here are countless benefits to travelling by train.
It’s an eco-friendlier form of travel compared to driving or flying and can often be cheaper, quicker and more relaxing.
But as with any form of travel, there are numerous mistakes that can prove costly and stressful. Here, you can learn about some of the most common mistakes people make when travelling by train, as well as advice on how to make your journey as smooth as possible.
Here are 5 of the most common mistakes UK train travellers make.
Waiting until the last minute to book tickets
If you know in advance that you’ll be travelling via train, it’s essential that you book your train tickets in advance.
Booking ahead of time will always give you the best possible price, whereas waiting until the very last minute could see you paying almost double what you would have paid a month or two beforehand.
Popular routes tend to fill up quickly, so depending on where and when you’re travelling you should absolutely book well in advance to avoid missing out on a seat altogether.
Bringing too much luggage
While the majority of trains in the UK don’t have luggage restrictions you should still be mindful of how much luggage you’re bringing onto a train.
When packing for a trip, bear in mind that you’ll have to find a spot on a luggage rack and that you’ll have to carry your luggage on and off the train. For the most relaxing experience, it’s best to travel light.
Not checking your itinerary
It’s absolutely essential that you take the time to check the details of your journey so that you can avoid any costly missteps.
Before travelling, make sure you know where you need to be and when you need to get there, as well as the name of the station you’ll be getting off at.
It’s not uncommon for journeys in the UK to involve transfers at certain stops, so make sure you know if you need to change trains at any point in your journey.
Sitting in the wrong seat
Different train companies use different seating arrangements, so it’s important to understand which one you’re using.
Generally, you’ll be able to choose your seat when booking, and your seat number will be printed on your ticket. To avoid any confusion, it’s best to make sure you know which carriage and seat you’ll be in before you begin your journey.
Arriving too late
To avoid any delays to your journey you should aim to arrive at the station well before your train is due to depart. This will give you the opportunity to make sure that you have everything you need and that you know exactly where you need to be.
For busier train routes, arriving early can help you beat the crowds, immediately making your journey significantly less stressful.
While you don’t need to arrive as early as you would for a flight, it helps to be at the station around 30 minutes before departure.
With National Rail you can plan your journey, get live status updates and book tickets in advance. Visit our website today for a stress-free train journey.
