train and tube travel planner

• Places to Visit
• Sightseeing
• Practical Tips
• Where to Stay

London Public Transport Journey Planners

These are the best apps and tools to plan a journey by public transport in London. We recommend using the options listed below instead of Google to plan a journey.

Citymapper is the most comprehensive public transport planning app for London.

It’s available online or as a free app for ios or android . The online version is now rather limited. The app is much better.

The route planner shows all transport options including cycling, walking and local trains.

The adult Pay as you go Oyster card/contactless fares for each journey are also shown. This make it easy to find the cheapest route.

Transport for London’s TfL Go app is a sleek design and easy to use . It’s the easiest app to find and live departures for underground trains and buses.

It also has a route planner showing options for

• fastest route
• an alternative route (usually bus)

Select ‘Status’ for delay information. You are then able to see if there are any problems on a particular train or underground line.

It defaults to an excellent live tube map, which finds your closest tube station. Click on the underground station, then the name of the station to get the times of the next tube trains.

Click on ‘bus stops’ to see times of the next buses from bus stops near you.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t give fare information. But it’s recommended if you don’t need to know the fare.

Transport for London’s online journey planner

Transport for London’s online Journey Planner shows the quickest way from A to B.

It’s possible to choose bus/tube/train only routes. It also gives you the Pay as you go Oyster peak/contactless and off-peak fares.

Do bear in mind that the default is the quickest route, which is not always the cheapest. For example, to Heathrow Airport:

• under ‘Edit preferences’ deselect ‘National Rail’ to exclude the expensive Heathrow Express train.
• Deselect ‘Elizabeth line’ if you want to exclude that as well.

Early morning or late-night journeys

To be somewhere at a specific time, especially if it’s in the morning or late at night, use the TfL Journey Planner

Mobility issues

If you have mobility issues, you can narrow down your search options to find the best route with:

• Escalators but not stairs
• Stairs but not escalators
• Step-free access to platforms
• Full step-free access

If you just need a tube map and don’t want to use an app, download a pdf tube map to your device.

Related pages

• How to get around by bus
• How to get around by underground
• Walking in London

Getting around London

• How to use the London underground
• How to use London buses
• London cycle hire scheme
• London trains
• London taxis & minicabs

Useful information

• Plan your journey
• London transport zones

Copyright 2010-2024 toptiplondon.com. All rights reserved. Contact us | Disclaimer | Privacy

Route Planner

Alternative Route

Station information, cheshunt station.

Cookie Consent

A1 Publishing Ltd and our advertising partners would like the opportunity of serving you with personalised ads. In order to do so we need your consent. By giving consent we may set various cookies in order to identify you and or your traits thus allowing us to provide more relevant advertising. Otherwise you will be presented with contextual or random ads only and no personal data will be saved.

Bus & Tram Journeys Multiple bus rides made in a one hour period count as a single bus journey.

Tube & train journeys.

Your fare is

JavaScript is disabled

Please enable JavaScript in your browser in order to use OysterCalculator.

Tube Map - London Underground 4+

Tfl map and journey planner‪.‬, mapway limited.

• #93 in Navigation
• 4.7 • 16.6K Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Tube Map is the award-winning navigation app that includes the official TfL (Transport for London) Tube Map. Tube Map - London Underground works both on and offline and is the #1 Tube Map with over 22 million downloads! Key features: Uses the official TfL iconic Harry Beck London Underground map design. Includes additional map views for the TfL Night Tube and Rail Network. Plus a bonus map that we have created that is more geographical.  An easy to use journey planner that works with and without an internet connection. Check line status for delays, closures and service changes. See what time the next Tube is due with live departures from TfL. National Rail arrivals and departures. Journey planning made easy with real-time routing around closures and delays. Use step-by-step directions in the journey planner to find your way around London. Save your favourite routes for quick selection when on the go. Save your Home and Work stations for up to date station, line and route information. Find your closest Tube station wherever you are in London. Tube Map – London Underground Apple Watch app available. Line status widget Travel Guide Exclusive features also available; First & Last Tube Times, Tube Exits, Premium Line status widget and Priority Support. NEW - Remove advertising subscription With over 60 million downloads worldwide, there's a Mapway app for many of the busiest transport systems in the world including New York Subway, Paris Metro, Bus Times London and Berlin Subway. Plan. Route. Relax. Please note: whilst we endeavour to ensure that Line Status notifications are delivered in a timely manner we can’t guarantee this 100% of the time. There may be occasions when the functionality isn’t available due to technical reasons outside of our control. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Tube Map Premium available as an in-app subscription: 99p weekly, £3.99 monthly or £9.99 annually, or as a one-off purchase of £24.99. Prices may vary by location. Cancel at any time, for any reason. Payment will be charged to your iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, at the cost of your chosen price tier. Subscriptions can be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to Account Settings in your iTunes Account. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when a subscription to that publication is purchased, where applicable. Read our terms in full at https://www.mapway.com/terms-conditions/

Version 7.3.11

Thank you for downloading the app. We regularly update the app to make it better for you. This release includes an updated map and some bug fixes and improvements for you. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, just keep your updates turned on. Got a question? Tap Support in the About section in the app.

Ratings and Reviews

16.6K Ratings

Great app for London Tube travel

Just got back from our first trip to London and using this app made getting around London to see the sights via the tube so much easier. It can show you the nearest tube station to your location and all you do it put in the location of the station you will be starting from and where you want to go and it does the rest. Gives you what t train to take and tells you what stop to get off. If you have to switch trains, it tells you the stop you get off ti switch the train and the next train to take and what stop for your final destination. This was great and the tube is so nice to use to travel around London. Highly recommended to anyone going there and planning ti use the tube. Much, much less expensive than a taxi.

Developer Response ,

Hi. Many thanks for the five stars and comprehensive review. Best regards, Team Mapway

Huge Timesaver

I used this app extensively on our recent trip to London. The route feature tells you exactly which lines to take and where to change lines. For a small fee it even can tell you which exit to take and whether to try to sit near the front or middle of the train (the fee was well worth it in my opinion). I did not find the adverts overly distracting. A cool feature is that once you've plugged in your route, you can switch over to a familiar Underground map and it will highlight your stations so you know where you are in the city/system. 5 stars from me. I downloaded another paid London map app that was worthless but this app is fantastic. Thank you for making my trip much, much easier!

We have loved reading your comments thanks so much for the review!

Forget the map - get this app!

Simply stated, unless you are very familiar with the London "tube", this app is a must have! No need to puzzle over maps, or ask guidance from an English-challenged employee. Just open the app, go to route planner, and enter your beginning & ending stations. It'll show you the lines and changes to get there! You can even put a location like "Hard Rock Cafe" in for your destination, and it will route you to the nearest station! The only catch is you must have cell service and be willing to use it. Just make sure you get a good plan on your phone!

App Privacy

The developer, Mapway Limited , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

• Identifiers

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

• Premium Yearly + Trial $9.99
• Premium Monthly $3.99
• Premium Yearly $9.99
• Premium Weekly $1.99
• Premium Lifetime $24.99
• Remove Ads Yearly $7.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.

New York Subway MTA Map

Paris Metro Map and Routes

Washington DC Metro Route Map

Barcelona Metro Map & Routing

Boston T Subway Map & Routing

Bus Times London

You Might Also Like

Eurostar Trains

Heathrow Express

Citymapper: All Live Transit

National Rail Enquiries

Trainline: Buy train tickets

Metro Paris - Map & Routes

advertisement

Tube Map London Underground

Hardy commuters at waterloo..

Available free on iOS and Android

Official TfL Tube Map.

Including Night and Rail maps.

early-risers on the District line.

Live line status..

The latest info from TfL, including live departure boards.

families at Charing Cross.

Offline route planner..

The easiest way to navigate the Tube.

London’s favourite app for using the Underground.

Tube Map prepares you for the journey ahead with line status updates, real-time routing to anywhere in London and of course the latest official Tube Map from Transport for London. The award winning transport app features the iconic Harry Beck Tube Map which is easily recognisable to both local commuters and tourists. With a range of great features and the latest maps available every time there is an update, the Tube Map app is the simplest way to navigate the Underground when on the go.

Official Tube Map

Tube Map includes the latest official Transport for London map, based on the iconic Harry Beck design. The Tube network is constantly changing, from closed stations to the addition of entire lines (hello TfL Rail!) Download once and know that you’ll always have the latest Tube Map ready to go.

Line status and departure boards

Tube Map’s live status about every line on the TfL network. Whether it’s a closure on the Bakerloo line or delays on TfL Rail, you’ll always be in the know. Tap on a line for further information about any delays and what stations are causing the problem. Head to the Status & Departure Boards tab on a selected station to see departure times.

– Travel Guide –

Need help planning something to do in London or have questions about using the London Underground? Read the Mapway Travel Guide to London .

Journey Planner

Planning a journey to anywhere in London? Tube Map makes it easy! Plan journeys to and from postcodes, points of interest/tourist attractions and Tube stations. Realtime routes will avoid known delays so you can travel in confidence knowing that you’re going the quickest way. Tube Map’s route planner also works without an internet connection so you don’t have to worry about using up data!

Available free iOS and Android

Accessibility information.

View how accessible each platform is with ratings for those travelling with heavy luggage, a pushchair or using a wheelchair.

 – Travel Tip –

Don’t forget to tap out with the same card you used to tap in, or you might be charged more for your Tube journey.

Tube Map London Underground review on iTunes

Robroy060 | 6th december 2021, amir haqani | 17th october 2019, rydley | 2nd september 2019, – did you know –.

You should stand on the right when using an escalator on the London Underground or risk being frowned at by the locals!

– Travel Tip –

For more travel tips tap any station in Tube Map and click Information & Facilities. You’ll find some fun facts, travel tips and things to look out for!*

*Available on Android. Feature in development for iOS.

Additional features, first & last trains.

This handy in-app purchase is an additional feature that gives you the first and last train times for each service. For more information visit “Unlocked Features Explained” .

Want to know the quickest way off the Tube and out of the exit? This helpful in app purchase tells you which carriage to use to get out first. For more information visit “Unlocked Features Explained” .

Walking Routes

The walking routes shortcut is a map overlay that shows which stations are quicker to walk to and how long it will take.

Need to catch a ride once you get off the Tube? We’ve partnered with Uber to offer you a quick way to catch a ride once you’ve finished your journey.

Live Twitter Feed

In the side menu Tube Map includes a live Twitter feed with information from all of the official TfL accounts. These helpful tweets are packed with travel information and can be shown on the map view of the app.

Get our Rail Planner app

Plan your trip, get extra discounts, and show your Pass as you go.

Our favorite spring routes

Celebrate spring with these 7 off-the-beaten-path train routes

All about seat reservations

Everything you need to know about booking your seats

Alternatives to Busy Routes

Travel between popular European cities without seat reservations

Through our Chatbot in the bottom right corner.

Ask the Community

Browse questions from fellow Eurail travellers, or ask your own!

• Order overview
• Reservations overview
• My Trips & Travelers
• {{translatedTraveler}} {{#promotional}} {{currencySign}} {{standardPrice}} {{/promotional}} {{quantity}}x {{currencySign}} {{finalPrice}}
• Child {{childPasses}}x FREE
• {{translatedPassType}}
• {{translatedValidityPeriodDescription}}
• {{translatedClass}}
• Remove Pass(es)
• {{variant.localizedTravelPackDescription}} {{quantity}}x Free
• {{variant.localizedPassUpgradeDescription}} {{quantity}}x {{currency}} {{price}}
• Your order will arrive by {{expectedDeliveryDate}} 1 x {{currency}} {{price}}

Your cart is empty

Tour Europe with 1 rail Pass

Follow your curiosity around up to 33 countries, traveling at your own pace by train

Tour Europe by train

with 1 Pass

Create the itinerary

for your perfect trip

Travel flexibly on trains

that don’t need reservations

Stay conscious

and travel sustainably

Build your Eurail adventure in 4 easy steps

1 plan your route.

Plan where you’re going and which trains will take you there.

2 Find your Pass

Travel with a Global Pass or a One Country Pass - It’s up to you.

3 Reserve your seats

Do your trains need seat reservations? Book them early!

4 Activate your Pass

Add your Pass to the app, activate it, and jump on a train!

Secure your plans by reserving seats

Most popular rail passes.

Global Pass

7 travel days

• Travel any 7 days within 1 month
• Perfect for visiting 6-8 destinations
• Change your mind? 85% refundable

10 travel days

• Travel any 10 days within 2 months
• Perfect for visiting 9–11 destinations

“We were on the road for two months and traveled to 16 cities and 10 countries. Through Eurail you get the chance to create your own individual route.” Tamara and Natalie

“I had the freedom to go at my own pace and find unexpected adventures, enjoying spectacular landscapes and discovering natural beauty. In short, a unique and unforgettable adventure." Lucas

“I loved Eurailing! It was cool to see how trains operate in different countries, and how the European network is interlinked. I can’t wait for more international trains and for international rail travel to become the new norm!” Floris

“I loved exploring Europe with my Eurail Pass! It was the perfect complement to my study abroad program and a valuable resource! I was able to visit so many places, and I can’t wait to come back to visit more!” Taylor

“Traveling by train is more than just going from A to B. Your trip already starts at the station, and the experiences and encounters are priceless.” Bram

Ready to travel?

Download our Rail Planner app

Plan your trip and show your Pass as you go.

Change of currency

You cannot change the currency once you have a Pass in your cart. Remove the Pass, and then change the currency on the website header.

Tips for Planning a Yellowstone RV Trip

The first national park in the U.S. offers spectacular sights and plenty of space. Taking an RV trip to Yellowstone can feel daunting—but with some extra planning, it’s absolutely worth it.

By Gretchen Holcombe & Roadtrippers

When approaching Yellowstone National Park from the east, your first view is of the vast, wild, and eerie landscape formed by ancient volcanoes. It’s shaped by thousands of years of thermal activity and scarred in more recent times by fire. As you drive farther into the park, the vastness is shared with visitor centers, traffic, and crowds. 

A Yellowstone RV trip can be overwhelming to plan and execute, but it’s absolutely worth it. Yellowstone offers spectacular landscapes with one-of-a-kind terrain and geological surprises at every turn. It’s a place every U.S. traveler should visit, but figuring out the best way to explore the park’s 3,472 square miles can be daunting. 

The good news is that much of the trip planning has already been done for you—just follow the park’s two big loops. RVers can cover ground at a decent pace by planning which stops to make along the loop each day. As you plan, keep in mind that you won’t be able to see everything (after all, the park spans three states), and it’s perfectly okay to just hit the highlights on a first trip and to save certain sights for another time.

Some General Advice for Visiting Yellowstone

It’s difficult to recommend an ideal trip length for a Yellowstone RV trip because there’s just so much to see. An RV trip to Yellowstone generally involves long days with lots of driving and crowds, which can cause exhaustion for even the most seasoned traveler. If you’re planning your first RV trip to Yellowstone National Park, you should give yourself at least five or six days, with a planned rest day where you stay close to the campground. This trip length is manageable for most people, but still allows for enough time to see many of the park’s best sights. 

If you only have a couple of days as part of a longer trip, you can still enjoy some of the sights and get a taste of the park. Pick just a few highlights, and leave wanting more. However long your trip, keep in mind that traffic—often caused by bison or bear jams or by road construction—is very common. Make sure you have the right gear to enjoy the park in all temperatures as Yellowstone’s weather can be temperamental at any time of year. 

If you’re looking to beat the crowds in Yellowstone National Park, rainy days can often bring a rare break from crowds at popular sights, so take advantage of them. Always get an early start to your day. Historically, the park is most crowded in July and August, so planning a trip outside of peak months will also yield fewer crowds. 

Getting to Yellowstone National Park in an RV 

Yellowstone National Park is larger than the state of Rhode Island, and your experience will vary depending on which direction you’re entering the park from.

Yellowstone has five entrance gates: north, south, west, east, and northeast. The biggest challenge for most people in getting to Yellowstone in an RV is figuring out which route to take coming through the mountains from the east, which can be a difficult entrance for RVers. Your three main options are U.S. highways 14, 14A, and 16. The conventional wisdom is that Route 14 is scary in an RV, Route 14A is terrifying, and Route 16 is reasonable. U.S. Route 16 is a well-maintained road with wide shoulders, passing lanes, and minimal steep drop-offs. It will still take you up to 9,666 feet at Powder River Pass and back down again via some long grades, so make sure to brush up on your mountain driving skills before attempting this route. 

The northeast entrance is perhaps the most dramatic and scenic, but can also be challenging in an RV. The route passes through the Beartooth Mountains on U.S. Route 212, which includes switchbacks and steep mountain grades, so it’s generally not recommended for large rigs. 

If you’re arriving from the north, you’ll travel on I-90, which connects to Yellowstone via U.S. Route 89 in Gardiner, Montana. This is the easiest entrance route for RV driving. For those arriving from the west, you’ll enter the park through the West Yellowstone gateway community and then choose either a north or south route. U.S. Route 191 travels north toward Bozeman. If you choose to go south, you’ll travel along U.S. 20 toward I-15, which includes the Targhee Pass—a long up-and-down grade with truck lanes and pull-offs. Both routes are manageable in an RV. Finally, the south entrance connects Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park via U.S. Route 89. You’ll see plenty of RVs on this scenic route, but pay attention to the grades in the Yellowstone section.      

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park with an RV

Yellowstone is massive, which means you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing a campground. You may decide on a single base camp to avoid having to pack up halfway through your trip, but that will mean some very long driving days if you want to hit all the highlights. By choosing two different campgrounds throughout the park, you can split the trip into more manageable segments. 

Another factor to consider on an RV trip to Yellowstone National Park is whether you want to stay inside or outside of the park. If you have a smaller RV and you’re set up for dry camping, there are several National Park Service campgrounds to choose from. If you need hookups, Fishing Bridge is your only in-park option. Outside the park, look to the small towns of West Yellowstone and Gardiner for campgrounds with hookups.

Fishing Bridge, Wyoming

Fishing Bridge is the only RV park with full hookups that’s actually inside Yellowstone National Park, which is the main reason to stay here. While it’s a bare-bones RV park, visitors note that it has a high price tag for national park standards. As long as you go into your experience with expectations in check, Fishing Bridge is an excellent jumping-off point for exploring close-by sites like Yellowstone Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. NOTE: Fishing Bridge is closed for renovations until the fall of 2021 with hopes that it will reopen with some upgrades. 

Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, Montana

Yellowstone Grizzly , which is located just outside the western park entrance, offers manicured sites and full hookups right in the charming little town of West Yellowstone. The location is within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants, and other attractions like the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. 

Mammoth Campground, Wyoming

Mammoth Campground is an in-park option without hookups, look toward the beautiful Mammoth Hot Springs area, which is close to the town of Gardiner, Montana. This corner of the park is a long haul from most of the other popular attractions, so you will most likely encounter fewer crowds here. If you’re looking to visit off-season, it’s also the only campground in the park that’s open year-round. Note that the sites here cannot accommodate RVs longer than 30 feet. 

Other Great Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park

• In West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA , Baker’s Hole Campground (USFS)
• In Gardiner: Rocky Mountain RV Park 
• In Yellowstone National Park: Madison Campground , Grant Village Campground

What to Do on a Yellowstone National Park RV Trip

No matter where you go in Yellowstone, you’re bound to see plenty of strange and beautiful sights—the park alone is home to over half of the world’s active geysers, more than 500 in total. But of course, there are some standouts that shouldn’t be missed in this expansive national park. 

Old Faithful, Wyoming

If you only know about one thing in Yellowstone, it’s probably Old Faithful, the geyser that erupts with convenient regularity every 75 minutes or so. It’s not Yellowstone’s most impressive geyser, but it’s by far the easiest to see, both because of the predictable timing and because it’s right outside of the Old Faithful Visitor Center. Due to accessibility, it’s one of the more popular park attractions, so arrive early to beat the crowds. While in the area, make sure to explore the Upper Geyser Basin for even more geysers and other geothermal phenomena. For history buffs, the Old Faithful Inn offers free historic tours of the property, which is an impressive example of early “Parkitecture.” 

Related These 20 National Park Service lodges showcase ‘parkitecture’ at its finest

Midway Geyser Basin, Wyoming

If you continue driving clockwise around the Grand Loop Road, you’ll encounter Midway Geyser Basin just a few minutes away from Old Faithful. Here you’ll find the colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, the third largest hot spring in the world. A short boardwalk takes you past the spring to other thermal features nearby. 

Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming

Located in the far northwest corner of the park, Mammoth Hot Springs showcases a completely different landscape from anywhere else in Yellowstone with its steaming travertine terraces. You can get up close to the hydrothermal action via a boardwalk trail that winds through the area. This is also the site of Fort Yellowstone, where U.S. Army soldiers once protected the just-established national park from poachers and developers. It’s an interesting stop for those looking to learn about the park’s early days, as many of the original buildings are still standing. And, while you’re at this end of the park, make sure to visit the north entrance gate and the Roosevelt Arch. 

Lamar Valley, Wyoming

It’s easy to spot bison in Yellowstone as they roam freely all over the park. But the Lamar Valley offers a glimpse of some lesser-seen wildlife, like the 100 or so wolves who live inside the park. Here, you’ll also find the Lamar River Trail, which is a 20-mile out-and-back trail through an area that’s home to unique wildlife and fewer crowds. Don’t feel like you have to hike a marathon though, you’ll be able to enjoy some peace and quiet (and rare animals, if you’re lucky) even just a few miles in. 

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Wyoming

You may recognize the distant view of a waterfall pouring into the 1,000-foot-deep canyon from Artist Point as you approach the gushing falls. Just make sure you drive the North and South Rim roads for the best views. And don’t miss the Canyon Visitor Education Center for exhibits on the supervolcano that’s responsible for Yellowstone’s one-of-a-kind landscape. 

Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin, Wyoming

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake in North America, with more than 140 miles of shoreline. Private boats are allowed, but the cold water temperatures and frequent, sudden winds make it suitable only for experienced boaters. A concessionaire offers an hour-long guided tour on an enclosed boat. At West Thumb Geyser Basin, you can walk along the boardwalk and see the lake and geysers at the same time, including at least one geyser that’s actually in the lake.

A trip to Yellowstone should be on every RVers bucket list as there’s really nothing that parallels its history and nature. With some extra planning and a well-devised itinerary, a trip here in an RV can be simple, fun, and sure to wow the whole family.

Related Everything you need to know to plan a national park road trip

Meet the Authors

Gretchen Holcombe

Gretchen is a blogger and homeschooling mom who lives in North Georgia with her husband, four boys, and assorted dogs, cats, and chickens. Her family spends as much time as they can exploring the U.S. and Canada with their Jayco toy hauler and a van called Big Blue. She blogs about their travels at Boxy Colonial on the Road.

Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers helps you find the most epic destinations and detours—from roadside attractions to natural wonders and beyond.

Get the most inspiring stories from the road sent directly to your inbox.

• Sign up Log in Sign out
• Log in Sign out

Plan your journey, find amazing places, and take fascinating detours with our app.

If you used to sign in with Roadpass, you should now use the same username and password to log in directly with Roadtrippers above.

We couldn't find an existing Roadtrippers account using that service. Please try signing in with another option.

We need your email address to send you trip itineraries and other updates.

How do you want to plan your trip?

With just a few questions, our newest Premium feature, Autopilot, will plan your next adventure.

Amtrak Booking: 14 Tips & Tricks To Know When Planning A Train Trip

• Research Amtrak routes, amenities, and prices to plan a comfortable trip and save money on tickets. Use the Amtrak Trip Map to understand the train's journey.
• Take advantage of Amtrak's everyday discounts for various groups, such as children, students, veterans, and people with disabilities. Check the "Everyday Discounts" page for eligibility.
• Look for time-sensitive deals on Amtrak's dedicated deals page. These deals offer discounts on tickets, double points, and special offers for specific destinations or times. Choose from a variety of deals to save money on ticket prices.

One of the finest ways to tour the United States is via Amtrak train. Whether seeing scenic views along the most beautiful Amtrak route or enjoying one of the many amazing Amtrak routes for foodies , passengers enjoy a greater standard of luxury than they would on a bus or some airlines.

There are a few things first-timers should be aware of with Amtrak if they are considering traveling in the United States by train. The following tips and tricks will help travelers book their Amtrak tickets in the easiest way at the most affordable price, as well as help them boost their comfort and convenience levels on their vacation. There's no better travel than via a train!

UPDATE: 2023/10/02 21:28 EST BY REENA JAIN

Four More Tips & Tricks For Amtrak Booking

Amtrak stands out as one of the more affordable modes of transportation, and there are a number of ways to save money while making reservations. In light of this, we have updated this list to include four more tips and tricks every passenger should be aware of before booking Amtrak tickets. Have fun, and enjoy the ride!

Related: California Zephyr Vs. Southwest Chief: Which Amtrak Train Route Is More Scenic?

Research For Amtrak Train Routes And Prices

Get a thorough understanding of Amtrak train routes and prices before purchasing a ticket. Discover how to take the train from the starting point to the destination by exploring the Amtrak Trip Map . Learn about the locations and cities the train will travel through. Also, acquire a full picture of the amenities and services offered at the stations, such as checked baggage, Wi-Fi, accessibility, and more, and become acquainted with them. This allows one to plan a comfortable trip while also saving money on tickets.

Check Out For Everyday Discounts

Another surefire way to save money on ticket prices is to take advantage of Amtrak's numerous discounts based on a passenger's age or for membership in different organizations. Child tickets, students, veterans, military people and their families, government employees, and Rail Passengers Association members are all eligible for discounts. People with disabilities are also eligible for discounts. People with disabilities also get discounts. So, passengers must check Amtrak's " Everyday Discounts " page before reserving their tickets to see if they are eligible for any discounts.

Look For Bargains On Dedicated Deals Page

Amtrak regularly posts time-sensitive bargains on its dedicated deals page . And, believe it or not, some of these bargains are simply superb! These deals are unquestionably the best way to save money on Amtrak ticket prices. Some of these deals include discounts on purchasing a good number of tickets; some offer double points on Amtrak Guest Rewards; and others offer discounts to a particular location or at a particular time. There are a great number of deals to choose from. Aren't these deals incredible?

Bring Own Food And Alcoholic Beverages

Many trains provide one or more onboard eating options. Plus, passengers who use their Amtrak Guest Rewards Preferred MasterCard to make food and beverage purchases onboard receive a 20% discount in the form of a statement credit. Thus, enjoying the onboard food is also rewarding. But those wishing to save money must bring their own food, water, and beverages (alcoholic stock as per Amtrak guidelines). Passengers can eat their food and non-alcoholic beverages in their seats, in their personal Sleeping Cars, and in the Sightseer Lounges. Nevertheless, they can only enjoy private stock in their Sleeping Car accommodations.

Book Amtrak Tickets In Advance & Purchase In The First "Buckets"

Amtrak offers a distinctive way to purchase train tickets that works well for early-bird tourists. Amtrak offers tickets in 'buckets,' with the lowest rates going on sale first, as opposed to the dynamic pricing matrix used by the majority of airlines. The next bucket, with a higher ticket price, is opened up after the allowed number of tickets for that price in the bucket has been sold out.

It is also preferable to schedule a trip as soon as travelers can because inexpensive tickets on busy days sell out the quickest (this is especially true for the most popular and busiest Amtrak routes ). Amtrak even offers discounts for travel up to two weeks in advance. If travelers make their reservations 14 days in advance, they may still be able to save up to 25% on their Amtrak fare.

An Amtrak rail ticket can be booked up to 11 months in advance.

Opt For The Best Days Of The Week To Book An Amtrak Ticket

Amtrak Train has special offers every week ; it is recommended to check to see what sales are being offered by the company on Tuesdays and Fridays. However, according to Money Saving Expert , purchasing train tickets 12 weeks before the departure date can potentially result in further savings.

Therefore, travelers are recommended to continuously check the offers and ticket prices to get the cheapest tickets!

• Cheapest days to book Amtrak: Tuesday and Friday

Be Flexible When Buying Amtrak Tickets

Similarly to other means of travel, flexibility is necessary if travelers are looking for the lowest fares. Sometimes, buying an Amtrak ticket on a certain day can cost them additional fees than the day before or after.

Consequently, if travelers are not limited by time and can postpone or schedule their trips earlier, it is guaranteed that their flexibility will pay off and save them some money.

Related: Empire Builder: What Makes This Amtrak Route One Of The Most Scenic In The U.S.

Book Tickets On The Official Amtrak Website Or App

One of the many things to know about Amtrak is that the easiest way to buy a train ticket is online at Amtrak.com . Travelers can also use their Amtrak mobile app. If they are old school or just like speaking to real people and find it easier, they may still buy their tickets at the ticket counter at any Amtrak station.

Also, not only is it easier to buy Amtrak tickets online or via the app, but it's also cheaper since travelers normally get the best rates. In addition, passengers can sometimes avail of discounts and special deals when they use the official Amtrak website and Amtrak app. Waiting until one gets to the station typically entails paying the highest price since Amtrak tickets increase in cost as seats are booked and the departure date gets closer.

Study All Amtrak Seating Options Before Purchasing A Ticket

Travelers may choose from a variety of seating arrangements while traveling by Amtrak train. Additionally, there are several alternatives for sleeping cars. They can select a Roomette, a Bedroom, an Accessible Bedroom, a Bedroom Suite, or a Family Bedroom according to the train they are on.

Travelers may also browse images and the specifications of each seat or sleeper car on the Amtrak official website to know more about their seating options.

• Some seat types on Amtrak trains: First Class, Business, Coach, and Sleeper Cars

Book The Appropriate Trip Duration When Buying An Amtrak Ticket

When travelers buy their tickets, they have a lot of various scheduling options accessible to them. One train, for instance, may go to its final station in just ten hours and without any stops. However, there may also be a few different itineraries that take 15 to 20 hours and have layovers.

Therefore, Amtrak riders should decide on the destinations they would like to visit before booking their tickets. That way, they can make a sightseeing vacation out of their train journey. Alternatively, if they want to get straight to their destination, booking an Amtrak train with minimal stops is better.

Related: The Joy Of Train Travel: Unwind & Relax With These Top 10 Amtrak Sleeper Train Routes

Download The Amtrak App

If travelers want to make their trip more efficient, they can install the Amtrak application on their smartphones. It is a useful tool for booking an Amtrak ticket and later showing it instead of printing it, finding a station at a certain location, and checking the status of a train.

Additionally, travelers will never need to be concerned about losing out on crucial information.

• Mobile operating systems: The Amtrak app is compatible with Android, Windows, and iPhone.

Participate In The Amtrak Guest Rewards Program

A terrific method to get free class upgrades, hotel and rental car savings, and access to travel bargains is through Amtrak's free rewards program. Getting started with the program is free and just takes a few minutes.

Even if travelers do not book a trip frequently, it is a good idea to join up for Amtrak Guest Rewards since any points they earn are valid for two years as long as there is activity on their account.

Know Amtrak Baggage Limits

Before travelers get to the train station to book a ticket and board, it is crucial to be aware of how much luggage they may carry. In this manner, they steer clear of snags and unanticipated costs. There are baggage allowances of two personal items and two carry-on bags per Amtrak traveler.

Each traveler is also permitted to carry up to 4 checked baggage with them . The first two items are free with the purchase of admission. However, any extra bag after that will cost extra fees.

• Amtrak Baggage Cost: $20 per additional bag

Choose An Amtrak Sleeper Bedroom Or Roomette For The Most Comfortable Experience

Although there are several booking options, as mentioned earlier, the most comfortable way to travel on long-distance trains is to reserve an Amtrak Roomette or Bedroom (and there are differences between the two) .

Travelers should know that all dining car meals, free bottles of water, hot showers, soft drinks with ice, and hot coffee are all included in their reservations. A special sleeping car attendant will also be assigned to them.

Travelers should make sure to tip the sleeping car attendant.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Journey Planner

Timetable changes

• Mobile Services
• MVV Cycle Planner
• MVV Ticketshop
• All tickets, all prices
• Tickets & Day Tickets
• Offers for frequent travellers
• Online- and Mobileticket
• Tariff structure
• Buy tickets (alternatives)
• Service centres
• Mobility services
• MVV without barriers
• Visitors to Munich trade fairs
• Air travellers

Warnmeldungen

Limited s-bahn service on june 8.

Fortunately, the suspicion of an unexploded ordnance has not been confirmed and no defusing is necessary on Saturday. Nevertheless, there will be restrictions on the S-Bahn on June 8 from 10 am to 6 pm . The Munich S-Bahn will operate a special timetable. Please check the current situation on www.bahn.de and www.s-bahn-muenchen.de/aktuell  before you start your journey.

Traffic reports

Deutschland-ticket.

If your Deutschland-Ticket for the following month is not yet displayed in the MVV app, please open the menu item "Ticketshop" and refresh the view by swiping the page down.

The start of the subscription  for the current month  can be  selected also during the current month ; there are no order deadlines . The first ticket is available in the MVV app immediately after purchase.

More informationen

Our Services

Stop Timetables

Timetables for your stop.

Buy tickets online

Buy your ticket for public transport online and print them at home.

MVV Ticket Information

The quickest way to the cheapest ticket.

Network Maps with tariff zones

What’s a worthy alternative to the Trans-Siberian railway?

Jul 3, 2023 • 3 min read

Turkey’s Dogu Express (or Eastern Express) crosses most of Anatolia, providing epic scenery over the 26-hour journey © Ozan Kose / AFP via Getty Images

Lonely Planet’s team of writers and editors answers your travel problems and provides tips and hacks to help you plan a hassle-free trip. Whenever we get a train-related query, we call on our in-house rail guru, Tom Hall.

Question: I had planned to take a Trans-Siberian train journey late in 2023, but I don’t anticipate that can happen now. Could you recommend some other epic European routes?

Tom Hall: Though Europe does have some very long trains, nothing compares to the cross-continental odyssey of traveling east from Moscow for a week or more. As you note, that’s not an option right now. However, there are plenty of other amazing routes to consider to keep you rolling for a long time.

Several thin fingers of railways connect up distant corners of the European continent. The longest by distance is the Snälltåget train from Malmö , Sweden to Innsbruck , Austria , which exists primarily to ferry Swedish skiers to the Alps then back again a week later. It covers the 1075-mile (1720km) route each week in about 22 hours, with stops at several key Austrian towns offering connections to ski resorts.

Given Sweden’s size and location, you’ll find two more long-distance heavyweights departing, in different directions, from Stockholm . The mighty daily service between Stockholm and Narvik in Norway – 137 miles inside the Arctic Circle – covers 916 miles (1467km) in 18 hours. At least one one and sometimes two sleeper services connect Stockholm with Berlin , taking between 15 and 17-and-a-half hours to cross southern Sweden, Denmark and northern Germany . 

The longest train in the UK is the outwardly unassuming Cross Country service connecting Aberdeen in Scotland to Penzance in Cornwall . The 13-hour trip covers a huge swathe of Britain , traversing almost 800 miles (1280km). It also needn’t be the end of the journey. From Penzance, the Scillonian ferry plies the waters over to the idyllic Isles of Scilly .

The spirit of the Trans-Siberian – and perhaps the experience you’re looking for – is a rolling adventure where you might share a very unusual journey (and train picnic!) with your fellow passengers as the landscape becomes ever-more unfamiliar. For that, consider heading to Turkey .

Starting in Istanbul – perhaps reached by a rail odyssey of your own from elsewhere in Europe ( Sofia, anyone ?) – Anatolia awaits. Istanbul’s Marmaray train speeds under the Bosphorus and on to Söğütlüçeşme station on the city’s Asian side, from where a high-speed train heads east to Ankara . Once in the Turkish capital, the Dogu Express (Doğu Ekspresi) takes 26 hours to wend its way 818 miles (1310km) to Kars in the north-east of the country, via superb Anatolian mountain and river scenery. There’s a version of this train aimed at tourists that makes several stops over a 30-hour journey – but the regular train is the classic experience.

Incidentally, the longest train I could find in Europe by duration is the irregularly scheduled and privately run train from Villach in Austria to Edirne in Turkey. Clocking in at 34 hours – perhaps more allowing for border controls – it is a car-carrying service aimed at Turkish expats traveling with their vehicles. This is one of the last remnants of what was once a much more extensive auto-train network in Europe, a fact you’d have plenty of time to appreciate as you and your car trundle across the continent’s southeastern corner.

Explore related stories

Tips & Advice

Feb 8, 2024 • 7 min read

Writer Monisha Rajesh reports on her overnight journey on the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Edinburgh.

Dec 19, 2023 • 6 min read

Jul 18, 2023 • 5 min read

Mar 2, 2023 • 4 min read

Dec 27, 2022 • 8 min read

Dec 9, 2022 • 9 min read

Oct 13, 2022 • 2 min read

Oct 12, 2021 • 6 min read

Sep 20, 2021 • 5 min read

Dec 18, 2019 • 5 min read