Byways Train Travel

[roycroppersshopper]

Has anyone used Byways Travel? They offer packages by train/boat. I won't fly, too nervous really hate it.

They put together a package for you of trains, hotels etc. Am thinking of taking a trip from London to Marseille, onto Palma then Barcelona, Paris and back to London.

I'm very recently single and a bit nervous of travelling alone, god knows why am 53 and have enough life experience to handle it am sure!

I really, really need a holiday!

Not me but some friends use them a lot and have praised them highly

No but have also heard good things about them.

That sounds like a lovely trip, and honestly I think you should go for it! I haven’t used Byways myself, but the itinerary sounds like a really nice way to travel if you don’t want to fly, especially as they’re sorting out the trains and hotels for you. And 53 is certainly not too old to start travelling solo! Marseille, Palma, Barcelona and Paris sounds like a fantastic first adventure. I’d just give yourself plenty of time between connections so you’re not worrying about missing the next train.

I haven’t used them, but I’ve seen a lot of recommendations for them. They are recommended by the Man In Seat 61, which is very much good enough for me..

https://www.seat61.com

That is a very easy trip to DIY - of course you may want to ease or peace of mind of a travel agency but i would look at the price you can get yourself and compare what they offer you.

Eurostar can book you London to Marseille (do that as they will make sure you get a decent connection time at either Paris or Lille - sadly the direct London to Marseille train does not run any more) and then Barcelona back to London via Paris.

for the middle bit do you mean Palma de Mallorca or Palma del Rio - both a a fairly long circuitous route by train or boats from Marseille - i would do Marseille to Barcelona first by train and then travel within Spain from there. you can book a Marseille to Barcelona train easily via SNCF connect.

We have just returned from a rail holiday across Europe that Byway arranged for us. We had a fantastic time as all the train times and reservations were organised for us. We would definitely recommend them.

Thank you all for the responses! Much appreciated.

That is a very easy trip to DIY - of course you may want to ease or peace of mind of a travel agency but i would look at the price you can get yourself and compare what they offer you

I agree with this, trips offered by this sort of company always look expensive and the accommodation options are probably quite limited. But obviously the benefit is that it's all done for you and there's protection/support if you feel you need it. I suppose it depends if you're happy to throw money at it, or are mindful of budget/pricing?

Definitely look at the seat61.com website, it's great. I used it to get advice about a fairly complex train journey in Germany and what ticket was best.

Websites like Ferries from Mallorca to France | Compare Tickets | Direct Ferries make it easy to see what the ferry options are.

You could skip the Palma leg for now and save that for a future trip as there's lots of options in the south of France and northern Spain that would make a really great holiday by train. You could then look at an interrail pass.

You're absolutely right! I am perfect capable of organising this myself, I got the whole family (pre divorce) from London to Sicilly and back, via Milan and Florence. I don't know why I am feeling so unconfident. Divorce, house selling and subsequent post marriage relationship recently ending, think they have taken their toll.

The thought of doing it for £500 less and maybe using that money to upgrade trains and hotels is tempting!

I'll report back either way, thanks everyone!

Oh I understand that - it took me a bit of time to get confident again after covid.

I agree with others that I would skip Palma and that makes the trip a lot easier to manage. Works to align the track gauges between Spain and France means it is really easy to get direct trains to Barcelona and there is a lot of good stuff to explore in Catalonia.

For me the biggest anxiety for train holidays is missing the connection to the Eurostar - if you book trips out from and back to London via Eurostar (it's easy just put the destination in France or Spain you want in to their journey planner) they estimate the connection time and importantly if your connecting train is delayed they put you on the next train for free. Often I book the London to France bits separately as you can often get better prices and times booking directly with SNCF and I don't think missing the next train to our French destination is such a disaster.

Another option is to use Trainline.com - who will do similar.

SNCF are also really good and I book internal trains directly with them - if you use the SNCF Connect app they keep you updated by text of any delays or issues. Our train to Toulouse earlier this summer was cancelled (for unknown reason) and they sent us a text three days beforehand with options to choose an alternative for no extra cost.

I have booked Eurostar, and a through train to the south of France. Also got a hotel in London the night before as my train is early. Booked a hotel in a town centre that I'm chuffed has a small pool.

I can do day tips to Aix, Marseilles etc. I decided that I didn't want to move along to a different place every few days, I need it to be more relaxing than that.

It has the potential to be boring, but after the last few years of ups and downs (divorce, house sales falling through, relationships turning bad) I could do with boring! Lots of sleep, rose wine and gentle days!

That's a great update, OP. Have a wonderful time!

Tnat sounds perfect. Enjoy! The trains down there are pretty good so you can go further afield if you fancy it or just chill.

Thanks everyone for your ideas and support, am really looking forward to a break even if it is alone!

Just an update. I made it! Booked the right trains, in the right order and the hotels for the right nights!

Arrived 24 hours ago, felt super awkward, today though am well chilled. Read half a novel by the pool, glad I brought my chilli's bottle as it's keeping my water rosé nice and cool. Pool is superb, no kids, in fact barely any adults.

Hotel bang centre of town in the main square. Whoop!

That's wonderful OP. Sounds like a great break lies ahead of you.

That looks brilliant OP. Do you mind naming the hotel?

I love solo holidays by train.

Sure, no problem can't imagine you want to stalk me!!

It is the Hotel du Forum in Arles.

Amazing. That hotel looks glorious OP. I've never been to the south of France but I keep seeing more about it and have had a good look at the coastline when flying over on trips to the Balearics. Definitely gone on the list.

Here's to happy holidays and many more trips for us all.

Worry not OP. I'm off to Germany by train next month.
The hotel looks brilliant.

Love this. Love train travel and I am
looking to do a similar trip next summer. I am putting that hotel on my list. Can you share your full south of France itianary please? Did you stay in Marseille or straight to Arles? I am interested in Marseille but friend said it’s rough.

Now you are becoming a travel agent OP😆

We could do a Mumsnet 'not meet up' holiday.

Loads of Mumsnetters book a week in that hotel, get there by train and spend our time reading and drinking Rose by the pool not talking to each other or anyone else.

We could also go for walks, sea swimming, cultural trips and dinner, continuing the theme of peaceful and distanced companionable relaxation, with perhaps the odd knowing look on the train home.

Also noting your hotel and itinerary! We have been to Spain by train many years ago and would love to holiday by rail again, it's not really been workable for us for various reasons for a few years but should be now. I'm eyeing up in Annecy.

I stayed there on my 1st solo trip! In fact when this thread popped up I was going to recommend it! I went for the photo festival and had a fabulous few days exploring. Even if you are not that into photography, you get to explore all kinds of beautiful old buildings that you would never be able to get into otherwise. And the hotel is lovely 🙂

The man in seat 61 recommends Byways Travel and is an affiliate partner. That’s good enough for me

https://www.seat61.com