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Pre-Departure |
• What is included in the price?
All accommodation as per the itinerary, both on board the train and in hotels; all meals starting with dinner on the first day (on some tours this may differ slightly, please refer to the specific itinerary); a generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train (except where stated otherwise); all arrival and departure transfers (providing you arrive/depart on the tour start/end date and except where stated otherwise); guided off train sightseeing excursions; the services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day, all gratuities; the services of a doctor (except where stated otherwise).
• What is not included in the price?
International and domestic airfares; visa and excess baggage charges; insurance.
Personal expenses such as drinks in the bar car or laundry are not included. On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity to be paid for locally.
• Who is responsible for booking flights?
We recommend that all flights are booked through the client’s travel agent. In cases where this is not possible, GW Travel can advise fares and book flights.
• Where and how do I obtain visas?
Most visas need to be applied for well in advance, and may require a visa support letter. It is vital that visa requirements are checked in good time as entry requirements and processing times vary depending on nationality. It is also important to check if a single, double or multiple entry visa is required for specific tours. GW Travel use the services of a visa support agency. Please contact our operations department for assistance or further information.
• Is insurance included and do I need it?
It is a booking condition that you must be fully insured for any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst travelling. Comprehensive travel insurance policies can be obtained from our agent Campbell Irvine. Please contact us for more details.
• What is the standard of Hotels that I will stay in as part of the tour?
Hotel accommodation as described in the tour itinerary is included in the price of the tour. All hotels are of a 4/5 star standard or best available. Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability and an additional cost.
• Do I need to tip when I am on the tour?
All gratuities are included in the tour price and we encourage passengers to refrain from offering gratuities to crew/hoteliers/drivers etc. We would prefer passengers to inform our management of any exceptional service received, and GW Travel will reward accordingly.
• What currency will I need to bring?
On board the train passengers will not need much currency, but there are charges for laundry and bar bills. It is possible to run a “tab” on board and make one payment at the end of the tour. If the bill is less than USD100, passengers will be required to make their payment in cash. International credit cards (VISA and MasterCard) are accepted for payments over USD100. We recommend passengers travel with small denominations and clean bills. Clients will need money for souvenirs and any shopping they choose to do off the train. They will be advised by their tour Manager and/or guides on how, and if necessary, where to change money.
• Can passengers use/pay with credit cards and travellers cheques?
ATM machines are now available in all large towns and cities along our routes. All the hotels that we use accept major credit cards. Traveller’s cheques are virtually impossible to exchange.
• Are transfers included?
Arrival and departure transfers are included on most of our tours if you arrive on the first day of the tour and depart on the last day.
• What happens when passengers arrive at the airport/ train station?
At their point of arrival, clients will be met by one of our representatives who will be waiting with a GW Travel sign. If arriving by air, this will be after immigration, once they have collected all their luggage and cleared customs. Our representative will then assist passengers to their transfer vehicle to their hotel.
• What happens if I miss my flight, or am delayed?
Prior to departure, clients will receive a 24-hour Emergency Contact Card with their final documentation. This card displays the telephone numbers of our representatives in both the country of their arrival as well as our offices in the UK. Should they have any problems they can call the appropriate person detailed on the card.
• Are there any restrictions on the size and number of pieces of luggage?
There is limited storage space inside the cabin for luggage storage. Soft-topped luggage is easier to store. Clients can have assistance to store their luggage.
• What is the dress code on board the trains?
During the day, dress is casual both on and off the train.
In the evening we suggest smart casual.
• What type of footwear is required?
Since every tour requires some walking we recommend that passengers pack some comfortable walking shoes. A rubber sole is recommended to avoid possible slipping.
• Do I need to take my own toiletries?
Shampoo and shower gel are provided. They are our own exclusive brand.
• Do passengers need to make any special prior arrangements if they are travelling with medication?
Clients need to ensure they are travelling with sufficient quantities of prescription medication. It is strongly advised that all clients seek medical clearance prior to travelling. Our on-board doctor must be advised of clients travelling with prescription medication.
• Are any special vaccinations required?
As with all overseas travel, clients will need to contact their GP or local travel clinic to get the most up to date information on what vaccinations, if any are required.
• What is the average age of the passengers?
Although we have no age restrictions on our tours, the majority of our travellers are 55 +. The average age is 66.
• Minimum Passenger Requirements
This all depends on the individual departure. Our maximum capacity is 120, but some of our departures will leave with less than that. All our rail tours require a minimum number of passengers. Should this not be reached, GW Travel will offer a modified service of carriages attached to regular service trains to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative tour. If no alternative is suitable a full refund will be offered. |
