Travelling by train can sometimes be confusing. It might be hard to know which station you need to travel to, which ticket type is best for you, and how long your journey will take. Using a national rail journey planner can help make the process easier.
The National Rail Journey Planner makes train travel much easier. Wherever it is you’re travelling, it can help you find the quickest routes and the best prices, making your journey a breeze.
It can be used on our mobile-friendly website or via our easy-to-use smartphone app, so you can start planning your journey wherever you are.
Here is everything you need to know about how to use the National Rail Journey Planner.
How to Use the National Rail Journey Planner
Using the Journey Planner is simple.
To begin, select the station you’re departing from and the station you’re travelling to, as well as whether you’re making a single or return journey, and then select your preferred departure and arrival times.
You can also select the number of passengers and add any railcards.
Once you’ve entered all of the relevant information, click ‘get times and prices’. Choose your preferred train, and you’ll be taken to a new page to review your journey and buy your tickets.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of the National Rail Journey Planner
The Journey Planner is the perfect tool for helping you find the best journey, but with a few tips, it can also help you save money on your travel.
Standard or first-class tickets
When viewing trains, you’ll have the option of selecting standard or first-class tickets.
First-class tickets are more expensive, but provide a quieter and more comfortable experience, often with added perks like larger tables, recliner seats or complimentary food and drink.
A standard train seat is still very comfortable, but if you’re looking for an extra bit of comfort then first-class tickets can easily be found using the Journey Planner.
Finding multiple train stations
Many big cities in the UK, like London, Liverpool and Manchester, have multiple train stations. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly which train station you need to travel to.
However, using the Journey Planner helps you find the right station, even if you’re not sure which is best.
When adding your departure and arrival points, just select the city name followed by (all stations). You’ll then see different train journeys with the best station options chosen for you.
Customise your journey with Journey Options
To make your journey as smooth as possible, you can also make use of different options that will help you customise different aspects of your travel.
For example, you can allow extra time to switch trains, show the fastest trains and show direct trains only.
To do this, simply click the Journey Options box when adding your departure and arrival destinations.
Conclusion
Our goal at National Rail is to make your train journey as affordable, comfortable and efficient as possible, and our Journey Planner can help you get exactly where you want to go, whether you’re commuting to work or you’re planning a day out.
Get started with the National Rail Journey Planner today.
