National Rail Reviews 

598
TrustScore 2 out of 5

1.8

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Considering 81 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Consumers frequently complained about exceptionally expensive ticket prices, feeling that the overall service is entirely overpriced and delivers a very low standard of travel. Travelers also mentioned constant train cancellations, severe delays, and sudden disruptions that completely ruined their daily commutes, leading to frustrating experiences across the network. Though some customers encountered major hurdles, a few reviewers were happy with dedicated staff members who went above and beyond to help during difficult situations. These passengers specifically mentioned receiving quick assistance with lost items, clear guidance through station changes, and exceptionally polite service from individual employees.

What people talk about most

Service

Consumers find service to be ambiguous, with highly mixed feelings regarding rail travel. Many reviewers... See more

Staff

People report ambiguous experiences with staff, highlighting a stark contrast in service quality. While many... See more

Price

Users describe widespread dissatisfaction regarding the high and expensive cost of tickets. Consumers... See more

Location

Customers had ambiguous experiences regarding location, reflecting various journeys across different cities... See more

Cancellation

Reviewers express deep frustration and negative feedback about cancellation and constant delays affecting... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

We are two pensioners living in a city. We have family in another city and after a horrendous motor trip there recently decided to buy Railcards and switch to the train. The Railcards are a big invest... 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

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

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


Company details

  1. Railway ticket agent

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

598 reviews

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1-star

No history of asking for reviews

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1.8

All reviews

(598)

78 reviews in the last 12 months

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Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Worst staff ever.

Worst staff ever.. on gate they say ticket is valid, on train they say ticket is invalid and yiu need to buy a new ticket .. fraud

11 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Too expensive

Too expensive, trains are cancelled. Buying a ticket for the first class, but there is no Internet and no plugs working we couldn't charge our phones and laptops. Rubbish service

10 August 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Almost always issues on these trains

Almost always issues on these trains. You’d expect a more organised and efficient service in a first world country, but I guess that’s quickly changing the past few years. Absolute joke. And the staff go on strike for pay rises? Do your job first and arrive on time you bunch of clowns. You don’t deserve the salaries you’re on in the first place. Writing this as my train is late and no updates on the delays.

28 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

St Anne’s station, Lancashire let us down.

We were a group of 5 travelling to London. We booked our tickets several weeks in advance at St Anne’s station,Lancashire in person. We asked to be seated together and were given coach and seat numbers. On boarding the train we realised only 2 out of 5 of us were seated together. The other 3 had people next to them. One being a window seat. Very disappointed. The train itself and the journey all though 14 minutes late was very good.

23 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Malware on National Rail website

The National Rail website has exposed me to malware; random pop-ups from a site called Clicktripz. At this moment I do not know whether there is worse now hidden on my computer. I have emailed them but will no longer use the National Rail site until I am convinced it is safe.

22 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Stupid responses to complaints / request for information

I asked why the track was closed between Stoke and Stafford during most of August. Tracks closed at Stockport but this does not affect Crewe - Stoke-Stafford train.
Response 1- There are replacements buses (not responded to my question)
Response 2 - Contact train operator ( track closed)
Response 3 - Explained why closure is in place between Stoke and Stafford.

Why does it take 3 attempts?

8 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 3 out of 5 stars

Chaos and Heat

I had a very bad journey home from Tottenham Court Road to Henley on Thames. I took the Elizabeth Line to Maidenhead after a very long wait for a Reading train. The train was extremely overcrowded and hot and smelly. It stopped on and off throughout a very long journey. When it finally arrived in Maidenhead there were no other trains. Everything was cancelled due to signal failure, probably due to the heat. It was chaos there were no staff to guide or advise. After another long wait we were told to get to the taxi rank. There was an amazing representative trying to allocate everyone to taxis. He did a phenomenal job looking after a lot of hot and disgruntled passengers. A taxi finally agreed to take 7 of us to Twyford. We got there at at 8.30 and there no trains to Henley until after 9.15pm. I was so exhausted and hungry that we clubbed to get another taxi to Henley. It took me more than 3 hours to get home.
I appreciate the issues with heat are difficult to handle but there seem to be very few staff to look after customers.
The man at Maidenhead should be highly commended for keeping his cool and looking after everyone.

11 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Me and my shittyitous

I’ve been struggling with shittyitous for years, but going in this trains toilets gave whole lease for life. Today was the day it became a blessing, this group of youths started p!nk “raise your glass” I had never felt such inner joy from these meaningful lyrics it opens my eyes to a new way to see the world. I took extra care into this visit to the toiletry and proceeded to overhear some lovely Christmas, lots of laughs and cheered from the young group, it really was the embodiment of livin’ laughin’, and lovin’. Unfortunately it was getting kind of deep as some old fashioned heartbreak songs started to make thing swing the other way and as we reached closer and closer to my stop I decided that my time was up and had to awkwardly leave from the minuscule loo. They gave me a questionable look as I scuttled on past them but deep down I knew we were bros now 🫡

8 July 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Third world country could do better than these lot

If I could rate this rubbish service zero star I would. National railway has to be THE worst service on earth. Even a third world country would accommodate their customers better. Trains are always cancelled, delayed and the staffs are always rude and smug. They are the most unreliable, overpriced crap service EVER. The East Midlands railways is NEVER EVER A SMOOTH JOURNEY. There is always a problem! So so overpriced for such, SUCH bad service. If I could sue this company I would, if I could swear on these reviews I would.

29 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

TERRIBLE UPSETTING RESPONSE TO A RAIL…

TERRIBLE UPSETTING RESPONSE TO A RAIL TRANSPORT SERVICE TO PAYING CUSTOMERS, CUSTOMERS HAVE BEEN STRANDED FROM KINGS LYNN TOWARDS CAMBRIDGE SINCE 2PM AND I FINISHED WORK AT 5.30PM AND TOLD NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE SINCE, STAFF RELUCTANTLY OFFERING NO SUPPORT, NO TAXIS NO BUSES AT THE STATION, I'M ANGRY AND COULD JUST SEE ANGRY CUSTOMERS ANNOYED WITH POOR SERVICE, THE MANAGERS AND BOSSES LIVE A LIFESTYLE OF HIGH SALARIES FROM HIGH TRAIN FARES AND THE CUSTOMERS SUFFER FROM THEIR INCOMPETENCE OF FAILING TO GET CUSTOMERS TO THEIR DESTINATION WITHIN REASONABLE TIMES,

IF YOU CAN'T PROVIDE A SERVICE, DON'T OR IF IT'S SUBSTANDARD, MAKE IT FREE OR CHEAPER FOR ME

ANGRY DISAPPOINTED 😞 CUSTOMER

27 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Incompetence meets Incompetence

Went to get the last train. The train had been cancelled so they said get the bus. The bus decided it would leave early.

I spoke to Liam in charge and he lied and said he was stood at the bus when it left on time even though I spoke to the bus driver across the street and he said the bus left early.

Told me nothing they will do so left me stranded in Manchester or get a very expensive taxi back.

5 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I'd give zero stars again several times…

I'd give zero stars again several times later we have had sons rail card rejected, I've called few times, I've reloaded documents and still rejected , now complaints gone in and ombudsman I have contacted , we are disabled you have distressed me so much exellerated my illnesses to the full.

2 June 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Who are the idiots working on National Rail website?

National Rail does not recognise most of the underground stations in London. When planning a journey the website sends you around London just to get to one stop.
Please can your IT workers get training in knowing and inputting the name of underground lines at least in London.
National Rail website is a disgrace to UK. It is worst than TFL...

14 May 2025
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Always delayed

No matter where you’re going, what day or time, your train will either be cancelled or delayed. Often all of my trains on a journey are delayed, for example today I have had one cancelled and the remaining 3 of 3 delayed. So expensive and you absolutely cannot rely on it. I avoid as much as possible - it’s better to drive and pay parking.

11 May 2025
Unprompted review

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