National Rail Reviews 

I would give it 0 stars if I could. You are the worst f’in rail system ever. Nearly everyday my journey is disrupted because of a track faulty or my train like to day is cancelled. I pay over £700 a month just to get to work and I am always late even when I leave two hours early. You guys are thieves for charging everyone soo much money when you can’t even provide a descent service. And you really need to get rid of the fabric seats, they are disgusting.

We visited the toilets at St Pancras Station on 16/5/2026 and were subjected to disability discrimination by one of the cleaners. After returning home I submitted a complaint on 17/5/2026 and received an automated reply. Two weeks later and nobody has responded to my complaint so it would appear they condone such discrimination by their staff.

The worst service I have ever seen unfortunately the uk is kind of advance but really bad service and really old trains like even A class are very bad the a lot of money but don’t upgrade the service and trains condition that is a really bad government leading like how can this country be that bad terrible

Trains are always delayed or cancelled. waste of time

For over 20 years this site has been inadequate. Hopelessly unresponsive and often completely unusable when on a train. Station staff have challenged the validity of tickets used on routes specifically indicated on this site. The station staff are utterly dismissive of it.
The German rail site, bahn.de, gives more route options, quicker, with more complete time tables than the uk national rail site. However, German rail does not know the arcana of tickets validity - it assumes rail travel is there to provide an efficient service to travellers.

Checked the advance return fares from Pensarn to London Euston online.
After selecting the date and time, it keeps showing: ‘Unable to pass you to the retailer – please try searching again.’ The new system is very complicated.
Please don’t offer me fares from Runcorn to London Euston, as they are not related to my journey.

This is the e mail I got , is it fares or timetables,
what a shambles, they should look at European train travel who put the uk to shame !!!

Train times are
changing
Rail fares are changing from
Sunday 17 May 2026
We’re writing to let you know that the national train timetables will be changing on Sunday 17 May.

This review is for Debbie who works at Leyland Ticket office.

10 / 10 customer service - a great help and supported me with my travel needs

Friendly and helpful - Thank you Debbie

I'd like to commend a member of staff at Rochdale train station for their excellent service. Myself and 9 other ladies were traveling to London for my sisters 60th, it had been planned for some time. On Friday 17th April when we were due to leave all trains from Piccadilly Manchester were cancelled. We were then approached by staff member Robert Whitlow who could clearly tell we weren't sure what to do. He made numerous phone calls, keeping us upto date and replanned our route to London, times and stations, we actually got into Euston 20 minutes earlier than the original train. He spoke to the conductor on the train from Rochdale regarding our situation and the whole journey from then on was flawless. I know staff don't always get the praise they deserve but we all think ourselves very lucky that Rob was on Rochdale station that morning. A big thankyou from our group of 10.

National Rail continues to price itself out of being a realistic alternative to driving. For many journeys, the cost difference is not just noticeable—it’s excessive. A trip that would cost roughly £30–£40 by car can easily reach £78 for a single train ticket, and that’s without the added convenience of having a vehicle at your destination.

This undermines one of the core arguments for public transport: reducing reliance on cars and supporting greener travel. While the environmental benefits are clear in theory, the pricing structure makes it difficult for many people to justify choosing rail over driving. When travelling by train costs nearly double and removes flexibility at the destination, it stops being a practical option.

If rail services are genuinely meant to replace car usage, affordability has to be part of the equation. Until prices become more competitive, many travellers will continue to choose their cars—not out of preference, but out of necessity.

Unfortunately National Rail in special Southern services has shown again why the don’t deserve any respect from their customers
Every single time a train must be delayed or cancelled on the last minute
Why we paying for this rubbish service you guys provide ? Always de same excuses; engineers work , trespassing or late departure from the depot
Better employ some competent staff who can handle this better than you guys

To get from Preston to South coast. Driving. Tank and half. Even with current petrol prices and Toll road. £170.. Train for 2 people .£500 quid...I rest my case your honour..🤔

Always trains cancelled awful service had to wait more than one hour as two trains cancelled two days in the row

Completely unreliable service to and from Broadstairs constantly delayed or cancelled causing me issues getting to and from work for my nightshifts

Through factors far beyond my control I missed my 16.18 train Paddington to Bristol (£115) and managed to get the next at 16.48. I know that rules are rules, however being made to pay an additional £138 to stay on a 50% empty train or get off at the next stop was utterly disgusting. How dare you treat your customers so poorly. If any other industry behaves so abhorrently there would be grounds to legal action.

Railcard enquiry met with derision, mirth and no advice. Staff at Sheffield station even agreed that National Rail is seen as very poor service. Can say anymore!

Since changing the timetable at the beginning of the year the service is now poor. We've gone from being able to get a seat and work on the journey home to a station with vending machine only and overcrowded trains that are always standing room only. I hope the next timetable change gives us back a better connection and trains with more carriages.

Used the rail replacement service running between Manchester Piccadilly and Stockport expecting it to be a nightmare. I have to say it is a slick, seamless and highly organised operation which worked very well.

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

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!