Train Tour Booking

gandalftheking

Hi,
I've been inspired by Michael Portillo's train travel programmes, and was wondering if there's any advisory/booking website to create a complete route, without speaking to multiple agencies/train companies?
So am looking maybe for a booking agency or a website that can handle a 'road trip' by train within the UK
Thanks

JulieM

https://www.seat61.com gives some useful information, also the Visit Britain website has a section on train travel.

Owain_Moneysaver

Apart from a few special offers, all train companies sell the same tickets at the same fares (as does your local staffed station, if you have one).

If you want hotels etc booked as part of the service you'll need to look at Travel Agents such as Superbreak

davenport151

Are you looking to visit multiple places in a set amount of time, for example a week or longer?
Or occasionally doing smaller trips.
If you are looking to cover a lot of England, Wales and Scotland you could do worse than purchasing an all line rover for a weeks travel [riced at £772.00 per adult. Giving you the freedom to switch trains and areas. (some morning restrictions apply on these -please check)
There are also rover and ranger tickets available that offer a similar thing over certain areas covering a day, a few days or a week or set days in a month; see link below. Note - some are better value than others.
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/rangers_and_rovers.aspx

We do this on a regular basis. Organising ourselves and choosing where we want to go and stay. Booking a travelodge or Prem Inn at the lower price.

I can also recommend http://www.seat61.com/

Happy travels!

gandalftheking

I'm looking at shorter day trips, maybe a couple of days, e.g. https://www.scenicrailbritain.com/lines/cambrian-lines
Starting from Cornwall area

JulieM

You could try GRJ Independent, it's part of the Great Rail Journeys group, they normally arrange escorted tours but are trying out a new system for those who want a bit more freedom. There isn't much information on their website yet but you could have a chat with them.

I've travelled with them on group rail holidays in the past and they've been ok, though I have to warn you a rail tour isn't for relaxation. You'll have a suitcase with you for much of the time so you'll need to pack light. It's not as easy as Michael makes it look and you won't arrive at your destination wearing a pristine linen jacket!

PDC

JulieM wrote: »

...It's not as easy as Michael makes it look and you won't arrive at your destination wearing a pristine linen jacket!

He always gets a seat as well
(I guess the trick is to travel off peak but even our local service is standing room only mid afternoons.)

suejb2

http://www.britrail.com.
I posted this yesterday then realised you have to be from outside the U.K. However, the site may give some travel tips.
Depending where you live can you get a sleeper train as far North/South then travel back in any direction you choose. As some have posted maybe using cheap Travelodge.
There's a book called "On the slow train 1" which implies there maybe more!

davenport151

gandalftheking wrote: »

I'm looking at shorter day trips, maybe a couple of days, e.g. https://www.scenicrailbritain.com/lines/cambrian-lines
Starting from Cornwall area

Don't forget you can book at any train operators website for anywhere in the UK. So no need to go to different sites.
Perhaps check out the split ticket pricing. Pick somewhere to stay where you want to explore a bit more.
Good choice on the Cumbrian coast. For a few days we don't find we need a lot. Most of it packs into a reasonably sized light rucksack so you are still quite mobile.

Pennywise

Also be aware that "split ticketing" can often be a lot cheaper than normal fares. I.e. instead of buying a ticket from A to C, you buy one ticket A to B and then another B to C - sometimes it can be a lot cheaper to "pretend" to get off at an intermediate station and then "pretend" to get on the same train to carry on. There are split ticketing websites.