The overground train network is a practical mode of transportation to those areas that the London Underground doesn’t cover. Trains are also a great way to get to some places faster – the Heathrow Express, operating from Paddington, gets you to the airport in 15 minutes.
Trains are also an excellent way of getting around the country. You can get to Oxford in an hour without planning ahead. Cambridge, Birmingham and Manchester are some of the many places trains service from London and journeys are very frequent. Tickets can be purchased at the train station or online from individual train companies. Here are some companies and their destinations:
- Virgin Trains: http://www.virgintrains.co.uk
Virgin makes hundreds of stops, including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Manchester. Trains leave from Kings Cross to Waterloo and everywhere in between, depending on your destination. Buy tickets online or at the station. - National Rail: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk
National Rail goes everywhere within London and outside. Brighton is a good pick. Check the site for details. - Eurostar: http://www.eurostar.com
Get to Paris or Brussels in under 2.5 hours. Buy your tickets online in advance for a cheaper price. Eurostar isn’t cheap, but it’s convenient and your easiest way to get to the continent. The new Eurostar terminal at Kings Cross is outfitted with a champagne bar and many shops.
If you decide to live in one of the suburbs, you are likely to commute by train. Trains are usually long distance trains which double up as commuter trains. For example trains to Brighton will call at Clapham. Schedules, fares and stops are detailed on the http://www.nationalrail.co.uk. Oyster cards are accepted to commute on trains within the London zones (See the Metro section for more details). There are many train stations, here are the main ones and their destinations:
- King’s Cross/St Pancras : going North, East Midlands, Yorkshire, Scotland, and abroad with the Eurostar to the continent.
- London Bridge : South – South East, Sussex et Kent
- Waterloo : South- South West
- Victoria : Kent, Surrey, Sussex
- Liverpool Street : Essex, East
- Charing Cross : South East- Kent
- Paddington : West, South-West, Wales
- Euston : West Midlands, North West, Scotland
- Fenchurch Street : East- Essex, East Coast
