Many students need help travelling when they first come to the UK. Driving is too tiring, taking a taxi is not cost-effective, the train has become the first choice. Today, I would like to introduce you to several standard UK train companies. When you travel to book tickets, in addition to the National Rail and Trainline query, you can also go to the following major British railway operator’s official website for booking and query; the official website will often release a variety of preferential activities, and you can aim at the time to buy tickets Oh.
According to the official website of Network Rail, there are 34 major train operators in the UK, most of which are named according to the distribution areas of the train routes, which is easy to understand, such as CrossCountry, East Midlands Railway, Northern, Southeastern, etc. In addition, there are several private railway operators in the UK. In addition, there are also several private train operators within the UK, operating routes that may be relatively local and niche. I would like to introduce a few familiar train companies in the UK without further ado.
CrossCountry
CrossCountry’s train routes cover a wide range of routes throughout the UK, and many of our friends travelling in the UK will often take its trains. CrossCountry’s train routes run from Aberdeen in the north to Plymouth in the south, Cardiff in the west and Cambridge in the east.
To summarise the main features of CrossCountry: firstly, the routes are widely distributed. You can download their app and book tickets on your mobile phone, which is very convenient. In addition, if you buy Anytime or Off-Peak type of train tickets, you can also book your seat in advance 10 minutes before the train departs; moreover, you will not be charged any handling fee for booking tickets at its home, and it will also select the cheapest tickets for you from any train operating company within the whole of the United Kingdom when you purchase tickets. If you’re travelling at a relaxed time, you can also find the best fares at the best times for the routes you’re travelling, and if you’re a registered user, you’ll often receive Special Offers in the mail and much more. Click through to their website to find out more.
East Midlands Railway
East Midlands Railway’s main routes are all centred in the east-central part of England, with the most southerly stop being the London St. Pancras International railway station, and the routes going as far north as Scarborough, where you can view detailed route maps. For example, if you are travelling from London to Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby or Leicester, or from these places to London, the East Midlands Railway will usually be the one to carry you.
The service of East Midlands family is excellent; they have 24/7 round-the-clock service, so if you encounter any situation such as a train delay and need a refund, drop your luggage, etc., you can reach the staff anytime. For train delays of 30-59 minutes, a Single Ticket can get 50% compensation, and a Return Ticket can get 25% compensation. If the delay is between 1 hour and 1 hour 59 minutes, a Single Ticket can get total fare compensation, and a Return Ticket can get 50% compensation; if the delay is 2 hours or more, both a Single Ticket and a Return Ticket can get full fare compensation.
Eurostar
Eurostar is a high-speed train from London St. Pancras station to Paris and Brussels, transporting travellers across Europe via the English Channel. Main stops: London St. Pancras, Kent, Paris, Brussels, Disneyland France and many more.
Eurostar is a 300km/h (186mph) super-fast train, the most popular and prestigious rail route connecting London and Paris. Once the Channel Tunnel is connected, it will take just 2 hours and 15 minutes to travel from London to Paris, 2 hours and 34 minutes to Disneyland, France and 1 hour and 51 minutes to Brussels, Belgium, on the Eurostar!
ScotRail
This is also an app for checking train tickets, and its name, ScotRail, suggests that it’s a great way to save money on short journeys within Scotland. ScotRail is part of Abellio Trains, which operates in Scotland, with significant stops in Scotland’s major cities: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, etc. If you’re studying in Scotland, you can use it to travel between several cities, including Aberdeen, Edinburgh, and Glasgow. If you are studying in Scotland and travelling between several towns, you will be travelling on this company’s trains. From October 2004 to March 2015, ScotRail was operated by FirstGroup, and from April 2015, ScotRail was under the responsibility of Abellio, renamed Abellio ScotRail.
LNER
LNER (London and North Eastern Railway) is one of the four major railway companies. It was formerly known as Virgin Trains and specialises in West Coast routes. The lines from the big group operate to relatively popular cities, connecting six of the UK’s biggest cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh. In addition to this, LNER’s main stations are Leicester and Sheffield.
Arriva Trains Wales
This railway is quite interesting and should not be outdone by the small size of Wales. Arriva Trains Wales specialises in Welsh and Border routes, including Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Holyhead, etc., and has stations in Chester and Birmingham in England. Somewhat unusually, Arriva Trains Wales offers a Welsh-language service with large station screens and bilingual announcements. It is said that their company is most famous for the border scenery along the way, but you need to go to the official website to apply, and only after consent can you take photos, so you must obey the rules.
FAQ
How many train companies are there in the UK?
There are currently 28 train operating companies in the United Kingdom. These companies provide various passenger services across Great Britain. The leading railway companies include Virgin Trains, Northern, ScotRail, and Eurostar.
Are all train companies in the UK owned by the government?
No, not all train companies in the UK are owned by the government. While some, such as Virgin Trains East Coast and South Eastern Trains, are operated by private companies under franchise agreements with the government, others, like Great Western Railway and Northern Rail, are owned by larger parent companies.
Can I bring my pet on a train in the UK?
Yes, most train companies allow small pets, such as cats and dogs, to travel with their owners on the train, but they must always be kept in a carrier or on a leash. Larger animals may require special arrangements and prior approval from the train company.
