Train Info

[artnbarb]

Is THIS the best site to use when searching for trains in England? I know some of the lines are now private, and I'm wondering if I have more than one option for taking the train from London to Bath.

 

[jonathan]

Yes, National Rail Enquiries gives results for all the train companies. Sometimes I look at http://www.thetrainline.com/ because the results can be clearer to read. I'm pretty sure that London - Bath is just served by First Great Western.

 

[Felicity]

If you are travelling a lot by train you can buy a railcard to reduce the cost of most journeys by 1/3rd. The Network Railcard covers the area seen on the map here http://www.network-railcard.co.uk/tickets-types-min-fares/ But the two together one is even better http://www.railcard.co.uk/ If your tickets are costing quite a lot, you could end up saving on the second journey, even with the cost of the railcard taken into account.

 

[artnbarb]

Just the one train trip, London to Bath. Jonathan, I wasn't sure if First Great Western was the only, line, or how to find out! thanks!

 

[Kathy]

Last year Pauline recommended that I buy train tickets through this site: http://www.thetrainline.com/

 

[artnbarb]

thanks Kathy!

 

[SusanSeattle]

I like to search using thetrainline.com, but I usually buy my tickets on the Virgin site.
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/
I think the search is better on trainline site, but they charge a fee for the ticket purchase. You can buy any train ticket on Virgin (doesn't have to be on a Virgin train) without a fee, or at least this has been my experience.

 

[artnbarb]

I remember seeing something on line of the sites about schedules changing in mid/late May - can anyone verify this? I don't want to buy tickets yet if the schedules and prices will change soon!

 

[Pauline]

You can only purchase tickets a certain amount of months ahead. I have not had problems with changing schedules. If you purchase well ahead you can get very good fares.

 

[artnbarb]

It looks the South West Line has a direct train from Waterloo, and since we're staying very near Waterloo Station I bought tickets for a direct train to Bath Spa for £12 ea. I will collect them from the self-service kiosk at the station. This beats trying to haul luggage on/off the Tube to get to Paddington, or having to find a cab during the morning rush hour. Once again, thank you everyone!

 

[Pauline]

You might not be able to use the self-service kiosk. I think you have to have a chip and pin credit card. Friends of ours from the US had trouble picking up their tickets. You can get them from the station ticket office.

 

[artnbarb]

thanks for the heads-up! I'll make sure to pick up the tickets before the day we're leaving!