Direct to routine train travel tips

As summer comes to a close and September welcomes in a new academic year, many find themselves trying to transition smoothly back into their regular routine. 

Whether you’re a student heading back to university or a commuter getting back into the swing of things after a long summer break, we want to make your train travel routine as stress-free as possible. 

Explore our handy train travel tips to ease you back into your usual routine. 

 

A quick round-up of our back-to-routine travel tips

• Book your tickets in advance where possible
• Download your train tickets in advance
• Stay up to date with live updates ahead of your journey
• Travel light
• Don’t forget to bring some headphones and a portable charger
• Have a look at on-board menus in advance
• Prioritise your comfort
• Find joy in your journey

Book your tickets in advance where possible 

Moving away from your usual routine can throw you off, so one of the best things you can do is be organised. If you know exactly when you want to travel, consider booking your tickets in advance. 

This saves you a job on the day or on the run-up to your journey, meaning you can relax knowing you’ll be able to get on the service you need on the day you need it. 

Purchasing your tickets in advance also offers up to 80% savings in comparison to purchasing Anytime tickets on the day. 

Download or print your tickets in advance

Another way to ensure you’re prepared is to download or print your tickets ahead of your journey. 

The easiest way to do this is to use your digital e-ticket stored in the bookings section of your Grand Central app or to download a PDF file that can be displayed on your mobile. 

Alternatively, you can print your tickets at home before your journey. Download the PDF file of your tickets from your booking confirmation email and print these out to present on the train. 

Stay up to date with live updates 

The new academic year can bring with it an increase in public transport users, and the start of autumn weather, which can unfortunately cause delays. 

Make sure you keep an eye on live updates ahead of your journey to stay informed of any platform changes and delayed services.

At Grand Central, we make sure to keep you updated on the following: 

• Live arrivals & departures

• Disruptions

• Strike information

Travel light 

Trains can get busy in September when everyone’s back to school, university and work as usual. Travelling light means you’ll easily be able to carry your luggage onto crowded carriages and up stairs to reach different platforms.  

If you aren’t able to travel light, we do offer ample luggage storage so you can rest assured there will be somewhere to place your things. 

Bring things to keep you connected 

Don’t forget to bring your headphones and device chargers on your journey to help keep you connected, especially if it’s a long one.

All our trains have free Wi-Fi and at-seat charging points in all carriages so you can use your devices as normal and make the most of your journey.

Take a look at On-board menus in advance 

Some train stations have water refill machines, so it’s useful to bring a bottle with you on your journey to stay hydrated, which is particularly important when services are busy in the new academic year. 

We also have an array of food & drink available On-board, take a look at our menu in advance to ensure we have something you’ll enjoy. This way, you can come prepared with drinks and snacks if we don’t serve what you’re looking for. 

 

Prioritise your comfort 

Make sure to prioritise your comfort to ensure a relaxing journey. Reserve your seat in advance to make sure you have somewhere to sit, especially if you have a long commute to work or university and don’t want to be stood for a long period of time. 

All our seats are comfortable and offer spacious legroom, but if you want to take your journey to the next level, our First Class travel offers:

• Wide reclining seats 

• Extra legroom 

• Complimentary light refreshments 

• A convenient at-seat service

If you have a particularly long journey or one that’s early in the morning or later in the evening, why not take a nap? Come prepared with a neck pillow and an eye mask, and you’re good to go; just make sure you don’t miss your stop!

Read more about finding the right service for you.

Find joy in your journey 

Last, but definitely not least, find joy in your journey! 

Take the time to look out of the window and enjoy a warm drink while you watch the world go by. Consider unplugging for a while, being present and letting yourself do nothing but relax. 

If you’ve got a long journey, try to do something you love to pass the time. This could be reading a good book, listening to your favourite podcast or audiobook, or even drawing or journaling; whatever it may be that’s going to make your journey more enjoyable. 

Discover our 5 wellbeing tips for your daily commute.

The benefits of commuting with us 

• We provide direct services to  from major cities like London and York
• All our trains offer free Wi-Fi to help you stay connected on your journey
• Comfortable seating in all standard carriages with wide reclining seats in First Class
• Power sockets located next to most seats so you can keep your devices fully charged on your journey
• E-tickets downloaded straight to your phone for convenience
• Zero booking fees 

Travel direct to routine with Grand Central 

Find your tickets in advance today and get prepared for business as usual to resume! 

We offer a range of ticket types at Grand Central to suit a variety of needs, including: 

• Advance

• Anytime 

• Off-Peak & Super Off-Peak

• Multi-buy

Be sure to keep these back-to-routine travel trips in mind to ensure smooth and stress-free journeys for the months ahead.