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Country info: United Kingdom
Rail companies: ATOC (Association of Train Operating Companies) under "National Rail" brand name
Tickets & schedules of EuroStar trains to London - www.eurostar.com
UK Rail Network Map
Currency: 1 euro = app. 0.85 British Pounds (GBP)
Train travel in United Kingdom: train types, tickets, fares, discounts & other useful info
National Train Service:
Train types in United Kingdom: Commuter, Regional, InterCity, Sleeper & International High-Speed trains
- Commuter - urban & suburban service in the areas of major cities in Great Britain, no seat reservation required
- Regional - regional service on short & medium distances, no seat reservation required
- InterCity - intercity express service connecting major UK cities & towns, no seat reservation required
- International (EuroStar) - high-speed service connecting London with France & Belgium, seat reservation compulsory
- Sleeper - long-distance premium sleeper trains connecting London with Scotland & Cornwall:
a) 'Caledonian' Sleeper - from London Euston to Aberdeen, Inverness & Fort William (The Highland) & from London Euston to Edinburgh & Glasgow, both operated by First ScotRail (The Lowland)
b) 'Night Riviera' Sleeper - from London Paddington to Plymouth, Truro & Penzance, operated by First Great Western
Types of train tickets on National Rail network:
- Advance: discounted one-way tickets on many long distance journeys (purchase in advance required, valid only for specific date & trains, limited availability per departure, but general discounts (such as Rail Card) apply)
- Off-Peak: single or return tickets for travelling on off-peak time trains, thus less busy (where there is more than one Off-Peak fare for a journey, the cheaper fare with more restrictions will be named Super Off-Peak), general discounts (such as Rail Card) apply
- Anytime: fully flexible single or return tickets without restrictions, thus buy any time & travel any time, general discounts (such as Rail Card) apply
- Rovers & Rangers: tickets for unlimited travels within a specified area (from one day passe to monthly pass)
Discounts, special offers & ways to save money for passengers traveling in United Kingdom (NR):
- Simple & easy way to travel for less by train in Great Britain is to purchase train tickets in advance ('Advance' Tickets offer). If passengers didn't have a chance to purchase tickets in advance, then it is also a good idea to travel during off-peak time ('Off-peak' Tickets)
- Passengers planning to travel in Great Britain by trains should always keep in mind that UK rail network consists of many private rail companies, each offering various specific offers, discounts & promotions. Knowing such information helps to save quite a lot of money. For instance 'Virgin' offers various low-fare tickets on almost all their routes, while "virtual" company Megatrain offers train tickets starting from only £1 (when purchased in advance). List of British railway companies & their offers can be found at www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions
- Youths (<26 years old), Seniors & passengers travelling with family and friends planning multiple trips whether nationwide or in specific region can take advantage of NR Rail Card, which allows the holder to receive up to 1/3 discount on standard tickets fares. NR Rail Card valid year long cost from £28 (cheaper Regional Rail Cards also available)
- Passengers traveling in small groups can take advantage from special NR Group Discount (available not for all rail companies & not for all departure), for instance 3 or 4 passengers (adults or children) travelling together on off-peak trains pay only 2 adult fares
- Passengers planning to travel extensively through out whole National Rail network might consider purchase of BritRail pass (from €109 for 2 days consecutive pass in Standard class to €549 for 1 month consecutive pass in Standard class or from €135 for 2 days flexi pass in Standard class to €475 for 15 days flexi pass in Standard class)
- Passengers planning multiple train journeys in Ireland might consider purchasing SCIC-NRT(TCV) international ticket for domestic journeys in Ireland (more info about use of international tickets for domestic train trips can be found 'Western Europe-how cheap it can be?'). For instance London to Inverness & back ticket valid for one month & allowing unlimited stopovers on the way costs only 231,6 euro (plus if passenger holds Rail Plus Card such SCIC-NRT(TCV) tickets will be 25% cheaper)
International Train Service:
a) Regular discounts
Not available
b) Special offers (SparSchiene)
Ticket offers with limited number of tickets per each departure (purchase in advance required):
France: from London to Paris by EuroStar train (from £39 one-way or £69 return), from London to Lille by EuroStar train (from £39 one-way or £69 return), from London to Avignon (from £67,5 one-way or £119 return)
Belgium: from London to Brussels by EuroStar train (from £39 one-way or £69 return)
c) CityStars
Not available
How to Buy Train Tickets in United Kingdom:
National (domestic) tickets (including offers) can be purchased online via National Rail website www.nationalrail.co.uk
International train tickets (EuroStar from London to Paris & Brussels) can be purchased online via www.eurostar.com
Do you still have further questions or want to share your own travel experience? You are welcome on our Forum page
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