For years, passengers have debated this topic; is there an optimum time for train travel? In this article, we are going to attempt to answer this question, by considering peak travel times, the time of year, the weather conditions and other factors that contribute to a satisfying train journey.
Avoid rush hour
Usually, trains start to get busy from 7am, Monday to Friday, as people start making their commute to work. This generally eases off at around 9.30am, when the country relaxes peak time fares. The same pattern begins again at around 4.30pm, when commuters are making the return journey from their offices, carrying on until 6pm. Train stations and services are usually at their busiest on a Friday and Sunday evening, which is the busiest time for passengers to travel a bit further for the weekend.
Which time of year is best
There is no specific time of year that is better to travel on the train than others, though Christmas is an exceptionally busy period. Those who live away from their families usually get the train home between the 19th and 27th of December, with train lines getting busier again just before New Year’s celebrations. There is also an influx of people travelling during the Easter period and summer. Another top tip is to book your train tickets 12 weeks in advance if you know your schedule, in order to get the cheapest rate.
It’s weather dependent
Some argue it is better to travel by train in the summer, because you are less likely to get caught up in delays due to bad weather. Bad weather can cause signals to fail, debris to be blown into the train line and in some extreme cases, flooding. Of course, similar issues can be encountered in the summer, where extremely warm weather can cause railway lines to buckle. There is a significantly higher chance of being caught out by train delays in the winter than the summer, however.
When should I book?
As we’ve already said, the best time to book your train ticket is 12 weeks in advance, if you want to guarantee yourself the very best deal. However, it is not uncommon for last minute deals, bought the night before or on the day of travel, to be just as cost effective. If you regularly make the same journey, it is worth investing in a season ticket, in order to save yourself some money and simply to spend less time purchasing tickets. Be sure to include a seat reservation in your booking, in order to guarantee maximum comfort during your journey.
Really, there is no ‘perfect’ time to travel by train, just times that should be avoided in order to save a bit of money and guarantee a more comfortable and enjoyable journey. As always, we recommend booking in advance to guarantee a seat reservation and a reasonably priced ticket.
