Eurostar requires the travellers to check in 75 minutes' advance. What about other trains to York, Bath and Edinburgh? No need to check in a hour advance before departure? Thanks.
Off-peak or during peak tickets - must be onboard during off-peak (after 9:30am on weekday) and during peak (8:30am till 9:30am) weekday) respectively?
No need to check in. Just get on board when the track number is displayed.
Wow! How nice!
Eurostar needs the 75 minute check in because it is an international train.
Video of London to Edinburgh from Man in Seat 61:>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugpHj_e6ARo
They're just normal trains - you don't 'check in' at all, you just board. You won't even know which platform until 10 mins or so before departure. Bear in mind you will need to carry and show your own luggage.
And yes, offpeak tickets are for after 9.30am weekdays. Anytime tickets are as the name suggests.
Sorry, but Eurostar is the only international train to and from UK and Europe. The check in time in London is to account for security two lots of passport control. There ae also frequent long queues.
If you are travelling standard class, the gate closes 30 mins prior to departure.
Cut it fine at your own risk.
No need to check in early unless you are taking the Eurostar. First class tickets in the UK come with a club access at the train station, free food, and drinks. Also you can choose a seat assignment in first class. My favorite Country to do first class, worth the expense. If you download the Eurail app, you can look at train times, how many transfers, if you need reservations (it will tell you on the selection). It's nice to able to look at all the available trains and times to help plan your trip. If you buy rail passes, they are good for 11 months, I think. Go on sale around November and sometimes in March, 20% off for first class is worth it. Happy Travels.
peak time on a weekday usually starts at start of service, around 5am, not just the one hour in your question
London to Bath there is off peak, then the even cheaper Super Off Peak Single which starts an hour later.
And off peak/super off peak have different evening restrictions, only heading towards Bath.
You can almost always arrive at Paddington and buy a cheaper Advance train specific ticket for the next train out.
London to York goes straight from anytime to super off peak at 0930, also with evening peak restrictions, but again there are almost always on demand cheaper Advance fares.
York to Edinburgh has the peak/off peak differential.
London KC to Edinburgh the concept of peak/off peak has almost gone. There are still fully flexible Anytime fares, and on demand Advance Fares. But the only other fare is the 70 minute flex single. You book for a specific train but can use any other train up to 70 minutes before, or 70 minutes after. In effect you can choose on the day between 5 trains.
