains and operations, with a focus on identifying high-risk regions and activities, which includes auditing key suppliers and partners, and requiring compliance certifications from suppliers. Our suppliers are contractually obliged to implement due diligence procedures for their subcontractors, suppliers and other participants in their supply chains.

Monitoring and Reporting

We encourage open reporting through confidential mechanisms available to employees, suppliers and customers. All reports are thoroughly investigated and corrective action is taken as needed.

Next Steps

We are committed to continuous improvement by enhancing supplier engagement and strengthening our due diligence processes. We will also continue to collaborate with industry groups and other organisations to address modern slavery risks in tourism.

We're committed to the safeguarding of animal welfare and human rights across the world, which is why all our holidays strictly adhere Global Welfare Guidelines. What this means, is that we don't include or promote elephant rides, visits to un-accredited sanctuaries, or any other kind of unethical animal encounters in our itineraries. We also won't visit factories or workplaces that observe or enforce unacceptable practises. Working closely with our suppliers to ensure high standards of responsible tourism, we hope to promote travel experiences that not only have a positive impact on you, our customers, but also on the local communities we spend time in.

Who we are and what this agreement does?

Great Rail Journeys Limited is registered, a company registered in England and Wales with company number 03208093 with registered office at 4th and 5th Floors, HQ Building, Hudson Quarter, Toft Green, York, North Yorkshire, YO1 6JT, license you to use:

• Great Rail Journeys On-Tour App Version 1.0 mobile application software, the data supplied with the software, (App) and any updates or supplements to it
• The service you connect to via the App and the content we provide to you through it (Service)

as permitted in these terms.

Your Privacy

We only use any personal data we collect through your use of the App and the Services in the ways set out in our Privacy Policy.

Please be aware that internet transmissions are never completely private or secure and that any message or information you send using the App or any Service may be read or intercepted by others, even if there is a special notice that a particular transmission is encrypted.

Third party terms also apply

If you are an Apple user, the ways in which you can use the App and Services may also be controlled by Apple's End User License Agreement, Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions.

You must comply with any and all applicable third party terms when using the App.

Operating system requirements

Version 1.0 of this App requires a device with a minimum of 200mb of memory and at least iOS 11 or Android 5.0.

Support for the App and how to tell us about problems

If you want to learn more about the App or the Service or have any problems using them, please contact customer support on OnTourApp@greatrail.com or call us on  +44 1904 521930.

Contacting us (including with complaints)

If you think the App or the Services are faulty or misdescribed or wish to contact us for any other reason, please contact OnTourApp@greatrail.com

How we will communicate with you

If we have to contact you, we will do so by email using the contact details you provided.

How you can use the App, including how many devices you can use it on

In return for agreeing to comply with these terms you can:

• download the App onto your device(s) and view, use and display the App and the Service on devices for your personal purpose only.
• receive and use any free supplementary software code or updates of the App incorporating "patches" and corrections of errors.

Age Restrictions

You must be 18 or over to accept these terms and download the App. 

The App is for you

We are giving you personally the right to use the App and the Service as set out above. You may not transfer the App or the Service to someone else. If you sell any device on which the App is installed, remove the App from it.

Changes to these terms

We may need to change these terms to reflect changes in law or best practice or to deal with new features.

We will aim to give you at least 30 days' notice of any change by sending you an email with details of the change or notifying you of a change in the App.

If you do not accept the notified changes you should stop using the App and the service.

Update to the App and changes to the Service

From time to time, we may automatically update the App and change the Service to improve performance, enhance functionality, reflect changes to the operating system or address security issues. Alternatively, we may ask you to update the App for these reasons.

If you choose not to install such updates or if you opt out of automatic updates you may not be able to continue using the App and the Services.

If someone else owns the phone or device you are using

If you download the App onto any phone or other device not owned by you, you must have the owner's permission to do so. You will be responsible for complying with these terms, whether you own the phone or other device.

We may collect technical data about your device

By using the App, you agree to us collecting and using technical information about the devices you use the App on and related software to improve our products and to provide any Services to you.

We may collect location data (but you can turn location services off)

Certain services, may make use of location data sent from your devices. You can turn off this functionality at any time by turning off the location services settings for the App on the device. If you use these Services, you consent to us and our affiliates' and licensees' transmission, collection, retention, maintenance, processing and use of your location data and queries to provide and improve location-based and road traffic-based products and services.

You may stop us collecting such data at any time by turning off the location services settings either via the App or via your device settings.

We are not responsible for other websites you link to

The App or any Service may contain links to other independent websites which are not provided by us. Such independent sites are not under our control, and we are not responsible for and have not checked and approved their content or their privacy policies (if any).

You will need to make your own independent judgement about whether to use any such independent sites, including whether to buy any products or services offered by them.

Licence restrictions

You agree that you will:

• not rent, lease, sub-license, loan, provide, or otherwise make available, the App or the Services in any form, in whole or in part to any person without prior written consent from us;
• not copy the App except as part of the normal use of the App or where it is necessary for the purpose of back-up or operational security; or
• comply with all applicable technology control or export laws and regulations that apply to the technology used or supported by the App or any Service.
• not translate, merge, adapt, vary, alter or modify, the whole or any part of the App, nor permit the App or the Services or any part of them to be combined with, or become incorporated in, any other programs, except as necessary to use the App and the Services on devices as permitted in these terms

Acceptable use restrictions

You must:

• only use the app or any Service as permitted by the usage rules set forth in the Apple Media Services Terms and Conditions (if you are an Apple user).
• not use the App or any Service in any unlawful manner, for any unlawful purpose, or in any manner inconsistent with these terms, or act fraudulently or maliciously, for example, by hacking into or inserting malicious code, such as viruses, or harmful data, into the App, any Service or any operating system
• not infringe our intellectual property rights or those of any third party in relation to your use of the App or any Service, including by the submission of any material (to the extent that such use is not licensed by these terms);
• not transmit any material that is defamatory, offensive or otherwise objectionable in relation to your use of the App or any Service;
• not use the App or any Service in a way that could damage, disable, overburden, impair or compromise our systems or security or interfere with other users;
• represent and warrant that (a) you are not located in a country that is subject to a U.S. Government embargo, or (b) a country that has been designated by the U.S. Government as a "terrorist supporting" country or (c) you are not listed on any U.S. Government list of prohibited or restricted parties; and
• not collect or harvest any information or data from any Service or our systems or attempt to decipher any transmissions to or from the servers running any Service.

Intellectual property rights

All intellectual property rights in the App throughout the world belong to us (or our licensors) and the rights in the App and the Services are licensed (not sold) to you. You have no intellectual property rights in, or to the App other than the right to use them in accordance with these terms.

Our responsibility for loss or damage suffered by you

We are only responsible to you for foreseeable loss and damage caused by us. If we fail to comply with these terms, we are responsible for loss or damage you suffer that is a foreseeable result of our breaking these terms or our failing to use reasonable care and skill, but we are not responsible for any loss or damage that is not foreseeable. Loss or damage is foreseeable if either it is obvious that it will happen or if, at the time you accepted these terms, both we and you knew it might happen.

We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so.

When we are liable for damage to your property. If defective digital content that we have supplied damages a device or digital content belonging to you, we will either repair the damage or pay you compensation. However, we will not be liable for damage that you could have avoided by following our advice to apply an update offered to you free of charge or for damage that was caused by you failing to correctly follow installation instructions or to have in place the minimum system requirements advised by us.

We are not liable for business losses. The App is for private use. If you use the App for any commercial, business or resale purpose we will have no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity.

Limitations to the App and the Services. The App and the Services are provided for general information purposes only. They do not offer advice on which you should rely. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of information obtained from the App or the Service. Although we make reasonable efforts to update the information provided by the App and the Service, we make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether express or implied, that such information is accurate, complete or up to date.

Please back-up content and data used with the App. We recommend that you back up any content and data used in connection with the App, to protect yourself in case of problems with the App or the Service.

Check that the App and the Services are suitable for you. The App and the Services have not been developed to meet your individual requirements. Please check that the facilities and functions of the App and the Services meet your requirements. You can find this information on the app store and/or on our Website.

We are not responsible for events outside our control. If our provision of the Services or support for the App or the Services is delayed by an event outside our control, then we will take steps to minimise the effect of the delay. Provided we do this we will not be liable for delays caused by the event but if there is a risk of substantial delay you may contact us to end your contract with us and receive a refund for any Services you have paid for but not received.

We may end your rights to use the App and the Services if you break these terms

We may end your rights to use the App and Services at any time by contacting you if you have breached these terms. If what you have done can be put right, we will give you a reasonable opportunity to do so.

If we end your rights to use the App and Services:

• You must stop all activities authorised by these terms, including your use of the App and any Services.
• You must delete or remove the App from all devices in your possession and immediately destroy all copies of the App which you have and confirm to us that you have done this.
• We may remotely access your devices and remove the App from them.

We may transfer this agreement to someone else

We may transfer our rights and obligations under these terms to another organisation. We will always tell you in writing if this happens and we will ensure that the transfer will not affect your rights under the contract.

You need our consent to transfer your rights to someone else

You may only transfer your rights or your obligations under these terms to another person if we agree in writing.

Tthird party rights

This agreement is also made for the benefit of Apple and Apple's subsidiaries (if you are an Apple user). The agreement shall be enforceable by each of them to the fullest extent permitted by law as if they were a party to this agreement.

If a court finds part of this contract illegal, the rest will continue in force

Each of the paragraphs of these terms operates separately. If any court or relevant authority decides that any of them are unlawful, the remaining paragraphs will remain in full force and effect.

Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later

Even if we delay in enforcing this contract, we can still enforce it later. If we do not insist immediately that you do anything you are required to do under these terms, or if we delay in taking steps against you in respect of your breaking this contract, that will not mean that you do not have to do those things and it will not prevent us taking steps against you at a later date.

Which laws apply to this contract and where you may bring legal proceedings

These terms are governed by English law and you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in the English courts. If you live in Scotland, you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in either the Scottish or the English courts. If you live in Northern Ireland, you can bring legal proceedings in respect of the products in either the Northern Irish or the English courts.

Updated: October 2021

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Benefits of a Staysure travel insurance policy

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