How to Buy the Timetables
Here are some tips on different ways to buy the Thomas Cook timetables and rail maps.
Internet
The easiest way to buy the timetable is through the Thomas Cook Publishing website, where a 10% discount is available on the monthly edition. The price of the regular edition is £13.99, but with the 10% discount that's £12.59. Postage is extra but is only £1.50 to UK addresses, £3.50 to addresses in Europe, or £5.00 to the rest of the world.
You need a credit or debit card to order on-line. Timetables are normally despatched within two working days of the order being placed, subject to availablity. Unfortunately it is not possible to use American Express credit cards on-line, but you can use them if you ring Thomas Cook Publishing.
European Rail Timetable - this link goes straight to the European Rail Timetable page. Choose the month you want to order from the drop-down list.
Thomas Cook Publishing - this takes you to the Thomas Cook Publishing homepage where you can browse and buy from the whole range of timetables, rail maps and guide books.
By Post
You can ring Thomas Cook Publishing on 01733 416477 (or from outside the UK ring +44 1733 416477) with your credit card or debit card number to order timetables or any other publications from the large range to any address worldwide. The timetables cost £13.99 each and postage for each publication is £1.50 to UK addresses, £3.50 to addresses in Europe, or £5.00 to the rest of the world. Annual subscriptions are also available.
The Seasonal (Summer or Winter) edition costs £15.99 plus postage.
Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Switch/Delta are accepted. Allow around 10 days for delivery to addresses in the USA.
You can also write, sending a cheque, to Thomas Cook Publishing, PO Box 227, Coningsby Road, Peterborough PE3 8SB, United Kingdom.
Thomas Cook travel shops
Many Thomas Cook travel shops sell the timetable, as well as selected guide books. Generally you need to go to the Foreign Exchange window. It may be best to ring them first before making a special trip. If they haven't got one in stock they should be able to obtain one for you, but it may be quicker just to order one direct from Thomas Cook Publishing, either by ringing their sales line or through the website (see above).
Buying through a shop means you do not have to pay extra for postage but since there is a 10% discount on the website the total price works out about the same as ordering on-line.
Stanfords in London
Probably the best place to buy the timetabls and rail maps in London is Stanfords at 12-14 Long Acre, Covent Garden, WC2E 9LP (situated between Leicester Square and Covent Garden, at the south end of Long Acre).
They have extended opening hours and even open on Sundays - hours are Mondays 9am-7.30pm, Tuesdays 9.30am-7.30pm, Wednesdays 9am-7.30pm, Thursdays 9am-8pm, Fridays 9am-7.30pm, Saturdays 10am-8pm, Sundays and bank holidays 12 noon-6pm.
London St Pancras International
Trainseurope of March have booking desks at St Pancras International Station in London, open Mondays to Saturdays (also certain Sundays at holiday times). It is located inside the East Midlands Trains booking office. They also have a desk at Leicester station.
Other Bookshops
In order to sell the timetables through general bookshops, Thomas Cook produce Summer and Winter editions of the European Rail Timetable. See the relevant page on this website for more details.
Certain specialist travel bookshops such as Stanfords (see above) sell the regular monthly edition of the European Rail Timetable as well as the seasonal editions.
Overseas Agents
Timetables can also be purchased from a number of agents outside the United Kingdom.