At Fred. Holidays, our product managers have many years of experience and have created a range of carefullycurated rail holidays designed to suit all tastes.
With legs stretched out, enjoy an on-board snack and a tipple, or just watch the world go by - travelling by train really is the way to get to the heart of any destination with the least amount of hassle, lowest carbon footprint and most importantly, avoiding those airport and baggage reclaim queues!
In addition, we have included some fly/rail holidays so you have the option to venture further afield and enjoy rail breaks in worldwide destinations.
All our suggested tours have been meticulously thought through, whether you are looking to fit as much into a break as possible, or enjoy scenic rides through pristine landscapes at a leisurely pace. But, don’t forget, all our holidays can be customised to each individiuals requirements or be tailor-made from scratch so if you can’t find what you’re looking for, our experts will find a solution!
Sally Barlow
Fred Holidays’ Rail Product Manager
Here a few common rail holiday concerns, we’d like to answer to make you feelmore confident:
“The rail tickets aren’t available yet”
No problem! We know what the timetables are likely to be, and should they change we will find a suitable alternative and we will commit to the pricing.
“It’s expensive”
Rail is the slower way to travel, a more premium experienceand we can tailor all holidays to match needs and budgets.
“I can plan it myself”
Yes, potentially, but using our years of experience, we know how to best get our customers where they need to be. Whilst providing additional support and service - for example, we will provide all the tickets and seat reservations - plus there is the ABTA/ATOL cover of course!
“What if something goes wrong/delayed trains/missed connections?”
The majority of holidays go ahead with no issues at all. But should something go wrong our friendly team are available 24/7 to help.
Budget Rail Breaks
In these uncertain times many are feeling the pinch, so we’ve put together a collection of rail tours all under £999pp, so you can still have a much-deserved break, without breaking the bank.
Luxury Rail Holidays
High-end rail holidays, featuring the likes of the iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Rocky Mountaineer and the soon-to-be-unveiled La Dolce Vita Orient Express to name a few.
Grand Rail Tours
This collection includes a selection of longer no-fly tours, meaning holidays are possible all the way from the UK without taking to the skies.
Rail & Sail
A selection of combination Rail & Sail Voyages; seamlessly blending the tranquillity of gliding the waters of seas and rivers, with riding the rails.
We can tailor-make rail holidays!
At Fred. Holidays, we appreciate that everyone is different and has different preferences. All our holidays can be customised to travellers exact requirements or be tailor-made from scratch. Please call and one of our Rail Experts will craft the perfect Rail Holiday. We will help navigate the rail networks, we’ll book the tickets and seat reservations and arrange accommodation in great locations to suit specific tastes - we can even help with local attractions or day trips.
A selection of our travel partners...
Bernina Express
The Bernina Express, Europe’s highest rail crossing, connects Switzerland’s Graubunden region to Italy’s Lombardy through 196 bridges and 55 tunnels. It navigates steep gradients, reaching up to 70%, offering breathtaking views of the Alps.
GoldenPass Line
The GoldenPass travels through Switzerland from Montreux on Lake Geneva to Lucerne in about 5 hours. The route offers stunning views of Swiss scenery, with three different travel types to choose from - Panoramic, Belle Epoque and the new Express.
Harz Mountains
A nostalgic steam experience on 1950s German locomotives, running all year-round. The highlight is the trip to Brocken Mountain, the highest peak in the Harz at 1,141m, with stunning views and a magical steam-filled atmosphere, especially in colder months.
Eurostar
Eurostar whisks you effortlessly from the heart of London to vibrant cities like Paris, Brussels, and Amsterdam in just a few hours. Zooming through the Channel Tunnel, it transforms your travel experience into a seamless adventure, with no airport hassle and plenty of comfort.
Glacier Express
The Glacier Express, known as the “world’s slowest express train,” covers 181 miles between Zermatt and St. Moritz, crossing 291 bridges and 91 tunnels. The 8-hour journey offers stunning views, reaching 2,044m above sea level.
A journey up the Jungfrau is not just a railway excursion; there is also an Ice Palace full of ice sculptures, and the Sphinx Observatory with its 360-degree view.
BERGEN & FLÅM Railways
Bergen & Flåm
Scandinavia’s fresh air and stunning scenery make it a top choice for travellers. The Bergen Line winds from Norway’s charming second city through the fjords and into a landscape of white-water rapids and snow-capped peaks.
Nightjet
Hop aboard the Nightjet, Europe’s exciting overnight train by Austria’s OBB! Travel through Austria, Germany, Italy and Switzerland while you sleep. Choose from comfy sleeper, couchette, or seated carriages, with options for solo travellers and families.
How far in a day...
This map shows how far you can comfortably travel by rail in one day from London without the need for an overnight stay, factoring in a sensible amount of time to change trains, ensuring a smooth experience. But there’s no need to stop there - travel is widely available far beyond, further into Europe - plus many rail experiences worldwide.
Jungfrau
San Sebastian
Bilbao
Rennes
Brest
Nantes Cherbourg Belfast
Dublin Galway Quimper
La Rochelle
Journey into the heart of some of the most breathtaking landscapes on Earth. Explore the incredible landscapes of the Canadian Rockies and the American West, where travellers can immerse themselves in untouched wilderness.
Experience the best of India with the Maharajas’ Express, the world’s leading luxury train that has won seven consecutive World Travel Awards. Choose from various itineraries and enjoy royal service, fine dining, and stunning views.
Boarding Rovos Rail’s “Pride of Africa” feels like a journey back in time with its restored 1920s Pullman carriages. Rovos has one of the world’s largest vintage collections and offers elegant travel across South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and more.
The Hiram Bingham provides an unparalleled, luxurious journey to Machu Picchu, offering an elegant and stylish trip to the heart of the Inca Empire. Its 1920s-style train captures the charm and sophistication of a bygone era, ensuring a truly memorable travel experience.
The Ghan travels 3000km from Darwin to Adelaide in three days and two nights. Named after Afghan camel drivers, it offers a luxurious journey with modern cabins. Enjoy sunset views and Indigenous-inspired dining in the Edwardian-style dining car.
The sister train to The Ghan, The Indian Pacific is a luxury train that travels between Sydney and Perth across Australia. Spanning about 4,352 kilometres, it takes around 65 hours and offers stunning views of the outback, including the Blue Mountains and the Nullarbor Plain.
