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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.

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