FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

All private train 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 age restrictions on our tours, the majority of our travelers 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.

We recommend that all flights are booked through your tour operator or travel agent. We advise that passengers do not book flights more than three months prior to tour departure and that where possible flight tickets are fully refundable.

It is a booking condition that you must be fully insured for any medical expenses that may be incurred whilst traveling. We recommend taking out cancellation insurance in case you are unable to travel for any reason. Please contact us for more details.

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 SJourney will reward accordingly.

The accepted currency on board the SJourney is US Dollars or Vietnam dong – only cash payments are accepted at this time. 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 SJourney , the on-board currency is USD or Vietnam Dong 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. 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.

All train payments are cash only. ATM machines are now available in all large towns and cities along our routes.

At the point of arrival, you will be met by one of our representatives who will be waiting with a SJourney 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 with your transfer vehicle to the hotel.

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 will be on board at the bar car.

Clients need to ensure they are traveling with enough prescription medication. It is strongly advised that all clients seek medical clearance prior to traveling. If you will be traveling 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 painkillers, as these are often regarded as ‘narcotics’ in eastern European and central Asian countries.

We are not qualified to 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 travelers 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, SJourney 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 SJourney will mean more intimate groups and a shorter train, as we leave unfilled cars behind.
The maximum capacity for the SJourney is 70 passengers, but many departures will operate with smaller passenger numbers. The SJourney Express has a maximum capacity of 20 passengers.

On board the SJourney there is limited space inside the cabin for luggage storage. Soft-topped luggage is easier to store. Luggage cannot be stored under the beds. There is a dedicated luggage storage area at the end of each carriage. We recommend passengers unpack and store their empty luggage in this area. Our cabin attendants will assist with this.

“During the day, the dress code on the SJourney Express is casual both on and off the train. In the evening, we suggest smart casual.
For our winter tours, we recommend jackets and trousers and warm hat. The train itself is always well heated and normal indoor clothing can be worn…Continental, and Vietnamese cuisines onboard. If you have any special dietary requirement or food allergy, communicate the same with the onboard train manager or chef at the commencement of the Journey.

“During the day, the dress code on the SJourney Express is casual both on and off the train. In the evening, we suggest smart casual.
For our winter tours, we recommend jackets and trousers and warm hat. The train itself is always well heated and normal indoor clothing can be worn.
Carry clothing as per the average local temperatures. Apparel made of leather is advised to be avoid during the trip.
Items like sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat are required to ensure protection from the afternoon sun.
For sightseeing, sneakers and comfortable clothes are recommended.
While visiting temples, make sure you wear clothes that cover your legs and shoulders. Also make sure that you remove your shoes before entering the temple premises. For females it is customary to have a scarf to cover their head while praying.

Since every tour requires some walking, we recommend that passengers pack some comfortable walking shoes. A rubber sole is recommended to avoid possible slipping.

Luxury toiletries, including shower cream, shampoo and conditioner are provided in each cabin. A hairdryer, bathrobes, slippers, and towels are also provided.

The tour language will be English. Other language guides are available on selected departures where stated (subject to minimum numbers) or on request at additional cost. Please contact us for more information.

Most dietary requirements can be catered for. Please advise us of your requirements at the time of booking.

Guests can choose reading materials from the Bar Car Library. Depending on the departure, there may be the opportunity to enjoy presentations from the featured Guest Expert Lecturer. Additionally, each cabin also has a library of TV documentaries and films available to view on demand.
There will be some afternoon activities on board the train, however, most afternoons will be spent off the train exploring each destination.

The Bar Lounge Car is the social heart of the train, open to all passengers for as long as they wish.

Meals times will be advised in the daily program supplied in your cabin each evening. Guests are welcome to dine at any time within the specified window.

On all our trains, guests can choose to enjoy lighter dining options in the privacy of their cabin. A full dining service will always be available in the Restaurant Car.

The SJourney Express are non-smoking trains

There is Wi-Fi available on board, powered by a router.

Mobile phone coverage may be limited to low populated areas. We recommend you check with your service provider for more information on coverage.

Each cabin has 110 V (dc) and 220 V (ac) sockets suitable for recharging video batteries and shaving. We also recommend packing spare camera batteries that you may require for your trip.

These are not available but may be available in the hotels/venues we use off the train.

Gym facilities are available in most of the tour hotels we use. There are no exercise facilities on board either of our trains. The tours themselves can involve a moderate degree of walking.

There are 14 tastefully themed decorated salons on board s in which 70 passengers can be accommodated in one Departure.

We accept the payment using all major credit cards like American Express, Visa, Master Card, Discover Cards etc. You can also do the bank transfer and the bank account details will be provided upon request.

We recommend the guest to make the bookings as soon as you plan to travel. As there might be chances to sold out the departure, we suggest booking as soonest to avoid last minute disappointment of the cabin availability.

Yes! They are categorized as Single and Twin / Double Occupancy cabins with en-suite washrooms with the same dimensions.

Guests may choose from Chinese, American, Continental, and Vietnamese cuisines onboard. If you have any special dietary requirement or food allergy, communicate the same with the onboard train manager or chef at the commencement of the Journey.

Yes, there are various indoor games such as Chinese Checker, Crossword Puzzle, Chess, Carrom Board, and Cards are available onboard. Along with this, each saloon also has a lounge for guests to interact, relax, make friends, get together and play games.

You can call our office on +84 (0) 097 5119 466 or email [email protected] and speak to our highly experienced team. Provisional reservations can be held for up to 7 days without payment. After this time confirmation is required or the cabin will be released. Upon receiving confirmation, an invoice will be issued, and deposit payment is due upon receipt of this. The deposit payment secures your place on the tour.

We welcome bookings directly and from travel agents.

Once we have received your confirmation that you wish to travel, we will issue your invoice and confirmation letter. The deposit is due upon receipt of the invoice. Deposit payments are non-refundable.

The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. We will not issue a final balance so please make a note of the balance due date. Cancellations received within 60 days of departure are subject to full loss of payment.

Approximately 3-4 months prior to departure you will receive, by email, an important information guide containing specific details about your tour, along with any relevant visa information. You will receive your final itinerary and documents 4 weeks before departure, either by post in one of our leather travel wallets, or by email, depending on your preference at the time of booking.

A train ticket is not required to board our trains. You will not be issued with a train ticket or any travel vouchers.

We have various pre and post tour extensions available for tours on the Golden Eagle or Golden Eagle Danube Express. Please contact our office for further details.