National Rail Reviews 

601
TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.8

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 82 reviews, most reviewers were let down by their experience overall. People frequently complained about exorbitant ticket prices and unreliable services that were constantly plagued by unexpected cancellations, severe delays, and poorly managed replacement buses. Customers also reported deeply frustrating experiences with unhelpful station staff, closed ticket offices, and rigid policies regarding ticket changes or missed refund windows. Though some reviewers were happy with specific employees who provided kind, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful assistance during difficult travel disruptions. A few consumers additionally noted that certain staff members went above and beyond to successfully navigate complex alternative routes, assist with accessibility needs, or quickly recover lost personal belongings.

What people talk about most

Service

Reviewers highlight ambiguous aspects of service, experiencing widespread frustration with constant delays,... See more

Staff

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with staff, reflecting high disagreement in their reviews.... See more

Price

Clients share negative opinions on price, describing ticket costs as ridiculous, excessive, and a complete... See more

Location

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about location, reflecting varied travel routes across different cities... See more

Cancellation

People report negative experiences with cancellation, describing a completely unreliable service where... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

There has been a train derailment in Sussex so I phoned about alternative routes I could take to London. The operative in India told me I had to use my single advance ticket on original route as she... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Had to put 1 star or no review !!!!!! Euston to chester 6 1/2 hrs 4 trains later no appollogy just cancelled cancelled ,early morning awful soso ashamed of our private trains em heavy subsidised... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I can’t stress enough, how poorly run our national rail service is and how unreliable it continues to be day by day. I have travelled to many parts of the world, including many areas of Europe, East A... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ruthless, unkind, unwilling to help and unreasonable. I bought a split my fare journey (cheap, you're probably thinking-but you are extortionate the world is thinking), and I missed the refun... See more


Company details

  1. Train Ticket Agency

Information provided by various external sources

The gateway to Britain's National Rail network. A portal into UK rail travel including train company information and promotions; train times; fares enquiries; ticket purchase and train running information.


Contact info

1.8

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

601 reviews

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1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

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1.8

All reviews

(601)

81 reviews in the last 12 months

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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

id definitely recommend anyone with a…

id definitely recommend anyone with a nervous disability or disposition to avoid the highly complicated process to book a ticket online with this system ESPECIALLY a anytime day ticket..migraine is free with the effort..company should be closed and reopened after sacking the geniuses who created its cryptic crossword system..conclusion...
pathetic

February 11, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Good Customer Service

On Saturday 7th February 2026, myself, my mum and my 8 year old nephew who is autistic and a train enthusiast, had pleasure of being served by the lovely Ameera, who works at the National Rail ticket office in King Cross St Pancras Station.
We decided to treat my nephew to a long train ride as he sadly lost his mum very recently. We had quite a unique request of a combination of specific train companies and routes…we were praying for the right person to facilitate this very unique request and God answered. Ameera was so understanding, patient, accommodating and most of all kind. Although this interaction was probably outside of her usual interactions with customers, Ameera understood the request and made my nephew feel seen and special, even though there was a long queue behind us. She also went out of her way to give my nephew some gifts; which he now treasures.
I would like to thank Ameera again for her kindness!

February 7, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My trip to London.

I have travelled a from Porttalbot to Paddington stations three times in the past year.
I have noticed s considerable improvement with your service.
The communication is better eg ●more staff are available to direct you to your coach position;
●updates with delays and their reasons why (this is most informative which leads to a better understanding) ;
●the ticket inspectors are knowledgeable:
● and the staff on the train offering refreshments are very friendly.
I find the service overall has improved making journeys more enjoyable.
Thank you.

January 26, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Incompetent Web Developers

I normally use this and works fine but recently checked a train Nottingham to Birmingham International.. it tells me about £45!! If I check the journeys individually to New Street then International there are lots of options for less than £20 total..
Trainline also giving me same prices like £18 total
How can they get their own algorithm so wrong? Who are these completely incompetent web developers?

January 30, 2026
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Disgusting behaviour by staff

a member of staff at Norwich parkway threatened to hold my partner + autistic daughter at the station even though tickets were shown to him , he took a picture of them and threatened to fine my partner because they had stepped through the barrier before showing the tickets
- it was a football day there was alot of fans getting off at the time

caused my daughter to have a meltdown, rang up to make a complaint and been ignored

Disgusting behaviour by staff members

January 24, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I was already aware that there was a…

I was already aware that there was a replacement bus service from east Grinstead to three bridges but wasn't aware there was any from Egham to steines. Especially as it wasn't reported online when I initially booked my train ticket on Sunday 18th January. Took me 4 hours to get back instead of 3.  Also on the gwr there was bins provided. Someone left their rubbish and I tried to find a bin in two carriages but there wasn't any

January 18, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

total crap

total crap, whats the point in waisting time bringing it up, nobody listens

January 5, 2026
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

National embarrassment.

Paid for train tickets, trains
Cancelled (again). Left with a 4 year old on Christmas Eve in the cold.
This service is a disgrace. National embarrassment.

December 24, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Cannot Renew my Senior Railcard

I have tried several times over the past weeks to renew my Senior railcard online without success. I encounter problems and receive error messages or get 404 page cannot be found. There also seems to be a lot of fake websites for National Railcard.

December 16, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No comment

No comment, the most expensive ticket to pay for stress , delay cancellation no stuff on Sunday
Worst company in the world
Soon will compete with 3rd world

November 30, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The worst

I can’t stress enough, how poorly run our national rail service is and how unreliable it continues to be day by day. I have travelled to many parts of the world, including many areas of Europe, East Asia, North and South America. I don’t think I’ve found d a country whose rail service sucks like here in the UK. The cost of a trip in the UK is much higher than elsewhere, yet offers a low standard of travel. Only in the UK 👍🏼

November 30, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Awful service

Awful service, rude staff, delayed services, no seats and a hefty rice to pay for such a disgusting service. Hire a car for the week, it’s cheaper!!!!!

November 28, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ruthless, unreasonable, irrational, and what is wrong with the world.

Ruthless, unkind, unwilling to help and unreasonable.

I bought a split my fare journey (cheap, you're probably thinking-but you are extortionate the world is thinking), and I missed the refund window of 1 hour by 19 minutes.

Your customers are people, and you leave no room for human error. You are hated and I can see that I am simply contributing to an already majority 1-star vote.

Have some consideration. You penalised me, someone who is always blaming herself anyway. You probably contirbute negatively to the nation's mental health and walk away with no shame.

Enjoy my hard earned money. Because of the negative karma it carries due to the pain you have caused, nothing good will come of it. If I could curse it with black magic I would. I don't get annoyed at everyone either, so well done on the achievement.

November 25, 2025
Unprompted review
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Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Matthew Hudson from the Reading Help…

Matthew Hudson from the Reading Help Desk was super knowledgeable, helpful and civil when asked about train times on 17th Nov.
Say what you will about the rail experience and some staff, but Matthew is a very redeeming staff member, and if all staff were like him Network Rail would get a much better rap

November 17, 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Compensation Scam

South Eastern Trains - Gatwick to Canterbury

The train was delayed and compensation of 25% was due but the web sites seems intentionally hard to navigate so that you never actually find the place to make the claim.

It’s a rip off.

November 14, 2025
Unprompted review

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