Moonriver

I have tried to use the various train sites to book UK train tickets from the US.

The same as 2 years ago, the last post on this topic, it will not allow you to use a US zip code for the post code. You can use a UK postcode to start and then edit it to a US address but it will not process the credit card info when you actually go to purchase. I think the zip code is not connecting with the credit card when seeking the authorization. I am indicating I will pick-up ticket from the machince, so its not a mailing issue.

Of course if you use the email contact info, no one responds. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Mimar

Which of the UK train sites are you trying? I did this a year ago using (and leaving) the postcode of our hotel. I think I used the Trainline site: www.thetrainline.com. We were able to pick up the tickets at the station no problem. And saved more than L100 each compared to the walk-up fare.

PalenQ

Never buy walk up fare in UK - even by booking the previous evening you can save tons usually


www.nationalrail.co.uk is the site representing all 28 or so of Britain's various privatized rail franchises that run various lines

note that discounted tickets are often non-changeable non-refundable so be sure you can make the train - mainly for folks landing and then planning to take the train out the same day

and once at the station be sure you board the right train as your ticket will only be valid on that specific train in many of the cheaper tickets and only on the train franchise you buy it for - there are often more than one franchise running the same route

recently on the train i took from London to Manchester they made an announcement on the train to be sure that your ticket is valid for this specific train or else you'd be charged the full fare of 133 pounds (!!!) for standard class one way - way over $200 - if you want flexibility to take any train anytime then you'd have to go the BritRail or England trail or Days of Out London railpasses which can be used on any train anytime and if traveling much can be real bargains for that. I always recommend going to www.budgeteuropetravel.com for railpass info or www.ricksteves.com or in this case www.britrail.com

But if you know your dates and you are traveling not that much than the tickets thru nationalrail.co.uk or the trainline site is the best deal - and many folks have reported they had little problem with this procedure.

ron

Last week I successfully bought 3 tickets from the National Express East Coast (NXEC) website. Just ignore the box asking for the UK postal code, just below it in small black print is line that says something about international addresses; click on it and you are home-free. The other advantage of the NXEC site is no extra fees for credit card use or for Fasticket collection (both of which the Trainline now imposes) and a 10% discount if your buying a ticket on an NXEC train.

PalenQ

ron

what did you end up paying and for where to where

i am wondering if these really low fares i hear about are in fact ever available

alanRow

www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com will allow you to regster and buy tickets - but you must use the fastticket option tp pick up tickets at a station

ron

PalenQ, the 3 tickets I bought from NXEC:

1. London Kings Cross to Harrogate, Std class, £11.00
2. York to Alnmouth, Std class, £9.35
3. Alnmouth to Edinburgh, Std Class, £6.25

In addition, I earlier bought 2 tickets from RailEasy, before I learned about NXEC and its no fees.
4. Edinburgh to Oxenholme, Std class, senior railcard discount, £6.77 (made up of ticket price of £4.60 and fees of £2.17)
5. Oxenholme to London Euston, First class, senior railcard discount, £24.36 (made up of ticket price of £22.75 and fees of £1.61)
For that last journey, on a Saturday, there were no standard class bargains. The fares without the railcard would have been roughly £11 and £37.

So, the 5 journeys cost me roughly C$117.

noe847

Moonriver, the technique you describe has worked for me several times. I start with a UK postcode then on a later screen I edit the address to reflect my US address, but leave the postcode from the UK, and my credit card has always gone through. I'm intrigued by the site that Ron mentions, however, and my try it out for our summer trip to Scotland.

PalenQ

Ron - thanks those are OUTSTANDING fares, especially for the first class one.

You don't say how long in advance you bought them - days, weeks, months? I wonder if they sell out?

thanks for the info

ron

PalenQ, I bought them Feb 5 and 8 for travel between April 10 through April 26. So, nine to 12 weeks in advance.

Yes, they do sell out. For the first class journey from Oxenholme, for some reason I checked the fares 2 days later, and the one I got was no longer available. The cheapest fare was then £48 (before railcard discount).

PalenQ

thanks again Ron

the point for novices planning UK rail journeys is simply do NOT go to the station and buy tickets as you could pay i dare say about five times what Ron paid for walk up fares and book as early as possible for the cheapest of the often Byzantine fare structure at www.nationalrail.co.uk, which represents each of UK's about 28 privatized rail lines. If wishing flexibility the various UK railpasses can be bargains if traveling more than a few times.

rasmesfin

Ron's suggestion of the NXEC is great. I've used this site to book my three rail trips for my upcoming trip. No charges and you can use your US credit card. I double checked the prices with a few other websites. After registering I also signed up to be notified for the advance release dates for fares for my routes. I ended up booking and paying for these trips: London to Derby/14 dollars, York to Edinburgh 22 dollars, and for our trip from Edinburgh to London we indulged and paid 78 dollars for first class. After all it is a 4 1/2 hour trip!

PalenQ

And in first class on this route you'll get free tea, coffee and biscuits the whole way

That is at least in standard first class i use with a pass - sometimes they also have first class cars that are all reserved by discounted tickets and i don't know if or not those little perks, but still much appreciated, are then included. I think on this line there is only one first class but on others there may be first class gold and other subdivisions

judymo

This is helpful. I'm confused right now. I'm trying to decide how to get from London to the Bath area for a few days, then on to Edinburgh for a few days.
When you get in Bath area, can you do daytrips out of there? (bus)?
Thanks for the info on how to get my tickets..we're going the first of October.

DeborahAnn

bookmarking, thanks for the helpful information for UK trains

Deborah

PalenQ

What kind of day trips from Bath?

Bath has rail links to many places - like nearby Wales, Bristol (don't dismiss it out of hand), etc. And on your way to Edinburgh consider stopping off in the Lake District, smack on the main West Coast rail route (local train to Windermere from Preston)

I was in Bath in Feb for the fourth time and now consider it my most beautiful city in England - even more than York and Oxbridge

Ronda

Thank you for the info.

judymo

Thanks
I'm really struggling with how long to stay in London, then would I get a train to Bath? then to Stratford-upon-Avon? Oxford? (area)....then get a train from that area up to Edinburgh? How many days would you suggest in each place?
What is the difference in Economy ticket and first class?

PalenQ

Economy or standard class is 2nd class and IME much more congested and uncomfortable than first class - more a difference than on Continental trains IME

But first class can cost a whole lot more - you should reserve a seat in 2nd class to be guaranteed a seat or esp for 2 or 3 together

1st class in hundreds of trips i've never not seen empty seats - usually put my luggage in one and in standard you're fending for space in overhead racks.

Go first class if you can afford it but the price difference is often shocking.