All private train and hotel accommodation as per the itinerary; all meals starting with dinner on the first day and ending with breakfast on the last day of the tour (on some tours this may differ slightly, please refer to the specific itinerary); a generous allowance of wine, beer, soft drinks and tea and coffee with all lunches and dinners both on and off the train (except where stated otherwise); all arrival and departure transfers; guided off-train sightseeing excursions; the services of experienced tour leaders; complimentary tea, coffee and mineral water 24 hours a day, all gratuities and the services of an on board doctor.
International and domestic airfares, visas, excess baggage charges and insurance.
On the Golden Eagle train, personal expenses such as drinks in the Bar Lounge Car or laundry are not included for Silver Class passengers. Gold Class passengers receive inclusive drinks from the Standard Bar List; Imperial Suite passengers receive inclusive drinks from the Standard and Premium Bar List and complimentary laundry service. On some tours there may also be an occasional optional activity to be paid for locally. Your account can be settled by credit card (minimum spend $100) or cash on the Golden Eagle train.
On the Golden Eagle Danube Express all Bar Lounge drinks are inclusive at all times.
We recommend that all flights are booked through your travel agent. In cases where this is not possible, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains can advise fares and book flights for UK-based passengers, using a third-party supplier. We advise that passengers do not book flights more than three months prior to tour departure.
It is a booking condition that you must be fully insured for any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst travelling. For UK residents, comprehensive travel insurance policies can be obtained from our agent Campbell Irvine (restrictions may apply). We recommend taking out cancellation insurance in case you are unable to travel for any reason. Please contact us for more details.
Hotel accommodation as described in the tour itinerary is included in the price of the tour. All hotels are of a 5-star standard or best available. Room upgrades are available on request, subject to availability and an additional cost.
All gratuities are included in the tour price and we encourage passengers to refrain from offering gratuities to crew/hoteliers/drivers etc. as we will tip on your behalf. We would prefer passengers to inform our management of any exceptional service received, and Golden Eagle Luxury Trains will reward accordingly.
The accepted currency on board the Golden Eagle is US Dollars and Euros. Credit card payments are accepted for spend over $100. Each cabin has a safe in which to store any valuables, such as cash. The only on board items to budget for on the train are laundry services, additional bar bills and on board souvenirs. It is possible to run a ‘tab’ on board and make one payment at the end of the tour.
For Golden Eagle Danube Express tours, the on board currency is Euros and only cash payments are accepted at this time.
We recommend passengers travel with small denominations and clean dollar bills for use off the train, as marked or torn US Dollar bills are generally not accepted in Russia. You will only require money for souvenirs and any shopping you may wish to do off the train. This can be paid for in local currency and in some instances in US Dollars. Your Tour Manager and/or guides will advise you on how, and if necessary, where to change money.
Credit cards are accepted on the Golden Eagle train for all payments over $100. All other trains are cash payment only. ATM machines are now available in all large towns and cities along our routes. All the hotels that we use accept major credit cards. Traveller's cheques are virtually impossible to exchange.
At the point of arrival, you will be met by one of our representatives who will be waiting with a Golden Eagle Luxury Trains sign. If arriving by air, this will be after immigration, once you have collected all your luggage and cleared customs. Our representative will then assist you to your transfer vehicle to the hotel.
Prior to departure, clients will receive a 24-hour Emergency Contact Card with their final documentation. This card displays the telephone numbers of our representatives in both the country of their arrival as well as our office in the UK. Should they have any problems they can call the appropriate person detailed on the card.
We recommend arriving between 11.00 and 16.00, in time for the Welcome Dinner, which is normally held between 19.00-20.00. Check in at most our hotels is between 2.00-3.00pm and early check-in is dependent on hotel availability (charges may apply). If you’re trip begins in Moscow, please allow 2-3 hours transfer time from the airport, as traffic can be notorious.
You can leave at any time on the last day. Most hotels' check-out is 12 noon; however, luggage storage is available. Late check-out is dependent on hotel availability (charges may apply).
Clients need to ensure they are travelling with sufficient quantities of prescription medication. It is strongly advised that all clients seek medical clearance prior to travelling. If you will be travelling with prescription medication, you must advise us at the time of booking so that we can inform the on board tour doctor in advance. This is particularly important for sedatives such as sleeping pills or strong pain killers, as these are often regarded as ‘narcotics’ in eastern European and central Asian countries.
For travel in Russia:
In June 2016, legislation was introduced requiring travellers bringing prescribed medicines into Russia to carry a prescription in the traveller’s name, plus the name of the drug and prescribed quantity. If this isn’t in Russian, a notarised translation is also required. Some medicines which you can buy over the counter in the UK or US may require a prescription in Russia. Check with the nearest Russian Embassy if you’re unsure whether you need a prescription to bring your medicines into the country.
We cannot offer medical advice. As with all overseas travel, clients will need to contact their Doctor or local travel clinic to get the most up to date information on what vaccinations, if any are required.
Although we have no age restrictions on our tours, the majority of our travellers are aged 55+. The average age is 65. Our tours may not be suitable for young children. Please check with us at the time of booking.
All our rail tours require a minimum number of passengers to operate. Should this not be reached, Golden Eagle Luxury Trains reserve the right to offer a modified service of carriages attached to regular service trains to accommodate a smaller group or offer an alternative tour. If no alternative is suitable, a full refund will be offered.
Reduced numbers on the Golden Eagle will mean more intimate groups and a shorter train, as we leave unfilled cars behind. In Russia, occasionally Russian Railways will combine our private Golden Eagle carriages with regular trains departing at similar times. Your on board experience and off-train tours will be unaffected and, as there will be no connection between our carriages and the regular trains, the Golden Eagle carriages will remain totally private and you will not notice any difference to the quality, comfort and enjoyment of your holiday.
The maximum capacity for the Golden Eagle in Russia is 100 passengers, but many departures will operate with smaller passenger numbers. The Golden Eagle Danube Express has a maximum capacity of 72 passengers.
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View our blog »The Golden Eagle is your luxurious hotel-on-wheels. Unpack just the once and settle into your well appointed and comfortable en-suite cabin as you begin this voyage of a lifetime. One of your cabin attendants, available at all times, will be on hand to look after all of your needs.
Find out more »Golden Eagle Luxury Trains Limited,
Denzell House, Denzell Gardens,
Dunham Road, Altrincham, Cheshire,
United Kingdom,
WA14 4QF