Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
SAILRAIL
A little-known option for travelling between the UK and Ireland, SailRail is an absolute bargain. The combined
train and ferry service connects all UK and Irish train stations, and by comparison to airlines' restrictive fare
rules, it's incredibly flexible. You can make changes to your booking, get a partial refund for some types of un-
used tickets and you can even rock up to a train station and buy your ticket on the day. And the best bit? Tickets
cost from just £31 one way, children aged five to 15 pay half-price and under fives go free (but must have a reser-
vation for the ferry). It's worth checking the main rail routes before booking to avoid unnecessary connections.
FARES
Trains in the UK are privatised and expensive in comparison to the rest of Europe. The fare structure is bewildering, but
in general the cheapest tickets are those bought well in advance.
Timetables and fares are available from
National Rail
( 08457 48 49 50;
www.nationalrail.co.uk
)
and
trainline
(
www.thetrainline.com
)
. The sample fares in the table on
Click here
are the cheapest options for next-day travel.
ENGLAND TO WALES TRAIN DEPARTURES
FROM
TO
COST (£)
TIME
Bristol
Cardiff
9
50min
Birmingham
Cardiff
24.50
2hr
London Paddington
Cardiff
34
2hr
London Euston
Bangor
38
3½hr
London Euston
Holyhead
38
4hr
Shrewsbury
Swansea
22
3hr
Shrewsbury
Llandrindod Wells
10.80
1½hr
Birmingham
Aberystwyth
14
3hr
Birmingham
Machynlleth
14
2¼hr
Chester
Holyhead
24.30
1¾hr
TRAINS TO ENGLAND
All rail connections from Continental Europe to Wales pass through the Channel Tunnel to London. The high-speed pas-
senger service
Eurostar
( in France 0892 35 35 39, in the UK 08705 186 186;
www.eurostar.com
) links London St
Pancreas International with Paris and Brussels. Like National Rail, the fare structure is baffling but, in short, it pays to
book early. Cheaper rail connections can be had by crossing the Channel by ferry.
