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See the best of Britain by train (2 week itinerary + maps & tips)

By: Author Tracy Collins

Posted on Last updated: April 19, 2024

Follow our 14-day itinerary to see the best of Britain by train including top destinations in England, Wales and Scotland. We’ve done all the planning so you don’t have to!

Do you have 14 days to explore Britain but are struggling to put together an itinerary? Not sure what places to include or how to get around? You will find everything you need to know to see the best of Britain by train in this article.

We have included 5 of Britain’s most popular destinations in 3 countries – London, Bath, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and York with the option of choosing between 2 others -the Lake District and Liverpool – on days 7 and 8.

For each destination included in the itinerary, you will find recommendations of what to do and see, accommodation suggestions, and logistics plus practical details and tips to ensure your 14-day train trip around England, Wales and Scotland is everything you dream of.

I have also included a map illustrating the points of travel, the distance between destinations, and the estimated travel time for each leg of the journey.

Good to know! For non-UK citizens we recommend purchasing a BritRail Pass or the Eurail Global Rail Pass for this 2-week itinerary – click to find out more about BritRail passes & Eurail Global Rail Passes or here to read our comparison guide.

Days 1 – 3 London

Day 4 london – bath, day 5 bath (day trip – cotswolds or stonehenge), day 6 bath – cardiff, day 7 cardiff – liverpool or lake district, day 8 – liverpool or lake district, day 9 liverpool or lake district to edinburgh, day 10 edinburgh, day 11 edinburgh (or day trip), scotland by rail itinerary, day 12 edinburgh to york, day 13 – york, day 14 – york to london, listen to our introduction to uk train travel podcast, what train cards or passes are recommended for this uk train travel itinerary, where can i buy train tickets, what do i need to know about travelling the uk by train, can i take luggage on uk trains.

• Are any of the UK's scenic train routes included in this itinerary?

Enjoy your UK train travel adventure

See britain by train with our 14 day itinerary.

A minimum of 3 days in London is recommended especially if it is your first visit to the city . This will give you enough time to see the main London landmarks and tick some attractions off your London bucket list.

This 14-day Best of Britain by train itinerary begins with Days 1/2 and 3 in London and ends on Day 14 back in the capital. Depending on your flight or onward travel itinerary, you may have some flexibility to add a few more sights in London .

London Day 1

I recommend spending your first day visiting some of the most popular London attractions, landmarks, and sights.

If you are feeling energetic a self-directed walking tour of the main sights located in central London is one option.

Alternatively, consider booking a guided tour. We recommend the London In a Day: Tower of London, Westminster Abbey & Changing of the Guard tour from Take Walks . This comprehensive tour is dedicated to the quintessential sights of the city: Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, Changing of the Guard, a Thames river cruise, and a full Tower of London tour with access to the Crown Jewels.

If you prefer to take it easy on your first day (don’t discount the effects of jetlag), a hop-on hop-off bus tour is another option and a great way to orient yourself with the city.

London Day 2

If you did not visit the Tower of London on Day 1 I would recommend starting your morning by exploring this ancient and historic landmark.

Afterwards, walk to the 43rd floor of the Walkie-Talkie building for lunch at the Sky Garden (London’s highest public garden). Entry to the Sky Garden is free but it is essential to book tickets ahead of your visit.

In the vicinity of the Sky Garden are 4 other landmarks and buildings worth visiting – St Dunstan in the East Church Garden, Pudding Lane, St Paul’s Cathedral, and Leadenhall Market.

After exploring the area jump on the Central Line at St Paul’s changing at Holborn for the Piccadilly Line to Covent Garden. Enjoy the street entertainment, shops, and attractions around Covent Garden before dinner and a show.

London Day 3

Today I recommend visiting the British Museum in the morning. The museum is always busy so try to arrive as early in the day as possible. I recommend purchasing a ticket that enables you to skip the line so you don’t waste precious vacation time in a queue.

If you are visiting with children we recommend this private customised family-friendly tour of the museum with a special children’s guide. During the 2 hour tour, you will enjoy favourite displays such as the Egyptian mummies and the Rosetta Stone with your guide.

For your final afternoon in the city, I have a few alternatives depending on your interests.

If you enjoy shopping head to Harrods. If you enjoy history a trip to Churchill’s War Rooms is a great option. If you have young kids head to London Zoo or – if they are up for another museum – the Natural History Museum in South Kensington. If you have visited London previously and are seeking something different I highly recommend jumping on the Thames Clipper to Greenwich.

For those of you with specific interests, this may also be a great time to do a themed tour – Harry Potter, James Bond, Jack the Ripper are some examples of the themed walking tours available in London .

These are just a few ideas for your first 3 days in London – please see our detailed itinerary posts for more.

On Day 4 depart London for the South West of England and one of England’s most beautiful and oldest cities – Bath!

For centuries Bath’s naturally warm and mineral-rich waters attracted those who sought its curative powers and potential for rejuvenation.

Roman Baths constructed nearly 2000 years ago, stunning Georgian architecture, a museum dedicated to Jane Austen and numerous boutiques, independent shops and tea houses are just some of the attractions of the city.

Tip – Take an early train from London and you will have most of the day to explore.

🌟 Highlights of Bath

• Roman Baths
• Royal Crescent
• Jane Austen Centre

Read more – One day Bath Itinerary – follow our one day in Bath itinerary to see the cities sights, attractions and landmarks.

Read more – Bath Travel Guide – our complete guide to visiting Bath including accommodation suggestions, where to eat, and what to read before you visit.

🗺 Logistics London – Bath

• London to Bath travel time by train is approximately 1 hour 20 minutes  
• Depart London Paddington (Platform 5 typically) arrives Bath Spa (Platform 1 typically)
• This is a direct train service with Great Western Railways

🏨 Accommodation options in Bath

• Best luxury spa hotel in Bath –  The Gainsborough Bath Spa  is a luxury 5* hotel and the only UK hotel to have access to naturally heated thermal waters within its Spa Village.
• Best mid-range hotel in Bath –  Eight  is a small independent boutique hotel in the centre of Bath.
• Best budget option in Bath –  Grays  is a boutique B&B situated in an imposing semi-detached Victorian villa located 15 minutes from the centre of Bath.
• Find more options in my guide to the best places to stay in Bath

On day 5 you have a few options. Bath is close to two of England’s most popular destinations and I highly recommend including at least one of them in your itinerary.

Your options are

Spend another day exploring Bath OR

• Take a day tour from Bath and explore the beautiful Cotswold villages and/or Stonehenge OR
• Travel independently taking the train from Bath to Salisbury and catch the Stonehenge tour bus from there.

We will explore these options in more detail so you can decide which you prefer.

☂️ Day tour options from Bath

I have picked the best day tour options to the Cotswolds available from Bath. Stonehenge is also included in some of these tours.

If you decide to include both destinations (Cotswolds & Stonehenge) in one tour bear in mind that you will have less tim e to explore the Cotswolds but this may be the best option if you really want to see both.

It is possible to travel to Stonehenge independently using public transport from Bath to Salisbury (and onto Stonehenge) but I have included some day tours too so you can choose the best option for your needs.

Day tours from Bath to the Cotswolds

• ‘Stonehenge & Secret England’ Private Full-Day Tour from Bath – Private tour to Stonehenge then personalize your sightseeing to visit castles or gardens, or take a film location tour of medieval villages featured in ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Downton Abbey,’ and other hits.
• Full-day private Cotswolds tour from Bath – Explore idyllic villages and famous Cotswold towns on this 9-hour full-day tour. This will give you a wonderful overview and experience of what the Cotswolds is all about.

Day tour from Bath including Stonehenge

• Stonehenge, Avebury stone circles & stunning Cotswold Villages – Full-day tour which includes the beautiful villages of Lacock and Castle Combe.

Day tours from Bath to Stonehenge

• Stonehenge Private Tour (Half-Day Tour from Bath) – Includes a detailed guide to Stonehenge and private end-to-end transportation from your Bath hotel.
• Bespoke private tours of Stonehenge and Avebury by car with a local guide – Half or full-day tour to the prehistoric stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury.

🗺 Logistics – Bath to Salisbury (Stonehenge)

• Bath to Salisbury travel time by train is approximately 1 hour  
• Depart Bath Spa arrives in Salisbury 

On day 6 hop on the train for a journey of just over an hour to a new country – Wales . The Welsh capital of Cardiff is the buzzing centre of this Celtic nation.

Crammed with cultural hotspots, charming Victorian architecture, a rich history, impressive castles, and modern urban hangouts, Cardiff has a whole heap of things for visitors to do and see.

🌟 Highlights of Cardiff

• Cardiff Castle
• Sail Cardiff Bay
• Stroll the Centenary Walk through the city
• Take a themed Dr Who or Gavin & Stacey tour

Read more – Things to do in Cardiff

🗺 Logistics Bath – Cardiff

• Bath to Cardiff travel time by train is approximately 1 hour 12 minutes  
• Depart Bath Spa (Platform 1 typically) arrives Cardiff Central (Platform 3/4 typically)

🏨 Accommodation options on Cardiff

• Best luxury spa hotel in Cardiff – Voco St David’s Hotel is a waterfront hotel with balconies, bay views, and a luxury spa.
• Best mid-range hotels in Cardiff – 4*  Hotel Indigo Cardiff  offers modern accommodation and a rather splendid Marco Pierre White restaurant!
• Best budget option in Cardiff – Hotel Number One Hundred   is a boutique-style B&B offering superb value for money.

On Day 7 you can choose to either spend a few days exploring the city of Liverpool or alternatively a rural experience in the beautiful Lake District.

If you are a fan of the Beatles Liverpool is the must-visit destination. Take the Magical Mystery tour and visit the childhood homes of Paul and John before dancing the night away at the Cavern Club.

Alternatively head to the Lake District and explore its stunning lakes and mountains, quaint towns and villages , from your base in Windermere .

🗺 Logistics Cardiff – Liverpool

• Cardiff Central to Liverpool Lime Street travel time by train is approximately 3 hours 25 mins.   
• Depart Cardiff Central (Platform 1/2 typically) arrives Crewe (platform 6 change trains and depart at platform 6) to Liverpool Lime Street (Platform 9 typically)
• There is one change required at Crewe. Transport for Wales trains from Cardiff to Crewe and then Crewe to Liverpool on Avanti West Coast

🏨 Accommodation in Liverpool

• Best Liverpool Hotel for Beatles fans –  The Hard Days Night Hotel  is decorated with Beatles memorabilia and located around the corner from the Cavern Club – our number one choice when staying in Liverpool.
• Best mid-range hotel in Liverpool –  The Titanic Hotel is located in a historic warehouse in the UNESCO World Heritage Stanley Dock. Spacious rooms in a unique setting.
• Best budget option in Liverpool –  The Resident Liverpool   offers affordable accommodation in a central location.

⭐️ Find more options in my area & accommodation guide to Liverpool

Lake District

🗺 Logistics Cardiff – Lake District

• Cardiff to Windermere in the Lake District train time is approximately 6 hours with 2 changes required.  
• Depart Cardiff arrives Windermere
• Change at Crewe (arrive and depart platform 6) and catch the Avanti West Coast to Lancaster (arrive and depart from platform 3) on Northern Trains to Windermere (Platform 1).

🏨 Accommodation in the Lake District

• Best luxury hotel in Windermere –  Macdonald Old English Hotel and Spa  is a luxury 5* hotel and spa perched on the shores of Lake Windermere.
• Best mid-range hotel in Windermere –  Cragwood Country House Hotel is located in stunning gardens on the shores of Lake Windermere. It offers spacious rooms, exceptional food, and a relaxing experience for guests.
• Best budget (ish) hotel in Windermere – The 3* Windermere Manor Hotel is an 1850’s stone manor house offering dog-friendly accommodation.

Tip – More accommodation options can be found in my guide to the best places to stay in Lake Windermere

🌟 Highlights of Liverpool

• Albert Dock
• Beatles Tour
• Tate Modern
• Enjoy a football match 

Read more – Liverpool Travel Guide (including tips, itinerary & map

🌟 Highlights of the Lake District

• Boat trip across Windermere
• Take a Hike and enjoy stunning views
• Visit Hill Top the former home of Beatrix Potter
• Enjoy a drink in an English pub  

Read more – Lake District Travel Guide

On day 9 travel from Liverpool or the Lake District to Edinburgh. Journey time from both departure points is around 3 – 4 hours so you will arrive in plenty of time to start exploring the sights of Edinburgh.

Top tip – Book a hotel near the train station, drop your bags, and head out to the Royal Mile and soak in the atmosphere of the Scottish capital. This hop-on-hop-off bus pass is great to explore Edinburgh at your own pace with a 3-route tour ticket.

🗺 Logistics – Liverpool to Edinburgh

• Liverpool Lime Street to Edinburgh travel time by train is approximately 3 hours 45 minutes  
• Depart Liverpool Lime Street arrives Edinburgh
• One change at Preston in Lancashire.

🗺 Logistics – Windermere to Edinburgh

• Windermere to Edinburgh travel time by train is approximately 3 hours 10 minutes.
• Depart Windermere arrives Edinburgh Waverley
• Depending on time of travel 1 or 2 changes at Oxenholme in the Lake District (and possibly an additional change at Carlisle) .

🏨 Accommodation in Edinburgh

• Best luxury hotel in Edinburgh –  The Balmoral is a luxury 5* hotel
• Best mid-range hotel in Edinburgh –  Radisson Blu Hotel Edinburgh City Centre
• Best budget option in Edinburgh –  Elder York Guest House

Scotland’s capital is historically rich and scenically beautiful. The winding cobblestone streets of its Old Town offer quaint medieval charm which is contrasted by the New Town, the very epitome of Georgian style.

There is culture and history around every corner and numerous landmarks, sights, and attractions to explore.

🌟 Highlights of Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Castle
• Walk the Royal Mile
• Shop on Princes Street
• Enjoy the views from Arthur’s Seat 

Read more – Things to do in Edinburgh

Day 11 provides a couple of options. You could spend more time exploring Edinburgh OR take a day trip to see more of Scotland’s famous sights, landmarks, and attractions.

☂️ Best day trips from Edinburgh

There are some fantastic day trips you can do from Edinburgh. You could hire a car for the day but we recommend either jumping on the train or taking an organised tour especially if you want to fit as much as possible into your day.

Destinations which can be reached easily by train from Edinburgh in 2 hours or less include:

• St Andrews (1½ hours)
• South Queensferry (30 mins)
• The Kelpies & Helix Park (1 hour)
• Glasgow (1 hour)
• Pitlochry (2 hours)
• Linlithgow Palace (20 mins)
• Dundee (1 hour 30 mins)
• Stirling Castle (1 hour)
• Loch Lomond (1 hour 40 mins)

We recommend the following day tours from Edinburgh:

• Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Tour – Escape the city for the day and head to the Scottish Highlands. Follow in the footsteps of the world’s most famous wizard, Harry Potter, and jump on board the Hogwarts Express on an unforgettable journey on the Jacobite Steam Train.
• Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Tour from Edinburgh – Enjoy a full-day tour and experience some of the most dramatic scenery the Scottish Highlands has to offer. Spend time at mysterious Glencoe and have the chance to enjoy a cruise on Loch Ness and a visit to Urquhart Castle.
• Loch Lomond, Kelpies, and Stirling Castle Small-Group Tour – Discover the Scottish Highlands on a full-day small-group tour, and see forests, lochs, and stunning mountains. Explore Scotland’s history and learn about its greatest heroes with visits to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, and more.
• Loch Ness, Highlands & Whisky Distillery Tour – Experience the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlands on a full-day coach tour to Loch Ness, Glencoe, and the Trossachs National Park. Go to a working whisky distillery for an optional tasting. Stop for lunch in Fort Augustus and more.

Why not combine this best of Britain by rail itinerary with our Scotland rail itinerary?

We have done the work for you and produced a 21 day + plus complete UK rail itinerary which includes the best of England, Scotland and Wales.

On Day 12 depart Edinburgh for York. This ancient city is located halfway between Edinburgh and London and its medieval city walls, museums, and shops make this the perfect destination for the last stop on your 14-day tour of Britain.

Journey time is around 2½ hours.

Good to know – Book a seat on the left side of the train (facing direction of travel) for views of the beautiful Northumberland coastline as you journey towards Newcastle and look out for the iconic Angel of the North after departure.

The train passes through Durham and Darlington before arriving in York.

🗺 Logistics Edinburgh – York

• Edinburgh Waverley to York travel time by train is approximately 2 hour 25 minutes  
• Depart Edinburgh Waverley arrives York
• This is a direct train service with London North Eastern Railway (LNER)

🏨 Accommodation in York

• Best luxury hotel in York – The Grand York is the only 5* hotel in York. Chic, luxury rooms in a grand Edwardian hotel.
• Best mid-range hotel in York – The Bar Convent is England’s oldest living convent and one of the most unique places to stay in York.
• Best budget option in York – Wheatlands Lodge offers good value accommodation only 5 minutes walk away from York train station.

🌟 Highlights of York

• York Minster
• Walk the Walls
• The Shambles
• The Jorvik Viking Centre 

Read more – York Travel Guide

Day 14 is the final leg of this UK train itinerary and will take you from York back to London.

Journey time is a little over 2 hours which means (depending on your flight time) there is the possibility of spending a few more hours exploring London.

🗺 Logistics York – London

• York to London Kings Cross travel time by train is approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
• Depart York arrives London King’s Cross
• This is a direct train service with LNER

FAQs – Travelling the UK by train

If you are considering following this UK rail trip itinerary the easiest and most cost-effective way to travel is to either purchase a BritRail Pass or a Global Eurail Pass . These tickets are only available for overseas visitors so buy them before you arrive.

What are the advantages of purchasing a BritRail Pass?

• The Britrail M-Pass is an electronic rail pass that can be downloaded directly onto your phone. Also available to print as a PDF copy if you prefer.
• No need to stress over searching for ticket prices and booking each leg of your journey separately.
• No need to stick to a rigid timetable as you can travel as much as you like on each day your BritRail Pass is valid.
• Easier than searching for ticket prices for every leg of the journey.
• Cheaper than buying individual tickets.
• Children travel free with most passes. A family of 4 will only pay for 2 adults.
• No queuing at ticket offices to purchase your ticket – just head to the platform and hop on the train.
• Airport transfers by rail are included (Heathrow Express, Gatwick Express, and the Stansted Express)

For the itinerary above I recommend purchasing a Britrail GB M-Pass or a Global Eurail Pass as these passes enable unlimited travel across the full length of England, Wales, and Scotland.

I recommend comparing these passes before you buy as you may find one is more cost-effective for your trip.

Click for more information and to purchase BritRail Passes

Click for more information and to purchase a Global Eurail Pass

For this 2 week itinerary, I recommend purchasing a Britrail Pass or a Global Eurail Pass .

If you are planning to take a limited number of train trips purchasing individual tickets may be more cost-effective.

• 🗓 Purchase prior to travel for the cheapest train tickets .
• 🚆 Bookings open 12 weeks (84 days) before the date of travel.
• 🎫 Tickets can be purchased online via thetrainline.com
• ⚠️ Reservations are compulsory on many services.
• 😷 Check regulations in regard to Covid-19 prior to travel.

Our complete guide to travelling the UK by train details everything you need to know including how and where to buy tickets, tips for your day of travel and what to expect from your UK train trip.

You can take up to 3 pieces of luggage for free on UK trains including 2 large items such as suitcases or rucksacks.

Store luggage in overhead luggage racks, under the seats, and in the luggage compartments at the end of each carriage.

Are any of the UK’s scenic train routes included in this itinerary?

Some of the most scenic train journeys in the UK are included in this itinerary including the East Coast Mainline from Edinburgh to York.

If you are planning a UK rail trip itinerary for the first time you will find our comprehensive guide to using the UK train network an invaluable resource.

Written by Doug Collins who worked on UK railways for over 25 years it contains practical information, tips, and advice to ensure you make the most of your UK rail adventure.

Read more – Complete guide to travelling the UK by train

• 13 Tips to save money on rail travel in the UK
• 9 tips for those planning to travel the UK by rail
• Guide to the 9 regions of England
• UK trip planner
• Guide to English drinks

How to Take the Train in the UK: A Step by Step Guide!

Last Updated: March 21, 2024

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Boasting the world’s oldest rail system, the state of UK train travel is one of the most contentious topics in the country, perhaps even more so than whether you put jam or cream first on your scone.

There are those who consider it a national disgrace with overinflated prices and far too many disruptions, opting to drive instead. And there are those who adore trains so much they make a hobby of going out to look and wave at them as they pass by.

If you’re coming to the UK as a tourist, there’s no doubt trains are one of the best ways to get around, with over 2500 stations nationwide. I’ve personally used trains as my go-to mode of transport in the UK for the past decade, and while it’s far from flawless and often quite confusing, it’s still a great way to get around.

So, this post will walk you through step by step how to navigate the train system in the UK, from getting the best deal on tickets and how to navigate train stations, all the way to making the most of your journey and what to do after your disembark.

… YES, this guide is thorough, but I hope it’ll help first timers like you take trains in the UK with confidence and ease.

Save this guide on How to Travel the UK by Train for Later!

You’ll be very glad you did.

A Brief Introduction to the UK Rail System

Let’s start with some basics on taking the train in the UK, which involves over 2500 stations and 15,874km of track!

Rail Providers in the UK

When people talk trains in England, Scotland, and Wales, usually you’ll hear the term National Rail, but what’s important to note is that the National Rail is an umbrella term mainly used for branding and consistency, when in reality it encompasses 20+ train companies, including ScotRail and Transport for Wales.

In Northern Ireland, the rail services are run by a separate company known as Translink that is entirely independent from National Rail.

For the purpose of this post, I’ll be focusing on National Rail specifically, as that’s what I have the most experience in, so if you’re looking for Northern Ireland train tips, then I would recommend heading to the official Translink website to learn more.

Within many cities, you’ll also find companies offering Metro and Tram services that are run independently of National Rail, and therefore have their own ticketing system, like the London Tube for instance which is run by Transport for London (TfL). This is why in most cases, you can’t use your train tickets for local travel.

Lastly, there are several privately owned companies that offer heritage & “experience” trains that are NOT part of the National Rail network. These trains are usually more for the purpose of sightseeing or tourism rather than getting from Point A to Point B.

As the tickets and routes for these trains vary from company to company, I won’t be focusing on them today either. The best resource would simply be that specific train company’s official website!

Now, let’s discuss…

Types of Trains in the UK

Generally speaking, we can classify UK trains under a few broad categories.

Firstly, there are Intercity Trains, high-speed, long-distance services that connect major cities and regions in the UK in a comfortable and fast manner. They are operated by companies like Avanti West Coast, LNER, and CrossCountry, and will usually be more expensive as they have more amenities and on-board services.

There are also Regional Trains , slower, shorter-distance services that connect smaller towns and cities within a specific region. Their routes are typically designed to serve local commuters and travelers making shorter journeys, so these will typically have fewer amenities than Intercity trains. Examples of companies offering this service include Northern Rail or South Western Railway trains.

In larger Metropolitan areas, there may be Local Trains as well that service a smaller region, like the London Overground that covers greater London and its suburbs, or Mersey Rail which connects Liverpool to smaller towns close by.

For select routes, there are also Sleeper Trains . These services allow passengers to travel overnight and wake up in a different city or region. For example, the Caledonian Sleeper offers overnight journeys between London and Scotland.

Lastly as I mentioned before, there are the many privately owned heritage & “experience” trains meant for sightseeing and tourism. Some examples include the Jacobite Steam Train in Scotland, AKA the real life Hogwarts Express or the also magical Swanage Railway.

Now, with the basics covered, let’s go through step by step how to plan a train trip in the UK.

Step One: Decide if Train Travel in the UK is Right for You

First – let’s talk alternatives to train travel in the UK.

I quite enjoy train travel in the UK, but it’s far from flawless, and there are other ways of getting around that may be better suited to your specific trip and priorities.

Overall, I think taking the train in the UK is great if you’re looking for comfort and (depending on the route) scenery.

The downside is however it can be really expensive, especially if you don’t book in advance. It’s also not super convenient if you’re travelling with more than one large suitcase per person as hoisting big bags up and around trains isn’t the most fun… and there can often be delays and cancellations.

A more budget-friendly alternative may be taking buses like National Express or Megabus, booking a ride share on services like BlaBlaCar or sometimes even flights if you’re booking with budget airlines like Ryanair , easyJet and Wizz Air .

Or, if your priority is freedom and getting off the beaten path, it may be worthwhile to rent a car. The UK is relatively small and well connected with highways (called motorways here), so driving between cities doesn’t actually take too long, with the journey between London and Manchester only taking about 4 hours for instance.

Overall, if you’re torn and want to compare all your options at a glance, Omio is a great app that shows you planes, trains, and buses from Point A to Point B. From there, you can gauge whether train travel suits your needs.

If/when you’ve decided you do indeed want to take the train, then we move onto…

Step Two: Buy Your UK Train Tickets

Train tickets in the UK can be purchased online in advance, or in-person at the station from a machine or sometimes from a ticketing window run by a (gasp) actual human.

It’s important to note however that the UK train system rewards you for booking in advance by making a special category of “Advance Tickets ” MUCH cheaper than booking on the day of.

So in any case, I’d advise booking tickets in advance online to minimize stress and secure the best possible deal, either directly through the National Rail website or through a third party website.

NOTE: Some rail providers do not yet provide mobile tickets, which means that buying in advance requires you getting the ticket printed at the station anyway. In these cases, make sure you allow for extra time so you can do that.

Booking direct with National Rail or your specific train company will pretty much always be the cheapest option as they don’t charge extra booking fees, but if you’re planning a big trip with lots of trains or buses in other countries across multiple companies, then a 3rd party like Omio or Trainline might be worth the small booking fee to keep all your tickets in one place. You can read my comparison of the two in my Omio vs Trainline post.

I’m a huge fan of Trainline in the UK because their interface is super simple and there’s a lot of perks like automatically finding cheap split tickets, easy refund/compensation requests, etc. You can also request a ticket alert to find out when tickets go on sale for your specific journey through Trainline here. Read my full Trainline review for more info.

Another alternative is TrainPal, which can also find split tickets but doesn’t charge a booking fee. They’ve also given me a code to share with you – HAPPYTOWANDER for 33% off Railcards & 5% off for EUR/UK rail tickets for new customers and 2% off for existing customers so in this case it might be cheaper than booking directly.

Now, there are a lot of considerations to be made when you go to buy train tickets in the UK. I’ll outline them all now.

First off…

RailCard vs No RailCard

If you are visiting the UK for a longer time, or perhaps plan to use a LOT of public transport in that time, then consider getting a RailCard.

These passes cost you a fixed amount per year but then give you a 1/3 discount on all future rail travel… including the Tube if you link it with your Oyster Card!

There is almost always some kind of discount code that you’ll find which gives you the rail card for something silly like £20. Depending on how many train journeys you are taking, you could probably make those savings back in just a few trips… if not just one!

At the moment, the options for railcards are…

• 16-25 Railcard : 1/3 discount for those aged 16-25
• 26-30 Railcard : 1/3 discount for those aged 26-30
• Senior Railcard (for ages 60+) : 1/3 discount for those aged 60+
• Two Together Railcard : 1/3 discount when travelling with the same person
• Family & Friends Railcard: 1/3 discount on adult train tickets, 60% off children’s tickets
• Disabled Persons Railcard: 1/3 discount for you and a friend
• Veterans Railcard: 1/3 discount for UK military veterans
• Network Railcard (Southeast Only): 1/3 discount for travel in London and the South-East of England

If you plan to travel by train a lot in the UK, consider buying a RailCard that will save you 1/3 off all fares. This is the ultimate money saving hack if you travel often enough, and it can even be linked to an Oyster Card to be used for London Tube journeys!

Buy through TrainPal and you can use the discount code HAPPYTOWANDER to save 33% off your RailCard!

So let’s move onto our next consideration which is…

Standard Tickets vs. Rail Passes

If you are only booking a few train journeys during your time in the UK, the best option is most likely to just buy tickets for the journeys you’re taking.

Generally, the best way to get a deal is just booking early enough to nab an Advance ticket.

Other potential discounts include…

• Age-based discounts: Kids under 5 ride free for instance, and children from 5-15 get 50% off
• Group discounts: Groups of 3-9 adults can get 1/3 off off-peak fares through Group Save

If you can’t book in advance though, a potential cost saver could be a rail pass of some kind.

If you are a tourist (i.e. you don’t live in the UK), you plan on doing frequent trips, particularly day trips, and you need some room for spontaneity and prefer to not book everything in advance, then there are two options.

For travel in a smaller area, some regions offer ‘ Ranger and Rover Tickets’ that give you unlimited travel within a set area and time period. You can browse a full list of those here.

As a tourist however (i.e. someone who isn’t a UK resident), you can also buy a BritRail Pass. 

These passes allow you to pay a set rate for a number of travel days, on which you can take as many trains as you want. I’ve used these in the past and found them to be amazing value if you need spontaneity.

If you are travelling to other countries in Europe, it may be worth getting a Eurail Pass , also known as an Interrail Pass when you’re a resident of Europe.

Used properly, these passes can save you a lot of money, but only in certain situations so for more information on that, be sure to read my full Eurail review.

BONUS TIP: If you are travelling between the same destinations frequently, it may be worth looking into a Season Ticket , which gives you unlimited travel between two places.

If you choose to buy just standard tickets and not a rail pass, then another consideration is…

 Anytime vs Off-Peak vs Advance

When you go to buy National Rail tickets, there are generally three types of tickets you can buy with differing flexibility (and therefore cost).

Anytime Tickets offer the most flexibility. With them, you can travel on any train, any time, on the chosen route, without restrictions. As such, they are the most expensive, but are ideal for those who need a flexible schedule.

Advance Tickets are often the most budget-friendly option. True to their name, you must book them in advance, especially because there is a limited number of them so booking in advance is essential. With Advance tickets, you are tied a specific train and departure time. NOTE: All Advance tickets are sold as single tickets.

Off-Peak Tickets are slightly more flexible than Advance Tickets and cheaper than Anytime tickets. They restrict you to travel during ‘off-peak’ (i.e. less busy) periods, generally weekends, public holidays, and mid-morning, mid-afternoon and later evening on weekdays. There are sometimes even cheaper Super Off-Peak Tickets for more limited time windows.

So, which of these ticket types should you go for?

• If you need optimal flexibility and don’t mind paying extra, get an Anytime Ticket
• If you need some flexibility, but can travel in off-peak periods, get an Off-Peak Ticket
• If you want the cheapest possible ticket, can plan well in advance, and don’t mind being restricted to a certain train/time, get an Advance Ticket

As for how to find these different ticket types, by default, both the National Rail website and 3rd parties like Trainline should try to show you the cheapest option first, so if an Advance Ticket is available, that’s the one that they’ll show you.

If you’d prefer the flexibility of an Off-Peak or Anytime Ticket, then you can click “Other Tickets” to show the other options. This is what that looks like on the National Rail website for instance:

And on Trainline, you can click “Compare all available ticket types” at the bottom of your search results to show a very cool table that compares your different options:

NOTE: Advance tickets generally go on sale 12 weeks before travel, with Anytime & Off-Peak tickets sometimes going on sale a little earlier… SO beware that you’re not trying to plan too far in advance, because then you might only see the pricier anytime & off-peak tickets as the advance tickets are not yet available.

In any case, besides being cheaper, I’m a huge fan of travelling off-peak periods just because the trains are less busy, so you’re more likely to find space to sit/store your bags.

The last thing you want to do is get stuck in a commuter rush, especially if you have the luxury of choice, so travel at off-peak times whenever possible.

Single vs. Return 

Alright now the next consideration is whether you’re buying a single or Return.

Advance Tickets are only ever available in Singles.

However, Off-Peak and Anytime Tickets can often be cheaper if you commit to a roundtrip fare. Annoyingly though, this will depend on your exact route/trains, which is why I like using Trainline to compare options.

If cost is a big factor for you, definitely compare different options because sometimes a roundtrip off-peak can work out cheaper than two Advance Singles.

For instance, one time I got confused and bought two singles for my day trip to Stratford Upon Avon and ended up paying 50% more for a ticket that was LESS flexible than the one I got. So much regret! 

Split Tickets vs Regular Tickets

Further adding to the confusion is the fact that sometimes, it’s cheaper to buy two split tickets for one journey rather than a single one. This doesn’t change your journey at all – you basically just have separate tickets for one ride, so depending on when the inspector comes around, you have to show them a different ticket. This can be an easy way to save a bit of money.

Split tickets are part of the reason why I like using Trainline . They find these split ticket deals for me automatically and I can buy both at once, so it’s no different to buying a normal ticket – just a bit cheaper!

Another alternative for finding split tickets is TrainPal. Their main selling point is they don't charge a booking fee and they also track the carbon emissions from your trip and allow you to participate in tree planting projects within their app.

Use the code HAPPYTOWANDER for 33% off Railcards & 5% off for EUR/UK rail tickets for new customers and 2% off for existing customers.

NOTE: When choosing your journey, always prioritize direct connections or routes that make fewer stops. These will usually cost more, but trust me, it’s worth every penny! Transfers are simple enough when trains run on time, but as soon as you’re hit with a delay, that can disrupt your entire journey and make things 100x more stressful.

1st vs 2nd class on UK Trains

Is splurging on 1st class worth it on UK trains? Honestly, this depends on your journey length and the type of train you’re hopping on.

With regional and shorter distance trains, the difference between 1st and 2nd class in the UK is fairly minimal, and (in my opinion) not worth the extra cost, unless your company is paying, or you really want to guarantee yourself a seat in a quieter area with a bit more leg room.

With longer distance Intercity trains however, 1st class often comes with additional perks like complimentary food and drink, along with roomier and comfier seats that may be worth it for a long journey.

So, to decide whether or not 1st class is worth it, be sure to research if there are any good 1st class perks on your particular train.

The next consideration is…

Reserved vs. Unreserved seats

In the UK, reserved seats tend to only be mandatory for longer distance journeys. In these cases, the obligation to make a reservation will be clear when you buy your ticket.

If given a choice, some considerations for which reserved seat to book might be…

• Seat position: Window is more ideal for wistfully staring out at the world, aisle gives you a bit more leg room/freedom
• Direction of travel: Some seats may be facing backwards so if that bothers you, plan accordingly. Beware however that sometimes trains reverse directions on a route.
• Quiet zones: These are special carriages where you’re not meant to play music/use your phone at a loud volume or have loud conversations. Perfect if you want some peace for your journey!

Alright with your tickets booked it’s time to move onto the day of your journey, with…

Step Three: Get Snacks

On the day of your journey, I highly recommend you get some food and drink to bring with you on the train (especially for longer trips). This is completely allowed on UK trains, and you can even BYOB .

While there are some refreshment options on board with long distance trains, they tend to be fairly limited and pricey, so getting your own gives you more control. On most shorter distance trains, there are no options for buying food or drink on board at all.

So, at the very least, I’d get some water or something to drink. There’s often great options even at the train station itself, including many chains that offer the almighty Meal Deal.

As I mention in my England travel tips & Scotland travel tips articles, Meal Deals are a UK staple that consists of getting a main course, snack and drink for less than £5. Great for a budget-friendly to-go meal.

Now let’s move onto… 

Step Four: Arrive at the Station 

Train stations in England vary a LOT in terms of size and design. You’ll have everything from tiny stops in the countryside with only one platform to massive, grand, stations with champagne bars, shops, and public pianos. 

If you’re anxious about the station you’re travelling to/from, there’s a handy tool provided by National Rail that allows you to view station plans and amenities here.

There are some overarching themes and considerations though. 

First, when you get to the station’s main concourse, your priority is finding out which platform your train is on. Sometimes, these platforms aren’t announced until the train arrives, which can create a bit of a tense/stressful environment where everyone is just staring up at the board, waiting to see the platform number come up.

NOTE: Sometimes apps like Trainline will tell you before the board even changes, which gives you an extra advantage in the Hunger Games of boarding.

But in any case, if your platform hasn’t been announced yet, the key is to hang tight and be ready when the number does come up.

Remember, when looking at the board, trains will not necessarily say your destination, but rather the final destination of the train, so if you don’t see the name of where YOU’RE travelling to, don’t panic.

Look for the time and train number, and (when available) the list of stops to see if your destination is listed, then figure it out from there.

Next, it’s time to…

Step Five: Get to the Platform 

Platform numbers will generally be very well marked so just look up for signs before making your way.

Be sure to have your ticket handy, as many stations will have fare gates where you’ll need to scan your ticket to get on the platform (or get a staff member to let you through manually).

Now where do you put/scan your ticket? This can sometimes be unnecessarily confusing, and depends on whether you have a digital or physical ticket.

For physical paper tickets, look for a slot to insert it, like this:

For digital tickets, look for a fare gate that has a special digital scanner for barcodes. Beware that not all fare gates have them, and some might only have a contactless pad for cards or slots for paper tickets.

Here’s a confusing example from London, where there’s three potential places to tap/scan depending on what kind of ticket you have:

When you get onto your platform, double check it’s correct by confirming either on a platform screen or on the side of the train that you’re in the right place before proceeding to find your carriage.

Be sure to look on the board for any special notes (i.e. you should sit in the first 5 coaches if you are getting off at x stop).

Next up, it’s time to…

Step Six: Find Your Carriage 

If you have a reserved seat, then you’ll need to take some extra steps to make sure you get to the correct carriage once the train arrives.

Some UK trains can be very long, so if you have a seat reservation, make sure you’re standing in the right part of the platform to get onto your carriage.

With reserved seats, a handy thing to look out for is some kind of platform/carriage plan that tells you which part of the platform to stand on depending on your carriage number. Some companies like Avanti West Coast even make these plans available online here.

When in doubt though, you can always ask a staff member.

If you do not have an assigned seat, then you simply need to board a carriage in the right class, then pick a free seat.

When picking a carriage to board, pay special attention to…

• The class number of the carriage (you may only board the class you’ve booked for)
• Whether they are special carriages meant for a certain purpose e.g quiet zone

If you don’t have a reserved seat, then usually I find the farther you walk, the emptier the carriages will be. 

Once you find or choose your carriage, then it’s time to hop on board.

If the door isn’t opening then look for a button like this <> and press it. This goes for the train doors as well as carriage doors. 

Now it’s time for…

Step Seven: Find Your Seat 

First off, if your seat is assigned, try to make sure you go in through the correct door closest to your seat.

Long distance trains will usually write the seat numbers on the corresponding door, like so:

If you have large bags, keep an eye out for large luggage racks when you enter. These will usually be found on the ends of the carriages.

With smaller bags/suitcases, there is usually space above your seat for it, or sometimes under and between seats, as marked.

If you don’t have a reservation, before sitting down, make sure your seat isn’t reserved and make sure you’re not taking up a priority space if the train is looking full.

Train reservations in the UK can either be marked on electronic screens or (in more old school cases) paper slips attached to the seat.

In any case, make sure to read the routes that the seats are reserved for.

The red lights may seem ominous but sometimes the seats are only reserved for a partial journey OR sometimes they are even just leftover reservations from the last journey, and the train just hasn’t changed them over yet.

So, if the stated reservation doesn’t overlap with your journey, it should be fair game!

Now finally, onto…

Step Eight: Get Comfortable and Enjoy the Journey!

Once you’re all settled, you’re now in a good place to enjoy some of the hidden features and amenities of your train.

Okay, I say “hidden”, but what I mean is they’re easy to miss, especially if it’s your first time on board a UK train.

So, be on the look out for…

Coat hooks: These can be found on the wall next to your seat – sometimes they may need to be pulled out. You can leave coats, scarves, etc. on those.

Storage space: Usually there is some space above your seat for you to store small bags or coats.

Plugs: Most trains will have an area to charge electronics. Sometimes they are clearly visible on the wall, other times they are hidden between two seats.

WiFi: Most trains will have WiFi available although quality is questionable depending on where you are.

Bathrooms: And of course, don’t forget to look for the on-board bathrooms (which are free). They’re typically found at the ends of carriages.

Now, as you get comfy, keep your ticket, RailCard, and ID handy in case controllers come on board. Depending on the route, you may not always get checked by a controller, but it’s good to be prepared just in case.

And then, just sit back and enjoy the journey!

Now after your journey is complete, it’s onto…

Step Nine: Disembark

If you are not getting off at the end destination, then start prepping for disembarkation about 10 min before your arrival time. This gives you plenty of time to gather your belongings and bags in a rational, non-crazed manner.

I like to keep an eye on my location via Google Maps so I have a rough idea of how far I am from my stop.

NOTE: The term “alight here” is often used on UK trains. It basically means, “get off here” and is often used in the context of “alight here for x connection, or x place”.

Make sure you memorize the name of the stop you’re meant to get off at because most major UK cities have multiple train stations and it gets a little confusing once you’re in the city.

Upon arrival, if the door isn’t opening then again look for a button with the <> open symbol.

Once the doors are open, be careful getting off the train as there’s often a gap/step.

To navigate your way off the platform and onwards to wherever you need to go, keep an eye out for signs that will point you in the right direction.

If you are transferring onto another train, look around for big signs pointing to different platform numbers. If it’s a tight connection (10 min or less) you may want to speed walk or run, depending on how big the station is.

NOTE: Remember, you’re on a train platform, so to reach other platforms you’ll sometimes need to either go via a tunnel underground or a bridge above ground. Keep an eye out for stairs/an elevator so you’re not panicking to find ways to reach your next platform.

If this is your final destination, then beware that you might need to take your ticket out again for scanning at the fare gates. If you have any trouble, then you can also get a staff member to let you through manually (assuming your ticket is valid, and it’s simply a tech issue rather than an awkward ‘fare evasion’ issue, of course).

As you complete the journey to your final destination, remember that your train ticket is usually only valid for that specific train you boarded, so you won’t be able to use it for onward travel on the local public transport network, so you may need to purchase an additional ticket to get to your hotel.

Lastly, take note that in the UK, with many companies if the train is more than 15 minutes delayed (which they often can be), you are entitled to compensation.

This is through a program called ‘Delay Repay’ that is handled by each individual train company, so Google “your train company + delay compensation” to find the step by step details.

I Hope This Step by Step Guide on Taking Trains in the UK was Helpful!

Let me know in the comments if you have any more questions. 

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

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🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights : For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

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Line closure in the Aldershot area The line between Aldershot and Guildford will be closed for two days, Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 May. Rail replacement bus services will run between Aldershot and Guildford. Line closure in the Salisbury area Lines in the Salisbury area will be closed from late evening on Saturday 4 May until mid-morning on Sunday 5 May. Rail replacement bus services will run between Andover, Salisbury and Gillingham. Line closure in the Reading area The lines between Bracknell and Reading will be closed on Sunday 5 May. Rail replacement buses will run between Bracknell and Reading. Great Western Railway services between Wokingham and Reading will also be affected by this work. Please see their publicity for details.

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What is Labour’s plan for rail travel and will it make tickets cheaper?

Party wants to fully nationalise train network within five years of coming to power, in ‘biggest rail reform for a generation’

Labour has made one of its most radical proposals yet in the run-up to an election campaign: to fully nationalise the train network within five years of coming to power.

The party has pledged to guarantee the cheapest fares as part of “the biggest reform of our railways for a generation”, bringing all passenger rail into national ownership under the Great British Railways (GBR) body.

So, how difficult would the plan be to enact and what does it mean for passengers?

How would Labour’s plan for Great British Railways change the way the trains are run?

The headline change is nationalisation: the ambition that all passenger train operations, at least, should return to public ownership. But the wider aim is that control of trains and tracks – “wheels and steel”, as some put it – is brought back under one unified structure, at arm’s length from the government.

The actual railway infrastructure is already managed by the state-owned Network Rail, since the disastrous tenure of Railtrack in the early days of privatisation, and train operations in Scotland, Wales and a large chunk of England are in public ownership. So a fully renationalised railway (bar the rolling stock and freight) is not as big a step as it may once have sounded – and arguably the pragmatic extension of the plans drawn up by the Conservatives in 2021, to end the fragmentation and waste in the system.

How long will the changes take?

Labour said it would get the ball rolling on day one. Given the years it has taken for the Conservatives’ GBR plans to crystallise into a draft bill that has scant chance of passing before an election, supporters of the changes would be forgiven for not holding their breath for legislation. But some of the spadework has been done by the GBR transition team, and Labour will be hoping for a more stable tenancy in Downing Street to see the policy through. It is, it stresses, a long-term plan.

As far as nationalisation of the train operators goes, most of the contracts of remaining operators will expire naturally within the next term, while the government can exercise break clauses in others, such as Avanti West Coast and Cross Country.

What would the trains look like?

Eventually, they would all be GBR-branded trains rather than the individual liveries and logos of different operators. Labour hopes that this will make things simpler for passengers, avoiding confusion over ticketing, as well as cutting costs.

Would it make train travel cheaper?

Possibly, but not for a while yet. Labour says it wants to make the railway more affordable but has definitively avoided any pledges to cut or even freeze the overall level of fares.

However, it believes that its plans will eventually save £2.2bn a year by avoiding the duplication and bureaucracy brought on by the current system, where the Department for Transport tightly controls and specifies contracts for the private firms, and reams of staff are employed in back-end roles. That could give ministers some scope to use more of the billions in annual taxpayer subsidy to bring fares down long-term.

What about this best-price guarantee?

Make that an “ambition”, according to the policy document . It’s testament to the complexity, or occasional absurdity, of UK rail fares that even after years of industry focus on improving the system, renationalising looks an easier promise than telling a passenger they’ve paid the right amount.

Things can be improved, Labour says, as contactless tap-in and tap-out payments extend through more and more of the country, opening up the possibility of a Transport for London-style system, where fares are streamlined and automatically capped or refunded.

The shadow transport secretary, Louise Haigh, pointedly chose the headquarters of Trainline in central London to launch her plans on Thursday, paying tribute to the travel app firm’s “relentless focus on passengers [and] improving their experience”. Trainline shares fell 10%, even though Labour says it has no plans to replace the private firm with a single state retailer.

But given that the app’s business depends on people paying extra to cut through the railway’s confusing fares, fragmentation and lack of a decent central ticketing site, Trainline shareholder nerves might be taken as a vote of confidence that GBR will improve the industry’s own offering.

How else might passengers benefit?

Labour says it would leave the running of the railway to the experts – but the transport secretary would set strategy and take on the role of passenger-in-chief, and the industry would not be “marking its own homework”.

The plan aims to strengthen the voice of passengers by rolling together the various bodies currently meant to be standing up for them – the watchdog Transport Focus and the little-known Rail Ombudsman, as well as a few divisions of the Office of Rail and Road.

What will happen to the private operators?

Their representatives at Rail Partners warn that it will be “messy” and the railway will lose their expertise. But the people actually running train operators, right up to the managing directors, have typically stayed in post with a different coloured badge when the owning groups moved on, and passengers at say, Southeastern or LNER may not feel life is very different. Firms once regarded as pillars of privatised rail such as Stagecoach, National Express (now Mobico) and Virgin have long exited UK rail already, pursuing business elsewhere.

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Map reveals where new rail routes could be introduced across the UK

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New and more frequent rail services could be on the way for millions of Brits, as independent operators roll out plans to launch extra trains around the country.

The Scottish city of Stirling and Carmarthen in south-west Wales are among the places that may soon have direct links to London under proposals from prospective open-access company Grand Union Trains (GUT).

It’s just one of several operators hoping to fill gaps in timetables and give rail travel a boost – while also offering lower fares.

They’ve been backed by the UK government , which says the rise of open access gives customers more choice and increases passenger numbers.

Rail minister Huw Merriman said: ‘It’s not just a question of us having rail operators compete with each other.

‘There’s an opportunity for rail to take passengers that may otherwise fly or indeed drive.

‘Open access is such a positive.’

Mr Merriman added: ‘There’s no industrial action on open-access operators, perhaps because it’s a fresher way of working with the workforce rather than on an old rule book basis.’

During recent rail strikes, companies like Lumo and Grand Central have been able to continue running services due to their separate status.

GUT is also consulting on a possible service between Edinburgh and Cardiff. There is currently no direct route connecting the Scottish and Welsh capitals.

Other would-be open-access operators include Go-Op, which aims to run services between Taunton and both Weston-super-Mare and Swindon, and Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway, which hopes to create a route between London Euston and Wrexham.

Lumo also plans to extend its route between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh to reach Glasgow, while FirstGroup wants to launch a service between the same London terminus and Sheffield.

What is an open-access rail operator?

Most of the major rail operators in the UK are either owned or paid management fees by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments.

LNER, Scotrail, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and many, many others fall into this category.

But the tracks can also be used by open-access operators, which set their own fares, take full commercial risk, and don’t receive any taxpayer-funded subsidies.

They include companies like Lumo, Grand Central, Heathrow Express, Eurostar and Hull Trains – with several more due to spring up soon.

Proponents say the availability of these other options increases competition which drives down fares.

But critics argue that the companies are simply taking advantage of a ‘false economy’, and it would be better for passengers if the large operators just simplified their timetables.

Grand Central managing director Ian Yeowart said: ‘It’s not only good for passengers – as whether (the operators) survive depends on how good they are and what their customers think – but there are no handouts from the government.

‘Like every other business, if people don’t like it and don’t come, it won’t survive.’

But Gareth Dennis, an engineer who writes about the rail industry, said open-access services should not be permitted in the UK because of the complexity of fitting the trains into already crammed timetables.

He said: ‘The argument on the Continent for open access operators is that they provide competition, but there’s no meaningful competition on a rail network that’s as saturated as ours.

‘What you need is a simple, repetitive timetable that moves huge numbers of people.’

Mr Dennis argued that the operators could charge lower fares because they use depots that exist for other companies and can recruit staff that had been trained already rather than training their own.

He added: ‘It’s a false economy really.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected] .

For more stories like this, check our news page .

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Money latest: Morrisons shoppers are going to notice two changes in stores

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores offering travel money and trolleys now featuring advertisements. Read this and all the latest consumer and personal finance news below - and leave your thoughts in the box.

Thursday 25 April 2024 17:36, UK

• Halifax hikes mortgage rates - as entire market moves upwards
• Renters' Reform Bill signed off - but with indefinite delay to no-fault evictions ban
• Morrisons rolls out bureau de change and trolley adverts

Essential reads

• The world of dark tourism - what is it, is it ethical, and where can you go?
• Money Problem : I have a mortgage offer - will it change now rates are rising?
• Savings Guide : Why locking into fixed-rate bond could be wise move
• 'More important than a will': What are lasting power of attorneys and how much do they cost?
• Cheap Eats : Michelin chef's secret lasagne tip - and expensive ingredient you shouldn't use

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Halifax has become the latest major lender to up mortgage rates.

They are putting up a range of deals by 0.2%.

BM Solutions also announced increases today.

It follows similar moves by TSB, NatWest, Virgin, Barclays, Accord, Leeds Building Society, HSBC and Coventry last week.

Lenders are responding to swap rates - which dictate how much it costs to lend money - rising on the back of higher than expected US inflation data, and concerns this could delay interest rate cuts there. 

US trends often materialise elsewhere - though many economists are still expecting a base rate cut from 5.25% to 5% in the UK in June.

This is what average mortgage rates look like as of today...

Justin Moy, managing director of EHF Mortgages, told Newspage: "Yet more bad news for mortgage borrowers, as two of the biggest lenders announce increases to their fixed-rate products. 

"As mortgage rates creep up and past 5% even for those with the largest deposits, we seem to be lacking a clear strategy of the government or the Bank of England on how rates will eventually fall. 

"Even 2% inflation may not be enough to reverse the recent trends in rates."

Morrisons has launched two major changes for shoppers – with stores now offering travel money and trolleys featuring advertisements.

Announcing their bureau de change service, Morrisons said customers could exchange currencies in select stores or could place their money orders online at Morrisonstravelmoney.com.

Using the online service means customers can either click and collect their cash in certain Morrisons stores or at any of Eurochange's 240 branches. Alternatively, they can go for home delivery.

Services director at Morrisons, Jamie Winter, said the service "will provide our customers with easy access to a wide range of currencies at competitive exchange rates".

So far, stores in the following areas have travel money kiosks:

• Basingstoke

In other news, the supermarket chain rolled out a new trolley advertising across 300 stores in a partnership with Retail Media Group.

A sweetener used in drinks, sauces, savoury and sweet foods and chewing gum can cause serious damage to people's health, according to a new study.

Neotame, a "relatively new" sweetener, could damage the intestine by causing damage to healthy bacteria in the gut, according to the study, leading it to become diseased and attack the gut wall.

The study by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU), published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, found the negative effect of neotame "has the potential to influence a range of gut functions resulting in poor gut health", potentially impacting metabolic and inflammatory diseases, neuropathic pain, and neurological conditions.

The illnesses this could lead to include irritable bowel disease or insulin resistance.

Read the full story here ...

As we reported yesterday, a pilot programme is coming into force in Venice today that means visitors have to pay a €5 (£4.28) charge to enter the city.

Authorities say the pilot programme is designed to discourage tourists and thin the crowds that throng the canals during peak holiday season, making the city more liveable for residents.

Pictures have been emerging this morning of people queueing to register for a QR code that will allow them to enter after they have paid the charge - and officials carrying out checks on people inside the city.

People found to be contravening the rules can be fined up to €300 (£257).

As detailed in our story , the move has been met with anger among some in the city.

Venice is the first city in the world to introduce a payment system for tourists - but comments from its most senior tourist official suggested it may become a more common practice for major tourist hotspots in Europe.

Simone Venturini revealed the pilot programme was being closely watched by other places suffering from mass tourism - including other Italian art cities and hugely popular weekend-break destinations Barcelona and Amsterdam.

More than 160,000 people switched to Nationwide from other providers at the end of 2023, when the building society was offering a huge cash switching incentive.

According to figures from the Current Account Switch Service (CASS), Nationwide had a net gain of 163,363 account switchers between October and December, after leavers were taken into account.

It was the highest quarterly gain since the same period in 2022, when 111,941 switched to Nationwide.

The building society launched a £200 switching bonus for new joiners in September last year - the biggest giveaway on offer at the time. It withdrew the offer just before Christmas.

The latest CASS figures, which show Nationwide had 196,260 total gains before accounting for leavers, suggesting it could have spent up to £39m on nabbing customers from other providers in the last three months of the year.

Barclays and Lloyds Bank saw more modest net gains of 12,823 and 5,800 respectively, while the rest of the UK's big banks reported net losses.

NatWest and Halifax fared worst, losing over 40,000 more switchers each than they gained.

This week saw the last remaining switching offer on the market withdrawn.

Sainsbury's is having technical issues again - with shoppers taking to social media to say their deliveries have been delayed or cancelled.

The supermarket has been replying to customers saying: "I'm really sorry about the tech issues this morning. 

"We're aware of the situation and are working to sort it as quickly as possible. In the meantime, we'd advise you place a new order for a future date."

Customer Andrew Savage wrote: "Order has not been delivered and no confirmation email this morning."

Another, John B Sheffield, said: "So angry! Just got through to your customer line after 40 min WAIT. 

"Tells me NO DELIVERIES TODAY! tech problem? I've NO FOOD IN! ANGRY!"

In a statement to Sky News, a Sainsbury's spokesperson says: "A small technical issue affected some groceries online orders this morning. 

"We have contacted these customers directly to apologise for the inconvenience." 

In another update at 10am, the supermarket said that the issue has been resolved. 

Responding to customers on X, Sainsbury's also offered those affected e-vouchers and details on how to rebook their orders.

It comes a month after the supermarket had to cancel almost all deliveries on a Saturday in mid-March due to another technical issue.

By Daniel Binns, business reporter

A potential $38.8bn (£31bn) takeover of UK-based mining company  Anglo American  has sent its shares soaring - and helped the FTSE 100 hit yet another record high this morning.

The attempted mega-merger, by larger Australian rival BHP, is currently being reviewed by Anglo American's board.

The deal, if it goes through, would create the world's biggest copper mining company - and comes as the price of the metal continues to climb amid soaring demand.

Anglo American's shares have surged as high as 13% this morning as news of the negotiations emerged.

The announcement also helped spur the FTSE 100 to a new intraday (during the day) high of 8,098 points.

The index, of the London Stock Exchange's 100 most valuable companies, has hit a string of records this week, including  an all-time closing high of 8,044 points  on Tuesday.

The score is based on a calculation of the total value of the shares on the index.

Also moving the markets are a string of company results which were published earlier on Thursday.

Among those issuing updates to investors was drugsmaker AstraZeneca. Its stock is up more than 5% after the firm reported quarterly profit and revenue above market estimates.

Unilever is also up 5% following similar better-than-expected quarterly figures.

Another good performer is  Barclays  - despite reporting a 12% fall in profits for the first three months of 2024. Its shares are up more than 4%.

That's because its quarterly figures are slightly better than expected, and the bank has said it expects its fortunes to improve later this year.

Meanwhile, as tensions in the Middle East continue, the price of a barrel of Brent crude oil continues to hover at a price of around $88 (£70).

This morning £1 buys $1.25 US or €1.16, similar to yesterday.

Every week we get experts to answer your Money Problems - usually on a Monday, but today we have a short, bonus addition in light of multiple lenders raising mortgage rates this week on fears an interest rate cut could be delayed to a little later this year (note: many economists still think it will come in summer).

A few readers have got in touch with questions similar to this one...

My remortgage is due to complete on 1 May. I already have an offer but with rates going up, is there any way at all my offer rate could increase? Saz681

We asked David Hollingworth, director at L&C Mortgages, to answer this one...

It's great news that you are already set up with a mortgage offer, Saz - ready to make a smooth switch to a new deal and/or lender, once the current one ends.  

It does take time to set up a new mortgage so shopping around the market a good few months ahead will help you put everything in place and avoid slipping onto a high variable rate.

Fixed rates have been nudging up slightly but you have already got a formal offer in place so shouldn't worry.  

Applying for a mortgage will generally secure that rate and the lender will then carry out any further checks to issue the mortgage offer.  

The offer will be valid for a specified period, often for up to six months. Rates are always shifting for new customers but you can rest easy that your rate should be safe and sound for your switch in May.

This feature is not intended as financial advice - the aim is to give an overview of the things you should think about. Submit your dilemma or consumer dispute, leaving your name and where in the country you are, by emailing [email protected] with the subject line "Money blog". Alternatively, WhatsApp us  here .

By Ollie Cooper , Money team

Interest in a phenomenon known as "dark tourism" has been steadily rising in recent years - but what is it?

To find out, we've spoken with tourism academic  Dr Hayley Stainton  and renowned dark tourist and author Dr Peter Hohenhaus, who runs a  dark tourism website .

What is it?

In general, dark tourism involves travelling to sites connected to death or disaster.

"Dark tourism has been around for as long as we have been travelling to places associated with death," Dr Stainton says. 

However, the term wasn't officially coined until 1996 by John Lennon, a professor of tourism at Glasgow Caledonian University, in Scotland.

"Not everyone is familiar with the term," says Dr Stainton, "[but] many people have been a dark tourist at some time or another, whether intentional or not."

Some examples of the most famous sites

• Auschwitz concentration camp, Poland
• 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York, US
• Chernobyl, Ukraine 
• Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan
• Choeung Ek "killing fields" and the Tuol Sleng genocide museum at the former S-21 prison in Phnom Penh, Cambodia 

Areas with a degree of infamy, like Alcatraz, are extremely popular spots that also fall under the "dark tourism" umbrella. 

How popular is it?

Dr Hohenhaus and Dr Stainton say they have noticed a rise in its popularity. 

"Tourists are looking for more unique and unusual experiences," Dr Stainton says. 

"This has seen a move away from the more traditional 'sun, sea and sand' type holidays to a variety of different tourism forms, which includes dark tourism."

Dr Hohenhaus adds: "Maybe people want to connect to more recent and hence more personally relevant history - that is definitely the case with myself."

He goes on: "I think I've learned more about the world through dark tourism than through all of my formal education or my previous academic career."

Is it ethical?

This is the big question associated with dark tourism. 

Dr Stainton says that while problems do arise, the stigma around the practice is often misguided. 

"People don't visit sites like the killing fields in Cambodia or the site of Chernobyl for 'fun' - they visit for the educational experience, as dark tourism is often also a form of educational tourism," she says.

Problems arise when tourists are not respectful to those who may have been impacted.

"For instance, taking inappropriate photos or laughing and joking when others may be in a state of mourning."

Notorious examples include people taking selfies outside Grenfell Tower and at Auschwitz. 

"It is therefore imperative that dark tourists are considerate of those around them and respectful at all times," Dr Stainton says.

"As long as you are not just after a cheap sensationalist thrill - take dark tourism seriously and do it right, and it can be an immensely enriching thing to engage in."  Dr Hohenhaus

Where could you go? 

These are Dr Hohenhaus' recommendations:

• Ijen crater in Indonesia - where at night you can see the fabled blue flames of the sulphur mines next to the volcano crater lake;
• The Polygon, the former Semipalatinsk nuclear weapons test site of the USSR, now in Kazakhstan;
• The Goli Otok former prison island off the coast of Croatia;
• The Murambi memorial to the Rwandan genocide - which Dr Hohenhaus says is "certainly the very darkest place I have ever been";
• Majdanek concentration camp memorial near Lublin, eastern Poland.

What do you think of dark tourism? Is it misunderstood, educational or abhorrent?  Let us know in the comments section...

John Lewis will be sharing its job interview questions online in an attempt to find the "best talent".

The retail chain hopes that allowing candidates to view questions before an interview will allow prospective employees to "really demonstrate what they can do" and prepare, the Financial Times reports.

John Lewis talent acquisition lead Lorna Bullett told Sky News that interviews can feel daunting and "nerves can seriously impact performance".

She added the company want "the right people" from a variety of backgrounds and with "the best talent" to join.

"It makes absolute business sense to find ways of helping candidates to really demonstrate what they can do," she said.

Ms Bullett added that the process will be "no less rigorous".

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Heathrow Border Force strike: What does it mean for your flight?

More than 300 pcs union members plan to walk out from 29 april to 2 may, article bookmarked.

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Hundreds of UK Border Force officers at Heathrow airport plan to strike for four days over what their union calls “an unworkable new roster system”.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union has called the walk-out of members working for UK Border Force over new rosters that it claims “would see around 250 of them forced out of their jobs at passport control”.

Members voted by a margin of 9-1 in favour of industrial action over the issue.

The stoppage, involving more than 300 PCS members, is scheduled for 29 April to 2 May . It will involve UK Border Force offices working on passport control in all four Heathrow terminals.

These are the key questions and answers.

What is the dispute about?

At the root of the dispute is a controversial new rostering system.

The PCS union says planned alterations to shift patterns “would have a detrimental effect on all the current staff and leave nearly 250 without a job on passport control, including many with disabilities or caring responsibilities”.

The union says: “If they refuse to accept the new contracts, they would be forced to seek jobs elsewhere in the Home Office .”

Wasn’t a similar strike called off?

Yes. In late March the PCS union told the Home Office it had called a strike from 11 to 14 April, at the end of the school holidays for many families. But in what the union called “a spirit of collaboration”, the PCS called off the walk-out a week before it was due to start .

At the time the union’s general secretary, Fran Heathcote, warned: “This does not end the dispute. It is an opportunity for the Home Office to demonstrate they are genuinely seeking a resolution.”

But she later called the new strike, saying: “The Home Office should be doing all it can to retain experienced, trained staff – not lose them by introducing an unworkable new roster system.”

What are the possible effects?

Since UK Border Force staff routinely check only arrivals at airports, rather than departures, the initial impact of the walk-out will be on people landing from abroad at Britain’s busiest airport.

But no one can predict exactly what will happen – especially when flights arrive containing a substantial proportion of passengers who need to be examined by officials.

Were large numbers to build up in the immigration hall of one or more terminals, it is conceivable that airlines would be ordered to delay disembarking new flights to avoid overcrowding.

Such an instruction could feed through to delays, with departing passengers unable board those planes on schedule. There could conceivably be cancellations of some departures.

But the strikes in December 2022 did not have a significant effect.

What does the government say?

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed with the union’s decision to strike but remain open to discussing a resolution with PCS union.

“The changes we are implementing will bring the working arrangements for Border Force Heathrow staff in line with the way staff work at other ports, provide them with more certainty on working patterns, and improve the service to the travelling public.

“Keeping our borders secure remains our top priority and we have robust plans in place to minimise any potential disruption.”

What mitigation plans does UK Border Force have?

The Home Office may use techniques as deployed during the last walk-out by UK Border Force in December 2022.

Military personnel and civil servant volunteers were trained to replace the staff who normally check the passports of arriving passengers.

They were not able to provide the same level of service. But the hope among ministers and managers is that with many arrivals able to use eGates, excessive waits can be avoided.

In addition, it is possible that new Minimum Service Level legislation could be used to require a certain proportion of union members to work.

The Independent has asked the Home Office for a response.

What are my rights if my flight is disrupted?

Cash compensation will not be payable, because the issue is beyond the airlines’ control. But they have a duty of care to provide an alternative flight as soon as possible, as well as meals and, if necessary, accommodation while you wait.

Are other strikes threatened at Heathrow?

Yes: 50 aircraft refuellers working at Heathrow airport will walk out for 72 hours from 4 May in a dispute over terms and conditions for new staff. They work for AFS Aviation, which refuels aircraft for Virgin Atlantic , Emirates and Singapore Airlines.

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Labour’s rail nationalisation plan won’t end rip-off ticket prices for years

The party is pledging major reforms that will improve rail travel for passengers, but this could take years to implement in full.

Rail passengers may have to wait years before they see an end to “rip-off” ticket prices under major reforms proposed by Labour to the rail network.

The party has pledged to set the ball rolling on renationalising the UK’s rail system within weeks of entering office, should it win the general election, with plans for a new Railways Act due to be included in a potential Labour government’s first King’s Speech.

Under the measures, Labour has promised to deliver “clear improvements” for passengers, including plans to introduce a “best-price guarantee” , such as that used by Transport for London, which ensures passengers pay the lowest possible amount for tickets when making contactless payments.

But the full roll-out of such a promise is unlikely to be possible until all the rail franchise contracts expire and are brought under public control by around 2029 and the different rail networks can be aligned.

This means that any ticket-price guarantee, for example, could not be implemented in full until the entire network had been taken back into public control. Labour sources added that such a policy was an “ambition” rather than a firm promise.

A source told i : “The more franchises that come under public ownership, the quicker you can begin to deliver for passengers.”

Labour’s transport team believes the renationalisation plans will usher in a bright new future for rail, which will appeal to voters currently forced to suffer the constant delays and cancellations of many rail services.

Polling by Focaldata for campaign group 38 degrees and shared with i shows that renationalising the railways remains a highly popular policy with the public, with two-thirds – 66 per cent – of voters saying they support bringing franchises back into public ownership when contracts end.

Under its vision for rail, a newly renationalised network will enable passengers to receive automatic delay and cancellation refunds, better integration of timetables, ticketing and fares across the network, digital season tickets and, ambitiously, better mobile phone connectivity on trains, “including moving towards 5g”.

But serious doubts remain as to whether Labour’s promises will meet with the thorny reality of bringing a major rail network back under public control.

Rail industry figures have warned that nationalising rail for the first time in 30 years will be fraught with difficulties and unintended consequences that could lead to a poorer service for passengers and major costs to the taxpayer.

For many, the memory of the beleaguered, perennially late British Rail has left the industry with significant doubts as to the benefits of renationalising the railways once again.

A senior figure in the rail industry told i : “Ending private-sector franchises will be contentious for a lot of people in the sector. Passenger operations are a mix at the moment; a few privatised services have gone back into public ownership because the commercial side of the deals fell through, particularly during Covid.

“We need to understand how bringing them all into public ownership will drive the best benefits for passengers and the taxpayer. I can see the point that if we go back to a British Rail-type model, then costs may escalate. Many people in the industry would prefer to see a public-private blend. And we need to understand how public-sector passenger operations will work together with private-sector freight services.”

Andy Bagnall, chief executive of Rail Partners, which represents train operators and freight group, said train companies that have been effectively renationalised in the wake of the pandemic have been “subject to a level of micromanagement by government not even seen under British Rail”.

And he warned that by bringing rail back on to the public’s books raises the prospect of it being pitted against other major public spending departments for future funding.

“Over time, the increased costs to the taxpayer of nationalisation due to the loss of commercial focus from private train companies will lead to either reduced train services or increased subsidy,” Mr Bagnall said. “That means rail competing for funding with other public services like the NHS. Historically, British Rail often lost this battle.”

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