Frequently Asked Questions

Byway is a travel company that delivers self-guided itineraries by train and boat, including overland transport and accommodation, package protection, disruption replanning and 24/7 in-trip support from our no-fly travel experts. Financial protection is included via ABTA (UK customers), or SGR (rest of world).

Every Byway package includes:

• Transport (train and ferry tickets, including seat reservations where required/available)

• Accommodation (with breakfast where stated)

• Digital Trip Guide (loaded with tickets and check-in info)

• Expert Support (WhatsApp during business hours plus a 24/7 emergency line)

• Free Disruption Replanning (we'll re-route you if travel gets disrupted)

• Full Package Protection under ABTA or SGR bonding

Byway trip prices exclude:

• Activity or event passes (like ski passes)

• Unbooked local transport (such as local taxis, city buses, car hire, or bike rentals);

• Local city/tourist taxes paid directly to your hotel at check-in;

• Personal travel insurance

• Unarranged extras (like specific seat requests, large luggage fees, or pet charges unless pre-arranged).

Yes. Byway is a fully legitimate and accredited travel company. All trips are ABTA-bonded for UK residents, and SGR-bonded for travellers from elsewhere, which means your holiday package is financially protected. We don't sell flights, so ATOL protection doesn't apply. Byway is also a certified B Corp, recognising high standards of social and environmental responsibility.

You can reach our friendly, expert team by emailing hello@byway.travel, submitting a website contact form, or calling +44 20 4652 0805 (UK) / +1 608 305 8106 (US). Opening hours (UK Time): Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat 10:00-13:00.

Currently, our customer service is provided in English.

During opening hours (Mon-Fri 08:00-17:00 GMT; weekends 10:00-12:00 GMT), we aim to respond promptly the same day. For urgent issues at any time, call our 24/7 emergency line on +44 1156479055.

Yes. You can read independent reviews from our travellers on Trustpilot. We also share customer write-ups, destination reviews, and real travel stories across our website and in the Byway Journal.

Byway trip prices reflect the actual cost of your ground transport and accommodation, combined with the full care and expertise we pack into your holiday. This includes custom routing tech, on-demand support, ABTA/SGR protection, and free disruption replanning. We default to a cost-effective Interrail pass where applicable, but if you'd prefer individual train tickets, just drop us an email at hello@byway.travel and we can arrange this.

Each Byway itinerary is paced with optimum enjoyment in mind, with connections and journey days that allow for stress-free exploration. However, we understand that the pacing of a trip is uniquely personal, and all of our trips can be edited to increase or decrease the number of nights in each stay. You can do this on the trip page, or alternatively email us at hello@byway.travel to discuss any changes.

Byway trips aim for the sweet spot between comfort, reliability, and scenery. We include panoramic or regional lines whenever they add real magic to your journey without making the day too long. For longer stretches, we use high-speed trains to save time. We know everyone has different preferences, and our Trip Design team can discuss options with you.

You can look forward to comfortable, characterful hotels with private en-suite bathrooms, situated close to stations or central sights. Over 80% of our stays are with independent, locally run businesses. You can also review, compare, and choose alternative hotel options directly on your itinerary page before booking.

An Interrail Pass is a flexible travel pass that gives you access to rail networks across 33 European countries via the mobile Rail Planner App. When you book a pass-based trip with us, we arrange all mandatory seat reservations.

A sleeper train is a practical overnight rail service with sleeping berths that lets you cover long distances while you rest. Our standard bookings feature private sleeping compartments with shared bathroom facilities. You can read more about what to expect on a sleeper train on our Journal.

Yes. You can take a sleeper train for one leg and use daytime rail or ferries for the return journey.

No, Byway doesn't sell standalone train tickets, but complete, no-fly package holidays combining transport and accommodation. However, if you're planning a longer multi-stop trip with us and want to arrange one stay yourself (like staying with family), just let us know at hello@byway.travel and we'll do our best to accommodate it.

Yes, we can adapt most trips for accessibility at no extra cost. Fill out our accessibility form, to share your requirements, then contact our Trip Design team to design a custom route just for your, as outlined on our Accessibility page.

Yes. You can specify any dietary requirements (such as vegan, gluten-free, or allergy needs) by filling out our accessibility form, then contact our Trip Design team on our Accessibility page to design a trip tailored around your diet.

We will always pass your special room requests (like a ground-floor room or a quiet location) along to the hotel for you. While we can't 100% guarantee them since they depend on the hotel's policies and live availability, accessibility-related room requests are always guaranteed.

It's recommended to book 6 to 12 months in advance to secure the best availability and prices. High-demand spots like the Scottish Highlands, Amalfi Coast, or Lake Como fill up very quickly for peak seasons. However, if you're looking for a last-minute getaway, you can browse our top trips here, or contact our team for something bespoke.

You can travel with Byway across the UK and throughout Europe by rail and sea, as well as to Northern Africa (Morocco and Tunisia) and Eastern Asia (Turkey and Georgia). You can explore all available destinations in our Destinations menu on the website. If you don’t see the country you’d like to visit, our Trip Design team can advise on what’s possible and create a custom trip for you if the route allows.

Yes, Byway offers a wide range of UK-only holidays, from Cornwall's beaches to the Scottish Highlands, the Lake District to historic towns like Bath and York. As always, we take care of your travel, accommodation, and expert in-trip support.

Yes, Byway creates flight-free journeys across continental Europe, North Africa, and Eastern Asia using international rail networks, Eurostar, and ferry connections.

Yes, many Byway itineraries span multiple countries. With an Interrail pass, we connect multiple borders into one smooth itinerary, letting you explore multiple countries in a single holiday.

Yes, all Byway itineraries can be customised to suit you. You can adjust stops/durations online using the Byway Maps tool or email hello@byway.travel prior to booking with requested changes.

Yes, Byway operates trips 365 days a year. If specific seasonal hotels or transport lines are closed in winter, our system and team account for this automatically to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

Yes. While Byway doesn't book flights, we're more than happy to build overland travel legs that line up perfectly with your pre-booked flight times.

Yes. You can customise your stays by clicking "Find alternative hotels" on your itinerary page before booking. You'll be able to compare different hotel styles and room upgrades with clear, live price updates.

If a hotel appears in your itinerary, it is available based on our most recent automated availability check. Our website re-checks availability every time you make edits to the dates on an itinerary. For trips booked more than 12 months in advance, we secure your stays as soon as hotel booking windows open, and we'll reach out with equal or upgraded options if any adjustments are needed.

Yes. All Byway trips can be designed to start from any UK or European station. Simply select your nearest station from the departure menu when building your trip, or add a request in the booking notes. If your trip uses an Interrail pass, travel from your local station to the border on departure day (and back home on return day) is covered, with just a £10 per person fee added to support our disruption replanning fund.

Yes. You can add an extra night in London directly on your trip page using the side box on your first journey leg, or if you're booking with our Trip Design team, just let them know before booking.

Yes. However, UK railcards are only relevant if your trip incudes trains within the UK. You will have the option to enter your railcard(s) at the point of booking, and any savings made using your railcard will be refunded to you. Your railcard may not be applicable if your trip has been priced using an Interrail pass.

Yes. On many of our European trips using Interrail, you can upgrade to First Class for £200 per person or less (including Eurostar Plus, Italian Business Class, and Spanish Comfort Class). If you'd like premium options or are booking a UK-only trip, just drop us a message at hello@byway.travel and we can advise.

First Class generally offers wider seats, extra legroom, quieter carriages, fewer passengers, and on select routes, complimentary snacks, drinks, or station lounge access for a little extra comfort. You can read more about this on our Journal.

Yes. All Byway trips can be booked by solo travellers by adjusting the traveller count to 1 on the trip page, which automatically updates package prices for single travel. We also have a selection of routes specifically designed for solo travellers.

No, we never charge a single supplement fee. However, package prices will reflect hotel policies (as many hotels charge the same rate for a room whether it's occupied by one or two people) and single-berth pricing on sleeper trains.

We prioritise your comfort and safety by booking central hotels, planning daylight arrivals where possible, and providing precise Google Maps station-to-hotel directions in your Trip Guide. We also recommend checking official FCDO Travel Advice before you travel.

Yes. You can use our website filters to browse daytime-only trips. If you find an itinerary you love that includes a sleeper train, just email us at hello@byway.travel and we'll adjust it to daytime rail for you.

Yes, we'd love to help you celebrate! Just let us know if you're booking a honeymoon, birthday, or anniversary, and we can tailor your trip with scenic sleeper cabins, hotel upgrades, or memorable stopovers.

Yes. You can adjust the number of travellers online to see automatic family room options and child pricing. Our Trip Design team can also tailor family routes with shorter travel days and plenty of time to relax. Travelling by rail and ferry allows space to walk around, break the journey, and enjoy games at large tables.

Yes. Enter your exact travel dates on our website to see live availability for school holiday windows. Popular destinations fill up quickly, so we recommend booking early for peak times.

Yes. Byway trips using an Interrail pass automatically incorporate age-based child discounts into your total price before checkout.

Yes, you can select family rooms directly on our website. If you need a travel cot, just let us know when booking and we'll gladly make arrangements with the hotels for you. All special room requests are subject to the hotel's availability and policies.

Yes, you can easily add extra travellers or rooms on the trip booking page. If you need to make major group changes after booking, please keep in mind that it may require cancelling and rebooking under our Booking Conditions.

Many of our European trips are priced using an Interrail pass which can be arranged with a slight discount for travellers over the age of 60. If you qualify, please let our team know before booking and we can incorporate the savings into the cost of your trip.

Yes. Byway offers flight-free beach escapes, short breaks, and rail-to-ski routes. (Please note that lift passes and ski equipment aren't included).

Yes. You can choose between different hotel tiers and room types on the itinerary page. We have a selcetion of budget-friendly trips you can book online, and a dedicated luxury trips page for inspiration, or you can reach out to our Trip Design team to design a trip built around a specific budget.

Yes. You can adjust stay lengths on our website to create a slower pace, and our team can help select hotels with dedicated desks, fast Wi-Fi, and nearby co-working spaces. Just email us at hello@byway.travel.

Yes, Byway can organise corporate retreats, offsites, and team breaks by rail and ferry. We'll handle all the logistics, rooming, accessibility, and dietary needs for your group. Reach out to our Trip Design team to design a trip built for your team.

Pets aren't automatically included on all routes due to varying transport policies, but we do have a selection of dog-friendly trips designed for you and your pooch. Other pet enquiries can be made through our Trip Design team.

We recommend renting bikes at your destination. Full-sized bikes aren't included as standard due to strict train reservation limits and Eurostar size restrictions (which only permit specific folding bikes).

Simply choose your itinerary, click "Continue", select deposit or full payment, complete our passenger and dietary/accessibility forms, and enter your payment details. You'll get instant confirmation, followed by a full Trip Summary within 7 days.

Byway accepts all major debit and credit cards processed securely via Stripe (the fastest way to confirm your booking). Bank transfers are also accepted for final balance payments.

For trips departing 8+ weeks away:

• Pay a 20% deposit upfront (with the remaining 80% due 8 weeks before departure) or pay in full.

For trips departing within 8 weeks:

• Full payment is required at booking.

• Immediately: Confirmation email received.

• Within 7 days: Full Trip Summary sent.

• Within 10 days: Interrail app instructions sent (if applicable).

• 85 days before departure: Balance reminder sent.

• ~12 days before departure: Final Trip Guide issued with all your tickets.

Simply click "My account" at the top of the Byway homepage and sign in with your email or Google account. If you created an account after booking, drop us a note at trips@byway.travel. and we'll link your trips for you.

Not just yet, but we're working on it! If you'd like to pay your balance early, please email us at trips@byway.travel.

We select optimal train times balancing relaxed departures and comfortable transfer windows. We'll share our recommended times in your booking confirmation, and let you know where these are flexible. If timetable changes alter your schedule by over an hour, we'll reach out to approve any changes with you.

We always build comfortable connection windows into your journey so you never have to rush, for example, allocating at least 50 minutes for cross-city station transfers in Paris.

Yes, we monitor railway timetables closely. If a pre-departure schedule change affects your journey, we'll update your itinerary automatically. If disruptions occur while you're travelling, our team will provide free re-routing support.

Specific seat choices (like window or upper deck) can't be guaranteed under Interrail pass systems. However, if specific seats are essential, it may be possible to opt for more costly point-to-point tickets with specific seats. To discuss this, you can email hello@byway.travel .

You can view your Trip Guide on your mobile browser (or download it as an offline PDF), manage Interrail passes in the Rail Planner App, and reach our team directly on WhatsApp.

Most of your tickets will be mobile e-tickets (PDFs or QR codes) inside your Trip Guide, and passes run in the Rail Planner app. If a specific country requires physical paper tickets (like Spain), we post them directly to your home address or your first hotel.

We recommend you print your seat reservations/tickets in case you need them when you don't have internet access, because our Trip Guides require internet access to load. Your tickets will be sent around 12 days before departure, along with your Trip Guide, in a separate PDF. 

We'll send you a step-by-step setup guide 10 days after booking, and invite you to a live online workshop (~2 weeks before travel). We also have a helpful Interrail pass guide on our Journal and on Youtube.

Yes. UK residents can request a physical paper pass up to 15 days before departure for a £34.50 admin and postage fee. For non-UK residents, please email trips@byway.travel to discuss your options.

Unfortunately not, as pass activation must be done directly on the smartphone device you'll be carrying with you on your holiday.

Dedicated hotel transfers aren't included as standard, but we deliberately select lovely hotels located within easy walking distance of train stations or local public transport stops.

Rail travel generally allows two large bags plus one hand luggage item per person (max ~85x55x35cm) with no excess weight fees. You will carry your own bags onboard, so rolling suitcases or comfortable backpacks are ideal.

Catering depends on the train. Long-distance and high-speed trains often have café cars or trolley services, while regional trains rarely serve food. We always suggest grabbing some local snacks and water at the station before boarding just in case.

Catering depends on the train. Long-distance and high-speed trains often have café cars or trolley services, while regional trains rarely serve food. We always suggest grabbing some local snacks and water at the station before boarding just in case.

While we don't book tours directly, your digital Trip Guide is packed with handpicked recommendations for things to see and do. For booking advance tours, we recommend GetYourGuide.

Your Trip Guide includes recommendations for things to do in many of our locations, along with food and drink suggestions for some of our destinations. These have been handpicked to help you discover great local spots and top dishes to try, as well as making the most of your time wherever you’re staying.

It depends on the country you visit! While cards are widely accepted across Europe, we always suggest carrying a little local physical cash for small purchases, bus fees, tips, and hotel city taxes.

Yes, depending on your destination (such as Type C/E/F plugs for continental Europe).

Our Disruption Promise covers you! If strikes or delays affect your route, we will replan your itinerary using alternative transport at no extra charge. You'll also have access to our 24/7 emergency phone line and WhatsApp support while travelling. We recommend taking out travel insurance at booking to cover anything outside our Disruption Promise.

If you miss a connection due to a delay on an earlier train, international rail rules (HOTNAT) generally let you hop on the next available train for free. If it's due to a personal delay, a new ticket will need to be bought, and you can always message us on WhatsApp for support on your trip.

Please notify hotel reception right away so they can fix it for you. If they can't resolve it, or if there's check-in confusion regarding booking names, reach out to us via WhatsApp or phone and we'll happily step in to help.

Yes, quite often! Hotels commonly ask for a temporary credit/debit card hold or cash deposit (typically €100–€150) at check-in for incidentals, which is automatically released upon check-out.

Your Trip Guide shows check-in times. If you're arriving late, simply contact the hotel in advance using the details in your guide so they can provide a key code or self-check-in instructions.

To cancel, the lead booker just needs to fill out our online cancellation form. Cancellation fees apply as set out in our Booking Conditions, and we recommend claiming recoverable costs through your travel insurance.

Yes, just email your request to trips@byway.travel. Minor changes (like timing tweaks or hotel upgrades) incur a £40/€40/$50 admin fee plus supplier costs. Major changes (like shifting dates or group size) usually require cancelling and rebooking, incurring standard cancellation fees.

Changing passenger name(s) is considered a major change, so please refer to our Booking Conditions.

For unexpected emergencies, call our 24/7 line and we'll adjust your plans. For spontaneous changes (like extending a stay), reach out as early as possible and we'll try our best to arrange it subject to live supplier availability and costs.

Yes. You can request travel class or room upgrades post-booking by contacting us, and we'll apply the upgrade subject to supplier availability and any price differences.

If a provider cancels, we will replan equivalent travel or stays for you. If no suitable alternative exists, you'll be offered a full refund under ABTA/SGR protection terms.

Under our Disruption Promise, we will safely replan your itinerary using alternative routes, move your travel dates for free, or issue a full refund if minimal-disruption replanning isn't possible.

If official travel restrictions prevent travel, we offer free date changes or a 100% full refund. Personal illness preventing travel is not covered directly and should be claimed via travel insurance.

Currently, the cost of overland travel is generally more expensive than budget airlines. This is primarily because domestic airlines do not pay fuel duty on jet fuel, and tickets are zero-rated for VAT, while fuel used for road transport is subject to both fuel duty and VAT. Until this changes (we’re fighting for this from the sidelines), we endeavour to keep our costs as reasonable and fair as possible. You can read more about what goes into the cost of a Byway trip, and more about what a fairer system might look like.

As a package holiday company, we don't have fees that we split out for our services, instead, we have a single price, which includes travel, accommodation, a trip guide with local activity recommendations, WhatsApp support and free disruption replanning, and financial protection through our ABTA (for UK customers) and SGR (rest of the world) bond.

Our trips cost a little more than you’d pay if you’d put everything together yourself and managed your own risk, but not a huge amount more since we can also access trade prices on accommodation and transport when putting together our packages.

We’re a bonded package holiday company which means we sell complete package holidays at a single cost for the whole package (protected and regulated by ABTA). This is also so we can access lower trade rates with our suppliers than you’d be able to find booking directly or with a travel agent that has each cost broken out. Part of this deal is that we aren’t allowed to disclose individual prices to customers. It's essentially the travel version of bulk-buy crisps at the supermarket and each pack has a “not to be sold separately” sticker on it.

There are no hidden fees. The only common exclusion is local city/tourist tax, which cannot be pre-paid and is paid directly to hotels at check-in (usually a few Euros per night, although more expensive in cities like Amsterdam, Venice and Barcelona).

Yes, we strongly recommend taking out comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking to cover personal medical emergencies, cancellations, lost luggage, or unexpected delays. You can find out more information on the FCDO Travel Advice page.

Yes. UK residents are financially protected under ABTA bonding, and international residents are protected under SGR bonding. ATOL protection doesn't apply because Byway trips do not include flights.

You can read our full Booking Conditions anytime on the Byway website.

We only collect the essential details needed to operate your trip and share the bare minimum with fulfillment partners (hotels, train operators). We never sell your data. View our website Privacy Policy for full details.

Yes. With our Referral Scheme, you can give friends £50 off their first trip and earn £50 credit per booking. We also have Byway Club, a programme offering repeat bookers exclusive rates and perks.

Yes! We offer digital gift vouchers from £50 to £2,000 on the Byway Gift Card site. Vouchers are valid for 12 months from purchase and are non-refundable.

All of our vouchers are provided as a discount code, which you can add at the point of payment.

We replace flights with trains, buses and ferries, which produce far lower carbon emissions than flights. By travelling overland, you can see more of the world along the way, enjoy a slower and more enriching experience, and avoid the high environmental impact of short-haul flights. Every Byway route is designed to make overland travel easy, comfortable and inspiring.

We design all our routes to be completely flight-free, which significantly reduces emissions compared with flying. While we don’t include carbon offsetting as part of your package, every traveller receives a Byway Unpacked after their trip, showing how much carbon they’ve saved by travelling with us instead of by plane.

80% of our accommodation spend goes to independent, locally-owned hotels. We select hotels near transit hubs to cut local transfers, and always pay fair commercial rates.

We’re committed to responsible, low-impact travel that supports local communities and protects the environments you explore. All of our trips are flight-free, helping to reduce carbon emissions and promote slower, more sustainable travel. We work extensively with locally run hotels and service providers so that more of your holiday spend stays within the local economy.

Where possible, we avoid overcrowded tourist hotspots and suggest lesser-visited destinations or quieter travel periods to spread tourism more evenly. We also recommend using local trains instead of dedicated tourist services on well-known routes such as the West Highland Line and Bernina Express route, helping to support local transport networks.

City and tourist taxes, which are paid locally, contribute directly to community services and infrastructure.

Visa and entry requirements change regularly so we recommend checking the requirements for specific countries before booking your trip and before travelling. UK citizens and residents can check the FCDO website for entry requirements for individual countries, and Sherpa is also a useful website to find out information about visa requirements for citizens and residents of all countries.

We don’t issue visas, but we’ll point you to the right resources to check entry requirements for your trip. We’ll also flag any upcoming entry systems, such as EES, that may affect your travel.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad. For the latest information about security and local laws, as well as passport, visas and travel insurance, check their Travel Aware campaign page and find out information about individual destinations on their foreign travel advice page.

For customers travelling from outside the UK, your own governments will also likely have an equivalent of the FCDO website, for example, the US Dept of State or the Canadian govt portal.

You can check the latest country-specific health advice on the TravelHealthPro website. The advice can change so check regularly for updates, and at least eight weeks before travel.

We don't print physical brochures, as all our flexible trips are hosted online! You can explore pre-built trips, design your own route on Byway Maps tool, get inspiration from our online Collection and Destinations, or read our Journal.

Yes - just make sure you have their full passport names, dates of birth, and passport numbers at checkout, and nominate a different lead passenger for pre-trip communications.