Train travel in the UK can be confusing at best, so I’ve put together a brief guide to getting around mainland England, and in particular the best ways to use public transport in London.

Around the UK

National rail operates the trains within England, with different routes being covered by different train companies. You can check the timetable here, and buy tickets at a number of ticket providers online (e.g. National Rail, TheTrainLine), direct from the train company’s website (e.g. EastCoast, First Great Western, Southern Trains, Virgin Trains) or call center, or at ticket offices or from automated machines in stations. You can buy tickets in advance of the date you want to travel, and some companies allow you to reserve seats if you book online or over the phone.
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