Train

Are you a train Virgin?

Advantages: fast, few delays
Disadvantages: occasional delays, cost if booked late

...this route is operated by Virgin Trains and has been for several years. Thankfully these days the booking process is somewhat easier than it used to be, having to go in to the train station to book tickets I always found a somewhat draining experience as there was invariably a queue of people apparently wanting to purchase tickets for the next train due and only one counter open, now you can book online at one of several sites, my preference is virgins ...
...best rates of cashback (currently virgin trains are offering £4 per booking via topcashback). Once you have your tickets booked what sort of service should you expect on the trains? Well contrary to many opinions the trains operated on this line are among the most modern rolling stock on the line's today as the West Coast Main is the home of the 'tilting' train the Pendolino, distinctively liveried in Virgin colours of Red, Yellow and Silver/Grey ...

scuba_angel 02.11.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Virgin Trains

My journey through the Channel Tunnel

Advantages: 35 minutes crossing time. Quicker to continue your journey the other side.
Disadvantages: More expensive and no restaurants.

I have crossed the Channel on many occasions, both using the ferries and the Channel Tunnel. I prefer to use the Tunnel but I think that it is better to buy the tickets before you travel as I have found it cheaper than buying them at the terminus. Unfortunately there is no where to buy food and drink on the train and so it is advisable to buy a take-away meal/drinks/snacks from the tax-free shops in the waiting area before you board. Both the English ...
...Channel, therefore when you disembark there are no customs to go through. I have found it quite easy to drive on and off the train, as you are marshalled to a compartment for the duration of your journey. You can however, walk along the train using access doors . Toilets are available on the journey. In my view it is faster than using the ferries (35 mins compared to over an hour on the ferry). I have not found it at all claustrophobic and is similar ...

MAGIC8602 01.06.2009 · Read full review
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Review of England to France - Channel Tunnel

Eurostar - Fantastic Value For Money

Advantages: inexpensive, reliable, fast, refreshments available on board, more comfortable than many airlines
Disadvantages: Lack of boarding information in Gare du Nord

...a return ticket on the Eurostar for just £49.00. In my opinion this was fantastic value, especially considering that a train from Liverpool to London (a similar distance) will set you back at least £65. The journey itself was pleasant, with both journeys arriving and departing on time. The only problem that we did experience was embarking for the return journey. There was little information displayed, and as there were a large number of people in ...
...experience. My recommendations to anybody wishing to travel using the Eurostar is to be flexible with dates and times in order to get the correct price, and to be aware that people may be checking in for different departures, with little information available to advise when to board the train. ...

bexx87 19.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of Eurostar

Cheap and convenient way to travel

Advantages: Easy to use and affordable
Disadvantages: Overbrowded and too hot

...than having to suffer the London Underground. I usually go to London for a weekend of 2 in the summer and every time that I do, I come back thankful that I don't have to get the tube every day. In case you don't know, it is Britain's largest and oldest underground rail network. It also feels like the hottest. The amount of people using it is increasing all the time and rush hour can be unbearable. Even at non rush hour times, the tourist industry ...
...As I have only used it in summer, I can only comment on that but it has been unbearably hot. This basically means that even if you are only on it for 5 or 10 minutes, you inevitably get off looking sweaty and disheveled. It also unfortunately means that there are a lot of people who smell quite bad, who you are likely to be pressed up against. Because I am tiny, I invariably end up jammed in people's armpits for the duration of my journey, which ...

SiameseK 07.11.2009 · Read full review
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Review of London Underground

it pays to be young with this railcard

Advantages: save 1/3 on all fares, even advance ones, definite savings in year
Disadvantages: some of the restrictions about travelling early in the week

If you are aged between 16-25 or a mature student, and in full time education, travel by train a lot, or make more than just one or two big trips a year it is quite simply madness not to get one of these. It is possible to save more then the £26 annual cost in one trip. For example I travel by train very regularly and a return bought on the day for the trip I make most often without railcard would be in the region of £90. When purchased with the ...
...bigger savings than this, as I often do, by buying several weeks in advance, either on the internet or in person at a manned station. What is good about this is that you still receive 1/3 off an already heavily discounted price. There are a couple of problems with this card. For starters if you want to use the card before 10am monday to fridays then a £12 minimum charge applies, so if you want to use it to commute short distances to work for example, ...

adamp123 24.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Discount Railcards