longest train journey britain

UK's longest train journey takes 14 hours and is full of 'bucket list' views

Train enthusiasts can take on the UK's longest train journey which covers 785 miles in 14 hours and is considered a 'bucket list' trip for anyone who wants to make the most of British scenery

• 13:58, 2 Jan 2024
• Updated 16:31, 2 Jan 2024

The longest train journey in the UK whisks passengers up most of the country and takes 14 hours to complete. The mammoth ride covers 785 miles and begins in Aberdeen, Scotland and finishes in Penzance, Cornwall .

After departing Aberdeen station, the train stops at 36 different stations and spends about two hours in total waiting for passengers to get on and off along the way. The route - which has been running for 103 years - goes through a large number of intriguing destinations including Edinburgh Waverley, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol Parkway and Plymouth.

The direct train, which is run by CrossCountry , takes exactly 13 hours and 16 minutes - with a single on January 5 costing a whopping £265.

Rail enthusiast Lewis Yeardley, 24, took the trip in April and told Aberdeen Live it was a bucket list item for train lovers across the UK. He said: "It’s a journey that I’ve known about for a long time if I’m honest and it’s one I always wanted to do. I absolutely love railway journeys and have done many around the world and I had to complete the UK's longest journey by train.

"My highlights of the journey included crossing some amazing bridges such as Tay Bridge, Forth Rail Bridge and the Royal Albert Bridge. We also went along some beautiful coast lines such as the Fife coast, east coast and Dawlish seawall. The journey was made enjoyable by the amazing staff onboard who were chatty, friendly and just great."

The keen rail enthusiast offered some words of advice for those planning to take on the journey. He suggested stocking up on snacks, downloading plenty of films and music, and to sit on the left of the train where the best views can be seen.

While the journey may be a long one, it is possible to go far further on a train outside of the UK. The Trans-Siberian Express runs for a total of 5,772 miles over the course of more than six days.

The train ride starts in Moscow and ends, more than six days later, in Vladivostok. Over the course of the journey, the train crosses many time zones and plunges through a huge variety of landscapes, including the Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal.

Although much shorter in length, the record for the longest high-speed train goes to the Beijing-Guangzhou Bullet Train. It runs for 1,200 miles and was launched in 2012, when it cut the 21-hour trip down to eight by reaching speeds of 186 miles per hour. There are 35 stops along the way, most in major cities like Wuhan.

Another impressively lengthy ride is the 80-plus-hour Vivek Express, the longest train journey in India and one of the world’s longest as well. It clocks in at approximately 2,650 miles long and has an average speed of just 32 miles an hour. There are 57 stops in total, beginning in the far north at Dibrugarh and ending in Kanyakumari, at India’s southern tip.

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What’s the longest train journey in the UK?

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4 min read | May 30, 2023

Want to settle a debate with friends? Or want to tick an epic train journey off your bucket list? Either way, you’ve reached this article because you want to know more about the longest train journey in the UK.

What is the longest UK train journey?

The longest UK train journey is Aberdeen to Penzance. Covering 785 miles, this train journey takes about 13 hours and 20 minutes to complete (give or take a few minutes).

It has 36 stops and spends about two hours in total waiting for passengers to embark and disembark at each railway station along the way. That is, if rumours are to be believed.

First introduced in 1921, this epic train journey across large parts of the UK is a tourist attraction as well as a great way to get to some of the major cities of England and Scotland. After leaving Aberdeen at 8:20 am, the longest UK train journey stops at:

• Edinburgh Waverley
• Berwick-upon-Tweed
• Wakefield Westgate
• Chesterfield
• Burton-on-Trent
• Birmingham New Street
• Cheltenham Spa
• Bristol Parkway
• Bristol Temple Meads
• Tiverton Parkway
• Exeter St Davids
• Newton Abbot
• Bodmin Parkway

Things to know before getting the UK’s longest train journey

As you might have guessed by now, the journey begins in Aberdeen, Scotland. If you’re thinking about taking on the longest train journey in the UK, you may want to spend a couple of days around Scotland’s east coast to take in the spectacular sights and local history.

Top things to do in Aberdeen include The Gordon Highlanders Museum and sampling the world-famous Aberdeen Angus beef at local restaurants.

Or, if you’d like to make good use of your legs before sitting on a train for the best part of 13.5 hours, take in some of the beautiful local landscape. You can climb some of Aberdeenshire’s mountains like Ben Macdui (1,309m) and Lochnagar (1,155m).

Once you get to Penzance, you’ll most likely want to stretch your legs and then sleep! If you’re travelling in the summertime, you’ll get to see the Cornish sunset from the train and have just enough time to enjoy a dusk-time stroll along the harbour which is conveniently just a four-minute walk from the station.

If you have some time the next day, it’s worth making the 3.8 mile walk along the coastal path to Marazion Beach, where you can visit the iconic and picturesque St Michael’s Mount . The walk there should take about an hour and fifteen minutes, or a 10-minute drive by taxi. There is also a local bus that can take you there.

Whether you’re staying for a few hours or a few days, make sure you sample some local seafood while you’re there. This alone is worth the train journey!

Other spectacular cross-country UK train routes to try

Not quite feeling up to the longest train journey across the UK? Why not try some of these slightly shorter rail journeys instead?

London to Penzance

Fancy the idea of a brief break in England’s South West but don’t want to take on the whole shebang? You can cut out over half the train ride on a shorter, but no less thrilling, trip.

Starting in Paddington Station, the train ride from London to Penzance is about 250 miles and takes around five hours to complete. Unlike the Aberdeen to Penzance train, several trains can get you from London to Penzance.

This beautiful train journey travels through Somerset, Devon, and Cornwall. That means you can sit back, relax, and just take in the breathtaking English countryside.

Trains from London Paddington to Penzance usually stop at:

• Lostwithiel

You’ll notice that many of these match the latter part of the Aberdeen to Penzance journey. Thanks to this, you’ll still get some of the same views as Britain's longest railway journey. All at a fraction of the cost and time.

London to Edinburgh

If Scottish scenery is a big draw card for you, then try the five-and-a-half-hour journey from London to Edinburgh.

This route travels past the gloriously picturesque Lake District before heading into the Scottish Lowlands towards Edinburgh. With beautiful scenery built into the trip, this distance is a perfect start to a weekend getaway.

For things to do when you arrive in Edinburgh, check out our three-day Edinburgh itinerary .

London to Holyhead

Although a fraction of the distance from Aberdeen to Penzance, the London to Holyhead route also crosses two of the UK’s nations. Starting at London’s Euston Station, you can travel directly to the western side of the Welsh island of Anglesey.

This means travelling from England’s largest city to North Wales’s seaside tranquillity in just four hours. With most of the Welsh part of the trip following the country’s northernmost coastline, you can relax as you take in the beautiful scenery.

Plan your next train journey now

Tempted to try a picturesque cross-country train journey? Start plotting your escape now with our handy journey planner . You can also make the trip easier by searching for train times, finding the best fares, and saving your tickets all in one place with the Avanti West Coast app .

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Explore the UK's longest train journey from Cornwall to Scotland with epic views

The journey takes a whopping 13 hours and 16 minutes to complete and offers passengers the chance to explore some of Britain's most interesting destinations

• 15:58, 2 AUG 2024

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The UK's longest train journey, a 14-hour marathon from Cornwall to Scotland, is a must-do for rail enthusiasts, say experts. The epic journey has been running for over a century and includes stops at 36 stations.

It offers passengers the chance to explore a host of fascinating destinations such as Edinburgh Waverley, Newcastle, Sheffield, Bristol Parkway and Plymouth. Operated by CrossCountry, the direct train takes precisely 13 hours and 16 minutes, with a single ticket setting travellers back a hefty £265.

Rail enthusiast Lewis Yeardley, 24, who embarked on the trip in April, told Aberdeen Live: "It's a journey that I've known about for a long time if I'm honest and it's one I always wanted to do. I absolutely love railway journeys and have done many around the world and I had to complete the UK's longest journey by train."

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He added: "My highlights of the journey included crossing some amazing bridges such as Tay Bridge, Forth Rail Bridge and the Royal Albert Bridge.", reports Plymouth Live .

"We also went along some beautiful coastlines such as the Fife coast, east coast and Dawlish seawall. The journey was made enjoyable by the amazing staff onboard who were chatty, friendly and just great."

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The train enthusiast offered some advice for those planning to embark on the journey. He recommended packing plenty of snacks, downloading a good selection of films and music, and choosing a seat on the left side of the train for the best views.

While this journey from Cornwall to Scotland - or vice-versa - is lengthy, there are even longer train rides outside of the UK. The Trans-Siberian Express, for instance, covers a staggering 5,772 miles over more than six days.

This epic journey begins in Moscow and concludes in Vladivostok, more than six days later. Along the way, the train traverses numerous time zones and passes through diverse landscapes, including the Ural Mountains and Lake Baikal.

Despite being significantly shorter, the longest high-speed train journey is held by the Beijing-Guangzhou Bullet Train. This route spans 1,200 miles and was inaugurated in 2012, reducing the 21-hour journey to just eight hours by reaching speeds of up to 186 miles per hour.

The train makes 35 stops, many of which are in major cities like Wuhan. Another notably long journey is the Vivek Express in India, which takes over 80 hours. This is one of the world's longest train journeys, covering approximately 2,650 miles at an average speed of just 32 miles per hour.

The train makes 57 stops in total, starting in the far north at Dibrugarh and ending in Kanyakumari, at the southernmost tip of India.You can look at booking the train journey on Cross Country's website or on Trainline here.

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The UK's longest train ride that takes an epic 14 hours but has 'bucket list' views

T he longest train ride in the UK takes people across hundreds of miles of British land and takes more than half a day to complete.

The CrossCountry service is Britain's answer to other landmark services like the Amtrak in the US and the Trans Siberian Express, which crosses Eurasia from Russian capital Moscow.

The network is one of the country's most extensive and operates the longest journey of its kind, covering several hundred miles that take more than a dozen hours to traverse.

Britons interested in trying the longest train journey in the UK can complete the trip in nearly 14 hours.

But, while they can expect guaranteed views of some of the country's best vistas, they will have to complete that ride without one feature that has made other, similar trips much easier.

CrossCountry's Aberdeen to Penzance route is the longest in the country, covering 722 miles and 41 stops from Scotland to England.

On that route, the train passes through some of the UK's prettiest countryside and cities, starting on the east coast near Newcastle and heading into York, then the Midlands and Bristol in the southwest.

The five-carriage train comes to a stop at Penzance, the picturesque seaside town on the Cornish tip, which it reaches after passing through Devon's south coast.

The service offers stunning views of the North Sea and famous sights like Edinburgh Castle and the Fifth of Forth, and travels across Isambard Kingdom Brunel's famous Royal Albert Bridge on the way into Cornwall.

Journeys cover the following stops:

• Inverkeithing
• Berwick-Upon-Tweed
• Wakefield Westgate
• Burton-On-Trent
• Birmingham New Street
• Cheltenham Spa
• Bristol Parkway
• Bristol Temple Meads
• Tiverton Parkway
• Exeter St Davids
• Newton Abbot
• Bodmin Parkway

The journey takes approximately 13 hours and 16 minutes, and people don't need to change to get a taste of the whole route, but they can only take the train at select times.

CrossCountry only runs a couple of zero-change Aberdeen to Penzance trains each week and no more than one per day.

The zero-change train will also only depart at 8.20am on days when it runs, with other services tracing the same route at later or earlier times requiring changes, although they take roughly the same amount of time.

The earlier timing means that, unlike train journeys of similar length, the CrossCountry trip does not offer a sleeper service.

The UK's longest railway journey between Aberdeen and Penzance that promises stunning views

It takes over 13 hours, travels 774 miles and stops at 35 stations in Scotland and England, but promises bucket list scenery and is the UK's longest rail journey.

• 06:00, 24 MAR 2022
• Updated 20:05, 6 JAN 2024

If you have ever wanted to take a tour of Scottish countryside and soak in some of the most remarkable views of the British countryside, one train service that departs Aberdeen can help you tick off some bucket list landmarks.

Some of Britain's most remarkable sights can be viewed from the comfort of a train seat, but the iconic Aberdeen to Penzance route is more than an endurance test.

It takes over 13 hours, stops at 35 stations, and sees passengers cover 774 miles on one train, and CrossCountry holds the feat of operating the longest journey in the UK.

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Starting in the Granite City, passengers board early in the morning and for this journey, you need quite the packed lunch to get through to the Cornish coast late at night.

Departing Aberdeen however brings an immediate view of jaw-dropping scenery as you overlook the cliffs towards the glistening North Sea before curving through Stonehaven and Montrose and storming towards Arbroath and Dundee.

Take in the River Tay as you crawl across the bridge and unwind in Fife with some more beach scenery, with towns including Leuchars and Kirkcaldy on the schedule before weaving through Inverkeithing.

The Forth Rail Bridge then brings quite simply the most remarkable rail crossing in the UK, with the iconic structure flanked by the impressive Queensferry Crossing and views towards Edinburgh where you stop at Haymarket and Waverley.

With two-and-a-half hours down and plenty more to go, it might already feel like it's been a marathon, but you're barely out of Scotland before you reach your fourth hour with the next stops including more North Sea views and Berwick-upon-Tweed where you cross the famous Royal Border Bridge.

Into England the Voyager train rolls on, where you race through Northumberland to Newcastle Central, with the landmark St James' Park on display as well as the standout bridges over the River Tyne.

Don't forget to look west en-route to Durham to catch a glimpse of the Angel of the North, and keep looking out the left-hand side for a look at Durham Cathedral.

Into Darlington, or Monte Darlo as known by locals and down the racetrack to York where the impressive Victorian-built arches provide yet another stop on the journey.

The good news for those on board is you are nearing the halfway mark, but that doesn't bring an end to the impressive scenery.

Leeds is next as West Yorkshire comes into view, before crossing into South Yorkshire and rolling through Wakefield and Sheffield with the Steel City's hilly surroundings on display from your seat.

By the time you depart Sheffield for Chesterfield and the West Midlands, you could have watched Titanic twice or powered through some lengthy albums on your playlist.

When reaching Chesterfield however, you might be amused by the Crooked Spire, with the nearby church holding the unique feature of - you guessed it - a crooked spire. It doesn't quite rival the Leaning Tower of Pisa but it's still a bizarre landmark.

Tamworth and Burton-on-Trent are next, with the latter home to Molson Coors famous for filling endless cans of Carling and Madri beer, before reaching Birmingham New Street as you near the eight-hour mark.

Cheltenham Spa and Bristol Parkway roll into view before Bristol Temple Meads with another impressive example of Victorian engineering and their impressive roof.

10 hours down and you could be well on your way to blitzing the Harry Potter collection, ticking off at least half of the collection of popular wizardry films.

But up next is the south-west as you roll through Weston-Super-Mare, Taunton and Tiverton Parkway before gliding into Exeter St Davids, and it's on the way out of Exeter that the adored coastal views make their long-awaited return.

Dawlish is somewhere you may well have heard about on the news when stormy weather brings dramatic shots of waves battering the railway, but when the sea is feeling calm and still you are again treated to rugged cliffs and glistening water, eventually reaching Newton Abbott.

Totnes and eventually Plymouth are next, and the last of the collection of stunning bridges come into view on departure from Plymouth - The Royal Albert Bridge.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel's engineering genius slashed journey times to the far reaches of Cornwall, and that's where the CrossCountry service will next be ticking off the list as you enter the final hours of the voyage.

Liskeard, Par, St Austell, and Truro stand in the way of your late evening arrival in Penzance, with Truro Viaduct providing a view of the city's impressive cathedral.

Rolling through Redruth and Hayle, the finishing line is in sight, and as the clock passes 9pm having left Aberdeen just after 8am, you eventually hit the brakes one final time and step off the train onto the platform at Penzance.

The marathon is run, and you have travelled the length of the UK - you'd want a trophy and fanfare at the end for completing the epic route.

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But another coastal backdrop and a view of the harbour isn't a bad way to end at all, and it's quite simply a journey that is well worth making but doing plenty of planning for.

Trains direct from Aberdeen to Penzance were axed in the Covid pandemic but eventually restored to just a once-a-week service on Saturdays should you fancy it.

The bitter cold North Sea breeze of Aberdeen feels a world away when you reach the milder Cornish temperatures, but should you fancy it you might want some comfortable clothing and snacks aplenty, several albums and headphones, a couple of films and books to hand, and maybe a travel pillow.

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What is Europe’s longest train journey?

Sleeper and cross-country trains are in decline in favour of shorter, regional routes. So what is left of Europe's longest railway journeys?

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Europe’s longest train journey? Where to begin? Maybe what’s longer? Britain’s longest train journey , or Germany’s ? So many questions.

On the one hand, Germany is quite a bit larger – its area is 70% more than Great Britain’s. On the other hand, Great Britain is a long, skinny island and Germany is much rounder – the distance from John O’Groats to Lands End is over 1,400km, but you never have to walk over 1,000km to cross Germany in any direction.

And it turns out these factors balance almost each other out. Britain’s longest train, the CrossCountry from Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall, runs 785 miles or 1,263km. Germany’s longest train was the IC 2216 from Offenburg in the Black Forest to Greifswald on the Baltic coast, which was 1,300km. Though that route looks like it has now ceased operation, so the UK wins.

The Aberdeen to Penzance route isn’t really for people who want to go all the way across the country just to do Europe’s longest train journey. Instead, it’s a way to link together several railway lines and connect some medium-to-large cities that otherwise don’t have many direct services. “Cross-country” trains like these have existed for a century, but because they crossed multiple different company’s lines – and later, multiple British Rail regions – they tended to get ignored.

That’s why, when it privatised the railways, the government created a specific CrossCountry franchise so there was a company dedicated to these underused routes. If you want to get from Edinburgh to Leeds or Derby to Bristol , you’ll probably want a CrossCountry train.

The usual route is Edinburgh to Plymouth , but once a day they run an extra long one. Just one way though – there’s no Penzance to Aberdeen train. 

The longest train in Germany was weird – at 1,400 km, it’s substantially longer than the country itself. On the map, the reason is obvious – it took a huge C-shaped route. (It also doubled back on itself at one point in order to reach Stuttgart).

This route took it down the Rhine, the biggest river in west Germany, and through the most densely populated patch of the country around Cologne and Dusseldorf known as the Ruhr. Germany’s second and third longest trains also have quite similar routes – they start and end in remote corners of the country, but all three have the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan area in the middle.

[Read more: Europe’s night trains are under threat – and campaigners are moving to defend them ]

You weren’t meant to take the IC 2216 all the way from north-east to south-west anyway – there are much more direct options available. Instead, it was for people who wanted to travel to these major cities. They could run two separate trains – say, Offenburg-Dusseldorf and Griefswald-Cologne – but making it a single route meant passengers benefited from a bit more flexibility.

France’s longest train exists for a very good reason. Most of France’s high-speed lines radiate out from Paris, and it’s very hard to get around the country without going to the capital. Usually, to get from Marseille on the Mediterranean to Nantes near the Atlantic, you’d need to take a TGV to Paris Gare de Lyon station, then get the Métro across the city to Gare Montparnasse.

Once a day though, this TGV avoids this faff by stopping in the suburb of Juvisy and turning around without going into the centre. This lets passengers travel direct between the coasts and reduces the traffic through Paris’s terminals during rush hour. The exact length of this route isn’t clear, but Wikipedia says it’s about 1,190km.

Spain’s longest train is very different. This is the Trenhotel sleeper service from Barcelona to Vigo, and it’s pretty fancy. This is a train for tourists and business travellers, with some quite luxurious sleeping cabins. But it is a regularly scheduled train run by the state operator Renfe, not a luxury charter, and it does appear in the timetables .

Being dry, hot and quite mountainous in its middle, most of Spain’s cities are on its coast (Madrid is the one major exception) and as a result, the train passes through relatively few urban areas. (Zaragoza, Spain’s fifth largest city, is on the route, but after that the next biggest city is Burgos, its 35th largest,)

This is partly why overnight trains work so well on the route – without many stops in the middle, most passengers can just sleep right through the journey, although there are occasional daytime trains on that route too if you want to savour the view on that 1,000km journey.

Finally, there’s Italy. This is another sleeper train, from Milan in the north to Syracuse on the island of Sicily. It goes via Rome and travels along the west coast of… wait, it’s a train to the island of Sicily? How, when there’s no bridge?

Well, this train takes a ferry. It’s just a train that they literally drive onto a ferry, sail across the water, and then drive off again at the other side.

Not the longest in Europe

Incredibly, the longest train in Europe doesn’t actually cross a single border. Unsurprisingly, it’s in Russia, but it’s not the Trans-Siberian – the vast majority of that route is in Asia, not Europe.

If you really want a long European train journey, head to Adler, just south of the Olympic host city Sochi. From there, you can catch a train up to Vorkuta on the edge of the Arctic Circle. The route zigzags a bit over its 89-hour, 4,200km journey, but it always stays on the European side of the Ural mountains.

[Read more: Why are trains in the UK so expensive?]

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Rail travel in Great Britain

• 1.1 Passenger rail companies
• 2 Historical background
• 3 Most scenic routes
• 4.2 Classes of travel
• 4.3 Onboard amenities
• 4.4 Inter-City lines
• 4.5 Regional, local and commuter lines
• 4.6 Rural services
• 4.7.1 London to Scotland
• 4.7.2 London to the West Country
• 4.8 Parliamentary trains
• 5 Planning your trip
• 6.1 Ticket types
• 7.1 Split tickets
• 7.2 Third-party booking sites
• 7.3 Specifying a route or train company
• 7.4 Change of route excess
• 7.5 Break of Journey
• 7.6 Low-cost trains
• 7.7 Discounts
• 7.8 Railcards
• 7.9 Railway staff discounts
• 7.10 Season tickets
• 7.11.1 Ranger & Rover tickets
• 7.11.2 Ticket add-ons
• 8.1 At the station
• 8.2 Boarding the train
• 8.3 Finding your seat
• 8.4 Travelling with luggage
• 8.5 Food and drink
• 8.6 Toilets
• 8.7 Smoking and alcohol
• 9.1 Major stations of London
• 9.2 Major regional stations
• 10.1 High-speed service
• 10.2.1 Intercity Express Train and Azuma
• 10.2.2 InterCity 125
• 10.2.3 InterCity 225
• 10.2.4 Pendolino
• 10.2.5 Voyager and Super Voyager
• 10.3.1 Turbostar and Electrostar
• 10.3.2 Express Sprinter
• 10.3.3 Sprinter and SuperSprinter
• 10.3.4 Networker
• 10.3.5 Desiro
• 10.3.6 Castle Class
• 11 Heritage and steam railways
• 12.1 Eurostar
• 12.2 Eurotunnel, Le Shuttle
• 12.3 Dutchflyer
• 12.4 Airports with railway stations
• 12.5 Seaports with railway stations
• 13.1 In the event of an emergency
• 14 See also

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With around 34,000   km (21,000   mi) of track, the National Rail passenger network of the United Kingdom is one of the densest and most well-used railway services in the world. It was several key British inventions that allowed for the development of modern railways, perhaps the most important being James Watt's reciprocating steam engine, developed between 1763 and 1775, and the first steam locomotive by Richard Trevithick, completed in 1804. The first passenger railway to use steam locomotives would begin operation between Stockton-on-Tees and Darlington in north-east England in 1825. This means the network is the oldest in the world. Most was constructed in the 19th century in massive civil engineering projects, many of which are now iconic (such as the Forth Bridge ) and noted for their elegance and for being major feats of engineering. Although some parts are relatively Victorian and can be inefficient, there has been significant new investment. Britain's railways played a key role in the Industrial Revolution , allowing raw materials, goods and people to be rapidly transported across the country.

Following World War II, British railways went into a steep decline with the advent of private car ownership and commercial air travel, and were often seen as an outdated mode of transport that was an impediment to progress. Under recommendations made in the early 1960s by engineer and then-British Railways chairman Richard Beeching, the British government proceeded to dismantle or abandon many railway lines in favour of growing Britain's motorway network throughout the 1960s and 1970s. However, due to increasing congestion on British roads, increased fuel prices and increasingly cumbersome security measures for air travel, Britain's railways have been experiencing a resurgence in popularity since the 1990s, and passenger numbers in modern times have since surpassed their pre-World War II levels - over a network barely half as long.

Train travel is very popular in Britain—you'll find many services busy, and passenger numbers have been rising steadily. It is one of the fastest, most comfortable, convenient and enjoyable ways to explore Britain and by far the best way to travel inter-city. From High Speed 1, which connects London to Kent and mainland Europe, to preserved railways operating historic steam trains through idyllic countryside, to modern inter-city services and the breathtakingly scenic lines of Scotland , the train can be an enthralling and affordable way to see much that the UK has to offer. The National Rail network covers most of Great Britain, from Penzance in Cornwall to Thurso in the far north of Scotland and including over 2,600 stations.

The rail infrastructure is state-owned, while private companies (usually multinational transport companies) operate trains to destinations and service patterns specified by the government. (This guide does not cover rail travel in Northern Ireland—see Rail travel in Ireland .) The system is tightly controlled by the national and devolved governments in London, Edinburgh and Cardiff which heavily subsidise it.

Despite the large number of companies, for the traveller the experience is remarkably well-integrated. Tickets can be bought from any one station to any other in Great Britain, no matter how far away, how many train companies or changes of train are needed to get there. The National Rail website provides timetables and a journey planner.

While there are issues such as overcrowding at peak times, the train is an effective and enjoyable way to explore Britain and get around places of interest. It is also by far the best option for inter-city travel, with most inter-city trains travelling at 200   km/h (125   mph) and stations in most cities and towns being in the city-centre. Regional services travel up to 160   km/h (100   mph). While this means that services are not as fast as the high-speed lines of France, Germany or Japan, this is often made up by relatively high frequencies, with most main and secondary routes seeing at least 1 or 2 trains per hour, even over long distances such as London to Edinburgh.

The privatised system has been accused of many failings and there are frequent calls to re-nationalise the entire network, but today most train companies offer a good service, particularly on inter-city and mainline routes, though reliability (and to a lesser extent, punctuality) varies considerably. It's not compulsory to reserve a seat on daytime trains in advance, but you'll often find tickets cost less the further in advance you book – fares can be shockingly high if you buy a ticket at the station on the day of travel, and surprisingly low if you book a few weeks in advance.

The award-winning National Railway Museum at York tells the story of Britain's railways and how they changed society from the 19th century to today, with many historic and record-setting locomotives, rolling stock and other exhibits. Admission is free.

The ownership and structure is complex, but you won't notice that when making a journey. The track, stations and infrastructure (except for preserved railways and some local metro services) are owned and maintained by Network Rail , a "not for dividend" company owned by the UK government.

Services are operated by the 31 train operating companies (TOCs), which generally lease rolling stock from rolling stock operating companies (ROSCOs). Almost all TOCs operate services under contracts with the UK government, or one of the devolved governments. Before Covid, companies competed to win franchises for a certain number of years, whereby they took on both revenue and costs, and either paid the government a premium or (more commonly) received a subsidy. During Covid, substantial reductions in passenger numbers resulted in franchises being replaced by management-style contracts, whereby revenue is passed to the government and the TOC is reimbursed their costs and paid a fee for their services; these arrangements largely continue to the present day.

TOCs' continued permission to operate, or ability to win extensions or future contracts, depends on factors including value-for-money, performance and customer satisfaction. Government officials and transport ministers play a heavy role in the process. A number of TOCs have experienced financial problems and poor performance, leading to them being taken over by the "Operator of Last Resort" (OLR), a subsidiary of the government. There are also a number of open-access operators , which are independent from franchising and run on a commercial basis, applying to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for track access rights.

The Rail Delivery Group represents all the passenger train companies, and markets them collectively as National Rail . National Rail has inherited the iconic white-on-red "double-arrow" logo (see illustration) first used by British Rail, the former state-owned railway operator which was privatised in the 1990s (although the infrastructure was re-nationalised in the early 2000s). The logo is used extensively to signify a railway station and on road signs, maps, tickets and other places.

Passenger rail companies

Some train operating companies cover a particular geographical region, while others operate inter-city lines which pass through various regions. As of March 2024, the National Rail network of passenger operating companies consists of the following companies:

Historical background

The world's first public railway opened between Stockton and Darlington in north-east England in 1825, marking the start of a railway-building boom. Most railways in Britain were built by private companies in search of profit; dozens of small companies ran local lines, merged and took over each other, as others entered the market. By the mid-19th century, these had grown into a national railway network. In the 1920s, the government decreed they all merge into the four large companies that are best known today: the Southern Railway, London and North-Eastern Railway (LNER), London, Midland & Scottish Railway (LMS) and the Great Western (GWR). What followed was a "golden age" of speed records, iconic locomotives such as Flying Scotsman and images of the train as an elegant yet everyday form of travel (you'll see modern train company names harking back to this golden age). Following World War 2, in which most of the infrastructure was worn down on war duties, damaged or destroyed by bombing raids, the government nationalised all railways in 1948. The resulting state-owned British Rail ran trains for nearly fifty years, during a time of change when steam was replaced by diesel and electric traction, large numbers of feeder and marginal lines were closed in the "Beeching Axe" as the age of the car arrived, line speeds increased, and the now-iconic double-arrow logo (sarcastically referred to as the "arrows of indecision") came to symbolise the railway network and the presence of a station.

British Rail's (and now National Rail's) double-arrow logo and associated typeface of the 1960s are recognised as design classics of the period (unlike almost anything else British Rail did) but are only one of many achievements of design and engineering accomplished by railway companies in Britain. In the 19th century, majestic stations such as London St. Pancras, King's Cross, Paddington and Liverpool Street were erected by railway companies. These "rail cathedrals" symbolised the success of the companies who built them and the places their lines ran through (e.g. the Midland bricks of which St. Pancras is constructed). Iconic bridges and viaducts of the Victorian era such as the Forth Bridge have come to symbolise the regions they run through. In the 1920s and 30s, streamlined locomotives such as Mallard became symbols of modernity which now symbolise the zenith of UK rail travel, while railway travel posters between the 1930s and 1950s pioneered a style of art which showcased Britain at its most attractive.

Despite the lows of the Beeching era in the 1960s, British Rail rebounded in the 1970s and 80s as it fought back against the new motorways. The state-owned corporation developed a new unified brand for its long distance express services known as InterCity , and this, along with electrification of the two main line routes from London to Scotland and new, high technology rolling stock saw a boom in patronage that in turn safeguarded the loss making regional routes and remaining branch lines from closure. However, decline and neglect were still very evident throughout the system as it suffered from a lack of investment from government. With the political climate of the time favouring private operation of public services, it was inevitable that the network would be moved from state control to the private sector. This era also saw two major new developments in rolling stock. Unlike France, where new high speed lines were built all across the country, British Rail deemed it more feasible to build new trains adapted to the curvy and often non-electrified existing network. The "High Speed Train" (HST) was intended as a stopgap until the "Advanced Passenger Train" (APT) was to enter service. However, while the latter was plagued with teething problems, a lack of political consensus in its favor and ultimately saw only very little revenue service, the HST remained in service for over 40 years on intercity services, and it was only from 2019 that it was slowly re-allocated to regional services, where (as of October 2023) it remains in use by two operators. The active tilting technology pioneered by the APT is still used in the Pendolino trains that run on British tracks.

Following a badly-conceived privatisation in the mid-1990s, the network was fragmented with different companies running track, rolling stock, and dozens of small companies operating trains but with heavy government intervention, subsidy and control of the system. The infrastructure (e.g. track, signals and stations) was renationalised in the early 2000s after a financial meltdown triggered by the fatal Hatfield crash in October 2000, and since then the system has bedded-in and developed into an effective transport system, albeit with some ongoing issues, to give a mixed public/private-sector railway. Profits accrued to the private sector but subsidies were paid and exact services to be run were specified by the government. By 2013, passenger numbers were booming despite annual rises in fares. Brits pay among the highest fares for train travel in the world; for instance, a yearly commuter ticket from an outer London suburb is more expensive than the BahnCard 100 valid for travel on all German trains.

Throughout the 2010s, it became clear that the franchise system was unsustainable: with each franchise renewal, ever fewer bids were made by a dwindling list of companies, and irregularities with several franchise tenders forced the government to award short-term extensions to the incumbent franchise holders. Additionally, there was an increase in franchise failures, requiring the government to take over as an "emergency stopgap" - repeatedly so in the case of the East Coast Main Line franchise. Increasingly vocal calls for change were largely met with inaction from Whitehall, until events were overtaken by the COVID-19 pandemic : with passenger levels plummeting, the rail industry was left on the verge of bankruptcy, and the government had to act. In March 2020, franchises were effectively suspended and replaced with temporary management contracts, whereby the government carried all of the costs and received all of the revenues.

In September 2020, it was announced that the franchise system would not return. While permanent renationalisation was always unlikely under a Conservative government, the new system will entail the state having a much tighter grip. In May 2021, the government said that it would be replaced by a concession model under a new body called "Great British Railways" (GBR), whereby companies would be awarded a long-term contract in return for a fixed annual payment from the Treasury, with timetabling and fares under state control and fare revenue going back into the public purse. However, in the meantime, two more franchises were nationalised due to financial irregularities and poor performance respectively, leading to a record 4 out of UK government's 14 franchises now falling under public ownership. It was later announced that the creation of GBR had been delayed. Several of the devolved governments have also renationalised their regional operations: in February 2021, Transport for Wales services were brought into public ownership by the Welsh (Labour) government, whilst the Scottish (SNP) government did the same for ScotRail services in April 2022 and for Caledonian Sleeper services in June 2023.

Most scenic routes

Many lines cut through spectacular British countryside and run along dramatic coasts, particularly in Scotland, Wales and the north and south-west of England. In many places, elegant Victorian viaducts and bridges add to (rather than detract from) the beauty of the natural landscape. Of the many such scenic routes, here are a few that are part of the National Rail network and provide a transport service to the communities along the route, as well as attracting tourists. Preserved and heritage railways operate others (usually by steam train) in gorgeous countryside (see Heritage and steam railways below on preserved railways).

• Cambrian Line ( Shrewsbury - Aberystwyth / Pwllheli ). This is a route that travels first through the semi-mountainous upland terrain of Mid Wales , and then the Dovey Valley before reaching the coast. The route passes through Machynlleth before splitting at Dovey Junction some distance southwest. The southern portion heading for Aberystwyth , the northern portion to Pwllheli in North Wales . On the northern arm, the coast of first the Dovey estuary and then Cardigan Bay is alongside. The mountains of Snowdonia are first to the north and then east as the line delicately weaves its way up the coast. The railway line crosses Mawddach Estuary on the noted Barmouth Bridge, continuing north, to reach Harlech and turning west to Minffordd and Porthmadog . A run west along the northern edge of Cardigan bay completes the run into Pwllheli . The route also connects with many of the narrow gauge "little trains of Wales" which can be used to explore the mountainous Welsh interior.
• Exeter-Penzance (including part of the Riviera Line ): Designed by the famous engineer Brunel as part of his Great Western Railway, this line runs from Exeter , Devon to Penzance , Cornwall and includes long stretches where the railway runs directly on the sea wall, such as at Dawlish. It also runs through lush valleys, past the dramatic Dartmoor, crosses viaducts by Brunel and enters Cornwall by the impressive Royal Albert Bridge across the River Tamar (pronounced TAY-mar). Images of waves breaking by the railway line at Dawlish are iconic of Devon . The stretch between Exeter and Newton Abbot is especially pretty , as the train travels along the sea wall through the pretty coastal towns of Starcross, Dawlish and Teignmouth (pronounced "Tin-muth"). Keep you eyes glued to that window for that 15- to 20-minute stretch!
• Heart of Wales Line The entire journey from Swansea to Shrewsbury takes around four hours, and passes through some of Wales' most scenic mountain areas and picturesque market towns.
• Stonehaven-Aberdeen : The line north of Edinburgh to Aberdeen crosses the iconic Forth Bridge. At its northern end, between the pretty harbour town of Stonehaven and the "Granite City" of Aberdeen it runs for 20 minutes or so along a dramatic, craggy coast with spectacular cliffs soaring down into the north sea. Rugged inlets and churning waves breaking on the rocks add to the scene. The route is especially impressive at sunrise (as may be seen if taking the sleeper from London to Aberdeen)
• The Far North Line from the rapidly-growing city of Inverness to Britain's most northerly town, Thurso, runs through impressive Highland scenery as well as along the Moray Firth, the Dornoch Firth and the impressive coast of Sutherland. Another scenic route leaves Inverness for Kyle of Lochalsh, with its links to the spectacular isle of Skye.
• The Settle-Carlisle Line runs 73   mi (117   km) from Settle in North Yorkshire (or you can join the train earlier at the major city of Leeds ) to the city of Carlisle , near the Scottish border. The most scenic railway in England, it runs through the dramatic Pennine Hills and the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Of the many viaducts, the dramatic Ribblehead Viaduct with its 24 stone arches is most notable, and there is good walking from many of the stations on the route. (This line was earmarked for closure in the 1980s, but public pressure and growing freight traffic has meant it remained open)
• The West Highland Line from Glasgow to the ports of Mallaig and Oban is probably the most spectacular in the UK and regularly voted among the top railway journeys in the world. The nightly sleeper from London Euston also follows this route to Fort William and in summer a daily steam train "The Jacobite" plies the last section between Fort William and Mallaig. Spectacular vistas include Gareloch, Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, the Great Glen, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and finally the Hebrides as you approach Mallaig.

An achievement of British Rail which is still in place today is that you can purchase a through-ticket from any station in Great Britain to any other station, regardless of the number of changes or train companies involved. Tickets can even be bought to include travel on the London Underground , Manchester Metrolink and many other local metro services.

Most inter-city services travel at speeds up to 125   mph (201   km/h) , even on non-electrified lines. Britain was the first country to introduce high-speed diesel services in the 1970s (using InterCity 125 trains that, refurbished, are still a mainstay of some routes today). Unlike some countries, high-speed services generally do not cost more than others, except for the trains running on High Speed 1 from London St Pancras to stations in Kent. Here you pay higher fares than slower services that don't use the high-speed line. Away from the inter-city lines, speeds are typically up to 100   mph (160   km/h) on main lines, and less on more minor routes. In the old Southern Region (a region bounded by the River Thames and the South Western Main Line to Weymouth ), even inter-city services are limited to 100   mph (160   km/h) due to the constraints of third-rail electrification.

On non-inter-city services (especially in South-East England), you may hear the term "fast", as in the following announcement: "Calling at Sevenoaks, Petts Wood, Bromley South, then fast to London Charing Cross". This does not necessarily refer to speed - it means non-stop . So the train in the above announcement would miss out the many stations between Bromley South and London Charing Cross. A "fast" service is non-stop, while "semi-fast" means calling at only certain stations.

Classes of travel

In general, there are two classes of travel: standard class and first class. Most commuter and regional trains offer standard class only.

• Standard class accommodation generally has two seats either side of the aisle with a mix of 'facing table' or more private 'airline-style' seats. Some trains, designed for more intensive commuter use, may have three seats one side and two the other, or even just perches along the walls with plenty of standing space.
• First class accommodation on inter-city services has two seats and one seat either side of the aisle, with a larger seat, more legroom, an at-seat service of drinks, refreshments and a newspaper (not all at seat services are available at the weekend). First class on commuter services is usually much more basic and may be two seats either side of the aisle with no at-seat service. Other than on long journeys (2 hours or more) or busy trains (i.e. 8 am train into London) it is almost pointless to buy a first class ticket. This is because, apart from the fact that you are more likely to get a seat (which can be guaranteed if you obtain a reservation), it has almost no benefits for the often significant price difference. Do check prices when booking, though, as Advance first class fares can sometimes be surprisingly reasonable, and on a longer journey extra leg and elbow room as well as the (often quite good) meals and drinks are nice. It's also worth checking the train operator's website to see what first class gets you, for example Avanti West Coast offers a full meal service, while some other operators only offer you a bigger seat. On weekends many operators offer a fairly cheap first class upgrade once you've boarded the train, called "Weekend First" - see details on this National Rail page . This is usually announced, and you pay the upgrade to on-train staff. In some cases it is also possible to guarantee an upgrade by paying in advance at a ticket office.
• Standard Premium accommodation is an additional class of travel offered on most Avanti West Coast services, priced between first and standard class. It allows passengers to sit in the same type of seats and carriages as first class, but there is no at-seat food or drink service. It is possible to upgrade to Standard Premium onboard the train for a fixed upgrade fee, which varies up to £35 depending on the length of the journey being made. The Train Manager takes payment of the upgrade after you have sat down.

Onboard amenities

Inter-city services (e.g. long-distance services on the Main Lines listed below) typically offer the following onboard amenities:

• Almost all services have s eat reservations , which can be made free of charge when buying your ticket. These are indicated by a paper tag or electronic display above each seat.
• Most services have a walk-up buffet , or a trolley service of drinks and refreshments moving through the train. Timetables usually indicate whether this is available on a particular service, and if so, whether it is available throughout, or only for part of the journey.
• All services have air conditioning .
• All services have at least one carriage with a fully disabled- accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.
• All services have WiFi internet connectivity. This is free, but often slow and intermittent (particularly in rural areas).
• Many services have a "Quiet Coach" where making unnecessary noise is not permitted. Devices should be set to silent, and telephone calls are not permitted, in such coaches.

Regional services (e.g. those operated by TransPennine Express, and some Chiltern Railways, Transport for Wales, West Midlands Trains and ScotRail services) typically offer the following onboard amenities:

• Many longer distance regional services have seat reservations , which can be made free of charge when buying your ticket. These are indicated by a paper tag or electronic display above each seat.
• Some longer distance regional services have a trolley service of drinks and refreshments moving through the train.
• Air conditioning is often, but not always, available.
• Many services have WiFi internet connectivity. This is free, but often slow and intermittent (particularly in rural areas).

Commuter services (e.g. those operated by Southeastern, Southern Railway, Thameslink, South Western Railway, c2c, London Overground, Elizabeth line) typically offer the following onboard amenities:

• Some trains have toilets. Where these are available, there is at least one carriage with fully disabled- accessible toilet and baby changing facilities.
• Many services have WiFi internet connectivity. This is free, but often slow and intermittent.

Inter-City lines

The inter-city network developed from six historic mainlines. Line speed is up to 125   mph (201   km/h) , but is up to 186   mph (299   km/h) for High Speed 1 which is only achieved by Eurostar with domestic trains limited to 140   mph (230   km/h) , and 100   mph (160   km/h) for the Great Eastern line. The 125-mph top speed on the West Coast main line can only be achieved by tiling trains, with conventional trains limited to 110   mph (180   km/h) . All inter-city lines connect to London at one end, except for the Cross-Country Route. There are numerous stations in London, with each mainline terminating at a different station (e.g. Paddington, King's Cross, St. Pancras, Euston). These stations are linked by the London Underground network.

• High Speed 1 (HS1) connects London with many destinations in Kent such as Canterbury , Rochester and the Medway Towns, Margate, and Dover, and with the Channel Tunnel to France. Domestic services run at 140   mph (230   km/h) from London to cities and towns in Kent, and Eurostar international services run at 186   mph (299   km/h) to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam. This line runs from St Pancras.
• East Coast Main Line - from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley via Peterborough , York and Newcastle , with a branch to Leeds . Services run at least hourly from London to Newark-on-Trent , Leeds, and Edinburgh, with less frequent services to Bradford , Hull , Sunderland and Aberdeen .
• West Coast Main Line - from London Euston to Glasgow Central via Milton Keynes , Preston and Carlisle , with branches to Birmingham , Manchester and Liverpool . Services run at least hourly from London to Birmingham, Chester , Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow, with less frequent services to Bangor , Holyhead , Blackpool and Edinburgh.
• Great Eastern Main Line - from London Liverpool Street to Norwich via Colchester and Ipswich . Half-hourly services run the length of the line.
• Great Western Main Line - from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads via Reading , with branches southwest to Devon and Cornwall , and west across the Welsh border to Cardiff and Swansea . Services run at least hourly from London to Oxford , Worcester , Bristol, Cardiff, Swansea and Plymouth , with less frequent services to Hereford , Cheltenham , Paignton and Penzance .
• Midland Main Line - from London St. Pancras to Sheffield via Leicester and Derby , with a branch to Nottingham . Services run at least hourly from London to Corby , Nottingham, and Sheffield.
• Cross-Country Route - connecting Scotland , northern England , the Midlands, southern and south-west England . Unlike all other inter-city lines it does not reach London and most services run via Birmingham .

While these are the routes showing high speed services, some operators run longer-distance "fast" or "semi-fast" connections on local lines, one such example being Greater Anglia's West Anglia Main Line "fast" service which only calls at London Liverpool Street, Tottenham Hale, Harlow Mill, Bishops Stortford, Audley End, Whittlesford Parkway and Cambridge. A much longer Transport for Wales service travels regularly from Milford Haven to Manchester calling at towns and cities like Carmarthen, Llanelli, Swansea, Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, Abergavenny, Crewe and Manchester Piccadilly. These trains are not served by high speed trains and will often operate at slower speeds. They may also call at intermediate stations on the route. It is worth checking where your train stops at, and whether there may be a quicker connection, for example, Great Northern's London King's Cross - Cambridge would be quicker than Greater Anglia's London Liverpool Street - Cambridge.

Regional, local and commuter lines

A vast network of lines provide services between towns and cities of regional importance (e.g. Liverpool - Manchester), local services (e.g. Settle - Carlisle) and commuter services around many major cities (the network is particularly dense around London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Liverpool). Most towns and cities of interest or importance can be reached by rail, or by rail and a connecting bus link (e.g. a bus service connects Leuchars Station with St Andrews ). It's worth trying the journey planner on the National Rail website to see if a place you're interested in is served (see section on Planning your Trip below).

Rural services

On some rural, local services (particularly in the north-west and south-west of England), some smaller stations are request stops. This will normally be indicated on the schedule, and announced on the public-address system. If boarding at a request stop, the train will slow down and may also sound its horn - if you wish to board the train then raise your arm so that the driver can see you. If you wish to alight at a request stop, you should notify train staff as to which station you wish to get off at and he will signal the driver to stop.

When boarding a train at some rural Scottish request stops north of Inverness, it is instead necessary to use the Request to Stop Kiosk on the platform to request that the train stops.

Sleeper trains

There are three scheduled sleeper trains in Britain that operate every night (except Saturday) in each direction. Travelling more slowly than their equivalent daytime trains, they offer a comfortable means of overnight travel. All feature a lounge car that is open to passengers booked in berths (although on busy nights the Caledonian Sleeper sometimes restrict access to the lounge car to first-class passengers only). A buffet service of food and drinks is available in the lounge car, offering affordable snacks and drinks.

London to Scotland

The Scottish Government's Operator of Last Resort runs two Caledonian Sleeper services, departing every night except Saturday in each direction:

• The Lowland Sleeper leaves London Euston around 23:00, and divides at Carstairs to reach Glasgow Central and Edinburgh for 07:30; the southbound trains depart Glasgow and Edinburgh around 23:30.
• The Highland Sleeper leaves London Euston around 21:00, and divides at Edinburgh to reach Aberdeen for 07:40 (returning 21:40), Inverness for 08:40 (returning 20:40) and Fort William for 10:00 (returning 19:30). Passengers travelling between London and Edinburgh may not use the Highland Sleeper, as this is just a service halt. This train stops at many intermediate stations (eg Dundee, Stirling and Perth) but very early in the morning: it might be more convenient, and cheaper, to take the Lowland Sleeper to Edinburgh or Glasgow then change to a daytime train.

Reservations on Caledonian Sleepers are compulsory. If you already hold a flexible ticket or rail pass, you need to pay a sleeper supplement if you would like to have a room rather than a seat; if you want to travel in a seat, you just need to obtain a seat reservation (for free - e.g. through Caledonian Sleeper's website). It is possible to use the Highland Sleeper between Edinburgh and Fort William (and intermediate stations) in either direction as a 'daytime' train if holding a flexible ticket or rail pass, but a (free) seat reservation is similarly required.

The Caledonian Sleeper introduced new CAF-manufactured rolling stock in 2019. Reclining seats are cheapest: these are in a 2+1 layout comparable to daytime first class but with no at-seat service, and the lights stay on all night. It's an uncomfortable way to spend the night; note that sitting passengers on the Fort William portion of the train must change carriages in Edinburgh. Sleeper compartments have up to two berths in three configurations: "classic" rooms include up & down bunk beds and a washbasin; "club" rooms have up & down bunks with basin, WC and shower, and a complimentary breakfast; and double bedrooms have one double bed with basin, WC and shower. These are sold on the same basis as hotel rooms, so you pay extra for single occupancy, but you don't have to share with a stranger. Pricing is dynamic, you pay less in advance, much more at weekends or around the Edinburgh Festival if indeed there are berths available. Reckon £140 single and £170 double "classic" to Edinburgh and £45 for seating only. Booking is open 12 months in advance; you need to print out your e-ticket to present on boarding.

London to the West Country

Great Western Railway operates the Night Riviera Sleeper , which travels along a single route from London Paddington to Plymouth , Devon and Penzance , Cornwall, calling at numerous intermediate stations. Reservations on Great Western Railway sleepers are optional (but recommended) in seated accommodation, and supplements are payable on top of the basic fare to reserve a berth. The Night Riviera offers two kinds of accommodation:

• Standard class seated accommodation (the seats do not recline).
• Sleeper berths: either a cabin with two berths or (for a higher supplement) a cabin with just one. Solo travellers will not have to share with another traveller, but must book a single cabin instead. The sleeping compartments have been refurbished to a very high standard and each includes a washbasin with soap and towel, a compact wardrobe and electric sockets with USB charging ports. Sleeper berth passengers will be served a complimentary breakfast. There are no showers on board the sleepers, but berth passengers may use the showers at Paddington, Truro and Penzance stations free of charge. Berth passengers may also use the first class lounge at Paddington before or after their journey.

Parliamentary trains

A British peculiarity is the Parliamentary train or ghost trains . This is usually where the railway company wants to close the station, or a particular service, or the entire line, but the legal process for doing so is complex and expensive. So instead they run the very minimum service that the law requires: just one a week, in one direction only, usually at an inconvenient time. Other parliamentary trains are used to keep up driver familiarity with unusual movements. An example of the latter was the once-daily Chiltern Railways train to London Paddington instead of the usual London Marylebone, since trains were occasionally diverted there. This route is now 'served' by a weekly replacement bus service from West Ealing to West Ruislip on a Wednesday.

Other examples of parliamentary trains include:

• London Liverpool Street to Enfield Town via South Tottenham, Saturday at 0531 (trains normally go via Stoke Newington)
• Wolverhampton to Walsall direct, Saturday at 0638
• Gillingham to Sheerness-on-Sea, weekdays at 0456 and return at 2132
• Northampton to Crewe stopping at Polesworth station, Monday to Saturday at 0723

The companies’ behaviour is somewhat cynical; there is however an upside to this. Unlike the stations and lines closed during the "Beeching Axe", when Britain lost half its rail network in the span of not even a full decade, stations or lines (only) served by a "Parliamentary Train" can become regular stations and lines with frequent service rather quickly. It does not happen maybe as often as some would want, but there have been instances of lines going from the bare minimum of "train service" in order to avoid the lengthy process of shutdown, to regular and actually useful service.

Planning your trip

The best source of information is the National Rail website at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ . It has a very useful journey planner, gives live updates for all stations, has station information and plans, ticket information, as well as a useful Cheapest Fare Finder (however "split ticketing" may still be cheaper, see #Split-journey tickets ). Most of these services are also available by telephone from the National Rail Enquiries phone service on +44 3457 48 49 50. The National Rail website gives prices but does not sell tickets (however it will link to a choice of several websites which do). Among the train operators' websites, a useful one for planning travel and buying tickets is:

• Great Western Railway is a privately owned train company which uses an easy-to-use ticketing system and unlike most websites also sells some rovers online here [ dead link ] . As with all train company websites, it gives information and sells tickets for all services in Great Britain operated by any company.
• Other useful websites include northernrailway.co.uk , scotrail.co.uk , southwesternrailway.com and trainsplit.com

It is advisable not to use most of the independent train booking websites that also exist, as these often charge unavoidable additional fees for tickets which can all be purchased without the fees from any train companies website! (e.g. for booking, receiving tickets by post or collecting them at the station). The only exception is that some third party sites, such as trainsplit.com , offer split tickets which can save you a significant amount (see #Split-journey tickets ).

• Do not use most third-party ticket websites : tickets sold on thetrainline.com, redspottedhanky.com, mytrainticket.co.uk or raileasy.co.uk can be purchased at a cheaper rate and without any booking or card fees from any train company's website! Some third-party ticket websites charge booking/collection fees, while the official train company websites do not. thetrainline.com advertises frequently in the media in the UK, leaving some people convinced that it's cheaper, however in reality it's impossible to get a cheaper deal there no matter what anyone tells you!

Buying tickets

A feature of the network is that you can purchase a through-ticket from any one station to any other in Great Britain, regardless of which or how many train companies you will need to travel on. At stations, you can buy tickets at ticket offices or ticket machines . An increasing number of stations have no ticket office and very minor ones will not have a machine; in this situation you should buy your ticket on-board from the conductor as soon as you can. Alternatively, most travellers buy their ticket online or through an app. You can buy your ticket from one of the train companies' websites or apps , all of which have a journey planner and sell tickets for all companies' services, not just their own. There are also many third party retailers who are licensed to sell tickets on behalf of the train companies. If you buy your ticket online or through an app, you can receive your tickets in a number of different ways (depending on the retailer and journey):

• E-ticket: you receive a PDF which shows a barcode and the ticket details. You can download as many copies of this as you like, to display either using a PDF reader or within the retailer's app on a digital device (phone, iPad etc.), or to print at home (using plain, white A4 paper is advised). There is no requirement for the ticket to be activated prior to use, or for the person travelling to show ID - it is sufficient to show the e-ticket itself. Some retailers may also allow you to add an e-ticket to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay. E-tickets aren't available for journeys which involve using the London Underground (e.g. crossing London), or for most journeys involving ScotRail or Merseyrail.
• If travelling within Scotland on ScotRail services, the conductor may unofficially accept seeing your confirmation email instead. If travelling to a station with barriers, they may ask you to collect your ticket there to leave the station. For example, boarding a train at Achnasheen, you would show the conductor your confirmation email. When arriving in Inverness, you may need to print out your ticket from the machine there. In this case, select Inverness as your collection station when buying the ticket.
• M-ticket : when buying a ticket on an app, for journeys involving ScotRail and (for some ticket types) Transport for Wales you will be sometimes offered an m-ticket rather than an e-ticket. M-tickets look similar to e-tickets (they also have a barcode and ticket details), but you do not receive a PDF and can only display them on one device within the app used for buying the ticket. They must be activated prior to starting your journey.
• Post : you can have tickets sent to you by post, but this takes 2–3 days, so is not available for journeys within the next few days. There is usually a postage charge.

A ticket does not guarantee a seat unless you also have a seat reservation . Depending on ticket type and train company, this may come automatically with the ticket or you may be asked if you wish to reserve a seat - ask if you are unsure. Some trains (mostly local and commuter services) do not permit seat reservations. If you have no seat reservation, you may have to stand if the train is busy.

Ticket types

Point-to-point tickets come in three types: Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime. There are also 'Rover' and 'Ranger' tickets , for unlimited journeys in a particular area. You can usually book any of these up to three months in advance; Advance tickets are likely to be cheaper the further in advance you book. You can choose between flexibility (generally more expensive) and value (less or no flexibility), similar to an airline. In increasing order of cost, tickets are classed as:

• Most train companies now allow Advance tickets to be bought until 5-10 minutes before the train leaves.
• Advance tickets are limited in availability, and typically increase in price as you get nearer to the date/time of departure. On busy trains, Advance tickets will sell out several days or weeks beforehand - after this point, only Off-Peak or Anytime fares will be available if you want to travel on that train.
• Advance tickets are only sold as single (one-way) tickets. To make a return journey, simply purchase two singles.
• Up until the scheduled departure time of the journey, it's possible to change an Advance ticket to a different date or time, or to an Off-Peak or Anytime fare, subject to payment of any difference in fare plus any administration fee, up to £10, charged by the retailer.
• If (without good reason) you board a different train to that stated on your Advance, your ticket is considered invalid and you will either need to pay for a new ticket (at full price), be charged a Penalty Fare (at least £100 extra, reduced to £50 if paid promptly), or be reported for prosecution.
• Time restrictions vary widely depending on the journey being made; online journey planners and apps will automatically work out whether Off-Peak tickets are valid for a given journey. Each Off-Peak ticket has a 2-character "restriction code" (e.g. B1), which explains the applicable restrictions. You can look up the details at nre.co.uk/ XX , where XX is the code.
• For some journeys, there are also cheaper Super Off-Peak or Evening Out tickets. These are the same as Off-Peak tickets, but with further time restrictions.
• Off-Peak tickets are normally more expensive than Advance tickets, although this is sometimes not the case for return journeys (particularly if returning the same day, where cheaper Day Returns are available).
• Off-Peak tickets can be changed to a different date; an administration fee of up to £10 may be charged.
• Off-Peak tickets can be "excessed" to a different route (e.g. via London if you have a "not via London" ticket) or to Anytime tickets, subject to payment of the difference in fare. This can be done through the company you bought your ticket from, or at any ticket office. It is also possible to pay the difference onboard the train; there is no penalty for this. Note that an operator restriction (e.g. "Northern only") cannot be excessed away, and you can be treated as travelling without a valid ticket if you board a train operated by the 'wrong' company with such a ticket.
• With most Off-Peak tickets, you can break your journey anywhere en route. This means you can stop off, or start or finish your journey, at an intermediate station. There are a small number of tickets where this doesn't apply; you can find out if this is the case by looking up the details of the restriction code (see above).
• Anytime tickets are normally more expensive than Off-Peak tickets, although this is sometimes not the case for return journeys (particularly if returning the same day, where cheaper Day Returns are available).
• Anytime tickets can be changed to a different date; an administration fee of up to £10 may be charged. Anytime Day Singles and Day Returns are valid only on the selected date; Anytime Singles are valid for 2 days. The outward part of an Anytime Return ticket is valid for 5 days; the return part is valid for a calendar month.
• Anytime tickets can be "excessed" to a different route (e.g. via London if you have a "not via London" ticket), subject to payment of the difference in fare. This can be done through the company you bought your ticket from, or at any ticket office. It is also possible to pay the difference onboard the train; there is no penalty for this. Note that an operator restriction (e.g. "Northern only") cannot be excessed away, and you can be treated as travelling without a valid ticket if you board a train operated by the 'wrong' company with such a ticket.
• With Anytime tickets, you can always break your journey anywhere en route. This means you can stop off, or start or finish your journey, at an intermediate station.

Where available, the cheapest fares are usually Advance tickets; however, if making a return journey (particularly a day trip) it may be cheaper to buy an Off-Peak or Anytime fare. Advance tickets are typically released for sale 8 weeks in advance, but this can vary from as little as a few weeks to 6 months depending on the operator and route. To check how far ahead 'Advance' tickets are available for the operator or route you're interested in, visit National Rail's "Booking Horizons" page . If you have not booked in advance , short and medium-distance travel is typically still affordable if you buy on the day of travel, but if you try to buy longer-distance tickets on the day (e.g. London-Scotland), make sure your budget is prepared.

If you are purchasing an Off-Peak or Anytime ticket, return fares are often only a small amount (£1 or 10p) more than a single (one-way ticket), though there have been changes to begin to move towards budget-airline style "single leg pricing". For most shorter distance journeys, there are only Day Return tickets, where outbound and return travel must be completed on the same day (a "day" is defined at ending 04:29 the following day). Tickets are valid until 04:29 the day after the "valid until" date shown on the ticket. Tickets purchased after midnight are valid until 04:29 the following day (28 hours after purchase). On some intermediate-length routes, e.g. between London and Cambridge, both Return (return within a month) and Day Return (return the same day) fares are available. On longer journeys, Day Return (within a month) fares are usually not available. Often people (including ticket office staff) will use "return" to mean "day return"—this can cause confusion. It's always best to specify when buying your ticket either "period return" (return within a month) or "day return" (return the same day) just to be sure you're getting the right one.

Cost optimisation

There are various ways to obtain discounts, for some people, some of the time. The simplest way to get cheaper tickets is always to book as far in advance as possible.

Note that the below focuses on tips that mainly apply outside London ; travel within (and near) London is somewhat more complex and is covered in the dedicated Optimising London public transport article.

Split tickets

An example of the complexity and lack of logic in ticket pricing is that it can sometimes be cheaper to split a journey into two or more segments, and buy a separate ticket for each segment. This can apply to any of the ticket types listed above. For example, as of August 2018 a standard-class off-peak return ticket from Reading to Bristol cost £63.20. If you are making that journey in a day, however, it would be better to buy day return tickets from Reading to Didcot (£6.60) and from Didcot to Bristol (£24.90) – a total of £31.50, saving over 50%. You would buy both tickets before starting the journey.

These tickets are valid only on trains that are scheduled to stop at the relevant intermediate station. In the example above, you would have to use a train that stops at Didcot; most Reading–Bristol trains do so. However, there is no need for you to get off the train and back on at the intermediate station. There is little rhyme or reason as to which journeys can be made cheaper by this tactic, although it seems that journeys starting and finishing at major locations tend to be relatively more expensive (in our example, Reading and Bristol are both much bigger places than Didcot). It also tends to be cheaper to split journeys without day returns into two shorter journeys with day returns (also seen in our example). You can either do your own research by using the National Rail site, or use a retailer that offers split tickets, such as TrainSplit , Trainline and Splitticketing . Splitting at every intermediate station normally increases the cost rather than decreasing it.

There's little additional risk by buying split tickets in this way, even if you're using more than one train. If you have two Advance tickets which can only be used on the booked trains, the first train is late and you miss your connecting train, then you are completely legally entitled to use a later connecting train as long as you have allowed the set 'connection time' (at least 5 minutes, up to 15 minutes for the largest stations – see BR Times and enter the station name for details) at your interchange station. Split ticketing has become increasingly common over recent years, so staff will likely be familiar with split ticketing (some even suggest it) and are unlikely to cause any difficulties in a situation like this.

At stations with ticket offices, it is possible to buy "split tickets" by asking for the exact tickets you want – you will normally not be pro-actively offered these, as ticket offices are under an obligation to offer the cheapest through ticket rather than the cheapest split tickets. At stations that only have a ticket machine, your ability to buy split tickets will vary depending on whether or not the ticket machine can sell tickets from other stations. If the machine does not support this, you could board the train with the first split ticket, and then immediately find the conductor to purchase the rest, but they would be under no obligation to sell you this ticket and some trains do not have conductors. If this were the case, you would have to leave the train at the last station where your ticket is valid. Buying all your tickets before starting your journey is safer.

Third-party booking sites

There are some third-party websites (the most popular being Trainline) that can book tickets for train travel within the UK. Given that these websites typically charge a booking fee, this is usually a bad idea, as you can easily book a ticket from any train operator in the UK (for anywhere in the UK, even if the journey is with a different operator) without paying a booking fee. There is little reason to use them, with the exception of the split-journey tickets case described above.

Specifying a route or train company

There may be several different routes or operators to your destination, with different fares. A ticket valid via "Any Permitted" route - valid on all operators and with no restrictions on the route - will typically be more expensive than a ticket that is restricted to a specific route or to a specific train company.

Change of route excess

A little known secret is the possibility to excess a ticket to a different route. This allows you to save money when making a return journey whereby you travel on a cheaper route in one direction. Take for example Off-peak Returns from Dundee to Inverness: there are two different routes available. One is free of any restrictions, bearing the inscription "Any Permitted", the other requires you to travel "via Aviemore". The former costs £56.10, the latter only £36.90. If you want to travel via Aviemore in one direction and via Aberdeen in the other, an online journey planner will only offer you the "Any Permitted" ticket. At a ticket office, however, you'll be able to buy the cheaper "via Aviemore" fare and obtain a change of route excess for the direction where you want to travel via Aberdeen (not passing through Aviemore). This change of route excess is charged at only half the difference between the two tickets. You'll pay a total of £46.50, a saving of more than 17% compared to the "Any Permitted" fare.

Similarly, on a small number of routes it's possible to get a cheaper ticket if you travel with a specific operator. Usually this involves taking a slower or less frequent train. For example, a single with no restrictions between Glasgow and Edinburgh is £12.50. A ticket valid on CrossCountry services only is £8.50. Similarly, look out for "West Midlands Railway/London Northwestern Railway only" fares between London and the West Midlands or North-West, or "Greater Anglia only" fares between Cambridge and London. Note that tickets restricted to specific operator(s) cannot be excessed, and are considered completely invalid on other operators' services. If you wish to travel on a different operator, you should obtain a refund of your original ticket (subject to an administration fee of up to £10) and buy a new ticket.

Break of Journey

Most tickets (other than Advance tickets) allows you to break your journey as many times as you like within the day(s) on which they're valid. So if you're going from London to Edinburgh with a Super Off-Peak Single, you can stop off at York and/or Newcastle if you like. If intending to break your journey, it's a good idea to let staff know when they're checking your ticket - they may mark your ticket accordingly.

Low-cost trains

A growing trend in Europe is for low-cost intercity rail companies that operate single-class "no frills" services, in competition with budget airlines and coaches. As of 2022, only one such dedicated company operates in the UK: Lumo runs along the popular East Coast Main Line route between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, taking approximately 4h30m with stops at Newcastle and Morpeth (a single evening southbound service also calls at Stevenage). The company launched to much hype in autumn 2021, touting single fares of £20. However, their fares have increased since then, and many of their services are very busy. Still, there are bargains to be had, and you could even save on trips starting or ending beyond Edinburgh and London, by purchasing the additional portions separately; there are also now through fares such as "Lumo & ScotRail" for some destinations beyond Edinburgh or "Lumo & SWR", "Lumo & SE" etc. for some destinations beyond London. Make sure to check which ticket you're buying: truly low-cost tickets are only valid on Lumo (and connecting operators beyond London/Edinburgh), whereas the "Any Permitted" (valid for all routes and operators) tickets don't offer any savings, but you can use them on any company's trains (including Lumo). Lumo operates 5 trains per day in each direction.

Grand Central and Hull Trains are two other open access operators that compete with LNER on the East Coast route from London King's Cross. However, although they can be cheaper than LNER, they do not seek to primarily offer a low-cost option in the way that Lumo does.

West Midlands Trains (in cooperation with Transport for Wales for some journeys) and Chiltern Railways compete with Avanti West Coast between London and various destinations in the West Midlands and North-West. They offer cheaper "LNR/WMR only", "LNR/WMR/TfW only" and "via High Wycombe" fares, respectively. These can offer significant savings over the "Any Permitted" fare valid on all operators, e.g. a Manchester to London "Any Permitted" Off-Peak Return is £103.90, whilst an "LNR/WMR/TfW only" Off-Peak fare (which has much less onerous time restrictions) is £50.40.

Discounts are available for:

• Children - up to the age of 15, normally 50%
• Small Groups – of between 3 and 9 people, typically a third off
• Large Groups – 10 or more people
• Railcards – discount cards for certain groups
• Regional Railcards – offering discounts within a specific region
• Some European railway staff

The most widely used system of discounts on National Rail are Railcards. Railcards cannot be used for Eurostar fares. Railcards can be purchased from any station ticket office (after completing a form and providing of proof of eligibility and a photograph) or online . Although these are primarily intended for British citizens, the discounts offered makes them useful for visitors to Britain who plan to travel a lot by train; if you are spending more than about £90 then the Railcard would pay for itself. Some Railcard are available in digital form where an image of the Railcard is displayed through a mobile phone app; if you want one, be sure to state it when you apply for one online.

Note that several of the Railcards have a minimum fare of £12, below which the fare won't be discounted before 10am Mondays to Fridays; this should only impact people making a short trip though, and it does not apply to Advance tickets. There are also some Railcards which are not valid before 9:30am or 10am Mondays to Fridays.

• 16-25 Railcard offers a discount of 1/3 on most tickets for anyone aged 16 to 25 and full-time students of any age (with a suitably stamped form from a university). £30 per year or £70 for three years. The £12 minimum fare applies, except during the months of July and August.
• 26-30 Railcard offers a discount of 1/3 on most tickets for anyone aged 26 to 30. £30 per year, only available as a mobile 'app'. The £12 minimum fare applies.
• Family & Friends Railcard offers a discount of 1/3 on adult fares and 60% on child fares. Up to four adults and four children can travel on one Family & Friends Railcard. At least one named cardholder and one child must be travelling together for the whole journey. £30 per year or £70 for three years. This Railcard is not valid before 9:30am Mondays to Fridays.
• Senior Railcard Offers a discount of 1/3 on most tickets for anyone aged 60 or over. £30 per year or £70 for three years. This Railcard is not valid for journeys within the former 'Network SouthEast' area (see Network Railcard below) in London and the South-East during the morning peak.
• Two Together Railcard is a new Railcard introduced in 2014 offering a discount of 1/3 for two named people (over 16) travelling together. Both people must have their photos on the card, and must stay together for the whole journey. If you change travelling companion you have to buy a new Railcard . This Railcard is not valid before 9:30am Mondays to Fridays.
• Network Railcard An unusual relic of the pre-privatisation British Rail era: it is a geographically specific Railcard that relates to the now obsolete 'Network SouthEast', the British Rail brand for the region of trains that radiate from London and the south east of England. It offers a discount of 1/3 on most tickets for the cardholder and up to three other adults and up to four children, aged 5 to 15 can save 60% on the child fare. Costs £30 a year. This Railcard is not valid before 10am Mondays to Fridays, and a minimum fare of £13 applies Mondays to Fridays.
• Disabled Persons Railcard Offers a discount of 1/3 to eligible disabled or mobility restricted passengers. £20 for one year or £54 for three years. This Railcard does not have a £12 minimum fare restriction.
• HM Forces Railcard A similar 1/3 discount available to serving members of the British armed forces and their families. It can only be obtained from military facilities and cannot be purchased at a station. The £12 minimum fare applies, except during the months of July and August.

There are also several local Railcards that are only valid within a specific region or on a specific set of lines. A full list of such Railcards is available at National Rail

Railway staff discounts

British railway staff working for National Rail operators receive a "Rail Staff Leisure Card" (also known as a "Priv"), entitling them and their partner/dependents to 75% off most public fares (other than Advance tickets) for leisure journeys. They can also obtain a 75%-discounted season ticket (see below) for journeys between their places or residence and work (or education, for dependents). They can usually travel for free on services operated by the company they work for, and often also on affiliated companies or other companies where there is a reciprocal agreement.

Staff working for Network Rail receive a more restricted "Online Leisure Card", which has a similar 75% discount to the "Priv" but that can only be used to buy tickets online, and with some restrictions on the operators that can be used. Staff in employment before 1 April 1996 receive enhanced "safeguarded" travel facilities, which include reciprocal discounts with London Underground and Eurostar.

Most European state railway companies participate in the FIP scheme ( French: F acilités de circulation I nternationales du P ersonnel des chemins de fer; English: International Travel Facilities for Railway Staff), allowing their staff to apply for an FIP card which entitles them to 50% off most British public fares (other than Advance tickets) for leisure journeys. This discount is increased to 75% for employees of the French, Belgian, Irish and Northern Irish state railway companies (SNCF, SNCB, IÉ and NIR, respectively). Similarly, after 1 years' service, British staff can apply for an FIP card, giving them 50% discounts on FIP-participating operators, increasing to 75% for SNCF, SNCB, IÉ and NIR.

Season tickets

Commuters can get some savings (but at any time of day) by purchasing a season ticket . These are available from staffed ticket offices and ticket machines for a fixed route between any two stations you specify. That being said, if you can avoid having to get a season ticket, do so, as they are still rather expensive (and in particularly inflexible in that if you don't use it, you lose it). For example, if you have a Disabled Persons Railcard (recall that it's valid on peak trains without a minimum fare), a season ticket is likely to be more expensive. Similarly, for the 16-25 Railcard, given that the minimum £12 fare applies only M-F before 10AM, consider whether a season ticket is actually cheaper as a result. The same applies to "Flexi Season" tickets, which is an "8 days within 28 days" pass, and hence designed for people working in a hybrid setting. The discounts are computed from Anytime fares, which makes them rather expensive.

If a friend or family member has an annual season ticket issued for travel within the "Gold Card" area, they can purchase tickets for you to travel together at a discount (and also buy one Railcard for themselves or someone else for £10 each year). When travelling with children, this can often be a substantial discount.

Rail passes

There are three principal types of rail pass available to visitors to the UK which permit unlimited rail travel throughout the UK. Supplements are payable for Eurostar and sleeper trains (unless travelling in seats).

• InterRail is a pass for European, but non-UK residents. Two different dedicated Interrail passes cover the UK: Interrail Great Britain is valid for travel throughout England, Scotland and Wales, while Interrail Ireland is valid for travel in Northern Ireland and the Republic. There are also Global Interrail passes, which are valid across all 33 participating countries (including the UK).
• Britrail can be purchased by any non-UK resident, but must be purchased online or in your home nation before you depart for the UK. Britrail passes cover travel in Great Britain, but not Northern Ireland.
• Eurail is the same as InterRail, but for non-European residents.

See European rail passes for more information.

Ranger & Rover tickets

Largely a relic of the nationalised British Rail era, Ranger and Rover tickets are tickets that permit unlimited travel with relatively few restrictions over a defined geographical area for a period of anything from one to fourteen days, including options such as "three days in seven". There are numerous regions available, with a full list of tickets (with their terms and conditions) on National Rail's page . These tickets include Rovers for most regions of the UK; notable tickets include:

• All Line Rover - These national Rovers allow 7 or 14 days travel on almost all scheduled rail services throughout England, Scotland and Wales. As of January 2023, they cost £540 (7 days) or £818 (14 days) for standard class, and £818 (7 days) or £1250 (14 days) for 1st class, with discounts for children and Railcard holders.
• Spirit of Scotland Travelpass : 4 days in 8, or 8 days in 15 - £134 and £179 respectively, with concessions for children and Railcard holders.

Compared to Interrail/Britrail, the All Line Rover is normally considerably more expensive even with a Railcard (and usually less flexible), and hence tourists who have a choice should not take the All Line Rover. For those looking to travel within a specific region, there are Britrail passes valid for a specific region; compare the cost with the closest Ranger/Rover alternative (using Railcards if applicable) to see which is the better choice.

Ticket add-ons

• Travelcards are an option for most regional services in the South East, offering a return journey to London and then unlimited travel by bus, train, underground, tram, or DLR within Greater London. For example, an Oxford to London Off-Peak Day Return costs £26.60 without a travelcard. However, the day travelcard would cost £31.30, giving unlimited travel around London for less than £5 extra.
• Weekend First upgrades allow the holder of a standard class ticket to upgrade to first class on Saturday and Sunday on certain long distance trains. The supplement is payable on the train to the conductor, subject to availability. Upgrades usually start at £5, but on some trains there is no complimentary at-seat service in first class at the weekend. There is more information on the National Rail website here .

Using the train

The National Rail website has an information page for every railway station in Britain, with details of access, facilities, ticket office opening hours and recommended connection times. The 'live' Departures & Arrivals screen for every station can also be viewed online, with up-to-the-minute train running information.

At the station

If you are unfamiliar with your journey, arrive at the station with time to spare. Stations in Britain are often architecturally significant, so if you are early, take the time to look around.

Most stations have electronic departure screens listing trains in order of departure, platform, any delay, stations called at and the train operating company. At larger stations, there is often another screen labelled "Fastest train to..." followed by a list of popular stations. If your ticket doesn't tie you to a particular train, this screen is an easy way to determine the upcoming departure which will get you to your destination in the shortest time. At small or rural stations without electronic displays, signs will indicate which platform to wait on for trains to your destination.

Platforms may not be announced until a few minutes before the train is due to depart, and can sometimes change if the train is delayed. Listen for audio announcements, notably those that start with "This is a platform alteration." Many stations use automated subway-style ticket barriers: you insert your ticket face up, left end (with the arrows logo) first into the first slot facing you; your ticket is then returned from the slot on the top of the machine, and the act of taking it causes the barrier to open. In some cases, you either scan the ticket (if it has a barcode) or, in London, tap an Oyster card on a reader. Platform staff are always in attendance with these barriers and can also advise where to stand if you are travelling with a bicycle.

British trains do not have publicly announced numbers; they are identified at each station by their scheduled departure time (using the 24-hour clock), train company and destination (e.g. "The 14:15 CrossCountry service to Manchester Piccadilly"). If there is a delay to the train's departure, the original scheduled departure time is still used to identify it. Only a few trains carry names, such as The Flying Scotsman between London King's Cross and Edinburgh , The Northern Lights between London King's Cross and Aberdeen and The Highland Chieftain between London King's Cross and Inverness .

While at the station, be aware of what's going on around you. Try not to get in the way, make sure you stand well back from the platform edge (there is usually a yellow line to stand behind), and do not use flash photography, as this can distract drivers, and front-line staff.

Boarding the train

On trains with reservations, coaches are lettered. If you have a seat reservation, watch the outside of the train as it arrives for your coach letter (some major stations will have signs on the platform telling you where to wait). Coach A may be at the front or back of the train (depending on direction it's travelling in), and some letters may not be included (A-B-C-E, for example). Be careful to distinguish between the coach letter and seat number: some seat reservations include a suffix with the letter A (airline-style), F (facing direction of travel) or B (back to direction of travel) - these are not coach letters!

All trains have power-operated doors; you must press an illuminated button to open the doors, and they close automatically before the train leaves. There may be a significant gap between the train and the platform edge. If the weather is cold and you are the last person to board, it is polite to press the 'close door' button to prevent cold weather coming in.

Finding your seat

Seat reservations are marked either with paper tags on the headrest or an electronic display above the window, as well as on your reservation ticket. Usually not all seats are reserved unless the train is very busy - if a seat has no tag, it is unreserved and any ticket-holder can sit there. However, remember that unless you also have a seat reservation, your ticket does not guarantee you a seat . The reservation tag or display at each seat will specify the stations between which the seat is reserved (e.g. "Dundee - York"). If you do not have a reservation and all the seats appear to be reserved, look for one where the reservation starts at a station the train has not reached yet (and be prepared to move seats when it reaches there), or where the reservation ends at a station already called at. It is usual on most long-distance services to have an unreserved carriage, although if you are not joining at the start of the train's journey, seating may be limited, especially if travelling with others.

Keep your ticket and any reservation, pass and/or Railcard with you when you move about the train (e.g. to go to the toilet or buffet car), as you may be asked to show it by the train guard or ticket inspector. It is also likely that you will need it to exit the platform at your destination station, because subway-style ticket barriers are in use at many stations. If you cannot find your ticket at one of these, you will be in big trouble and liable to a hefty penalty plus the cost of a new full ticket. Always keep hold of your ticket until it is retained by the barriers or you leave the station!

Station stops are normally announced over the public address system or on scrolling electronic displays in the carriage.

Travelling with luggage

Different trains vary in how much luggage space they provide. Nearly all trains (including all inter-city ones) have overhead racks suitable for small items like a small rucksack, briefcase, laptop bag, or other small luggage. Inter-city and regional trains have luggage racks suitable for larger suitcases. However, these luggage racks fill up quickly and on long-distance services there is usually not enough space for everyone, so board the train as early as you can to get a space . If you cannot get a space in the racks, and re-arranging the items there doesn't help, you may have to squeeze your luggage into any space you can find. This may be in the vestibule space and the ends of each carriage. Train staff do not tolerate luggage blocking aisles and doorways (this is dangerous in an emergency) and in extreme cases if it is an obstruction it may simply be dumped on the platform at the next stop. Theft of unattended luggage can be an issue so keep a close eye on yours.

On some trains, especially inter-city services, there may be a special luggage area which can be helpful if you have a large bag. For example, CrossCountry's Voyager trains have a luggage area in Coach D (see section below on different types of trains used). On some LNER services between London King's Cross and Leeds (operated using InterCity 225 trains), it is possible to place your bag in a luggage area (in the luggage van/driving car at the opposite end of the train from the power car/locomotive) if you are going to the train's destination. Ask the train guard or platform staff for help loading your luggage.

Food and drink

Getting food on the rail network can be a variable experience. Many long distance services provide a buffet car with a snack bar or a small shop, while others may have a trolley service wheeled to your seat. In most cases, refreshment provision doesn't extend beyond pre-packaged sandwiches, hot and soft drinks, fruit, and confectionery items. Transport for Wales include a full three-course meal on their Business Class service between Holyhead and Cardiff. LNER and Avanti West Coast include light meals for first class passengers on many services. Local services generally don't have any catering at all.

Only Great Western Railway offers a full dining car, and these Pullman services operate only on a limited number of trains on the London-Plymouth and London-Swansea routes. GWR's restaurants offer à la carte meals prepared by a proper chef and served 'silver service'. Spaces are limited and the prices are high, but it is worth trying if you fancy a treat. Although priority is given to first class passengers, standard class passengers may dine in the restaurant if space is available. Despite the Pullman name, the meals are served in ordinary first class carriages.

The Caledonian Sleeper has a 'club' car serving drinks and light meals. The Night Riviera Sleeper's lounge car has a bar and snack counter.

Private charters, rail tours and heritage railways may offer dining car experiences on some services, even the occasional Pullman recreation, albeit for a premium ticket price.

Many stations on the UK rail network have catering outlets. Whilst some stations have locally run independents, which see trade from both passengers and locals alike, outlets of fast food franchises, coffee chains or convenience stores are more typical. Major termini or hubs have a larger assortment of outlets. Marks and Spencer stores usually offer the best range of food and drink in-station, though are on the pricier side. Full service restaurants on stations are a rarity, as are platform side pubs. Some terminus stations are adjacent to grand railway hotels which offer restaurants.

If you want to be sure of having something to eat or drink, then bring your own. There are few restrictions on bringing your own food or drinks. Alcoholic beverages cannot be consumed or be carried visibly (whether open or not) on ScotRail services, and are also prohibited on TfL services in London. Some specific trains or stations may have alcohol restrictions if they are known to be problematic - there will be signs indicating this, and you (and your luggage) may be searched for alcohol before you can board.

Most train services have on-board toilets, except a few short distance commuter trains. Provision varies, but there's usually one every two carriages. All trains with toilets have at least one wheelchair-accessible WC and these usually have a baby-changing table which folds down from the wall. Cleanliness levels are about the standard of other public loos in Britain; they could be better, but they're not disgusting.

Where there is an electric door on the toilet, there is usually a separate button for locking the door which you must press in addition to the one which makes the door close. If you don't press this button, people from the outside can open the door while you're inside. Likewise, you will not be able to open the door to get out without first pressing the unlock button.

Trains are sometimes locked when sat at their terminus station. If you're desperate, go before this happens.

Smoking and alcohol

Smoking is illegal on board trains in Great Britain (and in fact in any enclosed public place in England, Wales and Scotland). Trains are fitted with smoke alarms, including in toilets. If you are seen smoking, train staff will arrange for the British Transport Police to be waiting at the next station and you will be arrested and fined. Smoking is also illegal on station platforms and any other railway property, although at smaller or rural stations it is generally ignored if you smoke in the open air as far as possible from the main waiting area. Vaping electronic cigarettes is not allowed on board trains, but some train companies allow you to vape on the platform.

Whilst alcohol consumption on most trains and on stations is not necessarily banned, you may get disapproving looks from fellow travellers and from railway staff, if you consume it openly on the platform. Some exceptions to this are noted below.

During some events, and at certain times, train companies may restrict alcohol consumption on their services (for example trains going to popular sports events) and will publicise such restrictions on the train or at stations. If you are found consuming alcohol where it is restricted, it will be confiscated. You will only be fined if you fail to surrender your alcohol or continue to drink after being warned.

British Transport Police can also remove you from any station or train, at any time if you are deemed to be unfit to travel through intoxication, and railway staff show no hesitation in requesting their intervention to enforce the Railway by-laws, when required.

On trains operated by ScotRail , it is illegal to be in possession of visible alcohol (whether opened or not), or to consume alcohol at any time of day. This restriction does not apply to the Caledonian Sleeper Service, where alcohol is sold in the 'Club' car.

Under separate by-laws, many local transport networks such as the London Underground also implement alcohol bans.

There are approximately 2,560 railway stations throughout the UK, excluding urban rapid transit systems like the London Underground, Glasgow Subway, Tyne and Wear Metro and the Docklands Light Railway. Almost all stations belong to the state-owned Network Rail, who also manage day-to-day operation of major stations (e.g. Edinburgh Waverley). Others are leased to the train operating company running most of the services there, who are responsible for the operation, upkeep and staffing of the station. Stations vary in their facilities (see information on the National Rail website) but you are likely to have difficulty finding a rubbish bin/trash can at major stations due to the risk of terrorism.

Most stations are in the centre of towns or cities, or within walking distance. However, a station ending in Parkway (e.g. Bristol Parkway, East Midlands Parkway) has a large car park so commuters can drive to it and then take the train: this means it is far from the city/town centre, often in a distant suburb or even in the middle of nowhere. If there is a choice of stations, do not get off at a Parkway station if your destination is the city centre - for example, you would get off at Bristol Temple Meads and not Bristol Parkway for the centre of Bristol. An exception is if you are connecting to an onward destination - for example, the DART automated people-mover runs from Luton Airport Parkway to Luton Airport.

Many stations that date back to the Victorian era, such as the famed St Pancras in London, are architecturally very impressive, and may be worth the trip to have a look even if you are not travelling by train.

Major stations of London

When making a journey that involves a connection between London stations, a through ticket will normally allow connecting travel on London Underground services. In the 19th century it was made illegal to build railway termini too close to the centre of London as it was thought this would put historic buildings at risk. As a result, most were built in a ring which at that time was just outside the centre, but following London's expansion in the 20th century, is very much within it. Bold type indicates a terminus-only station; most London stations are termini as only a few lines cross the capital.

Major regional stations

Outside London , National Rail list the following as major connecting stations, where passengers most often need to change trains on multi-leg journeys.

Trains and rolling stock

Most trains are modern, comfortable and accessible to people with disabilities, although especially on commuter trains and some older rolling stock, tall people will find legroom a problem. Following major investment in the past ten years, all are fairly new or have been comprehensively refurbished within that time. You won't see many traditional locomotives pulling passenger trains (unless you travel on one of the sleeper trains), as most services are now operated by multiple-units. Those still using locomotives are generally set up in a push-pull configuration, with a second locomotive or a non-powered driving trailer at the rear allowing the train to be driven "backwards" and doing away with the need to run around locomotives at the end of the line. A number of rail tour or steam charter trains are still loco-hauled.

With about one-third of track electrified, diesel trains are common (including on inter-city services) but the same top speeds are usually achieved regardless of power source. British trains have a class number but most refer to them by the name (e.g. "I was on one of those Pendolinos today"). This section gives an orientation to the trains you're most likely to need to use and what you can expect. There are more classes which are less common, particularly of electric multiple-unit trains on local and regional services.

High-speed service

HS1 is the UK's only operational high-speed railway , and links London St Pancras to the Channel Tunnel. In addition to international Eurostar services, Southeastern Highspeed operates a domestic high-speed train, which was built by Hitachi in Japan. Officially designated Class 395, but normally known as the Javelin , these "mini Shinkansens" travel up to 140   mph (230   km/h) between London, Ebbsfleet , Ashford , Canterbury , Dover and other towns in Kent . This is marketed as "Britain's fastest" train, though the Eurostar trainsets travel considerably faster. Tickets for the Javelin service are a few pounds more expensive than other Southeastern services, but this is by far the quickest way to travel between Kent and London as there are no other inter-city lines in the county. The 395 has 6 carriages per set, though two sets can be combined to form a 12 car train. The Javelin nickname comes from their origin in 2012 as a high-speed shuttle service for the Olympic Park in Stratford ; 24 of the units are named after British Olympians and Paralympians.

Inter-city services

Inter-city trains in the UK usually travel at up to 125   mph (201   km/h) (the maximum speed for all lines except HS1) and tend to have the most facilities, including wireless internet access, and often an on-board shop or buffet. Some intercity services (e.g. between cities in Scotland) use Turbostar trains which are described in the regional section below.

Intercity Express Train and Azuma

The 800-series (class 800, 801, 802) are inter-city trains built by Hitachi in County Durham and Italy, and deployed on several main lines of the network. The Class 800 was introduced in shambolic style on Great Western Railway (GWR) services on 16 October 2017, when the inaugural service arrived in London Paddington almost an hour late due to multiple technical problems. They were introduced on LNER services in May 2019.

They have been named the Intercity Express Train (IET) by Great Western and Azuma (which means east in Japanese; like the javelin trains, these sets use Japanese Shinkansen technology) by LNER. The class 800 units are bi-mode - they run on overhead electric lines where they are available and switch on the move to underfloor diesel engines where they are not. The class 802 are simply class 800 trains with more powerful diesel engines and bigger fuel tanks. The class 801 units are pure electric trains. The trains have five, nine or ten carriages, and travel at 125   mph (201   km/h) in electric mode and 100   mph (160   km/h) in diesel mode.

Each carriage has luggage racks at each end and large luggage racks above the seats, and there is a mix of tables and airline-style seats with electric sockets. The trains have been criticised for hard, upright seats, but they offer good legroom and more spacious interiors than many inter-city trains. GWR offers a refreshment trolley on most IET services, while LNER's Azuma services include a buffet. Ten-carriage trains are formed of two five-carriage trains joined together, and it is essential to board the correct section if you have a seat reservation or wish to use GWR's Pullman restaurant, as there is no gangway between the trains.

InterCity 125

Once the mainstay of Britain's inter-city network, "HST" (short for "High Speed Train") or InterCity 125 s are still found across Great Britain on some long-distance regional services in Scotland and the south-west of England. Most HSTs have been replaced by the above 800-series trains.

One of British Rail's few major successes, the trains introduced 125   mph (201   km/h) diesel service in the late 1970s and still hold speed records for a diesel train. Apart from three written off due to accidents, all remained in service for more than forty years due to their excellent design, and some still run as of 2024. All have been comprehensively renovated in the last decade and are effectively all-new inside. They have more luggage storage than many more modern trains, with a large rack at each end of the carriage. Most also have plug-points for recharging laptops/mobile phones and ScotRail's have a useful buffet car serving hot and cold food and drinks. Full-size InterCity 125 sets were made up of between 7 and 9 carriages and two power cars (one at each end), but remaining operators ScotRail and GWR run shorter 4 and 5 carriage formations under the "Inter7City" and "Castle class" names respectively. All carriages have now been modified to use automatic electric doors in place of the previous hinged external doors.

InterCity 225

If you travel on LNER's inter-city services between London King's Cross and York or Leeds , you may be on one of these electric trains introduced in 1990. They were designed for 225   km/h (140   mph) , hence the name, but they are limited to the line's speed limit of 125   mph (201   km/h) , because for safety reasons all trains in the UK travelling above 125   mph must have in-cab signalling and it has not been installed on most of the network so far. The InterCity 225 sets have nine carriages operated in push-pull configuration, with an electric locomotive at the north end and driving van at the London end. All InterCity 225 s have been comprehensively refurbished and have power-operated doors, a buffet car with hot and cold food and drinks, plug-points and comfortable seats (many of which have large tables good for families or groups). Coach B is the Quiet Coach. There are big luggage racks similar to InterCity 125 s, but they still fill up quickly so board as early as you can.

The Class 390 Pendolino is an electric inter-city tilting train on the West Coast Main Line between London Euston, north-west England and Glasgow. Introduced in the early 2000s and using Italian tilt technology (hence the name), they travel at 125   mph (201   km/h) ; but like the InterCity 225, were designed for 140   mph (230   km/h) , though they lack cab signalling, hence the limit), and tilt up to 8 degrees around corners. They have a small on-board shop selling magazines/newspapers, hot and cold snacks and beverages. Coach A is the Quiet Coach in standard class, Coach H in first class. Pendolinos were built as 9-carriage trains, but many have now been extended to 11 carriages. In 2007, faulty track caused a Pendolino travelling at high speed to derail at Grayrigg in Cumbria. Only one person was killed, with the lack of a higher death toll attributed to the unit's crashworthiness. However, the heavily-reinforced body means not all seats have a window.

Voyager and Super Voyager

The Class 220 Voyager and Class 221 Super Voyager are inter-city diesel trains, introduced around 2001; Super Voyager differs mainly as it tilts when going around bends to allow faster speeds. Operated by CrossCountry and Avanti West Coast, they usually have four or five carriages and travel at 125   mph (201   km/h) . Each carriage has an engine under the floor so are not as quiet as some others. The overhead luggage racks are quite slim and there is not as much luggage rack space as some other trains. Virgin's Voyagers have a useful shop/buffet like on the Pendolino but CrossCountry units only have an irregular trolley service even though some cover very long distances (e.g. Aberdeen - Penzance). The Class 222 Meridian on East Midlands Trains services is very similar as it was built by the same manufacturer and also travels at up to 125   mph (201   km/h) but it can be much longer, up to 7 carriages, is less cramped and it does have a shop/buffet.

Regional, local and commuter services

Turbostar and electrostar.

Bombardier's diesel Turbostar and electric Electrostar multiple units are the most numerous trains built in the UK since railway privatisation in the 1990s. Turbostars can travel at up to 100   mph (160   km/h - you'll hear the engine under the floor of each carriage in Turbostars), and are used all over Great Britain by many train companies, with the electric Electrostar version mostly seen in the South-East of England. Class 170, 171 and 172 Turbostar trains operate local, regional and some inter-city services and usually have digital information displays and automated announcements. There may be a trolley service but no buffet, and not all have plug-points. They have two to four coaches and are sometimes coupled together to make a longer train. Electrostars are similar, introduced in the past ten years to replace hordes of elderly units in the south and south-east of England. Class 357, 375, 376, 377, 378 and 379 Electrostar trains operate regional and commuter services there and like Turbostar can reach 100   mph (160   km/h) but with faster acceleration (being electric). As with the Turbostar , there may be a trolley service but luggage space is not as much as an inter-city train.

Express Sprinter

The Class 158 and 159 Express Sprinter was introduced around 1990 by British Rail and are designed for medium- and long-distance regional services. They can reach 90   mph (145   km/h) with a diesel engine under each carriage, and are used particularly by ScotRail and numerous other companies in the north, south-west and west of England. They were quite prestigious when introduced and the ride is quite smooth. They have overhead and end-of-carriage luggage racks but not as much as an inter-city train. Unlike the Turbostar , the doors are at the end of each carriage so cold weather doesn't come in when stopped at a station, but they are infamous for their poor air conditioning which often fails on hot days.

Sprinter and SuperSprinter

These classes form a family of diesel multiple-units introduced in the 1980s (the Express Sprinter is the final development of this family). Class 150 Sprinter trains are used for local services or rural lines, with Classes 153 to 156 SuperSprinter being more sophisticated, comfortable and suitable for longer routes (e.g. the scenic West Highland Line) and all reach 75   mph (120   km/h). They do not have air conditioning, but this is not a problem for much of the year in Britain anyway and they are designed for shorter-distance services.

These electric multiple-unit trains of classes 365 (now retired), 465 and 466 were introduced in the early 1990s. Classes 465 and 466 are used on local and commuter lines south of London operated by and can reach 75   mph (120   km/h) using the third-rail, with higher-density seating and resilient floors rather than carpets. You may also find the diesel versions, Class 165 and 166 Network Turbo , on Chiltern services on the line between London Marylebone and Aylesbury, Oxford, Banbury and in the Birmingham area, and on the western side of GWR's network.

All rolling stock used to be built in the UK, but Siemens (of Germany) have been building lots of new trains which are then shipped across. Legions of various classes of Siemens Desiro are now used throughout the country on electrified lines (mostly in the Midlands around Birmingham and the south of England such as services to Hampshire), reaching up to 100   mph (160   km/h), and a slightly different-looking diesel variant is used on TransPennine Express services. They all tend to have very fast acceleration (you really will need to hold on tight if you're standing), plus air conditioning, carpets and electronic information systems. In late 2012 London Midland (now West Midlands Trains) started to run their Desiros at 110   mph (177   km/h) on their services between London and the Trent Valley.

Castle Class

To make up for a shortage of diesel multiple-unit trains suitable for longer journeys, GWR have modified redundant InterCity 125s to form 'Castle Class' trains for their long-distance regional services. These trains have been shortened to four carriages between two power cars, and the traditional 'slam' doors have been replaced with electrically-operated sliding external doors. They retain their intercity-standard interiors with air conditioning and electric sockets, but have no catering facilities on board. These trains are used on stopping services between Penzance, Plymouth, Taunton and Cardiff, and travel at up to 100 mph (160 km/h).

Heritage and steam railways

Following the large-scale line closures and withdrawal of steam locomotives in the 1960s, enthusiasts began to band together to re-open lines as tourist attractions, using surplus or historic steam locomotives and vintage rolling stock. You can visit literally dozens of these, all over Great Britain, and they are popular for a day out. Some run full-size trains, others (such as the Ffestiniog Railway in Gwynedd, Wales) use a narrow gauge, while others (such as the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway in Kent) are complete miniature systems with tiny steam locomotives. While most operate steam trains, some also use heritage diesel locomotives or diesel railcars. Of the many such heritage lines, prominent ones include:

• The Bluebell Railway runs for nine miles through East and West Sussex , from the National Rail station at East Grinstead . It has over 30 steam locomotives and has operated a public service by steam for over 50 years. It has appeared frequently as a movie location.
• The Severn Valley Railway runs for 16   mi (26   km) through Worcestershire and Shropshire in the west of England, starting adjacent to the National Rail station at Kidderminster . It used to be part of the Great Western Railway, and a variety of steam trains appear alongside a handful of classic diesel units.
• The Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway is a miniature railway in Cumbria , starting from Ravenglass station on the National Rail network. The track gauge is just 15 inches and locomotives are miniaturised versions of the full-size originals. it runs for seven miles through scenic hill country.
• The Keith and Dufftown Railway (also known as "The Whisky Line") run for 11   mi (18   km) through Moray and Speyside in Scotland using classic Scottish steam trains and diesel railcars. There are numerous whisky distilleries in the area which can be visited. The line begins in Keith which has a National Rail station.
• The Ffestiniog Railway is a narrow-gauge railway in the Snowdonia National Park in north Wales. It is a popular attraction in the area and originally carried slate from the mines nearby to harbour for shipping, and also carried passengers (which are now the only thing carried). Unusual double-ended steam locomotives are used along with other unusual rolling stock. The line's southern terminus at Porthmadog is shared with the Welsh Highland Railway, while the northern terminus at Blaenau Ffestiniog is shared with mainline services. There are also connections with mainline services at Minffordd .
• The North Norfolk Railway or Poppy Line is a preserved railway from the 1960s. The museum operates steam and diesel services on decommissioned trains, which were originally used as passenger trains in the county ( Norfolk ). Today, the trains operate on single- and dual-track lines between Holt and Sheringham (via Weybourne ), making for beautiful views over flat, East Anglian countryside and the North Sea.
• The Wells Walsingham Light Railway . Now a visitor attraction, the current railway is constructed on the trackbed of a former standard gauge line. The previous railway used to be part of the national network and was closed during austerity measures in the twentieth century. Stations at Wells-next-the-Sea and Little Walsingham .
• The West Somerset Railway runs from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead , within the county of Somerset . It is the longest heritage railway in the country.
• The Jacobite is not a heritage railway per se but a steam operated excursion service that operates regularly scheduled trains from Fort William to Mallaig , on the West Highland Line . Also a treat for Harry Potter fans, as it crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, just like in the films.

Bristol is famed for its rail heritage. There are many tributes to Isambard Kingdom Brunel who established the Great Western Railway, including a railway museum at the Harbourside.

International connections

London St. Pancras is the terminus for Eurostar high-speed trains to Amsterdam , Brussels , Lille , Paris , Rotterdam and seasonal French destinations such as Avignon , Lyon and Marseille (summer service) and the Alps (winter service). Connections to many major European cities can be made in Lille , Brussels , Paris , and through tickets are available from Eurostar , RailEurope and staffed ticket offices to European destinations. Eurostar operate two different classes of rolling stock; Alstom's British Rail Class 373 (or Eurostar E300) which have been in service since the Channel Tunnel opened 1994, while BR Class 374 (Eurostar E320) have been progressively entering service since 2015, and are built by Siemens. The e320 is part of the Velaro family of which other localised variants were bought by RENFE (AVE), DB (ICE) and the Russian railways (Sapsan) among others.

German national rail operator Deutsche Bahn have proposed to operate new direct services to Germany, though this has been postponed since a proposal for a service starting in 2012, so don't hold your breath. Similarly, RENFE have proposed to run open-access services to France, but there is no indication of any start date.

In October 2023, Mobico (formerly known as National Express Group) announced that they had agreed to purchase 12 trains from Alstom to run a London-Paris high-speed service, with a view to services starting in 2025. [1]

Eurotunnel, Le Shuttle

In addition to the Eurostar passenger-only service, it is possible to travel between Britain and France in your own vehicle on board a Eurotunnel Le Shuttle. The connection is between Cheriton (near Folkestone ) and Coquelles (near Calais ). Prices are relatively cheap compared to some flights and ferry bookings, and the journey is significantly shorter. For ticket prices and bookings, you can visit the Eurotunnel Website . To access the Channel Tunnel Terminal from the UK, you can use the M20 motorway (junction 11A from London) or the A20 between Maidstone and Folkestone. Once in France, you can drive straight onto the A16 autoroute.

From any Greater Anglia station, it is possible to book a 'Dutchflyer' rail and ferry ticket to any station in The Netherlands . The Rail & Sail scheme means that it is possible to book a ticket for £55 from London Liverpool Street to selected Dutch stations (correct as 24/05/2019). Of course, you will need your passport, and the route involves a ferry connection between Harwich and the Hook of Holland operated by Stena Line . A typical route between London Liverpool Street to the Hook of Holland would require a through journey between Liverpool Street and Harwich International Station and a Stena Line ferry to the Hook of Holland, where Dutch rail connections can be found.

Airports with railway stations

The following airports have railway stations, usually on a through route. It's worth checking with the airport or National Rail Enquiries to make travel plans:

• Aberdeen - the closest station is Dyce; although this station is close to the airport, it is on the opposite side of the runway from the terminal building. A separate bus journey (and ticket) is needed to get to/from the terminal. It is generally quicker and easier to use the bus to/from Aberdeen city centre (Aberdeen station), unless travelling to/from north by train.
• Edinburgh Gateway - for trains to Fife and North East Scotland.
• Edinburgh Park - for trains to Stirling and Perth, as well as trains to Glasgow via Livingston.
• Haymarket - the smaller of two stations serving Edinburgh's city centre, allowing train connections to most Scottish cities and the wider UK
• Edinburgh Waverley (Andrews Square tram stop) - the larger of two stations serving Edinburgh's city centre, allowing train connections to most of Scotland and most major English cities as well as the sleeper trains to London.
• Birmingham - the station is called "Birmingham International". There is a free, automated people-mover (known as the Air-Rail Link) which links the airport terminal to the station. It operates between 03:30am and 00:30am daily. There is a courtesy bus outside these hours, or it is possible to walk between the two (through airport car parks) in approximately 10-15 minutes. Birmingham International has frequent services to Birmingham New Street (for the city centre), as well as direct services to many cities across Britain, including London, Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
• Cardiff Airport - the nearest station is called " Rhoose Cardiff International Airport", with an hourly rail connection to Barry and Cardiff Central, some of which continue to Cardiff Queen Street, Pontypridd , Aberdare or Merthyr Tydfil . In the westbound direction, trains run hourly to Bridgend . All services are operated by Transport for Wales. The airport is not in walking distance, though the 509 shuttle bus regularly links the station to the airport for a competitive price. There is also a regular direct bus to Cardiff city centre, which may be preferable. There are plans to improve connections to the airport with a new South East Wales Metro in the near future.
• East Midlands Airport does not have a dedicated airport station. The nearest station is East Midlands Parkway (5 miles away), however there are no longer any direct bus services to this station. Instead, there are bus services to Loughborough, Derby and Nottingham, where connections available for trains to London, Sheffield and Birmingham. Through tickets (including the bus from Loughborough/Derby/Nottingham) are available between East Midlands Airport and most National Rail stations.

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport 's closest major station is Liverpool South Parkway (2 miles away). There are frequent bus services to the city centre, many of which run via South Parkway. Connections are available at South Parkway to the Merseyrail network, and to Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich. Through tickets (including the bus to South Parkway) are available between Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJL) and most National Rail stations.
• London City Airport has a station on Transport for London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR) line to Woolwich Arsenal, which is located immediately adjacent to the terminal building. In the westbound direction, DLR services run every 4-8 minutes alternately to Bank (in the City of London) and Stratford (where interchange is available for National Rail services on the Great Eastern Main Line, and London Underground and Elizabeth line services). All westbound services call at Canning Town, where interchange is available for the London Underground's Jubilee line. Eastbound DLR services run to Woolwich Arsenal, where National Rail connections to Kent are available.
• Manchester Airport has a terminus station, linked by indoor walkways to Terminals 1 (250-m walk) and 2 (450-m walk), with Terminal 3 accessible through a further walk (300 m, partially outside) from Terminal 1. This is on a branch off the Styal line between Manchester and Wilmslow and is served by Northern, TransPennine Express and Transport for Wales. There are frequent services (up to 8 trains per hour) to Manchester Piccadilly for the city centre, as well as direct services to Crewe, Chester, Preston, Leeds, York and many other major cities. Adjacent to the National Rail platforms is the terminus of the Manchester Metrolink Airport branch; trams run every 12 minutes to the city centre via Market Street, terminating at Victoria station.
• Newcastle upon Tyne has a terminus station on the Tyne and Wear Metro light rail network, linked to the terminal by a short covered walkway. There are services every 12 minutes to Newcastle city centre, allowing interchange to National Rail services at Newcastle Central station. Services continue onto South Hylton (to the south of the city) via Sunderland.
• Glasgow's Prestwick Airport has a dedicated station called "Prestwick International Airport", linked to the terminal by a footbridge. This station is on the route from Glasgow to Ayr, with nearly all trains stopping at the station. The airport therefore enjoys a good service (up to 3 trains per hour) to/from Glasgow Central station, where connections to other Scottish and English destinations can be made.
• Southampton - the station is called "Southampton Airport Parkway", located opposite the entrance to the terminal. There are direct westbound services to Southampton Central, Bournemouth and Weymouth, and direct east/northbound services to London Waterloo, Reading, Oxford, Birmingham and Manchester.
• Teeside Airport - this is one of the least used rail stations on the UK network, located a 15-20 minute walk from the airport. There was previously one train per week in each direction stopping at the station, however this was suspended due to concerns about the safety of the poorly maintained platform. The nearest station is now Dinsdale, which is a 13-minute bus journey (route no. 6) or 45-minute (2-mile) walk away. There have been various proposals to rebuild the station closer to the airport, but these seem unlikely to come to fruition. It may be easier to take a bus (the same route no. 6 as you would use for Dinsdale) to/from Darlington station, which has far more services, including direct trains to London, Edinburgh, Newcastle, York, Leeds and Birmingham.

The following airports have "Express"-branded rail services. Beware that they are sometimes much more expensive than non-"Express"-branded services. Cheaper, and sometimes more frequent, services may be available:

• London Gatwick - Gatwick Airport station is located adjacent to the South Terminal, with a free, automated people-mover running 24 hours a day between the South and North Terminals. Gatwick Express provides a non-stop service between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport, with trains continuing south to Brighton. Trains run every 30 minutes with a journey time of approximately 30 minutes to/from London Victoria. Due to the comparitively low frequency, it is often quicker to take Southern or Thameslink services to London or Brighton (which usually take just a few minutes longer) rather than waiting for the next Gatwick Express service. Other Services : The station is also served by Southern , who run more frequent services to London Victoria than Gatwick Express. Their services run southbound to destinations on the South Coast such as Eastbourne, Southampton , and Littlehampton. Thameslink operate frequent services to London's city centre (e.g. London Bridge and London St Pancras), continuing northbound to destinations such as Bedford , Cambridge and Peterborough. At St Pancras, onward connections can be made to East Midlands Railway services to Leicester, Derby and Sheffield, as well as services from Kings Cross (immediately adjacent) to the North of England and Scotland. Southbound Thameslink services run to destinations including Brighton. Great Western Railway (GWR) operate an hourly service to Reading via Guildford (this service will increase to every 30 minutes from December 2023). At Reading, onward connections to the South West, South Wales, Bristol , Oxford , Swindon , Birmingham and Manchester can be found.
• London Heathrow - has separate National Rail and London Underground stations located within, or a short covered walk from, each terminal. The Heathrow Express provides an expensive (but fast) service between London Paddington and Heathrow Terminal 5, operating every 15 minutes. It runs non-stop between Paddington and Terminals 2 & 3, taking 15 minutes to Terminals 2 & 3 and 21 minutes to Terminal 5. It is operated by the airport itself. At Paddington, onward connections can be made to Berkshire , West London, the Elizabeth line and London Underground, Reading , Oxford , Bristol , the South West and South Wales. Inter-terminal transfers (including a mixture of Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line, if travelling between Terminals 4 and 5 via Terminals 2 & 3) can be made for free, or at no additional cost if using the Elizabeth line between London and Terminals 2 & 3.
• London Heathrow - Elizabeth line : This is a cheaper and slightly slower alternative to the Heathrow Express, which operates from the same National Rail stations. It is part of the Transport for London network. For many central London destinations, the time difference between the Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line may be negligible, due to the fact that the Heathrow Express terminates at Paddington, thus necessitating a change. Stopping trains run every 15 minutes between Abbey Wood and Heathrow Terminal 4 via Terminals 2 & 3, and semi-fast trains run every 30 minutes between Shenfield and Heathrow Terminal 5 via Terminals 2 & 3. All trains run through central London, stopping at major stations such as Liverpool Street, Farringdon and Paddington. Inter-terminal transfers (including a mixture of Heathrow Express and Elizabeth line, if travelling between Terminals 4 and 5 via Terminals 2 & 3) can be made for free, or at no additional cost if using the Heathrow Express between London and Terminals 2 & 3.
• London Heathrow - the London Underground's Piccadilly line services are a very cheap but much slower connection between central & north London and the airport. However, it is more frequent than either the Elizabeth line or Heathrow Express; services run approximately every 5 minutes, terminating alternately at either Terminal 5 (stopping at Terminals 2 & 3), or Terminal 4 (continuing onto Terminals 2 & 3 after a wait of up to 8 minutes). Services start at Cockfosters in North London, stopping at a number of major stations in Central London, including King's Cross St. Pancras (where onward connections can be made to the North and East), Leicester Square and South Kensington. It is part of the TfL network. Inter-terminal transfers can be made for free, including via Hatton Cross if travelling from Heathrow Terminal 5, or Terminals 2 & 3, to Terminal 4.
• London Luton - " Luton Airport Express "-branded East Midlands Railway services run non-stop from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras every 30 minutes, and northbound to Corby via Bedford and Kettering. Luton Airport Parkway is located 1 mile to the west of the terminal, on the Midland Main Line out of London St Pancras. Thameslink also run frequent services from Luton Airport Parkway to London St Pancras, continuing through central London to Gatwick Airport, Brighton and other destinations, and northbound to Bedford. As with Gatwick Express, due to the comparitively low frequency of the Luton Airport Express, it is often quicker to take the next Thameslink service. The expensive automated people-mover DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) now runs 24 hours a day between the airport's terminal and Luton Airport Parkway, operating every 5-15 minutes depending on the time of day. Through tickets (including the cost of the DART) are available between Luton Airport (LUA) and most National Rail stations; there are alternatively also cheaper bus services between the terminal and Luton Airport Parkway.
• London Stansted - Stansted Airport station is adjacent to the terminal, being the terminus of a branch off the West Anglia Main Line from London Liverpool Street to Cambridge. Stansted Express -branded services are operated by Greater Anglia, running towards London every 30 minutes (as of October 2023). A 15-minute frequency will resume in December 2023. It runs from London Liverpool Street, calling at Tottenham Hale, Bishops Stortford or Harlow Town, Stansted Mountfitchet (1tph) and Stansted Airport. At Tottenham Hale, connections can be made to the Victoria line of the London Underground and to National Rail services to Stratford. At Liverpool Street, connections can be made to London Underground and Elizabeth line services and to the East of England (Stratford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich etc.). Other services : Greater Anglia have a generally hourly service between Stansted and Cambridge , extending to Norwich via Ely most hours. Cross Country operate regular services (mostly hourly with some two-hour gaps) between Birmingham New Street/ Cambridge and Stansted Airport. Services from Birmingham call at Leicester , Melton Mowbray , Stamford and Peterborough , amongst other stops. Between Cambridge and Stansted, almost all services run non-stop. At many of the aforementioned stations, onward connections can be made to North Wales, the North, Scotland, Liverpool and Manchester .

Most airports without integrated rail services offer a bus connection to the nearest station. Bristol Airport, for example, is served by a 20-minute bus ("A1"). Through tickets are available to and from stations in the National Rail network.

Seaports with railway stations

Through tickets are available from any UK railway station to any station in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland . In the west of Scotland , rail and ferry timetables are often integrated, and through tickets are available. For details of routes and fares, contact National Rail .

• Ardrossan (Harbour Station - there are 3 stations in Ardrossan) for ferries to the Isle of Arran
• Aberdeen for ferries to Orkney and Shetland
• Ayr for coaches to Cairnryan connecting with ferries to Northern Ireland
• Birkenhead for ferries to Belfast , Northern Ireland
• Dover for ferries to France

• Fishguard for ferries to the Republic of Ireland
• Gourock for ferries to Dunoon and Kilcreggan
• Harwich for ferries to the Netherlands
• Heysham for ferries to the Isle of Man
• Holyhead for ferries to the Republic of Ireland
• Largs for ferries to Cumbrae
• Liverpool for ferries to the Isle of Man
• Lymington for ferries to the Isle of Wight
• Mallaig for ferries to the Small Isles , Skye , South Uist and Knoydart
• Newhaven for ferries to Dieppe
• Oban for ferries to the Inner and Outer Hebrides
• Poole for ferries to Guernsey and Jersey
• Portsmouth Harbour for ferries to the Isle of Wight , France and Spain
• Southampton for ferries to the Isle of Wight
• Thurso for ferries to the Orkney Islands
• Wemyss Bay for ferries to Rothesay

The railway network has a low crime rate, but you do have to use common sense. The most common incident is theft of unsupervised luggage. If travelling with bags, keep them within sight, especially during station stops if your bags are in racks near the doors of the carriage. The UK (except Northern Ireland) operates a railway police called the British Transport Police (BTP), and you may see signs for them at major stations. They are responsible for the policing of trains, stations and railway property. In an emergency all emergency services including the BTP can be contacted by dialing 999 or 112 from any telephone or mobile phone (these work even if you have no calling credit or the keypad is locked). If you wish to contact the British Transport Police themselves and it is not an immediate emergency, dial 0845 440 5040. This is also the number to contact if you have concerns about something which although not immediately dangerous, represents a possible safety or crime issue (such as unauthorised persons trackside, or damaged lineside fencing.) You can also text (SMS) the BTP on 61016, which is widely advertised across the rail network and is the preferred way to contact the BTP discreetly.

Due to a history of terrorist incidents in the UK using placed explosive devices, any unattended luggage may be treated as potentially being such a device by the authorities, leading to closure of entire stations, (particularly in London, with even major termini being occasionally affected) whilst specially trained officials investigate and render any suspected device "safe". Both posters and announcements will often ask passengers to keep a sharp eye for and report any unattended bags straight away.

Safety of rail travel in Britain is high with a low rate of accidents. After privatisation in the 1990s, the accident rate increased for some years. Inquiries found this was due to cost-cutting and profiteering by the private owners of the infrastructure and their subcontractors and this was one factor leading to the re-nationalisation of infrastructure in the 2000s. Since then, safety has improved massively and there have been fewer major accidents. All trains display safety information posters on board, telling you what to do in the event of an emergency. The simplest advice is that unless your personal safety is threatened, you are always safer on the train than if you try to leave it .

In the event of an emergency

Should there be an emergency, such as fire or accident aboard the train:

• Get the attention of a member of staff, any staff member will do.
• If you cannot get the attention of staff and you are certain that you, anyone else or the train is in danger because of the motion of the train - pull the emergency stop handle, this will be either red or green and will be visibly identified. Pulling the emergency stop handle between stations will make it more difficult for emergency crews or police to reach the train.
• If you are in immediate danger try to move to the next carriage, internal doors can be pushed apart if necessary. Do not pick up personal items. It is usually safer to remain on the train.
• If you must leave the train, only then should you attempt to leave the train via the external doors. Methods for unlocking and opening in an emergency differ between types of train however, the emergency open device will be at the door with instructions.
• If this is not possible, leave through an emergency window which will usually be identified as such. There may be a hammer next to it. If there is no indicated window, use the most convenient one facing away from any other tracks if possible.
• Strike the hammer against the corner of the window (if you strike the middle it'll just bounce off) until both panes crack, then push them out with a piece of luggage.
• You should lower yourself carefully from the train and move away from it as quickly as possible.
• Look and listen for approaching trains, and possibly the electric 3rd rail. Do not step on any rails ; you could be stepping on the 3rd rail, depending on how the track is electrified. Get off the track as quickly as possible.

If an evacuation of a train is ordered by train crew, instructions will be given. Most carriages have specific windows that can be broken or pushed open for emergency escape.

A conductor or guard is present on most trains (with the exception of certain commuter routes in the South East). If they have not made themselves visible during the journey, they can usually be found in the cab at the rear of the train. Communication panels are normally throughout the train. Emergency brakes are also available, but a heavy penalty can be levied against someone who unnecessarily stops the train. Many communication panels are also emergency brakes. Unless someone's safety is threatened by the movement of the train, contact the guard or driver and wait for assistance or the next station stop.

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Longest railway journey on a single train in the UK

• Thread starter Vespa
• Start date 11 May 2023
• 11 May 2023

Established Member

What would be considered the longest distance single railway journey from point A to point B without changing train ? It would interesting to ride in such a way you can see most of the country without getting out of your seat.  

RailUK Forums

XC Aberdeen to Penzance?  

Wasn’t the Highland Chieftan the longest journey?  

Intercity110

On moderation.

either aberdeen-penzance or the caledonian highland sleeper?  

Choo choo 66

UK wise yes Aberdeen-Penzance (think it is starting again in May timetable change) If you go into mainland Europe there are many much longer journeys  

Veteran Member

43066 said: XC Aberdeen to Penzance? Click to expand...

Towers said: Wasn’t the Highland Chieftan the longest journey? Click to expand...

Intercity110 said: either aberdeen-penzance or the caledonian highland sleeper? Click to expand...

• 12 May 2023

class ep-09

That may be a topic for International Transport , but what is / was a longest journey on one train by country ( currently and historically )?  

Depends on whether you're counting distance or time. The longest distance service that runs regularly is Aberdeen to Penzance - currently Saturdays only, but resumes running Mondays-Saturdays from the May timetable change. Occasionally engineering works mean that the train travels over an even longer distance than normal, and upcoming ones mean that there is, unusually, a northbound Penzance to Aberdeen service too, running via Toton, Doncaster and Leeds. The longest service by journey duration is, however, the Caledonian Sleeper's Fort William portion whenever it runs via the East Coast Mainline. This results in an earlier departure from, or later arrival at, London Euston as the train reverses at Wembley Yard. Journey times average around 14 hours - about 45 minutes longer than the standard Aberdeen to Penzance timing. I think this qualifies as the longest "regularly scheduled" service on the basis that ECML diversions are generally planned on an LTP basis for weeks at a time, rather than just ad-hoc.  

Realtime Trains | 1S43 0633 Penzance to Edinburgh | 10/06/2023

Techniquest

I'd absolutely do it in First Class, it would be a consideration in Standard as long as I had a good supply of food and drink with me. I'd also need a decent hotel before and after the journey, as well as a good bit of exercise immediately before/after the journey. This actually sounds like a good plan, I'll have to investigate some time off and book it soon!  

liamf656 said: Crosscountry are running a Penzance to Aberdeen service, but only on Saturday 27th May, 3rd and 10th June. This is due to the Erewash diversions Realtime Trains | 1S43 0633 Penzance to Edinburgh | 10/06/2023 Real-time train running information for 1S43 0633 departure from Penzance to Edinburgh on 10/06/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain. www.realtimetrains.co.uk Click to expand...

penguin8967

The Aberdeen-Penzance service on 29th April got diverted via Severn Tunnel Junction, only adding on around 15 miles though (but also meaning it passed through 3 countries!)  

• 14 May 2023

class ep-09 said: That may be a topic for International Transport , but what is / was a longest journey on one train by country ( currently and historically )? Click to expand...

james60059 said: I would have thought the Trans-Siberian Railway from Moscow to Vladivostok is (or was?) the longest journey (5753 miles) Click to expand...

Techniquest said: I'd absolutely do it in First Class, it would be a consideration in Standard as long as I had a good supply of food and drink with me. I'd also need a decent hotel before and after the journey, as well as a good bit of exercise immediately before/after the journey. Click to expand...

Techniquest said: I'd absolutely do it in First Class , it would be a consideration in Standard as long as I had a good supply of food and drink with me. I'd also need a decent hotel before and after the journey, as well as a good bit of exercise immediately before/after the journey. This actually sounds like a good plan, I'll have to investigate some time off and book it soon! Click to expand...

• 15 May 2023

D6130 said: If doing a first class All Line Rover, how about 08 20 Aberdeen-Penzance, then straight onto the Night Riviera to Paddington?....although if the CrossCountry were to be delayed, you might have to bale at another Cornish station. Click to expand...

TT-ONR-NRN said: I also want to do this, and if you win the weekdays only Seatfrog - which I believe is a fixed £5 regardless of journey for XC though I might be wrong - first class for even cheaper! In standard it’d probably be a drag for me. Click to expand...

eastwestdivide

What do we reckon to another thread on "what only seems like the longest journey..." ?  

SteelWeelApeal

eastwestdivide said: What do we reckon to another thread on "what only seems like the longest journey..." ? Click to expand...

Taking it literally about not changing train, how many circuits of the Circle Line could you do in a day from when the train left the depot to when it returned at night? (I realise that the Circle Line is no longer circular!) It will probably win on length of time, but probably not on distance due to the low speeds achieved, based on the rough calculations below. Wikipaedia quotes the old Circle Line as being 12.89 miles long and took a minimum of 51 1/2 minutes, Let's round it up to 13 miles and 60 minutes. Assuming a start at 06.00 and finish at 23.30, this means 17 1/2 hours at 13 miles each lap equals only 227 miles. This means it would exceed the Aberdeen - Penzance train on time, but hardly scratch the surface with regards to distance.  

Watershed said: Depends on whether you're counting distance or time. Click to expand...

SteelWeelApeal said: Having of course got to Aberdeen on the sleeper from London beforehand Click to expand...

• 16 May 2023

MotCO said: Taking it literally about not changing train, how many circuits of the Circle Line could you do in a day from when the train left the depot to when it returned at night? (I realise that the Circle Line is no longer circular!) It will probably win on length of time, but probably not on distance due to the low speeds achieved, based on the rough calculations below. Wikipaedia quotes the old Circle Line as being 12.89 miles long and took a minimum of 51 1/2 minutes, Let's round it up to 13 miles and 60 minutes. Assuming a start at 06.00 and finish at 23.30, this means 17 1/2 hours at 13 miles each lap equals only 227 miles. This means it would exceed the Aberdeen - Penzance train on time, but hardly scratch the surface with regards to distance. Click to expand...

• 17 May 2023

I tried to do Aberdeen-Penzance in 2019, but waves coming over the Dawlish sea wall meant that Voyagers were being terminated at Exeter so we had to board a GWR HST for the rest of the journey. If I tried to do it again, I'd do it in First Class rather than Standard. Especially as we were an hour late and so I got a 100% delay repay refund.  

Realtime Trains | 1V56 0748 Glasgow Central to Penzance | 01/07/2023

• 19 May 2023

Re: Glasgow Subway, it's 6.5 miles so rough calculation, 752.5÷6.5=116 (rounded up). Do any of the Subway units do 116 trips around the loop in a day?  

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The 11 most scenic train journeys in the UK

Want to plan a big railway trip for your next staycation? Here’s our pick of the most beautiful train journeys in the UK

Whether you’re keen to admire the stunning vistas of the Scottish countryside, or just after a setting to pretend you’re in a music video, staring longingly out at the mesmerising beaches of Cornwall or the mountains of Wales , these train journeys will make you feel like the main character in the window seat. 

You could be a solo traveller craving some luxury transport, or just looking to take the kids on a wholesome family day out – either way, these railway trips will have you covered. Stretching from the very top of the country in Mallaig to the very bottom down in St Ives – and right across to Coleraine in Northern Ireland – here’s where to get your railway fix on your next UK holiday. All aboard!

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Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best train journeys in the UK

1.  the jacobite steam train.

All aboard the Hogwarts Express! Okay, you don’t have to be a Potterhead to get into the majesty of this stunning route. Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train traverses the gorgeous landscape between Fort William and Mallaig, offering up a conveyor belt of rugged scenery that belies the comfort and luxury inside the train itself. Booking ahead is an absolute must, but it is 100 percent worth it. Few train journeys on the planet come with the grandeur of the Jacobite Steam Train.

2.  North Norfolk Poppy Line

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again, but North Norfolk might just be the most underrated part of England. The entire coast is an absolute delight, filled with gorgeous seaside villages and a very real sense of charm, and the so-called ‘Poppy Line’ is an adorable way to explore it. The heritage steam train runs the short distance between Sheringham and Holt (with options to go further at either end) and is an exercise in beautiful nostalgia that will practically drag serenity into your day. Yes, that is something of a contradiction, but it fits. 

3.  St Ives Bay Line

Okay, it might only be a ten-minute journey, but that just means that you can go back and forth on the St Ives Bay Line as many times as you like during the day. Why wouldn’t you? This 4.25-mile stretch of seaside sumptuousness was opened in 1877, the last of the new broad gauge railways to be opened in the UK, although standard gauge has since taken over. Of course, you’re not here for gauge history, you are here for impossibly quaint seaside views and that special delight that only Cornwall can provide. 

4.  Snowdonia Mountain Railway

Scratching and clawing your way to the top of Mount Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa in Welsh) is one of the most exhilarating experiences in Wales, but all that scratching and clawing does sound sort of tiring, right? If slugging up the mountain isn’t your idea of fun, the Snowdonia Mountain Railway is here to save the day. Trains leave from the gorgeous village of Llanberis and slowly climb the mountain, stopping at the top for incredible views and a real sense of achievement.

5.  The Flying Scotsman

A real piece of history here, albeit only really in the name. The original Flying Scotsman still takes short, special journeys in the UK (in the south of England, mostly), and tickets sell out quickly, but why not jump on the spiritual successor of the famous train and make the journey between the capitals of Scotland and England instead? London to Edinburgh is a trip from one powerhouse to the other, a route that takes you through the whole of England – a curious look into the North/South divide.

6.  Settle to Carlisle

The North really is blessed with some beautiful train routes, isn’t it? The beloved Settle to Carlisle line runs across 73 miles of gorgeous countryside, showcasing Yorkshire Dales and the North Pennines at their most rugged and remote. It is stunning stuff and has been a point of pilgrimage for train enthusiasts since passengers first jumped aboard in 1876. The journey takes 90 minutes (delays notwithstanding, this is the UK, after all), and tickets start at £8.50.

7.  Ffestiniog Railway

Fancy taking a short trip on the oldest independent railway company in the world? Of course you do, and you’ll find the little train that could waiting in the heart of Wales. The Ffestiniog Railway runs from the harbour of Porthmadog to the mining town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, passing through Snowdonia National Park as it does, ensuring some incredible views and a palpable sense of history within the carriages. The company offers plenty of journeys, but the three-hour charmer between Porth and Blaenau is the one to go for. 

8.  Londonderry to Coleraine

Northern Ireland’s prettiest rail line? While it’s a beautiful place from east to west, the stretch of tracks between Londonderry and Coleraine is right up there. The railway has plenty of history (more than 170 years of the stuff), but passengers can be forgiven for eschewing that in favour of the views waiting outside the window. You simply won’t get better rolling views of the coast than from the comfortable seat of a 3000 class DMU, trundling between the two towns. Michael Palin called it ‘one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world’, and he wasn’t wrong. 

9.  North Yorkshire Moors Railway

North Yorkshire is a treasure trove for railway lovers. As well as being a beautiful city with few equals, York is also home to the National Railway Museum, an absolute must-visit for anyone with even the most rudimentary interest in trains. The North York Moors National Park is truly sumptuous, and no prizes for guessing where the North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs. Yes, that’s right, smack-bang through the aforementioned sumptuous scenery. The journey from Pickering to Whitby takes almost two hours, and tickets start from £45, although members get big discounts.

10.  Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh

Two hours and 45 minutes (give or take a minute or two) of absolute rural bliss. The northern reaches of Scotland are Britain at its most beautiful, and the views afforded to passengers from the cars of the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh line are as good as it gets. Ttickets cost £15.90, an absolute bargain considering the beauty outside the window. 

11.  Bluebell Railway

Even the name is all sorts of adorable. The UK offers a fine line of heritage steam railways, and the darling Bluebell Railway down in Sussex is one of the best. Originally opened in 1882, it actually closed in 1958 – sparking a preservation society into action, in the hopes of restoring as much of the original line as possible. They did a darn good job, and today the Bluebell is a time machine, taking you back to the days of steam engines trundling from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead. The journey takes around 40 minutes, and advance tickets cost £25.

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• 17 Best UK Heritage Railways: Unmissable Steam Train Experiences

Fittingly for the country that invented steam locomotives, UK heritage railways are phenomenal!

A splendid day out for old and young alike, some of the best heritage railways in the UK also offer special events like afternoon teas and fine dining, 1940s-themed weekends, and “Rail Ale” trips. Others offer Polar Express and Santa Specials at Christmas – a trip on one of the preserved railways in the UK is always a treat!

You can even book a footplate experience ! While some of the heritage railways now use diesel or electric locomotives, many still offer the thrill of a ride behind a steam engine, with all the nostalgic sights, sounds and smells of steam train travel

No time to read the whole article? T his incredible tour includes a steam train journey across Scotland’s impossibly romantic Glenfinnan Viaduct (the “Harry Potter” train).

I fell in love with heritage railways after taking a steam train from Delhi to Agra to see the Taj Mahal as a teenager. Years later, I visited the war graves in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, before boarding a steam train to cross the famous bridge over the River Kwa i.

Despite years of commuting, my love of train travel is undimmed, and I still love the romance of steam trains 🚂

In this post, you’ll discover the absolute best UK heritage railways, including UNESCO world heritage railways and the “Harry Potter” railway station.

Are you ready to get started? Toot toot – let’s jump on board 🚂

Grey Globetrotters Travel Blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my  disclaimer  for more information.

Which are the Best Heritage Railways to Visit in the UK?

While there is something unique and thrilling about every single heritage railway in the UK, here are just a few favourites to whet your appetite for further exploration!

Preserved Railways in Wales

1. ffestiniog railway – the world’s oldest independent railway company.

I have to start with my  first heritage railway experience , which also happens to be t he world’s oldest independent narrow-gauge railway.  The (almost) 200-year-old  Ffestiniog steam railway  transports you on a 13½-mile journey from Porthmadog Harbour to the historic slate-mining  UNESCO World Heritage  town of Blaenau Ffestiniog.

The dramatic route climbs over 700 feet from sea level up into the Snowdonia National Park . On the scenic 2 ½ hour journey, you’ll see lush green pastures, magnificent forests, lakes, and waterfalls.

The most spectacular sections are the tight bends as the tracks hug the side of the mountain and the incredible manually dug tunnels. One part is even an astonishing complete spiral!

📍 Website and bookings

Nearby in North Wales:  Discover the Incredible Pontcyscyllte Aqueduct

2. The Welsh Highland Railways

The Welsh Highland Railways is the  longest heritage railway in the UK . It runs for 25 miles from Caernarfon, past the foot of Snowdon and the picture-postcard village of Beddgelert, through the incredible Aberglaslyn Pass, and onward to Porthmadog. 

Passengers on the WHR enjoy some of  the most comfortable carriages on any heritage railway in the UK. The  carriages offer first-class Pullman luxury, and freshly cooked food is delivered to your seat.

Heritage Railways in England

3. bluebell railway – one of the first heritage railways in the uk.

The  Bluebell Railway  started train services in August 1960 and runs steam trains between Sheffield Park and East Grinstead. 

With an 11-mile run through glorious Sussex countryside, the Bluebell Railway is a delight for heritage railway lovers.

There’s also one of the most exciting collections of vintage steam locomotives and carriages in the country to enjoy; many preserved straight from service with British Railways.

In addition to luxuriating in the comfort and style of a bygone era, a visit to the Bluebell Railway offers visitors the chance to learn about the history and science of the industrial age and to  experience the thrill of getting up close to a working steam locomotive .  

During your visit, you will see railway staff dressed in period clothing and original working signal boxes, plus four beautiful stations preserved in different periods of history, including the Victorian, the 1930s, and the 1950s. 

For a special treat, their dining trains operate on selected dates, offering Afternoon Tea and Silver Service dining plus  Supper Specials  and “ Rail Ale” evenings .

📍 Website and Bookings

4. The West Somerset Railway – The Longest Heritage Railway UK

With 20 miles of heritage railway tracks running through the most beautiful Somerset countryside and coast, the West Somerset Railway is a treat to visit.

Sit back and enjoy the journey through the Quantock hills and gloriously quirky-named stations, including Stogumber, Bishops Lydeard and the tongue-twisting Crowcombe Heathfield, in the same coaching stock used in the Harry Potter movies for the “ Hogwarts Express ”.

📍 Website and West Somerset Railway Prices

5. Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

If you’ve ever watched the film “ The Railway Children ” or the BBC’s “ Last of the Summer Wine “, then you’ve probably already seen the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in action as it was the Yorkshire steam railway used for filming!

While the Worth Valley branch line closed in 1962, it reopened as a heritage line in 1968, thanks to the work of the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway Preservation Society.  Today, it’s one of the best heritage railways in  Yorkshire.

Join the train from the mainline station at Keighley, the tiny village of Oxenhope or Haworth. You can also  book one of the services serving afternoon tea  – an enjoyable way to spend an hour or so!

T he most famous stretch of this heritage railway is the short section short through the heart of Brontë Country  from Oxenhope to the village of Haworth. It’s a short (but steep) walk uphill from Haworth station to the  Bronte Sisters House  – now the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

6. North York Moors Railway – The “Hogsmeade” Station Railway

A trip on the preserved North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the best things to do in North Yorkshire . This heritage line runs from the beautiful market town of Pickering, deep in the Yorkshire Moors, to the wonderful North Yorkshire seaside town at Whitby.  

The largest preserved heritage railway in the UK  in terms of route mileage operated and passenger numbers, the North York Moors Railway spans 18 miles through the very picturesque North York Moors. The line has featured in the TV show  Heartbeat , and Goathland Station became  Hogsmeade Station  for the  Harry Potter films .

7. Epping Ongar Railway – the Heritage Railway That’s Accessible by London Underground

If you’re staying in  London , this six-mile preserved railway is very convenient to visit, as it’s easily accessible by the London Underground from Central London.

The charming countryside line runs through Epping Forest and is  the longest heritage railway in Essex . 

8. The Great Central Railway – the Double Track Steam Railway

Experience England’s only double-tracked, mainline heritage railway, where you can enjoy the incredible sight of steam trains passing each other. 

Open all year round, the Great Central Railway offers steam train driving and some of the most popular steam train dining experiences.  

9. Ribble Steam Heritage Railway

This heritage railway in Preston, Lancashire, is small but unique in that the line runs through the middle of town! Uniquely for the UK, this 3-mile return trip crosses a swing bridge before running along the banks of the River Ribble – giving fantastic views of the city of Preston.

There’s also a very good museum with plenty of exhibits from the mid-19th century to modern times. There are plenty of opportunities to get close up to steam and diesel trains and four gala days a year to enjoy.

10. The Gloucester Warwickshire Steam Railway – The Cotswold Steam Railway

Steam and heritage diesel trains run throughout the week at this cute heritage railway that offers a 28-mile roundtrip through sleepy hamlets, villages, and the stunning Malvern Hills.

You can also combine a day at the Cheltenham Races with a trip on the Cotswold Steam Railway, as one of the stations is next to the racecourse!

11. Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, Cumbria

With steam trains running every day from April until October, a scenic Lakeside and Haverthwaite railway trip is a great way to visit Britain’s glorious  Lake District  – without the hassle of finding somewhere to park!

The pretty trip from Haverthwaite Station takes you to the southern tip of Lake Windermere, where you can board a Windermere Steamer to the quaint towns of Bowness or Ambleside.

12. Wensleydale Railway, North Yorkshire

Visiting the Wensleydale Railway offers a charming and picturesque journey through some of the most idyllic countryside in England.

Beautifully restored historic stations along the route, including Leeming Bar, Bedale, and Leyburn, each with its own unique character.

The Wensleydale Railway operates heritage steam and diesel locomotives and hosts special events, including themed train rides, seasonal celebrations, and dining experiences on the train. It’s a great family-friendly day out.

If you’re a photography enthusiast, the Wensleydale Railway offers plenty of opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, historic trains, and charming stations.

📍 Website and Wensleydale Railway Prices

13. Watercress Line Railway, Hampshire (Very Family Friendly)

The Watercress Line Railway, also known as the Mid Hants Railway, runs beautifully restored steam locomotives through some of Hampshire’s most scenic countryside.

Alton, Ropley, Medstead and Four Marks, and Alresford stations are some of the beautifully restored stations along the route.

Special events featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends from the popular children’s series are especially popular with families and young children visiting the Watercress Line.

T he railway hosts other special events throughout the year, including dining experiences, vintage weekends, steam galas, and even murder mystery evenings.

In addition, you might have the opportunity to see the railway’s maintenance and restoration workshops at the Ropley station. It’s a great chance to gain insight into the technical aspects of keeping these historic locomotives operational.

📍 Website and Booking

Heritage Railways in Scotland

14. keith & dufftown railway – the most northerly heritage railway in scotland.

The Keith & Dufftown railway runs from Keith to Dufftown, known as “The Whisky Capital of the World” because it produces more whisky from its seven working distilleries than elsewhere in Scotland. 

This 11-mile “Whisky Line” offers stunning views of  Balvenie Castle  and the spectacular Banffshire countryside – plus the chance to visit a whisky distillery or two for a spot of whisky tasting.

Look out for views of wildlife from this railway – you’re likely to see deer, red squirrels, buzzards, and other large birds of prey, too. 

Related Post:  Discover the Most Beautiful Fairytale Castles in Scotland

15. Jacobite Steam Train, Scotland

While it’s not a heritage railway, this list would be incomplete without mention of the  Jacobite Steam Train, which was made famous by the Harry Potter movies. The iconic trip over the stunning Scottish Glenfinnan Viaduct is one of the most memorable train journeys in the world and is on many people’s bucket lists!

Preserved Railways – Offshore British Islands

16. alderney railway – the most southerly railway in the british isles.

The final remaining working railway in the Channel Islands is on the tiny island of  Alderney ,  which is just 3 1/2 miles long and 1 1/2 miles wide! 

The British Government built the Alderney Railway in the 1840s to transport stone two and a quarter miles from the east of the island to build a breakwater and forts.

At the time, Alderney was strategically important to maintaining British naval dominance in the English Channel, as France extended the fortifications and harbour at Cherbourg.  The railway was so important that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert travelled to Alderney to open the railway .

Today, two London Underground carriages and a diesel engine carry visitors from Braye Road Station to Mannez Station near the Lighthouse. 

17. The Isle of Man Railway – The longest narrow gauge railway in the UK using original locomotives and carriages.

For a relatively small island, the Isle of Man is blessed with an exciting electric mountain railway, a funicular railway, and a heritage steam railway to tempt train lovers.

The longest narrow gauge steam line in the UK that operates with its original locomotives and carriages, the Isle of Man Steam Railway is a three-foot narrow gauge railway that opened in 1873.

The railway runs from the island’s capital of Douglas through the charming countryside to several destinations in the south, with the one-way trip from Douglas to Port Erin taking 60 minutes. Plenty of the island’s southern heritage attractions are located near railway stations, which makes this heritage railway a convenient way to visit them.

For a special treat, try the tasty menu in the beautifully restored 1905 Pullman style Dining Car, which is one of the world’s few fine dining narrow gauge dining cars.

FAQs – Heritage Railways in the UK

Why does the uk have so many heritage railways.

In the 1960s, as car ownership became affordable for the masses in the UK, road building (including motorways) flourished, and train passenger numbers plummeted. The railways made huge losses.

The infamous Beeching Report (“ The Reshaping of British Railways “) recommended a dramatic programme of cuts. As a result, over 2,000 stations and 5,000 miles of track were mothballed.

Most of today’s UK heritage railways were originally branch lines – others were industrial or colliery lines.

How Were the Heritage Railways Built?

After “Beeching”, British Railways had masses of rolling stock and other assets it no longer needed. Trains, train lines – even the Yorkshire stone from Victorian station buildings – were sold off at rock-bottom prices, often to train enthusiasts.  

Across the country, bands of volunteers clubbed together, sharing their knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm for steam trains.

Bringing these once-glorious railway lines back to life demanded time, herculean fund-raising, and hours of work to rebuild stations and re-lay track to build today’s Heritage Railways for all to enjoy. 

How Many Heritage Railways Are There in the UK?

The  Heritage Railways Association represents 119 railways across the UK .

There are also tramways, narrow-gauge railways, and funicular railways! One of the most exciting funicular railways is the Victorian cliff lift in  Saltburn on Sea .

Exploring the best heritage railways across the UK offers a truly captivating journey through time. From the scenic landscapes of Scotland’s Strathspey Railway to the nostalgic charm of England’s Bluebell Railway, these historic steam and diesel trains provide an immersive experience that transports visitors back to a bygone era.

As we traverse the tracks and witness the dedication of volunteers who tirelessly preserve these remarkable pieces of history, it becomes evident that heritage railways are not just about locomotives but also about preserving our cultural heritage and reliving a simpler time.

So, whether you are a train enthusiast or simply seeking a unique adventure, embarking on a tour of UK steam railways promises an unforgettable trip filled with beauty, nostalgia, and cherished memories for all ages.

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Coralie Thornton, the owner and author of Grey Globetrotters, has been a traveller for more than four decades. Her passion for adventure has led her through over 40 countries, seeking cultural experiences, delicious foods, and hidden gems. Today, she helps others experience the UK, Europe, Egypt and China, with meticulously crafted travel itineraries and affordable luxury travel guides.

What’s a worthy alternative to the Trans-Siberian railway?

Jul 3, 2023 • 3 min read

Turkey’s Dogu Express (or Eastern Express) crosses most of Anatolia, providing epic scenery over the 26-hour journey © Ozan Kose / AFP via Getty Images

Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Whenever we get a train-related query, we call on our in-house rail guru, Tom Hall.

Question: I had planned to take a Trans-Siberian train journey late in 2023, but I don’t anticipate that can happen now. Could you recommend some other epic European routes?

Tom Hall: Though Europe does have some very long trains, nothing compares to the cross-continental odyssey of traveling east from Moscow for a week or more. As you note, that’s not an option right now. However, there are plenty of other amazing routes to consider to keep you rolling for a long time.

Several thin fingers of railways connect up distant corners of the European continent. The longest by distance is the Snälltåget train from Malmö , Sweden to Innsbruck , Austria , which exists primarily to ferry Swedish skiers to the Alps then back again a week later. It covers the 1075-mile (1720km) route each week in about 22 hours, with stops at several key Austrian towns offering connections to ski resorts.

Given Sweden’s size and location, you’ll find two more long-distance heavyweights departing, in different directions, from Stockholm . The mighty daily service between Stockholm and Narvik in Norway – 137 miles inside the Arctic Circle – covers 916 miles (1467km) in 18 hours. At least one one and sometimes two sleeper services connect Stockholm with Berlin , taking between 15 and 17-and-a-half hours to cross southern Sweden, Denmark and northern Germany . 

The longest train in the UK is the outwardly unassuming Cross Country service connecting Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall . The 13-hour trip covers a huge swathe of Britain , traversing almost 800 miles (1280km). It also needn’t be the end of the journey. From Penzance, the Scillonian ferry plies the waters over to the idyllic Isles of Scilly .

The spirit of the Trans-Siberian – and perhaps the experience you’re looking for – is a rolling adventure where you might share a very unusual journey (and train picnic!) with your fellow passengers as the landscape becomes ever-more unfamiliar. For that, consider heading to Turkey .

Starting in Istanbul – perhaps reached by a rail odyssey of your own from elsewhere in Europe ( Sofia, anyone ?) – Anatolia awaits. Istanbul’s Marmaray train speeds under the Bosphorus and on to Söğütlüçeşme station on the city’s Asian side, from where a high-speed train heads east to Ankara . Once in the Turkish capital, the Dogu Express (Doğu Ekspresi) takes 26 hours to wend its way 818 miles (1310km) to Kars in the north-east of the country, via superb Anatolian mountain and river scenery. There’s a version of this train aimed at tourists that makes several stops over a 30-hour journey – but the regular train is the classic experience.

Incidentally, the longest train I could find in Europe by duration is the irregularly scheduled and privately run train from Villach in Austria to Edirne in Turkey. Clocking in at 34 hours – perhaps more allowing for border controls – it is a car-carrying service aimed at Turkish expats traveling with their vehicles. This is one of the last remnants of what was once a much more extensive auto-train network in Europe, a fact you’d have plenty of time to appreciate as you and your car trundle across the continent’s southeastern corner.

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