Fred Holidays expands rail range as sales rise by a third

Operator adds to global portfolio

JimMin JimMin
Oct 16, 2024 - 21:04
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Fred Holidays expands rail range as sales rise by a third

Fred Holidays is expanded its rail holiday portfolio to include the UK and Ireland after claiming a year of double digit growth. 

Enhanced options in Scandinavia and Italy, steam and sleeper trains, sporting events, worldwide itineraries including Japan and rail & sail holidays are being featured for 2025.

Year-on-year rail sales have increased by 32%, bookings are up by 15%, the average booking value has grown by 20% and trade engagement is up by 16%, according to the operator,

Fred Holidays also revealed that:

40% of all rail holiday bookings have a value of more than £4,000, while 30% have a value of over £5,000.The most expensive individual rail holiday booking this year is £47,000 for two people.The most popular rail holiday is Lake Garda via The Bernina Express which is already 50% up compared with last year.The Bernina Express is the most popular train followed closely by the Glacier Express.The Bernina Express and GoldenPass Line have seen the biggest increase in interest this year, with the Glacier Express and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express also up.

The range of 2025 tours features the newest addition to Europe’s luxury train collection – La Dolce Vita Orient Express in Italy (pictured) – as well as overnight stays pre- and -post train and luxury packages with Oceania and Explora Journeys, including the Monaco Grand Prix.

Also featured is a combination tour which includes journeys on both La Dolce Vita Orient Express and Venice Simplon-Orient-Express. 

Venice Simplon-Orient-Express also comes paired with Explora Journeys for an Istanbul to Venice trip and with Celebrity Cruises for a Balkans itinerary. 

Pandaw River Cruises is being paired with India’s Maharajas’ Express with a choice of the Brahmaputra or the Ganges rivers.

Agents can earn up to £1,000 per new booking as part of Fred Holidays biggest ever trade incentive running until October 31. A range of One4All vouchers are being offered dependent on the value of the booking.