Did you know that Great Britain is home to the oldest railway system on the planet? The first public England railway opened back in 1825 and was locomotive-hauled. Since then, British rail was constantly expanding and developing to meet the constantly growing demand for train travel in England. Nowadays, British trains are fast, comfortable, and safe, making taking the UK rail one of the easiest and most popular ways to travel between the major cities of Great Britain. What is more, apart from being convenient transportation means, traveling by train in England, Wales, and Scotland is among the best ways to admire the mesmerizing beauty of these incredible countries. And don't forget that the United Kingdom is home to probably the most famous rail station in the world, Kings Cross Train Station!
Overall length of rail tracks in Britain: 16,200 km / 10,066 mi
Types of trains in Britain: regular & high-speed
Number of British routes sold on Rail Ninja: 15+
Fastest train speed of British trains: 300 km/h
Top Choices for Britain Rail Journeys
Eurostar High-Speed Train
The high-speed Eurostar trains are among the most comfortable ways reaching France, Belgium or Netherlands from the picturesque United Kingdom. They boast the top speed of 320 kph (199 mph). All bullet Eurostar trains are comfortable and offer everything you might need for a worry-free ride, including spacious cabins, comfortable seats, and generous luggage space. Most trains even offer free Wi-Fi.
Thus, choosing Britain Rails you get the best experience while traveling this fabulous country.
Popular United Kingdom trains
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Coach classes: 3
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Eurostar
Coach classes: 3
Popular United Kingdom routes
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Peterborough53 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
Cambridge53 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:CrossCountry
Peterborough450 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:LNER
Edinburgh450 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:LNER
Cambridge530 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:CrossCountry
Edinburgh530 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 9|Popular trains:LNER
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Belfast160 kmDublin airportTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:
Dublin Express
Dublin airport160 kmBelfastTrains per day: 16|Popular trains:Dublin Express
London360 kmBrussels AirportTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:TGV INOUI
Brussels Airport360 kmLondonTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:IC (BeNe)
London350 kmManchester airportTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
Manchester airport350 kmLondonTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
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Bath350 kmYorkTrains per day: 9|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
York350 kmBathTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:CrossCountry
Mallaig90 kmFort WilliamTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:ScotRail
Fort William70 kmMallaigTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:ScotRail
Perth190 kmInvernessTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:ScotRail
Inverness190 kmPerthTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Bath58 kmCardiffTrains per day: 19|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
York92 kmManchesterTrains per day: 36|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
Cardiff58 kmBathTrains per day: 19|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
Manchester92 kmYorkTrains per day: 56|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
Mallaig160 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:ScotRail
Glasgow160 kmMallaigTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Windsor (England)43 kmLondonTrains per day: 37|Popular trains:
South Western Railway
London43 kmWindsor (England)Trains per day: 35|Popular trains:South Western Railway
London715 kmInvernessTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:LNER
Inverness715 kmLondonTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:ScotRail
Liverpool283 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 14|Popular trains:Northern Railway
Brussels370 kmLondon -
London370 kmBrusselsRotterdam350 kmLondonLondon350 kmRotterdamEdinburgh283 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
Manchester281 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
Edinburgh281 kmManchesterTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:CrossCountry
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Stirling50 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:
LNER
Edinburgh50 kmStirlingTrains per day: 22|Popular trains:ScotRail
Inverness133 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:ScotRail
Aberdeen133 kmInvernessTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:ScotRail
London232 kmCardiffTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
Cardiff232 kmLondonTrains per day: 27|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
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Bristol189 kmLondonTrains per day: 42|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
London189 kmBristolTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
Bath171 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
London171 kmBathTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
Brighton81 kmLondonTrains per day: 179|Popular trains:Thames Link
London81 kmBrightonTrains per day: 198|Popular trains:Thames Link
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Oxford106 kmLondonTrains per day: 60|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
London106 kmOxfordTrains per day: 64|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
Peterborough123 kmLondonTrains per day: 113|Popular trains:Thames Link
Chester28 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 233|Popular trains:Merseyrail
Liverpool28 kmChesterTrains per day: 251|Popular trains:Merseyrail
London123 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 99|Popular trains:Thames Link
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Birmingham141 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 23|Popular trains:
London Midland Railway
Liverpool141 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 20|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
Coventry151 kmLondonTrains per day: 43|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
London151 kmCoventryTrains per day: 39|Popular trains:London Midland Railway
Aberdeen245 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:ScotRail
Glasgow245 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Newcastle (England)430 kmLondonTrains per day: 27|Popular trains:
LNER
London430 kmNewcastle (England)Trains per day: 25|Popular trains:LNER
Aberdeen206 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:ScotRail
Edinburgh206 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 14|Popular trains:LNER
Leeds298 kmLondonTrains per day: 33|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
London298 kmLeedsTrains per day: 22|Popular trains:LNER
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Fort William186 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Glasgow186 kmFort WilliamTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:ScotRail
Inverness287 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:LNER
Glasgow287 kmInvernessTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:ScotRail
Sheffield264 kmLondonTrains per day: 44|Popular trains:East Midlands Railway
London264 kmSheffieldTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:LNER
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Inverness278 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Edinburgh278 kmInvernessTrains per day: 11|Popular trains:ScotRail
London93 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 164|Popular trains:Thames Link
Cambridge93 kmLondonTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:Thames Link
London203 kmNottinghamTrains per day: 26|Popular trains:East Midlands Railway
Nottingham203 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:East Midlands Railway
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Manchester294 kmLondonTrains per day: 38|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London294 kmManchesterTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
Liverpool50 kmManchesterTrains per day: 34|Popular trains:Northern Railway
Manchester50 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:Northern Railway
Edinburgh326 kmYorkTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:LNER
York326 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 30|Popular trains:LNER
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Glasgow362 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:
Transpennine Express
Liverpool362 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:Northern Railway
York404 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:CrossCountry
Birmingham472 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:CrossCountry
Glasgow472 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
Glasgow404 kmYorkTrains per day: 18|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Dublin180 kmBelfastTrains per day: 8|Popular trains:
Irish Train
Belfast180 kmDublinTrains per day: 8|Popular trains:NITrains
York302 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:LNER
London302 kmYorkTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:LNER
Birmingham180 kmLondonTrains per day: 49|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
London180 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 51|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
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Liverpool309 kmLondonTrains per day: 25|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London309 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
Glasgow641 kmLondonTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
London641 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
Edinburgh75 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 100|Popular trains:ScotRail
Glasgow75 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 64|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Lille265 kmLondonLondon265 kmLilleAmsterdam580 kmLondonTrains per day: 18|Popular trains:
Eurostar
,Eurostar
,IC (BeNe)
,TGV INOUI
,Eurostar Red (Thalys)
London580 kmAmsterdamEdinburgh534 kmLondonTrains per day: 24|Popular trains:LNER
London342 kmParis -
Paris342 kmLondonLondon534 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:
LNER
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Peterborough53 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
Cambridge53 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:CrossCountry
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Peterborough450 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:
LNER
Edinburgh450 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:LNER
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Cambridge530 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
Edinburgh530 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 9|Popular trains:LNER
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Belfast160 kmDublin airportTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:
Dublin Express
Dublin airport160 kmBelfastTrains per day: 16|Popular trains:Dublin Express
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London360 kmBrussels AirportTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:
TGV INOUI
Brussels Airport360 kmLondonTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:IC (BeNe)
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London350 kmManchester airportTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
Manchester airport350 kmLondonTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
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Bath350 kmYorkTrains per day: 9|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
York350 kmBathTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:CrossCountry
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Mallaig90 kmFort WilliamTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Fort William70 kmMallaigTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Perth190 kmInvernessTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Inverness190 kmPerthTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Bath58 kmCardiffTrains per day: 19|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
York92 kmManchesterTrains per day: 36|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
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Cardiff58 kmBathTrains per day: 19|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
Manchester92 kmYorkTrains per day: 56|Popular trains:Transpennine Express
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Mallaig160 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Glasgow160 kmMallaigTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Windsor (England)43 kmLondonTrains per day: 37|Popular trains:
South Western Railway
London43 kmWindsor (England)Trains per day: 35|Popular trains:South Western Railway
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London715 kmInvernessTrains per day: 4|Popular trains:
LNER
Inverness715 kmLondonTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Liverpool283 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 14|Popular trains:
Northern Railway
Brussels370 kmLondon -
London370 kmBrusselsRotterdam350 kmLondon
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London350 kmRotterdamEdinburgh283 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 10|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
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Manchester281 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:
Transpennine Express
Edinburgh281 kmManchesterTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:CrossCountry
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Stirling50 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:
LNER
Edinburgh50 kmStirlingTrains per day: 22|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Inverness133 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Aberdeen133 kmInvernessTrains per day: 5|Popular trains:ScotRail
-
London232 kmCardiffTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
Cardiff232 kmLondonTrains per day: 27|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
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Bristol189 kmLondonTrains per day: 42|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
London189 kmBristolTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
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Bath171 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
London171 kmBathTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
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Brighton81 kmLondonTrains per day: 179|Popular trains:
Thames Link
London81 kmBrightonTrains per day: 198|Popular trains:Thames Link
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Oxford106 kmLondonTrains per day: 60|Popular trains:
Great Western Railway
London106 kmOxfordTrains per day: 64|Popular trains:Great Western Railway
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Peterborough123 kmLondonTrains per day: 113|Popular trains:
Thames Link
Chester28 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 233|Popular trains:Merseyrail
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Liverpool28 kmChesterTrains per day: 251|Popular trains:
Merseyrail
London123 kmPeterboroughTrains per day: 99|Popular trains:Thames Link
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Birmingham141 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 23|Popular trains:
London Midland Railway
Liverpool141 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 20|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
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Coventry151 kmLondonTrains per day: 43|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London151 kmCoventryTrains per day: 39|Popular trains:London Midland Railway
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Aberdeen245 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 12|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Glasgow245 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Newcastle (England)430 kmLondonTrains per day: 27|Popular trains:
LNER
London430 kmNewcastle (England)Trains per day: 25|Popular trains:LNER
-
Aberdeen206 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Edinburgh206 kmAberdeenTrains per day: 14|Popular trains:LNER
-
Leeds298 kmLondonTrains per day: 33|Popular trains:
Transpennine Express
London298 kmLeedsTrains per day: 22|Popular trains:LNER
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Fort William186 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Glasgow186 kmFort WilliamTrains per day: 2|Popular trains:ScotRail
-
Inverness287 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:
LNER
Glasgow287 kmInvernessTrains per day: 7|Popular trains:ScotRail
-
Sheffield264 kmLondonTrains per day: 44|Popular trains:
East Midlands Railway
London264 kmSheffieldTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:LNER
-
Inverness278 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 13|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Edinburgh278 kmInvernessTrains per day: 11|Popular trains:ScotRail
-
London93 kmCambridgeTrains per day: 164|Popular trains:
Thames Link
Cambridge93 kmLondonTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:Thames Link
-
London203 kmNottinghamTrains per day: 26|Popular trains:
East Midlands Railway
Nottingham203 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:East Midlands Railway
-
Manchester294 kmLondonTrains per day: 38|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London294 kmManchesterTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
-
Liverpool50 kmManchesterTrains per day: 34|Popular trains:
Northern Railway
Manchester50 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 31|Popular trains:Northern Railway
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Edinburgh326 kmYorkTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:
LNER
York326 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 30|Popular trains:LNER
-
Glasgow362 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:
Transpennine Express
Liverpool362 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:Northern Railway
-
York404 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 15|Popular trains:
CrossCountry
Birmingham472 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:CrossCountry
-
Glasgow472 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 1|Popular trains:
Transpennine Express
Glasgow404 kmYorkTrains per day: 18|Popular trains:ScotRail
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Dublin180 kmBelfastTrains per day: 8|Popular trains:
Irish Train
Belfast180 kmDublinTrains per day: 8|Popular trains:NITrains
-
York302 kmLondonTrains per day: 28|Popular trains:
LNER
London302 kmYorkTrains per day: 29|Popular trains:LNER
-
Birmingham180 kmLondonTrains per day: 49|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London180 kmBirminghamTrains per day: 51|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
-
Liverpool309 kmLondonTrains per day: 25|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London309 kmLiverpoolTrains per day: 35|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
-
Glasgow641 kmLondonTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:
Avanti West Coast
London641 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 17|Popular trains:Avanti West Coast
-
Edinburgh75 kmGlasgowTrains per day: 100|Popular trains:
ScotRail
Glasgow75 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 64|Popular trains:ScotRail
-
Lille265 kmLondonLondon265 kmLille
-
Amsterdam580 kmLondonTrains per day: 18|Popular trains:
Eurostar
,Eurostar
,IC (BeNe)
,TGV INOUI
,Eurostar Red (Thalys)
London580 kmAmsterdam -
Edinburgh534 kmLondonTrains per day: 24|Popular trains:
LNER
London342 kmParis -
Paris342 kmLondonLondon534 kmEdinburghTrains per day: 21|Popular trains:
LNER
F.A.Q.
Commonly Asked Questions About Rail Travel in the UK
Does the UK have a high-speed rail?
The British rail map boasts an impressive number of routes and 5 high-speed rail lines, connecting most of the major British cities. The work on developing England's train system and increasing the number of high-speed lines is underway.
Where can you go by train in England?
The UK rail map covers all major English cities, such as London, Leeds, York, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, and Manchester as well as other significant British cities, including Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. What is more, the England rail map boasts a number of international routes available, including trains to France, Netherlands, and Belgium.
What is the busiest train station in England?
The title of "The Busiest Rail Station in England" for many years goes to London Waterloo, welcoming more than 94 million travelers every year (not counting interchanges).
What is the oldest train station in England?
The first intercity railway station that used steam locomotives was Liverpool's Crown Street, opened to the public on September 15, 1830, and demolished 6 years later. The oldest train station still in use is the Broad Green in Liverpool, opened on September 17, 1830.
How soon can you reserve a seat on British rail?
A preplanned trip is always less stressful (and expensive) than a spontaneous journey. The Rail Ninja service allows booking British rail tickets for up to 2 years prior to your trip, making planning your holiday in advance very easy.
Why are trains so expensive in the UK?
Yes, train travel in the UK is not the cheapest way to make a journey through the beautiful country, but top-notch service is never cheap. The price of rail tickets in England not only covers comfortable seats but also offers clean and spacious cabins with plenty of luggage space and great onboard amenities. Taking a high-speed train also allows you to save time. Opting for a train ride is a sure way to avoid being stuck in traffic or having to lose time at the airport, waiting for the departure. Taking it all into account, the train tickets in the UK provide excellent value for the money.