What to expect

TOM’s RAIL TRAVEL uses scheduled train services.  We travel in groups of minimum 8 and maximum 16 people.  Whenever available, we travel 1^st. class with reserved seats.  The itinerary includes as many scenic rides as possible, which however means that we will normally change trains several times a day.

Our program cannot be compared with some luxury trains, e.g. the Orient Express, and it also does not focus on museum trains.  The former is rather ‘elitarian’ and stiff (and very expensive) and the latter too crowded with hordes of enthusiastic photographers!    We aim to experience everyday life in the country we visit and learn about its culture, its music, its architecture, etc.

Culinary aspects will be high on the agenda – at least for those participants who have a weakness for good food!  Unfortunately however, restaurant-cars are slowly disappearing all over Europe but we still have a few left in Switzerland which we will patronise and enjoy whenever possible.

We will be staying in good, comfortable hotels within walking distance of railway stations.  In order to avoid unpacking/packing each day, the itinerary normally foresees 2-night stops at any given hotel.

Whilst hotels usually assist with baggage to and from stations, we do not have a baggage service during the trip and whenever changing trains, so its advisable to travel as light as possible or as light as you want to carry!

Just a word of warning, with the exception of luxury establishments, hotels in Switzerland are not usually equipped with air-conditioning – however, you can open the windows and enjoy the fresh, clean air.  At night, temperatures rarely exceed 70 degrees.