In May I'm planning to take my first trip to the UK. I'll be taking the train from Heathrow to Paddington then from Paddington to Chepstow. I'll then take the train from Prestatyn to Paddington a couple of weeks later and then from Paddington to Heathrow.
The trains seem to run pretty regularly. Do they get filled up? Is it recommend to buy train tickets in advance? Would I be okay purchasing train tickets at the station on the day of travel? I would really like to see Bath on the way to Chepstow and I'd like to try and leave things a little bit flexible.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23282 posts
The big problem is that British rail has all been privatized and their pricing is very similar to our airlines. And British rail is the most expensive of the European rail systems, As you get closer it gets more expensive. Trains rarely fill up but buying the day before will be the most expensive. This is one train system where advance buying can yield good discounts.
Posted by
Aptos, CA, USA
56 posts
As the previous Reply said, its a first come first serve, best price system. We went to England a couple of years ago and used the train. I think that 24 hours ahead gave a pretty good discount, day of the trip most expensive. We just bought our tickets when we arrived for the nex trip. Got caught in York after the opening day of horse racing. Had to leave on a later train - thats all.
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
Take the Heathrow Connect rather than the Heathrow Express from LHR to Paddington. It's a lot cheaper and only a little slower. Buy your LHR-Paddington ticket at the airport. The regular 2nd class fares for London Paddington-Bath Spa range from £28.00 to £79.50. If you book well in advance at www.eastcoast.co.uk, you can get a discount fare as low as £9.50. Discount fare tickets are released about 10-12 weeks in advance. However, those tickets are for a specific departure date and time and are non-exchangeable and non-refundable. If your plane arrives late and you don't have enough time to get from Heathrow to Paddington, your ticket will be worthless. The 2nd class fare for Bath Spa-Chepstow is £11.40 (no discount fares). The best discount fare for Prestatyn-London is £9.00. The regular 2nd class fare can be over £100.00.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32805 posts
Do they get filled up? Don't know when the Heathrow trains fill up but mainline trains into London will be very crowded on arrival times from 0730-1000, mainline trains leaving London will get pretty full on departure times from 1600-1900, give or take.
Posted by
Los Angeles, California
1986 posts
Trains into London can get pretty full on a sunday afternoon /evening- makes sense. Although I have never been able to NOT get on- just may have to stand for a long part of the journey (EDITED to make more sense)