I'm an American who traveled by UK trains for the first time — here's what my 1,200-mile, $240 round trip was like

Talia LakritzJan 21, 2023, 02:44 IST

Traveling around the UK by train didn't always go smoothly on my recent vacation.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I recently took a vacation to the UK and traveled to Glasgow, London, and Inverness by train.
My trip to Glasgow was affected by strikes, and bad weather caused crowding on my train to London.

On my first-ever visit to the UK, my partner and I traveled by train from Edinburgh to Glasgow, London, and Inverness.

On a train in Scotland.Coren Feldman

We used the ScotRail and LNER mobile apps to book our tickets.

Edinburgh Waverley train station.Talia Lakritz/Insider

A round-trip ticket from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street cost £28, or around $34.

Seats on a ScotRail train.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The train's bathroom was similar to one on an airplane.

A train bathroom.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I enjoyed taking in views of the Scottish countryside along the way.

On my way to Glasgow.Talia Lakritz/Insider

I figured I'd take my time sightseeing in Glasgow and book a train when I was ready to return to my friend's apartment in Edinburgh. That was a mistake.

Visiting the University of Glasgow.Coren Feldman

I almost got stranded in Glasgow because railway workers were striking that day, causing stations to close early.

A sign at Edinburgh Waverley train station.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Our five-hour, 400-mile journey to London was disastrous due to inclement weather.

A crowded LNER train.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Our seat reservations were no longer valid because of overcrowding.

Seat reservations on an LNER train.Talia Lakritz/Insider

There was also no food service because workers couldn't get through the aisles.

A QR code sticker on an LNER train.Talia Lakritz/Insider

With so many people on board, the bathroom was a mess.

The bathroom was a mess.Talia Lakritz/Insider

After standing for an hour and a half, we transferred to a different train that had more room.

Relieved to finally be sitting after an hour and a half.Talia Lakritz/Insider

Our four-hour trip to Inverness was my favorite train ride by far.

Reading Prince Harry's memoir "Spare" on the train to Inverness.Coren Feldman

Hot chocolate from the trolley was the perfect complement to the scenic snow-capped mountains we passed along the way.

Views on the way to Inverness.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The accessible bathrooms on the train were spacious and clean, and they even included a full-length mirror.

The accessible bathroom on the train to Inverness.Talia Lakritz/Insider

The journey back to Edinburgh from Inverness at dusk was one of the most beautiful train rides I've ever taken in my life.

Coastal views on the way back from Inverness.Coren Feldman

Despite the hiccups along the way, I was grateful for the infrastructure that allowed us to travel around the UK without the expense and hassle of renting a car.

The train to Inverness had amazing ocean views.Talia Lakritz/Insider

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I'm an American who traveled by UK trains for the first time &mdash; here's what my 1,200-mile, $240 round trip was like