Trainline: Cheap Train Tickets

Unlike national rail apps, Trainline prefers to suggest intercity routes rather than big brands like TGV or EuroStar, which makes it exceptionally easy to bypass problems on the track. It’s helped me many times to bypass cancellations or construction by approaching the city from a different direction. The best part: the route is provided already, and all the tickets can be bought in just one click. The downside is that this preference for intercity trains with lots of transfers isn’t ideal if you’re trying to save time, if you’re unfamiliar with navigating train stations, or if your train is delayed. If you need direct routes, they can be found on Trainline, but you have to search carefully.

If you’re not an EU or UK citizen *don’t* use this app. I spent thousands on it in Europe, including $600 tickets for a Thalys train that was cancelled. When you click through the refund on the app, it says you must contact customer service. So I did; Trainline says they’ll talk to Thalys. Thalys says you must apply for the refund through Trainline because that’s where the tickets were purchased; Trainline then sent me an email that Thalys rejected the refund - even though I have screenshots and communications from Thalys telling me I was entitled to it. Making matters worse, Trainline refused to provide any documentation, explanation why it was rejected, communications with Thalys, nothing. All for a refund that Thalys own materials say we’re entitled to. I had to pay hundreds more to complete my trip. I’m now having to spend hours figuring out how to apply for Thalys mediator and bring a claim in the EU, and all because Trainline refuses to provide any information. This would be consumer fraud under US law; but because it’s a British app, you can pay hundreds and receive nothing. Bottom line: buy your train tickets direct from the provider or face the risk of complete loss.

If you want no help and lose your money, use this app. Its convenient when buying your tickets, its a pain when asking for a refund. I live in the USA, and bought train tickets for our trip in Spain. When our trip was cancelled by Renfe(Spanish train operator), I initiated a refund process with Trainline. Trainline responded that I should call Renfe( its a long distance call for me$$$), to get a refund. I was able to finally got hold of a Renfe call-agent after several days of attempting to get in touch with a Renfe agent($$$), and was told that, I should get hold of my travel agent because all tickets during our travel date was cancelled and was refunded back to our pay-source irrespective of ticket type. So, when I communicated again with trainline. Guess what, I was again advised to call Renfe!!#%#%%*+*\\|*%%#%^*$$$@@:;;(##%%%* My 2 cents, cut out the middleman and go directly to the service provider. The service provider all have online footprints now. So when travel plans go awry, you only have to deal directly with the provider. DO NOT USE THIS APP!!!!