Buying Train Tickets Online

[Maria P. Shaver]

Buying train tickets online is fast, convenient and easy. However, there are some downsides to doing so. For one, if you don't make your booking well in advance, you may find that the ticket you get isn't valid on the day you're travelling. There are also restrictions on the refunds available. It's a good idea to find out about these before you purchase your train tickets.

A great way to buy train tickets online is to visit the official website of the railway company that you're planning to travel with. These sites often have special deals and discounts that can help you save money. Some companies, such as China Highlights, will deliver your tickets directly to your hotel. This can cut down on your travel time by 30 minutes to an hour.

Another option is to use a credit card to buy your tickets. This can help you avoid any foreign currency transaction fees. You can also use a Curve card to take advantage of the better exchange rates found in foreign ATMs.

Another way to get discounted train tickets is to buy a railcard. This can be a useful if you plan to visit several countries. Many operators offer cheap budget-airline style fares, but you can also choose a more flexible full-price ticket. This is great if you're only taking a few trips, but can be expensive for longer journeys.

The cheapest tickets are typically within the same country. For example, if you're going to Paris on a train from London, you'll pay the same price whether you buy your ticket two months ahead of time or on the day you leave.

There are several websites that allow you to buy train tickets in the UK. For example, Trainline, Bahn and CrossCountry. You'll need to enter your departure and destination, the number of passengers traveling with you, and your preferred payment method. You'll then be presented with a shopping basket page. On this page, you'll be asked to confirm which type of ticket you're buying and how you'll collect it. If you're using a credit card, you'll need to fill in your billing address and your card details. You should also read the terms and conditions before you purchase a train ticket.

You can also buy train tickets through an agent. Several European national rail companies, such as PKP and Eurostar, let you buy your tickets online at going European prices. If you're in the US, you can also use an Amtrak "Saver Fare," which is a discounted train ticket. This can be helpful if you're planning to take a long train trip, but remember to check the ticket's validity before you buy it.

The site also offers a selection of rail carriage photos. You can select which seats you'd like to sit in and you'll also be able to see the seat availability on each train.

While buying train tickets online isn't the quickest way to get around, it can be an efficient way to save money. In addition, you'll have the added bonus of having your ticket delivered to your smartphone.