Hello BF friends! I'm a bit anxious in taking the train. Planning to go to Bristol by myself one of these days. Is it the same system as LRT/MRT in Manila? Well, except for the overloading and the like Hope someone could share some experiences and tips in getting used to public transports here in the UK. Thank you!
MMMhhhhh... No experience of Manila......... Normally what happens is.. Buy ticket........ (You can reserve a seat) Board the right train... Find your seat. Open and read book, Kindle, iPad, whatever. Listen for announcements Alight on arrival.. Bingo.
I have been on the LRT in Manila, UK Intercity trains like Virgin are more like a business class flight seats, there is no comparison, the LRT is closer to the London underground, cramped standing room only trains made of really poor materials and so on. Some local regional services here are on quite poor rolling stock as well, the Northern Line runs some pretty poor trains.
No idea where you will be travelling from to bristol, but these links may assist? http://www.thetrainline.com/ https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/ Rail maps http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/css/OfficialNationalRailmapsmall.pdf http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stati...utemaps/nationalrailoperatorsmapzoomSep14.pdf Bristol Temple Meads Station is the Main Station close to the shops http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/BRI/details.aspx http://visitbristol.co.uk/about-bristol/travel-and-maps/bristol-maps Rail travel is cheapest when you choose to travel during the weekend or not during peak times
You have good advice there. Be sure to BOOK IN ADVANCE as the "walk up" fares are much higher. You will enjoy the journey, but you may not enjoy paying for it! (oh, by the way British Rail sandwiches are the stuff of legend - and not in a good way! )
The big problem with booking UK trains in advance is that advance booking might restrict you to travel on a specific train (or trains) at a specific time. If you miss that train, tough you need to buy a new ticket at full fare. If you accidentally get the wrong train, tough, you face a big fine. Typically my UK train journeys cost £20 - £30 so I prefer to keep the flexibility, for longer journeys I might possibly consider it.
I was on both the tube and mainline trains today. Some of the modern tube trains and platforms are very good and are just that ie modern. The mainline was fine aswell. Mrs Ash is quite impressed with them.
But not different to any of the good Philippines long distance coach services, except that the stopping points are not as clean and nice.
If choosing coach (bus) some links http://traveline.info/ http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx http://uk.megabus.com/Default.aspx
One of the points my wife makes is on safety. She says she feels a lot safer travelling here using public transport.
Take the train! You will enjoy it. If you book a seat, get one by the window on the right side of the train going and the left side of the train coming back - you won't get the sun (if any!) in your eyes, and the train gives the best possible views of the countryside.
Just wanna share a funny experience on our way to Bath. My husband and I arrived Glos Train station about 10 minutes early, insisted to board the train and tried to sit back and relax.. Until the last minute I realized that something was wrong, we immediately got off and boarded the next train, which is the correct one. If you can only imagine my husband's face! Was forcing myself not to laugh. He won't trust me with directions anymore and chooses to drive after that!
Don't worry, Anne; we have all done it! I once did even better - at the old Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong, There were several Cathay Pacific flights that left for Europe from adjacent gates soon after 11pm every night. I was flying to London, presented my boarding card, strolled down the aerobridge, found my seat, stowed my carry on bag and had got well settled in when I heard the familiar Australian voice from the cockpit on the public address system: "Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome aboard this Cathay Pacific flight to Rome; we are just waiting for the last few passengers..." I was out of there like a jack in the box - ran round to the next gate and got the right flight.... This is perfectly true.
So I'm not alone! Good thing we got off before the service departs! Like @Dave_E said, we're going to be charged of a big fine..
You obviously don't get First Great Western into London Paddington. What happens there is: Go to Train Station. Check board to see if train is on time. It is. Buy ticket. Wait on Platform. Watch train details disappear from the Departures board as its due arrival time passes. Look around at other waiting passengers as all subsequent trains get marked "Cancelled" to see that they are equally non-plussed. Get refund. Go home. Go back to bed.
