How do you know in advance which platform your train leaves from?

Question

I live in the Channel Islands. We have no trains here but I regularly travel to the UK and use trains each time. I always have my ticket with the destination and time on, and I get the route from the trainline beforehand, but there's nothing to say which platforms the trains go from. I'm ok entering a station at the start of my trip because there are usually monitors up with routes and platforms on, but when I’m changing trains, I’m stumped. If there IS any info on the platform, it just seems to tell me the FINAL destination of trains, not the whole route. I usually rely on memory or run about looking for my trains on the electronic boards on the platforms. I've searched the web over, please tell me how I can find out *before* I travel so I can avoid the mad rushing! I hate asking at the station because people think I'm English and I should know - and everyone else always does seem to know! Except me!! Thank you!

Answer 1

There is no way of knowing the platform you need before you travel as services can be subject to platform alteration at the last minute. Therefore none of the UK train companies advertise platform numbers.

The best way is to find out where the service you require terminates then look for that on the departure boards.

Also allow more time for your connections. Most minor stations require a seven minute changing time...large stations e.g Glasgow Central advise 20 minutes.

Answer 2

Most have just have a Platform for each direction, but terminuses and junctions can vary.

There is usually a pattern so if you travel a route regularly you tend to know where trains go. Eg Exeter St D trains to Waterloo can only leave from P1 or 3.

There is no harm in asking and I'm english and have no hesitation in asking the staff if I'm not familar with a station, all you need to ask is 'where does the train to xxx leave from'

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How do you know in advance which platform your train leaves from?
I live in the Channel Islands. We have no trains here but I regularly travel to the UK and use trains each time. I always have my ticket with the destination and time on, and I get the route from the trainline beforehand, but there's nothing to say which platforms the trains go from. I'm ok...

Answer 4

If you look at the timetables the train usually has it's end destination shown on the far right of the timetable. For example if you were at Milton Keynes and wanted to travel to Stoke on Trent, the timetable would say.....

Milton Keynes DEP(Time) Stoke On Trent ARR (Time) Destination (Manchester Picc) Operator (VT)

or something similar. All you need to do then is look on the departures board for a train going to (in this case Manchester Picc) and this sould be the train you want for your destination.

Failing this you could always ask one of the friendly and helpfull platform staff, but don't ask drivers as they get annoyed with daft questions (how do I know, because i'm a driver!!!!!)

Answer 5

When you get to the station, check on the departures board, this will tell you what platform the train goes from. Then all you have to do is look at the signs to direct you to that platform.

Exactly the same as getting on a plane.

Answer 6

Unless are you travelling from a station with only one platform that runs both ways its pretty impossible to know for sure which one will be used, you can check on line before you travel or ask at customers at the station when you arrive

Answer 7

if you go online to the station you can see which trains are leaving from which platform-I use this all the time because I only have about 5 minutes between trains-helps to know which platform you have to run to.
try www.virgintrain.co.uk then click on trains then click on live destination board then choose your station.

Answer 8

It is almost impossible to know for certain - and platforms can often be subject to change at the last minute.
However, if you look up your journey using Traveline (www.traveline.co.uk I think) then it has the planned platform numbers for most major stations at least.

Answer 9

As far as I know, there isn't a way, but ask! I've never had the same problem of people thinking that I must know; all I meet are nice, knowledgable people!

Answer 10

You can either phone national rail enquiries on:08457484950 and sometimes they will tell you or ring the station that you will be travelling from and they will tell you.