The new line connects Paddington in central London to Abbey Wood in the east, with sections running above ground further east. These links allow for direct travel across London, including to Heathrow Airport.

Let’s break down how frequently the trains run, which stations they go to, and the best spots to change lines if you’re heading to other parts of London’s rail network.

How often do trains run on the Elizabeth line?

Here’s the Elizabeth Line service pattern during Off-Peak hours:

• Reading to Abbey Wood (2 per hour)
• Maidenhead to Abbey Wood (2 per hour)
• Heathrow Terminal 4 to Abbey Wood (4 per hour)
• Heathrow Terminal 5 to Shenfield (2 per hour)
• Paddington to Shenfield (6 per hour)

During peak hours, services increase to up to 24 trains per hour between Paddington and Whitechapel, with additional trains on other routes. For a full map of the line, click here.

Which stations are on the Elizabeth Line?

So, where does the Elizabeth Line go? 

All the stations on the new section are fully step-free and have platform edge doors. This means that wheelchair users can travel between Paddington and Abbey Wood fully unaided, if they prefer to. There’s no gap between the train and platform and lifts from street level to the platform.

Paddington

Where is it? There’s a brand-new entrance next to Platform 1 in the ‘main’ station upstairs that can be accessed from Eastbourne Terrace. Here’s a map showing which station entrance is which:

It’s also possible to interchange directly between the Bakerloo Line and Elizabeth Line platforms, as a dedicated passageway has been built.

Where can you change to/from? You can interchange with Great Western Railway services to the South West, South Wales and the Cotswolds, as well as the Heathrow Express. 

You can also change for the Bakerloo, Circle and Hammersmith & City Lines.

Bond Street

The newest station on the line, Bond Street, opened on October 24th 2022. This was several months later than the rest of the Elizabeth Line.

Where is it? There are two new entrances on Davies Street and Hanover Square, as well as the main Underground entrance. If you’re coming from Regent Street or Oxford Circus, it’s faster to access the line through the Hanover Square entrance. Here’s a map showing each entrance:

Where can you change to/from? Interchange is possible with the Central and Jubilee lines through connecting underground passages.

Tottenham Court Road

Where is it? The entrance to Tottenham Court Road station is at St Giles’ Circus, where Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road and Tottenham Court Road meet.

Where can you change to/from? You can change to and from the Northern and Central lines here through underground passages. 

Farringdon

Where is it? There’s two entrances to Farringdon. You’ll find one across the road from Farringdon, known as the West Entrance (Thameslink & Underground) and another on the corner of Long Lane and Lindsey Street, near Barbican station. This is known as the East Entrance.

Where can you change to/from? At Farringdon, you can change to/from Thameslink services to Brighton, Bedford, Sutton and Gatwick Airport. You’ll also find the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

To make this change, you’ll need to pop outside onto the street and cross the road between stations. Don’t worry that you’ll need to go in and out of multiple ticket gates to do this, if you’re using contactless or Oyster it’ll be counted as one journey.

You can also change at Barbican for the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines if you’d prefer. 

Liverpool Street

Where is it? This station connects both Moorgate and Liverpool Street stations, with a huge passage running the length of the platforms and beyond. If you’re joining from Liverpool Street, you’ll find a dedicated entrance where Liverpool Street and Broad Street Place meet.

Coming from Moorgate? There’s an entrance on the southern end of Moorfields which will also take you to the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

Where can you change to/from? There’s certainly plenty of choice at this Elizabeth Line station!

From Liverpool Street, you can change for Greater Anglia services to Braintree, Clacton, Ipswich, Norwich and Southend, as well as Cambridge, Hertford East and Stansted Airport. London Overground services also operate to Cheshunt, Chingford and Enfield Town. Finally, you can change for the Central Line, as well as the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

Moorgate offers interchange with Great Northern services to Hertford North, Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage. You can also change for the Northern Line, the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines.

Whitechapel

Where is it? The original entrance on Whitechapel Road has been retained for this station, though it’s had a lot of work done to make it suitable for the Elizabeth Line. You’ll also find a new entrance on Durward Street, with a passage through the ticket hall connecting both entrances.

Where can you change to/from? Interchange is possible at Whitechapel with London Overground services to Highbury & Islington, New Cross, Crystal Palace, West Croydon and Clapham Junction. You can also change for the District and Hammersmith & City lines.

Canary Wharf

Where is it? Canary Wharf Elizabeth Line station is located on Crossrail Place, effectively sitting right over the water of West India Docks. There’s quite a few stations in the area, so take a look at the map below to get your bearings.

Where can you change to/from?  If you’re continuing your journey by DLR towards Beckton, Woolwich Arsenal or Stratford, then head for Poplar.

Looking to travel to Limehouse, Shadwell, Tower Gateway or Bank? You’ll find that West India Quay is the nearest and most convenient station to head for.

If you’re going to Lewisham, then it’s worth heading for Canary Wharf. This is because not all DLR trains to Lewisham stop at West India Quay, so you’ll have the most choice.

You can also change for Canary Wharf (Jubilee Line) for trains to Stratford and Stanmore. All four of these stations are classed as an ‘Out-of-Station Interchange’ (OSI) which means that if you’re using Oyster or Contactless, the system will count it as one journey, even though you’ve had to leave the system and walk to another stop.

Custom House

Where is it? The Elizabeth Line station at Custom House has been built right next to the DLR one, so you have two options for entering. You can either come in from Victoria Dock Road or straight from the ExCeL Centre and Royal Victoria Dock.

Where can you change to/from? You can change for DLR services to/from Beckton, Canning Town and the City from Custom House DLR station next door.

Woolwich

Where is it? Woolwich station is situated in Dial Arch Square, just off the A206 Beresford Street/Victory Parade. It’s unusual in that it’s the only brand-new station with no directly-connected interchange to any other transport mode or line. However, it’s a short walk down the Woolwich New Road to Woolwich Arsenal station.

Where can you change to/from? From Woolwich Arsenal, you can change to/from Southeastern and Thameslink services to Charlton, Lewisham, Greenwich and London Bridge. If you’re heading for Slade Green, Dartford and Rainham, it’s easier to stay on to Abbey Wood and change there.

Abbey Wood

Where is it? You’ll find Abbey Wood station on the Abbey Wood Road. The Elizabeth Line platforms act as a direct extension of the existing Southeastern and Thameslink station.

Where can you change to/from? You can change for Thameslink service to Dartford, Gillingham, Chatham and Rainham as well as Greenwich, Central London and Luton. Southeastern services will also take you to Dartford, Lewisham, Charlton, New Cross and London Bridge/Cannon Street/Charing Cross.

Which tickets can I use?

Just like everywhere else within London, Oyster and Contactless are the preferred ways to pay on the Elizabeth Line. You’ll be charged the same fares that would apply on the London Underground. Even if you’ve bought a ticket through SmartSplit for your trip to London, you may find it easier to complete your journey using Contactless.

Paper Travelcards are also valid on the Elizabeth Line, as well as rail tickets with the ‘Maltese Cross’ that allow you to travel across London. Be aware that some rail ticket rules have been altered to exclude the Elizabeth Line, so make sure you check any restrictions. Tickets routed ‘via City Thameslink’ are only valid on Thameslink trains across London. You cannot use tickets to ‘London Terminals‘ to stations between Liverpool Street and Paddington.

Is there anything else I should know?

Looking for more information about London? Take a look at our page about travelling around London. You’ll find everything you need to know, including how to understand your ticket, and your best options for reaching London airports, including Gatwick. Don’t forget to take a look at our quick guide to crossing London, either.

_{^{All information is issued without liability and was correct as of 1 May 2025.}}

The post Where does the Elizabeth line go? appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Knowing which ticket to buy can be a challenge, especially with the mind-boggling array of choice on trains in Great Britain! Here’s our handy guide to types of train tickets and how to pick the best-value ticket for your next rail trip.

What are the different types of train tickets?

When you’re travelling by train, you’ll usually be offered a few different types of train tickets. But what do they all mean? If you’re in a muddle and just have a minute to spare, take a look at this useful table to work out which type is best for you:

^{All information in this table is issued without liability and is only intended as a rough guide. It should not be taken as an exact representation of individual ticket validity.}

That’s quite a few different types of train tickets! Now, let’s have a look at the different ticket types in more detail.

Advance train tickets

These are the cheapest types of train tickets and they’re only valid on the booked train. Depending on the rail operator though, you can often buy them right up to when the train departs. If your train has seat reservations, they’ll usually always come with a booked seat, too. If you book at very late notice, you might not get one, and some rail operators don’t offer seat reservations at all.

When you book Advance train tickets with SmartSplit, you’re able to exchange them without any sort of admin fee, which is exactly how it should be! While these tickets aren’t normally refundable, you’re entitled to do this if your train is cancelled and you decide not to travel. If your train is over 60 minutes late and you decide not to travel, you can also get a refund.

Usually, the earlier you book, the cheaper the tickets will be! However, when the tickets are released and when they stop being sold can vary. We’ve produced an in-depth guide to Advance train tickets to help with this. You can also click here to find out when tickets are usually released for sale.

Anytime train tickets

If you’re looking for full flexibility, then these are the types of train tickets for you. There are no time restrictions, though there are often different versions depending on whether you’re just making a day trip or a longer journey. There’s no need to book weeks in advance. Simply pop onto the SmartSplit website with enough time to spare before your train leaves, and you’re good to go!

There are a couple of different types of Anytime train tickets. If you’re wanting a single, you might be offered an Anytime Single or an Anytime Day Single. The first one is valid for two days (so on the day you buy it, then the next day), whereas a day single is valid just for the date on your ticket.

There’s three kinds of Anytime return tickets:

• Anytime Return tickets are valid for five days on the outward portion and a month on the return portion. You can break your journey as many times as you’d like both ways.
• Anytime Short Return tickets are valid for the date printed on the ticket when you’re travelling on the outward portion. On your return portion, they’re also valid for one month.
• Anytime Day Return tickets are valid only on the date printed on the ticket. You’ll need to make the outward and return journey on the same day.

Off-Peak train tickets

Need some flexibility but happy to avoid peak commuting times? Then the types of train tickets you’ll be after are Off-Peak train tickets. These come with some restrictions which can vary depending on where your ticket is issued from and to. We’ve created this page about Off-Peak train times, and how you can find out exactly when your ticket is valid.

However, you’ll find some common rules that the different types of Off-Peak tickets will share, even if their exact times of validity are different.

Off-Peak Single and Off-Peak Day Single tickets are both only valid on the day that the ticket was issued. The only difference is that Off-Peak Single tickets are usually issued for long-distance journeys and can have less strict restrictions on when they’re valid. This is mainly so that you can complete your trip in good time rather than waiting until past 9am or later!

An Off-Peak Return ticket still needs the outward journey to be made on the date printed on the ticket, but you can return within one month. Again, time restrictions are sometimes a little more relaxed than the ‘day’ equivalent, particularly if you’re making a long journey. Off-Peak Day Return tickets need the whole outward and return trip to be made on the same day.

Super Off-Peak train tickets

You might look at this ticket and think “what on earth is that?” as how can Off-Peak possibly be made ‘super’? Well, these types of train tickets are more restrictive versions of their Off-Peak counterparts. They usually exist on two types of journeys:

• Long-distance trips, where the Super Off-Peak Single (valid for one day) and the Super Off-Peak Return (outward valid for one day, return valid for one month) are offered. On a weekday (excluding Bank Holidays) they’re usually not valid to arrive into London or to leave from there until late morning or early afternoon. Most of the late afternoon and early evening will be excluded, too. Some tickets (such as West Midlands Trains tickets on the Crewe to London route) also apply these time restrictions on a Saturday.
• Short-distance trips will often have a Super Off-Peak Day Single and Super Off-Peak Day Return offered. Similar to their long-distance equivalents, all peak hours will be excluded. In some cases, they might only be available on weekends (such as on Thameslink).

Why is a single almost the same price as a return?

On many routes, you might find that you’re paying almost as much for a single as you do for a return! There are various theories around this, such as the fact that it encourages people to always pay for a return trip, even if there might not be ticket checks on their return.

The good news is that there is currently a trial going on which is looking at what’s known as ‘single-leg pricing’. This means that single tickets cost half as much as a return.

If you’re travelling from Edinburgh (and some stations in-between) to London with LNER, you’ll currently be charged using this price model. Some other operators, such as Grand Central, Hull Trains and Lumo, also offer single tickets at a more significant discount compared to returns.

The only time you should purchase two single tickets is if they’re ‘Advance’ tickets, which are always priced as singles. Occasionally, it may be cheaper to buy two flexible single tickets if you’re making a short to medium-distance trip where there’s no return fare available other than a day return.

No matter which journey you choose, SmartSplit will always suggest the cheapest combination of tickets that it can find for your trip.

Are there any other types of train tickets?

Yes, there are other tickets available to buy! There’s two other main types of train tickets that you could choose to buy.

Season tickets are valid for a week or more between two stations on the network. You’ll need a photocard to buy these, which can be issued to you at any staffed railway station. With the advent of flexible working, some companies have also started to offer Flexi-seasons. These tickets allow you to pick and choose a certain number of days per week when you’ll make the same journey, at a cheaper cost than just buying tickets on the day. Click here to find out more about Flexi-season tickets.

Travelling for leisure? You may have seen Ranger and Rover tickets advertised to you. Ranger tickets are valid for one day, while Rover tickets are valid for a certain number of days. There’ll be a pre-set area of the country that you’re able to travel in, though they’re normally subject to similar restrictions as Off-Peak train tickets. There’s even a version that allows you to travel around the entire country as much as you like! Click here to find out more.

The post A guide to different types of train tickets appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Manchester has a number of different train stations, depending on where you’d like to go. But which trains go where and how do you get between the stations? We’re here to help with our handy guide to Manchester train stations.

What’s in this blog?

Whether you’re looking for how to get between the Manchester train stations or what you can expect from each one, we’ve got you covered. Simply click on a section to skip to the part you’d like to read:

• What are the Manchester train stations?
  • Piccadilly
  • Victoria
  • Oxford Road
  • Deansgate
• Getting between the Manchester train stations
  • Piccadilly <-> Victoria
  • Oxford Road & Deansgate <-> Victoria
  • Deansgate <-> Oxford Road <-> Piccadilly
• Planning your trip to/from Manchester train stations

What are the Manchester train stations?

If we’re sticking to the city centre of Manchester, then you’ll find four stations:

• Piccadilly
• Oxford Road
• Deansgate (Formerly Deansgate GMex)
• Victoria.

Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Deansgate are all located in a straight line in the south of the city centre, while Victoria sits to the north.

Piccadilly

With 14 platforms, Piccadilly is by far the largest of the Manchester train stations. It’s split into two sections, with the ‘main’ part of the station housing the terminating platforms (1-12) with the other platforms (13-14) being a little further away.

What’s the station like?

You’ll find Manchester Piccadilly to be a modern and welcoming station with a variety of shops and other useful facilities.

Most of the shops and facilities are located on the main concourse (pictured above) which can be accessed from either Piccadilly itself, Metrolink trams or Fairfield Street (via escalators/lifts). On the upper level of the concourse (pictured top left) you’ll find a number of sit-down restaurants, such as TGI Fridays and Yo! Sushi.

To access any of the platforms, you’ll need to have a valid ticket. Despite operating as just one station, these ticket barriers are operated in three different ways. The higher numbered platforms are accessed by manual ticket checks (such as by the staff member in the lower right of the photo above).

The lower numbered platforms are split into two different sets of ticket gates. This is because part of them are staffed by Northern and others have staff from Avanti West Coast. Always check your platform number carefully as it isn’t possible to change platforms (other than by passing back through the gates or using the footbridge at the opposite end) by swapping between the sets of ticket gates.

Platforms 13 and 14

If a train is stopping at Manchester Piccadilly on the way from one place to another, then it’s likely to use platforms 13 and 14. These are located to the south end of the station and are a little further from the main station concourse.

To access them, you have two options. If you’re entering from the main station entrance and don’t have anything heavy to carry, you may find it easier to simply enter by any platform and use the footbridge. When you’re on the footbridge, turn right and follow the signs. If you have more to carry or you’ve come in from Fairfield Street or the Metrolink tram, head towards platforms 10 and 11. From here, there are two travelators that will take you up to the smaller concourse.

The platforms themselves aren’t the nicest place to wait and don’t have an awful lot of shelter. They’re also quite narrow and receive a lot of trains. For that reason, it’s likely best to hang around in the waiting area until your train is due.

Getting between platforms

Going from platforms 13 and 14 to the rest of the station? You can just follow the signs:

Behind the Costa in this picture, you’ll find a lift. This provides direct access to and from the Fairfield Street exit. If you’re after direct access to platforms 1 to 11, then you may find it faster to ignore the signage and instead turn right. Be aware that there’s no step-free access if you do this, so follow the signage to the travelator if you need it.

By turning right, you’ll find yourself on the bridge at the south end of the platforms. Double-check which platform you need on the screens (just visible in the left-hand picture) and simply pop down the stairs on the right one. One last thing though, if you need platform 12 you cannot do this. It can only be accessed by going onto the main concourse first.

Getting to and from the station

So now we know the basics of getting around the station, let’s take a look at how to access it in the first place. If you’re approaching or leaving on foot, you’re probably going to want Piccadilly itself:

On the approach to Piccadilly, you’ll also find a variety of shops and eateries. Some rail replacement bus services also leave from here, as well as the free buses around the city centre.

Alternatively, if you’re catching a taxi or tram, you’ll need to follow signs for Fairfield Street. The tram stop is just down the first escalator and on your left. The Fairfield Street exit is at the bottom of the next escalator, where you can access the main road as well as the taxi rank.

To the right of this photo, you can see the lift shaft for the direct lift connection to the platform 13 and 14 concourse. This makes it ideal if you have a lot of luggage or a mobility issue and need quick access to these platforms.

Which trains go there?

The possibilities are endless! This station certainly has the greatest variety of destinations out of all of the Manchester train stations. Here are some of the key services:

• Avanti West Coast to London Euston
• CrossCountry to Birmingham New Street, Reading and Bournemouth (limited service to Bristol)
• East Midlands Railway to Liverpool Lime Street, Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich
• Northern to Hadfield, Rose Hill, Buxton, Chester, Blackpool North, Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Hazel Grove, Southport, Barrow-in-Furness and Windermere
• TransPennine Express to Hull, Redcar Central, Cleethorpes, Huddersfield, Edinburgh and Glasgow Central
• Transport for Wales to Llandudno, Holyhead, Cardiff Central, Swansea and West Wales

You’ll also find a regular service to Manchester Airport operated by a variety of companies.

Victoria

The next largest of the Manchester train stations is Victoria. It’s had a major refurbishment in recent years, giving it a much airier feel compared to times past. However, platforms 3 to 6 do still have an arena on top of them, so it sometimes isn’t the nicest place to wait!

What’s the station like?

The concourse itself is bright and airy, and has a number of different shops and eateries to choose from. The tram stop is integrated into the new building, too.

As you enter the station, the ticket office windows will be on your left hand side. They’ve been retained in a sympathetic heritage style, and contrast nicely with the new overall roof. Don’t forget to take a look at the tiled Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway map, too.

As for the platforms themselves, you’ll find 1 and 2 straight in front of you when you go through the gates. Platform 3 will be on your left, while 4, 5 and 6 are over the footbridge.

The amount of natural light on 1 and 2 compared to 3 to 6 is quite literally, night and day:

Getting to and from the station

As mentioned above, the tram stops are in the same station complex as the train, so it’s really easy to transfer. If you’re leaving the station, you’ll find that the exits lead to Corporation Street or Station Approach.

Corporation Street is best if you’re heading for the Arndale Centre, Printworks or Shudehill Interchange. The bus stop for the free bus towards Piccadilly or elsewhere in the city centre is outside the Station Approach entrance.

To get to Shudehill Interchange, it’s possible to take the tram one stop, but it’s likely to be faster to simply follow the Corporation Street exit and walk straight ahead next to the tram tracks. It’s uphill, but will only take you a few minutes to walk unless you have mobility issues or a lot of luggage.

Which trains go there?

Victoria is the best of the Manchester train stations for trains throughout North Manchester and Lancashire, as well as those to York and Newcastle. Here’s what you can expect:

• Northern services to Liverpool Lime Street (peak hours only), Stalybridge, Rochdale, Leeds (via Bradford Interchange), Blackburn (via Burnley Manchester Road), Clitheroe, Wigan North Western, Kirkby, Southport and Chester
• TransPennine Express to Liverpool Lime Street, Manchester Airport, Redcar Central and Newcastle.

Oxford Road

Located near the two universities and trendy Canal Street, there’s plenty going on around Oxford Road. It’s just a small station with five platforms packed in, but it’s served by many trains heading from east to west and vice-versa.

What’s the station like?

Located on a very busy stretch of railway, Oxford Road does well to squeeze in five platforms in such a small space. There’s a small concourse and area with ticket gates, with platforms 4 and 5 being in front of you as you enter.

Platforms 1 to 3 are accessed by the footbridge, though platform 1 is rarely used (and doesn’t have any step-free access). There are very few shops/eateries within the station itself, but Oxford Street itself has a variety of supermarkets, bars and cafes.

The most notable feature of the station is the wooden station canopies (left-hand side of the image below) which are listed. You’ll find that the waiting rooms on the platforms are designed to mimic this design:

Getting to and from the station

Unlike the other Manchester train stations, there’s no direct tram link to Oxford Road. Instead, you’ll need to take a short walk to St Peter’s Square.

In terms of entering and leaving the station, the main station building leads into a forecourt with two exits. If you want to head towards St Peter’s Square or Whitworth Street, follow the road ramp down. This is also the only step-free exit. For Oxford Road itself, you can also keep right and follow a set of stairs which will be faster for accessing bars, shops and the university campuses.

Oxford Road station has a number of bus stops directly on Oxford Street (under the railway bridge). Here’s where they’ll take you:

• Stop A: 85/86 to Chorlton, 85A to Arrowfield Estate, 250 to the Trafford Centre, 263 to Altrincham
• Stop B: 15 to Flixton, 18 to Manchester Royal Infirmary, 41 to Sale, 42 to Stockport via East Didsbury, 42A to North Reddish, 42B to Bramhall & Woodford, 42C to Handforth Dean, 43 to Airport, 44 to Altrincham, 111 to Chorlton, 142/143 to East/West Didsbury, 197 to Stockport via Heaton Moor, V1/V2 to Manchester Royal Infirmary.

You’ll also find bus stops on Whitworth Street West (bottom of the ramp) and further up Oxford Street in both directions.

Which trains go there?

A number of different operators serve Oxford Road. Here’s what you can expect:

• East Midlands Railway to Liverpool Lime Street, Sheffield, Nottingham and Norwich
• Northern to Blackpool North, Crewe, Hazel Grove, Southport, Barrow-in-Furness, Windermere, Liverpool Lime Street and Manchester Airport
• TransPennine Express to Redcar Central, Edinburgh, Glasgow Central and Manchester Airport
• Transport for Wales to Llandudno, Holyhead and Manchester Airport.

Deansgate

If you’re looking to visit the Castlefield Gallery or some of the bars and restaurants on Deansgate Locks (or Deansgate itself), this is likely to be the best station for you.

What’s the station like?

Deansgate is the smallest of the Manchester train stations and is situated on a very busy stretch of railway. There’s a small ticket office located downstairs under the railway line and two platforms built on a raised viaduct.

Getting to and from the station

There’s a direct footbridge connection to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop from the Manchester-bound platform. On the street below (Whitworth Street West) you’ll also find a number of local bus routes to choose from:

• Stop C: 255 to Stretford, Urmston & Partington, X50 to Trafford Centre (Express)
• Stop D: free bus 3 to Piccadilly Station (Mon-Sat evenings only), 255 and X50 to Piccadilly Gardens.

Which trains go there?

All trains that serve Deansgate are operated by Northern. Heading west, they’ll take you to Liverpool Lime Street, Blackpool North, Southport and Barrow-in-Furness. Going east, you can travel to Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport. 

Getting between the Manchester train stations

First of all, let’s take a look at where all of these stations are located in Manchester city centre:

As you can see, three of the Manchester train stations (Piccadilly, Oxford Road and Deansgate) are located close together. There’s a regular rail service between all three, and a regular tram service between Piccadilly and Deansgate.

The most common connection that you’re likely to want to make is between Victoria and Piccadilly or vice-versa. Let’s take a look at how we do that, first.

Piccadilly <-> Victoria

When it comes to changing between these two Manchester train stations, you have a couple of options. Let’s take a look at taking the tram, the bus and walking.

Metrolink tram

First of all, you can take the Metrolink tram. Just pop down the escalator/lift near platforms 10 and 11 if you’re at Piccadilly. If you’re travelling from Victoria, just head out of the ticket gates and turn left after a minute or so. You can’t miss the trams! Most tickets across Manchester don’t include the tram fare (unless you have a ticket issued to Manchester Central Zone or ‘Manchester CTLZ), so you’ll need to pay for it separately.

A single ticket for zone 1 will cost £1.40 for an adult (as of November 2022). You can either purchase a ticket from a ticket machine on the platform or use one of these contactless readers with your bank card:

If you choose to pay contactless, just remember that you’ll also need to touch out at the end. It’s not possible to buy tickets on board trams, and penalty fares do apply.

The journey takes around 10 minutes and trams run at least every 12 minutes during the day. You’ll need a tram bound for Bury. They’re modern, bright and have plenty of space for luggage. Click here to find out more about Metrolink.

Free Bus

There is a completely free option that’ll keep you out of any wind and rain! One of the free bus routes in Manchester will take you between Piccadilly and Victoria stations without any fuss. Bear in mind though that this bus runs in a loop. This means that while it’s a relatively short trip from Piccadilly to Victoria, it takes a lot longer to go the other way.

To get there you’ll want the free bus number 2, which leaves from the near the main entrance of Piccadilly. Simply walk out of the station and keep left. The bus stop is well-branded:

Keep an eye out for the yellow bus coming (left image, mid-left). They run every 10 minutes during most of the day, so you won’t be waiting too long. When you board, there’s no need to do anything, except say hello to the driver! There are next-stop announcements too, to keep you in the loop.

In the evenings, route 3 also operates. This runs on a slightly different route, but connects Piccadilly, Victoria, Deansgate and Oxford Road. It leaves from the same stop as the number 2.

If you’re travelling from Victoria, turn right after the ticket office and exit onto Station Approach. Like we said though, it’s a much slower (around 25 minutes) journey to Piccadilly than from there.

Click here to find out more about the free bus.

Walk!

If you’re not in a rush or the weather is nice, it’s perfectly possible to walk between the two stations. Here’s a map with a possible walking route on:

Heading out of Piccadilly, as you can see, it’s quickest (and most straightforward) to head straight out of the main entrance. From there, just keep heading straight on until you find yourself going under the Arndale Centre with tram tracks running from right to left in front of you. From here, you can turn right and follow the tram tracks.

Doing this in reverse? Simply follow the tram tracks out of the station entrance and keep right (don’t follow the set of tracks that go uphill). When you reach a path that goes underneath the Arndale Centre (you’ll have M&S on your right) turn left and go straight on for about 10-15 minutes. The whole walk in either direction will take 20 minutes for a reasonably fit and healthy person.

Oxford Road & Deansgate <-> Victoria

The easiest way to get between these Manchester train stations continues to be the tram. If you’re travelling between Deansgate and Victoria (and vice-versa), there are direct tram connections between both stations.

Deansgate <-> Victoria

Deansgate is connected to Deansgate-Castlefield tram stop by a bridge (accessed to/from the Manchester-bound platform). Be sure to have your rail ticket ready, as there’s usually someone checking on the bridge.

You’ll need a tram bound for Rochdale Town Centre, Shaw & Crompton, Bury or Victoria. There are two different routes that trams can take, with ones routed via Exchange Square being slightly faster. Overall though, you can expect the trip to take around 10 minutes. Make sure to buy a ticket before you board or touch in with your bank card (pictured above).

If you’re heading in the opposite direction, keep an eye out for the tram stop on the left when you exit the ticket gates at Victoria. Grab a ticket or touch in before you board a tram bound for Altrincham, East Didsbury or Manchester Airport.

When making this journey in either direction, there’s no shortage of available trams, so you won’t have long to wait.

Oxford Road <-> Victoria

Oxford Road is the only one of the Manchester train stations that isn’t connected directly to a tram stop. Instead, you’ll need to take a short walk to St Peter’s Square tram stop.

If you’re doing this from Oxford Road, you’ll need to head down the ramp when exiting the station and turn right followed by a quick left. Cross the road and head up Oxford Street for a few minutes until you reach the Manchester Central Library. The tram stop is located here.

You’ll need a tram bound for Rochdale Town Centre, Shaw & Crompton, Bury or Victoria. There are two different routes that trams can take, with ones routed via Exchange Square being slightly faster. Overall though, you can expect the trip to take around seven minutes. Make sure to buy a ticket before you board or touch in with your bank card (pictured above).

If you’re heading in the opposite direction, keep an eye out for the tram stop on the left when you exit the ticket gates at Victoria. Grab a ticket or touch in before you board a tram bound for Altrincham, East Didsbury or Manchester Airport.

When you get to St Peter’s Square, make sure you’re at the front of the tram and turn left onto Oxford Street. It’s just a short walk to Oxford Road station, which is located up a ramp just off Whitworth Street West. When you get to the junction with Whitworth Street West, turn right and the station is on your left up the ramp.

Again, the tram fare for this journey is £1.40 for an adult. Click here to find out more about Metrolink.

Deansgate <-> Oxford Road <-> Piccadilly

These Manchester train stations are located fairly close together in a straight line. You’ll also find a train service connecting all three, so this is likely to be the most convenient option.

Three trains per hour connect Deansgate with Piccadilly (with a fourth to/from Oxford Road), while there is a very frequent service between Piccadilly and Oxford Road.

If you hold an Super Off-Peak, Off-Peak, Anytime or Season ticket, then any ticket issued to Manchester Stations or Manchester Central Zone is valid to/from any combination of these stations.

Do you have an Advance ticket? You’ll need to stick to the station on your reservation.

Are there any free buses?

If you’re travelling from Oxford Road to Piccadilly (in this direction only), free bus 2 leaves from Oxford Street, which is located a short walk from the station. You’ll need to turn right out of the ramped exit and use the stop outside of Bridgwater House.

On Monday to Saturday evenings, free bus 3 also operates between Deansgate and Piccadilly via Oxford Road (one-way only – the bus continues to Victoria and elsewhere in the city centre).

The bus leaves from ‘Deansgate Station – Stop D‘ when travelling from Deansgate, and Oxford Street (same as free bus 2) at Oxford Road. It only runs between 19:25 and 23:25 on the days mentioned, so it’s ideal if you’re visiting bars and other venues nearby.

Planning your trip to/from Manchester train stations

Ready to book your next journey? The SmartSplit website is here to help. We’ll always offer the cheapest option for your trip and you’ll know exactly which of the Manchester train stations you need.

Looking to save some money on your next trip? Check out our cheap train tickets blog. It even includes a money-saving option for Manchester!

^{Please note: All information contained on this page, including any service information, is issued without liability. It was correct at the time of publication (November 8, 2022) but may be subject to change. SmartSplit is not responsible for any loss, inconvenience or disrupted travel plans incurred as a result of the information provided. Always check with your rail/bus operator before you travel.} 

The post Manchester Train Stations – Our Guide appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Some of us like to be organised. Other times, we do things a little last minute. In both of these cases, we sometimes get hit with a bit of a painful question: why are train tickets not available to buy? Here’s our handy guide to booking horizons, why they matter and how to know when to buy your tickets.

What is a ‘Booking Horizon’?

Why are train tickets not available to buy? It could have something to do with something called a ‘Booking Horizon’. Just like looking over the horizon lets you see far away, the idea of these is that they ideally let you book train tickets for dates far away!

They’re usually pre-set at a certain number of weeks into the future. This gives rail companies and Network Rail the chance to decide what the timetables will look like when it comes to things like engineering works. During the week, there usually won’t be many changes so you can usually book further into the future on weekdays. On weekends, there’s likely to be some changes, so the rail industry needs a little longer to finalise all of this information.

Once all of this information is passed to the rail companies, they can start allowing you to book your tickets! With this, they’ll release any cheap Advance tickets they have, if they sell them for the trip you’re making.

Great, so why are train tickets not available to buy?

We made it sound awfully simple, didn’t we? Why are train tickets not available to buy, then? If that’s all there is to it, why isn’t there a definitive answer to when you’ll be able to grab the best bargain?

Well, it used to be (and still is, in some cases!) that you can buy train tickets 12 weeks in advance. There were some exceptions on weekends when timetables for engineering works needed some fine-tuning.

Unfortunately, in the months prior to COVID-19, issues arose with the planning of the timetable. This meant that six weeks became the new target to aim for. The COVID-19 pandemic then made everything a lot worse, with timetables needing to quickly adapt to changing demand. As a result, changes had to be made at much shorter notice.

And that’s the situation where we are today! Network Rail are often still finalising timetables at very short notice, meaning that rail operators can’t allow you to buy the tickets. If they did, you might end up buying a train that didn’t exist!

The pandemic has also meant that many companies are suffering from a shortage of staff, due to sickness and industrial disputes. When this happens, companies need to be able to confirm a stable timetable. This could mean reducing the timetable, or waiting until they know how many staff are available. Some companies have struggled more than others, too.

How do I know when I can book?

You’ll find all of the current available booking dates on the National Rail website. Here’s a guide of when you can typically expect tickets to generally become available for different rail operators at the moment (October 2022). Bear in mind that engineering works may affect these horizons and some days may be excluded:

^{*Avanti West Coast are currently running a temporary timetable and services may only be confirmed at late notice. Check before you travel.}

^{**Services north of York to Edinburgh and beyond are generally available earlier than 12 weeks in advance.}

^{***The route between Salisbury and Exeter St Davids is currently operating a temporary timetable due to track issues. Timetables on this route are updated on a week-by-week basis at present.}

^{All information in this table is subject to change and is intended as a rough guide only. It is published without liability. It was correct at the time of writing (21/10/22). SmartSplit bears no responsibility for loss, inconvenience or additional costs incurred as a result of the use of this information.}

It’s nearly my date of travel! Why are train tickets not available to buy?

As we’ve mentioned above, sometimes rail operators might not be able to confirm timetables until shortly before the date of travel. Yes, that could mean just a couple of days! However, there is another reason why train tickets might not be available to buy.

During COVID-19, many rail operators altered the way that their reservation data was shown online, so that it would automatically give you a seat reservation where possible. This encouraged social distancing and ensured that train tickets stopped being sold when all of the allocated reservations were filled. After this, it would show as ‘sold out’.

However, with the exception of the Caledonian Sleeper train, there’s no need to have a reservation to board a train. You might prefer to have one, but you don’t need one! These ‘compulsory reservation’ markers have hung around though, meaning that trains will still stop being selectable when all of the seats are filled.

This doesn’t mean that the train is ‘sold out’, but you might need to pick a different train that isn’t full in order to buy your ticket. Don’t worry, if you’re buying a flexible ticket, you’re not tied to any particular train, so long as it meets any date or time restrictions.

We know this can be frustrating and might make the ticket buying process a bit trickier. So if you have any issues, please contact us and we’ll be happy to help with this.

Is it possible to book too far in advance?

Sometimes, some websites will allow you to buy an Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Anytime ticket without a reservation before timetables have been officially confirmed. These are the most expensive type of tickets and they can be bought right up until your train leaves, so there’s no need to buy them months ahead!

Sometimes, two stations won’t have any Advance tickets available between them. But, if you were expecting to find some and you didn’t, it’s okay to wait a little longer until they appear. If it’s a weekend, it may be that engineering works are planned and the timetable needs to be confirmed.

It’s the same if all of the trains show as ‘sold out’ many weeks in advance. Don’t panic! They’re just not available to buy yet.

Ready to book your next journey? Simply visit the SmartSplit website. You could also check out our guide to some cheap rail tickets that you might not have known about!

The post Why are train tickets not available to buy? appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Edinburgh Airport to City Centre: the options

First of all, we should add that you should only take this option if you’re happy with a bit of walking and aren’t lumbered down with heavy luggage. If you’ve taken the cheapest flight option though, you probably don’t have a huge suitcase! Let’s take a look at the different costs of getting from Edinburgh Airport, to begin with:

If you’d like to take the tram direct from the airport, it’s £6.50. Happy to take the bus? That’ll set you back £4.50. If you’re happy with a 25 minute stroll though, you can take the tram for just £1.80. Like we say, we don’t recommend this if you’re pulling along a load of heavy luggage. But, if we’re already helping you save on your train ticket, we might as well knock a few quid off your tram fare as well!

Edinburgh Airport to City Centre: the walk

Instead of the Airport tram stop, we’re off to Ingliston Park & Ride. So if you’re going from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre, you’ll need to start by getting off your plane and making your way to the front of the terminal. The road in front of the arrivals is a bit like a loop, and you’ll need to turn right heading against the flow of traffic. Stick to the path next to the terminal building, and you’ll soon come across a sign pointing you to the Hampton by Hilton hotel. This is a good sign (literally!) and it means you’re heading the right way.

You’ll be heading in the direction of the air traffic control tower (on the left of the picture above). Keep following the path as it curves around past the tower and you’ll come across the hotel on the right. You’ll also find the Spitfire memorial here:

Next, you’ll have a couple of roundabouts to contend with. At the first one, simply keep right and keep following the road until you reach the Moxy hotel. There’ll be a road to cross here, then you’ll need to cross the road again (there’s a traffic island). This side of the road has a DoubleTree by Hilton hotel on it, as well as one of these rather large signs:

Make sure you’re on this side of the road, as the path soon runs out on the right hand side. Now, it’s a fairly simple case of following the road for just over five minutes. You’ll come across a reassuring sign like this one, too:

After this time (and after a small roundabout), you’ll need to take the first road that appears on your left. This leads into the Ingliston Park & Ride site:

This short stretch of road doesn’t have any paths, but there are grass verges in the event of any traffic approaching. You can also choose to walk through the car park on the left which also leads towards the tram stop. Alternatively, you can visit the information centre (roof visible on the right) which has some ticket machines for the tram. We’re heading straight for the tram stop though, as there are machines and validators on the platform, too.

A final set of signs will guide you to the stop itself once you’re in the car park:

Travelling by tram

Part 1 of your trip from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre is complete! Make sure you buy a ticket or validate a pass for the tram before you board. There are tram stops and validators at every stop and they look like this:

The ticket machines accept coin payment or you can use cards (both chip and pin and contactless). Other than the single for £1.80, you can also buy day tickets which are accepted on Lothian buses, too.

Great! So you’ve got a ticket, and now it’s time to take the tram. They run up to every 7 minutes and at the moment, they run to St Andrew Square, which is in the heart of the city. There’s plenty of luggage space and they’re fully accessible. You’ll also find a member of staff on every tram checking tickets and giving out help and advice on your trip.

On the way, you might get off at some of the following stops:

• Edinburgh Gateway – which is ideal for connections to and from further north in Scotland
• Haymarket – for rail connections throughout Scotland and towards the North West of England. It’s easier to change here than to transfer at Edinburgh Waverley
• Princes Street – for Edinburgh City Centre, the Castle and other main attractions. This is also the nearest station to Edinburgh Waverley. It’s around a 10-minute walk.

No matter where you choose to go from Ingliston Park & Ride towards the city, the fare is always £1.80. You can find out more about travelling by tram on the Edinburgh Trams website.

Is there anything else I should know?

It takes around 25 minutes to get into Edinburgh itself once you’re on the tram. Factoring in a 25 minute walk and a wait for the tram, it’s likely to take you almost an hour from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre. So this isn’t the fastest option, but it is of course the cheapest.

Let’s recap the walk with this handy map:

Ready to save on your train tickets, too? Visit the SmartSplit website.

The post Edinburgh Airport to City Centre – on a budget! appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

What are Railcards?

Before we go into the different types of Railcards, it’s important to know what they actually are! In a nutshell, they’re a discount card that you buy for either one year or three years. They’ll give you a discount off your ticket (usually either 33.4% or 50%) so long as you always have the Railcard on hand to show when your ticket is checked.

You can buy them at a ticket office and get them on paper, or you can buy them online. When you get them online, you can usually choose to have them in the Railcard app or as a plastic card. If you travel more than a couple of times a year (or make one long trip every year!) and you’re eligible for one, they’re definitely worth getting. There’s so many different types of Railcards to choose from, too.

Let’s take a look at some example journeys and how much you could save with a Railcard. These are all the prices that you’d pay on the day:

^{All fares correct at the time of publication (25/10/2022). This information is issued without liability and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or additional costs incurred as a result of this information.}

What are the different types of Railcards?

There’s two types of Railcard groups. National Railcards are the ones that you’re most likely to know about. They’re the ones like the 16-25 and Senior Railcards. The other type, which you might not know about, are Regional Railcards. If you live near a railway line or in certain parts of the country, you can get a discount for the trains that stop on your doorstep! (Well, not literally). Let’s take a look at National Railcards, first…

16-17 Saver

This Railcard is one of the new kids on the block! It’ll get you 50% Standard Class travel (except on ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper, so it doesn’t cover most of Scotland) and it includes Season tickets, too. This makes it perfect for commuting to and from college or work.

If you’re 16 or 17 years old, simply click here to apply online. That’s all there is to it! Two more years of child-rate fares without any fuss.

16-25 Railcard

Previously known as a ‘Young Persons Railcard’, this one will give you 1/3 off your rail travel if you’re aged between 16 and 25, or if you’re a mature student. Unlike the 16-17 Saver, it isn’t valid on Season tickets, so it’s designed to give you discounts on leisure travel. That said, you might find that for commutes on a couple of days of week, it’s cheaper than buying a Season ticket. Click here to apply online.

26-30 Railcard

No longer eligible for the 16-25 Railcard but want the savings to continue? This Railcard is for you. There’s a couple of tweaks to the restrictions (see the table below) but otherwise, you’ll get 1/3 off as you did with the 16-25 Railcard! Click here to apply online.

Annual Gold Card

This is a little bit different to the other types of Railcards, as you can’t just pop online and buy one on its own. If you buy a season ticket within the Gold Card area, then it doubles up as one of these Railcards. You’ll get 1/3 off within this ‘Gold Card area’ after 09:30 on weekdays and at anytime otherwise. Some people will buy the cheapest season ticket they can within this area and use it purely for the Railcard perks if they expect to travel a lot by train! Click here to find out more.

Network Railcard

Who can buy this Railcard? Just about anyone! It’ll get you 1/3 off your fare in the Network Railcard area, but there’s a few restrictions you’ll need to be aware of (see the table below). Perfect for travelling for pleasure! Click here to find out more and apply online.

Disabled Persons Railcard

If you have a disability, you might be eligible to purchase one of these Railcards. There’s no time restrictions and one person travelling with you can get the discount, too. To apply, you’ll just need to upload some proof of entitlement directly to the Railcard website during the application process. Click here to find out more and fill out your application.

HM Forces Railcard

If you are a member or a spouse/civil partner of a member of the Regular Armed Forces or Volunteer Reserves then you’re eligible to purchase one of these Railcards. You’ll get 1/3 off your fare and 60% off child fares. You’re not able to apply online, so you’ll need to click here to find out more.

Veterans Railcard

This is one of the newest types of Railcards available. It’s for UK Veterans who served at least one day in His Majesty’s Armed Forces or Merchant Mariners who have seen duty on legally defined military operations. You’ll get 1/3 off your own fare and up to four children travelling with you will get 60% off. Click here to apply online.

Job Centre Plus Railcard

Need some help getting to job interviews or getting around in general while you look for a job? This Railcard is valid for three months at a time and is aimed at those claiming Jobseekers Allowance. It’s valid on ‘flexible’ tickets, such as Anytime, Off-Peak, Super-Off-Peak and Seasons. Click here to find out more about how to apply.

Senior Railcard

Aged 60 or over? Perfect. How about 1/3 off your rail travel? All you need to do is upload proof of age if you apply online, or show some at the station if you prefer to do it that way. Find out more on the Senior Railcard website.

Two Together Railcard

Got someone you travel together with frequently? Great. You can get 1/3 off both of your tickets! They don’t have to be a family member, either. Just make sure you travel together, and you’re covered. Click here to find out more and to apply online.

Family & Friends Railcard

This Railcard gives you the ability to add two names to it, meaning that it can be shared between two adults. You can get a 1/3 discount up to four adults and 60% on four children in a group, so long as one of the named cardholders is travelling. You’ll also need to make sure there’s at least one child with you, too! Ideal for family days out and more. Click here to apply online.

You can buy tickets with any of these Railcards on the SmartSplit website.

Are there any restrictions I need to know about?

Yes. Most types of Railcards have some sort of restriction on when you can use them, and we know that they can be tricky to navigate or understand sometimes!

Are there any other types of Railcards?

Yes! As we mentioned above, you can buy a regional Railcard if you live in certain parts of the country. Click on the links below to find out more about each one:

• Cambrian Line (Pwllheli and Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury)
• Cotswold Line (Oxford to Worcester Foregate Street)
• Dales Railcard
• Devon & Cornwall
• Esk Valley (Whitby to Middlesbrough)
• Thameslink and Great Northern Student 16/18 Connect
• Transport for Wales 18 Saver & Student Railcards
• Heart of Wales (Swansea to Shrewsbury via Llandrindod)
• Highland
• Pembrokeshire
• Valleys (Cardiff)

At the moment, you can’t yet buy tickets with these discounts on the SmartSplit website. Watch this space though, we’re working on it!

Can you use Railcards on Season tickets?

Out of the National Railcards on offer, you’re only able to use the 16-17 Saver and Job Centre Plus Railcard on season tickets. If you commute only on selected days every week, it’s still likely cheaper to purchase individual tickets with your Railcard (provided it’s within the time restrictions of the Railcard you have).

Season tickets are already discounted, but they provide the best value if you’re consistently commuting five days a week.

I can’t use any of the types of Railcards! What now?

We know it’s frustrating when there’s no Railcard on offer that fits the bill. Don’t worry though, there’s still plenty of great value tickets on offer. Take a look at our guide to cheap train tickets that you might not have discovered before. It’s a great start. We’ve also written about other discounts that you can get.

Don’t forget that when you book with SmartSplit, we don’t charge any fees. Need to change when you’re travelling? No problem at all. We don’t charge admin fees on that, either.

The post A guide to the different types of Railcards appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

First Class. It conjures up images of luxury and enjoying an ‘exclusive’ experience. So what’s the best First Class train in the UK, which ones are just okay, and which ones should you avoid? Here’s our guide to travelling First Class like a boss.

The Great

1. LNER

If you wanted the simplest answer to which is the best First Class train in the UK, then we’d probably say LNER. You can travel at any time of day and get your share of 2+1 seating, complimentary food and drink and an altogether more relaxing experience. This is First Class exactly as you’d imagine it.

‘There’s two types of trains on LNER. You’re most likely to get an Azuma, which looks like this:

In terms of the seat, the Intercity 225 trains win every single time. They’re like big homely armchairs and provide a decent level of recline. There’s also a nice variety of seating types, with plenty of single seats and tables for two. The Azuma has lots of tables for four, but assumes that the rest of us prefer to travel as loners! Tables for two as are rare as hen’s teeth on these trains.

What can you expect on board to eat and drink? LNER operates with a ‘Deli, Dish & Dine‘ menu. ‘Deli’ is reserved for their quieter services, ‘Dish’ is served across most services during the day, and Dine is often reserved for the ‘peak’ services.

At minimum, you can expect hot breakfast sandwiches, cold sandwiches and salads and a variety of hot and cold drinks (including alcohol after 11:30am) every day. The ‘Dish’ menu adds some hot lunch/dinner dishes (such as Shepherdess Chicken or Asparagus Tortellini) while the ‘Dine’ menu gives a more ‘premium’ offering such as a ‘Full LNER’ breakfast in the morning, and a salmon dish later in the day.

Is it worth it? If your journey is over an hour, absolutely. On some quieter services, the difference in price often isn’t too high, making it ideal for some affordable luxury. Is it the best First Class train in the UK? Well, it certainly provides the best ‘all-round’ experience all week long.

2. Avanti West Coast

The ‘other’ route from north to south perhaps doesn’t have quite the same ‘flair’ or complimentary offering to make it worthy of the ‘best First Class train in the UK’ badge, but it’s worth mentioning the ‘Standard Premium‘ product here.

Avanti have split up their Pendolino trains (serving all routes except Shrewsbury and Chester/North Wales) into ‘First Class’ and ‘Standard Premium’, with the only difference being the complimentary food and drink. What’s more is that you can simply upgrade on board if you fancy it, though Standard Premium Advance tickets can be purchased, as well.

On weekdays, Coaches G and H will be designated ‘Standard Premium’ (though Coach G is soon to be converted to Standard on some trains), while J and K remain traditional First Class. On weekends, Coach J is also Standard Premium, leaving the tiny Coach K as First. Our advice is not to book First Class on weekends and instead opt for Standard Premium, as it can get rather cosy!

Seating is laid out in a mixture of 2+1 seating, and is rather comfortable indeed. It should be added that Avanti are in the process of refurbishing their trains, but for the moment (October 2022), most trains will look like this (Standard Premium pictured):

What do you get if you pay the extra for First Class? To be fair to Avanti, their menu is fairly decent and doesn’t change too much on weekends, either. In the mornings, you can expect hot breakfast sandwiches, a ‘Great British Breakfast’ and Breakfast Hash, among other dishes. Later on, there’s a Croque Monsieur, a charcuterie plate and a couple of salad options. Here’s the Great British Breakfast:

They don’t skimp on the drinks either, with a plethora of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks to choose from. Versus LNER, there’s a little less ‘pizazz’ with some of the food, but it has a nice variety and the portions are decent. .

For some, ‘Standard Premium’ might make this the best First Class train in the UK, as it allows you to enjoy some space on a long trip for a simple upgrade.

Is it worth it? On weekdays, First Class is more likely to be worth it. But, if you just want some space, opt for Standard Premium instead. It also gives you the option to jump on and upgrade on a whim! On weekends, Standard Premium is the way to go. We’ve even done the legwork and tried the difference out for ourselves. You can read more here. We’ve also done a direct comparison of Avanti West Coast vs LNER.

The ‘Decent’

These are the trains where we’d say it’s worth it on an Advance ticket or upgrade if you can get it. They certainly won’t be winning the ‘best First Class train in the UK’ award, but they’ll give you some extra space and likely a bit of peace on your trip!

3. TransPennine Express, Great Western Railway, Hull Trains

We’ve put these three together as they offer broadly the same product. 2+1 seating, a selection of drinks, snacks (and maybe a sandwich!) and a more pleasant travelling environment. TransPennine Express operate a variety of different train types, but other than your seat looking and feeling a little different, the product is largely the same.

Great Western Railway run the same type of train on all of their long-distance routes out of London. It’s the same as LNER’s Azuma and also the TransPennine Express Nova 1, which runs between Newcastle and Liverpool. Hull Trains operate this type of train on all of their services, too. The only difference is the decor and the carriage sizes.

What’s the catering offer like? Well…

• Hull Trains offer a variety of fresh sandwiches and other light refreshments. In the mornings, this will mean a hot sausage or bacon panini.
• Great Western Railway offer drinks, cakes, crisps and other nibbles on weekdays between 06:00 and 19:30. Some services offer Pullman dining, too (see below).
• TransPennine Express offer hot and cold drinks and snacks for the majority of the day in First Class.

Is it worth it? Certainly all of these trains are modern, spacious and offer a ‘First Class’ feel. Don’t turn up expecting a feast (though Hull Trains certainly offer the best catering of the three) but on most trains, you’ll at least get something to drink and nibble. If you can get a good First Class Advance ticket or upgrade on the day, it’s definitely worth it.

4. East Midlands Railway

East Midlands Railway‘s First Class is certainly laid out as you would expect. It’s got 2+1 seating, seats with a reasonable recline and a more relaxed ambience. You’ll find First Class on services between Sheffield/Nottingham and London St Pancras. It’s no longer offered on trains to/from Corby, but for the moment, you’ll find ‘declassified’ sections with a little more room than the rest of the train. Sit in them at no extra cost!

Here’s what a typical First Class carriage looks like:

East Midlands Railway just slips over on the fact that these trains haven’t had a refurbishment for quite a while and some are starting to look a little tired. However, that rings true for the entire train (both Standard and First) and the seats themselves are still pretty comfortable. It’s definitely worth upgrading if you fancy some extra space and the price difference isn’t too high.

Despite the slightly tired interiors, the food offering is actually quite good. Here’s what East Midlands Railway had to say about it when they overhauled the offering in March 2022:

“Customers travelling First Class during the morning will now be able to choose a hot complimentary bacon or sausage ciabatta, porridge, or a vegan breakfast burrito. While in the afternoon, they will be offered a chilled sandwich, wrap or salad, or the choice of a gluten free meal or vegan option.”

East Midlands Railway Press Release, 03 March 2022

This is available on Monday to Saturday at the moment (all day), with plans to extend it to Sundays.

In the coming years, East Midlands Railway will also be replacing their fleet on the London route with more modern trains, so it’s likely that they’ll become an even stronger contender in the battle for the best First Class train in the UK!

Is it worth it? If you’d like some more space and a more comfortable seat, it’s worth considering. Just be aware that on Sundays, the catering offer is fairly limited for the moment.

5. Grand Central

Grand Central offer a decent First Class product, with 2+1 seating and a reasonable travel environment. While their fleet of ‘Adelante’ trains don’t have the most reliable reputation, they’ve recently given them a good refurbishment and they’re fairly smart and modern.

In terms of the complimentary food and drink offer, you can choose for two items out of a list of snacks such as croissants, crisps and biscuits, as well as bean-to-cup coffee. Water, coffee and tea are available throughout the journey without limit.

Is it worth it? The catering certainly won’t be winning any awards, but Grand Central offer a smart First Class that’s certainly worth it on an Advance ticket or upgrade if you can get one.

6. CrossCountry

CrossCountry offer First Class on all of their trains, though their main long-distance product is on their Voyager trains, which operate the ‘core’ routes from Scotland to the South West and Manchester to the South Coast. These trains certainly don’t have the best reputation, being rather cramped and often too short for the trips that they’re making.

That said, this makes a good First Class product all the more important, especially if you’d like some extra space on your journey. Here’s what First Class looks like on a ‘Voyager’ train:

While fairly reasonable, it’s still squeezing a fair number of seats into a small carriage. Those tables for four don’t match up with the windows, either! That said, when comparing it to the rather cramped Standard Class, it could well still be worth the upgrade. The addition of airline-style pairs of seats next to each other is also nice to have, with most trains opting for single seats in this sort of layout.

What’s on the menu? The complimentary menu is offered on most trains, though sometimes early in the morning and late at night, parts of some journeys won’t have any catering. Here’s what to expect:

• Breakfast: Pain au Chocolat, Croissant, Porridge, Hot Bacon Roll
• Snacks: Fruit Cake, Crisps, Biscuits
• Sandwiches: BLT, Tuna & Sweetcorn, Ploughman’s

Sandwiches are available for journeys over 50 minutes on weekdays and 90 minutes on weekends and Bank Holidays. There’s also a selection of hot and cold drinks available.

Is it worth it? If the price is right, it’s definitely worth it for the extra space. After all, CrossCountry services can be very busy indeed. If you have a flexible ticket, you can purchase Weekend First on board, which definitely makes this worth the upgrade.

7. ScotRail

ScotRail offer First Class on their long-distance and ‘eXpress’ services, the latter being the brand name for trains on the Edinburgh – Falkirk High – Glasgow Queen Street route. The on-board environment certainly varies between the different products, but ScotRail themselves do recognise that.

For example, an on-board upgrade on an ‘Intercity’ train costs £15, while a shorter hop on an ‘eXpress’ train is just £5. Here’s what an ‘eXpress’ train looks like in First Class:

While ‘eXpress’ trains are a little more basic (but still in a 2+1 layout), ‘Inter7City’ trains are far more luxurious, having kept their layout from a previous refurbishment that they had while operating for Great Western Railway. They’re classy, comfortable and certainly worth it for a £15 upgrade on a long journey.

What’s available to eat? You’ll just get a hot/soft drink and a sweet/savoury snack if there’s catering available. Click here for the full list of trains that offer it.

Is it worth it? For £5, we’d certainly recommend the eXpress upgrade if it’s a particularly busy train in Standard Class. The Inter7City upgrade for £15 is worth it on a long trip, too. Just take a picnic with you!

8. Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia have recently abolished First Class on all except their Norwich to London route, thanks to the introduction of a brand-new fleet of trains.

First Class on this route is in a 2+1 layout and is bright and modern as you’d expect from a new train. On Saturdays, Sundays, Bank Holidays and over Christmas, you can upgrade on board for £10.

On weekdays, you can claim complimentary hot and cold drinks and snacks from the buffet counter, too. It isn’t a spectacular offering, but with a maximum journey time of under two hours, we wouldn’t expect the height of opulence.

Is it worth it? If you can get a cheap Advance ticket or fancy a £10 upgrade. It’s no-frills and a brand new train.

9. South Western Railway

South Western Railway operate a variety of route types and so you’ll find a variety of types of First Class. If you’re travelling between London Waterloo and Salisbury/Exeter St Davids, seats are arranged in a 2+1 layout, and it’s genuinely rather roomy.

On trains to Weymouth and some trains to Portsmouth, they’ve recently refurbished their ‘444’ trains and with it, removed the 2+1 layout from First Class! As Standard is 2+2, this may remove some of the ‘pull’ for travellers. That said, it’s bright, modern and spacious enough. It just isn’t quite as ‘different’.

Trains to Alton, Basingstoke and some services to Portsmouth are operated by ‘450’ trains. These have recently been refurbished and have two small but smart compartments in a 2+2 layout, though Standard Class is 3+2. While not all that exciting, they’re again very smart and even provide wireless charging at the tables.

Will you be fed and watered? Sadly not. But First Class does come with larger tables, so you can enjoy a nice picnic spread.

Is it worth it? Certainly if you upgrade at the weekend and you’re travelling a reasonable distance. Click here to find out more about the costs of upgrading.

The Bad…

Here’s the First Class carriages to avoid – they certainly won’t be winning the ‘best First Class train in the UK’ award! Maybe it’s because they’re absolutely no different to Standard, or because you can usually travel in them without paying extra! In many cases, these First Class compartments used to act as a way of being guaranteed a seat on rush hour commuter trains, rather than being anything special in themselves.

10. London Northwestern Railway

We’d previously mentioned London Northwestern Railway on this list, but they no longer offer First Class.

The First Class sections are still there at the moment, so feel free to give them a try and work out whether you’d have paid the upgrade!

11. Southern

The majority of Southern services are operated by their ‘Electrostar’ trains. The only exception is services from Uckfield to London Bridge and Eastbourne to Ashford International. Indeed, these two routes offer trains with 2+1 seating, if you’d like a little more space. What’s more, Eastbourne to Ashford International is advertised as ‘Standard Class only’, so you can sit in this area with a First Class ticket.

So, the only route where you might find a benefit to buying a First Class ticket is on some busier trains between Uckfield and London Bridge. Before COVID-19, this was likely to be a very popular option in the peak commuting times.

However, the ‘Electrostar’ trains (below) are *almost* exactly the same in First Class as they are in Standard Class. You might get a partition door and a power socket, but the experience is almost identical. Southern are also currently in the process of refurbishing their trains and adding power sockets to Standard Class, too. Prior to COVID-19, these little First Class sections used to be an invaluable way of guaranteeing yourself a seat in the rush hour, but naturally that’s not so much the case anymore.

Is it worth it? Potentially on a busy train between Uckfield and London Bridge, but otherwise you’re probably best saving your pennies.

12. Thameslink

The Thameslink First Class experience certainly isn’t the worst one of this list. While the seats are still in a 2+2 layout, they’re wider, and you have access to power sockets. It’s also separated reasonably well from the rest of the train. Here’s what to expect:

What’s the issue here? Well, unless you really want to be away from other passengers, there’s no need to pay for it. In some ways, that might make it the best First Class train in the UK! It’s always ‘declassified’ at the rear of the train on the following trains:

• Bedford to Brighton;
• Cambridge to Brighton;
• Peterborough to Horsham;
• Peak-time ‘extras’ to/from Littlehampton and East Grinstead.

Plus, it’s declassified at both ends on these trains:

• Rainham (Kent) to Luton;
• Sevenoaks to London Blackfriars/Welwyn Garden City;
• Luton/St Albans to Sutton.

If in doubt, always sit at the back! Of course, other passenger have gradually cottoned onto this, so expect the ‘free’ First Class section to be a little busy. If you really want some solitude, then that’s the only reason to pay extra.

Is it worth it? Not in our opinion, seeing as there’s a ‘free’ option to try it out!

13. Gatwick Express

There’s little to say about Gatwick Express other than that the First Class compartment is exactly the same as Standard Class, save for a small piece of cloth on the seat. The Gatwick Express website says that:

“With your First Class rail ticket you can take advantage of power sockets throughout and complimentary Wi-Fi, meaning you can send those last minute emails before you hop on your flight.”

Gatwick Express Website

This in itself is true, but you can take advantage of exactly the same facilities in Standard Class. Considering that Gatwick Express is the ‘premium’ operator on the route, this is perhaps a little disappointing! We wouldn’t recommend paying the extra. You can found out more in our guide to the best train to Gatwick Airport.

Is it worth it? Not in our opinion.

Other Experiences

While we’ve covered the best First Class train in the UK (and the not so good), there are two other experiences that are worth mentioning…

Great Western Railway Pullman Dining

While Great Western Railway might not be winning the ‘best First Class train in the UK’ award, if you’re willing to pay a little extra, then they might win the award for some of the best dining.

With main courses such as Thai Green Curry and Herb-crusted Haddock, this is a ‘proper’ restaurant-style service!

On selected services between London Paddington and Plymouth/Swansea, you can pay £33.95 for two courses or £39.95 for three, and take a seat in a First Class carriage to enjoy your meal. First Class customers are able to reserve in advance, while those in Standard Class can walk-up on the day if there’s spare seats.

You can click here to find out more about the Pullman dining service.

Transport for Wales

Transport for Wales are currrently in the process of introducing First Class onto their long-distance services, having just had a single ‘Premier’ return journey between Holyhead and Cardiff Central for a number of years.

Once their new trains are introduced, you’ll also be able to travel in First Class between Manchester and South Wales. Complimentary drinks and snacks are available, and you can currently also order hot food on board.

It’s £10 for breakfast, £17 for a two-course lunch/dinner and £20 for three courses.

Is there anything else I should know about booking First Class trains?

Looking to know more about First Class? Take a look at our dedicated page for First Class train travel. We’re here to help with our Top 5 Tips for getting cheaper fares, upgrading on board and even how to use First Class for free.

Ready to book your First Class trip? SmartSplit is here to help. We don’t charge any booking fees, or any fees at all, for that matter!

Changed your mind? No problem. You’ll only ever pay the difference in fare. If your ticket is refundable, then we can refund it. No fees, no fuss.

^{Disclaimer: All opinions expressed within this post are not to be taken as statements of fact. Your experiences may differ or vary from the ones that we’ve described. All First Class complimentary offers are subject to availability. All First Class complimentary offer information is correct at the time of writing (20/10/2022) and some information was last updated 23/06/2023.}

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What are the options for day trips from London by train?

London is one of the best-connected cities in Great Britain. It has a plethora of stations which will take you to the suburbs, distant cities and every kind of countryside you could imagine.

Bath

Bath has been welcoming visitors to its spas and baths for over two-thousand years. The Romans built baths in the valley of the River Avon in 60AD, and the valley became known as Aquae Sullis (the waters of Sullis).

Attracting over six million visitors per year, there’s something in Bath for everyone, making it ideal for day trips from London.

How to get there

If you’re coming from London, then you’ll find trains from Paddington to Bath Spa around every 30 minutes (every hour on Sunday mornings) operated by Great Western Railway.

All trains are operated by Class 800 “Intercity Express Train” units, which have either five or nine coaches. You’ll often find that the five-coach trains run together in pairs to form a ten-coach train:

You’re able to reserve seats on these trains, and they have plenty of tables and power outlets for devices in each carriage. If you’re not able to reserve a seat in advance though, head for Coach G.

Advance fares start at £23 one way (without a Railcard) or £72.60 for a return ticket on the day (if you’re travelling on the 10:32 train or later on weekdays, anytime on weekends and Bank Holidays).

What to do

If you’re looking to take in the best that Bath has to offer, why not make some of these part of your day trip from London:

• A great start of course is the Roman Baths. Learn about the Roman history of the city and get up close and personal with the bath house, which was only uncovered in the 19th century
• Take a stroll along the Pulteney Bridge. This unique river-crossing is filled with independent shops and cafes to explore:

• Learn about the famous writer Jane Austen with Bath’s very own Jane Austen Centre
• Get walking and exploring! Bath has many different parks to stroll in or enjoy a panic, like the Royal Victoria Park and Botanical Gardens. You can’t miss the historic Royal Crescent, either:

Finally, if you’re looking to do some shopping or grab a bite to eat, don’t forget to visit Green Park Station. Once the terminus of the railway line from Bournemouth, the historic building now survives as an indoor market.

Cambridge

Cambridge is steeped in history, and it’s famous for its world-renowned university. It’s one of the most popular day trips from London as a result!

How to get there

You’ll find two ways to get to Cambridge by train from London. The fastest way to take a Great Northern train from London King’s Cross, which runs twice every hour. For most of the day, they’re non-stop to Cambridge and take less than an hour to make the journey.

Most of the faster trains are operated by Class 387 ‘Electrostar‘ units:

They’ll usually run in eight-coach formations and have plenty of tables and power outlets. Another two trains an hour run from St Pancras International too, but they call at a number of different stations on the way and come from Brighton.

The slower (but cheaper) option is to take a Greater Anglia service from London Liverpool Street. They take between 80 and 90 minutes and run twice every hour. All trains are Class 720 ‘Aventra‘ units which have only just been introduced to the route. They have five carriages and sometimes run as 10-carriage pairs:

These trains don’t have tables but they have plenty of power outlets to charge devices.

In terms of price, you’ll find that Greater Anglia is the cheapest option. A day return on a weekday (valid after 09:15) is £25.20 and goes down to £17 on weekends.

If you’d prefer to take the faster Great Northern trains, it’s £31.80 for a day return on a weekday (after 09:30) and £21.70 on a weekend. Tickets at this price are valid on both companies.

What to do

A great place to start is Cambridge’s museums. The Cambridge Museum of Technology is housed in an old pumping station and tells the story of Cambridge’s role in Britain’s industrial history past and present. You could also take a look at the Museum of Zoology. It’ll take you on a trip from exploration to extinction and gorillas to gerbils. Not only that, but it’s free!

Don’t forget to have a look at the many colleges that form the University of Cambridge, too. There’s plenty to explore:

If you want to go punting then you have plenty of options. What is punting, you ask? A punt is a flat-bottomed boat that you can take along the River Cam. It’ll take you along the ‘college backs’ (quite literally the backs of the colleges that form the University) and it’s a relaxing way to see the city. If you don’t take a punt, we’d still recommend exploring along the river.

One thing to bear in mind if you visit Cambridge is that the station isn’t in the city centre. It’s a 25-minute walk or you’ll find regular bus services that take around five minutes. You might find it to be cheaper if you buy a PlusBus, which gives you unlimited travel all day. It’s £3.80 for an adult (discounts for Railcards are available) and you can buy it at the ticket office when you arrive in Cambridge. Just show your rail ticket first!

Seaford

Having once been famous for the looting of shipwrecks, Seaford enjoys a more peaceful reputation in the modern day. The arrival of the railway made it one of the many popular seaside day trips from London, and it’s one that visitors continue to enjoy today.

How to get there

In order to get to Seaford, you’ll need to take a train from London Victoria to Lewes before changing to another one that’ll take you to Seaford. This is the fastest option to get there. Don’t worry though, it’s a common connection and if there’s a slight delay to the train from London, the Seaford one will usually wait. Trains on both lines run twice per hour.

It takes just under an hour and a half to make the journey, including the change at Lewes.

All of the trains will be Class 377 ‘Electrostar‘ units. They’ll run in formations of up to 12 coaches from London, but the Seaford train will just be three or four carriages:

To guarantee a table seat, aim for the front or rear coach of each four-carriage unit (so coaches 1, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 12 in a 12-coach train). These carriages have a 2+2 seating layout with mostly full-size tables. The centre coaches are more of a ‘commuter’ style with 3+2 seating and smaller tables.

Most trains now have power sockets (with a mixture of USB and three-pin sockets) and they’re gradually being fitted to the whole fleet.

In terms of cost, it’s £35.70 for a day return (valid after 09:30) or £42 for one valid at any time. You can also buy cheaper ‘Advance’ tickets for specific trains which start at £6. They’re usually available on quieter services outside of the main commuting times.

What to do

Seaford is all about embracing the great outdoors. It’s one of the day trips from London where you can choose to either relax on the beach or go walking along the clifftops, or both!

Seaford Beach is extremely popular with joggers, dog walkers and anyone who just wants to take a stroll. You have a great view of Peacehaven Cliffs in the distance, too:

You’ll find a number of kiosks along the seafront to enjoy a drink or an ice cream. Don’t worry if the kids want the chance to build a sandcastle though, the beach itself is quite stony but there’s at least one big sandpit along the promenade for them to get creative in!

Heading further along the promenade, you’ll reach Seaford Head. This is the start of the path towards Eastbourne via the Seven Sisters cliffs. If you’re really up to the whole thing, it’s about seven hours (14 miles) to complete. If you don’t want to leave the town though, there’s still plenty to see:

Lewes

Home to a historic castle and Priory, Lewes has nearly a thousand years of history to share. It’s a great place to explore and enjoy many of its popular independent cafes, bars and restaurants.

How to get there

You might have noticed that we’ve already discussed Lewes! Most of the information mentioned about the trains to Seaford is the same here. It’s the same kind of train and you’ll need to get them from Victoria. It takes just over an hour to make the journey on a direct train which runs twice per hour.

The only difference is the cost. It’s £36.40 for a day return (valid after 09:30) or £42 for one valid at any time. Yes, this does mean that it’s slightly cheaper to buy a return to Seaford if you’re travelling on the day after 09:30!

Advance tickets for specific trains also start at £6 on this route.

What to do

The main attraction that you’ll find is Lewes Castle. The castle was built in the 11th Century and the first sections were completed shortly after the Norman Conquest. As well as having a castle to explore, the site also contains the Barbican House Museum. It’ll take you on an archaeological journey through the history of Sussex, with no stone left unturned!

When you’re walking through Lewes itself, you can go straight through the Barbican Gate, which dates from the 14th Century:

Fancy walking in the footsteps of Medieval monks? Then Lewes Priory is a must-visit. Set in the backdrop of the South Downs, the ruins tell the story of the priory which survived until 1537.

Don’t worry though, the park contains a plethora of fascinating information which explains the activities that once took place on the site. Everything from growing vegetables from…going to the toilet!

As Lewes is just a short train ride from Seaford, we’d recommend combining the two together if you fancy an historical adventure mixed with the seaside. That’s two day trips from London for the price of one!

Portsmouth

Once the most heavily-fortified city in the world, Portsmouth has a rich naval history. It’s still a naval base today, but it’s also a bustling shopping and leisure destination, as well as the gateway to the Isle of Wight.

How to get there

There are two main ways to get from London to Portsmouth. The fastest way is to take a South Western Railway service from London Waterloo. These trains take between 90 and 120 minutes to reach Portsmouth Harbour and they’re usually operated by Desiro trains:

There are two different types. Class 444 trains have five carriages and have 2+2 seating throughout (with tables). Class 450 trains have four carriages with 3+2 seating and there aren’t any tables in Standard Class. Both types of trains run on the route and both have power sockets available.

Alternatively you can take a Southern service from London Victoria. They run direct every hour to Portsmouth & Southsea (rather than Portsmouth Harbour), though it’s also possible to take a train to Barnham and change there, too. It takes around two hours to make the journey with Southern.

They’re all operated by Class 377 ‘Electrostar‘ trains like we discussed above in the section about Seaford.

The other difference is the cost. It’s £50.60 for a day return on South Western Railway (with train-specific Advance single fares starting at £9.20). Meanwhile, if you take Southern, it’s £38.20 for a day return (valid after 09:30).

What to do

The main attraction in Portsmouth is the Historic Dockyard. It’s home to multiple iconic ships, like HMS Victory, and it’s home to the National Museum of the Royal Navy. If you’re even remotely interested in the history of the Navy and the part that Portsmouth had to play in the UK’s defence, then this is one of the essential day trips from London.

Keep an eye out for HMS Warrior as soon as you leave the station at Portsmouth Harbour, too:

If history isn’t your thing, then you can head for the modern side of Portsmouth. After all, who could miss the iconic Spinnaker Tower? Opened in 2005, it gives panoramic views of Portsmouth and beyond. You can actually see the tower itself from as far away as the Isle of Wight and the Purbeck Hills:

It forms part of the wider Gunwharf Quays development, which contains a plethora of shops, bars and restaurants. If you’re looking to shop til you drop as part of your day trips from London, then this is the place to go.

What else should I know about planning day trips from London?

When it comes to day trips from London, there are some other things that you might like to know. If you’re travelling by train and aren’t sure what to look for, then we’ve written a guide on what to do if you’re travelling by train for the first time.

Travelling with family? Don’t worry. Check out our blog on family train trips.

What’s the best way to book day trips from London by train?

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

No matter which of these day trips from London you choose, you want to be able to book with confidence. Every ticket you buy on SmartSplit comes without fees, both when you buy them and if you change your mind.

Every ticket can be changed (all tickets) or refunded (flexible tickets only) without fees. Because why should you pay more when the unexpected happens?

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What are the best ways to get cheap First Class train tickets?

It might seem that ‘cheap’ and ‘First Class’ don’t go together in the same sentence, but there can be some bargains if you know where to look. Whether that means following a particular route or avoiding certain times, let’s have a look at some of the best ways to save.

1. Avoid London

London can attract a premium (and lots of people want to go there!) So, if you’re after a trip in First Class for less, we’d recommend leaving it for a journey that avoids the capital. The same usually applies for Standard Class, too. Let’s take a look at an example where we’re travelling from York a month in advance:

It’s £45.50 to travel in Standard Class to London, or £95.70 in First Class. That’s more than twice the Standard Class fare!

Meanwhile, let’s see what happens if we go in the other direction and head for Edinburgh instead:

It’s £36.00 for Standard Class, and £52.40 for First Class. That’s a much smaller difference, and it isn’t a bad fare for a journey of over two and a half hours. So, your first step to finding cheap First Class train tickets is being choosy about where you go.

2. Pick a Friday morning for London trips

So, you want cheap First Class train tickets and you want to travel to London? Your best bet is to travel down on a Friday morning. In particular, you’ll find that this makes a difference for trips on the East Coast Main Line (Edinburgh – Newcastle – London) and West Coast Main Line (Glasgow – Preston – London and Birmingham – London).

This is because peak time restrictions are eased on a Friday. There’s less business-oriented travel too, so the trains are usually quieter. Because the most expensive tickets are Super Off-Peak ones, rather than Anytime or Off-Peak, this effectively ‘caps’ all of the cheaper Advance tickets.

3. Avoid the Frills

This depends on why exactly you’d like to travel in First Class. Do you want the full works with food and drinks, or do you just want a bigger seat to stretch out in with a cup of coffee? You might find cheap First Class train tickets with companies that don’t go all-out with the free food.

For example, we looked at York to London earlier, and found that it could be quite pricey. Let’s have a look and see how it compares if we choose Grand Central instead:

It’s still quite a bit more than you’d pay for Standard Class, but £55.00 is a more reasonable price than what we were finding above. You won’t get the same level of service, but you’ll still get a more spacious environment. In fact, we’ve written about the best First Class trains so that you can compare every First Class product across Great Britain.

The same applies if you pick an LNER train that doesn’t have such a substantial food menu, as there are three different menus to pick from (Dine is the largest, followed by Dish, then the most limited one is Deli). You can check which menu is scheduled on northbound trains here and southbound trains here.

4. Try Standard Premium

Did you know that Avanti West Coast gives you the option of travelling in a First Class carriage, sometimes for a fraction of the cost of a First Class ticket? Standard Premium is essentially First Class without the free food and drink. It’s the same seat and the same environment.

You don’t have to book it in advance, either. All you have to do is buy a Standard Class ticket, then take a free seat in Standard Premium. It costs up to £30 to upgrade on board, and the conductor will sell you the upgrade when they check tickets. You can book Advance tickets for Standard Premium, too. Let’s see what we get if we want to go from Carlisle to Crewe a month in advance:

So, it’s £16.40 for Standard Class, £31.40 for Standard Premium and a rather high £85.80 for First Class. That’s quite a saving over sitting in a traditional First Class carriage! We’ve also compared Standard Premium v First Class so you can see which upgrade is best for you.

5. Keep an eye out for last-minute bargains

Cheap First Class train tickets don’t have to be booked up months in advance. Sometimes, if you’re travelling at the last-minute, there’s very little difference in price between Standard Class and First Class. It might even be cheaper! Let’s take a look at travelling from York to Newcastle this coming Saturday:

That’s just over an extra fiver to travel in First Class, so it’s not a great deal more expensive. So, why is there very little difference on some trains and a huge one on others? In a nutshell, when it gets very close to departure, the cheaper ‘tiers’ of Advance tickets start to sell out. This can happen at a faster rate for Standard Class than First Class.

Is there anything else I should know?

Looking to know more about First Class? Take a look at our dedicated page for First Class train travel. We’re here to help with upgrading on board and even travelling in First Class for free. We’ve also compared Avanti West Coast and LNER.

The final thing we’d recommend is using the SmartSplit website to book your cheap First Class train tickets. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, but cheaper options that some websites won’t.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 09:00 12/07/23 unless otherwise stated. All information is issued in good faith. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What sort of day trips from Leeds by train are there?

No matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Our day trips from Leeds could take you on a walk down a peaceful canal, on a journey down memory lane or enjoying some great food and drink. Let’s take a look at what we’ve discovered.

Knaresborough

You’ve probably heard of its neighbour, Harrogate, but have you considered day trips from Leeds to Knaresborough? It’s a little more tranquil and peaceful, but you won’t be short of things to see and do.

Why not start with a stroll down to the River Nidd? It’s a great place to admire the railway viaduct that you’ll have just passed over, if you’ve come from Leeds:

You could also pop into Knaresborough Castle & Museum. It’s just a short walk (and a climb) along the river. It’s a Norman Castle, and the climb is worth it for the views down the river valley.

If you head down the river and under the railway viaduct, you’ll find Mother Shipton’s Cave. It’s England’s oldest tourist attraction, and it was the home of Mother Shipton, a Tudor prophetess. Legend has it that she foretold the fates of various rulers both during and after her lifetime. She even predicted the Great Fire of London.

Fancy a trip? Two trains per hour run from Leeds to Knaresborough, and they take roughly 45 minutes to complete the drip. Day Return tickets start at £10.60.

Marsden and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal

It’s time to head right to the edge of West Yorkshire. If you want to embrace the great outdoors, then this is one of the perfect day trips from Leeds for you. Marsden is situated on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. At its summit, this is actually the highest canal in Great Britain:

It’s also the point where both trains (and boats) need to cross the Pennines to reach Manchester. So, you can get up close and personal with the railway, and learn more about the Standedge Tunnels, where the trains rush in and out of, and the boats, hopefully don’t rush in and out of:

If you head in the other direction, it’s a pleasant hour-so-walk back towards Slaithwaite along the canal. Alternatively, you could head inland towards the Butterley Reservoir.

Looking to get exploring? You can reach Marsden in as little as 35 minutes with a change at Huddersfield, once every hour. 

Saltaire

Our next stop is Saltaire. The area was built by Sir Titus Salt in 1851, so that his workers in Salts Mill could live in better conditions than the slums of neighbouring Bradford. The name ‘Saltaire’ is simply his surname, and the name of the passing river – the River Aire!

Nowadays, the main attraction continues to be Salts Mill. In the modern day, it serves as an art gallery and a place to learn about the history of Saltaire and the impact that it had as a prominent textile-making hub. You’ll find a shop selling local goods, too:

If you’re after something a little more tranquil, just pop a little further down the road. You’ll soon find yourself at the Leeds & Liverpool Canal:

From here, it’s possible to walk all the way to Skipton or Leeds. Or, you might just prefer to take in your surroundings and have a walk over towards Robert’s Park…

Is Saltaire worth its salt? You can find out with just a 15-minute train ride from Leeds. A Day Return starts at £6.30.

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

How do you like the sound of day trips from Leeds by train…that take you to another train? This one looks just a little bit different, though:

The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway links Keighley, Oakworth, Haworth and Oxenhope with a variety of heritage trains. You could have a steam train, a diesel one (like we did) or a more familiar-looking Pacer train.

Along the way, you can learn about the history of the railway, and get up close and personal with the trains that run along the route. Don’t forget to stop off at Ingrow West to visit the Museum of Rail Travel, or pop into the Exhibition Shed at Oxenhope:

Meanwhile, Oakworth Station is famous for starring in The Railway Children, which was released in 1970. The entire railway is a true time capsule, and operates just as it did back before it closed in 1962. By 1968, an army of volunteers had it operating again! Keep an eye out for Damems Station, too. It’s got the shortest railway platform in the UK:

Trains link Leeds to Keighley at least twice every hour. The journey typically takes 25 minutes, and Day Return fares start at £8.20. You can find out more about the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, including their operating days and times, on their website. You can also reach our next destination by taking the hourly B3 bus from the line’s terminus at Oxenhope…

Hebden Bridge

Hebden Bridge has it all. Beautiful scenery, some great places to walk and a plethora of independent shops and cafes to fill your boots in. It was even rated as the Greatest Town in Europe! With friendly touches like this, it’s easy to see why:

If you do choose to have a wander along the canal, much like other places on this list, you can go rather far! This is the Rochdale Canal, after all. You could walk it all the way through the Pennines and into Manchester City Centre, if you were so inclined.

A little closer to Hebden Bridge, you could also go exploring around Hardcastle Crags. It’s around a 35-minute walk from the station to the beginning of the area. It has 15 miles of paths to explore though, so it might take you a little longer than 35 minutes to cover it all!

You can’t have day trips from Leeds without some decent grub and a good drink to wash it down. Hebden Bridge is home to Vocation Brewery, which serves its own craft beer, loaded fries and burgers:

You can take the train from Leeds to Hebden Bridge four times every hour and the trains take 40 to 50 minutes.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

The final thing we’d recommend is using the SmartSplit website to book your next adventure. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, cheaper options that some websites won’t.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!

_{^{All information on this page is issued in good faith and was correct at 31/08/2023. All fares quoted for were for ONE adult and were the Off-Peak Day Return fare. Information is subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What are the best train companies for Standard Class food and drink?

We’re going to base this on how consistently you can get food and drink, and how convenient it is to order. We know that Transport for Wales have their Premier dining service, and Great Western Railway have their Pullman, but these are on a very limited number of trains. They’re great, but you can’t jump on board and get them every single time! So, who can you rely on?

LNER

It doesn’t get much more convenient than LNER when it comes to Standard Class food. All you need to do is scan the QR codes on the back of every seat:

From there, you can access the Let’s Eat at Your Seat menu. You can order hot and cold sandwiches, snacks and drinks. If you do fancy a stroll, then you can also visit the café bar on the train. From our experience, this will be available on every train for most of the journey.

Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast has a similarly extensive Standard Class food menu to LNER. However, you can’t have it delivered to your seat. Previously, this option was trialled, but it was often not available. You can click and collect instead now, but we don’t know how reliable this is. The good news is that you can just pop to the shop:

This would probably win the award for best buffet on a train, as you can actually see what’s on offer. The only negative is how far down the train you need to trek to reach it. The good news? It’s advertised on all services.

Grand Central

Grand Central will also allow you to choose from their menu, and then click and collect from the buffet. The menu isn’t huge (and you won’t know the sandwich fillings in advance) but you’ll find it on every train. Of course, you can just pop to the buffet as well.

Lumo

The LumoEats service is worth mentioning, as it’s a pretty interesting concept. It’s available on every train, but with a few caveats.

Basically, you can pre-order your food from a number of different station outlets, and they’ll bring it to your seat. The price isn’t very different to going to the shop yourself, and it can be a big time saver. The only issue is that you need to be getting on the train in either Edinburgh or London. You’ll need to do it in advance, as well. That said, you can do it up to two hours before you travel.

Once you’re on the train, a trolley will also come through regularly with smaller snacks and drinks.

TransPennine Express

Finally, we have TransPennine Express. They don’t offer food and drink on every train all of the time, but they cover the bulk of the time period that you’d expect to be able to order it.

It’s advertised between 07:00 and 18:30 on weekdays, and 09:00 and 18:30 on weekends. You’ll find it between York/Leeds and Manchester on the Hull, Saltburn and Scarborough services, and Sheffield and Manchester on the Cleethorpes services. It’s available on the entire Newcastle to Edinburgh and Newcastle to Liverpool routes.

On trains between Edinburgh/Glasgow and Manchester Airport, you can get it on the entire route, all day long. As for the menu, it’s pretty much what you’d expect. You can choose from sandwiches, snacks and drinks. Just keep an eye out for the trolley!

Is there anything else I should know?

Feeling peckish? Looking to book a ticket and have a trip with some great Standard Class food? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

_{^{All information quoted is correct as of August 2023, is subject to change, and is issued without liability. SmartSplit is not responsible for any disappointment or loss incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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Where can I go for a weekend away by train?

Looking for a great night out, a chance to sample some local delicacies or to just to see the sights? There’s something for everyone, here. We’ve visited all of these places ourselves, too. Just click the link at the bottom of entry to find out more.

Newcastle

Newcastle might have an atmosphere as a party city, but it’s so much more. By day, you can work your way around its free museums and art galleries, such as the Discovery Museum and the Baltic. Have a stroll around the Quayside and admire the many bridges, too:

Looking for a drink? Newcastle is filled with hip craft beer spots, cute cocktail bars and plenty of classic pubs for a pint. Best of all, Geordies have a reputation for just being pure friendly. Want to see what we got up to? Click here.

York

York is a perfect weekend away by train for history buffs and train geeks alike. You could walk the walls, visit the National Railway Museum and admire the facade of York Minster without spending a penny.

Don’t forget to explore the many independent shops on the Shambles, either:

Or, perhaps you just want to go out of your way to find the brilliantly-named Whip-ma-Whop-ma-Gate. We paid a visit to see the sights, too.

Sheffield

So, what’s going on in the City of Seven Hills? Quite a lot, in fact, and definitely enough for a great weekend away by train! It’s filled with free museums, such as Kelham Island Museum and the Millenium Gallery. You can learn more about the rich history of Sheffield, as well as the people that make it great.

Why not shop till you drop in the Vintage stores of Division Street? Don’t forget the fried chicken at Lucky Fox, either. Or, you could take it easy and have a stroll around the Botanical Gardens:

One of us lived and studied in Sheffield for four years, so we’ve got plenty of tips! Find out more here.

Glasgow

There’s something in Glasgow for everyone. Fancy admiring a wall covered in cars? You can do that at the Riverside Museum, for free:

It’s home to the People’s Palace and Kelvingrove Museum, too. They don’t cost a penny, either. Fancy getting closer to nature? You can go say hello to the coos in Pollok Country Park, or admire the plants in the Botanic Gardens.

Peckish? Don’t pass on the fluffy soufflé pancakes at KoKo House. Find out more about what we saw and did here.

Liverpool

Liverpool is a perfect weekend away by train for music-lovers. It’s the home of so many class acts, after all. You can learn more about them in the Museum of Liverpool. No prizes for guessing which is the most famous act:

As well as soaking up some art in Tate Liverpool, you could pop out of the city and enjoy a bracing coastal walk in New Brighton or West Kirby.

Of course, you could spend an entire weekend trying to spot all of the Superlambananas. Take a look at what we chose to do…

Is there anything else I should know?

Feeling inspired? Looking to book a ticket and have a weekend away by train? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

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How do I know if my train ticket is valid?

Usually, it’s easy! You might have a ticket for a specific train, or you might have an Anytime ticket. However, if you’re stuck in disruption, or travelling with an Off-Peak ticket, it might not be so clear. Here are our top tips for travelling with ease.

Advance tickets

Your Advance train ticket is valid only on the date and service shown on it. If you jump on a different train without permission, then your ticket is as good as not having one at all!

All of this important information will be shown on the ticket itself. They’ll be shown as ‘Mandatory Reservations‘. Here’s an example:

Certain types of paper ticket will have the ticket and the reservation on separate coupons. You’ll need both the ticket and the reservation in order to travel, if you have an Advance ticket.

Getting across London

If you’re making a journey that involves going across London, then only certain types of ticket are valid. For example, the London Underground does not accept eTickets. Your ticket will need to be a paper one that you can insert into the gate. As well as this, it’ll need to have a Maltese Cross symbol. Here’s an example:

Tickets to ‘London Terminals‘ aren’t valid on the Underground. You’ll need to use Contactless instead.

Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak

Off-Peak train times are a bit of a minefield. So, how do you know if your ticket is valid? Well, every ticket has a unique restriction code. This code will tell you when you can use your ticket. On an eTicket, you’ll find it near the bottom:

You can find this out by visiting nre.co.uk/(your restriction code). For example, nre.co.uk/1l takes you to the dedicated page for restriction code 1L.

Here at SmartSplit, we’ll show you the cheapest ticket that is valid on the train you choose. So, you’ll not need to worry about this!

Day Returns versus plain ‘Returns’

Day Returns are pretty self-explanatory. But how do you know if your Off-Peak Return train ticket is valid, or an Anytime Return? It’s pretty simple:

• The outward part of an Off-Peak Return is valid until 04:30 the next morning. The return part is valid for a month
• The outward part of an Anytime Return is valid for five days. The return part is valid for a month.

When you’re using the return part of these tickets, you don’t need to do the entire journey at once. You can break it as many times as you like, for as long as the ticket is valid. If a staff member marks a date on the ticket, that doesn’t change this fact!

Day Returns are valid until 04:30 the next morning. If you’re travelling in the early hours (eg. at 1am), then a ticket from the previous day is still valid.

When things go wrong

If things go wrong, it can be tricky to know whether or not your train ticket is valid. But, here are some simple pointers:

• If you have an Advance ticket, and your train is cancelled, you can use the train before or after, so long as it’s operated by the same company
• Missed a connection? You can use the next train operated by the same company at no extra cost
• Using multiple tickets, such as a different ticket for each train? If you miss a connection, you don’t need to buy a new ticket. You’re protected in the same way as if you had one ticket. Just make sure you leave enough time to change trains.

Do you have an Off-Peak, Super Off-Peak or Anytime ticket? There’s no need to rebook. Just jump on the next train. If your ticket is only for a specific company, you’ll still need to obey that restriction.

If there’s major disruption, then other companies should accept your ticket. Other train companies cannot strand you if there aren’t any more services operated by the company on your ticket. You can find out more in our guide to disruption.

Is there anything else I should know?

Looking to book some train tickets now? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

_{^{All information is issued without liability and was correct at 29 August 2023. SmartSplit is not responsible for any losses or inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What do I need to know about crossing London by train?

London is a huge city and it’s got a plethora of different railway stations. A number of different Underground lines link all of the stations together, and a couple of railway lines actually cross London, so you don’t need to change. We have a couple of tips that you’ll find handy when it comes to crossing London by train.

Have the right ticket

If you’re crossing London by train, and you have one ticket for your entire trip, then it’ll need to be a paper ticket in order for you to use the London Underground. It’ll also need to have a Maltese Cross symbol. Here’s an example:

If your ticket says ‘London Terminals‘, then it isn’t valid to cross London by train. You can find out more about what ‘London Terminals’ are, here.

No ticket? No need to queue

If you don’t have a ticket for the London Underground, then don’t queue up for one! All you need to do is tap any contactless bank card or device on the ticket gate, then tap out again when you leave. It’s much cheaper than queueing up for a paper ticket.

A typical single fare to get across London is £2.70. You can check how much you’ll be charged with the TfL Single Fare Finder.

Pick the right tube station

There are a couple of stations where it’s worth checking which Underground station is the best for you. This is usually the case where multiple Underground stations serve the same ‘mainline’ station, or there isn’t a dedicated one. Here are the main examples:

• The main Underground station at Paddington for King’s Cross and Euston is next to the high-numbered platforms. If you’ve come off a train, it’s probably faster to use the footbridge (at the far end) rather than the main footbridge
• Travelling from Euston to Paddington or Liverpool Street? The direct trains leave from Euston Square. Leave the station and turn right down Euston Road. It’s just a few minutes away
• Fenchurch Street doesn’t have a dedicated tube station. The nearest ones are Aldgate or Tower Hill
• Arriving at Marylebone, and looking to travel to King’s Cross, Euston or Liverpool Street? It’s faster to walk to Baker Street first.

Avoid the tube

Looking to avoid the tube? Crossing London by train can be even simpler if you just stick to the train for the entire trip. The Elizabeth Line is London’s newest addition, and it connects Paddington and Liverpool Street, amongst other places. Meanwhile, Thameslink connects the Home Counties together. If you’re travelling from St Pancras to London Bridge, for example, you might find it easier to use Thameslink.

Alternatively, why not walk? King’s Cross and Euston are just a 10-minute walk apart. Meanwhile, it’s a 20-minute walk along the Thames between Waterloo and Blackfriars.

Avoid Central London

It’s sometimes possible to avoid crossing London by train entirely. We’d recommend taking a look at the different London Overground routes if you’d like to do this.

The Watford Junction to Clapham Junction route, operated by Southern, is also a useful train to catch. It allows you to connect between the North of England and the South Coast without the need to go through Central London. This is also a great way to get to Gatwick Airport

Is there anything else I should know?

Looking for more information about London? Take a look at our page about travelling around London. You’ll find everything you need to know, including how to navigate the brand-new Elizabeth Line, and your best options for reaching London airports, including Heathrow. We’ll even tell you which London station to use!

Ready to take a trip? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any refund or change fees, either. After all, why should you pay more if you’re changed your mind?

^{_{All information on this page was correct at 29 August 2023 and is issued without liability. SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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Are there power sockets on trains?

In most cases these days, yes! Most trains have power sockets available for you to use. They might have a three-pin socket, a USB slot or both. They’ll either be on the wall, under the seat in front of you or under your own seat. If you’re sat at the table, they might be under the table itself or fixed to the table.

If a socket is attached to the wall, then you can only access it if you have a window seat.

Where will I find power sockets on trains?

Here’s our quick summary of each company and whether you can expect to find a power socket on trains that they operate. It isn’t always as straightforward as ‘yes’ or ‘no’, but most companies have a pretty consistent approach.

Is there anything else I should know?

We’ve written some footnotes below where the situation isn’t quite so straightforward! Otherwise, you’re all set.

Looking to book some train tickets now? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

Footnotes

^{1 – Avanti West Coast are currently refurbishing their ‘Pendolino’ trains. On unrefurbished trains, you’ll only find sockets at tables in Standard Class.}

^{2 – All London-Birmingham services and some London-Oxford services.}

^{3 – Voyager trains run between Scotland/Newcastle and the South West, and Manchester and the South Coast.}

^{4 – Merseyrail are currently replacing their fleet. Older trains do not have power sockets.}

^{5 – Northern has a very diverse fleet of trains. Almost all trains will have either a USB socket or three-pin socket. A small number don’t have either.}

^{6 – Southern and Southeastern are currently refurbishing their trains and adding sockets. ‘Javelin’ trains will soon be fitted with USB-C ports.}

^{7 – All services except the ‘CrossCity’ line, and other trains that have a 3+2 seating layout.}

_{^{All information is issued without liability and was correct at August 2023. SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss of inconvenience incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What sort of day trips in Kent can I do?

Here are our five picks for day trips in Kent by train. No matter what you’re after from a day trip, there’s something for everyone. Just make sure to dress appropriately, as the British weather always likes to throw in a surprise.

Rochester

Let’s begin in Rochester, which sits on the banks of the River Medway. How about paying a visit to Rochester Castle? It endured siege after siege in times gone by. These days, it enjoys a somewhat quieter life:

You could also take a look at the beautiful Restoration House. Did you know that it played the role of ‘Sattis House’ in Dickens’ Great Expectations?

Canterbury

Day trips in Kent don’t get any better than Canterbury. It’s steeped in history, for one. Why not pay a visit to the iconic Canterbury Cathedral or climb up Westgate Towers?

Looking for something a little more peaceful? You could enjoy a picnic in Westgate Gardens or take a punt down the Great Stour.

Dover

Dover isn’t just all about escaping to the continent? You could do as we did, and climb up to the edge of Western Heights. From these old fortifications, you can see the entire town:

You’re also able to see Dover Castle. Of course, we can’t forget the White Cliffs, either. They’re walking distance from the town itself.

Whitstable

Whitstable has a great stretch of beach. It’s also home to an RNLI Lifeboat Station. So, when you pay a visit, you can learn more about the sea and its tides, and how they affect the town.

It’s also home to the Harbour Market. On a Thursday to Monday, you can come here and fill your boots with all sorts of artisan arts, crafts and other homemade goods.

Margate

This is one of the best day trips in Kent if you fancy a visit to the beach. After all, it doesn’t get much better than the golden sands of Margate:

How about some more classic seaside experiences? You can’t have Margate without Dreamland, either. It’s basically your classic seaside theme park with plenty of rides (including rollercoasters) on offer. It’s free to get in, and you pay per ride.

Is there anything else I should know?

Looking to know more about day trips in Kent? You can find out more on our dedicated page where we’ll tell you more about how to get to your favourite destination with ease.

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh or Glasgow, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

Looking to book some train tickets? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

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What are the cheapest station pints?

So, we’ve got one rule for this list, which is that we’re excluding Spoons. Otherwise, they’d practically run away with it. Everyone knows that they’re cheap, and they know what they’re going to get. Their Aberystwyth pub (Yr Hen Orsaf) actually has the cheapest station pint in the country, at an astounding £1.71.

Instead though, we’d like to give some shout outs to independents and small chains that serve rail travellers and locals alike, and serve them some great-value beer while they’re at it. We should add that these prices were correct as of June 2023, so they might have changed a little since.

5 – Urmston

We’re kicking off the list with Urmston (The Steamhouse). When we got in touch with them, they told us that their cheapest station pints were £3.75. This is a cask ale that rotates every month!

4 – Knaresborough

Next up, you can pay a visit to the Track and Sleeper and get yourself a pint for just £3.70. This changes pretty regularly, as we’ve visited twice, and it was different on both occasions.

It’ll be one of their very own Gorilla Brewery pints, though. Trust us when we say that they’re all worth a try.

3 – Huddersfield

At the Head of Steam in Huddersfield, you can enjoy a pint of Buckeye Pale Ale for £3.60. Everything rotates pretty regularly, so the cheapest station pints here will change often!

Luckily, they’ve popped a menu with prices on their site, so you can stay up to date before you visit.

2 – Doncaster and Hartlepool

We have a joint entry for the second-top position when it comes to the cheapest station pints. You can choose between The Draughtsman (Doncaster) and The Rat Race (Hartlepool). We visited the latter, with its rather eclectic choice of decor:

At both of these pubs, the beer changes very regularly. So we’d recommend popping into both and finding out the latest offer for yourself.

1 – Codsall

Finally, a pint of Holdens at the station pub in Codsall will cost you just £3.30. So, this is the cheapest station pint that you’ll find somewhere that isn’t Spoons!

Is there anything else I should know?

So, have we quenched your thirst, or left you looking for more? You can find our full map of station pubs here. Looking for more about pubs? You can take a look at our favourite pubs in the North East or Yorkshire and the East Midlands. We’ve also taken a trip to find some of the best beer in East London.

Looking to book some train tickets to sample the cheapest station pints? No problem. You can do it all with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any extra fees either, even if you just change your mind about your trip.

_{^{All prices quoted were correct as of June 2023, and are subject to change. SmartSplit is not responsible for any disappointment or loss incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What to do during travel disruption

When there’s disruption, operators need to do everything they can to keep you moving, where they’re able to. It’s even in the National Rail Conditions of Travel, which say: 

“Where disruption prevents you from completing the journey for which your Ticket is valid and is being used, any Train Company will, where it reasonably can, provide you with alternative means of travel to your destination, or if necessary, provide overnight accommodation for you.”

National Rail Conditions of Travel, Section 28.2

If you have an advance ticket 

If your train is cancelled, you can jump on the next one operated by the same company. There’s no need to ask permission first. Train companies may also agree to accept each other’s tickets, meaning that you can travel on a different company. If this happens, staff will let you know.

No more trains operated by the company you booked with? Another operator should allow you to travel with them instead.

If this isn’t possible, you should be provided with replacement transport or accommodation. You should not be left stranded or made to buy another ticket.

If you have a flexible ticket 

You can use any trains within the route, operator and/or time restrictions of your ticket. In many cases, these restrictions will be lifted. Your rights to alternative transport, accommodation and refunds are the same as those stated above for Advance tickets. 

Split tickets 

Split tickets don’t affect your right to compensation or to alternative transport during rail travel disruption, so long as you make sure you leave enough time between each train. All of your tickets still form a journey, in the same way that a through ticket does.

If you miss a connecting train, you can still get another one. Just make sure you follow any restrictions on your ticket.

If you can’t go any further by train 

Let railway staff know as soon as possible. This should ideally be when you’re at a staffed station or still travelling on a train. They should make the relevant arrangements for you, which will usually involve providing a bus or taxi.

In some situations, train operators may be unable to provide alternative arrangements during rail disruption. If this happens, they might tell you to book a taxi or hotel then contact them to claim back the cost.

You’ll need to keep hold of all your tickets and receipts and send them to the customer relations department of the operator that caused you to become stranded.

You can click here to find out more about what to do in rail disruption

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What beaches are there to visit by train?

Lots! But here are our five favourites. They’re spread up and down the country, so you’re sure to find one that’s within reach.

Aberdour – Silver Sands & Black Sands

We’re starting north of the Scottish border for these top beaches to visit by train. You’re able to get to Aberdour from Edinburgh in just 30 minutes! If you take a short walk through the village and down to the Firth of Forth, you’ll reach Black Sands:

This is definitely a good one if you fancy a walk. If you’d prefer some more peaceful surroundings, then you can head to Silver Sands. It’s connected to Black Sands by the Fife Coastal Path, or it’s a 15-minute walk if you’re coming from the station directly:

Silver Sands is one of the great beaches to visit by train if you just want to lie back and take it all in. It faces towards the south east too. This means that you’ll get plenty of sunshine when the weather is right.

Saltburn

Saltburn beach is just a few minutes from the station, so it’s one of the ideal beaches to visit by train. You can reach it by a unique Cliff Lift, too.

Whether you want to relax on this huge stretch of beach, take a walk along the cliffs or feel the breeze along the pier, there’s something for everyone. Of course, it’s home to a classic arcade, too.

This part of the country is full of beautiful beaches. In fact, the beach in Saltburn extends all the way through Marske, up to Redcar and South Gare Lighthouse. Thinking of taking a visit? It’s less than half an hour by train from Middlesbrough, and hourly trains link it to York and Manchester, too.

West Kirby

There are very few places like West Kirby. You can take a stroll around the marine lake and take in the views across the River Dee. That’s Wales in the distance:

If you’re feeling more adventurous, then you can walk across the sand-flats to Hilbre Island. It’s about a two-mile trip and you’ll need to check the tide times before you go. It’s worth the walk, as you could see seals, whales and even dolphins!

West Kirby is a great beach to visit by train, as it’s linked to Liverpool by frequent Merseyrail services. They run up to every 15 minutes, and it’s around a 30-minute ride. Once you get to the station, it’ll take around five minutes to get to the seafront.

Seaford

We’re off to the South Coast of England, now. Seaford is just a stone’s throw from Brighton, and it has plenty to offer. For one, it has this huge stretch of beach:

It’s quite a stony beach, so it’s more suited for a stroll than building sandcastles, but don’t worry. You’ll find a number of sandpits along the promenade if your little ones want to get creative.

Want to get your steps in, instead? Seaford marks the beginning of the Seaford Head Nature Reserve. You can admire some impressive cliff formations along the way:

It’s around a 35-minute trip to Seaford from Brighton. If you’re coming from London, it’s just over an hour and a half. It’ll take you around 10 minutes along flat pavements to walk from the station to the beach.

Carbis Bay

Finally, we’re taking you to the far South West of Cornwall. Welcome to Carbis Bay, which is just a short hop from the more famous St Ives. Driving isn’t ideal around these parts, and the roads can be narrow and congested.

So, if you want to reach the beautiful blue waters and white sands of Carbis Bay, it’s the perfect beach to visit by train. The sub-tropical plants in the area can make you feel like you’re almost in another country entirely!

It’s served by the St Ives Branch Line, which will take you to St Erth. From here, direct trains run to Penzance, Plymouth, Exeter and London. Carbis Bay station itself is a very short walk from the beach.

Is there anything else I should know?

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Looking for more day trip inspiration? We’ve taken trips to Newcastle, Glasgow and Liverpool, so that you can have a smarter adventure.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

The post Our Top Five Beaches to Visit by Train appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Can I really travel in First Class for free?

Well, not all the time, obviously. You can’t just plonk yourself down on any train and travel for no extra cost. But, there are some trains that are effectively ‘Standard Class only’. Some companies will let you know that this is the case, but others keep it very quiet. If you’re ever unsure, just ask a member of staff.

ScotRail

If you’re travelling on ScotRail, then keep an eye out for the ‘eXpress’ branded trains. They have four carriages and run on a number of different routes around the Central Belt:

They mostly run between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street. This ‘fast’ route between the two cities does have First Class, but any other route is Standard Class only.

This means that you can travel in First Class for free on routes like these ones:

• Edinburgh – Dunblane
• Alloa – Glasgow Queen Street
• Falkirk Grahamston – Glasgow Queen Street
• Edinburgh – North Berwick.

Usually, these routes will have the three-coach version of this train, which doesn’t have First Class, but swaps do happen. Just keep an eye out for the yellow markings around the windows, like in the photo above. If you do get a train that has a First Class area, you can expect a bigger seat, and a lot more space.

This isn’t the only type of train where you can try First Class for free. Trains to Cowdenbeath and Glenrothes, as well as local stopping trains between Edinburgh and Perth or Dundee don’t have First Class advertised, either. If you get one of these trains, you can sit in a First Class section like this one at no extra cost:

Stansted Express

So, most of the time, Stansted Express trains don’t have First Class. But, did you know that an almost-identical fleet of trains, which usually runs between Norwich and London, does? Sometimes, one of these trains will find its way onto the Stansted Express route. When it does, you can travel in First Class for free!

It’s a bit more spacious and in a 2+1 layout. Even in Standard Class, it’s a little more luxurious as it has full-sized tables.

How do you know if your train has First Class? You can do one of two things:

• Check the number on the front of the train. Trains with First Class will start with a 0, eg. 003. If it’s a ‘normal’ Stansted Express train, it’ll start with a 1, eg. 104
• See if the outside of the train has carriage letters. Trains with First Class have carriage letters marked by the doors.

Southeastern

This one is nice and easy. As of December 2022, Southeastern doesn’t have any First Class on its trains. This doesn’t mean that they’ve rushed to rip out all of the First Class seats, though.

If you’re on a train that has seating in a 3+2 layout, but there’s a section of 2+2 seating that looks a bit nicer, this is what used to be First Class. Feel free to take a seat! You’ll usually find these sections behind the driver’s cab.

Southern

A lot of suburban trains around London have carriages where you can sit in First Class for free. In particular, there are quite a few that are operated by Southern.

Now, they aren’t much to write home about. The seats are exactly the same, just with a marking on that says that they’re First Class. But, because not everyone knows that this only applies on some routes, it does mean that you have a better chance of getting a seat at busy times.

As of July 2023, the following trains are shown as ‘Standard Class only’ in the timetable:

• Horsham to London Victoria (via Dorking)
• Dorking to London Victoria
• West Croydon to London Victoria
• London Victoria to London Bridge
• London Bridge to Caterham and Tattenham Corner
• Beckenham Junction to London Bridge
• East Croydon to London Bridge
• Epsom to London Bridge
• Epsom Downs to London Victoria.

As well as this, there are some routes around Sussex that don’t have First Class advertised:

• Ashford International to Eastbourne
• Hove to Brighton
• Portsmouth & Southsea to Brighton
• Portsmouth & Southsea to Littlehampton
• Bognor Regis to Barnham and Littlehampton.

All of these trains share at least part of their route with another train that does have First Class advertised. So, we’d recommend checking with staff if you’re unsure. You can also check the timetable. If it has First Class, you’ll see a little ‘1’ symbol above the train.

South Western Railway

Travelling to Windsor, Hounslow, Reading or Weybridge via Chertsey? Then if you have a ‘Desiro‘ train, you can sit in First Class for free. They look like this:

As they normally run on longer-distance trains too, they have First Class. You’ll find the First Class section behind the driver’s cab on each four carriage train (so in carriages 1, 4, 5 and 8 on an eight-coach one). For your ‘free’ upgrade, you’ll get a bigger seat in a 2+2 layout, a table to work at and wireless charging.

Thameslink

You can always sit in First Class for free on Thameslink. You just need to make sure that you’re sitting in the right place. Basically, there are two First Class sections on every train, and they look like this:

You’ll get a much bigger seat, access to a power socket, and tables to work at. Basically, it’s a decent upgrade compared to Standard Class.

So, when can you use it? The rear First Class compartment is always counted as Standard Class. No matter which Thameslink train you use, you can always sit in the rear carriage of First Class for free.

On these routes, the whole train is counted as Standard Class:

• London Blackfriars to Sevenoaks
• Luton to Rainham
• Sutton to St Albans (via Wimbledon or Hackbridge).

West Midlands Trains

West Midlands Trains have abolished First Class as of May 2023. As a result, you can sit in any former First Class section for free when you have a Standard Class ticket.

Is there anything else I should know?

This list isn’t completely exhaustive, so you might come across other trains which allow you to travel in First Class for free. Just check the timetable and see if there’s a ‘1’ symbol above the train you want to use! It goes without saying that of course, free doesn’t mean completely free. You still need a valid Standard Class ticket to travel. If you’d like to know more about what First Class is like, you can take a look at our guide to the best First Class trains.

Looking to know more about First Class? Take a look at our dedicated page for First Class train travel. We’re here to help with our Top 5 Tips for getting cheaper fares and upgrading on board. We’ve also compared Avanti West Coast and LNER, as well as Standard Premium and First Class.

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

^{_{All information stated on this page was correct at 06/07/23. It’s subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided. You always need a valid ticket to travel and it is your responsibility to ensure that it is valid.}}

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What are the advantages of travelling by train?

There are many reasons why it’s a great idea to take to the rails. Whether you want to save money, save yourself the stress of driving or help the planet, there’s always a good excuse to have a trip. Let’s take a look at some of the advantages of travelling by train:

1. You can sit back and relax

One of the main advantages of travelling by train is that someone else is doing the difficult bit, which is driving! You don’t have to worry about pulling over for a break or what happens if nature calls.

All you have to do is take a seat, sit back and watch the scenery roll by.

2. Sometimes the scenery is just better!

Sometimes the railway can get to places that roads can’t reach. Modern motorways are usually built to be efficient and to avoid any natural obstacles, while railways have been around much longer. They usually work with the landscape around them, and manage to get through places where a road would struggle. For example, the main A1 road from Edinburgh to Newcastle goes through the centre of Northumberland, while the railway gives you breathtaking sea views:

Plus, one of the big advantages of travelling by train is that you can sit back and enjoy the views. You don’t need to also stay focused on the road and everyone else around you!

3. It can be better value for money

We know that the railway can be expensive. Not every journey at every time is going to be cheap, and we won’t pretend that it is. That said, it isn’t as difficult as you’d think to find a bargain. Do you want to go from Leeds to Manchester tomorrow morning? Sure, let’s take a look at the prices:

Sure, the fastest train is fairly expensive, but it’s just £8.20 to take a slightly slower one. Plus, 1hr 17min is still fairly competitive with the time it’d take to drive – without the need to find and pay for a parking space.

Many people are eligible for a Railcard too. This gives you a third off rail fares. We’ve also compiled a list of discounts you can use if you’re not able to use one.

4. You can have a bite to eat on the move

Another of the advantages of travelling by train is the fact that you can grab a bite to eat whenever you like. You could take a packed lunch, buy something at the station or even get something on the move.

If you’re travelling with LNER for example, you can use their ‘Let’s Eat at Your Seat‘ service to order food. Just scan a QR code on the back of your seat, type in where you’re seated and someone will bring it to you.

Travelling in First Class? Some companies will wine and dine you at no extra cost. Take a look at our guide to the best First Class trains to see what to expect.

5. It’s easy to stay connected

No matter whether you’re in a car, on a plane or on a coach, it isn’t exactly easy to be productive. On a plane, you need to turn on flight mode (unless you’re willing to pay for expensive WiFi – if it’s available at all) and coaches aren’t exactly spacious.

Just about every train offers some sort of free WiFi, and data signal on the railway is always improving. One of the main advantages of travelling by train is the space, too. You can easily pop your laptop on the table and get some work done (or browse!)

6. Trains are better for the planet

It’s true! It’s much better for the planet compared to driving, and even better if you take a train instead of a short-haul flight.

In fact, it’s between 66 and 75% more efficient to take the train. You can found out more about the environmental impact here.

7. In most cases, it’s faster!

As the old British Rail-era advert used to say, who’s ever heard of a train jam? Trains don’t get stuck in rush-hour traffic, and they’re able to hit speeds of up to 125mph (140 if you’re travelling between London and Ashford). Speed is another of the main advantages of travelling by train.

Let’s take a look at some journeys and see how they match up to the car:

• Newcastle to Leeds takes around 1h30m by train, but can take up to 2h30m in the car
• Going from Manchester to Edinburgh? That’s 3h15m on the train, and up to 5hrs in the car
• Bristol to Birmingham is about 1h20m on the train, but the car can take up to 2h20m

It can be even slower in rush hour. Let’s not even think about trying to drive into Central London, either!

_{Times were taken on 28 Jun 2023 from Google Maps, assuming a departure time of 11am and taking the fastest available route.}

8. You can get up and stretch your legs

If you’re on a train, it’s easy to get up and nip for a leg stretch. You can walk to the buffet car, nip to the loo or go and make a phone call. Coaches are a bit of a squeeze, and the seatbelt sign can come on at any time if you’re flying.

9. You can be flexible

It’s possible to buy flexible train tickets that don’t tie you to a specific train. Sure, these can be expensive if you want to buy one in the ‘prime’ commuting hours, but they can still be great value during Off-Peak times and at weekends.

Most of them allow you to break your journey, so you can hop on and off as you please for as long as your ticket is valid, so long as you keep travelling in the same direction. Popping to see some friends on the way home, or just in need of some fresh air? No problem.

10. You’re covered if things go wrong

If your train is delayed, then you’re covered by Delay Repay. Usually, it kicks in after 30 minutes, but some companies will compensate you for as little as 15 minutes delay. These days, it’s as simple as sending in a picture of your ticket and filling in a quick online form.

Missed a connection? No problem, just jump on the next train. If your ticket was for a specific train or company, you should aim for that company, but sometimes there’ll be ticket acceptance to get you home quicker. If you have a separate ticket for each train, you’re still covered, so long as you left enough time between them (usually five minutes, but up to 15 at the biggest stations).

No matter what, the National Rail Conditions of Travel say that companies must do everything they can to make sure you’re not left stranded.

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some inspiration? We’ve written lots of content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you.

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

^{_{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 17:00 28/06/23. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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How do we work out the best train from Leeds to Manchester?

There are a few factors that we need to look at when we’re deciding on the best train from Leeds to Manchester:

• The cost – is it good value for money?
• Speed – will it get us there quickly?
• Comfort – what are the trains like?
• Reliability – will the train actually turn up?

We have two operators to choose from: TransPennine Express and Northern. TransPennine Express are usually the most popular option. After all, their trains tend to be faster. Meanwhile, Northern are the ‘cheap’ option. Let’s see what both companies are like.

TransPennine Express

On a typical weekday, when there aren’t any engineering works, you’ll usually find three trains per hour between Leeds and Manchester:

• One per hour goes to Manchester Victoria, stopping at Dewsbury, Huddersfield and Stalybridge
• One per hour goes to Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at all stations to Huddersfield, then non-stop to Manchester
• One per hour serves Manchester Victoria, Manchester Oxford Road and Manchester Piccadilly, stopping at Dewsbury and Huddersfield.

The fastest trains take around 50 minutes to reach Manchester Victoria, while the peak trains to Manchester take up to 70 minutes. More services run during peak hours. 

The cost

Let’s take a look at how much you can typically expect to pay for a one-way journey a week in advance. For this, we’ll look at the cost of trains to Manchester Piccadilly:

So, you can expect to pay between 16 and 18 pounds. That’s a little steep, but these are fairly popular trains. A day return (valid after 09:29 weekdays) is £27.20, while one that’s valid at any time (and to return within a month) is £41.00.

The trains

Two different types of train run on the route from Leeds to Manchester. The first one is the Class 185:

These trains have three carriages and will often run in a six-car formation. You can expect to see them on the Hull to Manchester and Saltburn to Manchester Airport routes.

On the Newcastle to Liverpool services, you’ll find the Nova 1:

They’re relatively new trains and have five carriages. Certainly, they’re very modern-looking and pretty striking and are probably the best train from Leeds to Manchester if you’re basing it on looks.

The seat experience

On the Class 185, you’ll find a fair few seats around tables, and the seat comfort is fairly good:

You’ll find a power socket at every window, including a USB port. All of the seats are in a 2+2 layout, while it’s a 2+1 layout in First.

The Nova 1 interior is a little more densely packed, but Standard Class seats are still in a 2+2 formation:

Under each pair of seats, you’ll find two power sockets and a USB port. In First Class, all of the seats are in a 2+1 formation.

Storing your luggage

As you can see in the photos above, both types of train have reasonably-sized overhead luggage racks. You’ll easily store a cabin-sized bag in them. As for larger cases, each carriage on the Class 185 has at least one bigger rack, while there’s at least two per carriage in the Nova 1.

Put simply, it shouldn’t be a problem! TransPennine Express is probably the best train from Leeds to Manchester if you have a lot of luggage.

Upgrading to First Class

If you upgrade to First Class on TransPennine Express, you’ll get a bigger seat that reclines. On most trains, you’ll also get complimentary catering on part of the trip. You can take a look at the First Class menu here.

Here’s what the Class 185 trains look like in First Class:

In terms of power outlets, provision is pretty much the same as in Standard Class. You’ll still want a window seat if you need a power socket on the Class 185 trains.

Northern

Next, let’s take a look at Northern. You’ll usually find three trains per hour on a weekday between Leeds and Manchester Victoria:

• Two per hour stopping at Bramley, New Pudsey, Bradford Interchange, Low Moor (one per hour), Halifax, Sowerby Bridge (one per hour), Mytholmroyd (one per hour) Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Rochdale
• One per hour stopping at Morley, Batley, Dewsbury, Mirfield, Brighouse, Sowerby Bridge, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden, Walsden, Littleborough, Smithy Bridge and Rochdale.

On Sundays, there are two trains per hour, and they both go via Bradford Interchange.

The fastest trains take around 75 minutes, while the slowest train via Dewsbury and Brighouse takes around 90.

The cost

This is what sets the Northern service apart and what arguably makes it the best train from Leeds to Manchester. It’s actually quite cheap! Let’s take a look at one-way fares a week in advance to Manchester Victoria:

A single fare of £6.80 is less than half the cost of the TransPennine Express fare.

The trains

The fastest Northern services on this route are operated by Class 195 trains. They have either two or three carriages, but can run in formations of up to six carriages:

They’re relatively new trains, though they’re very much designed for commuters and they’re fairly ‘lightweight’, so expect a couple of bumps in the track along the way.

The seat experience

All of the seats on these trains are in a 2+2 formation. They’re pretty thin and firm, but this means that legroom in the ‘airline’ style seats is fairly generous:

There are quite a few tables as well, and every pair of seats has access to a power socket under the seat. They’re not quite as luxurious as TransPennine Express trains, but they’re fine for a journey of an hour and a half.

Storing your luggage

The overhead racks on these trains are reasonable and will store a cabin-sized bag. You won’t find any bigger luggage stacks, but there are areas with tip-up seats and the areas around the doors have a fair amount of space.

That said, we wouldn’t recommend travelling on these trains with everything but the kitchen sink. They’re commuter trains, after all.

Upgrading to First Class

You won’t find First Class on any Northern service. You’ll need to travel with TransPennine Express if you want a little more luxury!

Verdict: What’s the best train from Leeds to Manchester?

All things considered, the best train from Leeds to Manchester at the moment has to be Northern on the basis that it’s a lot more predictable! It’s cheaper, too. Unless you want to go First Class or you have a lot of luggage, it’s simply the smarter option.

There are a couple of things that you can do to make your journey even smarter:

• At busier times, such as in the rush hour, aim for the trains that start at Manchester Victoria if you’re travelling east. They leave at around 57 minutes past the hour (54 on Sundays) and have around 20 minutes turnaround time in Manchester. This gives you a good chance to turn up and get a seat
• The trains via Bradford will swap direction there, so you’ll need to switch seats if you don’t want to travel backwards. Alternatively, take the train that goes via Brighouse and Dewsbury
• All trains start and terminate at Leeds. Just make sure you get there around 10 minutes before departure to guarantee a seat on busier trains

Is there anything else I should know?

The final thing we’d recommend is using the SmartSplit website to book your next journey. We’re completely independent, so we’re happy to ‘tell you like it is’ when it comes to rail fares. Not only that, but we’ll show you the slower, but cheaper options that some websites won’t.

Don’t forget that we don’t charge any fees, either. That includes if you change your mind and want to travel on a different day. If your ticket is refundable, we’ll refund it fee-free, too!

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 15:00 11/09/24. Advance fares quoted are from March 2023. Timetable info is correct to December 2024. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What’s the best way to take a day trip to Liverpool?

By train, of course! Here are a couple of tips that you can use to make your day trip to Liverpool cheaper:

• If you’re travelling last-minute from Manchester, we’d recommend checking the slower Northern trains. They leave from Oxford Road and Victoria, and have cheap Advance tickets right up to the last minute. You could also consider buying a Duo ticket if there’s two of you (or four, or more!) taking a trip – we’ll offer it automatically if it’s the cheapest option
• Coming from London? You might find that it’s cheaper to catch a London Northwestern Railway service to Crewe first, and then change for a train onwards to Liverpool. It’s about an hour slower, so it might be more appropriate if you’re spending a couple of days away

We’ve written a dedicated guide to cheap train tickets to Liverpool where you can find out more, too.

What is there to do on a day trip to Liverpool?

One of the great things about exploring Liverpool is that you can do a lot of it on a budget, or completely free! There’s plenty to see and a selection of free museums to wander around.

Seeing the Sights

Why not start your day trip to Liverpool with seeing some of the essential sights? Let’s begin with what you can see on its iconic waterfront.

Royal Albert Dock

Having been known as just the Albert Dock until 2018, the Royal Albert Dock was granted a Royal Charter five years ago. It started out life in the 19th Century as a home to valuable goods making their way from all corners of the world.

Unfortunately, it just wasn’t big enough to keep up with demand, though it was still a useful place to store cargo. In the Second World War, it became a crucial part of the nation’s war effort. The Royal Albert Dock served as a base for the British Atlantic Fleet, though it took a beating in the Blitz.

In the Post-War era, the Royal Albert Dock suffered a decline and was eventually closed in 1972. Redevelopment began in the 1980s, and now the area is a diverse home to museums, bars and restaurants while still paying homage to the proud maritime past of the city.

Don’t forget to have a look around the Pier Head area. It contains many reminders of the past, including the Pilot Cutter Edmund Gardner and an old Great Western Railway warehouse. Did you know that the Great Western Railway never actually served the city? They ran to Birkenhead instead, on the other side of the Mersey. Once folk arrived at Birkenhead, they’d connect onto a ferry to bring them to Liverpool.

Royal Liver Building

The Royal Liver Building is one of the most famous structures in Liverpool. It was opened in 1911 and it’s one of the first examples of a building constructed with reinforced concrete, as well as being one of the tallest buildings in the country back when it was built. The two Liver birds on the building keep a watch over the city, too. Legend has it that if they were ever to disappear, then the city would cease to exist.

These days, the building is home to a variety of companies and organisations, such as ITV, HSBC and Everton Football Club. You can even tour one of the clock towers as part of your day trip to Liverpool, and you’ll find more information here.

Beatles Statue

The Beatles need no introduction, and Liverpool makes no secret of how they’re Liverpool icons. This statue has been a feature of the Waterfront since 2015, so it’s a fairly recent addition:

The Cavern Club donated the statue, and it was designed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of their final gig in the city.

Memorial to the Heroes of the Maritime Engine Room

Did you know that Titanic was registered in the Port of Liverpool? The city has made a special effort to keep the memory of this iconic vessel alive, and you’ll find reminders of it everywhere.

This particular memorial was originally designed to remember the 32 engineers who lost their lives in the disaster. However, due to the heavy loss of life in World War I, it was broadened to remember all the maritime engineers who had died in the line of duty.

The Cathedrals

Moving away from the Waterfront, we think it’s worth mentioning the two iconic (and very different) Cathedrals in Liverpool. You’ll find Liverpool Cathedral on St James’ Mount:

It’s the largest cathedral in Britain and the fifth-largest in the world. It’s undeniable that it’s a pretty formidable structure, too. Liverpool Cathedral was opened in 1978 after a construction effort that spanned two World Wars and the death of the original architect!

Just half a mile away, you’ll find the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Liverpool. It was the winner of a worldwide design competition, and is a great example of 1960s architecture. It’s also the largest Catholic cathedral in England:

Free Museums

Liverpool is full of free museums, and there’s something for everyone. Whether you want to learn about boats, birds or the proud social history of the city, you’ll be leaving with a wealth of information and anecdotes. Best of all, they won’t cost you a penny to visit.

Museum of Liverpool

Let’s start off with the Museum of Liverpool. It’s an essential part of a day trip to Liverpool, and a great place to start your visit. Within the museum, you’ll find out about its people and how they’ve shaped it into the place that it is today.

Are you a rail geek? Take a look at an old Liverpool Overhead Railway carriage and learn about this fascinating elevated train that used to run above the docks of the city. It was such an iconic railway that people would visit just to take a ride.

You can even try your hand at karaoke as you explore the diverse and iconic musical past and present of Liverpool.

Fancy a visit? It’s open from 10 til 5 Tuesday to Sunday.

Tate Liverpool

Does the name sound familiar? This is part of the group of art galleries (Tate Modern, Tate Britain and Tate St Ives) known as Tate. The Tate Liverpool is home to a wide collection of British Art from as far as back as 1500.

At the time of writing, you’ll find an exhibition about democracy and protest, as well as a collection of over 80 pieces from the Tate collection.

As well as the free exhibitions, you’ll usually find ones where you can pay an additional charge. At busier times, you might also prefer to book a free ticket on their website to avoid the need to queue to get in.

It’s open every day of the week between 10 and 5:30.

Liverpool World Museum

The Liverpool World Museum is one of the oldest museums in Liverpool. It’s been welcoming visitors since 1853! The name ‘world’ doesn’t even do its scope justice, as it’s home to a planetarium too, so you can learn about what lies beyond Earth.

It’s home to an aquarium too, so you can learn about ocean life and what’s being done to protect it for generations to come.

There’s something for everyone in the World Museum, no matter whether you want to be eye-to-eye with a scorpion, an Egyptian Mummy or a life-size dinosaur.

It’s open to visit Tuesday to Sunday between 10 and 5.

Maritime Museum & International Slavery Museum

Liverpool is a city that lives and breathes maritime life. Both the Maritime Museum and International Slavery Museum tell the story of the vessels and the people that spent their lives at sea.

In the Maritime Museum, you can learn more about the Titanic, the people that were on it and what it was like to be on board. The museum also tells the story of Liverpool’s role in the war effort and how Britain’s naval fleet kept the country safe. Don’t forget about another iconic ship, the RMS Lusitania, which was sunk by a German U-Boat in 1915. The loss of such a vessel provoked outrage and was a key factor in the USA joining the First World War in 1917.

Meanwhile, the International Slavery Museum gives a voice to those impacted by slavery and colonisation. Did you know that Liverpool ships carried over 1.5 million slaves?

It deals with how colonisation continues to impact countries across the world today, and it draws attention to the impact that modern slavery continues to have on society. In a nutshell, it’s a museum that campaigns and engages with human rights issues, past and present.

Taking a Stroll

Looking to stretch your legs on a day trip to Liverpool? We have a couple of suggestions if you fancy getting out of the City Centre.

Birkenhead Park

How about taking a wander around the world’s oldest public park? Birkenhead Park could be the place for you. It’s also known as the People’s Gardens and it’s been welcoming visitors for nearly two hundred years. The park is home to a plethora of wildlife, and it’s a beautiful oasis of calm away from bustling Liverpool.

You can sit back and enjoy the sunshine, explore one of the walking trails, or enjoy a bite to eat at the cafe in the on-site visitor centre.

A Merseyrail train takes around 10 minutes to get to Birkenhead Park from the centre of Liverpool. From there, it’s just a short walk to the park.

West Kirby & Hilbre Island

Feeling adventurous? You can always spend part of your day trip to Liverpool exploring an island. West Kirby itself is a wonderful destination in its own right, too. It’s home to a variety of independent cafes, shops and a beautiful marine lake:

If you want to go that extra mile (quite literally) though, then you can take a wander over to Hilbre Island. It’s about a two-mile stroll and you’ll need to check the tide times before you go. It’s worth the walk, as you could see seals, whales and even dolphins!

You can reach West Kirby by jumping on a Merseyrail train from Liverpool Central, Lime Street or James Street. It takes around half an hour to get there.

North Wirral Coastal Park

The North Wirral Coastal Park runs between Meols and Wallasey and is just over four miles long. It’s a great place for a walk, jog or cycle and is a fairly flat and easy-going path.

On the way, don’t forget to look out for Leasowe Lighthouse. It’s open on certain days of the year too, so you can take a look around.

You can find more information about the walk here. It’s possible to start the walk by taking a Merseyrail train to Meols or Wallasey Grove Road.

Other Highlights

Of course, there are a few other things that you could make a part of your day trip to Liverpool. We weren’t able to get around everything in a day ourselves!

The famous Cavern Club will be a must-visit for many. After all, it was the birthplace of The Beatles! Fancy getting more hands-on with music? You can learn about the legends of British music and let your creative juices flow at the British Music Experience.

Finally, how about a ferry across the Mersey? You can either take a tour on the river or just jump on board a commuter ferry straight to Birkenhead.

Don’t forget about the Superlambananas, either…

What about eating and drinking?

It would be impossible to list all of the places that you could eat and drink on a day trip to Liverpool. However, we did pop into a couple of venues that we really enjoyed, so they might give you a little bit of inspiration!

Bundobust

Bundobust is the home of easy-going Indian street food. It’s the perfect place to pop in for a bite to eat on your day trip to Liverpool.

You can choose from a selection of small plates, sharers and a wide selection of cocktails and craft beer. No matter your taste, you’ll find something that suits you.

Berry and Rye

How about a cocktail but in a slightly…mysterious setting? If you walked past, you wouldn’t even notice that Berry and Rye is right under your nose. But, if you turn right at the top of Bold Street, you’ll see a rather unassuming black door. Don’t be shy to give it a knock!

The menus are hidden in a book, which you can peruse through as you’re served a free welcome drink. It’s constantly changing, and it’s a case of whatever is seasonal.

If you come in from Sunday to Thursday before 9pm, some cocktails are 2 for £12 as well. Fancy a classic cocktail instead? No problem, the talented bartenders will be more than happy to do it.

Berry and Rye is a truly special experience, and it’s more than just a place to drink.

Is there anything else I need to know?

Here at SmartSplit, we know how difficult it can be to navigate the world of train tickets. Why not check out our pages on the best time to travel for cheap tickets and the best First Class train next?

Thinking of taking a trip soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

_{^{All information stated on this page was correct at 12:00 21/06/23. It’s subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What day trips from Glasgow by train are there?

Glasgow is well-situated in the Central Belt of Scotland. This means that it’s easy to jump on a train (or something else!) to visit somewhere new. Whether you want to see a new city or embrace the great outdoors, there’s something for everyone.

Isle of Arran

Fancy popping to an island for a day? It’s perfectly easy to do! Just book your train tickets with SmartSplit to Ardrossan Harbour, then head over to the CalMac website and reserve yourself a space on a ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick. You can reach the island from Glasgow in around two hours.

Once you reach the island, you have a selection of Stagecoach Buses at your disposal to help you to reach all parts of this beautiful island with ease. You can take the bus to the Lochranza Distillery, Brodick Castle and the beautiful Blackwaterfoot:

This is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful day trips from Glasgow that you can embark on! A day return (valid after 9am weekdays) is £9.50 out to Ardrossan Harbour, while a return on the ferry starts at £8.40. It’s a quick and easy connection, too. Just walk straight ahead out of the station and follow the signs.

Stirling

You can get to Stirling in as little as 30 minutes from Glasgow Queen Street. This makes it one of the most practical day trips from Glasgow by train.

If you make your way up to the Old Town, you’ll find a wealth of history to explore. The main attraction of course is Stirling Castle:

It had a part to play in many a historical event. Did you know that the Battle of Bannockburn took place within sight of the castle walls?

Just a short walk away from the castle is the Church of the Holy Rude. It’s the second-oldest building in Stirling (after the castle) and was established in 1129:

Looking to learn about a darker side of Stirling? Take a look at the Old Town Jail. It has a ‘sweet’ history too, as it was a sweet factory for part of its life, as well!

A day return to Stirling is £9.20 if you’re travelling after 9am on weekdays (any time on weekends and Bank Hoildays).

Linlithgow

This is one of the ideal day trips from Glasgow if you’re just looking for a walk in the great outdoors. The main attraction you’ll find in Linlithgow is the Peel and Palace.

You’d never guess that this was just half an hour from the bustling City Centre of Glasgow:

You can take a stroll around the whole of Linlithgow Loch (pictured above). It’s a pretty level and short walk (around an hour), so it’s perfect on a nice day with the kids or to walk the dog.

At the time of writing (June 2023), it’s unfortunately not possible to go inside of the palace while works are going on. However, you can still take a close look at the palace that once served as a royal nursery for James V, Mary Queen of Scots and Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I):

A day return to Linlithgow is £13.60 if you’re travelling after 9am on weekdays (any time weekends and Bank Holidays).

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready for some more inspiration? We’ve written lots more content all about day trips by train. Whether you’re travelling from Newcastle, Leeds, London, Edinburgh or around Kent, we’re sure to have something for you. Don’t forget that there are plenty of advantages when it comes to leaving the car at home.

Thinking of trying one of these day trips from Glasgow soon? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you even the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

Visting Glasgow? We’ve got plenty of inspiration for you, as we’ve taken a day trip to Glasgow ourselves.

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 12:00 05/06/23. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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Can I get to London Airports by train?

Yes, all of the London Airports are accessible by train! One of them isn’t served by a ‘mainline’ train, though. Instead, you’ll take a driverless Docklands Light Railway train.

Let’s take a look through the list, so you know how to make your trip start without a hitch.

What are the London to Luton Airport train options?

There are two companies that run a London to Luton Airport train. First of all, you can take East Midlands Railway, which runs non-stop from London St Pancras. These trains are branded as the Luton Airport Express, and they run every half hour.

You can also take Thameslink. These trains make a few stops on the way, but you’ll find up to six of them every hour. They also serve London Blackfriars, City Thameslink and Farringdon. All of the trains, no matter which company you pick, go to Luton Airport Parkway, which is a short distance from the Airport:

Once you reach Luton Airport Parkway, you’ll need to take the DART. This is a driverless train which takes you direct to the terminal. When it comes to your London to Luton Airport train options, there isn’t any difference in cost between them.

An Anytime Return (valid to return within a month) is £46.60 without any Railcards, reducing to £42 if you’re travelling after 09:30. If you’re travelling out on a Saturday and returning on a Sunday/Bank Holiday, then it’s cheaper to buy a Super Off-Peak Single each way, as they’re £17.90 each before any Railcard discounts, bringing the total to £35.80.

As for which train you should pick, you’ll find that the Thameslink train has more luggage space and more space in general to move around. Don’t forget that the First Class area at the back of every train is always available for passengers with a Standard Class ticket!

What is the London to Stansted Airport train like?

The next of the London Airports that you can get to by train is Stansted Airport. Stansted Express runs all of the London to Stansted Airport train services.

It takes just under 50 minutes to make the trip, and trains run every half hour. This increases to every 15 minutes during peak hours on a weekday.

In terms of cost, an Anytime Return between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport is £36.30. It’s £23 if you’re just making a one-way trip. The return ticket is valid to return within one month.

All of the trains on the route are Class 745 ‘FLIRT‘ units. They have 12 carriages:

You’ll find plenty of luggage space on board, though there aren’t any full-size tables. Looking to know more? We’ve written a dedicated guide to getting to Stansted Airport.

What are my options for getting from London to Gatwick Airport by train?

Going to Gatwick Airport by train? You’ve got three options from London. The ‘headline’ choice is Gatwick Express. It runs every half hour from London Victoria and takes roughly half an hour to reach the Airport. It’s the most expensive choice, though. At £23 for a single and £45.80 for a return (valid for a month), you’ll be forking out a lot for a short trip.

You can also take Southern, if you prefer. They run from London Victoria as well, but the cost is a little lower. It’s £20.40 for a single, or £40.60 for a return valid for a month. If you’re making a short day trip though, you can get an Off-Peak Day Return for £20.50. The journey time is about the same as Gatwick Express, too.

Your final option for getting from London to Gatwick Airport is Thameslink. They run up to eight trains an hour, which serve St Pancras, Farringdon, City Thameslink, Blackfriars and London Bridge. The fastest trains (the ones bound for Brighton) take around half an hour to get to the Airport from London Bridge. The cost is the big winner too, as it’s only £25.70 for a return that’s valid at any time, and lets you return within a month. It gets even cheaper on weekends.

Want to know more? Have a read of our guide to getting to Gatwick Airport by train.

Are there trains to Heathrow Airport?

Heathrow is the London Airport you’ll be going to by train if you’re off on a big adventure. You have two train options for Heathrow Airport.

The Heathrow Express runs non-stop from London Paddington every 15 minutes, and can take as little as 15 minutes. If you’re buying on the day, it’s £25 for a single journey on the Heathrow Express, or £39 for a return. 

They have lots of luggage space and you’ll normally always have one waiting for you to board at each Paddington or Heathrow Terminal 5.

If you’re after cheaper trains to Heathrow Airport, then you can take the Elizabeth Line. They come from Abbey Wood, Shenfield and Central London. Four trains per hour go to Terminal 4, while two per hour go to Terminal 5. It’ll take just over half an hour to get to Paddington using this option.

It’s £12.30 for a single, or £24.60 for a return valid to come back within a month (from Paddington). If you’re coming from elsewhere in London, you might find that a London Zones 1-6 Travelcard is cheaper, as it’s £15.90 per day.

We’ve written an article about the best train to Heathrow, so you can take a look at both trains in detail.

Can I get the train to Southend Airport?

When it comes to getting to London Airports by train, this is probably the one you’re least likely to have heard of! Don’t worry though, you can get there in just under an hour from London Liverpool Street. All of the trains to Southend Airport are operated by Greater Anglia.

They run roughly every 20 minutes, and a single fare is £20.90. A return is £42.20 if you need to leave London during the weekday morning and evening rush hour, or arrive back in London before 10am on weekdays. If you can avoid these times, a return is £32.40.

The trains on the route are fairly new, but just beware that the aisles are rather narrow. We’d recommend walking down the platform in London to find the ideal seat, rather than trying to squash your way through it.

Is there a London City Airport train?

Well yes, sort of! London City Airport isn’t on the national rail network. It’s on the DLR network, which is a driverless train that links parts of East London to Stratford, Bank and Tower Gateway.

You can change onto the DLR from mainline trains at Woolwich Arsenal, Lewisham, Greenwich, West Ham, Limehouse, Stratford and Stratford International. If you’re coming from Fenchurch Street, then it’s just a short walk from there to Tower Gateway.

Trains run every few minutes on this route. If you’re heading to London City Airport by train, you’ll need to buy a rail ticket that includes travel to London Underground Zone 3. Alternatively, you can use your contactless card. Just remember to tap in and out at the start and end of your journey. A single fare from Central London is £3.00 (or £3.70 in peak hours).

What else do I need to know?

Looking for more information about London? Take a look at our page about travelling around London. You’ll find everything you need to know, including how to understand your ticket, and how to navigate the Elizabeth Line. Don’t forget to take a look at our quick guide to crossing London, either.

Ready to take a trip to one of the London Airports by train? You can book it all with SmartSplit. We’ll be sure to show you even the slower and cheaper options, so you can get the best value fare for your journey.

Changed your mind? Need to travel on a different day? No problem at all. You can change or refund your ticket (if it’s refundable) without any extra fees.

_{^{All fares stated on this page are for ONE adult with no Railcard discount and were correct at 14:00 30/05/23. They’re subject to change at any time and SmartSplit are not responsible for any loss or disappointment incurred as a result of the information provided.}}

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What’s the best way to take a day trip to Glasgow?

Glasgow is very well-linked by train, so that’s the best way! It has two major stations, which will bring you in from just about anywhere in Scotland, as well as a variety of destinations in England.

You’ll be arriving into Glasgow Queen Street if you’re coming from most large cities elsewhere in Scotland. This includes Stirling, Aberdeen, Inverness and Edinburgh. Don’t forget that if you want to book a cheap train ticket in Advance on ScotRail (who operate on all of these routes) then you’ll need to make sure that you buy it before 18:00 the day before you want to go. After this, you can only buy ‘flexible’ singles and return tickets.

Glasgow Central is where you’ll arrive if you’re coming from England, as well as places such as Kilmarnock, Ayr and Stranraer. If you’re travelling from Yorkshire to Glasgow, keep an eye out for fares routed ‘via Appleby’. Here’s an example travelling from Leeds:

You need to look for journeys with just one change where the first leg is a Northern train. You’ll even get to travel over the scenic Settle & Carlisle Railway on the way!

Getting around Glasgow

While Glasgow is full of attractions, you might want to use public transport to help you get around on your day trip. The Glasgow Subway will take you to a number of destinations that we mention on this page, while you could also take local ScotRail trains to reach some of them, too.

The Subway (also known as the Clockwork Orange) runs from early til late Monday to Saturday and during shopping hours on a Sunday. Did you know that it’s the third-oldest underground railway in the world?

A single ticket is £1.75, while a day pass is £4.20. You can find more information on the Subway’s website.

Free Museums to visit on a day trip to Glasgow

No day trip to Glasgow is complete without taking in some of the free museums on offer, so it’s a great place to start. You might struggle to get around them all in a day, but there’s something for everyone. It’s a great backup plan if the weather is a bit dreich, too.

Gallery of Modern Art

Coming off the train at Queen Street station? It’s just a short walk past St George’s Square to the Gallery of Modern Art, making it a great place to begin on your day trip to Glasgow. The building was originally constructed as the townhouse of William Cunninghame, a Tobacco Lord who made his fortune in the slave trade.

It’s now home to four different galleries as well as a library. The exhibitions change regularly, so you’ll always find something different to look at. Here’s the Taste! exhibition:

You can visit the gallery every day. It’s open from 10 til 5, except on Fridays and Sundays when it opens an hour later at 11am. Click here to find out more about what you can see when you visit.

Riverside Museum & The Tall Ship Glenlee

Heading a little outside of the City Centre, you’ll find the Riverside Museum, which is also home to the Tall Ship Glenlee. It’s a 15-minute trip on the Subway to Partick Station (also served by ScotRail trains), followed by a well-signed 10-minute walk.

Inside the museum, you’ll find a plethora of historic buses, trains, trams, cars, ships and more:

Don’t forget to take a look at the reconstruction of a typical Glasgow street. From a sweet shop to a Subway Station, they’ve included everything:

Finally, why not pop outside and take a look at the Tall Ship Glenlee? After a career sailing to the Americas, trading across the Mediterranean Sea and being used as a military training vessel, she returned to the Clyde in 1993.

You can jump on board and see what life was like at sea, as well as learn about the importance of the Clyde and the shipbuilders that graced it.

Both the museum and the Tall Ship are open every day. The museum is open 10 til 5 (11am Fridays and Sundays), while the Tall Ship is open 10 til 5 every day except Tuesday (11am).

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum

One of the grandest-looking museums in Glasgow has to be the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum. It’s a 10-minute trip on the Subway from the City Centre to Kelvinhall, followed by a 10-minute walk.

The best way to describe it is that it has just about everything! With 22 galleries to explore, it’s one of the most comprehensive museums that you’ll find on your day trip to Glasgow. It’s been a firm favourite with visitors and locals alike since it opened in 1901:

From Charles Rennie Mackintosh to a Spitfire plane, and the depths of Ancient Egypt to the wonders of Dutch Art, you’ll be taken on a journey to the deepest corners of Glasgow and the world.

The museum is open from 10 til 5 every day (11am Fridays and Sundays). You can download a full guide to what’s on here.

People’s Palace

Open to the people of Glasgow (and beyond) since 1898, the People’s Palace was designed as a place of recreation, pleasure and learning. Since the 1940s, it’s been telling visitors about the social history of Glasgow. Set on Glasgow Green, it’s a 15-minute walk from the City Centre.

This is an essential part of any day trip to Glasgow if you’d like to know about the people that make Glasgow great. Take a step inside the minds and streets of Glaswegians and explore the issues and triumphs that they faced and embraced.

The museum is open from 10 til 5 every day (11am Fridays and Sundays).

Green Spaces

You might associate Glasgow with heavy industry, bustling streets and a general sense of urban-ness. While it’s a vibrant and busy city, this doesn’t mean that green spaces are out of your reach. If you want to get closer to nature, then Glasgow is still the city for you. Here are some of our favourite spots to take it all in.

Pollok Country Park

Our first stop is just 10 minutes by train from Glasgow Central. Hop off the train at Pollokshaws West and you’re almost already at the gates of the Pollok Country Park. It’s the largest park in Glasgow, too.

While you’re having a wander around the extensive grounds and woodlands, don’t forget to say hello to the Highland Cows:

The country park is also home to Pollok House, which was built in the mid-18th Century, though the site itself was actually home to the Maxwell family for six centuries. Home to an extensive art collection, it was also the founding site of the National Trust for Scotland.

Another thing to look out for is the scattering of rather quirky paintings around the park. They’re part of the Art Gone Wild trail:

Finally, the park is home to the Burrell Collection. It contains over 9,000 different objects, including stained glass, armour and over 200 tapestries.

Whether you just want a brisk walk or an entire day of exploring, the Pollok Country Park is a great place to make part of your day trip to Glasgow.

Botanic Gardens

The Glasgow Botanic Gardens have been a part of the city for over 200 years. Originally opened in 1817 on a different site, the Gardens were such a success that they moved to their current home on the banks of the River Kelvin in 1839. They’re just a short Subway ride away, a few-minutes walk from the nearest station at Hillhead.

You’ll find over 9,000 plants here, with the greatest number being in the plethora of glasshouses around the Gardens. The plants hail from all over the world, and not only are the Gardens a beautiful place to explore, but they help to keep endangered species alive in the face of climate change.

They’re open every day. In the summer months, this is usually from 7am til around 8pm.

Kelvingrove Park

Finally, if you’re paying a visit to the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, it’s worth exploring the park that it sits in.

Kelvingrove Park was purchased and created for the rapidly growing West End of the city in 1852. It was actually the first purpose-built park in Scotland! We’d recommend having a stroll after you take in the delights of the museum.

Is there anything else I should do on a day trip to Glasgow?

Naturally, we haven’t covered everything. So here are a couple more things that you might like to see. With this much to take in, you might want to extend your day trip to Glasgow and make it a weekend!

Glasgow Necropolis

So, who fancies a trip to a cemetery? It doesn’t seem like an obvious place to make a part of your day trip to Glasgow, but it has a fascinating history. The Necropolis has over 50,000 people buried in it, and contains over 3,500 monuments. It’s a bit of a climb, but you can enjoy some great views over the city:

Unusually, not all of the monuments here relate to someone actually buried in the Necropolis, either. You can find out more on the Friends of Glasgow Necropolis site.

The Duke of Wellington Statue

Well, we’ve got to end on something light-hearted. Why is this statue famous, you ask? The cones on top of it! You’ll find the cone-adorned monument outside of the Gallery of Modern Art.

Sticking a cone on the statue has been a local sport since the 1980s, if not earlier. While the council and the authorities have spent much time and energy asking people not to do it (and even trying to put the statue out of reach), it’s always been met with defiance and outrage.

So, just enjoy snapping a picture and embracing the humour of Glaswegians. Why is there a cone on the statue? Why not.

Where should I eat and drink?

Glasgow is a foodie’s paradise. Whatever kind of cuisine you want to try, it’s probably going to be here. In fact, you could probably spend weeks eating the same kind of cuisine at dozens of different restaurants! It’s difficult to know where to start, but we have a couple of recommendations.

If you’ve been to the Botanical Gardens or you’re just wandering around the West End, then Ashton Lane is a great place to start. Whether you’re in the mood for ramen, a curry or even just a beer at the Innis & Gunn Taproom, there’s something for everyone.

Just around the corner, you’ll find KoKo House. We’d definitely suggest trying their soufflé pancakes. It’s cash only, but there’s a cash point nearby!

Fancy something more substantial? The Brunch Club is just a quick stroll from the Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery. They specialise in all your favourite brunch items, and even do a bottomless brunch with cocktails. We opted for the chicken and waffles with a drizzle of Hoisin sauce:

Is there anything else I should know?

Now that you know what to do on your day trip to Glasgow, it’s important to book everything as smartly as possible. When you book smarter with SmartSplit, we don’t charge you any fees. All of our tickets can be changed without any extra charges, or refunded if it’s a refundable ticket.

We’ve produced a bunch of useful content about travelling by train, too. Did you know that we’ve gone out to find the best First Class train, or even the best one to store your luggage?

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What are the choices for getting to Stansted Airport by train?

If you’re travelling to and from London, then you’ll be taking the Stansted Express. There’s just the one operator here!

When it comes to getting to Stansted Airport by train from other destinations, there are a couple of choices:

Greater Anglia run roughly every hour between Norwich, Cambridge and Stansted Airport. They operate Class 755 Stadler ‘FLIRT’ trains which have either three or four carriages. These modern trains also have power sockets at every seat and free WiFi:

CrossCountry operate trains every two hours (with some extras in the morning peak) between Stansted Airport, Peterborough, Leicester and Birmingham New Street. If you have a lot of luggage and don’t want the hassle of travelling via London, then they’re a good option for getting across to the Midlands without needing to change.

On this route, you’ll find Class 170 ‘Turbostar’ units, which have either two or three carriages. Unfortunately, they don’t have any power sockets for charging devices in Standard Class:

What’s the Stansted Express?

As we mentioned before, your main option for getting to Stansted Airport by train is the Stansted Express. It runs every half hour during Off-Peak hours, and from May 21, 2023, it’ll run every 15 minutes between 06:00 and 09:15, and 16:45 and 20:15.

All services typically take between 45 and 50 minutes to complete their trip. During Off-Peak hours, all trains stop at Bishops Stortford, Harlow Town and Tottenham Hale, with one per hour stopping at Stansted Mountfitchet. When trains are more frequent, they’ll stop at either Bishops Stortford or Harlow Town (all trains still call at Tottenham Hale). One train per hour still calls at Stansted Mountfitchet, too.

Let’s take a look at what you can expect on your trip.

The cost

Before any Railcard discounts, an Anytime Return between London Liverpool Street and Stansted Airport is £36.30. It’s £23 if you’re just making a one-way trip.

The return ticket is valid to return within one month.

The trains themselves

All Stansted Express services are operated by Class 745 Stadler ‘FLIRT’ trains. They have 12 carriages and were introduced during 2020.

They’re good-looking trains and we’re definitely a fan of them:

Storing luggage

Getting to Stansted Airport by train is pretty simple when it comes to storing your luggage. The overhead racks are good for keeping large backpacks and other items while you’ll find plenty of bigger racks near the doors:

The trains are also fully walk-through. This means that you can move between carriages without needing to pass through any doors, so moving around with a suitcase doesn’t have to be difficult.

The seat experience

Getting to Stansted Airport by train doesn’t have to be uncomfortable! The seats used on these trains are actually soft and well-padded, with a decent amount of legroom.

They’re all in a 2+2 layout. Just be mindful that there aren’t any full-sized tables, though the ‘airline’ style seats have a small table on the seatbacks.

Personally, we’d recommend seating on the ‘raised’ seats towards the carriage ends. It feels a bit more open and airy being sat a little higher! There aren’t any steps up either, so they’re easily accessed.

You’ll find power sockets between every pair of seats:

Onboard service

There aren’t any on-board staff on these trains. Regular automated announcements keep you informed about where you are during the trip.

Fancy an upgrade?

First Class was actually abolished when these new trains were introduced. However, it’s possible to sometimes get an ad-hoc upgrade!

Greater Anglia operates two almost-identical fleets of these trains. There’s this fleet, and there’s one for the Norwich route. The trains that go to Norwich have First Class, a buffet area and tables at seats.

While they usually stick to their own routes, occasionally a train with First Class ends up on the Stansted route. When this happens, First Class is open to all ticket-holders. It’s a bit more spacious and in a 2+1 layout.

How do you know if your train has First Class? You can do one of two things:

• Check the number on the front of the train. Trains with First Class will start with a 0, eg. 003. As you’ll see in the picture above, the normal Stansted Express trains start with a 1, eg. 109
• See if the outside of the train has carriage letters. Trains with First Class have carriage letters marked by the doors.

Is there anything else I should know about getting to Stansted Airport by train?

If you’re travelling towards Stansted Airport, head to the front of the train. Stansted Express trains are huge and tend to be much emptier at the front, even when the rear is quite crowded. You should have your ticket ready when you exit, too. There aren’t any ticket barriers but staff will regularly check tickets at the station exit. Leave some extra time to allow for this, as queues can form.

Travelling from Stansted and need a ticket? Don’t queue up at the machines in the baggage claim area if they’re busy. The station itself has many more machines for you to use. We found this out ourselves when we missed a train due to waiting so long!

Travelling on a CrossCountry train? The platform can be difficult to find. These trains leave from Platform 2:

It’s a small platform which is almost fully outside. To get to it, just keep heading forwards once you enter the station. Leave some extra time if you can, as it can take a couple of minutes to do this if you have heavy luggage.

Finally, why not book your tickets before you travel? You can skip the queues by booking an eTicket and head straight for your train. When you do it with SmartSplit, you can refund or change your ticket without fees if you need to.

We’ve even produced guides for getting to Gatwick and Heathrow.

The post Getting to Stansted Airport by Train appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

What are the options for getting to Southend by train?

When it comes to getting to Southend by train, you have two options. You can either take c2c from London Fenchurch Street, or Greater Anglia from London Liverpool Street.

When we compare the two options, we’ll be looking at the quality of the train, the journey time and how much it costs. Neither train has First Class, any sort of catering nor does it have a conductor on board. Both lines use commuter-style trains, so we aren’t expecting any luxury!

c2c

During Off-Peak hours, you’ll find four trains per hour between London Fenchurch Street and Southend Central. You have a choice of two different routes:

• Two trains per hour running via Grays. These trains take around 75 minutes to complete the trip
• Four trains per hour operate via Basildon and go further to Shoeburyness. They take just over an hour, so this is the fastest option.

On a frequency basis, this is the best way to Southend by train.

The cost

A day return to Southend is £23.20 (before any Railcard discounts). This reduces a little to £20.20 if you travel after 09:30, before 16:00 or after 19:00 on weekdays. If you’re after the cheapest train, then this is the best way to Southend by train, too.

The train itself

For the moment, most services on the c2c route are operated by Class 357 ‘Electrostar‘ trains. Built between 1999 and 2002, they’ve been running on the route for just over 20 years.

They have four carriages and usually run in pairs to form an eight-coach train. Some peak trains also run as 12 carriages.

Storing your luggage

As you’re most likely to be taking a day trip to Southend, storing heavy luggage probably won’t be an issue. There aren’t any bigger luggage stacks, but you’ll find space for small items and backpacks above the seats.

The seat experience

The layout of the carriage will depend on the ‘type’ of train that you catch. Most trains operated by c2c have a 3+2 seating layout throughout most of the train. If you’re travelling with family or you’d like a table though, head for the ends of each ‘unit’. This is because the areas behind the driver’s cab have seats in a 2+2 layout with a full-sized table. On an eight-coach train, this means that you should aim for the outer ends of coaches 1, 4, 5 and 8:

The exception is on trains that have ‘Metro’ written on the doors. These have a 2+2 seating layout throughout so there’s more standing space.

There aren’t any power sockets on c2c trains. So, you’ll want to make sure that you bring a powerbank or that your devices have enough charge before you travel.

The journey

One of the positives about the journey between London and Southend on this route is that it does actually get quite scenic!

Once you get through the urban sprawl of London, you’ll be running alongside the Thames Estuary:

Final thoughts

c2c are certainly the most affordable way to get to Southend by train, and the route is actually quite pleasant once you get alongside the Thames Estuary!

The lack of power sockets is a shame though, and we found the train in general to be extremely dirty and not all that well cared-for. If all you’re after is a cheap train from A to B, then this is likely to be the best option for you.

Our train was also bang on time. c2c trains tend to be fairly reliable as they run on a small and mostly self-contained section of lines.

Greater Anglia

Greater Anglia run three trains per hour for most of the day on their route between London Liverpool Street and Southend Victoria.

Two of these trains run fast between Stratford and Shenfield, while the other train stops at Romford as well. In any event, all trains on the route take roughly an hour to travel between London and Southend. Time-wise, this means that Greater Anglia is very slightly the better way to get to Southend by train.

The cost

Greater Anglia is a little more expensive, with a day return being £32.00. This goes down to £27.70 if you travel after 09:30 and £22.90 if you travel after 12:00 (or all day on weekends and Bank Holidays).

Don’t forget that you can’t buy a ticket from London that’s valid on both routes (c2c and Greater Anglia), so even if you buy a ticket for this route you can’t return on the cheaper c2c trains.

The train itself

All of the services on the Greater Anglia route are operated by brand-new Class 720 ‘Aventra‘ trains. They’ve been gradually introduced to the route since 2020, so they’re about as modern as you can get:

They’re all formed of five carriages, but they often run together to form a 10-carriage train. If you’re after a newer (and longer!) train then this will be the best way to Southend by train.

Storing your luggage

These trains were designed to have as many seats as possible, so you won’t find any luggage stacks. Any luggage storage will be above your seat.

As we said earlier though, it’s unlikely that you’ll be taking lots of heavy luggage on a day trip. So, the racks above the seats will suit backpacks and smaller items just fine.

The seat experience

Well, these trains certainly have a lot of seats. They’re pretty firm though, but should be fine for the hour’s trip between London and Southend.

The main issue is that the aisles are very narrow, so we wouldn’t recommend walking down them with any big bags if you’re trying to get down the train. You’ll probably end up hitting yourself on the sides of the seats:

Every seat comes with a three-pin socket and two USB ports. If you want to stay connected, then this is definitely the train for you:

The journey

There certainly isn’t any seaside scenery on this route, as it stays inland. However, you should keep an eye out for the London Stadium and Olympic Park shortly after leaving Liverpool Street.

Final thoughts

If we were looking at train quality alone, then Greater Anglia would be the best way to Southend by train. We found the trains to be clean and well looked after, with them being given a thorough run-through by multiple staff at Southend Victoria.

The very narrow aisles pose a bit of a problem though. We’d recommend walking down the platform to look for a seat rather than squashing through the train itself.

The main issue is that the station at Southend Victoria isn’t as convenient for the beach. It’s a lot more inland and better located for shopping and bus connections rather than a day by the seaside.

Final thoughts – What’s the best way to get to Southend by train?

Based on what the typical daytripper to Southend is after, c2c has to be the best way to get to Southend by train.

The trains are cheaper, run more frequently and arrive at a more convenient station for the seafront. They certainly aren’t the best in terms of the trains themselves, but they do just fine for a journey of just over an hour. c2c have also ordered a small fleet of new trains (the same as you’ll find on Greater Anglia) to supplement the existing trains.

If you’re coming from Stratford, then Greater Anglia is likely to be the better option. But, for people coming from Central London, you’re best sticking with c2c.

Looking for more tips on travelling by train? Take a look at our guide to travelling as a family. We’ve also provided some inspiration for more day trips from London with our very own top 5.

The post What’s the best way to Southend by train? appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

What are the best eateries near stations?

Howst (Sheffield)

Kicking off our best eateries near stations list is HowSt in Sheffield. Located at the top of Howard Street, next to Sheffield Hallam University, it’s a short five minute walk or so up (or down!) the hill to/from the station.

They specialise in a selection of breakfast and brunch foods, as well as your standard hot drinks and even cocktails. You can find the menu here.

It’s quite popular too, and we were lucky to get a table when we visited around midday. It’s really cosy and welcoming though, and the staff give you some true friendly Sheffield hospitality.

For food, we picked the ‘Sroom’, which is poached eggs on toast with mushrooms and a Bloody Mary sauce. It came to £9.50:

We’d definitely recommend paying a visit. Just try to avoid the rush around 12 to 1pm, as it can get very busy! The food here is delicious and the service is brilliant.

Meat:Stack (Leeds)

Okay, so Meat:Stack don’t actually have their origins in Leeds. They’re a Geordie-born business, but their Leeds branch is just around the corner from the station. Just pop out of the main entrance, turn left, then take a sharp right back along Bishopsgate Street.

It’s a pretty basic fast food-esque restaurant, but you wouldn’t come here to kill a lot of time. It’s all about filling yourself up with delicious food!

Think Five Guys burgers, but with some friendly northern service and way more flavour and creativity. If you want to see what’s on offer, click here.

We went for the New Mexico burger and some loaded spicy fries. A meal deal for a burger, fries and a drink starts at around £14:

When you order, you’re given a little buzzer that’ll go off when your food is ready. However, the staff just brought ours straight away as it was fairly quiet.

If you really want a good burger, then Meat:Stack is one of the best eateries near stations that you’ll find.

Partisan (York)

This is the most walking you’ll need to do for one of our best eateries near stations. Partisan is around a 10-minute walk from York Station, located on Micklegate. If you’re after an ‘elevated’ brunch, we’d recommend paying a visit.

It’s really popular, and even when we visited at 2pm on a Wednesday, it was pretty full. Thankfully, there’s a heated and covered outdoor terrace, so we sat there.

You’ll find the menu here. We went for the chorizo on toast (front) and vegan breakfast (rear) which were £14.50 each:

It’s a little expensive for just one dish, but it’s filling and tasty food. The chorizo on toast is very generous with the amount of meat you get, and the caramelised onions are absolutely delicious.

Partisan is one of the best eateries near stations for brunch. If you’re visiting York too, we’d recommend making it part of your itinerary!

The Sitting Room (Saltburn)

The Sitting Room is definitely one of the best eateries near stations if you’re all about location. Simply step off your train and turn left. Take a few steps forward and it’s on your right.

We just popped in for a cup of tea, so don’t have any food pictures to share. But as you can see, it has a cosy little bar and plenty of places to sit and relax with a book or the paper:

They specialise in sandwiches, cakes and hot drinks for the most part. It’s classic café food with friendly service. Once it gets a little later though, you’ll find cocktails and beers to choose from as well.

It seems to have two different ‘vibes’, with it being a cosy little cafe during the day, but it has a more intimate restaurant feel in the evening. We loved it as a spot to come in and enjoy a hot drink, especially on a cold windy day.

Zapatista (Newcastle)

Zapatista is a Mexican taco and burrito restaurant, which started out on Newcastle’s Ridley Place. Nowadays, you’ll find a branch on Grainger Street (just two minutes from the station) as well as one in Durham.

Each restaurant is full of quirky decor and has loads of places to sit and relax. The one by the station isn’t too busy if you want to sit down either, as it’s more popular with delivery apps and takeaway orders.

The menu is available here. You’ll find tacos, burritos and fajitas as well as items like nachos and chilli. As it happens, we went for the chilli and rice, which cost £7.20:

It’s customisable (like most dishes on the menu) so you can put your own twist on it, and it was a really filling bowl of chilli as well. It’s a great lunch spot and one that we’ve visited for a number of years.

Feeling hungry yet? Don’t worry. You can book a trip to all of these eateries with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any fees, including if you change your mind. All of our tickets are either refundable or changeable with no extra charges.

The post Best Eateries near Stations (in the North) appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Taking place on April 23rd, the London Marathon is one of the most important sporting fixtures in the capital. Whether you’re taking part or just want to see runners in action, it’s a real spectacle. Getting to the London Marathon might seem like a bit of a challenge, but we’ve put all of the essential information in this guide.

How do I get to the London Marathon start line?

If you’re taking part in the race or know somebody who is, you’ll probably want to get to the London Marathon start line. Depending on which route you’re taking at the beginning of the race, your best bet will either be Greenwich, Maze Hill or Blackheath stations.

• Use Greenwich or Maze Hill if you want the Red start line
• Travel to Maze Hill for the Green start line
• Blackheath is the best option for the Blue start line.

Red & Green start lines

Southeastern will be running extra trains to Greenwich and Maze Hill, so that there’ll be a train every 10 minutes from London Bridge from around 7am til 10:30am. Of these, four per hour will start back from London Cannon Street. If you want the best chance of a seat, then head for Cannon Street.

The additional trains will run to either Slade Green or Dartford, and will call only at Greenwich and Maze Hill after London Bridge.

If you’re coming from Dartford, four trains per hour will go to Maze Hill and Greenwich. An extra two non-stop trains will also run from Slade Green every hour.

Blue start line

Roughly six trains per hour will run from London Bridge to Blackheath. Most of them will start at Charing Cross, so that’ll be your best bet for a seat. Additionally, trains will leave London Bridge at 0805 and 0835 for Barnehurst, stopping only at Lewisham and Blackheath on the way.

Trains will also leave Charing Cross at 0750 and 0820, which will be non-stop between Waterloo East and Lewisham or Blackheath.

Only a limited service will run from New Cross and St Johns during the morning (every 30 minutes). You will also need to change at Lewisham.

You can find more information about how to get to the London Marathon start lines on their official website.

What will the trains to the start line be like?

Southeastern will be running the majority of trains to the start line. All trains should be at least eight carriages long (some will be 10 carriages) and most will be operated by ‘Networker‘ trains that look like this:

They have 3+2 seating inside and are the sort of commuter train that you’d expect in London. Just know that they don’t have power sockets, so you’ll need to have any devices already charged before you start the race! The inside will look very similar to this:

When it comes to getting into London itself, lots of different kinds of train run on the railways that serve the capital. Take a look at our guide to what your train might look like for some further insights! We’ve even got some tips for first-time train travel.

How do I get to the London Marathon if I’m spectating?

If you’re spectating, then the capital is your oyster. There are quite a few places to choose from if you want to get in on the action. Here’s how to get to some of the key locations on the route:

• If you want to see the race around the Cutty Sark, head for Greenwich. You can take a Southeastern/Thameslink train from London Bridge or the DLR
• Want to get in on the action twice around The Highway? London Overground will take you to Shadwell or Wapping. You could also take c2c trains or the DLR to Limehouse
• The Elizabeth Line to Canary Wharf will be your best bet if you want to see the racers among the skyscrapers. The Jubilee Line and DLR also serve the area
• Heading for the finish line? Southeastern trains will be running into Charing Cross and Victoria, and Southern trains will be serving Victoria. You can also take the District and Circle lines to St James’ Park. Just be aware that this part of the route will be very busy!

Travelling from further afield

If you’re planning to get to the London Marathon from further away, then we’d recommend planning your journey in advance. Depending on how far you’re coming from, it might be best to travel on the Saturday (22nd April) and stay somewhere nearby. Not all stations will have trains to London that arrive in time for the start of the race.

London Overground will also be running extra trains between West Croydon/Crystal Palace and Highbury & Islington. Each line will have trains every 15 minutes from around 6:45am.

Other rail operators may choose to run extra services on the morning of the race. More information will be available on the dedicated National Rail page if they do.

How do I buy rail tickets to the Marathon?

If you’re running in the event and you’re looking to get to the London Marathon, then you might be entitled to some free travel. During previous events, both TfL and Southeastern have offered free travel if you show your runner’s number. At the time of writing (4 April) neither have confirmed this for 2023.

If you just want to make a single journey to a point on the London Marathon route, you can buy a ticket to “London Underground Zones 1-2”, “London Underground Zones 1-3” or “London Underground Zones 4”. For example, if you want to travel from Cambridge to London Victoria for the finish line, get a single or return to London Underground Zones 1-2.

Just travelling within London all day? You can use your contactless card or device. Just tap it on the gate (or reader if there aren’t any gates) and do the same when you leave.

If you’re making multiple journeys within London and travelling from outside of London, you might prefer to buy a Travelcard. This will give you a day return journey from your origin into London, then unlimited travel on all public transport in London Zones 1-6. Just search for a return to your destination within London. If it’s available, we’ll show it on the SmartSplit website like this:

To show all the fares available, just click on the price offered in the journey selection.

The best part about booking with SmartSplit is that we don’t charge any booking fees, or any fees at all for that matter! If you need to postpone or change your plans, we offer refunds or amendments free of charge.

Wondering if it’s worth going First Class on your trip? We’ve got a guide for that, too.

The post How do I get to the London Marathon? appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Advance train tickets are always cheapest

It would make sense that this would be true. After all, they come with more restrictions and you need to book them in advance. But you need to be careful, as sometimes an Advance ticket isn’t much cheaper than the flexible option. Let’s also take a look at an example (24 hours in advance) where it’s cheaper to buy a flexible ticket:

As you can see, you can buy two Advance singles for this Newcastle to York (and return) trip on the same day. The total will come to £48.70.

But if you select ‘Return’, it’s £47.30. This ticket will also let you travel on trains other than the one you select. Whenever you book on SmartSplit, you’ll have the options of ‘Singles’ or ‘Returns’. Be sure to check out both. We’ll always offer you the cheapest return or combination of single tickets (depending on which you select) for your journey.

If a flexible ticket is only a little more expensive, it’s often worth picking it. After all, that small difference gives you the freedom to travel on a different train. Plus, you can refund it if you’re not able to use it.

If my train is cancelled, I need to buy another ticket

While you can’t necessarily jump on whatever train you want straight away, this is one of the common rail travel myths. If you’re travelling on an Advance ticket, at minimum, you’ll be allowed to travel on the next train operated by the same company. This usually extends to the train before, as well.

On flexible tickets (such as Off-Peak or Anytime), there’s no need to get any permission to take another train unless it’s restricted to a certain route or company. In this case, you should take the next available train that your ticket would allow.

In widespread disruption, there’ll be ticket acceptance arranged on a different route or company. The National Rail website or railway staff will let you know if this is the case. In any circumstance, rail companies cannot leave you stranded or out-of-pocket during disruption.

The National Rail Conditions of Travel state that:

Where disruption prevents you from completing the journey for which your Ticket is valid and is being used, any Train Company will, where it reasonably can, provide you with alternative means of travel to your destination, or if necessary, provide overnight accommodation for you.

National Rail Conditions of Travel, Section 28.2

If you have a ‘split’ ticket (where you use a combination of tickets to make a journey), exactly the same advice applies. You’ll of course need to make sure you’ve left enough time for changing trains, though. We’ve produced a full guide to disruption (including what to do when it happens) here.

I need a seat reservation to travel

This is one of the rail travel myths that came about with COVID-19. Back when social distancing was a thing, rail operators would ‘enforce’ this by making sure that they didn’t sell more tickets than there were seats. How did they do it? They forced websites (including us!) to make a ticket come with a seat reservation.

Now that Covid restrictions have ended, you’d expect this to have stopped. The thing is – it hasn’t! The data that gets attached to trains when they appear on ticket-selling websites still says the same thing. So, when the reservable seats run out, it’s impossible to buy a ticket.

There are some ways around this. For example, you could buy the ticket but select a different train, so long as you know it’s valid on the train you also want. This can be tricky to know for some types, so you’re always welcome to contact us if you have a problem or you’re unsure.

With the exception of overnight ‘Sleeper’ trains, there are no trains in Great Britain that require a seat reservation in normal circumstances. In fact, there’s a handy little SmartSplit article on where to find an unreserved seat!

You always have to travel on the train specified on your ticket

Yes, on Advance tickets, you have to do this. As you’d expect, it’s valid only on your booked train. As we’ve mentioned above though, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super-Off-Peak tickets are valid on more than one train.

Even though you’ll often need to pick a service in order to book your time, it’s definitely one of the most frustrating rail myths that by picking a train, you’re stuck with it! Here’s what your ticket might look like:

As you can see, the journey details are listed as ‘Optional Reservations’. This means exactly what it sounds like – there’s no need to follow them to the letter! So long as your ticket is valid on the train you’re catching, you don’t need a reservation. Having a train specified on a flexible ticket doesn’t take away any of its validity.

‘Peak’ trains are the busiest or most expensive

This is one of the rail travel myths that in some ways, used to be true. Before COVID-19 struck, it was undeniable that peak trains were some of the busiest. They were undoubtedly the most expensive, too.

In some ways, long-distance rail operators don’t help with this. For example, by marking a train as ‘peak’ (and usually charging higher for Advance tickets, too), it’s going to discourage people from using it. By contrast, the first train where it’s no longer considered ‘peak’ will be a lot busier.

COVID-19 and the rise of flexible working has also changed what we consider to be ‘peak’. If you’re travelling to London, a Friday morning is often the quietest time to go. Wednesdays are usually the busiest weekday, by comparison.

Put simply, there’s no ‘clear-cut’ peak anymore. When it comes to Advance train tickets too, some operators might have lower prices on what were traditionally ‘peak’ trains, to try and encourage people to travel in the empty seats once used by weekday commuters.

Are there any other rail travel myths I should know about?

The final one you might want to know about is that no ticket-selling website has access to ‘special’ discounted fares that nobody else does (in normal circumstances). They can however choose to only show you certain fares and make it harder to see the cheapest ones that might be on a slower route. We’ve written a handy guide to finding the best fare, too.

It’s up to them what fees they charge, too. Here at SmartSplit, we don’t charge any at all. You can refund a flexible ticket (or change an Advance ticket) and you’ll only pay the difference. Nothing more.

The post Rail travel myths: Debunked! appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Know what ticket you need

When it comes to first-time train travel, you’ll know that you need a ticket to get on the train! So, what kind of tickets can you buy?

• Advance tickets are specific to the train you book. You can’t refund them, but when you book at SmartSplit, we’ll let you change them to a different train without any admin fees.
• Anytime tickets are the most expensive but they give you the most freedom. You can travel at any time! The price doesn’t change, either
• Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak tickets are somewhat flexible. Usually, they’ll mean that you can’t travel during the morning and/or evening rush hour. Some Super Off-Peak tickets are only valid at weekends, too.

This is the basic run-down, but there’s a little more to it if you’re interested. We’ve got our very own guide to tickets for that.

First-time train travel, First Class?

Sometimes, it pays to travel First Class. It could only be a little more expensive, and you might get fed, too! For a first-time train travel experience, it sounds idyllic.

But, be smart about this. If you’re travelling from one end of the country to the other, you’ll probably get a better seat and some food and drink. Travelling around the South East or on a local hop? There might be no difference other than the price.

We’ve done the legwork for you, though. Take a look at our ranking of every First Class product on trains in Great Britain.

3. Pack smarter!

Okay, so you’ve booked a ticket and decided where you’re going. Now you need to pack. There are a couple of rules, but it’s all common-sense really. Don’t pack more than you can physically handle, for one. So, you can only bring three items with you! There are a few things you also can’t bring:

• Canoes, hang-gliders, surfboards, or anything else over one metre long
• Mopeds, motorcycles, motor scooters or motorised cycles
• Animals that might cause inconvenience or discomfort to others.

The big exception to this is Lumo trains. They’re a low-cost company with limited space, so they have some additional rules that you can find on their website.

We also took a trip around the country with a cabin-size suitcase to test out the best train for luggage. You can find more about that here!

4. Finding your train

One of the big fears about first-time train travel is whether you’ll find your train. It depends where you’re travelling from, for one! Most stations will have a screen on the platform and by the entrance to tell you where to go, though.

At bigger stations, like in London, your train might not have a platform displayed. Don’t worry, this just means it isn’t ready to board yet. When it’s ready, they’ll show the platform.

What about finding your seat? When a seat is reserved for you, it’ll have a carriage letter and seat number. Most trains these days have screens like these on:

These tells you the carriage letter and where the train is going. Simply jump on the right carriage and look for the seat numbers either above the seat or on it.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help

Railway staff know that passengers have questions. After all, they’re there to help! Don’t be afraid to ask if you’re unsure.

If you need a little extra help, that’s no problem. There’s a dedicated Passenger Assist service for people who might need mobility assistance or just some extra reassurance. We’ve produced a handy FAQ to tell you more here.

What else should I know about first-time train travel?

The last thing to remember is that you should book smarter, too. When you book your tickets with SmartSplit, you’ll never pay any extra fees.

In fact, we’ll never charge an admin fee if you need to refund or change your tickets. Because why should you pay more when the unexpected happens?

The post Our top tips for first-time train travel appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

So how can you travel smarter during rail strikes? Here are our top tips:

Know who’s involved in a rail strike

Most strikes affecting the railway involve the RMT union or ASLEF. So what’s the difference and how does it affect which trains can run?

RMT strikes can either affect Network Rail (who control the signalling systems) and some rail company staff. On an RMT strike day, most companies will usually run a limited service between around 7:30am and 6pm, with some finishing a little earlier.

As a general rule, ‘major’ routes will still run. So, if you’re going from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Preston, Manchester, Liverpool or Birmingham to London, you can expect a reasonably regular service of at least one train every two hours. The more ‘rural’ or ‘remote’ a line is, the less likely that it is to run. This is because rural lines are usually controlled by lots of signallers in smaller signal boxes, while major routes are controlled by a smaller number of people in a bigger signalling centre.

ASLEF strikes affect train drivers and are more ‘major’ as some companies will not run any trains at all, including most major long-distance ones. However, not every operator is in dispute with this union, so some companies will run a largely normal timetable.

Check what’s running

You should always check before you travel with our dedicated strike page. We’ll tell you where to find the right information about your journey. You can also visit the National Rail website. 

As we mentioned above, an RMT rail strike usually means a limited network of trains running during limited hours, while an ASLEF strike means a normal service on some routes with no trains at all on others. 

If you want to still travel, don’t refund your ticket 

Advance train tickets are likely to be very limited or non-existent on a rail strike day. If you want to travel and know that you still can, don’t get a refund. You’ll either be able to amend your ticket to a service that is running, or Advance ticket restrictions will be lifted. 

You should know that if your ticket is only valid with a particular company, you’ll still need to stick to them where possible.

Leave as much time as possible during a rail strike

As on any other day, other disruptions can still happen. Don’t rely on the last train if you can, as there may be fewer staff around to help if something goes wrong. 

Despite what some operators claim, strike days usually aren’t extremely busy (unless there are lots of strike days in a row), so you won’t find yourself struggling to board every single train. 

However, it’s a good idea to check where your train starts from. If you’re boarding at the starting station, you should get there earlier in case it’s busy. Even better, make sure you have a seat reserved. 

Most importantly, know that it is possible to travel on strike days. Trains run on some routes, and your rights to compensation and help in the event of disruption aren’t any different. If there’s a train scheduled to run, go ahead and catch it!

Book smarter

No matter what happens, you’re covered when you book with SmartSplit. We’ll let you know if your train will be cancelled by any upcoming strike action.

If it’s cancelled, you’re able to get a fee-free refund or amendment, no matter what kind of ticket it is. If your train is running but you still don’t want to travel, that’s no problem either.

The post How to travel smarter during a Rail Strike appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

BeerHeadZ (Nottingham)

If you pop out of Nottingham Station and follow the signs for ‘Micropub’, sure enough, you’ll find one! BeerHeadZ is situated on Queen’s Road and is a cosy little bar, with a nice selection of beers on cask and tap.

During the day, it can be a nice calm oasis away from the hustle and bustle of Nottingham. There’s plenty of sockets available too, so you can get some work done while you enjoy a drink. The friendly staff behind the bar are knowledgeable and happy to give their own recommendations on which beers to try.

As you can see, there’s no pretentious decor or clutter. It’s just about coming together to enjoy some great beers.

While it can be a nice calm place to visit during the day, it also hosts themed nights. On the first Thursday of every month, you can enjoy some LPs (younger readers might not remember these!) during “Off The Tracks”, their dedicated vinyl night.

The Whistle Stop Micropub (Grantham)

On the London-bound platform at Grantham Station, you’ll find the Whistle Stop Micropub. Not only a station pub, it feels like a true community meeting place with a selection of beers on tap and cask. While that selection isn’t as diverse as at other pubs, they do have their own namesake beer to try!

With direct access to the platforms, it’s a great place to relax either before a train or between connections. There’s also a selection of snacks and sandwiches to try, if you fancy a bite to eat as well.

There’s plenty of railwayana on display, too. It feels like a true railway pub and you’ll certainly find nowhere exactly like the Whistle Stop.

Sheffield Tap (Sheffield)

The Sheffield Tap is one of the most well-known station pubs in the North of England. That’s for good reason, too! It’s got a fantastic selection of beers and always has a friendly, bustling atmosphere. People will always be coming and going from one place to another, to see family, friends or to embark on solo adventures.

As busy as it is though, it’s full of little rooms and places to find a spot to relax. Whether you’re popping in for a quick one between connections, or have a while to wait, there’ll be somewhere here for you. It’s hard to believe that it lay derelict for over 30 years before being lovingly restored in 2008.

We managed to find a nice quiet spot in the back of the pub on a Thursday afternoon, despite the front being very busy indeed!

You’ll find the Sheffield Tap on Platform 1B, which is near the main entrance of the station.

The Track & Sleeper (Knaresborough)

We’ve already talked about the Track and Sleeper on SmartSplit. It’s one of our favourites, being the perfect blend of craft beer pub and community hub. It’s owned by Gorilla Brewing, which means that if you pick one of their own pints, you’re in for a great deal.

We tried their Vanilla Gorilla Porter when we visited, which was just £3.90 for a pint. That’s an amazing deal for a pint in a pub in any town or city, never mind on a station platform. If you’re not a beer fan, no problem. Anyone for a Pornstar Martini on tap?

The pub hosts a variety of themed nights such as a quiz night, which we’re told is very popular and draws in lots of folk from the local community. No matter when you visit though, you’re sure of a warm welcome and some friendly banter from the staff behind the bar.

Harrogate Tap (Harrogate)

Just like the Sheffield Tap, you know what you’ll be getting with the Harrogate Tap. That is, a great choice of craft beers just a stone’s throw from the station platforms.

Aside from the beers, the main attraction of the Harrogate Tap is the wood-burning fireplace. When we visited on a windy January afternoon, it was the perfect tonic for feeling chilly. The staff regularly come around and topped up the wood, so you were always sure of a warm glow and crackle.

You’ll find the Harrogate Tap next to the main station entrance. Just know that because there’s ticket gates at Harrogate, you’ll need to nip outside and through the gates to access the platforms!

Is there anything else I should know?

Ready to book your next trip and pop to the pub? You can do it without fees at SmartSplit. We don’t charge you for changing your plans, either.

Looking for more about pubs? You can take a look at our favourite pubs in the North East, the cheapest pints, and where to find them. We’ve also taken a trip to find some of the best beer in East London.

The post Top five pubs while you wait (Yorkshire & East Midlands) appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Look at slower routes 

Let’s start with looking at slower trains. SmartSplit will pick out the slower routes that you might not have thought of, particularly when it comes to travelling to and from London. The best examples include going between Manchester and London, and Birmingham and London. Take a look at how much we could save you on a last-minute London to Manchester trip:

You could also click here for our full guide on alternative routes to try that could save you a packet!

Pick the right time to travel

It seems obvious, but avoiding busier times can help, too. This doesn’t necessarily mean avoiding the traditional ‘peak’ times either. Did you know, for example, that the Friday morning ‘peak’ towards London is one of the quietest times to travel? Meanwhile, a Wednesday can be one of the busiest.

Know when to book in advance

Booking in advance is another example of how to get cheaper train tickets. You can even book advance tickets on some routes right up to the time that your train is due to leave! So long as you’ve paid and got your ticket before you jump on, you’re good to go. Just be careful that you don’t book too far in advance, as some sites will sell you a full-price flexible ticket without any reservations.

Let our guide to advance train tickets tell you more.

Single or return?

You should also make sure that a return ticket isn’t cheaper than buying advance single tickets. If you’re travelling at the last minute and need to make a return trip, a flexible return ticket (such as Off-Peak or Super Off-Peak) might be cheaper. It’ll give you more options, too!

Unsure what Off-Peak is? Click here, we’ve got you covered. The National Rail website will also tell you about when tickets are valid.

Book smarter!

Most train ticket retailers charge a fee for booking or refunding your tickets. In fact, refund and exchange fees could cost you up to £10 if you need to cancel your trip or change your journey to a different time. SmartSplit is committed to never charging you fees for bookings or refunds, so when you book through us, you’ll be saving too.

Ready to book? Visit the SmartSplit website.

The post How to get cheaper train tickets appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

This page was originally written in March 2023 and was updated with new data in August 2023.

How do we work out how reliable trains are?

A great question! We measure reliability by what’s known as ‘PPM’ or ‘Public Performance Measure’. Every time a train runs (or doesn’t!) it’s separated into one of three categories:

• On-time – If it arrives less than five minutes late (10 for long-distance trains)
• Late – If it arrives between five (or 10) and 30 minutes late at its destination
• Very late/cancelled – If the train arrives more than 30 minutes late or is cancelled.

If your train is cancelled part-way through the trip or skips stops to make up time, it’ll also ‘fail’ PPM.

So what’s the least reliable train operator?

For June and July, the least-reliable train operator award goes to Grand Central. But why? Let’s go through some of the reasons:

• They’re a small company that only runs a few services each day. If even one service is cancelled, that has a big impact on their statistics
• Services run on a busy section of railway. The East Coast Mainline is prone to issues and their services interact with lots of others
• Their trains aren’t reliable. The fleet of Adelante trains are prone to breaking down, put simply! They’re remedying this though. Extra trains are being introduced so that there are more spares to fall back on.

Can we trust these statistics?

For some companies, you might be wondering how the statistics look quite reasonable, despite the fact that their trains seem to be so unreliable. For example, at the time of writing (16th August 2023), Northern’s JourneyCheck page looks disastrous:

Okay, so 103 of those cancellations are actually for the following day, but that seems like a lot more than 6% of trains being cancelled, which is what the official stats say. So, what actually happens here?

Put simply, if it’s cancelled before 10pm the previous day, it doesn’t count as a cancellation. This is known as ‘P-coding’ and means that it won’t be reflected in the performance statistics. Most frustratingly for passengers, the reason given is ‘a short notice change to the timetable’. This reason doesn’t tell you anything!

The latest report by the Office of Rail and Road from January to March 2023 shows just how this works. At the time that it was written, TransPennine Express were using P-coding extensively. Since then though, they’ve managed to improve industrial relations, and the statistics below are a far better reflection of reality.

So, is Grand Central the least reliable train operator? Officially, yes. Unofficially, perhaps not.

Who’s the most reliable train operator?

Now we’ve covered who the least reliable train operator is, it’s only right to cover who the most reliable one is.

If we focus purely on trains that are on-time, that’d be Caledonian Sleeper. They managed to run 96.8% of their trains on time.

The operator with the lowest rate of cancellations was c2c, with just 1.1%. Chiltern Railways isn’t far behind with 1.3%.

What do these operators all have in common? For one, a relatively common fleet of trains. Chiltern has three types of train and c2c is running just one type of train. Meanwhile, Caledonian Sleeper has just one fleet of carriages, and a few types of locomotive. Their trains run overnight, and have large allowances in the timetable in case of engineering works.

c2c and Merseyrail are also fairly self-contained networks. It’s unlikely that another company’s trains will cause them to be delayed, and they’re pretty small networks, as well.

What are the full statistics?

Want to know how your local operator did? Here’s the full statistics for June and July. We weren’t able to get monthly statistics for Hull Trains.

_{*Includes Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express.}

What can we take from this data? As you’d expect, companies that have smaller networks and don’t have to interact with too many operators tend to fare better. Those that travel over longer distances and interact with each other more are more vulnerable to delays.

Operators like Grand Central are also more vulnerable to poorer statistics, as they only run a handful of trains per day. If even just one train is delayed, that’ll cause a much bigger knock than on LNER or Avanti, for example.

What can I do when there’s a delay?

When you book with SmartSplit, we’ll let you know if there’s any planned changes to your train, if we’re given enough notice. If you choose to change your plans, we’ve got you covered, too.

You’re also entitled to claim compensation in the event of a delay. You can find out more with our guide on what to do when there’s disruption.

_{All punctuality data on this page is courtesy of trains.im. You can visit their site, check how your operator is doing and can also make a donation to help with upkeep.}

_{The data is also issued without liability, and is correct at the time of writing (16th August 2023).}

The post What’s the Least Reliable Train Operator? appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

Calton Hill, Edinburgh

If you’re not quite up for the slightly brutal hike up Arthur’s Seat, but still want some breathtaking views of Edinburgh and beyond, then Calton Hill is probably for you. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to a number of different historical monuments.

We’ll be honest, there’s still some legwork involved! After all, it does still have ‘hill’ in the name. But, if you exit Edinburgh Waverley onto Princes Street and turn left, a short five-minute walk will bring you to the bottom of the steps. A short workout up some steps and a bank later, and this will be your reward:

You can see right across the city and towards the Forth River, with a plethora of green spaces to kick back and relax in. If you’re looking for something more exciting, it also hosts the Beltane Fire Festival every April!

Linlithgow Park & Peel (Palace), Linlithgow

This is one of those green spaces where you truly feel like you’ve got away from it all. Despite backing onto the town of Linlithgow itself, there’s quite a ‘wild’ and isolated atmosphere. Perfect for some peace and quiet!

You have several options here. If you just want to sit back and take it in, there’s plenty of places to sit near the palace:

For the more adventurous, you can walk around the whole of Linlithgow Loch (pictured above). That said, it’s a pretty level and short walk (around an hour), so it’s perfect on a nice day with the kids or to walk the dog.

Of course, we can’t ignore the imposing and rather beautiful Linlithgow Palace:

This palace once served as a royal nursery for James V, Mary Queen of Scots and Princess Elizabeth (later Elizabeth I). As of June 10th 2023, it’s open to the public again, too.

The current building was planned and built starting in 1424, but was largely abandoned when James VI became James I of England and moved the royal court to London in 1603. Despite efforts to rebuild the collapsed Northern Quarter of the palace in 1620, a fire in 1746 spelled the end of Linlithgow Palace as a royal residence.

As green spaces go, the area around Linlithgow Palace certainly has it all. If you’re coming from Edinburgh, you can get there by train in as little as 17 minutes.

Museum Gardens, York

Situated near the banks of the River Ouse, the Museum Gardens are just a short walk from the station. The main attraction (as the name suggests!) is the Yorkshire Museum, which tells the story of York and beyond from as far back as the Roman era.

If you want somewhere to wander or just relax though, then you’re still spoilt for choice. It can be quite the oasis of calm compared to the bustling nature of York itself. It’s the ideal place to start or finish a riverside walk, too.

As well as the green spaces, you’ll find a number of historical buildings to explore. One of these is the ruins of St Mary’s Abbey, which date from between 1271 and 1294:

The park is open between 9am and 6pm all year. You can find out more about its history on the Yorkshire Museums Trust website.

Valley Gardens, Harrogate

This is one of the green spaces that forms part of Harrogate’s rich history as a spa town. Valley Gardens have more mineral springs in them than any other known place, with there being 36 wells alone in an area of the gardens known as ‘Bogs Field’. The gardens are English Heritage Grade II listed, too.

In the winter months, you can expect plenty of places to walk and explore. The gardens also give way to the Pinewood Woodlands, so you can extend your adventure even further.

The gardens truly come to life in the warmer months, though. There’s a number of cafes selling light refreshments, as well as outdoor activities to keep everyone of all ages amused. You can choose from mini golf, a paddling pool, tennis courts and more.

If you’re looking for somewhere a little more sheltered, why not relax in the pavillions?

On Summer Sundays, you’ll even find outdoor concerts taking place.

Vimto Park & Sackville Gardens, Manchester

Finally, how about two green spaces for the price of one? The first one, Vimto Park, may be one that you’ve seen from the train. Who could miss the giant Vimto bottle looking up at us from the street below? The drink was born in Manchester in 1908, so this seems like a pretty fitting way to pay homage to it:

It’s located on the Science Campus of the University of Manchester, around a five-minute walk from Piccadilly Station. To get to it, you’re best using the Fairfield Street exit (follow signs for the Metrolink and the taxi rank). While it’s only a small space, it’s a little oasis of calm in the city centre. It’s perfect for watching the trains go by, as well!

A short walk away down Sackville Street, you’ll also find Sackville Gardens. The land was originally purchased by the Manchester Corporation in 1882 so there’d be an interrupted view of the Manchester School of Technology (now the Sackville Street Building).

Nowadays, it’s a great place to relax and reflect, as it’s home to various LGBT+ memorials. One of these is the Alan Turing memorial:

Sackville Gardens is also around five minutes from Piccadilly Station and it backs onto the popular Canal Street.

No matter which of these green spaces you might choose to visit, you can book your rail tickets with SmartSplit. We don’t charge any fees if you want to change your plans, either.

The post Green Spaces near Stations: Our Top 5 appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

The York Tap – York Station

If you’re making your way from Platform 3 to Platform 4 (or vice-versa) at York, you’ll spot the York Tap. Owned by the Tapped Brew Co, it forms part of a small chain of pubs on stations (or very near them!) around the North of England.

Aside from the impressive Grade A listed Edwardian building, the one thing that we were struck by was the sheer choice of beers and other drinks. You can’t deny that the York Tap has something for everyone, even if you’re not a beer fan.

The York Tap is a station pub that prides itself on rotating its beers regularly. This makes it perfect for regulars, as there’ll always be something new to try.

The atmosphere on a Wednesday night was nice and relaxed. You had people of all ages and backgrounds dropping in for a drink, whether they were families, locals or just like us popping up for a drink between trains.

If you prefer to watch the trains go by, there’s plenty of seats outside too. However, on a cold January evening, you’d probably want to keep warm inside!

As we just had a short wait between trains, we went for a half pint of Abyss by Wishbone Brewery. It was an oatmeal stout on cask and a nice, light and sessionable drink for a weeknight.

The verdict

Put simply, plenty of us use York station. So rather than going off in search of a pub in the city, why not try the one that’s right under your nose? It’s perfect for all ages, and those who might prefer a cider, a glass of wine or something else!

The Centurion – Newcastle Station

As station pubs go, there’s no denying that the Centurion is the most striking. Yet, tucked away next to the Metro station entrance, many wouldn’t know it was even there!

You can find one entrance to the pub next to the taxi rank (at the top of the stairs down to the Metro). The other entrance is on the station concourse itself, with some outdoor seating next to the escalator up from the Metro concourse.

But let’s get down to the most important part, which is the architecture…

Designed in 1893, the pub was originally built as a First Class lounge. It hasn’t had an entirely glamorous past though! The British Transport Police used it as holding cells during the 1960s, and it’d be the last place you’d want to end up.

In 2000, it was painstakingly restored back to its former glory. And we must say, nothing can beat the feeling you get when you walk through the door. It’s a true sight to behold and you need to take a minute to take it all in.

As for the drinks selection, it’s more like your classic bar. You’re not going to find a huge selection of craft beers and ales, but there are still some local ales to choose from. We went for a pint of Stella Spark, a golden ale made by the Golden Brick Brewery. They’re situated just down the road (or track!) in Blaydon, so it’s almost as local as you can get.

The atmosphere was bustling (it was a Friday evening) and we were lucky to get the last free table inside. That said, it’s visited by a mix of locals and people heading for trains, so you won’t have to wait long for someone to finish their drink and head out.

The verdict

What do we think of the Centurion? It’s a true classic station pub and it’s worth it purely to soak up the beautiful architecture. The beer selection isn’t the most exciting, but you’ll still find a couple of local ales to try.

Rather than sitting out in the cold waiting for your train, why not pop in and see it for yourself?

The Track & Sleeper – Knaresborough

This was a bit of a wildcard for us, as we spotted it online while we were exploring the region. We had no idea what to expect! Having taken in all the sights that Knaresborough had to give, it was time to retire to this cosy little pub.

Described as a ‘real ale and gin bar’, the Track and Sleeper is owned by Gorilla Brewing. You’ll find it on Platform 2, which is where the trains towards York stop.

For such a small pub, there was an impressive selection of beers, ales and stouts. There was a mixture of in-house beer from Gorilla Brewing, as well as some local favourites like Thornbridge.

The pint of Vanilla Gorilla Porter that we had was not only delicious, but it was the best value pint we’ve had on a station. It was £3.90, which is a price you’d struggle to beat in most high-street pubs, never mind those on a station. The friendly lad behind the bar told us that they’d always keep costs down with their in-house brews, which was great to hear at a time when everything else is getting evermore expensive!

You could also choose from cocktails on tap, as well as an array of gins. Just like the York Tap, it felt like a pub for everyone. No matter your taste, there’s something at the Track and Sleeper for you.

When we visited, it was a Tuesday afternoon shortly after opening. While it wasn’t heaving, there was a steady trickle of friendly faces coming in. It felt like not only a railway station pub, but a true part of the community.

The verdict

Having opened in the midst of a pandemic, the Track and Sleeper is a station pub that hasn’t had it easy. But with events like pub quizzes and a constantly changing selection of affordable local beer, it’s the sort of place we can’t fail to fall in love with.

You’re guaranteed friendly service and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere here. Just know that it isn’t the biggest pub on the planet, so it might get cosy during busier times!

What next?

Looking for more about pubs? You can take a look at our favourite pubs in Yorkshire and the East Midlands, the cheapest pints, and where to find them. We’ve also taken a trip to find some of the best beer in East London.

We’re ready to help you travel smarter, from start to finish. Why not start by booking your tickets with us? We’ll never charge booking fees or amendment fees.

The post Our Top 3 Station Pub Picks – North Yorkshire & North East appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

On January 23, 2023, SmartSplit witnessed that change for the first time, as we popped to Liverpool to sample one of the 53 new Swiss-built Merseyrail trains on their first day in service.

The first day

At the moment, there’s just one train running on the line up to Kirkby. This is the shortest line on the network, and keeps them close to their depot in Kirkdale in case anything goes wrong.

So that’s where we were off to! We headed for the 12:20 from Liverpool Central to Kirkby, operated by one of the new Stadler trains. This was the third ever departure from Liverpool for one of these trains, so there was still much excitement and anticipation among train geeks and regular passengers alike.

Finally, just a little late (the timetable is very tight on the Kirkby line), our shiny new Merseyrail train arrived:

First Impressions of the new Merseyrail trains

First impressions are that there’s certainly a ‘wow’ factor compared to looking at the old, boxy trains that run on Merseyrail at the moment. You could almost be fooled into thinking that it had come from the International Space Station rather than Kirkby!

The inside of the train is bright and airy, with plenty of seats. You’ll find all of the modern features you’d expect in 2023:

The only thing you need to be careful with is the sockets! If you’re sticking a three-pin plug in them, it goes in upside down. The bottom pins are actually USB ports. Within five minutes, we’d already witnessed someone trying to fit their phone charger into the wrong one.

As you can see in the left-hand photo above as well, there’s ‘airline’ style seats, too. On the old trains, you didn’t have much of a choice about sitting opposite someone on a busy train. Now, you have the option to have a little more privacy if you’re travelling alone or with someone else.

It also sounds daft but for the first time in many years, you can actually see the world go by! The older trains have a strange layout, where the ‘pockets’ that the doors open into have taken up most of the window view. Granted, Merseyrail isn’t the most scenic, but it’s nice to not be stuck looking at this:

Accessibility

This is the real game-changer. The new Merseyrail trains are the first trains in the UK to give completely step-free access being the train and platform. When they reach every station, a little step will pop out and completely bridge the gap. This means that wheelchair users and those who struggle with mobility can get on and off independently.

This was fantastic to see and will make the railways of Merseyside so much more accessible to everyone. As you can see, the doors also light up green when it’s safe to get on and off. This changes to red when it’s time to step back.

The wheelchair spaces include a small table, power sockets and an information screen:

Elsewhere on the train, there are spaces for buggies, bikes and large luggage. This solves the issue of them taking up a wheelchair space and makes sure that everyone can use the new Merseyrail trains with ease.

Staying informed on new Merseyrail trains

From the moment we left Liverpool Central, it was clear that you wouldn’t be left in the dark about where you were or where you were going. Clear announcements would play before every station, and they’d tell you which line you were on while in the City Centre (Wirral or Northern).

It did get a little grating though, when we had one telling us to use the bins during the journey. These sort of announcements just cause everyone to tune out everything. Just keep them for the essentials, please!

Other than the (sometimes a little redundant) announcements, you’ll find screens throughout the train. Above every door, you’ll find ones like these, which change depending on where you are:

These are both above the doors and arranged along the carriage walls. You’ll also find more ‘traditional’ displays at the ends of the carriages. Put simply, if you look somewhere, you’ll find a screen telling you where the train is going!

Sticking these displays above the doors is a bit of a genius move, as it cuts out the classic ‘where is this train going?’ that someone will ask as they step on. Simply crank your neck up a few inches and your answer will be right there! It’s also great that they’ll tell you which side the doors will open on, particularly as platforms regularly swap sides on some lines.

Even little touches such as telling you which station has a toilet are great. As don’t forget that just like the older trains, these new Merseyrail trains don’t have anywhere to spend a penny. They’ll also tell you which stations are step-free, which brings us onto one of the most important things about the new Merseyrail trains…

Our verdict on the new Merseyrail trains

We aren’t exaggerating when we say that these will transform travel across Merseyside and beyond. For the first time, you can even see from one of the train to the other:

They’re brighter, they’re safer and they’ll still have a staff member on board to help, as well. The guards will be more visible on the train (as they don’t have to stay in the cab to operate the doors) and will have a new title of ‘Train Manager’.

Another thing we really liked was the fact that ‘perch’ seats have been scattered around so you don’t have to stand at busy times:

We’d definitely recommend heading to the ‘bendy’ bits of the train between the carriages if you’re struggling to find somewhere to perch. They’re quite well hidden and people are usually less keen on standing far away from the doors!

Our impression was that both passengers and staff alike are thrilled to see the new Merseyrail trains running. Everyone had a smile on their face and it’s clear that they’re a train to be proud of. Finally, we can’t deny that they’re great-looking compared to the trains that came before them:

You can book your tickets to try the new trains on SmartSplit today. We don’t charge any booking fees, admin fees, refund fees or any fees at all, for that matter.

The post The New Merseyrail Trains: Liverpool goes Swiss appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.

The Lincoln Christmas Market makes for a fantastic fun-filled day or night out! Let our handy blog tell you more about what’s on offer in this historic cathedral city, as well as how to reach it by train.

When is the Lincoln Christmas Market?

The Lincoln Christmas Market will be taking place over a four-day period this December. Here’s when you’ll be able to visit and soak up the festivities in 2022:

• Thursday 1 December: 12:00 to 21:30
• Friday 2 December: 10:00 to 21:30
• Saturday 3 December: 10:00 to 21:30
• Sunday 4 December: 10:00 to 19:00.

What will I find at the Lincoln Christmas Market?

You’ll find a wide variety of stalls and festive entertainment! All of the stallholders will be wearing traditional Victorian clothing and will be judged on the appearance of their stalls, so you can expect a truly authentic and atmospheric trip back in time. You’ll be spoilt for choice, with over 200 stalls to pick from.

You certainly won’t be short of entertainment either. Click here to find out more about what’s planned on each day of the markets.

How do I get there by train?

Lincoln is served by Lincoln Central station. At a glance, here’s what you can expect on the 1st:

• A broadly hourly service to Sleaford, Metheringham, Ruskington, Spalding and Peterborough
• An hourly service to Worksop, Sheffield and Leeds
• Hourly trains to Newark Castle, Nottingham and Leicester
• Roughly two-hourly services to Market Rasen and Grimsby Town
• A limited service to Doncaster
• Roughly two-hourly trains to London.

East Midlands Railway services are affected by strike action on the 2nd and 3rd. As a result, only the following trains will be running on these dates:

• A hourly train to Worksop, Sheffield and Leeds
• Roughly two-hourly service to London.

No other trains will be operating.

On Sunday 4 December, the following trains are expected to operate:

• An hourly service to Sheffield (some trains extended to Huddersfield)
• An hourly service to Newark Castle and Nottingham
• Three departures to Market Rasen, Grimsby Town and Cleethorpes
• Roughly two-hourly trains to London
• Roughly two-hourly trains to Newark Northgate.

Will there be extra trains running?

Northern will be running an extra train on the 2nd and 3rd, departing Sheffield at 09:54 and stopping at all stations via Retford to reach Lincoln. It’ll return from Lincoln at 17:02 on the 2nd and 16:57 on the 3rd.

East Midlands Railway will be affected by strike action on the 2nd and 3rd. No East Midlands Railway services will be running on these dates,

How do I get from the station to the market?

Located at the top of Steep Hill, the name gives away the fact that walking to the market might not be for everyone! That said, it did win Britain’s best street award in 2012, so if you aren’t quite feeling the walk up it, you could always enjoy a stroll down.

Stagecoach will be operating a frequent bus service to and from the market from the bus station, which is just over the road from the railway station. Just be aware that if you’re staying late, the last bus will be leaving the market at 18:51. Buses on their return trip will leave from Pottergate.

There will also be an accessible shuttle service running from bus stops within Lincoln itself. You can click here for more information about the buses that will be running.

If you’d like to know how to walk to and from the Lincoln Christmas Market, you can also take a look at the useful map below:

Ready to book your tickets to the Lincoln Christmas Market? Do it with ease on the SmartSplit website.

The post Lincoln Christmas Market – Nearest Train Station and More appeared first on SmartSplit.co.uk.