TrainPal Blog

Travel Further, For Less

Transport in the UK: Travel by Train
inposted LL
Transport in the UK: Travel by Train
Do you want to discover Great Britain by train? Traveling by train is a scenic and relaxing way to explore the different regions of the country. The rail network covers the whole country and serves more than 2,500 stations. The system is efficient and reliable: you can leave London and get to Scotland in just over 4 hours. From London, you can get to almost anywhere in Great Britain by train from 7 main stations.London Euston - Birmingham (1h20), Manchester (2h05), Liverpool (2h15), Glasgow (4h40)London King’s Cross - Cambridge (55 minutes), York (1h50), Newcastle (2h50), Durham (2h55), Edinburgh (4:20)London Liverpool Street - Norwich (1h40)London Marylebone - Bicester Village (50 minutes), Warwick (1h25), Stratford-Upon-Avon (2h), Oxford (1h10)London Paddington - Oxford (55 minutes), Windsor (55 minutes), Bath (1h25), Bristol (1h40), Cardiff (2h)London St Pancras - Brighton (1h30)London Victoria - Brighton (55 minutes)London Waterloo - Salisbury for Stonehenge (1h20), Bournemouth (1h55)Do you prefer to come by train rather than by plane from France? The international Eurostar line links Paris, Lille, Calais and Brussels directly to London (St Pancras) and to the stations of Ebbsfleet and Ashford, in Kent, via the Channel Tunnel.Train ticketsYou can buy your tickets at any station or from major travel agencies. Allow enough time to purchase your ticket and be sure to check for special offers or rates available. Note that buying a return ticket is sometimes a more economical solution than buying two one-way tickets.You can also check train times and prices and buy tickets online from the National Rail service, directly on the railways website or through other booking companies such as TrainPal.
Read more
Travel & Visit Newcastle
inposted LL
Travel & Visit Newcastle
Why visit Newcastle?Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the northernmost city in England, is also one of the coldest, if one refers to the climate. In terms of atmosphere, it would rather be among the warmest, especially on football match days! Its inhabitants, nicknamed the Geordies, still use the old language which bears the same name. They are bon vivant, who love to party and will gladly invite you to join them. Newcastle is not just about football and theaters, it is a city that has many architectural attractions.Follow the guide, we take you to discover the most festive city in the country.Travel & Visit NewcastleTo help you organize your stay in Newcastle, we have listed the tours and places of interest to do in Newcastle.Where to stay in Newcastle (apartments, hotels, hostels, ...)?Newcastle is a rather opulent city, which has a good hotel offer. You will find a wide range of accommodation, from the youth hostel to the luxury hotel, including the traditional Bed & Breakfasts.If you are going to Newcastle to party, do not hesitate to settle in the Quayside district, by the river Tyne. You will be near the famous Tyne Bridge, Saint Nicholas Cathedral and Center for Contemporary Art Baltic. Also in the center and close to museums and the castle, the historic city center, the Grainger, is also a good option for accommodation. You can even walk to St James Park if you want to attend a soccer game. Do you prefer a quieter area? Look at Jesmond's side.How to get to Newcastle?Newcastle upon Tyne has an airport located to the north of the city, 15 minutes from the center. There are regular direct flights from France (Paris and Nice in particular). You can then reach the city by public transport, or by car if you have opted for car rental or private transfer.It is also possible to include the city in an itinerary in England from the capital. Trains and buses leave from London daily to Newcastle.It should also be noted that Newcastle is a two-hour drive from Edinburgh in Scotland. Train and bus transfers are frequent between these two cities. To find a train or coach at the best price for your trip, use TrainPal!When to go to NewcastleIf Newcastle is a rather cool city, because of its situation in the north of England, it nevertheless benefits from an oceanic climate. As a result, the temperature variations are small and it rarely freezes. Like any region of England, it is regularly watered, but the rainfall remains reasonable there, except in April and the last three months of the year.Consequently, it is preferable to choose the period from May to October, July being the warmest and least rainy. The temperatures will be around 20 °, but you could have surprises with days above 30 °! The Christmas period is also to be considered to go to Newcastle, to take advantage of its festive atmosphere.
Read more
The 7 essential things to do in Newcastle
inposted LL
The 7 essential things to do in Newcastle
Visit Newcastle: what are the best things to do and see in the city of Geordies?Newcastle upon Tyne is a city in the north-east of England with a population of approximately 270,000. The city is located between Edinburgh in Scotland and London. It is known around the world for its football team and for the special accent of its inhabitants, named the Geordies!The origins of Newcastle date back more than 2,000 years. At the time, the Romans had built an imposing fort there to protect their empire. Years later, the industrial revolution allowed Newcastle to develop actively. The economy was then centred around the steel and coal trade. One of the largest production centres in the world, Newcastle quickly became a rich and attractive city, establishing itself as one of the most important in England.Today, the city has evolved into a modern, artistic and lively metropolis. Its often original architecture and its museums make it a cultural city in which there is a warm atmosphere. It was also named European Capital of Culture in 2008.Are you planning to visit Newcastle upon Tyne and wonder what you can discover in this British city? Here is a selection of 7 essentials to visit during your trip.1. Castle KeepWhat would a visit to Newcastle be without going through the "new castle" to which the city owes its name? The discovery of Newcastle Castle and its keep, which dates back to 1178, is possible every day. You can observe a panoramic view of the whole city.Children's tours are also planned, with re-enactments and costumed guides. Its Norman stone architecture and fun tours make this site an unmissable point of interest in the city. You don't know what to do in Newcastle when you arrive? So don't miss the Castle Keep.2. The banks of the TyneSure, visiting the quays along the River Tyne is a must to visit Newcastle. On Sundays, you will find a market for clothes, antiques and art called Quayside.You can also take a stroll along the quays to discover the modern architecture of this area of ​​Newcastle. Among the highlights of the panorama, there is, of course, the Millenium Bridge. This pedestrian bridge was built in 2000. It is the first in the world to use a side rotation system to let boats through. This spectacle, which lasts about 4 minutes, makes it very popular with travellers, as does its colourful illumination at night.3. DowntownThe heart of Newcastle is bustling with its many shops and restaurants. Neoclassical architecture is very present, especially in Gray Street, often considered one of the most beautiful in England. In the evening, you will discover the hectic atmosphere of a university and cultural city. You will quickly realize this: Newcastle is a festive city!It is also a student city that hosts a very famous university in England, founded in 1834. It is separated into three faculties: medicine, humanities and social sciences and science. Visiting the campus and its period building is very interesting to discover.Book your train to Newcastle4. BALTIC Museum of Contemporary ArtThe BALTIC museum, located on the banks of the Tyne, is considered an emblem of the city’s modern architecture. BALTIC is one of the largest museums of contemporary art in the world.His particularity? There is no permanent gallery. This museum hosts constantly renewed exhibitions, as well as numerous events where influential personalities from the artistic world express themselves. BALTIC is a museum to discover without hesitation if you are looking for what to do in Newcastle. There is also a gourmet restaurant with a breathtaking view of the Tyne River!5. Sage GatesheadYou can't miss this peculiarly shaped building when you visit the banks of the Tyne in Newcastle. It is on the Gateshead side, and you will definitely have to take the Millennium Bridge to get a closer look.Opened in 2004, The Sage is actually a performance hall, which has been ranked among the best in the world. Its curved glass and steel design can be enjoyed from the outside as well as from the inside. Indeed, it allows you to enjoy exceptional acoustic performance. There are three different stages, which allows the Sage to offer hundreds of concerts each year.The biggest stars of the song are regularly there. So, if you don't know what to do in Newcastle to occupy your evenings, you can find out about the concerts planned during your stay. The opportunity to live amazing sound experience.6. The Angel of the NorthAngel of the North is a sculpture created by artist Sir Antony Gormley in 1998. It stands 20m high and is 54m wide. Designed as a kind of totem, this work has become the emblem of the city of Gateshead.It is located on Birtley Hill, above the city centre. Built exclusively of steel, the structure withstands the sometimes complicated weather conditions in England, and it seems that we come to admire it a little for this reason too… It represents the transition from the industrial era to the era of information and marks the evolution of the Newcastle-Gateshead region.7. Things to see and do in NewcastleSt James' Park stadium: Going to a game in Newcastle is the best way to soak up the bustling city.Gateshead: Gateshead town centre is great to explore for half a day.The North Sea: You can get to South Shields by tube and take a stroll by the sea to experience a peaceful country feel, very close to Newcastle.Sunderland: The small town of Sunderland, connected by the Newcastle underground, is best known for its football team but also has a lot of charm.Grainger Market: The Grainger Market is a covered market where you can come to eat, buy fresh products or simply visit the many small shops! A must when visiting Newcastle.
Read more