ricecake

My friend and I wanted to reserve tickets off of First Great Western for transportation from London to Bath for April 10, around noon. However, upon trying to purchase, it seems as though they only allow purchase of tickets if the user has an address within the UK. Using National Rail, it looks like like the only train option is First Great Western.

What other alternatives can we look at? Would it likely be sold out by then, or would we might be able to still purchase tickets the day of? (If that's possible?)

Some advice would be really great right now as we're leaving for Europe Saturday! (Coming close to take off!)

Mademoiselle

I'm planning a trip that includes London to Bath and came across your post. I hadn't researched the details yet, but did find this in response to your question, it allows for US customers to purchase, and you can just be "will call" tickets since you'll be in Europe soon.

www.raileurope.com/us

You may have already searched here, but thought it was worth a shot. Good luck =-)

alanRow

RailEurope = taking Americans for mugs.

The prices they quote can be several times the local price for the same ticket.

For the OP. Register with a UK address then at the payment stage change the address to your CC address

ricecake

Thanks for the response. Yeah, I tried looking at the prices through raileurope and was shocked that the prices were expensive.

However, looking at the FirstGreatWestern site, I registered with a UK address, but it won't allow me to change the billing address when it comes to entering my credit card information. It only recognizes UK addresses.

tudorprincess

Have you tried using the National Rail website. I just tried it and the cheapest single fare is £18, you didn't say if you wanted return. It let me even choose the carrier but when I tried to get to the payment page my computer kicked me off the site so I don't know if it's possible to purchase using a U.S. address.

alanRow

Try some of the other train companies like GNER or Virgin.

You can book tickets through them even though they aren't for routes they run.

GeoffHamer

You do not need to worry that the trains will be "sold out". You can always buy a ticket at the station, and trains are quite frequent anyway. However, cheaper fares are sold in restricted numbers, so buying a ticket at the station can be a lot more expensive than booking in advance.
The advance-purchase fares are generally inflexible and are only valid for the train you've booked; if you miss it, you have to buy another ticket. Standard fares are flexible: if you miss your train or change your plans, you can use the ticket on another train.

mlaffitte

The trains are never "sold out," but you should avoid traveling at peak periods such as at the beginning or end of the weekend, when they are often packed and you might not get a seat. Since you are planning to leave London at midday on a weekday, you shouldn't have a problem then -- just keep it in mind for the return trip. I agree with earlier post, just wait and buy your tickets once you get to London -- you'll pay a huge premium to order them long-distance from the US.

ricecake

Thanks for everyone's most helpful responses. I think we will try to hope for the best and buy the tickets there (hoping that is, for an affordable ticket!)

And yes, sorry forgot to include we were planning to buy a return trip ticket too - Friday morning. I will definitely keep everyone's advice in mind.