UK Rail Travel
At Gates Travel we've been selling rail tickets since 1933, so we think it's fair to say that we're experts.
Unlike other ticket retailers we don't make do with web-based self-booking tools. Uniquely, we've invested in the same ticket issuing technology that is used by the train operating companies themselves.
Our Retail branches and Business Travel department are equipped with Fujitu's STAR ticket issuing system, identical to that used in station booking offices and at train company telesales sites.
Although this requires specialist training for our staff, the benefits are considerable. We have full access to timetable and fares databases, access to the National Reservation System for seat and sleeper booking, and very rapid ticket issue - typically less than 60 seconds from initial enquiry to ticket print.
It costs us less to issue tickets and we pass the saving on to our clients. We charge a very low fee of just £4 per return journey (not per ticket) and no additional charges - seat reservations, Ticket on Departure and Management Information Reports are all free.
Why book with Gates Travel?
Because we can save you time and money.
Rail ticketing is still amazingly complex. Even an apparently simple journey from A to B is likely to have a bewildering range of fares associated with it and no clarity or consistency in the fare rules.
Our inside knowledge and thorough understanding of fare rules, easements, permitted routes, break of journey allowances etc. enables us to legitimately ticket journeys at lower fares than might be obtained elsewhere.
We calculate that on average our clients save 15% on the journeys we ticket, compared with online self-booking.
A further, equally important, consideration is time. Booking online can be a very slow and frustrating process. No matter who in your organisation makes your rail bookings, whether it's an administrator, PA or even the MD, their time could be much better spent than taking a quarter of an hour to book one rail ticket.
A brief call or email to Gates Travel will have the journey booked in a fraction of the time and, potentially, at a fraction of the cost.
We'll also advise on using Railcards or Rail Rover tickets to achieve even greater savings.
