Every day at Raileasy, we hear from all kinds of travellers – the off-the-cuff explorers, the itinerary-obsessed planners, and everyone in between. With all that chat, we’ve noticed a few questions that pop up time and time again. So we’ve pulled together the top five questions that you ask and want to know.
So whether your travel plans have taken an unexpected detour, you hit the wrong button mid-booking, or you’re side-eyeing that seat change on your ticket – relax. We’ve got the answers you’re after.
Image Credit: Pixabay | Pexels
Can I change when I’m travelling?
Maybe.. It can depend on the type of ticket you have.
🎫 Advance tickets: These a great, you have booked ahead of your journey and grabbed a great bargain with your train ticket, but you do you have to travel on the train you booked. All is not lost If your plans change, book a new journey (same route, same headcount), then give us a shout. We’ll sort a refund for the original (minus a tiny admin fee) – just make sure the new train’s booked before your old one was meant to leave the station.
🔁 Flexible tickets: Feeling spontaneous? You might be able to jump on a different train but do check the terms of the ticket first, just so you don’t get into trouble.
Oops, I made a mistake on my booking - help?
Don’t sweat it. Mistakes happen. we’ve all had that “wait... what time did I book?” moment
🕐 Just booked? If it’s been less than an hour, you’re golden. We’ll cancel and refund the whole thing, no admin fee, no judgement. Go ahead and rebook like it never happened.
⏳ Bit longer? Depends on the slip-up. If it’s a date/time blip or something similar, you can usually rebook the correct trip and we’ll refund the original (with a tiny admin fee knocked off). Not sure what counts? Just drop us a message and we’ll see how we can help.
I can’t travel any more - can I get a refund?
Plans changed? We know plans can shift for all sorts of reasons – here’s hoping yours is something happy, and if not, we’re here to help however we can.
✅ Flexible tickets: These are your most forgiving option. In most cases, we can offer a refund, minus a small admin fee (up to £5 – about the cost of a fancy coffee).
🚫 Advance tickets: These are usually non-refundable, but we know life doesn’t always go to plan. There are some exceptions, so if something’s come up, please get in touch. We’ll do everything we can to help. And if a refund isn’t possible, we’ll always explain why – no confusion, no runaround.
My train was cancelled or delayed - what now?
We know delays and cancellations can really throw a wrench in your plans – here’s what you need to know if that happened to you:
🚆 Train cancelled or delayed? You can usually hop on the next available service with the same operator – even if your ticket had restrictions. No stress.
🧾 Had to buy a new ticket to get where you were going? Snap a quick photo and send it our way. If you didn’t use the original one, we might be able to refund it.
⏱️ Big delay? You might be entitled to Delay Repay – a bit of compensation to help take the sting out of the wait.
🚫 Didn’t travel at all? If disruption derailed your entire journey, drop us a message. We’ll look into your options for a refund.
Why do my seat reservations feel like a game of musical chairs?
Great question – here’s why:
To give you the best deal, our system sometimes splits your journey into smaller sections (thanks, split tickets). This can lead to different seat reservations for different parts of your trip. Not ideal if you’ve just gotten comfy with a sandwich and a podcast, we know.
The good news is, you don’t always have to change seats. If the train’s quiet or there are unreserved spots, feel free to stay where you are. Just make sure you don’t occupy someone else’s reserved seat – it’s all about being considerate!
Image Credit: Winston Tjia | Unsplash
🚂 What is split ticketing, anyway?
We talk about it a lot, so here’s the simple version for anyone quietly wondering what it actually means.
Split ticketing is when you buy two (or more) separate tickets for different parts of your journey, rather than one ticket for the whole trip. For example, Manchester to London via Crewe might be cheaper as two tickets instead of one. As long as your train stops at the place where the tickets split, you’re all set – no need to get off.
Think of it like having two slices of cake instead of one big one – it somehow costs less, but it’s still the same delicious journey.
🧳 What About Extras – Bags, Bikes, Pets & Co?
Bringing more than just yourself (and your expertly curated snack selection)? No worries – here’s what you need to know about travelling with a few extras in tow:
Luggage: Good news – bags ride free. This isn’t budget airline territory, so no need to weigh your socks. Just pack sensibly (think suitcase, not shipping container) and make sure you can lift it without calling in backup.
Bikes: This one’s a bit trickier. Some trains roll out the welcome mat for bikes, others… not so much. You’ll usually need to reserve a spot in advance, especially at busy times. Best to check with the train operator before showing up with wheels in tow.
Pets: Your furry, feathery, or even scaly companions are welcome aboard! You can bring up to two pets per passenger, free of charge. Just keep them on a lead or in a secure carrier, and maybe leave the squeaky toys at home if you’re in the quiet coach. Bonus points if your pet travels in style.
To avoid any surprises, it’s best to check with the train company before you travel – each one handles extras a little differently.
Looking for help from someone who isn’t a chatbot?
No worries – train travel isn’t always straightforward, and questions are totally normal. Our team’s on hand with real support (from actual people, not robots) and zero judgement, no matter how small or silly it might feel.
If your question didn’t pop up on this list, just get in touch – we’re here to help you get it sorted, smooth and simple.