UK by train

Posted by halfdozmom (Vancouver, WA) on 08/09/26 12:17 AM

Very early stages of planning. Leaning toward the fall of 2027 or spring 2028. Don’t have a length of travel locked in yet, we are flexible. All travel by train (bus/taxi to outlying areas like the castle). We enjoy history, nature, architecture, walkable cities and towns. London for a day or two to possibly catch a Spurs match (we’ve already visited London a number of times).

Would love tips from anyone who has explored the UK by rail, or good websites from actual travelers (so many are tour companies)!

Posted by markcw

Los Angeles

08/09/26 01:12 AM

1981 posts

Start here:

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

Posted by Katiecem

California Central Coast 🐚

08/09/26 01:27 AM

725 posts

We just did our third UK by train trip in the Spring. If you want to read a trip report about it, it starts here.

Posted by Carol now retired

Lynnwood, Washington

08/09/26 01:59 AM

10613 posts

Let me mention Rail Cards. There are a variety available that may result in significant savings. Two together Railcards, friends and family rail cards, and Senior Rail Cards are quite popular. If you happen to wear hearing aids you qualify for a Disabled Persons Railcard.

https://www.railcard.co.uk/

Posted by Simon

Singapore

08/09/26 04:13 AM

1387 posts

The best starting spot is nationalrail.co.uk, whuch will then direct you to the train operator to book a ticket (you can actually book tickets for any route through any operator).

You might want to try London-York-Durham-Edinburgh and return - lots of history all three cities - Roman ruins, Durham Castle, Durham Cathedtal, Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse to name but a few. And spectacular scenery on the Durham-Edinburgh route around Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Posted by briwire

Warrington, England

08/09/26 07:25 AM

260 posts

Railcards are a way of reducing off peak tickets by a third. They cost £35 to buy so you need to be spending more than £105 to be viable. I would expect that to apply to you. A Two Together would be the best for you I suspect, providing you intend travelling together when here.
You can book train tickets for any company, using any company's website, but start at www.nationrail.co.uk then go to the intended operator.
Walk up tickets will be expensive in most instances. Advance tickets which will be much cheaper, but are inflexible and tied to the departure that you have purchased, unless of course, your chosen train is delayed or cancelled, when you can use another train.

Posted by Nigel🚊🧸🔔

Arctophilia (was 26, now x-27), Northamptonshire, England

08/09/26 04:22 PM

37177 posts

if this will be the 4 of you mentioned in your profile, you might look into a Friends and Family Railcard...

Because it is so far off and because the current new Prime Minister seems to like tinkering around the edges I am reluctant to give railcard or pricing specifics as it will likely have all changed by then...

Posted by halfdozmom OP

Vancouver, WA

08/09/26 06:29 PM

405 posts

Thank you for all the great starting point suggestions!

@me.crewe - thanks! We have traveled extensively by train through Europe, so that is not new to us. What is new is, other than several trips to London, we have never traveled around the UK. We’d love to explore more of it.

@Nigel - just two of us this time. Hubby and I, age 63 (currently)