GWR app alternatives

[mrmartin]

What is the best app for quick, simple train ticket purchases? The GWR app keeps signing me out, sometimes in the time it takes to check it's working on the train to the ticket barriers! Beyond useless.

I don't want a complex split ticketing based app - just something that is very fast and reliable to use and can repurchase existing tickets really quickly (ideally with saved payment details). I do a few trips fairly regularly and just want something that works quickly.

I think I'm sort of looking for the citymapper of rail ticketing apps, basically

Just to be clearer, something that focuses on the day tickets vs advances and split tickets (with advances in). I never buy advances on the move, may consider it if I'm researching a trip on my laptop and usually I have to go to great lengths to avoid accidently purchasing advances (especially one of the evil ones that are 10p less than the normal ticket).

 

[Lewlew]

Trainline

If you purchase on the day then there are no fees.

And, no, you’re not a sheep for using the Trainline before anyone says it.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

Trainsplit isn't complex - I find it easier to use than the GWR app, and as a bonus it sometimes saves you money. You can use Apple Pay so no need to input payment details, just double-tap on the side. (Presumably the equivalent is true on Android). Plus the developers are responsive - I asked for the Cotswold Line Railcard to be added and it was there within the week. I now buy most of my turn-up-and-go tickets using it.

 

[RPI]

LNER is a good one

 

[mrmartin]

Trainsplit isn't complex - I find it easier to use than the GWR app, and as a bonus it sometimes saves you money. You can use Apple Pay so no need to input payment details, just double-tap on the side. (Presumably the equivalent is true on Android). Plus the developers are responsive - I asked for the Cotswold Line Railcard to be added and it was there within the week. I now buy most of my turn-up-and-go tickets using it.

Problem is it keeps defaulting to advance split tickets which I never want. I just want to buy an off peak return as easily as possible.

 

[Nova1]

I've always thought Chilterns app is pretty good, you select your journey then it'll suggest a ticket but let you buy any valid ticket of your choice

 

[CyrusWuff]

I've always thought Chilterns app is pretty good, you select your journey then it'll suggest a ticket but let you buy any valid ticket of your choice

It will also sell you a split ticket without telling you it's done so, and have the through journey as a single barcode with only the least restrictive ticket type mentioned!

The only way you'd find out it had done so is if you chose Ticket on Departure rather than e-ticket fulfillment...and by the time you collect it, it's likely to be too late to do anything about it.

 

[island]

Southeastern app is very good, and supports saving "favourite" walk-up tickets which you can then buy with 3 taps. E-tickets and ITSO are available on eligible flows.

 

[jayah]

What is the best app for quick, simple train ticket purchases? The GWR app keeps signing me out, sometimes in the time it takes to check it's working on the train to the ticket barriers! Beyond useless.

Are they ever going to fix that? You need phone signal to log back in, which often doesn't exist.

The last thing you need approaching a ticket barrier up a flight of stairs.

 

[MrJeeves]

Trainsplit isn't complex

The Android app isn't as good as the iOS app right now, but that should change soon...

 

[Adam Williams]

The Android app isn't as good as the iOS app right now, but that should change soon...

I'll expect it to have feature parity in 3 weeks from now, then

 

[MrJeeves]

I'll expect it to have feature parity in 3 weeks from now, then

Sorry, this was "soon" rather than soon :P

 

[mangyiscute]

I use TrainPal and have had no issues, plus their vouchers allow you to save some money too!