What are the advantages of travelling by train?

There are many reasons why it’s a great idea to take to the rails. Whether you want to save money, save yourself the stress of driving or help the planet, there’s always a good excuse to have a trip. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of travelling by train:

1. You can sit back and relax

One of the main advantages of travelling by train is that someone else is doing the difficult bit, which is driving! You don’t have to worry about pulling over for a break or what happens if nature calls.

All you have to do is take a seat, sit back and watch the scenery roll by.

2. Sometimes the scenery is just better!

Sometimes the railway can get to places that roads can’t reach. Modern motorways are usually built to be efficient and to avoid any natural obstacles, while railways have been around much longer. They usually work with the landscape around them, and manage to get through places where a road would struggle. For example, the main A1 road from Edinburgh to Newcastle goes through the centre of Northumberland, while the railway gives you breathtaking sea views:

Plus, one of the big advantages of travelling by train is that you can sit back and enjoy the views. You don’t need to also stay focused on the road and everyone else around you!

3. It can be better value for money

We know that the railway can be expensive. Not every journey at every time is going to be cheap, and we won’t pretend that it is. That said, it isn’t as difficult as you’d think to find a bargain. Do you want to go from Leeds to Manchester tomorrow morning? Sure, let’s take a look at the prices:

Sure, the fastest train is fairly expensive, but it’s just £8.20 to take a slightly slower one. Plus, 1hr 17min is still fairly competitive with the time it’d take to drive – without the need to find and pay for a parking space.

Many people are eligible for a Railcard too. This gives you a third off rail fares. We’ve also compiled a list of discounts you can use if you’re not able to use one.

4. You can have a bite to eat on the move

Another of the advantages of travelling by train is the fact that you can grab a bite to eat whenever you like. You could take a packed lunch, buy something at the station or even get something on the move.

If you’re travelling with LNER for example, you can use their ‘Let’s Eat at Your Seat‘ service to order food. Just scan a QR code on the back of your seat, type in where you’re seated and someone will bring it to you.

Travelling in First Class? Some companies will wine and dine you at no extra cost. Take a look at our guide to the best First Class trains to see what to expect.

5. It’s easy to stay connected

No matter whether you’re in a car, on a plane or on a coach, it isn’t exactly easy to be productive. On a plane, you need to turn on flight mode (unless you’re willing to pay for expensive WiFi – if it’s available at all) and coaches aren’t exactly spacious.

Just about every train offers some sort of free WiFi, and data signal on the railway is always improving. One of the main advantages of travelling by train is the space, too. You can easily pop your laptop on the table and get some work done (or browse!)

6. Trains are better for the planet

It’s true! It’s much better for the planet compared to driving, and even better if you take a train instead of a short-haul flight.

In fact, it’s between 66 and 75% more efficient to take the train. You can found out more about the environmental impact here.

7. In most cases, it’s faster!

As the old British Rail-era advert used to say, who’s ever heard of a train jam? Trains don’t get stuck in rush-hour traffic, and they’re able to hit speeds of up to 125mph (140 if you’re travelling between London and Ashford). Speed is another of the main advantages of travelling by train.

Let’s take a look at some journeys and see how they match up to the car:

• Newcastle to Leeds takes around 1h30m by train, but can take up to 2h30m in the car
• Going from Manchester to Edinburgh? That’s 3h15m on the train, and up to 5hrs in the car
• Bristol to Birmingham is about 1h20m on the train, but the car can take up to 2h20m

It can be even slower in rush hour. Let’s not even think about trying to drive into Central London, either!

_{Times were taken on 28 Jun 2023 from Google Maps, assuming a departure time of 11am and taking the fastest available route.}

8. You can get up and stretch your legs

If you’re on a train, it’s easy to get up and nip for a leg stretch. You can walk to the buffet car, nip to the loo or go and make a phone call. Coaches are a bit of a squeeze, and the seatbelt sign can come on at any time if you’re flying.

9. You can be flexible

It’s possible to buy flexible train tickets that don’t tie you to a specific train. Sure, these can be expensive if you want to buy one in the ‘prime’ commuting hours, but they can still be great value during Off-Peak times and at weekends.

Most of them allow you to break your journey, so you can hop on and off as you please for as long as your ticket is valid, so long as you keep travelling in the same direction. Popping to see some friends on the way home, or just in need of some fresh air? No problem.

10. You’re covered if things go wrong

If your train is delayed, then you’re covered by Delay Repay. Usually, it kicks in after 30 minutes, but some companies will compensate you for as little as 15 minutes delay. These days, it’s as simple as sending in a picture of your ticket and filling in a quick online form.

Missed a connection? No problem, just jump on the next train. If your ticket was for a specific train or company, you should aim for that company, but sometimes there’ll be ticket acceptance to get you home quicker. If you have a separate ticket for each train, you’re still covered, so long as you left enough time between them (usually five minutes, but up to 15 at the biggest stations).

No matter what, the National Rail Conditions of Travel say that companies must do everything they can to make sure you’re not left stranded.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some inspiration? We’ve written lots of content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you.

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

^{_{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 17:00 28/06/23. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

The post 10 Advantages of travelling by train appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Know what ticket you need

When it comes to first-time train travel, you’ll know that you need a ticket to get on the train! So, what kind of tickets can you buy?

• Advance tickets are specific to the train you book. You can’t refund them, but when you book at SmartSplit, we’ll let you change them to a different train without any admin fees.
• Anytime tickets are the most expensive but they give you the most freedom. You can travel at any time! The price doesn’t change, either
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are somewhat flexible. Usually, they’ll mean that you can’t travel during the morning and/or evening rush hour. Some Super Off-Peak tickets are only valid at weekends, too.

This is the basic run-down, but there’s a little more to it if you’re interested. We’ve got our very own guide to tickets for that.

First-time train travel, First Class?

Sometimes, it pays to travel First Class. It could only be a little more expensive, and you might get fed, too! For a first-time train travel experience, it sounds idyllic.

But, be smart about this. If you’re travelling from one end of the country to the other, you’ll probably get a better seat and some food and drink. Travelling around the South East or on a local hop? There might be no difference other than the price.

We’ve done the legwork for you, though. Take a look at our ranking of every First Class product on trains in Great Britain.

3. Pack smarter!

Okay, so you’ve booked a ticket and decided where you’re going. Now you need to pack. There are a couple of rules, but it’s all common-sense really. Don’t pack more than you can physically handle, for one. So, you can only bring three items with you! There are a few things you also can’t bring:

• Canoes, hang-gliders, surfboards, or anything else over one metre long
• Mopeds, motorcycles, motor scooters or motorised cycles
• Animals that might cause inconvenience or discomfort to others.

The big exception to this is Lumo trains. They’re a low-cost company with limited space, so they have some additional rules that you can find on their website.

We also took a trip around the country with a cabin-size suitcase to test out the best train for luggage. You can find more about that here!

4. Finding your train

One of the big fears about first-time train travel is whether you’ll find your train. It depends where you’re travelling from, for one! Most stations will have a screen on the platform and by the entrance to tell you where to go, though.

At bigger stations, like in London, your train might not have a platform displayed. Don’t worry, this just means it isn’t ready to board yet. When it’s ready, they’ll show the platform.

What about finding your seat? When a seat is reserved for you, it’ll have a carriage letter and seat number. Most trains these days have screens like these on:

These tells you the carriage letter and where the train is going. Simply jump on the right carriage and look for the seat numbers either above the seat or on it.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Railway staff know that passengers have questions. After all, they’re there to help! Don’t be afraid to ask if you’re unsure.

If you need a little extra help, that’s no problem. There’s a dedicated Passenger Assist service for people who might need mobility assistance or just some extra reassurance. We’ve produced a handy FAQ to tell you more here.

What else should I know about first-time train travel?

The last thing to remember is that you should book smarter, too. When you book your tickets with SmartSplit, you’ll never pay any extra fees.

In fact, we’ll never charge an admin fee if you need to refund or change your tickets. Because why should you pay more when the unexpected happens?

The post Our top tips for first-time train travel appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

How can I prepare for family train trips?

Family train trips are exciting stuff! But you want to make sure that you have everything you need before you go. You’ll also want to make sure that everything is well-planned and that you’re getting the best value for money.

Ticket types

When you’re planning family train trips, it’s important to consider how long the journey is going to be and how you’d like to treat it. Are you happy to stay on the train all the way to your destination, or would you prefer to have the option to jump off and have an explore and leg stretch on the way?

If you’re happy to stay on board the whole way, then cheaper Advance train tickets are the way to go. If you’d prefer to be able to hop on and off, then Anytime, Off-Peak and Super-Off-Peak are the best option. Simply click the ticket names to find out more about them!

We’ve also produced a list of some cheap train tickets that you might not have realised exist!

What to bring

When you’re planning family train trips, there’s a few things you’ll want to bring. You could be able to travel light if it’s a day trip, but certain things are always a must:

• Snacks/picnic depending on whether you want to buy food on board
• Power bank to charge devices in an emergency
• Lightweight blanket for napping on long journeys
• Change of clothes, especially for your little ones!
• Sickness tablets if you think they might get queasy on the trip
• Devices to keep the little ones and not-so-little ones amused!
• Games or activities. Take a look at the collection we’ve put together below!

Just remember: It’s important to pack light where you can, too! Some trains have limited luggage space, and you’ll need to be able to manage the little that you bring without any assistance.

How much will it cost for family train trips?

When you’re planning family train trips, you’ll want to know that it’s affordable. If you’re travelling more than a couple of times a year (or even just once!) then a Family & Friends Railcard is likely to be the best option. On this Railcard, you’ll have two nominated adults (a cardholder and another lead passenger).

So long as at least one of the nominated travellers is part of the group, up to four adults and four children can receive the discount. You’ll also need to be travelling with at least one child at all times.

Adults will get 1/3 off while children will receive a 60% discount. The adults don’t need to be related, and there’s no need for the same passengers to travel every time, so long as one of the named cardholders is part of the group.

Don’t forget that children under five travel free, though it’s usually cheaper to use a Railcard and purchase discounted tickets for both of you, if there’s one or more adults per child.

You can find more about Railcards with our handy guide or on the Family and Friends Railcard website.

Can we sit together?

When you’re on family train trips, it’s natural to want to be sat together! Especially when travelling with younger children. The vast majority of trains have a number of seats laid out in groups, either with or without a table. When you book with SmartSplit, you have the option to select ‘table’ as one of your preferences. If we aren’t able to get a table, we’ll get you all sat as close together as possible.

If you’re booking at late notice on busy trains, this may not be possible. In these cases, most trains have ‘unreserved’ seating, which means that passengers without a reservation (or requiring a more suitable seat) can sit there.

Trains to avoid if you’d like a table

On the following trains, there are fewer tables/group seats than usual, so it may be more difficult to reserve these seats:

• CrossCountry ‘Voyager’ trains (running between Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham and Plymouth, as well as Manchester, Birmingham and Bournemouth) usually have only two tables per carriage in Standard Class. You’ll find the greatest number of tables in Coach B, if it’s available (four).
• Lumo services have only two tables per carriage

Where to aim for

Travelling with Avanti West Coast on a Super Voyager train? These trains run between Holyhead/Chester and London, as well as selected trains between London and Birmingham/Edinburgh. Coach D (and K, if it’s a 10 coach train) has all seats laid out around tables.

If you’re travelling with c2c on trains between Shoeburyness, Southend and London Fenchurch Street, you’ll find table seats at the far ends of the train behind the driver’s cab. Just be aware that some of this seating may be designated as a ‘Quiet Zone’.

When travelling on Thameslink, aim for First Class at the rear of every train. This compartment is always available to passengers with Standard Class tickets and has large tables.

I’m travelling with a pram, what do I do?

If you’re bringing a buggy with you, it needs to be capable of folding. While they aren’t required to be folded, they aren’t allowed to block any doors or aisles. They also can’t occupy any wheelchair spaces required by another passenger.

Need some assistance on your family train trip? Just ask a member of staff. While you’re expected to be able to manage any luggage (including a buggy) without staff help (as per the National Rail Conditions of Travel), they’ll be more than happy to help. At busier stations, they can also help you to board safely when it might become crowded.

We’ve also gone out on the trains ourselves and rated some of the most common train types based on how easy it is to store luggage. You can read it here.

If you (or someone else you’re travelling with) is elderly, disabled or has an invisible disability, then you can pre-book assistance. Just click here to find out more.

Is there any other assistance available?

If you’re travelling from London Paddington, then there is some extra help available and you don’t need to have any access requirements to use it. Great Western Railway are running a priority boarding trial at the moment for any passengers who just need a little extra help. Whether that’s with your luggage, with getting the kids onto the train or something else, you can just book online.

It’s available on most departures to Bristol Temple Meads, Plymouth and Penzance between 9am and 7pm. Click here to find out more.

Where are the toilets?

If you’re travelling with kids, especially little ones, then you’ll want to know that there’s a toilet nearby on family train trips. While most trains have more than one toilet, they all have to have at least one ‘universal’ toilet. These toilets are designed to be accessible to those with disabilities, and also come with baby-changing facilities. They’re also a bit less of a squeeze if there’s a couple of little ones that need to spend a penny at the same time!

Here’s where you can find them on long-distance trains:

^{*Selected trains between Edinburgh/Leeds and Plymouth are operated by HST trains (formed of 7 coaches). The universal toilets on these trains are in Coaches A and F only.}

^{**Class 185 trains operate the following long-distance routes: Cleethorpes/Hull/Saltburn-Manchester. All information provided in this table is subject to change and is provided without liability. SmartSplit are not responsible for any inconvenience, discomfort or loss incurred as a result of following the information provided. This list is not exhaustive.}

How do I keep the kids entertained on family train trips?

Family train trips can be fun, but if you’re on a long journey, then keeping the kids occupied can be a challenge. In the days of modern technology, it could be as simple as watching something on a device, but some rail operators have got you covered with more traditional activities. Follow the links below for a selection of activities to try on family train trips:

• Avanti West Coast
• East Midlands Railway
• LNER
• ScotRail
• Transport for Wales

You could also try coming up with your own scavenger hunt for longer trips. Come up with a list of things that your little ones might see along the way, and they can tick them off as they go.

If it’s a really long trip, you might all need a rest, too. So you could bring a lightweight blanket (or let a big coat double up as one during the colder months!)

Keeping devices charged

If you’re wanting to keep the kids entertained on family train trips (or adults, too!) with a mobile device or tablet, then you’ll want to make sure that it has enough power. Nearly all long-distance trains have power outlets, so you can keep them charged on the go. Here’s a quick guide to which trains have the ability to charge devices in Standard Class:

^{*Avanti West Coast are currently refurbishing their Pendolino trains so that every seat has power access.}

^{**Power sockets are not available in Coach H.}

^{All information provided in this table is subject to change and is provided without liability. SmartSplit are not responsible for any inconvenience, discomfort or loss incurred as a result of following the information provided. This list is not exhaustive.}

Family Lounges

Travelling from London Kings Cross? You’ll find a brand-new family waiting area. It contains a custom-made model train set and provides a safe and fun place to wait for your train.

Will there be something to eat and drink?

On most long-distance trains, you have the chance to order food and drink. This is either available from a designated carriage, from a trolley or it can be delivered straight to your seat. Here’s our guide to what trains usually offer in Standard Class:

^{All information provided in this table is subject to change and is provided without liability and all catering is subject to availability. SmartSplit are not responsible for any inconvenience, discomfort or loss incurred as a result of following the information provided. This list is not exhaustive.}

Of course, we’d always recommend bringing along some snacks for the trip. Many stations will have supermarkets or cafes that you can stock up in before you travel, too. Just be aware that it usually isn’t possible to warm up baby food and milk on board. This is because on-train microwaves work at much higher temperatures than we’re used to having in our microwaves at home!

Got more questions about travelling by train? Take a look at our guide on how to use the train in Great Britain. If you’re travelling with family, you might want to keep the tricky changes between trains to a minimum. We have a handy blog about changing trains, too!

The post Family Train Trips: Our guide to taking the kids on the train appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.