8 things I've learned about rail holidays

Rail holidays are growing in popularity and a brilliant way to see more of a country, avoid the airport queues and experience more in one holiday. Here's a few tips for making the most of your trip that I've picked up.

1. Plan with a purpose.

   
   

Is there an event or experience you'd like to do, would you like to travel Europe's most scenic routes, or simply avoid the pain of airport queues? Having a purpose helps narrow down the options, so you can create a truly memorable holiday.

Some outstanding journeys clients have taken this year in Europe:

• The Bernina Express crosses the Swiss Alps between Chur, Switzerland & Tirano, Italy, is one of the most picturesque train journeys in the world.

  
  

• The Jungfraujoch Railway is the highest railway station in Europe, at 3,463 metres (11,362 feet) above sea level. You'll take a series of short connecting services on the Jungfrau railway to enjoy the region.

  
  

• The Flåmsbana, or Flam Railway, is one of the most spectacular journeys in Norway. It travels between the high mountain station of Myrdal and the innermost part of the Aurlandsfjord. You'll pass mountain farms, waterfalls and rivers carving through deep gorges, and stop at the mighty Kjosfossen Waterfall, which is only accessible on this train journey.

  
  

• One of Switzerland’s most scenic rail journeys, the Glacier Express’ connects Zermatt, nestled in the shadow of the Matterhorn, and the resort-town of St Moritz.

2.      Leave some wriggle room.

When it comes to day plans, less is more. I thought I had the perfect itinerary, until with a month’s notice, I learned the direct train from Paris to Zurich wasn’t running and the new journey would take over 12 hours. I’d crammed too much into one day, assuming everything would run smoothly. It was a stressful couple of hours, but by adding a stop en-route we were able mitigate the delays. This was a great lesson that rail travel should be enjoyed slowly. I'd recommend keeping journeys to a half day, limiting connection and including more two-night stays to provide the wriggle room needed when things don’t go to plan.

3.      Upgrading can be cheaper than you think.

It’s surprisingly good value to upgrade from second to first class on several European rail routes. In Belgium, weekend upgrades are just €7–10, while Spain and the Czech Republic offer first class for as little as €5. Germany and Austria include at‑seat service and seat reservations from around €10, and in Switzerland, a day upgrade gives unlimited first‑class travel.

If you're considering a sleeper train (and you should, they are great fun), be aware that comfort levels vary wildly. From economy sleeper bunks where you'll be sharing others, or even just a reclining chair to luxurious private cabins. It's worth researching this thoroughly and checking what's included in the fare.

However, there are some incredible luxury train journeys in Europe and further afield, such as the Venice Simplon-Orient Express, the Glacier Express or the Belmond Britannic Explorer. Our clients highly recommended the Rocky Mountaineer in Canada.

4.      Validations

Familiarise yourself with the requirements of the train line & make a note of any validations or printed tickets you might need. Some trains require validation on the day of travel. You can validate tickets online or in-person, but check out the website in advance so you know what to do. If validating in person, give yourself extra time at the station.

5.      Checking the connections

The mad dash for a connection is no-one’s idea of fun and the first challenge for a Eurostar passenger is making your way from Gare du Nord to your next station. However, it is straightforward, especially with enough time planned in, an overnight or brunch in Paris is a great way to start a holiday. I like the app Maps.me, as you can download regional maps for use off line - a great planning tool.

6.      Managing the paperwork

It can a bit overwhelming when you're on a multi-stop trip with lots of information and paperwork to keep track of. I use a travel app to capture the day-by-day itinerary, travel vouchers and map links for hotels and stations. But whilst digital apps are helpful, on a fast-paced trip having a printed ticket is reassuring and often necessary.

7.      Travel light

We did a group rail trip in Morocco last year and some of our group struggled with their luggage. Unlike travelling in a private vehicle, there is more time pressure to board, stow bags, and find your seat. I’ll park the stories of jostling with locals to keep our seats for another day, but I’d recommend packing lightly enough that you can lift your bags on board. Check the weather in advance so you can keep to the essentials. I like to pack a power bank, audio book, and an eye mask and ear plugs for the overnighters.

8.      Combining rail with one-way flights

Don’t forget that a one-way flight often makes a trip possible when you're short on time. If you'd like to travel further, sometimes travelling out by rail and then a flight home makes sense for both time and money as the return flight is often cheaper than the outbound.

We spent a week travelling around Morocco by rail on a group tour with Intrepid Travel, it was a great experience and I'd highly recommend it. Although we did fly to join the tour in Casablanca, it is possible to take a train all the way through Europe to Morocco - what a trip that would be!

Hopefully this is a useful guide of things to consider when planning your rail holidays, But of course, I would be delighted to help you with your arrangements.

What are your top tips for rail holidays?

helen@firecresttravel.com

01728 850024