Booking London to Cambridge (r/t) and London to York (one way) in May

Posted by Lorraine (Hopewell, New Jersey, United States) on 02/18/24 06:36 PM

Hi,

My husband and I are looking to book a round-trip train ride from London to Cambridge on Wednesday, May 15, and a one-way trip from London to York on Thursday, May 16. I am thoroughly confused by how and when to book train travel. I don't think we'd need a BritRail pass for these two short trips, but maybe I'm wrong? I'm also seeing that there are companies like Rail Ninja that offer to guarantee us seats even though it's too early to actually book... could that be legit? I'd appeciate any help!

Thanks so much!
Lorraine

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

02/18/24 06:56 PM

5829 posts

Rail Ninja are cowboys pure and simple, to avoid at all costs.

London to York is bookable now on the LNER website- the actual train operator, and very user friendly to American Credit cards.

To Cambridge on 2 of the 3 routes there is no advantage to booking ahead, and no-one can guarantee you seats- those trains are mass transit. There are no reserved seats, they are free seating.
Book ahead or 2 minutes before travel.
If all seats are taken you stand, even if you bought your ticket 3 months early. Even on the Liverpool Street route, where you can book ahead for better fares, no assigned seat comes with that booking.

Posted by Pam

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA

02/18/24 07:19 PM

13966 posts

100% agree with Stuart on NOT NOT NOT using Rail Ninja. The Trip advisor forums are littered with people who have gotten screwed by this company.

Here is a 13-page year long thread regarding the awfulness of Rail Ninja from the Trip Advisor Train Travel forum:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12483-k14116763-Rail_Ninja_is_a_complete_scam-Train_Travel.html

27-page 6 year old thread with Rail Ninja complaints:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12483-k10652704-Impossible_to_contact_Rail_Ninja_customer_service-Train_Travel.html

Another complaint....
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i12483-k14498325-Do_Not_Use_Rail_Ninja-Train_Travel.html

The only thing they can actually guarantee is to take your money....

Posted by Lorraine OP

Hopewell, New Jersey, United States

02/18/24 08:18 PM

11 posts

Thank you so much, isn31c! I've booked our London to York tickets!
And yes, Pam, thank you for the heads-up! I read through the reviews--so glad I asked this question!

Posted by Nigel

Northamptonshire, England

02/18/24 10:40 PM

32801 posts

if you are going on a day trip from London to Cambridge you may want the fastest train so that you can have the shortest travel time. That's the Great Northern service at Kings Cross station. The absolutely fastest are at 42 after the hour (nonstop, takes about 48 minutes) or at 12 past the hour (takes 50 or 52 minutes, nonstop or one stop). Anything else takes 10 to 30 minutes longer.

Stay far far away from Rail Ninja. Or many of the third party sellers - they cannot sell a ticket which has not been released for sale yet and they are only selling a guess that they can get them when they are. Short circuit the process and buy direct.