Rail

Practicalities Getting There Rail UK 

Offers for Families

The UK rail network offers a family rail card for £20 for a year, entitling holders to one third off rail prices for two named cardholders travelling with between one and four children between five and fifteen years. The same discount is also offered to two other adults (not necessarily related) travelling with the same party. There is a 60% discount on the cost of child fares.

There is also a facility for unaccompanied children on certain routes called Kids First. For around £15 extra children can travel first class, unaccompanied by an adult but with a degree of supervision from on board staff.

Booking

National Rail Enquiries

An information bureau offering information on UK (not Ireland though do cover ferry links) rail timetables and ticket prices. Can then refer callers to the appropriate train operator for the journey. ‘The Gateway to Britain's National Rail Network' says the web site and it provides links to other sites which provide fares and timetables and sell tickets. Sections include railcards, train companies, today's train running information, disabled assistance, train company promotions, ticket types, and a site index which should make it easier than usual to locate specific information.

Qjump
Customer Service Department, 1st Floor, Milton House, Charter Row, Sheffield S1 4NX
tel: 08450 787337

A useful and fairly fast site the National Express Group, this service provides accurate and impartial rail information and ticketing for all Train Operating Companies within the UK. The service covers any standard rail ticket (business or leisure) available at the time of enquiry. Some sleeper tickets, Motorail, Eurostar and ferry services cannot currently be booked via this service, nor can Weekend First Supplements. There may also be some promotional tickets offered by individual Train Operating Companies which the site is not permitted to sell. However, journeys by London Underground can also be included where your journey starts or ends outside the London Underground area. Bookings can be made up to 12 weeks in advance and set reservations up to 8. If collecting a ticket at the station you can book up to 24 hours before travel. The site is able to take account of discount cards including a Family Railcard.

Trainline
tel: 08457 222333

Details timetables for trains anywhere in Britain (describes itself as offering journey planning), fares and availability plus on-line bookings and tickets reported delivered to your door in two working days or to be collected from participating stations.

The site was described as the fourth fastest of the Top 50 Internet sites in the UK in mid 2000. The option to request options between arrival and departure points on specified dates and via a third point if wished should make it a useful tool.

Totaljourney

A 50:50 venture between Railtrack and passenger transport group FirstGroup, the site is in effect a makeover of the rail timetable service www.railtrack.co.uk.

The site offers the option to check times of trains, describing itself as the definitive rail timetable, check costs, and book tickets on line.

In addition the site offers esential city guides and local entertainment listings, plus a choice of books and CDs available to buy online.
There are also listings of facilities available at stations across the UK.

Information

The Thomas Cook Rail Map of Great Britain & Ireland £6.95

Now in its second edition, covering all passenger railways in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales and colour coding all trade operator routes to help make planning easier.

The guide also highlights scenic rail routes and provides tourist information on main visitor attractions and tourist information offices at 200 destinations and lists all train operators.

You can buy the latest edition online at Thomas Cook .