Why go
London is the hub of the British rail network - every major city in mainland Britain has a frequent train service to the capital, and most of the smaller, provincial cities and large towns also have a direct rail connection to London of some sort - although the frequency and quality of service can vary considerably from place to place.
What to look for
- Better deals can often be had by going directly to the train operator's website.
The full story
Rail fares to London vary enormously, from very cheap to prohibitively expensive. The central rules are to book Advance tickets for a particular train, avoid the busiest Friday and Sunday periods, and not leave buying long-distance tickets until the travel day. Ticket restrictions differ by fare type, and an Anytime return on a long journey from northern England or Scotland can be particularly expensive. Off-Peak tickets limit travel to specified services or time windows, while Advance tickets tie the passenger to a booked train. London has several intercity terminals rather than one central rail station, so the arrival point also affects the final local journey. Check the operator's current conditions before purchase because exchange and refund rules vary between fares and services.