Guides
Practical how-to guides for UK rail travellers — from Delay Repay claims and ticket types to quiet coaches, door-side predictions, and route comparisons.
- How-to
Birmingham to Manchester by train - route and ticket guide
A guide to travelling by train from Birmingham to Manchester. Covers the CrossCountry and Transport for Wales services that run direct on the cross-country route via Stafford and Stoke-on-Trent. Compares journey times, fare ranges, and what to expect at both stations.
- How-to
London to Birmingham by train - operators, times and ticket guide
A detailed guide to travelling by train from London to Birmingham. Covers Avanti West Coast and West Midlands Railway services, journey times by operator, which platform to expect at Euston and New Street, typical fare ranges, and what facilities to expect at both stations.
- How-to
London to Brighton by train - terminal, operator and ticket help
A practical guide to travelling from London to Brighton by train. Compares the three London terminals (Victoria, London Bridge, Blackfriars), the three operators (Gatwick Express, Southern, Thameslink), journey times, ticket prices, and what to expect at Brighton station. Covers the Gatwick Airport express stop and the Brighton Main Line.
- How-to
London to Cambridge by train - Kings Cross vs Liverpool Street route
A guide to the two distinct rail routes from London to Cambridge. Compares the faster Kings Cross route (Great Northern, Thameslink) with the Liverpool Street route (Greater Anglia). Covers journey times, ticket prices, which operator to pick, and practical tips for both routes.
- How-to
London to Edinburgh by train - LNER, Lumo and route options
A comprehensive guide to travelling by train from London to Edinburgh. Compares the East Coast route (LNER, Lumo) with the West Coast alternative (Avanti). Covers journey times by operator, seat reservations, first class options, delay repay thresholds, and what to expect at Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley.
- How-to
Manchester to Liverpool by train - operators and station guide
A practical guide to travelling by train between Manchester and Liverpool. Compares the three operators on this busy Northern corridor — TransPennine Express, East Midlands Railway, and Northern. Covers the journey time difference, the choice of Liverpool stations (Lime Street vs South Parkway), and typical fare ranges for this 45-minute route.
- How-to
London to Manchester by train - a complete guide
A detailed guide to travelling by train from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly. Covers Avanti West Coast's Pendolino fleet, journey times by service type, fare breakdowns by time of day, which platform you'll typically depart from, and what to expect at both stations.
- How-to
Delay Repay — what you can and can't claim for
A practical guide to what qualifies for Delay Repay compensation on UK trains, covering common scenarios, edge cases, and what won't be accepted.
- How-to
Step-free access at UK train stations - category guide
A practical guide to understanding National Rail's step-free access categories (A, B1, B2, B3, and C), how many stations fall into each, and how to check a station's accessibility on Railly.
- How-to
What facilities to expect at UK train stations
A practical guide to what facilities are available at UK train stations, how common each one is, and how to check your station before you travel.
- How-to
How quiet coaches work on UK trains and how to find the least busy coach
Learn how quiet coaches and carriage loading work on UK trains. How Railly's unique coach-by-coach loading data helps you find the quietest carriage on your train.
- How-to
How to claim Delay Repay — a complete guide
A step-by-step guide to claiming compensation for delayed or cancelled UK train journeys, covering eligibility thresholds, how to use Railly to find claims, and which TOC portal to use.
- How-to
How to save money on UK train tickets - split ticketing and Railcards
Practical strategies to reduce your UK train travel costs by 30-80%. Covers split ticketing, Railcard discounts, Advance fares, season tickets, and when each strategy works best.
- How-to
Understanding UK rail tickets - Advance, Off-Peak and Anytime
A clear guide to the three main UK rail ticket categories -- Advance, Off-Peak, and Anytime. Learn which is cheapest, how they work, and when you can use each type.
- How-to
Which side do train doors open at UK stations?
Find out which side train doors open at UK stations before you arrive. How to use Railly's door-side predictor for a faster exit at your stop.