I loooove trains and think they are a great way to travel and recommend incorporating them into your solo travel trips.

Like any new experience booking and catching your train can make your head spin.

This week's blog is all about making sense out of UK train travel.

This blog is all about the tactical and practical for a very good reason.

If you’re traveling solo, maybe in the past your spouse took care of all these details…

Or maybe this is your first time traveling on a train…

No matter what the reason the level of detail is designed to help you have the most enjoyable trip possible with the least amount of tension.

So read on to find out how to ride UK trains like a local!

FYI, the focus is on taking longer train trips from one city to another.

Finding The Right Train Company

As an intro, there is no ONE train company in the UK. This creates a bit of confusion in knowing where to get started. 

At the time of writing this blog, there are ~28 different train companies operating across the UK.

>>> 🔗 👉This link will give you a good overview of the different train companies and where what parts of the UK they operate in.

To keep things simple I’m going to use my recent train trip from York to Oxford and approximately three hour train ride.

Now my first goal was to find the train company that services the area between York and Oxford and then…

Finding a train route where I would not have to change trains during my journey.

This is really important as I had a suitcase that I was lugging around with me for two weeks.

More about that in the Train Station section ;-) 

>>> 🔗 👉 This is a good link that displays all train companies and train network across the UK visually:

Booking Your Ticket

This one always leaves me scratching my head but for some crazy reason you can typically only book your ticket 3 months in advance of your travel date.

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Set a reminder in your calendar for when your date of travel will become available for booking.

I recommend this because if you are traveling a very popular route and its in the middle of tourist season seats will be snapped up fast.

Now I have a bit of a pet peeve here. Unlike flights trains do not have numbers.

So its really important to carefully read your train route. 

Where your journey starts is not necessarily where your train starts and likewise where your journey ends. 

This is important when you also get to the train station and are looking for your train on the departures board.

Now back to booking that ticket…

You will have options to select the class (first or standard) of your ticket and your seat location.

Some train companies will have carriage maps showing you where the luggage rack is located, bathrooms etc.

Now something to watch out for is you also have the ability to choose whether you want your ticket for a specific day or time or…

A more flexible ticket where you can change the day and time.

All these options influence the cost of your ticket.

A word of caution...

If you choose a ticket that is ONLY for a specific day and time, it means just that. 

I witnessed a young tourist couple arrive on the platform only to see their train leaving the station and… given their ticket was only for that train on that day they couldn’t just jump on the next train.

I also had someone on my train who had done just that jumped on our train because he had arrived early.

The train conductor was very nice and gave him a warning but said he could equally have kicked him off the train at the next station - yikes!

Your Train Ticket

Ok, you’ve booked and paid for your ticket now make sure you have it somewhere that you can keep it in your hot little hands on the day of taking the train.

Again lots of options here so you pick your path.

First, could this ticket be any longer 🤣?

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I like to carry any tickets for trains and flights in two ways so that I always have a backup.

If like me you love technology there is a good chance that you are going to be able to download the train company app and with that download your ticket and have it in the app.

You will also typically be able to download it to your Apple Wallet as well.

You will likely also have your ticket emailed to you in PDF format….

And last but not least your can download and print your ticket.

I always have a paper copy in addition to my digital copy.

You may also have the option of picking up your ticket at the train station on the day.

That way if technology fails i.e., a flat phone battery, no cellular service etc. you always have your ticket available.

And there are plenty of signs at the train stations and on the trains to warn you that it is your responsibility to ensure you have your ticket.

The Train Station

So its the day of your departure and time to get to the train station.

I sound like a good girl guide but I do always like to be prepared and avoid surprises wherever possible. 

And, I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb as a tourist. I like to blend in an look as local as I can even if I’m dragging a suitcase along with me.

I always check out the train station website. This may also be available on a mobile app,

Just like airline websites they are a wealth of information.

Here’s an example of the York Train Station website which can be found on the national rail website:

>>> 🔗 👉 https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/york/

I also google to see if I can find any good YouTube videos. I’m like 60% of the rest of the world population in that I’m highly visual.

In particular I am looking to find out how many platforms there are and how to get to them.

I know this might sound like overkill, but it really does take the tension and anxiety of travel stress down a couple of notches if not eliminate it.

Here’s an example of the York Train Station:

There are different platforms and you may have to navigate up and over train lines to get to your platform.

Lugging a large suitcase upstairs is not fun so finding the elevators (lifts in UK speak) is a priority.

I also want to point out that Train stations are great at providing good, large clear signage to direct you to the platforms, lifts (elevators), restrooms etc.

The Departure Board

Ok, you made it to the train station. Now how to find your platform and where to stand to ensure you are in the right spot to get into your designated carriage.

Your No. 1 Priority is to locate the Platform your train will be departing from. 

Bear in mind you may have to take a lift (elevator) or stairs to cross over other platforms and train tracks to reach your platform.

The board is organized by the time in which the train will depart.

Remember there is no Train Number… so you need to look at the departure time on your ticket.

What often confuses people including myself sometimes ;-) is that the destination displayed on the departure board is often NOT your destination but where the train will end its journey.

Let’s use my example:

I was traveling from York to Oxford…

But because Oxford was NOT the final destination of the train it displayed Reading via Birmingham on the Departure board which was the final destination for the train.

You can check online to see the route of your train and where your destination fits in on the route.

And… but not least, there is an Information Desk that you can always ask and double check with. 

They are incredibly helpful and used to hearing the questions you and many other tourists have.

While you might see your departure on the board it my not show the platform until closer to your train arriving at the station.

The Train Platform

There are departure monitors on the platforms. 

So you can confirm you are on the correct platform.

Other trains may be either coming through your platform and train track but not stopping and… 

There may be one or more trains departing from the platform ahead of your train.

The monitors on the platform will only display the next train departing.

The good news is once it does display your train it will show you the magic zone and carriage line up along with the route of each stop the train will make.

Now pay attention to the platform itself. 

You will see big painted squares with a ZONE number painted in the square.

This is important when it comes to knowing where to stand when your train pulls in so that you are in front of your carriage…

Vs. having to do a mad dash up or down the platform to find your carriage.

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Finding Your Carriage

Next to finding the right platform, finding your carriage and being able to board comfortably is key.

Again the train station and train staff are watching and ready to help you find your carriage quickly and get aboard.

They want to keep those trains on time.

Also, the train is typically stopped for 4-5 minutes which should be ample time for you to find your carriage and get onboard.

Your ticket will have a carriage and a seat number…

As the time gets closer to your train pulling into the station a map will appear on the departure board and monitors on the platform.

A visual graphic appears on the monitors displaying each zone number and above that the carriage number that will stop at that zone number.

It really is rather brilliant when you think about but to the newbie it can feel like you are trying to crack some mysterious train code :-)

For example, I was in Carriage C which pulled into the station and stopped at Zone 6.

The Zone marker painted on the platform lines up with the middle of the train carriage when it stops.

Note: Depending on the type of train the doors might be in the middle of the carriage or a door at each end of the carriage.

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You never know until your train comes as to which way the carriage will face when it pulls into the station. The luggage rack might be at either the front or back of the carriage depending which way the carriage was hooked up to the train.

Luggage

Only one end of the carriage will have a luggage rack.

Getting your bag on and off the train can be tricky depending on the train and the steps in and out of the carriage.

Again, don’t panic I find people are so helpful in either helping you lift your bag up on to the luggage rack or make space for it.

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Seat Numbers

Yay, you’re nearly there you.

You’re on the train, bag tucked away in the luggage rack all you have to do is find your seat.

Again to the uninitiated this can be a bit of a brain teaser if you’re a newbie.

Many trains have a small digital displays on the luggage rack above the seats.

Be warned: The seat numbers displayed on the digital display may not match the physical seat number labels on the seat.

For example...

I was Carriage C – Seat 22  but there was no row number 22 on the physical seats instead on one side of the aisle it said Row 21 and on the opposite side it said Row 27 Aisle and 28 window WTF?

Adding to my confusion…

While the LED displayed my trip i.e., York to Oxford and seat number I had no clue whether it was a aisle or window…

And my ticket gave me no clue either.

Again never be afraid to ask for help or typically someone will offer to help you.

And worse case scenario if someone gets on at the next station claiming your seat, just apologize and figure it out then.

Onboard The Train

Now that you are on the train and depending on the train company and route you may have a food and beverage service available to purchase.

Depending on your ticket i.e., if you are in first class your meal maybe included in the cost of your ticket.

Presenting Your Ticket

There are various points where you may be asked to present your train ticket.

You might have to scan your ticket at a kiosk to gain access to the platform that your train departs from.

You might just board your train and then a Conductor at some point will ask you to present your ticket.

You may have a Conductor check your ticket more than once on a journey. It is quite common to experience a train crew change on longer journeys.

You may also have to scan your ticket once you get off the train to exit the platform and station.

Or… it could be and combination of the above.

Wrapping up…

Train travel can be easy and stress free with just a little work up front.

There is always plenty of help available whether its train station staff, the staff on the train or your fellow passengers.

Train travel really is a wonderful way to travel, so don't be shy trying it out.

Interested in more, check out my YouTube Channel

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Female Travelers Over 50 By Raewyn Crist: @FemaleTravelers50Plus

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So cheers to wheels up to winging your way to your long dreamed of destination.