r/Glasgow Tools

In the UK you can buy a ticket from any Train operator. There are also ticket only companies.

Some routes have more than one operator running. For example going London to Glasgow has a few different operators running.

If you buy any time train tickets they can cost more but you can then get on any Train from any operator. If you book specific trains you need to get that exact train.

Your trip from Liverpool to Glasgow will likely go from Liverpool to a station like Wigan NW or Preston on a train operator called Northern. These are fairly cheap but not great trains. Then from Wigan NW or Preston to Glasgow change onto an operator called Avanti. These are fast and comfortable. There is another operator called Trans Pennine but the trains are a bit smaller and you could end up standing.

You could buy a ticket that covers the whole trip or two singles between the stations. Sometimes this can be cheaper even on the same train. Buy tickets in advance is always cheaper and after 9.30am is cheaper.

When buying I use Trainline as it's the most usable and has an app that shows live train location, delay etc.
However they have a transaction fee. You can buy the tickets for both legs even on different operators on any Train website.you could even use a train operator site that's not part of the journey to buy the ticket.

Personally I would lookup Trainline to figure out the trip. Trainline even shows you best price for split journey.
Then buy on Avanti, Northern or Trans Pennine website, book. singles to split the journey and coat.