The UK rail system offers travellers fast, scenic and more sustainable travel when compared to most other travel options. Trains provide accessibility to some of the more remote areas of the country too. And, makes it a lot easier to reach some of the major cities and iconic locations such as London, Edinburgh, Bath and York. Better still, going by train means getting to see some of the more scenic routes around the country include the Settle — Carlisle Railway or Riviera Line. Additionally, rail travel is often more relaxing and convenient than driving or flying. This is especially the case when it comes to city-to-city journeys.
Of course, there are sometimes challenges in place. For instance, trains do suffer from delays, peak-hour overcrowding and high prices. But these inconveniences are often outweighed by efficient time management and station location convenience, especially when arriving directly into city centres such as Edinburgh Waverley.
Cost-Saving Tips and Smart Platforms
As mentioned though, the reality regarding train travel is that it is expensive. Both in the UK and across Europe, the cost of a train ticket is often quite high. This is the case especially when making last minute bookings or taking some of the high-speed or longer routes around the country. With this in mind, there are steps you can take to mitigate these higher prices.
Trainline is a great app that helps travellers manage just this. The platform gives travellers access to real-time price comparisons so that you can see exactly where the best options are. Additionally, there are advanced booking options allowing you to book your travel as much as 8-10 weeks in advance. Doing so often gives you the very best fares. The platform also provides a range of other features such as the ability to select a seat, and the option to filter the route you’re going to take.
Alongside all this, Trainline also has a variety of discount codes and vouchers which can help to reduce the cost of the train ticket in the first place. These are great for larger groups, family travel, students or those who are regularly travelling across the country. Most of these codes are available on specialized platforms, and can quickly be used on the Trainline website or app. And, they’re easy to apply once you get to the checkout.
Having a full overview of Trainline and its savings opportunities such as offers and coupons is part of a careful and smart spending plan to make travel more affordable when planning. But there are other steps you can take to save as well. These include getting your hands on a railcard such as those for seniors, family, more than three and 16-25. Other options for rail passes include BritRail or Eurail Passes which are available for visitors or international journeys. Being able to be flexible on travel dates, travel during off-peak hours and be okay with split journeys can also help reduce the cost of the overall train fare.
Train Travel Abroad and the European Holiday Experience
It’s not just the UK that has a range of train lines and travel options. Train travel is actually a viable travel alternative when heading to Europe as well. Instead of flying, it’s possible to enjoy an enriching alternative, one that’s better for the environment. Trains are more sustainable and emit significantly lower carbon emissions when compared to plane travel. You’ll also get to see much more of the countryside on a train.
There are many scenic views to enjoy including crossing the Alps, seeing vineyards in Italy, or a lot of the French coastlines, depending where you’re headed of course. Trains also offer far less hassle when it comes to travelling. There are no long security queues, boarding delays or hidden airport transfers. Instead, the process is typically smooth.
You can even opt for night trains or sleeper services such as the Caledonian Sleeper or Austria’s Nightjet network for longer trips. Of course, there are still limitations, especially when travelling internationally. Many of the booking systems are complex. Trains also typically have higher costs when compared to budget airlines, and there are limited advance booking windows in place. For users who do use smart tools like Trainline or services like Byway, some of these issues can be bypassed. As such, sustainable, slower and more scenic travel becomes a viable option.
