European Rail Tour Help

[les.]

Hi,

As I was diagnosed with a brain tumour a number of years ago, one of the consequencies of this is that I have been left with part of my skull missing and have been advised that I should not take any flight that lasts over 1 hour due to the cabin pressure. Obviously this has left me rather limited when it come to traveling abroad.

I have mentioned this before but I am thinking of going over to Europe in a few months time and using the rail network to travel around Europe. I know that there are quite a few agencies that organise these rail tours and wondered if anyone has had and good (or bad) experience of any particular agency and can recommend any to use or avoid.

I am thinking of traveling around the Germany/Austria/Switzerland are so any help would be welcome, including any advice if I decided to do this off my own back.

Thanks in advance
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Oh well, it was worth a try.

Just sent off for a couple of brochures today, see if any tour take my eye.

 

[30907]

Sorry, got distracted, meant to post yesterday.

No experience of organised tours but happy to advise on individual travel.

Germany/Austria/Switzerland sounds a very good choice for starters though because local transport is well integrated.

 

[les.]

Sorry, got distracted, meant to post yesterday.

No experience of organised tours but happy to advise on individual travel.

Germany/Austria/Switzerland sounds a very good choice for starters though because local transport is well integrated.

I'd be interested on doing something of my own back but have absolutely no experience of rail travel abroad (apart from a school exchange trip over 30 years ago).

Any tips re places to stay, best place to buy tickets from would be welcome. I've seen details of the Jungfrau (sp?) line which looks like a great line to do.

 

[30907]

As always, go to www.seat61.com for advice.

Switzerland is very expensive, and the JungfrauBahn is expensive by Swiss standards! However, on a fine day it IS worth doing once in your life. It wouldn't be top of my Swiss list.

 

[theblackwatch]

PTG Tours do some good trips - I've done a few of their enthusiast ones, but they aren't on the cheap side. I tend to go for the 'train only' option and arrange my hotels, but that means you have to find your way to places, whereas if you book the full package with them, they'll normally take you to the hotel from the train by coach and transfer your luggage as well. It really depends if you want to be escorted around or if you're happy to make your own arrangements/are more budget conscious.

 

[alex17595]

As always, go to www.seat61.com for advice.

Switzerland is very expensive, and the JungfrauBahn is expensive by Swiss standards! However, on a fine day it IS worth doing once in your life. It wouldn't be top of my Swiss list.

I would take the Gornergrat Bahn over the Jungfrau, there is a bit more scenery on the journey. A bit more reasonably priced as well.