Book a UK Train Travel Consultation with UK rail expert Doug Collins
Seeking assistance with your UK rail travel itinerary? Whether you’re starting from scratch or fine-tuning existing plans, Doug Collins has you covered.
In addition to everything you find on the websites (this and our sister site London Travel Planning), our private Facebook group and our popular UK Travel Planning podcast we are also available for private travel consultations. Doug is available to assist with crafting your perfect UK rail itinerary or addressing any other train travel needs you may have, tailored to your preferences and requirements.
How can Doug help you?
- Crafting your ideal UK rail itinerary
- Providing insight into the UK National Rail Network’s geography and routes
- Explaining available National Rail passes and overseas visitor options
- Offering London travel advice and ticketing information
- Highlighting relevant train operators and station details
- Suggesting alternative routes for an enhanced experience
- Providing tips to save money on specific train routes
- Offering an overview of heritage and preservation railways
- Proposing railway itinerary suggestions across the UK
- Coordinating rail travel with cruise or ferry arrivals and departures
- Providing advice and suggestions for accessible travel
- Addressing frequently asked questions
Let Doug Collins guide you through the intricacies of UK rail travel planning for a seamless and unforgettable journey
Doug’s been a huge help to me on trips in 2022 and 2023 – and I’m booked for help on my upcoming trip in August this year as well.
Wes – USA
If you want a smooth, well planned rail itinerary then Doug is your man! He helped me on my first solo trip to the UK and I was so grateful for his patience and support. I’ll be in touch when I return again. Thank you
Lisa – USA
SUMMARY OF SERVICES AVAILABLE
| TYPE OF CONSULT | 1:1 with Doug | VIA Zoom | Slots Available? | BOOK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIDEO REVIEW | ❌ | ❌ | YES (Not day/time specific) | Book Here |
| 1 HOUR | ✅ | ✅ | Slots now available for Jan 2025 | Book Here |
| 1.5 HOUR | ✅ | ✅ | Slots now available for Jan 2025 | Book Here |
| 2 HOUR | ✅ | ✅ | Slots now available for Jan 2025 | Book Here |
What is included in your consultation?
During the UK train travel focused consultation, you will receive:
- 1-on-1 tailored expert advice about your rail itinerary/plans.
- Answers, or suggestions, to any practical questions or concerns you may have about your trip including:
- Fine-tuning your itinerary to ensure you make the most of your time travelling by train between locations.
- Answering frequently asked questions – including tickets/passes/ London Transport/ Apps etc
- Provide suggestions about relevant tours, activities and day trips for places visited during your holiday.
- Offer tips and practical expert advice regarding using the UK Rail Network.
- Any accessibility/assistance issues.
- Any current UK rail news pertinent to your itinerary ie public holidays, strikes, line closures etc
- We will also email (within 3 days of our discussion) the Google sheet with the personalised recommendations and suggestions discussed during the call.
- A 30% discount code for our Guide to UK Train Travel ebook (Written by Doug)
Book a private consultation with a UK rail travel expert
We are Tracy and Doug Collins, the faces behind the UK Travel Planning website, London Travel Planning website, UK Travel Planning Podcast and two Facebook groups.
We are both Brits with extensive knowledge of travelling in the UK.
Doug is a UK train travel guru having worked on the UK rail network for over 25 years. He is also the author of the Guide to UK Train Travel ebook. If you are planning to travel by train Doug is the one to chat to!
Tracy has lived and worked in 7 countries around the world. In the UK alone she has lived in London, the Midlands and the North East. She has extensive experience of travel planning including organising numerous visits to and around the UK.
We love helping visitors to the UK plan their trips and have made some fantastic friends all over the world through our consultations.
We look forward to chatting with you and helping you plan your perfect UK itinerary.
FAQs about the UK Itinerary Consultation & Review Service
How long should I book for?
We offer a variety of time options for itinerary reviews (1 hour, 1.5 hours and 2 hours) and we would urge you to consider the following when deciding which one to choose!
- How long are you planning to spend in the UK?
- How prepared your itinerary is (we have had some very detailed itineraries and also some with very little information – the more prepared you are, the more you will get out of the session)
- How many general questions about UK travel you have
You could also opt to have a 1 hour session initially and then book another to follow up once you have had a chance to reflect on any advice.
We do generally recommend the following:
- 1 hour for a review of an itinerary up to 7 days
- 1.5 hours for a review of an itinerary 8 – 14 days
- 2 hours for a review of an itinerary 14 – 25 days
How does the itinerary consultation and review service work?
Step 1 – Choose your consultation time below. Book the itinerary consultation & review session to discuss your UK itinerary with us at a time that suits you using the calendar below.
You will be taken to a payments page once you have selected a date and time.
Please note all prices quoted are in US$
Step 2 – You will receive a confirmation email and Zoom link for the session.
Step 3 – Please send us a copy of your draft itinerary (if you have one) or questions at least 48 hours prior to the session to info@uktravelplanning.com (please put ‘Itinerary Review” in the subject line). This will give us time to prepare and ultimately save time during the call. This also helps reduce potential for a chargeable consult overrun.
Step 4 – You will receive a reminder email 24 hours prior to the session.
Step 5 – We meet via Zoom and chat through your proposed itinerary.
Step 6 – Within 3 days we will send out a PDF with any personalised recommendations made during the consultation.
What is not included?
Please note that while we can help organise a personalised itinerary with you, we do not include booking services. We are not travel agents and, therefore, cannot make any bookings on your behalf.
We will, however, provide you with any accommodation, tours and services that we recommend.
Please double-check the dates and information prior to booking your itinerary. We do our very best to help you plan your trip, but we are not liable for your vacation.
If you contact us during your trip to ask quick questions about your route or any recommendations, we will try to get back to you as quickly as possible, but we can’t guarantee we can provide advice at short notice.
Terms & Conditions
- Payment Terms:
Payment for your UK Itinerary Review is required in full in advance of the session.
- Refund Policy:
Please note that we do not offer refunds.
In the event that we have to cancel your booking due to a personal emergency, we will provide you with as much notice as possible and send you a link to reschedule our session at a time that suits you.
Alternatively, we can offer you a full refund.
- Cancellation & Rescheduling Policy:
If you can no longer attend you can cancel the session up to 24 hours in advance and reschedule to another date or request a refund.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before your session you will not be entitled to reschedule or a refund.
Book your UK Itinerary Planning Consultation
As travel consultants, we will help organise a personalised UK train travel itinerary for you. We do not, however, book on your behalf. You’ll be free to finalise your itinerary and to book wherever you like. Please double-check the dates and information provided before booking your itinerary. Though we’ll do our very best, we are not liable for your vacation.