Travel, accommodation and transport: Airports, ports, railways and motorways

Types of ticket

• Train tickets:
  • Advance tickets are tickets that you can buy before the date of travel. They are not flexible.
  • Anytime tickets are the most flexible option of tickets. They let you travel on a specific date or multiple dates.
  • First Class tickets allow you to travel on the best seats. Usually, you will get extra space for legs, wider seats, free snacks and drinks… They are usually the most expensive tickets.
  • Off-Peak tickets allow you to travel in certain times, days, routes and avoid rush hour crowds, for a cheaper price.
  • Return tickets combine tickets for your arrival and return.
  • Seasonal Tickets offer you unlimited travel for a chosen period (week, month, year).
  • GroupSave tickets give you a discount if you are travelling in a group. The number of people considered as a group can be different for different operators.
  • BritRail passes allow you to travel freely by any rail routes in the picked region. It is the best option for tourists that would like to see more than only one city. More information you can find on britrail.net/passes.
• Aeroplane tickets:
  • One way tickets allow you to travel only to your destination.
  • Return tickets allow you to travel to and back from your destination.
  • EasyJet tickets:
    • The standard ticket is the cheapest possible ticket. It covers the seat and a cabin bag. You can add different things to it during the booking process but every one of them will cost you additional money.
    • FLEXI ticket gives you the possibility to change your flight dates (with some restrictions). You get a free 23kg hold bag, dedicated bag drop, Speedy Boarding, Fast Track security at selected airports, a seat at the front of the plane, and an under-seat bag in addition to your cabin bag. You also will get a bistro voucher to spend during flight.
    • easyJet Plus card gives you dedicated bag drop, speedy boarding, inclusive allocated seating and fast track security and more for an annual fee.
  •  British Airways tickets:
    • Lowest price ticket cost the lowest fare available. Changes and refunds to these fares may not be allowed or may be allowed by payment of a penalty fee and possible increase in fare.
    • The flexible ticket allows you to make changes and allow refunds with no penalty fees.
    • Ticket price will also vary from the class you will choose:
      • Economy class is standard and the cheapest class.
      • Premium economy has more legroom and additional services. It is available on longer international flights.
      • Business/Club class provide you with higher service. You get for example flat-bed seat, access to private lounges and luxurious spa treatments, dedicated check-in desks, priority boarding, food and drink options. One some flights it is the highest class you can get.
      • First-class is most luxurious class and is available only on selected longer international flights. It provides you for example with a private spacious suite, fully flat bed, fine dining, loungewear, amenity bag, slippers, priority boarding, luxurious spa treatments and more.

Purchasing tickets for modes of transport

• You can buy a ticket at the ticket office at the station, port or airport.
• You can buy them by using automatic ticket machines. In most cases, you can pay by notes, coins and cards.
• There is a possibility of buying a ticket over the phone but this possibility is restricted to certain working hours. Telephone numbers can be found at sites of transport operators.
• You can buy tickets online from the official site of the transport operator or via third sites that check for tickets.

Facilities and services in the airport

• On airports you can find the following facilities and services:
  • The information desk is a counter when you can obtain information about flights, airport, etc.
  • Departure and arrival terminals are buildings which are a separate part of the airport intended for passenger traffic service.
  • Customs is a place where you can get your luggage from an aeroplane.
  • Check-in is a place where the airline accepts passengers and their luggage for travel. Personal information is checked and luggage is weighted. The passenger gets their boarding pass once they are accepted.
  • Gates are places when you can wait for boarding for your plane.
  • Passport control is a place where your passport is checked.
  • Tax-free areas (duty-free) are areas filled with shops in which products are excluded from some local, national taxes and duties.

Facilities and services in train and bus stations

• Information desks are counters where you can obtain information about buses, trains, routes, number of platforms from which they departure and information about stations.
• Platforms are places from which trains or buses departure. They are usually designated by numbers.
• Ticket offices are places where you can buy tickets. You can ask for a certain ticket or for the worker to offer you some different options.
• Waiting rooms are areas provided with a place to sit in which you can wait for your train or bus.
• Shops usually around stations you can find different shops, cafes and small restaurants.

Facilities and services on the motorway

• Service stops in the UK are called motorway service stations. These are places where drivers can leave a motorway to refuel, rest, or get refreshments. You can find there: petrol stations, hotels, fast-food restaurants, small restaurants, coffee shops and normal shops. They are placed on motorways every 28 miles (around every 45 km) or 30 minutes of travel.
• Lay-bys are roadside parking or rest areas for drivers. They can be just small parking or big areas separated from the road. Some of them have parking restrictions.

Exercises

External link to Travel, accommodation and transport: Airports, ports, railways and motorways exercises (532).