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British Train Travel Overview - How to Buy Train Tickets and Book TrainTravel

By Ferne Arfin, About.com

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British Train Travel is the Fast and Easy Way to Get Around

Virgin Cross-Country Class 220 By Seawall at Dawlish

Virgin Cross-Country Class 220 By Seawall at Dawlish

Courtesy of ATOC
British train travel is the easiest and, usually, the fastest way of getting around the UK. The Brits love to complain about British train travel, but the truth is that:
  • unless you are a commuter riding the rails during the rush hour - when seats may be at a premium,
  • or you need to get some place so tiny and remote that three changes of train are required,
you are likely to find that British rail travel is a convenient and remarkably spontaneous way to get around.

You can get there from here

The British rail system has been around a long time, so the network is well established and extensive. Most major towns are connected to London and to each other by either direct services or links to regional hubs. Smaller communities may have less frequent service or may require changing trains a few times but chances are there's a train station nearby.

Tickets are easy to buy and useful journey planning tools are available online. If you are visiting the UK from abroad and think you will make more than two or three rail journeys, you can purchase a variety of BritRail passes before you leave home. They offer, savings, unlimited travel during specified periods and other perks and benefits.

Insider tip: Check a detailed map when you are planning a complicated rail journey. You may find that a community with more frequent or direct rail service is just a few miles or an inexpensive taxi ride away from one that can only be reached twice a week by changing trains six times!

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