Train Travel In UK

Train journeys have certainly come along way over the last couple of years in the UK. I recently took a train journey and was pleasantly surprised how much better the train experience can be. It will obviously depend on which company you have your train journey with and if it is a mainline route since small trips away from the main cities won’t be able to invest as much as the bigger train companies.

Many now offer fairly new trains with an array of features making those couple of hours much more pleasurable. You can find power points so business travellers can continue to work on the train with some offering internet connections so they can keep in touch with clients and the office, the train can be a mobile office. Those travelling on their own possible going to visit friends or family can ensure their mobiles are kept charged so they can call and text throughout their journey and even take laptops to Skype, study or play games on the train to keep them occupied.

Trains are more reliable than they were five years ago arriving on time and services offered are greatly improved and as they look to compete with the low cost airlines offer a viable alternative to taking a plane down to London or up to Edinburgh.

Train companies are now advertising their services on-line and using the internet to sell train tickets too. It benefits us consumers as it avoids a trip down to the train station or calling a call centre to book the ticket as well avoiding the stress it should reduce costs for operators benefiting us again in cheaper tickets. We can also check regularly for special deals or promotions to ensure we pay the least for our train tickets.

If you regularly use air travel do consider taking the train next time, I was pleasantly surprised with the service and benefits over the plane. Trains don’t take much more time than a plane when you factor in checking in and waiting for flights so why not give it a go next time.

Indian Railways (IR) is a railway company, set-up and owned by the government of India. Established on 16th April in the year 1853, the Indian Railways has since become one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. It runs across 28 cities and one union territory, covering 6909 stations in India. It operates over 9,000 trains transporting 18 million passengers across cities on a daily basis.

A plan for a railway system in India was put forward in 1832 during the British Raj, but was put in to action over a decade later in 1844.The first ever passenger train ran from Bori Bandar to Thane on the 16th of April, 1853.The Indian Railways operates many types of trains ranging from long distance goods trains to short distance electric trains. The Indian Railways has been divided in to 7 zones for administrative purposes.

Train is often a better mode of travel, particularly for visiting places in India as it gives you the opportunity to see quaint towns and small villages which are often otherwise missed by tourists.

Indian Railways requires advance reservations for all long distance trains. The Indian Railways passenger enquiry offers a detailed list of destinations and trains that you can pick from. You can then use the IR time table and schedule to pick the train name, timing and check availability of train tickets. Train tickets can be booked online using the IR e-booking services or over the counter at the railway stations. To reserve train tickets and to use other railway services, IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation), an initiative by the Indian railway ministry, is also widely used. It is a one stop platform offering multiple services like e-ticketing (online train ticket reservations), tourist trains, railway tour packages, car rentals and hotels bookings. It has a 24 hour call center to cater to all your queries or enquiries relating to train timings, reservations and tour bookings.

The status of reservation of the Indian Railways ticket can be checked by checking the pnr status. The PNR number is the ten digit number printed on the top left corner of the ticket. The PNR status can be checked by entering this number online on the IR website, by sending the number by SMS to a special IR short code or by calling the call center / toll free number.

The Indian Railways also operates specialized luxury trains to select destinations across India. The list of luxury trains includes the ‘Palace on Wheels’, which takes you through an enchanting royal journey through Agra and Rajasthan; ’Deccan Odyssey’, a journey through Mumbai, Goa and Ajanta Caves, ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’, which takes you through a royal journey through Rajasthan; Fairy Queen, which covers Delhi, Alwar and the Tiger Reserve, ‘Royal Orient’ , a lavish tour of Rajasthan and Gujarat and Shekhavati train ,which takes you on an enchanting trip to Jaipur, Bikaner and Udaipur etc.

What does iXiGO offer?

iXiGO offers quick searches on all trains across India. All you have to do is to select your place of departure and destination from the easy to navigate iXiGO website. You will find all train related information including the Indian Railways time table, schedule and station codes. Choose your travel dates, destinations, class (AX Tier 1, Tier 2, Sleeper etc) and whether it’s a one way or return journey and click search. The IXIGO search engine will pop up all the options matching your search instantly. We guarantee you the lowest train fares. You can pick the train that suits your needs and make a booking instantly. This is your one stop platform to research various trains, destinations and avail of the lowest fares and exciting deals. All this and more is just a click away!

Indian Railways (IR) is a railway company, set-up and owned by the government of India. Established on 16th April in the year 1853, the Indian Railways has since become one of the largest and busiest rail networks in the world. It runs across 28 cities and one union territory, covering 6909 stations in India. It operates over 9,000 trains transporting 18 million passengers across cities on a daily basis.

A plan for a railway system in India was put forward in 1832 during the British Raj, but was put in to action over a decade later in 1844.The first ever passenger train ran from Bori Bandar to Thane on the 16th of April, 1853.The Indian Railways operates many types of trains ranging from long distance goods trains to short distance electric trains. The Indian Railways has been divided in to 7 zones for administrative purposes.

Train is often a better mode of travel, particularly for visiting places in India as it gives you the opportunity to see quaint towns and small villages which are often otherwise missed by tourists.

Indian Railways requires advance reservations for all long distance trains. The Indian Railways passenger enquiry offers a detailed list of destinations and trains that you can pick from. You can then use the IR time table and schedule to pick the train name, timing and check availability of train tickets. Train tickets can be booked online using the IR e-booking services or over the counter at the railway stations. To reserve train tickets and to use other railway services, IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation), an initiative by the Indian railway ministry, is also widely used. It is a one stop platform offering multiple services like e-ticketing (online train ticket reservations), tourist trains, railway tour packages, car rentals and hotels bookings. It has a 24 hour call center to cater to all your queries or enquiries relating to train timings, reservations and tour bookings.

The status of reservation of the Indian Railways ticket can be checked by checking the pnr status. The PNR number is the ten digit number printed on the top left corner of the ticket. The PNR status can be checked by entering this number online on the IR website, by sending the number by SMS to a special IR short code or by calling the call center / toll free number.

The Indian Railways also operates specialized luxury trains to select destinations across India. The list of luxury trains includes the ‘Palace on Wheels’, which takes you through an enchanting royal journey through Agra and Rajasthan; ’Deccan Odyssey’, a journey through Mumbai, Goa and Ajanta Caves, ‘Royal Rajasthan on Wheels’, which takes you through a royal journey through Rajasthan; Fairy Queen, which covers Delhi, Alwar and the Tiger Reserve, ‘Royal Orient’ , a lavish tour of Rajasthan and Gujarat and Shekhavati train ,which takes you on an enchanting trip to Jaipur, Bikaner and Udaipur etc.

What does iXiGO offer?

iXiGO offers quick searches on all trains across India. All you have to do is to select your place of departure and destination from the easy to navigate iXiGO website. You will find all train related information including the Indian Railways time table, schedule and station codes. Choose your travel dates, destinations, class (AX Tier 1, Tier 2, Sleeper etc) and whether it’s a one way or return journey and click search. The IXIGO search engine will pop up all the options matching your search instantly. We guarantee you the lowest train fares. You can pick the train that suits your needs and make a booking instantly. This is your one stop platform to research various trains, destinations and avail of the lowest fares and exciting deals. All this and more is just a click away!

Train comfort has moved on since the age of steam. Booking tickets is easier than ever using online systems, and there are fare options to suit everyone.

The Golden Age of Steam may be long behind us, and Dr Beeching may have reduced the UK rail network, but train comfort has certainly moved on and the price of petrol is driving many of us off the roads. So, it’s time to take the train again!

One of the biggest leaps forward with rail travel is the ability to book tickets quickly, simply and conveniently: online.

There are usually a range of fare options including:

• Peak

• Off-peak

• Flexible travel times

• Business travel

• First class

Obviously prices vary with the fare options, each of which offers different flexibility, comfort or times.

Once you’ve booked your rail tickets you can take your time to make arrangements for your journey. We’re all so used to travelling by car on crowded roads – most of the time getting nowhere slowly – that we’ve forgotten that trains mostly run on time and get you to your destination in peace and comfort – and without being shouted and gesticulated at by drivers of other vehicles!

Settle down into your seat (often you can book a seat), pack your bags onto the overhead compartments, between the seats, or in luggage areas, and relax.

What will choose to do?

Watch the countryside go by? Read a book or a newspaper? Listen to your MP3 player? Watch a DVD on your personal player (with headphones of course)? Or chat with your fellow passengers over a drink, a snack or a meal?

No longer are trains made up of draughty and rattling carriages as they used to be. These days they are sealed and air-conditioned. Put your face towards the rain-slashed window, but don’t feel the wet and cold; feel the warmth instead.

Save your car, your stress and your petrol money. Book your family some rail tickets and relax on the train.