best way to travel in uk for 17 days

Posted by jeanne on 08/31/25 02:54 PM

I cannot figure out what train option is best for 2 senior adults travelling in the UK for 16 days. Arrive Heathrow, staying in Bloomsbury for 5 days. Will take an uber water boat to Greenwich and use the tube 2-3 times each day.

Need trains for: one day round trip London to Oxford; Cambridge to York; York to Hexham; Carlisle to Glasgow; Glasgow to Fort William; and then ending up in Edinborough.

Is the travel together national rail card or britrail pass senior card better or do you recommend something else?
For London, contactless pay or Oyster card? Are there senior discounts for London tube and bus travel by using either method of pay?
I have read so much online and remain confused. Do you recommend a website for current information?
Many thanks!

Posted by ORDtraveler

Chicago

08/31/25 03:24 PM

1799 posts

Man in Seat 61 is a decent starting point for trains. (Caveat, generally he is up to date, but I haven't verified. ). Also download National Rail to check specific connections and general prices. Prices may be affected by how early you purchase tickets and time of train. Once you know a few details, the answers may become more obvious. Lots of folks here will also give answers on specifics.

https://www.seat61.com/train-travel-in-britain.htm

Tube payment options here. Lots of discussions on this board and no consensus on credit card tap and go vs phone wallets vs Oyster. Personal choice.
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/ways-to-pay/pay-as-you-go

More fare info available on that official website.

Posted by ORDtraveler

Chicago

08/31/25 03:34 PM

1799 posts

Adding this website explanation from National Rail:
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/tickets-railcards-and-offers/ticket-types/

Posted by G3rryCee

Bellingham, WA

08/31/25 03:49 PM

1311 posts

It looks like you can get a discount on the tube (off-peak only), using an Oyster card, if you "add" your national rail card to it. Either the senior rail card or, maybe, the Two Together. May be more trouble than it's worth, but here is what I found:
https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/free-and-discounted-travel/national-railcard-discount

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

08/31/25 03:49 PM

10350 posts

It depends how you want to travel- flexibly on a whim or on timed trains booked in advance.
If the former then Britrail is your friend.
If the latter then buy a Two Together Railcard and advance fares.
If you had a Senior Railcard you would get 1/3 off London travel when using Oyster (so the Oyster would pay for itself) but not with Two Together.

With a railcard some of these Advance Fares are so cheap- Cambridge to York in a few days time about £35 each, in a months time depending on the train about £20, York to Hexham about £10 (sometimes it pays to buy that as York to Newcastle, Newcastle to Hexham, sometimes as one ticket), Carlisle to Glasgow is widely available for £6 to £10 with a railcard.
To Fort William book it as return Glasgow to Fort William, and single Glasgow to Edinburgh.
The other way from Fort William to Edinburgh direct through totally different scenery on Ember Bus for £23.30.

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England

08/31/25 09:20 PM

35637 posts

Two Together Railcard (that's the one for couples where at least one person is over 60)

Two things here -

none of the conditions of a Two Together Railcard require any particular age or relationship. It is designed for any two people who travel together (hence the name) and don't split up to travel apart. It has time restrictions and required passport sized, but not necessarily that quality, of both named individuals.

Senior Railcards are for seniors and have fewer, different restrictions.

They are all explained in the Railcard link above.