great rail journeys tour managers

Jill Boyington - Independent Travel Tour Manager

My Background

I was born in Tasmania and was 14 when I first travelled overseas on a family holiday to South East Asia. My first job took me to work abroad in the early 80's and since then I've travelled the world extensively from the back blocks of China to South Africa, from New Zealand to America. I now live in the UK and continue to explore the wonderful world we live in. 

How I Got Started

In 2013 I travelled on a Great Rail Journey's India's Golden Triangle and Shimla tour. I was so impressed with the role of our Tour Manager that she inspired me to apply for a role with Great Rail Journeys, and the rest is history. I've now managed tours throughout Europe, India, America and Russia.

Top Destinations

My favourite place to visit is the exciting and vibrant Golden Triangle Region of India including a trip on the toy train into the Himalayas to the unique town of Shimla.  Other favourites include Moscow and St Petersburg, Italy and Switzerland. In 2019 I led a tour on the Golden Eagle Trans Siberian Express from Moscow to Vladivostok via Mongolia - it was a dream come true!  Each place I visit is a top destination as when you take the time to explore them they all have something unique!

Travel Tour Manager Experience

2015-16: Tour Manager - Great Rail Journeys/Rail Discoveries

Award: Special Recognition Award Rail Discoveries

Countries: Austria (Tyrol), Switzerland (Jungfrau Region), Germany, Scotland

2016-17: Tour Manager - Great Rail Journeys/Rail Discoveries

Award: Tour Manager of the Year (North) Rail Discoveries

Countries: Austria, Italy (Lake Como), Croatia, Germany, Italy (Rome & Sorrento), Switzerland (Glacier Express)

2017-18: Tour Manager - Great Rail Journeys/Rail Discoveries

Award: Tour Manager of the Year Runner-Up (North) Rail Discoveries

Countries: India, USA (New England), Puglia, Germany, Yorkshire, France, Italy (Lake Como)

2018-19: Tour Manager - Great Rail/Rail Discoveries

Award: Special Recognition Rail Discoveries

Countries: Russia, Imperial Cities (Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest), Switzerland (Jungfrau Region), French Riveria, Italy (Lake Como), India

2019: Tour Manager - Great Rail/Rail Discoveries

Countries: India, Trans Siberian Railway (London - Berlin - Warsaw - Moscow - Vladivostok via Mongolia), Italy, Moscow, St Petersburg

2020 -  Rail Discoveries 

UK - Yorkshire by Steam

2021 - Great Rail Journeys / Rail Discoveries

UK - Yorkshire, Isle of Man, Devon, Scotland

2022 - Great Rail Journeys / Rail Discoveries

Countries: Scotland, Italy, Switzerland, Imperial Cities of Europe, Oter Hebrides

Scotland & Isle of Man

2023 - Great Rail Journeys / Rail Discoveries / Railway Touring Company

Countries: Uzbekistan, Arctic Norway & the Midnight Sun, Switzerland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Japan

2024 - Great Rail Journeys

Grand Tour of South Africam, Rome & the Amalfi Coast, Scotland

Puglia, Highlights of Tuscany

Outside Irkutsk - one foot in Asia and the other in Europe!

Tour manager role.

The role of a Tour Manager is to manage the logistics of the tour, liaise with local ground agents, hotel and restaurant staff and I always  do my upmost to ensure the tour goes smoothly enabling passengers to relax, enjoy and make the most of their holiday. I am also there to help with local information, assist with any problems passengers may have and make suggestions for things to do and places to see during any free time. I am the first point of call for any questions, problems or concerns.

My tour group in Jaipur, India

If you would like to make contact or have any questions, drop me a line!

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Great Rail Journeys   Reviews

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Reviews 4.8.

8,215 total

Most relevant

Simplicity of booking

Simplicity of booking. The knowledge and help of your booking staff.

Date of experience : 12 September 2024

So far just booked the holiday every…

So far just booked the holiday every thing is straight forward let’s hope it carries on that way

Date of experience : 07 September 2024

POOR ROOM QUALITY in Alnwick Swan Hotel

Northumbria Tour. Excellent days out. Good drivers, [prompt and efficient. Very pleasant helpful and knowledgeable lady Tour Guide. Room quality in the Harrogate Inn was good. The meals were 'pubby' and served VERY late. The second hotel in Alwick The Swan. Our room was VERY POOR. Hole in carpet. Broken floorboard under another section of carpet. Broken window pain. Poor housekeeping (beds not made each day, just pulled over). Bathroom light and shaver point not working. Carpet not vacuumed. Overnight crockery not removed from the room. Had also to ask for extra toilet paper and room tissues. However, the evening meals were 'old fashioned' and enjoyable. I DID complain to the receptionist at the hotel.

Date of experience : 15 August 2024

The website is very impersonal.

The website is very impersonal. I was surprised there was no indication of leaving or returning times at St Pancras, so don’t know whether accommodation is needed in London.

Efficient booking system

Haven’t taken the trip yet but the booking system is efficient and I have received updates/info from the agent regularly. So far, so good.

Date of experience : 31 August 2024

Ease of booking

Ease of booking However we received a telephone call from Great Rail Journeys the same day we booked the trip. Unfortunately we didn't get to the phone on time, and have not received another call.

Date of experience : 03 September 2024

Very pleased with service

Check online of what holidays were available. Phoned up to talk to an excellent customer service advisor and easily booked the holiday. She competently dealt with us fully understanding our needs.

Date of experience : 02 September 2024

Prompt service

We asked Chloe for a number of pieces of information and she returned to us promptly, as she received it. We have now booked.

Date of experience : 06 September 2024

Comprehensive

Comprehensive explanation of what is included. And great value for money

Very helpful and cheerful assistant on the phone

We called to make two separate bookings with a number of questions we needed answered first. The assistant (Morgan?) was really cheerful & helpful, nothing was too much trouble, and she managed to run the two bookings side by side without any issues at all (or blaming slow IT systems which so often happens with telephone bookings). Where there were no details available for the trip (such as Eurostar times), she looked up train times for this year, whilst stressing that it was only indicative, not necessarily what would be available to us. All in all it was a very pleasant exchange and enhanced the excitement associated with booking a nice holiday!

Date of experience : 21 August 2024

4 & 6th September, 2024

I found the staff at the end of the line helpful. The initial booking was treated fairly mater of factly but politely etc. When I rang to make an amendment I found the experience reassuring and encouraging. Thank you

Date of experience : 04 September 2024

You answered all my questions with…

You answered all my questions with excellent service

Amadeus Star Excellent organisation for all the…

Excellent organisation for all the events included and the standard of rooms and food was all first class. Staff couldn't have been more helpful and friendly. Would highly recommend this company and in fact have booked to go with them again next year!

Date of experience : 09 August 2024

Very Easy to Deal With

Pleasant,helpful and well informed staff made the enquiry and booking experience very easy

Date of experience : 11 September 2024

I got through quickly and my questions…

I got through quickly and my questions were answered. I made a booking as we will be travelling with BA and we are guaranteed a twin room.

Date of experience : 05 September 2024

very helpful salesman

very helpful and knowledgable person on the telephone. I wanted to book 2 single rooms and he made that happen for me.

Easy to use website and good…

Easy to use website and good description of the tour. Quick response to our booking.

Very good service

Staff in booking dept were very helpful and friendly. I need a walk-in shower and they held my reservation until they had checked that these were available. Also they linked my booking with a friend and held her booking until my request was satisfied. Very good service.

Date of experience : 28 August 2024

Very good Customer Service

Morgan got back to me as promised. With this information I was able to complete my booking.

Having travelled with Great Rail a few…

Having travelled with Great Rail a few times now I can highly recommend them. The holidays have exceeded expectations and the staff and tours managers brilliant. If you are a solo traveller this is the best way to travel.

Date of experience : 27 August 2024

Reply from Great Rail Journeys

Hi Lynn, Thank you for your review and continued support. That is wonderful to hear! We look forward to seeing you again in the future! Sophie

The World’s Best Railway Companies, According To Globe Travel Awards

From the plunging canyons of Canada to the foothills of the Himalayas, these rail companies will carry you to the wonders of the world.

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Mount Robson

T here’s something truly enchanting about hearing the rhythmic chug of a train as it glides through bewitching landscapes, weaving together the romance of a bygone era with adrenaline-pumping adventure as you pass snow-dusted mountaintops, glacial lakes, and gaping forest reserves. So whether you’re shooting across the English Channel or meandering through the Swiss Alps on the world-famous Glacier Express , here are some of the world’s best rail companies to journey with, shortlisted in the 2024 Globe Travel Awards .

1. Rocky Mountaineer

GoldLeaf Service

Rocky Mountaineer offers luxury train journeys through some of North America’s most spectacular scenery, from the mountain passes and plunging canyons of Canada to the far-reaching deserts and hoodoos of the US . You can choose from four rail routes and pick from three service levels– SilverLeaf Service , SilverLeaf Plus Service ( US only) or GoldLeaf Service ( Canada only).

Onboard, you'll find sweeping panoramic windows in glass-dome coaches with an open-air viewing platform, complimentary cocktails, and gourmet à la carte meals from Alberta striploin steak to Fraser Valley chicken paillard. Journeying in daylight, you’ll sweep past stretching rivers, canyons, and waterfalls as you spot roaming bears, elk, salmon, osprey, and eagles.

Join its ‘ First Passage to the West in Canada ’ expedition from Vancouver to Banff as you pass through the iconic Spiral Tunnels and traverse the Continental Divide –or opt for the ‘ Rockies To The Red Rocks in the US ’ tour exploring vast stretching landscapes between Moab , Utah , and Denver as you pass the Ruby Canyon , Mount Garfield , and enchanting hoodoos.

2. Great Rail Journeys

Bernina Express

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Great Rail Journeys is best known for its escorted rail tours, offering almost 170 itineraries in Europe and over 50 countries worldwide–from exploring the Swiss Alps on the Glacier Express to chopping through Edinburgh and Scotland’s Highlands .

New for 2025, Great Rail Journeys has announced three new tours–the ‘ Deccan Odyssey ’ will take travelers from India’s bustling capital, Delhi , to the foothills of the Himalayas by modern rail and charming Toy Train –visiting iconic sites like the Taj Mahal , the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and the spiritual Varanasi beside the sacred Ganges .

Its ‘ Classic Kenya Safari ’ will see guests drive through the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Lake Nakuru National Park , journeying through Crescent Island before embarking on a wildlife viewing in Nairobi National Park and a bush tour of a World Heritage forest reserve.

On the ‘ Highlights of Vietnam ’, you’ll explore the Mekong Delta, sample the street food in Hanai , sail through the jungle-draped islands of Halong Bay , ride the Reunification Express , and fly to Ho Chi Minh City where you'll visit the Cu Chi Tunnels .

3. Eurostar

Eurostar High Speed Train

Established in 1994, Eurostar is is world-famous for its high-speed trains carrying millions of passengers each year through the Channel Tunnel from London to major European cities like Paris, Brussels , Amsterdam , Rotterdam , Antwerp , and Cologne, traveling at a speed of up to 300 kilometers per hour (meaning it is sometimes faster than flying).

With a fleet of 51 trains, Eurostar offers the largest international high-speed network in Western Europe , serving 28 destinations in Germany , Belgium , France , the Netherlands , and the United Kingdom –and aims to carry 30 million passengers a year with 100% renewable energy by 2030.

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• Around the World

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• New York, Washington DC and Chicago
• America's Golden West, Monument Valley and the Grand Canyon
• Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Shanghai, Beijing and the Great Wall of China
• Xian and the Terracotta Warriors
• Tsar's Gold Private Train from Mongolia
• Lake Baikal, Siberia, Irkutsk & Novosibirsk
• Venice Simplon-Orient-Express from Venice

What's this trip about?

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Travel themes.

• National Parks
• Nature & Wildlife
• Train & Rail Journeys

Destinations

• United States

Attractions

• Canyonlands National Park
• Great Wall of China
• Lake Baikal
• Los Angeles
• Monument Valley
• San Francisco
• Horseback riding & Equestrian
• Short Cruise
• Trains & Rail
• Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

• Guided tours of New York, Washington D.C, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco
• Scenic journeys on the Royal Gorge Railroad, Durango & Silverton Railroad and the Grand Canyon Railroad,
• Journey through the Rocky Mountains & Monument Valley and along the Pacific Coastline
• Excursion to the Grand Canyon with flyover
• Time at leisure in a host of iconic US cities
• Guided tours of Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xian, and Beijing
• Excursions to Lingyin Temple, the Longmen Grottoes, Terracotta Warriors, the Great Wall of China, and the Forbidden City
• Cruises across Hangzhou's West Lake and along the River Li
• Time at leisure in a host of iconic Chinese cities
• A variety of exciting excursions across Mongolia, Russia and central Europe

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• You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
• Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Dates & Availability

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Great Rail Journeys .

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Great Rail Journeys Reviews & Ratings

Other great rail journeys reviews, avoid great rail journeys.

This was their July 22 Cruise “Delights if the Danube” Absolutely awful company, great at taking your bookings and money but it then ends there. We paid a premium r...

trip amazing

Just at the end of the India Golden triangle and Shimla trip... amazing. An assault on the senses and such a magnificent tour. Wonderfully organised, very knowledgea...

very professional

very professional and every need catered for

See all Other Great Rail Journeys reviews

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Tour operator, great rail journeys.

Why travel with great rail journeys?

Great Rail Journeys is the UK's leading operator of holidays by rail. There is no-one who understands rail holidays like we do - and no other company offers a better choice of escorted holidays by rail anywhere else in the world.

We pride ourselves on providing you with a truly first class holiday experience, in every aspect of our tours:

The Best Rail Travel

We have been organising outstanding tours for more than 30 years. In that time, we have built on our detailed understanding of both UK and international networks, and are true rail experts. We ensure that we travel on the most convenient trains and (where applicable) the most comfortable sleeper trains.

On most of our holidays, rail journeys are made in the highest class available on the train - and this is included in the price of the holiday, rather than being offered as an upgrade option with more to pay. On the Eurostar we generally travel in Standard Premier Class, the first class option for leisure travellers, with a light meal, alcoholic drinks and tea/coffee served on board. On most holidays we continue in First Class on inter-city routes across Europe all the way to your destination.

Our New Departure Office At St Pancras International

Traveling on one of our European tours? To make sure your holiday gets off to a relaxing and stress-free start, we now have our own special dedicated departure office at St Pancras International station. From the very beginning, your Tour Manager will be there waiting to greet you. Then it's just a short step to your train and the start of your wonderful holiday experience.

Brilliant Hotels

In our three decades of experience, we have carefully selected our hotels based on their individual style, warm welcome and excellent service - ensuring that they meet the high standards our customers have come to expect. We have worked closely with several of our hoteliers for a number of years, and many of the hotels we use have become firm favourites with Great Rail Journeys' customers in that time; we use them year after year because our customers tell us how much they enjoyed their stay.

We know how important it is to stay in a hotel within easy reach of the attractions, and so our hotels are generally ideally located for the station and the places of interest. Each hotel boasts comfortable beds, spacious bathrooms and plenty of storage, whilst minibars, hairdryers, in-room safes and telephones are a feature in almost every hotel on our programme. The star rating of each hotel varies between 3 and 5 stars; we look for our hotels to have the perfect mix of excellent facilities, a great location, and which offer fantastic value for money to our customers.

We include many meals on our tours. These are served in the hotel - or sometimes in a popular local restaurant. As we dine together, meal times are often the most sociable times of the day. Included meals are clearly shown on each tour page.

Fantastic Excursions

Also included in the price of your holiday is the exciting programme of excursions listed in the itinerary. Our excursions have been meticulously planned, and have been carefully refined and tweaked over the years, to give you a wonderful balance of cultural, historical and social experiences of the regions you visit.

On most of our excursions, in addition to your Tour Manager, you will be accompanied by a local guide - enabling you to get a true insight into the area. In some cases, we include excursions to off-the-beaten-track destinations that simply would not be stumbled upon without this local knowledge.

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• 27 meals in the USA including 16 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 11 dinners, including breakfast in Chicago's 360 Tower and lunch aboard a Manhattan harbour cruise , dinner aboard the RMS Queen Mary and dinner cruise around San Francisco Bay
• 32 meals in China including 13 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 11 dinners including a dumpling banquet in Xian and Peking duck in Beijing
• 37 meals in Europe including 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 13 dinners

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