Great Rail Journeys - UK Reviews 

Booking system was easy. Information given after booking prompt

Not up to usual GRJ standards. The trip was a 4 night “cruise”, at most, stretched to 6 nights, with an itinerary which felt contrived. The brochure description is unfailingly accurate, but misleads because of what is left out or is not explained.
On the positive side the ship’s crew were delightful, the cabins very well designed, and the meals good for us meat eaters.
The excursions were (mostly) interesting but not well designed. As an example, on at least 2 occasions (oyster farm & bull farm) we stood/sat (trying to find shade) through long descriptions in French which were then translated by the local guide of the day. In both cases an initial english overview by GRJ “guide” would have been best, with any Q&A then handled by the local producteur/chevalier.
We had travelled 45mins (at least, from memory) by coach to get to the bull farm, which was actually adjacent to the canal& we sailed right past it a day or two later!
Another destination & stop, on another day, taking a toy train to a beach added little for anyone who wasn’t interested in taking a (hurried) dip.
This is why I say the itinerary felt contrived and padded out to last 6 nights.
The indoor public space on the boat is extremely limited, and assumes outdoor “sun deck” (ie no shade, whatsoever) usage. Those unable to take full Provençal sun would be confined to the cramped “bar area” indoors.
Overall, not up to GRJ standards, but then, not really a GRJ holiday as the only GRJ element was the tour/logistics person who escorted us on the journeys from London to barge & back.
Another small (but important) detail was the lack of no-alcohol beer.
GRJ prices usually feel “about right” for the holiday. This one didn’t.

Efficient and courteous service provided by a real human - Luke.

Every aspect was great, accommodation, excursions, staff both at base and away.

Tuscany: Florence, San Gimignano & Pisa

Between 2010 and 2018 we experienced 9 tours with GRJ, all to Italy, and in those days reviews on their website were presented in date order. This enabled prospective travellers to get up to date opinions of others, whether they be 5 Star or 1 Star.

At some point, GRJ have changed their presentation of reviews to Star order. On this particular tour with currently 173/5 Star reviews, going back to 2017, you have to press the “Show 6 more reviews” button 29 times in order to see the first 4 Star review, and so on.

People are not interested in what happened in 2017, aspects of the tour have probably changed anyway. GRJ need to be more transparent, less crafty, and revert back to a date order presentation. I have made this review 5 Star – if it had been 1 Star, it would never see the light of day.

We have just booked through Great Rail Journeys for the first time. The tour is exactly what we want to do, however we asked for different options for the flights, so there was a fair bit of to-ing and fro-ing.

Alice was so helpful, patient and kind. It was a pleasure to deal with her. In this day and age where everything is automated, it was a real pleasure to deal with someone who was happy to help and nothing was too much trouble.

Now we are counting down to our holiday!

Quick and easy booking. Have used Great rail journeys before twice. Thought there may have been a loyal customer discount but still a good price for the package we wanted. Looked around and compared with other companies doing simular tours prices and meals etc all much the same price.

Excellent booking service on the telephone.
Helpful staff able to ans all questions .
Information about the booking and the process arrived promptley by email.

Paul was very knowledgable and helpful. He answered all my questions positively and in a friendly manner. The whole booking process was very smooth.

Clarity. Answering questions clearly. Luggage pick-up and drop back service. Reasonably priced and interesting itinerary.

Great trips, friendly tour guide, massive choice of destinations now

We were recommended GRJ while on another tour by the Tour Manger if we wanted a train and river cruise. Booking was far way too complicated or did we get it wrong? Imperial cities and delights of the Danube we booked or what we thought was Passau To Budapest but when we paid our deposit we had the confirmation that it was the opposite. When returning to the website we were bombarded with other tours and took a guess at the one we booked and made cabin and day tours to complete the booking. Using the “BAG MAN” was a great idea this saved lugging baggage from train to train. The cruise was exceptional and picked up a GRJ Magazine to book our next holiday on the Rhine when we get home. However………………
The tour manager to start with appeared okay, setting up a what’s app group to relay all the information regarding train, hotel and tour times. However from St. Pancras to Budapest, at every opportunity disappearing to have a cigarette, at one point on a train journey offering the group a taste of an alcoholic drink from the cap of a bottle of an alcoholic drink from his bag. Not sure on GRJ Policy is for employees regarding this. At Hradcany Castle the Tour manager with another tour manager from another group exchanged a vigorous tête-à-tête regarding queue jumping. In Prague they made issue with a street beger rather than walk on by. Was curt to my partner when they asked a question regarding train seating on the return journey.
As an avid train enthusiast and having been on so many European trains and tours these past plus 20 yearsI to sign off the lines and stations that I have been through. NOT on this tour! For some reason we were always given tickets for seats whereby we had seats next to the train pillar (no window or partial) and thought it unlucky to be always given tickets for these seats.
This, by far was the worst rail travel experience in the company of a tour manager. We will not be using GRJ on the basis we may get this tour manager again.

We wanted to make a booking for a trip in 2027 and we had vouchers as compensation for some problems on a previous trip so we couldn't book online as we normally would. GRJ called me back and with their representative we went through the trip choosing various options. He was able to add the value of our vouchers as an extra payment after I paid the usual deposit. Documentation followed by email shortly after our call ended. Smooth process, so I give it full marks.

Easy to book. Very pleasant and helpful. Straight through to a human being!!!!

Why are you asking me to tell you how good you are? All you have done so far is take my money for my booking!

This is the third holiday I have booked through Great Rail Journeys which I think speaks for itself. The lady that dealt with me was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. An excellent level of service. Thankyou

Always a great experience booking with Great Rail Journeys. Customer service excellent, very professional and able to answer all our questions.

Very helpful when I telephoned to check that my dietary requirements could be catered for. I then confirmed the booking on the phone. All information emailed and arrived in the post the next day. They were recommended to me from two separate friends.