Mr ESLT and I have travelled by train all over the world. From the British Pullman through the glorious English countryside to the Pacific Surfliner along the sunny SoCal coast. And not forgetting the Instaworthy open door trains of Sri Lanka. We love travelling by train and when there is an option to do so, we will. We have always found travelling by train relevantly easy. Especially in mainland Europe. We have travelled several times through The Netherlands, Germany, France and Italy with no problems. Travels have more often than not been on time and reasonably priced. However, that is often not the case here in Blighty. If you are planning on travelling by train in the UK be prepared for delays and cancellations and having to pay an arm and a leg for your ticket. If you are looking for accommodation for your trip, get a great hotel via ebooking.
But if you are prepared to take those on the chin, here are our 8 top tips for travelling by train in the UK.
Avoid peak times
If you can, try to avoid travelling at peak times, especially if you are travelling with children and/or luggage. Travelling off-peak will reduce your stress levels as travels are usually less busy and ofter cheaper. Peak times are roughly 7.00 am to 9.30 am and from 4.30 pm to 7.00 pm midweek. This is because people commute to and from work, school etc during these times. The majority of the weekend is also considered peak time with people travelling for leisure.
Book in Advance
Booking your train tickets in advance will usually save you (a lot of) money. Especially compared to buying your tickets on the day of travel. The majority of train companies release their cheapest fares 12 weeks ahead of travel. Therefore, the earlier you can book your tickets, the cheaper your journey will be. Some companies offer their cheaper advance fares right up to 15 minutes before you travel. However, you will be taking a risk if you leave it that late.
Consider A Seat Reservation
Depending on the length of your journey and who you are travelling with, you should consider reserving your seat(s). This is usually free if done at the time of booking. If you are travelling a distance, having a seat reservation ensures you will not have to stand for the duration of your journey. Also, if you are travelling as part of a group especially with children, booking seat reservations means your party will be able to sit together which is not guaranteed if you do not.
Look For Direct Routes
If you are not familiar with your route and the train stations along it, opt for where possible, a direct route if possible. The last thing you want to be doing is lugging your luggage and any kids that you have in tow across an unfamiliar train station to change trains. This will simply add unnecessary stress to your journey. Together with fear that you will miss your connection which can be costly. Especially if you do not have a lot of time to get from one train to another.
Take advantage of discounts
If you plan to take a lot of journeys or meet certain criteria, then you should look into buying a railcard. There are 9 different ones available in the UK. These are Network Railcard, 16-17 Saver, 16-25 Railcard, 26-30 Railcard, Family & Friends Railcard, Two Together Railcard, Senior Railcard, Disabled Persons Railcard and Veterans Railcard. Most, if not all, Railcards will save you money, especially on Advance tickets, Off-Peak, Standard and First Class tickets.
Stay alert
Remembering to book train tickets can sometimes slip your mind, especially when it is only a small part of your adventure. Therefore, signing up for ticket alerts is the perfect way to ensure that you do not forget or miss out on Advance ticket low prices. For example, The Trainline will send you an email to remind you to book your tickets when the dates you have entered become available. This is a great tool if you know the exact date(s) you wish to travel.
Group travel
If you are travelling as part of a group (usually 9 people or more), many train companies will offer you a discount. You will need to check out individual train operator websites for relevant information and discounts offered. If you are travelling in a group of 3 to 9 people then GroupSave offered by The Trainline could be perfect. GroupSave is a discount of up to 34% for adults travelling on a single or return journey at Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak times even without Railcards.
Pack Snacks
This applies to most modes of transport, especially if you are travelling with children. There is nothing worse than taking a long journey without having some nibbles to keep you occupied along the way. Long-distance trains usually have buffet carriages where you can pick up bits and bobs – pre-packed sandwiches, crisps, sweets etc. However, the stock can be limited and pricey. Therefore why not pick some of your favourite snacks up before hopping on board.
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