Hi,
We are a family of 6 planning to travel to UK on vacation in April / May. We need to travel to Edinburgh from London on 5th May. I was trying to search for the cheapest train options. Need some advice on the same -
a) Can I book a ticket without reserving a seat? Is reservation necessary before boarding a train?
b) Should I book directly on the East Coast Website or use other options like First Great Western OR The Trainline.
c) Which trains are considered Off - peak trains (we plan to travel on a Saturday).


Thanks.

When you book the tickets in advance you will be assigned a seat on the train from London to Edinburgh. It is included in the price of the ticket and you will see it when you print your tickets as far as I know.

I generally book directly with the line that operates, but go with whatever one you get the best price on. Also check www.nationalrail.co.uk which will forward you to the appropriate train company once you have selected the time you want.

Be sure to book as soon as they are available as thats when you get the cheapest tickets.

Sorry, meant to add I believe all of Sat is off peak so you shouldnt have to worry about the time.

Hi jamikins,
I tried on the east coast website. The website is giving an option to book the journey but for reserving seat it states that seats for that option are not available.
Will it be advisable to just book the journey and not reserve the seats?

As I see the site, East Coast are only accepting bookings up to 27 April. Try again next week, but it would be advisable to reserve, especially if you all want to sit together.

<I>The website is giving an option to book the journey but for reserving seat it states that seats for that option are not available.</i>

It is because currently you can only book cheaper tickets up to the 27th April. Doing it after that date will only give you the option of the full price tickets that you could buy on the day and use on any day or service. As the walk-up fare is £60.20 but the cheapest fares are £12.90 you can see there is a slight saving to be made.

Either by the end of this week or next week the fares for the 5th May will be loaded

Slight correction - the £60.20 is a special web only fare, the walk up fare is £120.40

Ditto what people above are saying

May 5th is the start of a Public Holiday weekend in the UK so trains may be busy. As others have said book at the eastcoast wesbite for the lowest fares, advance First Class fares can be very good value at the weekend, you get sandwiches, hot and cold drinks and biscuits served at your seat included in the fare and you can choose your seats from a seat map during the process. You should sit on the right hand side of the train for the views north of Newcastle, on the seat plan this is side of the train shown at the bottom of the seating plan