What is Great Western Railway (GWR)?
Operating trains on the Great Western Main Line, GWR is one of the major rail operators in the UK. Since 1996, GWR has provided services from London Paddington to Oxford, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff, Exeter and Penzance.
If you're after GWR tickets, look no further. At Trainline, we'll show you where Great Western Railway can take you and how to book the best value fares for your journey. To find GWR tickets, simply start a search above, and we'll show you the best available journey times and prices.
Find what you need
Where can I travel by train with GWR?
Not sure where to start your adventure? Use our GWR route map to plan out where you want to go.
Cross-border travel
Great Western Railway takes you further. From Swansea to London via Cardiff and the Cotswolds, GWR makes travelling between England and Wales smooth and hassle-free.
Capital to capital
With GWR, you can travel conveniently from the hustle and bustle of London to the sandy beaches of Cornwall. Planning a holiday in Cornwall but not sure how to get there? Read our guide on the best way to travel from London to Cornwall.
Most popular routes
GWR destinations: where can they take you?
With GWR, there are many fantastic places you can visit by train. To find some inspiration on where to go, check out these highlights below.
London
Find out more about trains to London.
Oxford
Find out more about trains to Oxford.
Bath
Find out more about trains to Bath.
Bristol
Find out more about trains to Bristol.
Cardiff
Find out more about trains to Cardiff.
Penzance
Find out more about trains to Penzance.
Exeter
Find out more about trains to Exeter.
Cheltenham
Find out more about trains to Cheltenham.
Swansea
Find out more about trains to Swansea.
Which GWR routes are the most popular?
If you want to explore the UK with GWR, you can easily reach major towns and cities by train. To inspire your next trip, here are some of the most popular GWR train journeys in the UK:
Where should I travel by train with GWR?
If you’re planning a trip with GWR, but are unsure where to visit first, here are some ideas for things to see and do in and around the UK:
What classes are available on GWR trains?
GWR offers different seating classes to suit all budgets, whether you're travelling for work, pleasure or a bit of both.
Standard Class
Benefit from family-sized tables, power sockets and generous luggage allowances, all at an affordable price. Great Western Railway makes trips up and down the UK easy for budgeters and thrill-seekers alike.
- Free WiFi
- Comfortable seating
- Table at every seat
First Class
GWR offers First Class seating on most services for those wishing to kick back and relax on their journeys. Enjoy comfy seats, some individual seating, quieter coaches and complimentary WiFi, snacks and light refreshments (on long-distance trains). First Class ticket holders also have access to the First Class lounges at Cardiff and Paddington.
Find out more about GWR First Class.
- Free WiFi
- Comfortable seating
- Table at every seat
- Lounge access in London and Cardiff
- Complimentary refreshments (on long-distance routes)
What are the different types of GWR tickets?
Buying train tickets in the UK can be a little confusing at times. That's why we’re stepping in to help sort out the Advance from the Anytime and more.
Advance train tickets
Anytime train tickets
Flexi Season tickets
Off-Peak train tickets
First Class train tickets
Return train tickets
Season Tickets
Cheap train tickets
GroupSave train tickets
Last-minute train tickets
How can I buy cheap GWR train tickets?
Look, we’re not saying that finding great-value train tickets is the answer to all of life’s problems, but it can't hurt, right?
How can I buy GWR train tickets?
Buying GWR tickets in the UK is simple with the Trainline app!
Follow these simple steps to save money on your train tickets:
- Search online in our Journey Planner or download our app.
- Add your departure and arrival station.
- Choose your date – most Advance tickets go on sale 12 weeks before the date of departure, so the earlier you book the cheaper your tickets could be.
- Don’t forget to add your Railcard, if you have one, to get an even bigger discount. Alternatively, if you're travelling in a group of three to nine adults, you could use GroupSave for a discount of up to 33% on participating services.
- Book!
What are GWR Season Tickets?
If you make the same journey two or more times a week on an GWR route, you may be better off getting a Season Ticket. Sound interesting? Find out more below!
GWR Season Tickets allow you to travel at any time of day, and as much as you want for a specified period between two stations.
You can choose how long they last and make as many back-and-forth trips within that period as you please.
That’s not all – Digital Season Tickets live in the Trainline app on your phone, so you don’t need to queue at the station to collect a paper ticket or worry about losing it.
If you’re regularly travelling to work by train, buying a Season Ticket often works out cheaper than daily single or return tickets.
Season Tickets are all about flexibility. Travel between your home and destination station as many times as you like in one day - every single day if you want to.
GWR stations
Discover more about the main terminals around the country that link the GWR network together.
What services are available on GWR trains?
Keep reading to find out more about the services available on GWR trains.
Luggage
Food and drink
Entertainment
Pets
Passenger Assist
Can I take my bike on GWR trains?
Yes, you can take your bike on the train, and more importantly, you should take your bike on the train!
Planning a day out on your bike? Or cycling as part of your commute to work? You’re in luck. Taking bikes on trains in the UK is completely free.
If you’re travelling with a full-size bike on a GWR train, it’s a good idea to reserve a space for it on board before you travel. On some services, a bike reservation is compulsory; we’ll show you in our Journey Planner when a reservation is required.
When booking with Trainline, we’ll give you the option of booking a bike space if there’s one available on the train you wish to travel on. However, there are some restrictions between Monday and Friday (excluding public holidays) when bikes aren’t allowed on services:
- Arriving at London Paddington between 07:45 and 09:45
- Leaving London Paddington between 16:30 and 19:00
- Between Wokingham and Reading on services arriving at Reading between 07:45 and 09:45 and leaving Reading between 16:30 and 19:00
On Intercity Express trains, a bike reservation is mandatory. Reservations are not available for local services in the London & Thames Valley area. On local services in the West Country, you can reserve a bike space on a limited number of these services. If you do not hold a reservation, bikes are carried on a first-come, first-served basis.
Folding bikes can be taken on board at any time; you can store your folded bike in the luggage storage areas.
E-scooters are prohibited on GWR services and cannot be taken on board.
Find out more about taking bikes on trains in the UK.
Which other train companies operate in the UK?
Including Great Western Railway, 28 train companies operate on the National Rail network in total, including:
GWR reviews
Want to read some first-hand reviews of GWR services? Check out some reviews below!
Taking a trip with GWR from London to Oxford
I travel from London to Oxford on my commute home, so I’m quite familiar with this route!
Getting to the station
Getting to Paddington station from central London is easy, as there are lots of public transport options including the London Underground and local buses. I usually hop on the Elizabeth line, and I can get to Paddington from work in around 15 minutes.
Boarding the train at Paddington
At Peak times, the stations can get very busy! Platforms are often not announced until quite close to the departure time, so be prepared for some crowds. If you’re travelling at an Off-Peak time, such as the middle of the day, it’ll likely be quieter.
Once the platform is announced, it’s easy to board the train. Most platforms have ticket gates, so I scan my digital ticket at the barriers and can then find a seat on the train.
Again, as I often travel at Peak times, the train can get quite busy. I usually buy Advance tickets which have seat reservations included, which can help guarantee a seat. It’s also advisable to head towards the front of the train, as this tends to be quieter.
On board the train from London to Oxford
GWR trains are great inside. There are plug sockets at every seat, luggage storage above the seats and at each end of every carriage, plus free WiFi so I can message my friends on the journey. There are also toilets, and on many trains to Oxford there’s an at-seat trolley service for light refreshments.
Often, I just want to relax after a busy day at work, so I always bring a book to read on the journey. The train is sometimes delayed, so it’s good to have something to do in case this happens.
GWR trains from London to Oxford stop at Reading, and some also stop at Didcot Parkway. Reading is a big interchange station where lots of people get off the train, so it’s often less busy once the train has stopped there.
Arriving in Oxford
All going well, after just under an hour, the train from London arrives at Oxford station. This station also has ticket barriers, so I have to scan my ticket once more to get out. Then I head home on the bus – Oxford station is very well-connected to the rest of Oxford by public transport, which is great whether you live in the city or are just visiting for the day!
About Kristina
Kristina, a Trainline employee, chose to share their experience of the journey between London and Oxford.
Can I cancel or refund my GWR train ticket?
Keep reading for useful information on how to cancel or refund your GWR ticket.
Which tickets can I refund?
Will I be charged for refunding my ticket?
Can I get a refund if my train is cancelled or delayed?
How do I refund my train tickets?
How long does it take to get a refund?
Frequently asked questions about GWR
Travelling with GWR? Find out everything you need to know before your journey.
What is GWR?
Who owns GWR?
What does GWR stand for?
How do I buy GWR tickets?
How do I get a refund from GWR?
Do GWR trains have WiFi?
When are GWR’s Peak hours?
Can I take a bicycle on GWR services?
How fast do GWR trains go?
Can you reserve seats on GWR trains?
Can I bring a pet on GWR trains?
How much luggage can I bring on GWR trains?
Contact information
Got a query about a GWR journey you've booked with us? Get in touch online.
Customer service enquiries
If you want to get in touch with our customer support team about a booking you've made with us, visit our help section.
Delays, lost property and onboard services
If you would like more information regarding GWR train times, lost property or onboard facilities, then please call Great Western Railway on 0345 604 0500.
Find out more about UK train travel
Want to learn more about the UK rail network? Click on one of our UK train travel guides – we’ll provide you with all the information you need about UK train and ticket types, deals and discounts, popular destinations, and more.