Testimonials

Hugh & Alison, York UK to Lake Garda, August ’23

We stumbled across Andy’s service via ‘the man in Seat 61’ as we were looking for a train adventure through Europe to spend a week in Lake Garda for our silver wedding anniversary.

Andy created a fantastic trip, taking us to Cologne, Innsbruck and Verona for the outward journey and then Milan to Tirano onto the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps to Chur, Basel and Strasbourg before heading home via Paris and London.

Andy suggested using an InterRail Global Pass, which gave us flexibility and he also booked all other supplements needed for the trip. We were first time InterRailers but it was so easy to navigate the system.

The itinerary that Andy set up for us was perfect, we also opted for first class travel which we can highly recommend and great value, especially as it included our travel from York to London and back.

We have had lots of friends ask us about our trip who are keen to do something similar so we have passed on Andy’s details.

We will certainly be back to ask Andy to help us with another train trip in the future

Kevin and Sandy, European Adventure September 23

After an initial WhatsApp call with Andy in which we discussed our plan to travel from Devon through Europe to the Baltic States. Andy suggested a route that took us to Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland and Sweden via train, bus and ferries.

Andy booked all the train journeys and recommended the bus and ferry companies in addition to suggesting accommodation in each of the 11 cities.

Whilst on our travels, two trains were cancelled at the last minute but Andy was on hand to give advice and rebook alternative trains. Without his help we would have struggled.

We had an amazing, memorable and stress-free 4 week holiday thanks to Andy and we highly recommend him to anyone planning a rail holiday.

Heidi and Family, Exploring Europe July 22

I would not have been able to create our amazing European vacation without Andy’s help. My three teens and I went to Prague, Munich, Fussen and Amsterdam by train in July 2022.

Andy took the time to discuss a travel plan with me, helped me refine my itinerary, booked the tickets, and was available to answer questions we had along the way.

It was an amazing adventure and we love train travel! Thank you Andy! I hope I get to use your services again! Heidi McEllistrem

Family travelling London to Istanbul October 22

What a gem of a service. Thank you for your help and the meticulous arrangements. All went like clockwork. Such a great adventure to have and the children loved the sleeper trains and waking up in a different city every morning!

Sarah and Family, York England. York to San Sebastian August 22

I contacted Andy to ask for advice about our trip from Uk to northern Spain by train. He responded immediately and we had a telephone conversation. He very quickly sent through the options and costings (which were a lot cheaper than the ones I found by using limited interrail passes).

Andy responded to all my queries quickly throughout the process and he was very knowledgeable.

Once I made my decision he assisted with booking all the tickets/seats etc including Eurostar.

Fantastic service and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip.

Carole and Andrew, Cambridge England, Cambridge to Monopoli to London July 22

Having decided to make our journey to Puglia by train we knew we needed help and fortunately , through The Man in Seat 61 website, re-connected with Andy.

As soon as Andy became involved ( his modest fee paid ) we relaxed knowing his enthusiasm and experience would provide us with an interesting and smooth running journey which is exactly what happened.

During the planning stage he kept in regular contact to check the developing arrangements suited us and gave advise about hotels and costs.

A few weeks before departure an envelope arrived containing our tickets and we were able to look forward to our travel as part of the holiday.

We strongly recommend anyone planning a rail journey, daunted by the complex web of rail timetables to get in touch with AndyB!

Carole

John and Claire, Carlisle England, Venice to London June 22

We found Andy on the net as we were travel to Venice on the Orient Express & wanted some advice as to the possibility of travelling back by rail rather than simply flying home.

A zoom call with Andy set in motion an expanding adventure by rail! His encouragement for us to return via Florence, the Italian Lakes, across The Alps on the Bernini Express , stopping off to explore Zurich, Strasbourg & a journey up the Rhine Valley returning home via Cologne.

We can firmly say that we couldn’t have done the trip without Andy’s help in making recommendations on places , tickets & seat reservations & he was always available to us for our many questions no matter which far flung place he was visiting!

What an adventure … thanks Andy.

Jacob, North East England, various trips 2021/22

I am a busy free-lance musician, and have toured regularly all over the world in the last 30 years. In 2011, I made the decision, for ecological and other reasons, to scale back my travel and to refuse all work that I could not get to by train or boat. That decision put an end, more or less, to intercontinental touring, and all my concert work since then has been in the UK and on the European continent. I often make quite long and complicated trips to places like southern Spain, Portugal, Eastern Europe, and Scandinavia (try getting from Darlington to Oslo efficiently, now that they’ve abolished the ferry from Newcastle to Bergen!). These journeys are complicated and time-consuming to plan, and AndyB (https://discoverbyrail.com/) has on several occasions helped me with travel planning and finding the best fares. His extensive knowledge of the continental railway networks and rail operators means that he is in a position to find the best connections and the best deals. I’m convinced that Andy’s modest charges are well worth paying, because he has saved me hours of planning time, and often found prices that I probably wouldn’t have stumbled across in my own searches. I would wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone who is considering a work trip or a holiday adventure by rail. Jacob Heringman ( https://www.heringman.com/ )

Catroina Scotland, UK to Hong Kong – MAY 2021

I have a dream to travel across Russia through Mongolia and into China (Trans-Mongolian Railway) but where do I start?

A fellow yogi pointed me towards the Man in Seat 61 and from there I found Andy! What a find, after an interesting zoom call (Andy is a very good listener) I had the beginnings of my dream adventure. Andy has helped me focus on what I actually want from this trip and has all the tools to make it happen.

Together we have formulated a train journey starting in Helsinki and finishing in Hong Kong. To say I’m excited about it is an understatement. So if anyone out there likes the idea of crossing borders by train Andy is your man, his knowledge regards the actual trains , to the best carriages and correct seats in amazing and he can make dreams and adventures come true.

I’ve been telling everyone about him!

Gerry Australia, European Travels – OCT 2019

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your wonderful service. I will recommend your service to our friends. Having no recent experience with the European train system you have made it so easy. 10 out of 10.

Leon UK, UK to Germany – AUG 2019

I was introduced to Andy by themaninseat61 website and contacted him regarding a trip by rail from the UK to Germany. What a good decision that was! I was grateful to benefit from his knowledge, experience patience, and passion for rail travel, which all shone through, and in short order, following his advice, my itinerary was not only arranged and booked stress-free, but I got a fantastic deal into the bargain! I will be using Andy for my next trip and thoroughly commend and recommend him to you. Thank you.

Emma UK, UK to Italy – AUG 2019

Andy made sense of a complex European train journey when I was completely confused by all the booking options. He enabled us to secure hugely discounted tickets that crossed three countries over three days and fitted in with our schedule. Would definitely recommend !

Tony Ukraine, Trans Siberian – AUG 2019

If you are planning on traveling by train across Russia, I can thoroughly recommend employing the services of Andy Brabin. With Andy’s help, I have booked trains from Kyiv to St Petersburg (via Moscow) then across to Vladivostok. Compared to the cost of using an agency I have halved the cost and have received lots of practical advice. Tony Yerby Aug 2019

Peter USA, Exploring Italy – JUL 2019

Hi Andy, just got back from our trip. Thank you for your help and advice. I don’t think we would have figured out that the Priverno-Fossanova station was an option without you. It made traveling to our friend’s wedding from Rome very simple. Thanks again!

Megan UK, European Open Jaw – JUL 2019

Hi Andy,

We have just got back from our train adventure and it was fantastic! I just wanted to thank you for the brilliant service your provided, the route was perfect for what we wanted. It was very varied and the travel was so easy and the views stunning. Our favourite part was from St Moritz to Tirano and the tip to travel 1st class was spot on. We had the carriage to ourselves and were right behind the driver so could see through the front windscreen – exciting and sometimes terrifying!

The whole experience from first getting in contact with you, through booking to enjoying the trip was so easy and straightforward. Using the loco app was particularly simple.

Thank you again for your help and we wouldn’t hesitate to recommend your services to others.

Cecilia Philippines, European Exploration – MAY 2019

I have just gotten back to Manila after a month-long sojourn to Scandinavia and Baltic countries, and Russia. I followed all your expert advice and everything went very well! Thank you very much and I hope to work with you again in the future! I wish you well in all your endeavours!

William & Jan Barr Australia, White Christmas by Train – DEC 2018

Just a short note to thank you for all your help in arranging an itinerary for our WHITE XMAS BY TRAIN.

We would not have been able to arrange the train travel, hotel bookings and train costing and itinerary without your valuable assistance and any one who is contemplating such a train journey through Europe should seek your valuable assistance.

John Arizona USA, Nuremburg and Bruges – OCT 2018

Thank you Andy for assisting me on my European Train travels. I would have been lost without your efforts and they are greatly appreciated! Next year when I pick my two new European cities to travel to I will be in touch!

Paulina USA, European Grand Tour – JUN 2018

Again thank you for all of your help. Thanks to you, our experience with the rail system around Europe was very smooth and easy. I will definitely recommend you to others!

The Nicholls Family UK, Travelling UK to Istanbul – JUN 2018

A very belated thank you for all your help with planning our train trip across Europe. We had such a great holiday, and all the trains ran exactly on time (why can’t the UK manage that?!) and all your top tips on classes, couchettes to book etc.. were invaluable. I have no doubt we would not have had such a smooth and comfortable journey without your help, in fact would probably still be trying to work everything out! Thank you.ssohn and Claire

Heidi and Family, Exploring Europe August 22

I would not have been able to create our amazing European vacation without Andy’s help. My three teens and I went to Prague, Munich, Fussen and Amsterdam by train in July 2022. Andy took the time to discuss a travel plan with me, helped me refine my itinerary, booked the tickets, and was available to answer questions we had along the way. It was an amazing adventure and we love train travel! Thank you Andy! I hope I get to use your services again! Heidi McEllistrem