Save Money (or at least touring time) on Overnight Trains

Consider taking longer trips on an overnight train. You can often buy a couchetteor bunk on a train from the conductor (check when you purchase your ticket). You'll save a hotel and a day of travel.

11. Train Station

Being at the right train station
Some European cities may have more than one train station. Therefore, inquire beforehand from which station your train is scheduled to leave.

Right platform / Right train
In railroad stations, trains are listed chronologically either on a omputerized

board or on poster timetables, yellowfor departure, white for arrival.

On computerized boards, indicated next to the departure time, you will find the rain category, destination and platform/track number from which the train departs.

Right car / Right seat
As some trains may split at certain junctions, one part going one way and the other another way or stopping, make sure when you board the train that you is seated in the right part.

Furthermore some stations display on the platform in chronological order a diagram of the composition of all long-distance trains using that platform.

This diagram illustrates the location of each car making the train, beginning with the locomotive. Often it even refers to a position letter or number displayed on the platform. If in doubt, ask the control staff on the platform.

If you have a reservation, you are ensured that you are seated in the right

car. You must match the number shown on your reservation ticket with

car and seat number.

Each car also shows whether it's 1st or 2nd class by number displayed on its side.

Use the following information for your dialogue.

1. You can save money and time by buying tickets online:

- You avoid the need to queue (this saves you time and may stop you from missing your train).
- You can see the prices of all of the available tickets.

- Tickets which are bought in advance can be much cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

2. The train fare system in the UK is complicated, so you need to be careful to avoid paying more than necessary. Note the following:

- If you travel by train several times a year, you can save money by purchasing a railcard before you travel.

- Tickets which are bought in advance can be much cheaper than tickets bought on the day of travel.

- Tickets for trains leaving after the morning rush-hour has finished (eg 09:30 or 10:00) are usually cheaper.

- Day return tickets are cheaper than tickets which allow you to return on a different day.
- Day return tickets sometimes restrict the times of the train used for the return journey (to avoid the evening rush-hour on weekdays)

- Discounts are sometimes available for people travelling as a group during off-peak times. For example, Group Save 4 tickets allow 4 people to travel together for the price of 2 people.

- There are sometimes long queues at the ticket offices of busy stations, especially in London. It may be quicker if you use the ticket machines.

- Usually you have to buy a ticket before you get on a train. If you get on a train without a ticket you may have to pay a fine or to buy a more expensive ticket.

3. You can also find out train information by telephoning National Railway enquiries on 08457 484950 (24 hours a day; local rate phone charges apply). You cannot buy tickets from this number.

4. Note that engineering works sometimes affect journeys, especially at weekends and during holiday periods (for example at Easter, or between Christmas and New Year).
On weekdays trains are less likely to be delayed if you travel at non-peak times.
To check information about travel delays, look at the website of the train company or see: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins. ([eɪʧ] double [tiː] [piː] colon ['kəulɔn] double slash three ['dʌb(ə)ljuː] full stop nationalrail full stop co full stop uk slash service bulletins ['bulɪtɪn])

To plan a journey by public transport between two places in the UK, see: http://www.transportdirect.info.
To plan a journey by public transport between two places in London, see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/journeyplanner.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1116