birmingham to london

[yorkie]

So you don't actaul book tickets on national rail, you still have to use a TOC or thetrainline etc to buy the tickets

Correct. It's pointless.

I suggest either:-
- FSR - no requirement to register to use it (only requires registration when ready to purchase), all the 'benefits' of Thetrainline but none of the fees.
- NXEC - no requirement to register as above, but different engine to thetrainline which makes it easier to see cheapest fares. Also allows you to state seat preferences (or even not book a seat).

If I am just checking train times, and perhaps prices, without wishing to book, I usually use FSR.

 

[matt]

I use Virgin Trains as thats who I am registered with and then I usual collect from the Fast Ticket Machine at Coventry station

 

[yorkie]

I'm registered with quite a few of them, but I just don't see the need to log in unless I want to make a purchase. The TOCs can customise this feature, Virgin have enabled forced registration and FSR haven't.

 

[matt]

I'm registered with quite a few of them, but I just don't see the need to log in unless I want to make a purchase. The TOCs can customise this feature, Virgin have enabled forced registration and FSR haven't.

CrossCountry let you look without logging in. As nationalrail.co.uk has been broken so much recently I have been using the CrossCountry website to look at times and prices.