Britain"s public transport system comes in for much criticism, with the British public raising valid concerns about tardy or cancelled trains, and the fact that the whole rail system can grind to a halt thanks to problems such as "the wrong kind of snow" or "leaves on the line" (both of these having been offered as excuses by the rail authorities for problems with services in the past).
But while many criticisms of the rail service are unarguably legitimate, it should also be pointed out that, when the system does work, which in all fairness is most of the time, it is a speedy, safe and convenient way to see the United Kingdom. Should you be heading from London to a business meeting at a
Dunblane hotel or even one of the
hotels in Ballater, travelling by road rather than rail will allow you to catch up on last-minute preparations en-route.
Alternatively, if you are heading off on a family vacation and looking for a handy hotel in Edinburgh centre, the city"s rail station is handily placed for many good accommodation options.
Another criticism of the British rail service is that rail travel is expensive, and while this can be true of many long or short distance journeys at peak travel times, there are ways and means of grabbing genuine rail travel bargains if you plan well enough in advance.
Tickets for rail travel in the United Kingdom tend to be cheaper the further in advance of your journey you buy them, so it is well worth putting in a little forward planning and grabbing your tickets as soon as they become available - generally six to eight weeks ahead of your date of travel. Online ticket agents are the best places to find bargain fares, and those looking to see several places in the UK will find that this is a great way to see the country without spending a fortune or suffering the stress of getting caught in traffic jams.
The rail system in Great Britain is far from perfect, but at its best it is a comfortable and very convenient way of getting around the country.
