FAQs for Rail Holidays
Here at Arena Travel, we make booking your rail holiday as straightforward and stress-free as possible by providing you with all the information you need to plan your perfect trip. Below, we have listed some of the most frequently asked questions about our range of holidays by rail. Take a look and see if the answer to your query has been included. If not, feel free to get in touch.
About Your Holiday
Enjoy the journey as much as the destination when you travel by rail. You can travel in comfort, you can stretch your legs and have a walk to the buffet car or sit back and relax as you admire the ever changing picturesque scenery as it glides past. There is no need to arrived hours before the train departs, its only an hour before your departure time.
The number will vary between each holiday, we would normally require a minimum of 15 people of operate the holiday and have a maximum of 49 people.
From time to time your tour manager may suggest extra trips or excursions, which are payable locally. These are not always available all the time on every tour, but may be offered on an ad hoc basis if the tour manager thinks they will add to our customers overall holiday enjoyment. It is entirely up to you if you wish to take part as they are not compulsory.
All of our Eurostar rail journeys include standard class travel. You can upgrade for a little extra which will be able to enjoy a dedicated coach with spacious seats, power sockets, complimentary magazines as well as receiving a light meal with hot and cold drink.
Casual clothing is acceptable on all of our holidays. We recommend layers and sturdy shoes for the train journeys and during the excursions. Some people like to dress more formally in the evenings.
All of our hotels are carefully selected and conveniently located with amenities close by. Most of our hotels will be of a three or four star standard and will have en suite facilities, television and a telephone. With many of our hotels also having hairdryers, minibar, safe and tea and coffee facilities. A description of the hotel you will be staying at will be found on the on the itinerary tab for the holiday.
Your Tour Manager will normally be waiting in the departure area of the train station. From time to time our Tour Manager may have to be called away - please check in as normal and your Tour Manager will meet you in the departure lounge or on the train.
We recommend one suitcase of no more than 15 kgs per person, and one small item of hand luggage per person. Please ensure all important medication is in your hand luggage and not in your main suitcase (which you may not have access to at all times). Remember it is your responsibility to carry your luggage at all times, so please only take as much as you can comfortably carry. Less really is more on our holidays, which can be physically demanding and require a certain degree of personal mobility. In our experience people take more than they need, it really will make your holiday more enjoyable if you don’t take unnecessary items with you. Please keep all your belongings with you at all times except when stored for transit as they are your responsibility and we cannot accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items. Alternatively you can have your luggage sent ahead of you (and returned home as well) using our Baggage Man concierge service – for an additional fee you can add this to your booking at any time up to 4 weeks before you go, just call us on 01858 451 351 .
We will usually just send you the first part of your outward travel train tickets. The tickets for the rest of your journey, including your return tickets home, will be with your Tour Manager.
Joining Your Holiday
You can travel by regional train which will take you directly into a central station. Then just hop on a tube to London St Pancras which is served by the Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Circle, Hammersmith and the metropolitan line.
We can book overnight hotel accommodation close to London St Pancras for the day before you are due to travel, leaving you fresh and already in centre of London on the day of departure. Speak to one of our Holiday Advisors for more information.
Walking and Rail Holidays
All of our walks are of an easy-moderate nature and therefore we recommend that you have a reasonable level of fitness for our Walking and Rail range of holidays. It is also important to ensure you bring the right equipment with you and for our walking tours we would recommend:
- A pair of good quality walking boots
- Weather appropriate clothing – including layers
- A comfortable rucksack
- A water bottle
- Walking poles (not essential but can aid climbs and descents)
