First time traveler to Britain and Scotland. Want to travel first class by rail one-way from Heathrow area to Edinburgh. Price on Trainline is 1/4 the cost of Britrail. Is this the best way to secure my train ticket?
Posted by
Tempe, AZ, USA
1265 posts
Shirley - I use www.eastcoast.co.uk for booking train travel in the UK. If you book early enough standard fares are as low as £13.00, First class fares are as low as £46.00. When are you looking to travel?
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32834 posts
Trainline is a private company which sells tickets for all (nearly) all train companies in the UK. Not sure exactly who Britrail are these days, they used to be the overseas arm of British Rail which hasn't existed since the 1997 break up and privatization. ^^^ I would use * http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ * to get the most complete details of trains, and the lowest prices. That website is run by ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32834 posts
A bit more on that route. I don't know your dates or travelling patterns, but are you aware that there is not a direct train? Heathrow to Paddington by either Heathrow Express (has first class) or Heathrow Connect (makes more stops); then from Paddington either tube to Kings Cross/St Pancras (same stop - two names, serves two mainline stations) or taxi to Kings Cross;-; or tube from Heathrow direct to Kings Cross/St Pancras; - ; then East Coast Trains direct from Kings Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. ^ ^ ^ You could also go via Virgin Trains from Euston station, but that is less convenient and a little slower. Virgin go up the West Coast Main Line while East Coast trains go up the East Coast Main Line. ^ ^ ^ If you plan ahead and can predict the EXACT train you will go on you can get an "Advance First" ticket for as little as £108 from Heathrow, all in. If you go for a walk up fare you will pay between £180 and £400 for a ticket. That may be the disparity you saw. BTW >>> If you fail to take the booked exact train on an "Advance" ticket you have a worthless piece of paper. It for a specific train at a specific time, no exchange, no refund.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
As Nigel said National Rail Enquiries was set up by the train operators and allows you to compare the various journey options and prices available. The site does not sell the tickets itself but redirects you to the chosen rail company eg Virgin, East Coast etc to buy the actual ticket. Trainline and other agents use the same database and add their fees.