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Fly & Rail Tours

Hop aboard these rail tours in europe for a smooth ride between cities and scenery..

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• Destinations

Mumbai is one of the most glamorous and happening cites of India. Being highly influenced by the British during the colonial rule, the city has transformed drastically and is now known as the commercial capital of the country. It has an unfaltering lifestyle and never comes to a halt. Besides, Bombay has been bestowed with a host of tourist attractions which are thronged by a great influx of tourists every year. Therefore, the sightseeing tour to the city will refresh you by all means. Moreover, these tourists spots will not only make your tour exciting, but will also provide an insight into the otherwise hidden legacy of the place.

TOURIST DESTINATIONS OF MUMBAI

Gateway of india.

Mumbai's most famous monument, this is the starting point for most tourists who want to explore the city. It was built as a triumphal arch to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, complete with four turrets and intricate latticework carved into the yellow basalt stone. Ironically, when the Raj ended in 1947, this colonial symbol also became a sort of epitaph: the last of the British ships that set sail for England left from the Gateway. Today this symbol of colonialism has got Indianised, drawing droves of local tourists and citizens. Behind the arch, there are steps leading down to the water. Here, you can get onto one of the bobbing little motor launches, for a short cruise through Mumbai's splendid natural harbour.

Flora Fountain

Flora Fountain in Mumbai lies in the midst of one of the busiest parts of the city. This is an aesthetically architectured white marble statue with a jutting fountain presenting a hypnotic aura untouched by the chaos that surrounds this piece of art.

Built in 1869 in the honor of the Governor of Mumbai, Sir Bartle Frère, the Flora Fountain is an epitome of the Roman Goddess Flora, the deity of abundance and prosperity. The timeless beauty and splendor of the statue has earned it a heritage status.

Mahalakshmi Racecourse

As a passionate high voltage drama that unfolds on the racecourse, Mahalaxmi Racecourse is the place to be one with the high fliers of the society. With shining horses galloping on this oval shaped ground within the Mahalaxmi vicinity, you can visit this exhilarating place between November and February and be a witness to something that seems to be otherworldly delight. The ground is run by the Turf Club on lease from the Bombay Municipal Corporation.

There are few events that so well attended as the Mumbai Derby, an annual affair with dandy English finesse such as hats, gloves, cucumber sandwiches, scones, etc. This is the time when you get to see magnificent thoroughbreds, belonging mostly to Industrialists, and wealthy elites.

Mumbai is the hub of Indian film industry. Mumbai has played a pivotal role in the development of cinematography. The first feature film Raja Harishchandra was produced in the city by Dadasaheb Phaike, the father of Indian Cinema. Since then Mumbai has remained a main centre of Indian Film Industry for a period of a century. To provide facilities and concessions to the film industry the State Government has built a FilmCity.at Goregaon.

The Film City is located away from the city life, on a secluded piece of land in the vicinity of Aarey Colony. The Film City is well equipped with large studios for indoor shootings, recording room, a theater, and facilities like garden, lakes, ground for fighting scenes, helipads etc. for outdoor shooting. The plan for this Film City was prepared and executed under the able guidance of late V. Shantaram, the veteran actor, director and film producer. The Film City is not open to admission without a prior permission.

Malabar Hill

Malabar Hill is a small hill in South Mumbai that is quarters to the famous Hanging Gardens, Walkeshwar Temple and Kamala Nehru Gardens of the Dream City of India. In fact, it is the highest point in the city center, with a height of 50 meters, presenting an eye-catching view of the county that sprawls at the foothills. The region nearby is known as Malabar Hill and it is counted amongst the elite residential areas of Bombay. Not only many business tycoons and film celebrities, this area also addresses the official residences of the Governor and the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Real Estate value here is amongst the priciest in the world. Possibly, unobstructed sight of Back Bay along with Chowpatti beach in the forefront and Nariman Point skyline in the backdrop make the grounds for the soaring prices in this area. Jain Temple and Parsi Tower of Silence are two other religious structures in the region.

Hanging Garden

Also known as Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, the Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 and renovated in 1921. These gardens are popularly known as Hanging Gardens, because of their location on the slope of a hill. The terrace garden looks south from Malabar Hill towards Colaba, and affords a panoramic view of the city or a breathtaking sunset. It is built over three reservoirs, which store 30 million gallons of water pumped here for cleaning before being supplied to the town.

Tulsi lake was built after Vihar Lake as city needed more water supply, This Lake is located Near borivali National park and a person can reach this place by Car or Bus with travel distance about 25 to 27 kilometers towards North Suburb. Tulsi Dam supplies major fresh water to Southern Mumbai like Colaba etc. One can see beautiful climate near the Lake and good for Picture. One can also find reptiles like Crocodiles and Tortoises in the Lake shining with water during afternoon times.

Churchgate is a downtown business district in South Mumbai. Imbibing its name from Churchgate Railway Station, the city center is crammed with several offices and banks. However, the railway station is a big hit in the transportation market of Mumbai, being the terminus of Western Railway line of Suburban Railway. Seeing that it is the preliminary point of many trains, it is always thrived with people going to their offices.

If truth is to be told, the term Churchgate has been derived from St Thomas Church that is sited about half a kilometer from the railway station and a primeval gate, now taken over by the Flora Fountain. Dotted with number of banks and offices, Churchgate also makes the site for the Income Tax Office. Nariman Point, the class business center of Mumbai, is just about a kilometer from Church Gate. To its west lies the Marine Drive, this is a beautifully designed avenue in Mumbai (or erstwhile Bombay).

THE ART OF INTELLIGENT TRAVEL ORGANISING

• Rail holidays

Luxury rail holidays

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Rail holidays: luxury, tailor-made holidays by train

Luxury, tailormade rail holidays from Expressions Holidays. We offer a selection of luxury tailor-made rail holidays, luxury touring holidays by train and scenic train journeys for individuals to destinations both within Europe and further afield. Our luxury holidays by train allow you to discover new lands whilst relaxing in comfortable surroundings and enjoying the sense of travelling. These great rail journeys, taulor-made holidays by train, are increasingly popular and rekindle the romance of travel, combining stunning scenery with the eco-friendly aspects of travelling by train. Train travel from the UK to other destinations is increasingly easy - from London’s St Pancras station you can journey remarkably effortlessly to destinations including Rome, Bordeaux, Lake Bled, Madrid, Sicily, Zermatt, Warsaw and Budapest. With Expressions Holidays, rail holidays are tailor-made for every customer. We do not have set departure dates. You choose to travel when you want to and we will construct the holiday to suit you. Our train holidays to Italy, France, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovenia are aimed at individuals, families or parties of friends travelling together and are not escorted group holidays with a guide. Expressions Holidays has put together a selection of suggested luxury train holidays and rail touring holidays, in Europe and further afield. You can book these rail holidays as they are, but choosing your own departure date, but we can adapt them to suit your needs and create a tailor-made holiday, perhaps by adding in additional nights and destinations. Our rail holidays also include journeys aboard the luxurious, iconic Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to all its destinations and Al Andalus luxury train which operates in southern Spain. Expressions Holidays offers bespoke, luxury rail holidays that are touring holidays by rail, single centre holidays by rail, holidays by luxury train and holidays by scenic train.

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Expressions Holidays offers you the following options for your rail holiday

● Journeys on some of the most spectacular and luxurious trains in the world, such as the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Al Andalus luxury train. ● Scenic rail journeys where the purpose is to enjoy the scenery en-route, such as travelling on the Bernina Express, Glacier Express or Golden Pass Line through Switzerland. ● Classic rail journeys to the major cities and sights of Europe, such as a rail holiday combining visits to Florence, Venice & Rome or a rail holiday exploring Andalusia and Madrid. ● Touring holidays of Europe by train, with a variety of destinations for a variable number of nights in each place ● A wonderful single-centre holiday in a beautiful location, travelling by train to reach your destination. It is possible to hire a car so that you can explore the area surrounding your chosen hotel. ● A holiday which combines different modes of transport, allowing you to fly to the destination of your choice then travel by train for the rest of your holiday. This option offers an efficient use of time and is convenient for holidays further afield. ● Day-time train travel only with overnight stops in convenient locations along your route. ● Sleeper services where possible and if requested.

Each of the luxury hotels that are featured by Expressions Holidays has been personally selected to offer you high standards of comfort, service and cuisine. Many of our hotels are renowned for their charm and character, whilst others provide rest and relaxation amid an atmosphere of luxury and style. On many of our holidays and suggested itineraries we can offer you a choice of hotels, so that you could choose to stay only in 5-star hotels, only in 4-star hotels, or to have a mix of categories, combining grand hotels perhaps with boutique or more simple hotels.

Travel from the UK

Most rail holidays start with a journey on Eurostar to Paris, Lille Europe or Brussels, thanks to almost hourly departures from London. From here, you can connect to a high-speed service that takes you towards Switzerland, Italy, Spain or Germany then overnight before continuing your journey on a daytime service. From Paris you can also take sleeper trains into Germany and Italy. It is also possible to fly one or both ways and take a rail itinerary in between.

Use of hire-car

You may want to have the use of a hire-car whilst in your holiday destination, depending on where it is, as this does offer a cost-effective way of exploring independently the area in which you are staying. Many of our suggested rail holidays include rail travel out and back but do require the use of a hire-car for touring. This applies particularly to holidays in country areas of France, Italy and Spain, as well as some of the country areas in central and eastern Europe. In Switzerland you don’t need a car, as the rail and local bus network is so well developed.

The Bernese Oberland. Nestling into the steep valleys dusted with rich green vegetation, are beautiful chocolate box villages that border the many serene lakes. Mystical grottoes have been carved into the rock by centuries of melting and re-freezing ice. Twisting rivers and streams have etched out their pathways down the mountainsides, flowing tranquilly in places and turbulent in others. Some of our favourite places in the Bernese Oberland include: Wengen, a picturesque village clustered between sheer rock faces; and Grindelwald, a village overlooked by harsh snowy peaks, the famous Jungfrau, and the Gletscherschucht glacial gorge. The Grisons and the Engadine. Dotted with National Parks, Grisons and the Engadine are best known for the dramatic Alpine scenery and the major winter sports resorts; yet, in the spring, summer, and autumn months, the region has far more to offer. Historic towns, scenic lakes and glaciers, and chic villages packed with gourmet restaurants and boutique shops come into their own in the sunshine. This is also the region through which the iconic Glacier Express and Bernina Express scenic trains run. Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva is popular for water sports and hiking holidays, as well as relaxing lakeside spa breaks; and, in the winter, it is close enough to the ski slopes to make a very laid-back skiing destination. Chic towns and villages sit behind rows of palm trees, basking in the Mediterranean climate, sheltering gourmet restaurants, luxury boutique shops, and a range of stunning Swiss hotels. There is perhaps nowhere more glamorous in Switzerland than Lake Geneva, and nowhere where the history and culture is so grand and visually captured in the buildings, parks, and gardens of Geneva itself. Lake Lucerne. Immersed in history, folklore, and bustling modern culture, Lake Lucerne brings together everything that makes Switzerland in summer so special. The city of Lucerne itself is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. White-walled, tiled-roof townhouses crowd together on the water’s edge; bridges on stilts take visitors from one side of the river to the other; and the high original rampart wall is visible in the distance. Outside the city, you are free to enjoy the Alpine panoramas from a boat, or from one of the hiking trails that score the mountainsides. Saanenland. This is the region of Gstaad and the surrounding nine villages, such as Schönried, Zweisimmen, Saanen, and Saanenmöser, which prove to be continually popular in summer and in winter. Priding itself on being a haven of wellbeing, the Saanenland offers a taste of idyllic nature, whilst remaining one of Switzerland’s chicest locations. Ticino. A smattering of small lakes marks the upper boundary of Ticino, but it is Lake Maggiore and Lake Lugano that dominate the south, prompting many of the long, straight valleys that lead into Italy. The River Ticino winds its way down from its source on the Ticino border, meeting dams, lakes, and trickling and tumbling waterfalls on its way. Palm trees line the lakesides, medieval Italian castles form the centre-points of towns, and colourful, higgledy-piggledy houses look out across the water or from their tiered position on the steep mountainside. Valais. Perhaps most famous for the icy Alpine resort of Zermatt, Valais is a canton that captures a blend of those Swiss mountain resorts and northern Italy’s flourishing wine-producing vineyards. This mix is complicated further by the dual-language of the canton; the west of Valais speaks French, and the east speaks German. Terraced vineyards cloak the slopes of southern Valais, uniquely watered by glacier run-off. Valais is also popular amongst cycling, mountain-biking, and hiking enthusiasts. Over 8000km of marked hiking paths line the mountainsides, and well-maintained and well-marked cycling paths are combined with high-altitudes to establish a network that is unrivalled in Switzerland. The cities of Zurich, Bern and Basel are serious places, rich in history and culture, learning and art. Mediaeval houses and traditions are well-preserved whilst life is modern and cosmopolitan too.

Zurich and Geneva

Swiss franc

41,285 sq kilometres

Average temperature

The weather in Switzerland is influenced by the four main European air currents, resulting in a temperate climate on the Central Plateau but which otherwise varies between regions. In July the average temperature is about 23 degrees Centigrade and slightly higher in lakeside areas. In January temperatures average approximately 3 degrees Centigrade.

Unmissable holiday experiences in Switzerland

Zermatt and seeing the Matterhorn, train to the Jungfraujoch, seeing the face of the Eiger, Rheinfall, wooden covered bridge in Lucerne, Gehry architecture in waterside Basel, Einstein museum in Bern, Jazz festival in Montreux, Glacier Express, Bernina Express, Gornergratbahn in Zermatt, climbing Rigi, Lavaux vineyards above Lake Geneva, Chateau Chillon, Carolingian frescoes in Müstair, Kunsthaus Zurich, Cresta Run St Moritz, steamer on Lake Lucerne, Monte Bre above Lake Lugano by funicular, abbey of St Gallen, jet d’eau in Geneva, pastural scenery of the Simmental.

LUXURY RAIL HOLIDAY ON THE VENICE SIMPLON-ORIENT-EXPRESS

4-night luxury rail holiday with one night on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and three nights in Venice with a choice of hotel. From £4,760 per person.

AL ANDALUS LUXURY RAIL HOLIDAY

8-night luxury rail holiday with six nights on board the luxury Al Andalus train journeying from Seville through Andalusia including Jerez, Ronda, Granada and Cordoba. From £5,540 per person.

LUSITANIA ROUTE ON THE AL ANDALUS FROM SEVILLE TO PORTO

5-night luxury rail holiday aboard the luxurious Al Andalus train from Seville to Porto, with 3 nights on board and all meals included plus excursions. A night in Seville and Porto is also included. From £3,170 per person.

GLACIER EXPRESS HOLIDAY

5-night Glacier Express iconic Swiss rail holiday staying in Zermatt and St Moritz with a journey on the iconic Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz. From £1,870 per person.

GLACIER EXPRESS EXCELLENCE CLASS HOLIDAY

5-night Glacier Express iconic Swiss rail holiday staying in Lausanne, Zermatt and St Moritz with a journey on the iconic Glacier Express in Excellence Class from Zermatt to St Moritz. From £3,360 per person.

BERNINA EXPRESS HOLIDAY

5-night Bernina Express iconic Swiss rail holiday visiting Zurich, St Moritz and Lugano with a journey on the Bernina Express from Chur to Lugano. From £1,650 per person.

HOLIDAYS BY LUXURY TRAIN

Luxury train journeys on iconic, scenic trains as part of our tailor-made holidays to countries such as Australia and Spain and including the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO SWITZERLAND

Luxury rail holidays to Switzerland, tailor-made rail itineraries to Switzerland, touring holidays by train in Switzerland for individuals.

RAIL HOLIDAYS INCLUDING SCENIC SWISS TRAINS

Scenic Swiss rail journeys on iconic trains included in our luxury, bespoke rail holidays of Switzerland: Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass Line, Gotthard Express and the Centovalli Express.

GRAND RAIL TOURS OF SWITZERLAND

Grand rail tours of Switzerland cover the length and breadth of Switzerland and include stops in Swiss cities, mountain resorts and on alpine lakes. They are about 10 days’ long but can be adapted and most include iconic trains such as the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express.

SINGLE-CENTRE SWISS RAIL HOLIDAYS

Single-centre holidays to Switzerland by train staying in luxury hotels in the mountains or on lakes, 7 or more nights, choice of hotels and locations.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO ITALY

Luxury rail holidays to Italy, tailor-made itineraries to Italy, touring holidays by train in Italy and rail-drive holidays for individuals.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO NORWAY

Luxury rail holidays to Norway, tailor-made itineraries to Norway by train, touring holidays in Norway by train and rail-drive holidays for individuals.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO FRANCE

Luxury rail holidays to France, tailor-made itineraries to France, touring holidays by train in France and rail-drive holidays for individuals.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

Luxury rail holidays to central and eastern Europe, tailor-made and luxury, touring holidays by train for individuals to the countries of central and eastern Europe.

RAIL HOLIDAYS TO SPAIN

Luxury rail holidays to Spain, tailor-made itineraries to Spain, touring holidays by train in Spain and rail-drive holidays for individuals.

HIGHLIGHTS OF BERLIN, PRAGUE AND VIENNA RAIL TOUR

8-night classic rail touring holiday offering highlights of Berlin, Prague and Vienna with an overnight sleeper train from Vienna to Cologne. From £2,460 per person.

VENICE OVER THE SWISS ALPS BY TRAIN TOURING HOLIDAY

5-night rail holiday to Venice for 3 nights with a stop in Lucerne, day-time alpine train journeys. From £2,070 per person.

HIGHLIGHTS OF PRAGUE, BUDAPEST AND VIENNA RAIL TOUR

9-night classic rail tour of the highlights of Prague, Budapest and Vienna, including stays in each city and overnight sleeper train journeys from Zurich to Prague and from Vienna to Cologne. You can also fly out and back instead. From £2,520 per person.

MAJESTIC CITIES OF AUSTRIA AND BUDAPEST RAIL TOUR

11-night luxury touring holiday by train visiting Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna, as well as a scenic rail journey over the Arlberg Pass. You end your holiday in Budapest and Munich. From £2,480 per person.

PRAGUE, VIENNA AND BUDAPEST: A TRIO OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN CITIES RAIL TOUR

11-night luxury rail touring holiday of Prague, Vienna and Budapest, a trio of central European cities, plus a night in Munich and travel by sleeper train from Zurich to Prague. From £2,710 per person.

SWISS SCENIC AND AUSTRIAN CULTURAL HIGHLIGHTS BY TRAIN

11-night grand touring holiday by train of Swiss lakes and mountains with the Glacier Express and the Bernina Express in Switzerland and stays in the cultural cities of Innsbruck, Salzburg and Vienna in Austria. You return from Vienna to Cologne on the sleeper train. From about £3,220 per person.

VIENNA AND BUDAPEST BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

8-night classic rail holiday featuring stays in Vienna and Budapest, plus a night in Zurich with a day-time scenic train journey to Vienna and returning from Vienna to Cologne on the overnight sleeper train. From £2,520 per person.

VIENNA, STYRIAN ALPS, SLOVENIA AND VENICE: A RAIL TOUR OF ALPS, LAKES AND WATERWAYS

12-night luxury rail touring holiday combining Vienna and Venice plus journey by train through the Styrian Alps to Slovenia and Lake Bled. Also stay in Graz and Ljubljana. Prices from £2,840 per person.

CZECH REPUBLIC DISCOVERY RAIL TOUR

7-night luxury touring holiday discovering the Czech Republic and staying in Prague and Karlovy Vary, with overnight stops in Cologne (or Berlin). From £2,120 per person.

GERMANY, CZECH REPUBLIC AND POLAND RAIL TOUR

13-night luxury rail touring holiday including stops in the historical cities of Berlin, Dresden, Prague, Krakow and Warsaw. You travel out by train and return by air. From £2,990 per person.

THREE SCANDINAVIAN CAPITALS BY RAIL HOLIDAY

11-night luxury touring holiday by train visiting the cities of Copenhagen, Oslo and Stockholm with stopovers in Hamburg and Hannover en route. From £3,115 per person.

HIGHLIGHTS OF GERMANY RAIL TOUR

9-night classic rail touring holiday staying in major art and cultural cities of Germany: Berlin, Dresden, Munich and Cologne, travelling all the way by train. From £2,385 per person.

VENICE AND THE VENETO THROUGH THE ALPS BY RAIL TOUR

9-night holiday by train to Venice with two nights in Munich and scenic day-time journey through the Brenner into Italy. Three nights in Venice and three nights in the Veneto near Vicenza and one night in Zurich on the way back. From £3,060 per person.

CENTOVALLI EXPRESS HOLIDAY

5-night Centovalli Express iconic Swiss rail holiday visiting Zurich, Locarno and Bern with a journey on the Centovalli Express from Locarno to Brig. From £1,895 per person.

GRAND HEART OF SWITZERLAND MOUNTAINS RAIL TOUR

An 11-night grand tour by train of Switzerland’s mountains including travel on three iconic scenic train journeys, the Bernina Express, the Glacier Express and the GoldenPass Line. Prices from £3,060 per person.

GRAND LAKES OF SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

11-night grand touring holiday of the lakes of Switzerland by train, visiting Lakes Geneva, Lucerne, Lugano and Zurich as well as lesser-known ones. Prices from £3,380 per person.

THE GRAND, GRAND SWITZERLAND RAIL TOUR

15-night grandest of grand ultimate Swiss rail touring holiday visiting dramatic mountains and serene lakes of Switzerland, from Lake Geneva to Zermatt, Lugano to Lucerne, St Moritz and the Bernese Oberland. From £4,620 per person.

LAKE COMO THROUGH THE ALPS ON THE BERNINA EXPRESS BY RAIL TOUR

6-night holiday by train to Italian Lake Como via Switzerland including a journey on the iconic, scenic train, the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano. From £2,630 per person.

VENICE THROUGH THE ALPS ON THE BERNINA EXPRESS BY TRAIN TOUR

7-night holiday by train to Venice with stops in Zurich and St Moritz and a journey on the iconic Bernina Express from St Moritz to Tirano. From £2,390 per person.

GOLDENPASS LINE HOLIDAY

5-night GoldenPass Line iconic Swiss rail holiday staying in Lausanne, Saanenland and Lucerne with a journey on the iconic GoldenPass Line from Montreux to Lucerne. From £1,790 per person.

GRAND ROMANTIC SWISS RAIL TOUR

9-night romantic Swiss rail touring holiday including four panoramic trains, majestic scenery and picturesque villages, from Lake Geneva to Zermatt, on to Ascona and then to Lucerne and Gstaad. From £2,810 per person.

VERONA, LAKE GARDA AND LAKE GENEVA BY TRAIN TOURING HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to Verona for 2 nights with a stop in Lausanne in Switzerland, and 3 nights on Lake Garda. From £2,490 per person.

GOTTHARD PANORAMA EXPRESS HOLIDAY

5-night Gotthard Panorama Express iconic Swiss rail holiday staying in Lucerne and Lugano, with a journey on the iconic Gotthard Panorama Express including a boat crossing of Lake Lucerne and train across the Gotthard. From £1,960 per person.

BY RAIL TO THE VALAIS HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to Zermatt in the Swiss Valais region with rail travel from London to Zermatt via Paris, Lausanne and Visp. Stay in one hotel for the holiday and explore Zermatt and the Valais in depth. Prices from £2,170 per person.

PARIS, STRASBOURG AND LYON BY TRAIN

7-night luxury rail holiday to Paris, Strasbourg and Lyon staying in comfortable, central hotels of character. From £1,980 per person.

BORDEAUX VINEYARDS AND DORDOGNE CASTLES RAIL-DRIVE TOUR

8-night holiday by train with a hire-car to tour the vineyards of Bordeaux and the castles of the Dordogne. From £2,480 per person.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF TOULOUSE-LAUTREC BY RAIL AND CAR HOLIDAY

6-night rail-drive touring holiday combining Paris, Albi and Bordeaux following in the footsteps of the artist Toulouse-Lautrec, staying in luxury hotels and travelling by train and hire-car. From £1,745 per person.

LOIRE VALLEY, BORDEAUX AND DORDOGNE RAIL-DRIVE TOUR

8-night rail-drive touring holiday of the Loire Valley, Bordeaux region and the Dordogne with train from London. From £2,590 per person.

NICE BY TRAIN, TOUR PROVENCE AND FRENCH RIVIERA BY CAR

9-night rail-drive touring holiday by train to Nice then hire-car to tour Provence from the coast to the Gorges du Verdon, plus a stay near Gordes. From £2,870 per person.

CHATEAUX OF THE LOIRE RAIL-DRIVE TOUR

8-night rail-drive touring holiday of the Loire Valley, staying in chateau-hotels and historic hotels at Tours, Blois and Amboise. From £1,840 per person.

AVIGNON AND PROVENCE BY RAIL AND CAR

8-night fly-drive touring holiday of Provence staying in Avignon, Mont Ventoux area, the Luberon and Arles. From £2,280 per person.

AMALFI COAST BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

11-night holiday by train to the Amalfi coast. Eurostar and TGV with overnight stop, 2 nights Rome and 7 nights Positano. Return with overnight stop in Switzerland. From £5,365-£6,640 per person.

EXPLORE SOUTHERN TUSCANY RAIL-DRIVE TOUR

8-night touring holiday by train and hire-car via Switzerland to Florence, Chianti, Cortona. Return with an overnight stop in northern Italy or Switzerland. From £3,050 per person.

TUSCANY AND UMBRIA TOUR BY RAIL AND CAR

9-night touring holiday with an overnight stop each way, train to Florence return, then hire-car for touring and stays in Chianti and Umbria. From £2,610 per person.

VENICE, FLORENCE AND ROME BY TRAIN TOUR

11-night holiday by train to Venice, Florence and Rome with rail travel on Eurostar and overnight stops each way. From about £3,260 per person.

VENICE, FLORENCE AND ROME FLY-RAIL TOUR

9-night fly-rail touring holiday from Venice to Rome, also stopping in Florence. Choice of hotels and add extra nights if desired. From £3,090 per person.

MICHAEL PORTILLO’S TRAIN JOURNEY TO SICILY RAIL TOUR

6-night holiday by train from London to Sicily with overnight stops in Lucerne in Switzerland, Milan and Naples before Taormina in Sicily. Return by air. From £2,780 per person.

PIEMONTE AND BAROLO BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

7-night train holiday to Piemonte from London to Turin and back on day trains. Use of hire-car. One night in Turin and six nights in the Piemonte countryside near Barolo vineyards. From £1,990 per person.

A GRAND TOUR OF SPAIN

14-night grand tour of Spain by air, rail and hire-car staying in nine different places from Andalusia to Barcelona, to Madrid, San Sebastian and along the Saint James way ending in Santiago de Compostela. From £3,430 per person.

ANDALUSIA AND MADRID HOLIDAY BY AIR AND TRAIN

7-night luxury holiday by air to Madrid for 1 night and then train in between visiting the cultural cities of Andalusia: Granada, Cordoba and Seville, staying in luxury hotels. From £2,070 per person.

BARCELONA, LA RIOJA AND BILBAO BY RAIL

8-night luxury holiday by train from Barcelona to La Rioja and Bilbao, returning by air. Visit the cultural cities and the vineyards of Rioja. From £1,890 per person.

SPANISH ART AND ARCHITECTURE TOUR

8-night fly-rail luxury holiday with a focus on Spanish art and architecture including stays in Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona. Stay in luxury hotels, travel by air and rail in Spain. From £2,340 per person.

MADRID AND HEART OF SPAIN BY RAIL

12-night fly-rail luxury touring holiday of central Spain, including Madrid, Castile la Mancha and Extremadura staying in historic cities off-the-beaten-track. From £2,230 per person.

CITIES OF THE AUSTRIAN AND BAVARIAN ALPS BY TRAIN

8-night luxury touring holiday by train visiting the Alpine cities of Innsbruck and Salzburg, finishing in Munich. You travel out by night train to Innsbruck and return by day train from Munich. From £2,120 per person.

CITIES OF THE FORMER GDR BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

11-night luxury touring holiday by train visiting the cultural and historic cities of the former GDR: Berlin, Dresden, Leipzig, Weimar and Erfurt. You travel out and back by train. From £2,790 per person.

HARZ MOUNTAINS LAND OF FAIRY-TALES RAIL HOLIDAY

7-night luxury touring holiday by train visiting the Harz Mountain towns of Goslar and Quedlinburg, with stops in Cologne and Hannover as well. You travel out and back by train. From £1,720 per person.

THE BLACK FOREST BY RAIL HOLIDAY

9-night luxury touring holiday by train exploring the Black Forest region of Germany with stops in Freiburg, Titisee, Triberg and Baden-Baden. You travel out and back by train. From £2,040 per person.

GALICIA TO LISBON TOURING HOLIDAY BY TRAIN

9-night luxury touring holiday by train from Galicia to Lisbon including stays in Santiago de Compostela, Porto and Coimbra. From £1,670 per person.

BY RAIL TO THE BERNESE OBERLAND HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to the Swiss Bernese Oberland staying in picturesque Grindelwald with rail travel from London to Grindelwald via Paris, Basel and Interlaken. Stay in one hotel for the holiday and explore the Bernese Oberland in depth. Prices from £3,420 per person.

BY RAIL TO THE ENGADINE HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to the Swiss Engadine staying in the chic mountain resort of St Moritz with rail travel from London to St Moritz via Paris, Zurich and Chur. Stay in one hotel for the holiday and explore the Engadine in depth. Prices from £2,250 per person.

BY RAIL TO SAANENLAND HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to the Swiss Saanenland staying in Gstaad or nearby, with a scenic train journey on the GoldenPass Line from Montreux to Gstaad. Stay in one hotel for the holiday and explore the region in depth. Prices from £1,630 per person in the 4-star hotel, £3,060 in the 5-star hotel.

BY RAIL TO SWISS LAKE MAGGIORE HOLIDAY

7-night rail holiday to Swiss Lake Maggiore staying in Ascona, with rail travel from London to Ascona/Locarno via Paris and Zurich. Stay in one hotel for the holiday and explore Lake Maggiore in depth. Prices from £2,060 per person.

ZERMATT WINTER SNOW-SHOE WALKING HOLIDAY

7-night winter, self-guided, snow-shoe walking and winter hiking holiday for individuals in Zermatt in the Swiss Valais. Travel by air and/or train. From £1,740 per person.

CITIES OF SOUTH-WEST FRANCE, LYON AND PARIS BY RAIL HOLIDAY

9-night luxury rail holiday to the French cities of Paris, Lyon, Carcassonne and Bordeaux, by train throughout. From £2,990 per person.

ILE DE Ré BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday to Saint-Martin-de-Ré on the Ile de Ré, French Atlantic coast staying in one hotel for 7 nights and travelling by train from London. From £2,740 per person.

NICE AND THE FRENCH RIVIERA BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

7-night holiday by train to Nice on the French Riviera. Travel out and back in a single day, stay for seven nights in the city, time to explore the Riviera by rail, bus or car. From £2,390 per person.

DORDOGNE BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday with use of hire-car to a country house hotel in the Perigord at the heart of the Dordogne. From £2,320 per person.

FRENCH BASQUE COUNTRY BY RAIL HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday to St Jean de Luz in the French Basque country. From £2,780 per person.

FRENCH CATALONIA BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday to French Catalonia, staying in Molitg-les-Bains with one night in Paris or Lyon. From £1,760 per person.

LOIRE VALLEY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

4-night luxury rail holiday to the Loire Valley with use of hire-car to explore. Stay in a choice of chateau-hotels. From £1,250 per person.

CITIES OF PARIS, LYON AND AVIGNON BY RAIL HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday to the French cities of Paris, Lyon and Avignon travelling by train throughout. From £2,480 per person.

PROVENCE COUNTRYSIDE BY RAIL HOLIDAY

7-night luxury rail holiday to Provence. Travel from London to Provence in one day. Car-hire for the stay in Provence. From £2,720 per person.

SICILY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

11-night holiday by train from London to Sicily with stops in Zurich in Switzerland, Florence and Naples before Taormina and Palermo in Sicily. The train goes on the ferry to Messina. Return by air from Palermo. From £3,490 per person.

LAKE COMO BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

9-night rail holiday to Lake Como. Travel by Eurostar and TGV with overnight stops each way, and 7 nights on Lake Como. Choose between 4-star and 5-star lakeside hotels. From £2,610 per person.

LAKE GARDA BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

9-night rail holiday to Lake Garda by Eurostar with overnight stops each way. 7 nights on Lake Garda. Choice of 4-star or 5-star hotels with lake views. From £2,870 per person.

LAKE GARDA THROUGH THE ALPS ON THE BERNINA EXPRESS BY RAIL TOURING HOLIDAY

7-night holiday by train to Italy’s Lake Garda via Switzerland with overnight stops in Zurich, Chur and Lausanne and including a journey on the iconic, scenic train, the Bernina Express from Chur to Tirano. From £2,280 per person.

LAKE MAGGIORE BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

9-night holiday by train to Italian Lake Maggiore. Travel by Eurostar with overnight stops in Switzerland. 7 nights on Lake Maggiore in a lakeside hotel. From £2,420 per person.

TUSCANY BY TRAIN HOLIDAY

9-night holiday by train and car to Tuscany with rail travel on Eurostar and overnight stops each way with 7 nights in the Chianti region of Tuscany with a hire-car. Stay 4-star charming hotel. From £2,740 per person.

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Get fast access to more European cities by easily going from plane to train with 1 ticket. Our Air + Rail program offers additional travel options, with fast, seamless connections between multiple cities in Europe using the European interconnected rail system. Now you can go from your Delta flight to a local train station with your rail reservation in hand, adding peace of mind to your trip.

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Booking Your Travel

Follow these steps to book your plane and train tickets* together on delta.com:

• Search for your departure and destination cities and look for itineraries that have the “Includes Train” badge
• See the full price for your air and train travel when bundled together
• Select your itinerary and purchase 1 ticket incorporating both travel options

*While you can purchase this train service from Delta, it is offered under the AccesRail travel terms and conditions and will be operated by a partner rail provider. Train travel terms will vary from your Delta-marketed ticket for air travel.

Checking In For Your Trip

For Your Flight

Check in up to 24 hours in advance of your scheduled flight departure time in My Trips  or using your Fly Delta app in order to receive your boarding pass.

For Your Train Ride 

Visit Accesrail.com beginning 72 hours before your scheduled train departure time. Use your Delta ticket confirmation number to check in and receive your boarding pass. You can also obtain your train ticket at the in-person ticket window at your train station.

After you check in for your train, your class of carriage will be clearly shown on your train ticket.

Please note that everyone will be traveling in The Standard carriage on the train, except Delta One ® customers who will be traveling in The Premium carriage.

Your Day of Travel

Train Boarding Pass 

To receive your train boarding pass, you can check in on Accesrail.com (up to 72 hours in advance) for your e-ticket or you can pick up a paper ticket at the ticket counter at your train station.

Train Seat Selection

Your seat will be automatically assigned when you check in for your train ride on Accesrail.com or in person at the train station.

After going through Customs, please collect your bags at the airport baggage claim as they will not be automatically transferred from the plane to the train. Once you have your bags proceed to the train station ticket counter to collect your train ticket (if you do not already have an e-ticket) prior to boarding your train. Once on board, you can store your bags on the train.

Delayed Flight

In the instance your flight is delayed, your train ticket is valid for 72 hours after your train’s scheduled departure time. If you miss your scheduled train, please go to the Service Desk in the train station and a customer service representative will assist you in printing a new ticket.

Additional Assistance

Flight assistance, train assistance.

Train schedules are subject to change, so we recommend viewing your train operator’s schedule prior to arriving at the train station:

• SBB schedule
• SJ schedule
• SNCB schedule
• Thalys schedule 
• Trenitalia schedule
• Trans Pennine Express schedule

However, please note that the train ticket you book via Delta’s Air + Rail service is for a reserved time that matches your flight schedule. If there is an unforeseen circumstance, your train ticket is valid for 72 hours after your train’s originally scheduled departure time. If you miss your scheduled train, please go to the Service Desk in the train station and a customer service representative will assist you in printing a new ticket.

Arranging special circumstances for the train portion of your trip, such as unaccompanied minor travel and traveling with pets or service animals, is dependent on the individual rules and regulations of your train operator.

Also, train travelers needing additional assistance with wheelchairs or other medical equipment should review the guidelines of the individual train operator. If you are using Delta-provided wheelchair services for your flight, please note that this service does not continue beyond airport baggage claim.

For your convenience, here are links to the websites maintained by the train operators within Delta’s Air + Rail service:

• Thalys 
• Trenitalia 
• Trans Pennine Express
• Investor Relations
• Business Travel
• Travel Agents
• Comment/Complaint
• Browser Compatibility
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• Booking Information
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Flight and rail options for traveling in Europe

Plane or rail? If you are travelling through Europe, sometimes you need both.

At a time when travelers and governments are warming up to rail travel as an environmentally friendly alternative to flying, several European airlines are teaming up with national rail operators to make sure both modes of transportation complement each other seamlessly.

It helps that parts of the continent boast a high-speed rail network that straddles some of its major airports.

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From Spain to Germany and from France to Austria, travelers are able to purchase combined rail and plane products that allow them to travel with a single ticket to and from cities well beyond the airport.

It's not just the convenience of consolidating all segments of the journey in a single itinerary, but passengers who opt for this multi-modal travel offering have access to a number of advantages compared to those that purchase the land and air components separately.

We have compiled a list of flight and rail products currently on offer across Europe.

Lufthansa Rail&Fly and Lufthansa Express Rail

As far as c ombined plane and train programs go, the one run by Lufthansa and Deutsche Bahn is possibly the most far reaching and comprehensive in this list

Passengers can travel to and from any of Germany's 5,600 train stations and Lufthansa's hub in Frankfurt (FRA) with a single ticket. What's more, the ticket allows for air-to-rail connections to be made within 24 hours before and after a flight and it guarantees alternatives in case of missed connections. Other advantages include the possibility of earning Miles & More miles, and for passengers in business class, access to the Deutsche Bahn lounges and the equivalent class on the trains.

It is also possible to use Germany's comprehensive network of fast intercity rail services, the so-called IC/EC (InterCity, EuroCity) and ICE (InterCity Express) trains.

There is also a service called Lufthansa Express Rail, which links Frankfurt international airport to 23 different cities with 134 daily services, some of them nonstop like those to Munich and Nuremberg.

Express Rail passengers can also use fast lane security, and their luggage gets priority upon arrival.

Related: Why you might want to tour Europe by train, not plane

Air France-KLM

As a pioneer of high speed railways in Europe with its famous TGV (Train à Grand Vitesse), it was kind of expected that Air France's offering on this front would be pretty solid.

The airline's main hub, Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), has long been fitted with a high speed rail station, which makes it possible for Air France to offer onward TGV connections to all corners of French territory as well as Brussels.

Passengers using Air France's Avion + Train enjoy the peace of mind of having their onward connections guaranteed and they also get Flying Blue miles. If traveling on a premium ticket, they get access to the equivalent class onboard the train.

The service is also available at Paris-Orly, although in this case the train station is not adjacent to the terminal. But that's not a problem. The taxi ride to the nearby TGV station at Massy, in South Paris, is included.

One can only expect this type of product will become more widely used when France implements its newly approved policy of banning short-haul flights under 2.5 hours for environmental reasons.

A similar service is offered on the Amsterdam-Schiphol to Brussels route by the Dutch arm of the group, KLM, together with the Dutch rail operator Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS). It helps that Schiphol is right on top of the Netherlands main rail trunk line, which means that the boarding gate is never more than a few minutes away from the train platform.

Swiss Airtrain

Few nations have such an enduring love affair with their railways as do the Swiss: they are the basis of a perfectly synchronized multi-modal public transportation system that reaches all the way to the highest and most remote areas of the Alps, as well as keeping Swiss' main hub at Zurich (ZRH) well fed with passengers from across the country.

Swiss' Airtrain service , provided in partnership with the Federal Railway Company (SBB-CFF), runs feeder services to Zurich from Basel, Lugano, and Geneva.

These trains have a Swiss flight code and you need to have a Swiss boarding pass to travel on them. Connections are guaranteed and you can collect Miles & More miles as well.

For an extra fee, SBB-CFF also offers Flight Luggage service, through which you can check in your luggage at a number of select train stations in Switzerland.

Related: 6 tips for a family's first European vacation

Austrian Airlines AIRail

Austrian railway operator ÖBB has been working hard to reclaim Vienna's traditional role as a hub for rail travel in Europe, linking east and west.

In addition to launching the so called "Nightjet" service to several European capitals, ÖBB collaborates with Austrian Airlines.

Users of the AlRail service can travel from Linz, Salzburg and Graz to Vienna international airport [VIE] with a single combined ticket that is linked to the boarding pass.

What's more, Linz and Salzburg stations also offer luggage check-in, so that upon arrival at the airport you can head straight to your boarding gate unencumbered.

Like other similar services, connections are guaranteed and passengers get Miles & More miles. Additionally, you also get a snack and free Wi-Fi on the train.

Business class passengers, HON Circle members or those holding Senator or Star Alliance Gold cards get lounge access as well as reserved parking facilities at the stations.

Related: The best credit cards for train travel

Iberia Train & Fly

Spanish flag carrier Iberia has its own plane and train product, operated together with the country's main rail operator, Renfe.

Iberia's Train & Fly service facilitates the connection between the airline's network of 90 destinations in Europe, the U.S. and Latin America and 14 different Spanish cities: Saragossa, Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, Valladolid, Valencia, Alicante, León, Palencia, Pamplona, Salamanca, Albacete, Zamora and Ourense.

Many of these cities are located along Spain's high-speed rail network (the second most extensive in the world after China's), however there is currently no high-speed train station at Madrid-Barajas airport (MAD), so those using the service will need to take a suburban train to make the connection (at no extra cost) between the airport and the Atocha or Chamartín stations in downtown Madrid. The same combined ticket will be valid through the journey, with passengers having 2.5 hours to complete the transfer.

In addition to the connection guarantee, Iberia claims to offer better prices than if the land and air segments of the trip were booked separately. However, passengers won't be able to earn or spend Avios on the train journey, and likewise for members of the Más Renfe loyalty programme on the flight segment.

This service complements a similar one called "Bus & Fly '' that, as the name implies, does the same for a number of bus routes operated by bus operators Alsa and Avanza.

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Top picks for spring

Dutch tulips

With stays in Rotterdam and Haarlem

The sweeping tulip fields fill the Bollenstreek (bulb-growing) landscape around Haarlem with vibrant pinks, oranges and yellows.

Peak tulip season is from mid March to mid May.

Lavender fields of Provence

With stays in Avignon and Aix-en-Provence

The scent of lavender fills the Provençal air, with vibrant purple fields taking over the landscape from spring to summer.

Peak lavender season is May to early August (June/July is when it’s fully flourishing).

Floralia Brussels flower festival

With stays in Brussels

Each spring, the park and greenhouses of the castle of Grand Bigard are transformed into a floral wonderland with over a million bulbs in bloom.

From 5 April to 2 May.

Flight-free made easy All transport and accommodation included

Journeys you’ll love Created by sustainable travel experts

5 star support Chat with your trip lead on WhatsApp

As seen in the press

Slow travel to Istanbul

As seen in The Guardian and The Times .

Africa to the Arctic Circle

Across the world, without the race. As seen in The Times.

Touring the Douro

As seen in the Times .

The Isles of Scilly

The Isles of Scilly are a sub-tropical archipelago off the Cornish coast, home to some of the richest wildlife and most pristine beaches in the UK.

With limited accommodation that frequently sells out years in advance, we’ve secured exclusive availability for select weekends this August of 2024 .

Book now or enquire for a custom made journey.

How long does it take?

Here’s the minimum time you’ll need for a relaxed round trip starting from London. We do other departure stations, too!

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Alpine Express

Turin, Lecco, Chur, Bern and Paris

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Glasgow, Fort William & Inverness

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Vienna, Budapest, Prague

Zürich, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Berlin and Brussels

Glacial lake hopping

Basel, Locarno, Lugano, Lecco and Paris

Morocco flight-free

Nîmes, Madrid, Cádiz, Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fez and Casablanca

Preparations for Spring

Celebrate the arrival of warmer months with a spring short break. Cue bike rides through provincial lavender fields, pick-your-own tulips along the Dutch Keukenhof, and sunny strolls through Brussels’s annual flower exhibition in the palatial gardens of the Kasteel van Groot-Bijgaarden.

Destinations

AUSTRIA BELGIUM CROATIA CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK FRANCE GERMANY ITALY   MOROCCO   NETHERLANDS NORWAY PORTUGAL SPAIN SLOVENIA SWEDEN SWITZERLAND UK

As seen on This Morning :

A romantic Parisian break

Planet-friendly holidays and sustainable travel inspiration

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Poland by train

From Gothic cities to mountainous towns, explore Central and Eastern Europe with our latest collection of journeys.

Look after the planet with every trip you take

Travel by train, boat and bus.

We’ve built adventures that don’t rely on flights, and we stand by the principle that travelling through the world is better than flying over.

Rail travel accounts for just 14g of CO2 per passenger mile, dwarfed by the 285g generated by air travel (Energy Saving Trust, 2018). You could get the train from London to Edinburgh five times and your carbon footprint would still be lower than if you flew there.

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is a mindset. Sustainability over speed and quality over mass tourism. It brings tourism spend to the communities seeking it and keeps the environmental footprint of travel down.

Cut your carbon

Opting for overland travel cuts carbon by 90% vs flying. Taking trains, boats, buses and bikes helps combat climate change while still enjoying travelling.

Love the journey

Choose enjoyment over speed, making the journey part of the holiday. Take the scenic route and embrace the serendipity of what you might find.

Avoid overtourism hotspots and chains. Select accommodations, restaurants and experiences that are locally run, locally loved and sustainable.

Frequently asked questions

What’s included.

Our price includes all of your holiday transport, accommodation and a personalised itinerary for your trip. You'll also have our travel experts on WhatsApp all holiday for disruption support and travel tips.

What are the departure dates?

(Almost) any that you want! Our trips don’t start and end on specific dates, you can choose any date that you’d like, even when booking online. Please bear in mind that prices may vary.

How do you deal with travel disruptions?

If travel restrictions due to Covid or other situations mean you can’t take your holiday, we can move your dates, change routes or issue a full refund, no questions asked.

Can I change my plans?

Yep! We always book flexible tickets so that you can adjust your trip before you go or while you're away if your plans change. We’re happy to advise on updated times/schedules.

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Fly to Germany and Travel to 25 Different Cities By Train on One Ticket — Here's How

United has teamed up with German train line Deutsche Bahn to offer a single ticket for both air and rail travel.

United Airlines is making it easier for travelers to hop a train in Europe by partnering with the Lufthansa Group and Deutsche Bahn to create a single ticket for both air and train travel.

The new partnership, which went into effect on Wednesday, will allow travelers flying through Frankfurt Airport to buy a single ticket that includes a train to continue onto 25 different cities in Germany as well as Basel, Switzerland, according to United . The integrated ticket will also have one fare that includes all legs of the trip.

“Connecting amazing places on both sides of the Atlantic has never been so easy,” Stefan Kreuzpaintner, the senior vice president of network, alliances and partnerships at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said in a statement. “Together with our partners, we have consistently expanded our intermodal services in recent years in many European countries… It offers travellers to and from the USA a convenient, comfortable journey – a real premium product.”

Helmut Fricke/Getty Images

Travelers who book one of these integrated tickets can receive the boarding pass for both their flight and train when checking in. They also have the possibility to access priority baggage handling and other services in the AiRail check-in area at Frankfurt Airport.

United MileagePlus members can also earn miles for the rail portion of their rail/air ticket, and eligible customers can access Deutsche Bahn lounges. 

As an added perk, these tickets come with transfer and connection protection in the event of a delay or breakdown.

Trains are one of the easiest ways to get around Europe once you land with a large variety available from inter-city trains to larger lines like the Eurostar .

For its part, Deutsche Bahn operates more than 40,000 trains each day across 5,700 train stations. The company, along with its French counterpart, is also currently developing a high-speed connection between Paris and Berlin that would directly link the two major cities in 7 hours.

New Zealand Rail, Cruise, Drive & Fly

Amazing combo south & north island drive, cruise, rail & stay with flights.

• Brochure & More Info
• Book with Confidence
• Similar Tours

What's included

• Accommodation based on twin share room
• Car hire with unlimited kilometres
• Cruise as per itinerary
• International flights from Australia
• Local experience or activity
• Meals as per the itinerary
• Rail travel as per itinerary
• Airport transfers
• Any items or services not specified in the itinerary
• Car hire extras
• Medical and emergency insurance
• Optional tours and activities
• Personal expenses

New Zealand package overview

Celebrate the beauty of the South and North Island in this extraordinary New Zealand holiday!

Fly to picturesque Queenstown, famously known as the adventure capital of New Zealand. Then drive to Milford Sound for the most spectacular way to explore the stunning region – overnighting aboard the Fiordland Navigator. Cruise to the open sea with the nature guide and friendly crew, before anchoring for the night in sheltered Harrison Cove. Wildlife viewing opportunities and a special dinner are all part of the unforgettable experience.

Jump back in the car and head to Franz Josef Glacier where you have two nights to explore the lively town in the heart of the West Coast. Of course, the unmissable attraction is to get a good view of the famous 12km long glacier.

Next is another spellbinding highlight aboard one of the world’s great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Travel across the South Island, from west to east, through Arthur’s Pass National Park and descend to the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch.

After time to explore the southern capital, it’s another thrilling journey, this time aboard the Coastal Pacific Train and interisland ferry from Christchurch to Wellington. Travelling between Christchurch and Picton, the Coastal Pacific meanders breathtakingly close to the sea, where the roaring Pacific Ocean meets the rising Kaikōura mountains. The Coastal Pacific isn’t just a scenic activity, combined with the Interislander Ferry it is the perfect way to connect between the South and North islands.

Enjoy two nights discover the highlights of Wellington, the Harbour Capital and board the Northern Explorer train bound for Auckland. Experience the extremes of New Zealand’s scenery, from the fertile farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti coast.

A three-night stay in Auckland caps off this breathtaking journey perfectly before itis time to say Mā te wā Aotearoa – see you next time New Zealand!

Departure dates

With travel to New Zealand being in high demand, we recommend getting in early and being flexible with dates to give you the best chance of confirming your holiday.

Departs Australia on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from October 2023 to May 2024.

High season surcharge of $300 per person applies from 10 December to 31 January and 1 to 25 April each year.

Note: Departures are subject to confirmation at time of booking and price will vary depending on your travel date. Please contact us for current prices.

Inclusions at a glance

• Fly from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane (ask for other cities)
• Unlimited kilometres
• Pick up Queenstown Airport, drop off Greymouth Rail Terminal
• 3 nights Queenstown – Quest Hotel, Ramada Suites or Holiday Inn
• 2 nights Franz Josef – Punga View or Glacier View Motel
• 2 nights Christchurch – Quest on Manchester or Ramada Suites
• 2 nights Wellington – Mercure Hotel or similar
• 3 nights Auckland – Grand Central Serviced Apartments or similar
• 3-course dinner & cooked breakfast prepared by the onboard chef
• Kayaking & tender boat activities (weather dependent)
• Coastal Pacific Train, one-way from Christchurch to Picton
• Northern Explorer Train, one-way from Wellington to Auckland
• Ferry – Interislander Ferry connects with the Coastal Pacific, from Picton to Wellington
• Wellington Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour
• Auckland Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour

Special features

• Explore Milford Sound on the Fiordland Navigator, nothing compares to a night on the fjord
• On the South Island, stay 3 nights in Queenstown and 2 nights in Franz Josef and Christchurch
• Enjoy the convenience of car hire to see more of the South Island
• Travel on the world-famous TranzAlpine Scenic Train
• Take an amazing ride on the heritage trams around Christchurch’s city loop
• The Coastal Pacific train and Interisland ferry connect the South and North islands
• Discover the delights of Wellington and Auckland with extended stays & bus tours
• Flights from Australia are included on this worry-free holiday!

Fly to Queenstown, New Zealand

Explore queenstown, drive to milford sound for overnight cruise, drive to milford sound to queenstown, queenstown to franz josef glacier (via wanaka), explore franz josef glacier, drive franz josef to greymouth train station, tranzalpine train to christchurch, explore christchurch, christchurch to wellington by coastal pacific train & interislander ferry, hop on hop off bus wellington, wellington to auckland by train, hop on hop off bus auckland, free day to explore auckland, fly auckland to australia.

More about New Zealand

My travel experience review.

You can imagine why this is one of our most popular New Zealand holidays. It's a wonderful way to explore the South and North Island with a combination of self-drive, cruise and rail, plus flights from Australia are included.

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More about this tour

See the brochure

Click here to view, download or print a copy of this cruise package brochure.

The brochure includes details of the inclusions, itinerary and other relevant travel information. Information contained in the brochure is subject to change and at the time of booking you will be provided with an updated copy that includes the current details for your reservation.

High season surcharge applies from 10 December to 31 January and 1 to 25 April each year.

Package start time

The listed time is a guide only and details will be provide once your booking and departure flights are confirmed.

Important to remember...

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The Maya Train Will Get You to All of Yucatán’s Best Spots. But Not Yet.

In December, the train began running on its first route through Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. On a five-day journey a few months later, the author encountered enthusiasm, and scheduling hiccups.

By Elisabeth Malkin

Elisabeth Malkin has been visiting the Yucatán Peninsula for three decades.

I stepped off the platform at the gleaming new Maxcanú train station, eager to see the magnificent Maya archaeological site of Uxmal. All I needed was a taxi to take me there, a trip of about 30 miles away.

There are no taxis, said the stationmaster, as we stood on the polished limestone floors of the high-ceilinged station, which was cool and breezy despite the brilliant late-morning sun outside. And I was the third person in two weeks to get off at Maxcanú expecting to reach Uxmal, he said.

I was midway through a five-day trip to explore the brand-new Maya Train and several of its destinations in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico . Designed to run 965 miles (1,554 kilometers) around a loop of 34 stations when completed, the train will whisk passengers in cool comfort through colonial cities, archaeological sites, splashy resorts and tropical forests.

Now I was stunned. Wrangling a taxi has never been a problem in Mexico. But the drivers gathered in the main square of Maxcanú offered only beat-up vans that hopscotch through small towns, where I might or might not find a taxi to Uxmal. The next van was leaving in 45 minutes.

Yucatán’s layers of history have long held me spellbound. During earlier car trips, I have clambered up deserted Maya temples and palaces, stepped into the cool naves of massive 16th-century churches and visited restored haciendas, testaments of the ostentation — and hardship — of the peninsula’s 19th-century plantation economy. Traveling by train, I thought, would allow me to steep myself in more of that history.

But as I found in Maxcanú, a train won’t necessarily get you to where you want to go.

During my February trip, I traveled on the only route then available, an east-west leg that opened in December and runs from Cancún to Mérida, and then south through the port city of Campeche to the Maya site of Palenque (a short route between Cancún and Playa del Carmen opened last month, with three trains a day). I encountered scheduling confusion, unfinished stations and a dearth of trains — just two operating daily each way between Cancún and Campeche, and only one to Palenque. Overnight sleepers and special dining trains seem years away.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador considers the Maya Train his showcase development project, and wants to inaugurate the rest of the train before he leaves office on October 1. Based on my experience, that goal seems elusive.

A $29-billion route through the jungle

I started my journey in Cancún, where in the pre-dawn gloom the station hovered like a glowing spaceship. An attendant scanned the ticket I had bought online and a half-dozen more pointed me toward my tourist-class car, which was about a quarter full. I planned to go to Campeche, about 300 miles away, stopping once each day. At 120 kilometers (about 75 miles) an hour, the train covers the route in about six hours, the same as a car. (When construction is complete, the train’s speed should increase to 160 kilometers an hour.)

The car’s wide windows looked out at a wall of low jungle. The blue-green seats were comfortable and there was ample space between the rows. I bought a very good cappuccino at the snack bar, but declined the plastic-wrapped sandwiches. The rest of the merchandise was fruit cups, milk boxes and junk food.

The train will ultimately cost much more than the $29 billion budgeted so far, and it’s not the first time ambitious planners have alighted on the region. Cancún was once a tiny fishing village, selected half a century ago as a tourist hub. Last year 10 million international tourists flew into its airport, more than the airports of Mexico City, Los Cabos and Puerto Vallarta combined.

But uncontrolled growth has stressed the Caribbean coast’s fragile environment. The Maya Train, scientists warn , will push those problems south, threatening the area’s water supply, its unique system of underground limestone caves and its vast nature reserves.

Mr. López Obrador has charged ahead, handing the train over to the military , and arguing that it will spread Cancún’s wealth and attract new visitors. Mexico received more than 42 million overseas tourists last year and they spent almost $31 billion .

Local governments see an opportunity. “The train will allow people to disperse throughout the peninsula,” said Michelle Fridman, the tourism secretary for Yucatán state, which promotes dozens of attractions far beyond highlights like Mérida and Chichén Itzá .

Now that the train is operating, transport companies will begin to connect stations with lesser-known sites nearby, she said.

It’s fair to ask whether the train is the most effective way to develop the peninsula’s tourism. Tour companies already run trips to many sites from major cities, which are well served by buses. Driving a rental car through most of the area is considered safe , according to U.S. State Department travel guidance .

Route of Mexico’s Maya Train

Canceled trip.

It took two hours (and one time-zone change) to reach Valladolid, a colonial city of handsome streets and ancient churches, where I bought the rest of my tickets at the station. A tourist-class ticket from Cancún to Valladolid costs 472 pesos (around $28) for foreigners and 355 pesos (around $21) for Mexicans. First class, with wider seats, costs 755.50 pesos and 566.50 pesos, and discounts are available for older travelers and residents of the five states along the train’s route. (A first-class bus from downtown Cancún to Valladolid costs between 222 and 344 pesos, depending on the time of day, and takes half an hour longer.)

It was impossible to run the new Maya Train tracks into dense city centers and the Valladolid station, like the rest, was outside the urban core. A waiting bus took disembarking passengers downtown, a 15-minute ride for 35 pesos.

That day I toured Ek Balam , the site of a ninth-century Maya kingdom that is dominated by a 100-foot palace distinguished by a facade of carvings depicting winged warriors, stylized animal features and geometric patterns bordered by giant fangs. Admission to the site includes entry to the X-Canché cenote, one of thousands of limestone sinkholes that were sacred to the Maya.

Later that afternoon, I was wandering through the Museum of Ethnic Clothing, a private collection of traditional dress, embroidery and hats, when a WhatsApp message from the ticket office blinked on my phone. My train scheduled for the following day was canceled.

I decided to deal with the problem in the morning and enjoy the city. As I wandered past the antique shops and boutique hotels of the elegant Calzada de los Frailes, it was clear that Valladolid’s tourism, and the infrastructure to handle it, was well established. The Maya Train is simply an alternative way to reach a city that tourists discovered years ago.

‘We’re on the Tren Maya!’

In the morning, I found that my train had not been canceled, but the station for which I had a ticket, Tixkokob, was closed. I got off instead one stop earlier at Izamal, known for its ocher streets and the giant Franciscan convent of San Antonio de Padua, built atop the ruins of a pyramid.

During the 90-minute ride, I heard widespread enthusiasm among fellow travelers who expressed a willingness to give the train time to work out the kinks. “We’re an experiment,” said Oliva Escobedo Ochoa, 64, who was vacationing from her home in central Mexico.

Leticia Iliassich, 57, who is Mexican, was traveling with her Croatian husband along with relatives from Mexico and Croatia. They had initially been scheduled on an earlier train to Mérida that had been canceled. “We knew that it was a new project,” she said. “We don’t mind.”

The group had already sent a video to friends declaring, “We’re on the Tren Maya!”

At the Izamal station I hitched a 15-minute ride into the town center with a man who had asked me to take his photo alongside the train and his father. From there I negotiated a taxi to Hacienda San Lorenzo Aké, a working hacienda that still turns the fiber from an agave plant called henequén into coarse rope. Global demand for henequén, known as Yucatán’s “green gold,” brought fantastic wealth to the region in the mid-19th century, speckling the peninsula with more than 1,000 haciendas. ( Many are now sumptuous hotels.)

Where geometry, nature and the divine merge

It was during my third day that I found myself stuck in Maxcanú, after a 90-minute train ride from Izamal. The stationmaster, an army captain, offered me a ride to Uxmal, just as he had to the stranded tourists before me.

Eying Uxmal’s 4 p.m. final ticket sale, I accepted.

My situation made it clear just how distant the Maya Train’s promises are for tourists seeking to explore more of Yucatán. In time, that will change, said Ms. Fridman, the tourism secretary. “The idea is to have more hotels along the train line,” she said. “That will happen little by little.”

But Uxmal , among the most stunning of the Maya sites, made up for the inconvenience. Uxmal’s grand buildings are faced with intricate decorative masks as well as friezes in which geometry, nature and the divine merge. New plaques at each structure offer detailed information in English and Spanish, part of the government’s investment in improving displays at Maya sites for the train project.

Most tourists either take day trips by car or bus to Uxmal from Mérida or stay at one of three nearby hotels. As I finished dinner at my hotel, the dining room began to fill up: 47 Polish tourists had arrived.

Panama hats and a cramped van

My plan for the day was to go by taxi to Bécal, a town where Panama hats are woven in limestone caves to keep the fibers soft, and then pick up the afternoon train in nearby Calkiní for the port city of Campeche.

But I spent so much time watching the hat-making demonstration and then fitting my new hat and buying gifts that we set off with little time to reach the station. To my chagrin, I missed the train, the last one of the day.

On Calkiní’s central square, I found a van that was leaving for Campeche. Cost: 65 pesos. Time: about 1 hour and 20 minutes, similar to what I would have spent on the train. Of course, I was trapped in a cramped seat and had to listen to the driver’s choice of sentimental ballads, but I was dropped off in downtown Campeche, close to my hotel.

The next day, I toured the Museum of Maya Archaeology , an expertly curated collection that included haunting jade funeral masks, glyphs and delicate ceramic figures.

José Madrigal, 45, an engineer from Fremont, Calif., was trying to make Maya pottery interesting for his twin sons. The boys had just turned 5 and their birthday present had been a ride on the Maya Train. “They love trains,” Mr. Madrigal said. Then the family moved on, keeping up a brisk clip through the museum. They had another train to catch.

Should you take the train?

Yes, if you are traveling between larger stations. The train also offers a way to get to Palenque, which is harder to reach and has roads with security concerns. Travelers can stow bicycles on board.

To see train times, check the destinations on the website . You cannot buy tickets online more than a week in advance. But when you finally board, the ride is smooth — and the coffee is excellent.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

Construction to begin on high-speed rail between Vegas and California

Privately owned train company Brightline will break ground next week on a $12 billion high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will join company leaders and other officials for the start of construction in Las Vegas on Monday, the Department of Transportation confirmed. The ceremony was first reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Brightline West benefits from $3 billion in federal funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Trains could be running as soon as early 2028, in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Travelers have a lot to look forward to. Electric trains will depart every 45 minutes from a Las Vegas station south of the city’s storied Strip and a Southern California station in Rancho Cucamonga, a Los Angeles suburb about 40 miles east of downtown.

Traveling at up to 186 mph — faster than any other train in the United States — Brightline West trains will make the 218-mile trip in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

“At long last, we’re building the first high-speed rail project in our nation’s history,” President Biden said of Brightline West in December. “We’ve been talking about this project for decades. Now we’re really getting it done.”

Other high-speed railroads that would carry passengers at 200 mph and faster are in the works in California, Texas and the Pacific Northwest.

Driving between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas takes at least three hours without traffic, according to Google Maps.

“You’ll be sitting there flying by on Brightline looking at all these brake lights on the highway and thinking, ‘It sucks to be you,’” said Jim Mathews, CEO of the Rail Passengers Association , said on Friday. “That’s what it’s going to be like for all those people trying to get from greater Los Angeles to Las Vegas.”

Brightline West trains will run along Interstate 15 for nearly their entire journey. They will make two intermediate stops in California: one in Hesperia and one in Apple Valley.

Travelers coming from Los Angeles will have the option of riding Metrolink , Southern California’s regional rail system, to the Rancho Cucamonga station located near the junction of Interstates 10 and 15. The trip between downtown Los Angeles and Rancho Cucamonga takes at least 50 minutes by car without traffic, or 1 hour and 15 minutes on the train.

Speed won’t be the only reason to ride Brightline West.

Brightline’s Florida operation connecting Miami to Orlando opened in September , giving future customers out West an idea of what to expect. Before Brightline’s debut, Amtrak held a monopoly on intercity passenger rail travel for decades.

Stations are spacious with comfortable areas to sit, bars selling craft cocktails and a lounge for premium passengers. Onboard, travelers enjoy assigned seats and fast WiFi. Attendants come down the aisle serving snacks and drinks throughout the trip.

Brightline told investors that it carried a record 258,307 passengers in March, and that one in three of its trains were nearly full.

Brightline’s strong ridership, though slower than initially promised to investors, makes a strong case for building fast and frequent trains between major U.S. cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

Brightline West estimates that 6 million people will ride its trains during the first full year of operation, according to a federal environmental assessment . That number is projected to grow to as many as 9.2 million people within a decade.

The company estimates that, without the train, three-quarters of its riders would drive between Southern California and Las Vegas. Another 15 percent would fly, and the balance would not make the trip at all.

The world's first doggy jet service will cost you $6K for a one-way ticket

Dogs will soon be able to experience their own “ fur st” class flight with the launch of the world’s first jet charter company specifically designed for man’s best friend. 

BARK, the dog toy company that coordinates the popular treat subscription BarkBox, is partnering with a jet charter service to take away the challenges of long-distance traveling with dogs, according to a press release. BARK Air, as the company calls it, offers the “white glove experience typical of a human’s first-class experience and redirected all that pampering to pooches.”

Taking dogs on airplanes is, typically, a stressful endeavor with different airlines having different policies for pet travel. For example, American Airlines allows small dogs in a carrier to be placed under the seat in front, but larger dogs are put in the cargo space, which has been found to be stressful for the pet. For United Airlines , pets can fly in the cabin if there’s enough space, but they must fit in a carrier under the seat in front.

“We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” said Matt Meeker, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer at BARK, in a statement. 

First-time Fido's taking to the sky? Here are tips from my flight with a dog

Learn more: Best travel insurance

However, you’ll need to pay a hefty fee for the dog-friendly flight. For now, a ticket for just one dog and one human will run you at least $6,000 one way. 

The first BARK Air flights will take off on May 23, and so far, there are only two flight routes available, both from New York’s Westchester County Airport. From New York to London’s Stansted Airport, it’ll cost $8,000 one-way and to Los Angeles’s Van Nuys Airport will cost $6,000 one-way. Tickets are available for purchase on April 11.

Not only does BARK Air allow dogs, it also focuses on the furry friends by treating them like VIPs, the press release said. BARK Air passengers can skip TSA checkpoints and screenings and instead experience a simple check-in process where they can meet the other dogs on the flight and the humans are served a meal cooked by on-site chefs. 

When boarding, a BARK Air concierge is on-hand to ensure the dogs are socializing and adjusting to the environment well. 

Each flight will undergo “Dogs Fly First” flight prep that includes “calming pheromones, music, and colors that pups prefer.” To make the flying experience easier and more enjoyable, dogs have access to various aids such as calming treats, noise-canceling ear muffs, and calming jackets.

During takeoff and descent, dogs are given a beverage of their choice to help their ears adjust to cabin pressurization. Of course, there will be plenty of treats on the flight.

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Are you going to Turkey, Egypt or Israel on holiday? The Foreign Office has warned travellers to several countries to monitor advice after an Iranian attack on Israel pushed tension in the Middle East up another notch.

Thursday 18 April 2024 08:13, UK

Tension in the Middle East has ratcheted up again after Iran's attack on Israel, as the world waits to see how Benjamin Netanyahu's government will respond. 

With the threat of widening conflict, people due to travel through or over the Middle East may be asking if their plans may be impacted.

On Saturday, flight data showed dozens of journeys that would have travelled over the Middle East turned back after Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles into Israel .

Here is what airlines are saying and the latest safety advice to travellers.

EasyJet scraps Tel Aviv flights

EasyJet has suspended all flights to Tel Aviv over safety concerns.

The budget airline told Sky News it has grounded its flights until 27 October at the earliest "as a result of the continued evolving situation" in the region.

Wizz Air customers could see schedule changes

Wizz Air cancelled flights to Tel Aviv on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 April before resuming its schedule.

But it said customers could experience schedule changes as it closely monitors the situation.

British Airways operating as normal

British Airways - which operates four daily return flights per week between Heathrow and Tel Aviv - said its flights were continuing to operate as planned, but it too was monitoring the situation.

Is it safe to travel to Turkey?

Turkey is a popular holiday destination for people from the UK with the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism saying that last year 3.16 million Britons made the journey there, according to Travel Weekly.

Yet, it borders a number of countries that the Foreign Office advises against travel to.

The vast majority of the country is considered generally safe for tourists, with some exceptions.

The Foreign Office advises against all travel within 10km of the border with Syria , and all but essential travel to the Sirnak and Hakkari provinces.

Is it safe to travel to Israel?

Some parts of Israel are considered "red zones" by the Foreign Office, with the government advising against all travel there.

For the rest of the country - including East Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the advice is to travel only if it is essential.

Tourist Israel says around 220,000 Britons usually go to the country every year and the Foreign Office is advising against travel close to the border with Gaza, within 5km of the border with Lebanon and within 500m of the border with Syria.

You can see the full updated list of "red zones" on the Foreign Office advice pages.

Occupied Palestinian territories

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and the West Bank.

Don't travel to Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon or Syria - Foreign Office

The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Iran, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.

It advises against all travel to Iraq except to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), where it advises against all but "essential travel".

Can I safely go on holiday in Egypt?

The main tourist areas in Egypt are generally considered safe, including the capital Cairo, cities along the Nile and Red Sea resorts.

Over 1.5 million British Nationals visit Egypt every year, according to analysts Gitnux, and the areas the Foreign Office warns not to travel to include the Governorate of North Sinai, where the Rafah crossing to Gaza is located, and within 20km of the border with Libya.

Read more: Are we heading for World War Three? Experts give their verdicts What are Iran's military capabilities - and where could it strike?

Keep up with all the latest news from the UK and around the world by following Sky News

Check advice on other Middle East states before you travel

Following Iran's attack on Israel, the Foreign Office issued a warning relating to several countries in the surrounding area, telling travellers to check for the latest information.

Included in this are popular destinations like Dubai (visited by more than a million Britons last year according to Travel Weekly) and Marrakech.

"On 13 April 2024 Iran carried out military action against Israel. Monitor this travel advice and other media as the situation is changing fast," the FCDO said in a statement.

The countries covered by the warning include Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Jordan and Oman.

Anywhere else of concern?

Cyprus is near the region and has a large UK airbase but, as yet, there is no change in travel advice to the popular country.

Related Topics

• Israel-Hamas war
• Middle East