Where our data comes from
We maintain our own structured database — transport networks, timetables, seasonal and last connections, neighbourhoods and their distance to stations, attraction accessibility, regional passes and luggage difficulty. It is not rewritten guidebook text.
Sources include operator timetables and official transit data, published accessibility information, regional pass terms, and direct, on-the-ground checks of stations, stops and the walk from them to attractions.
Fact, estimate and recommendation — kept separate
Every piece of information on CarFreeRoutes falls into one of three categories, and we try to make it clear which is which rather than blending them into one confident-sounding paragraph.
- Fact — confirmed against a timetable, official source or direct check, and dated.
- Estimate — our best reading when exact data is not published, always labelled as such.
- Recommendation — our opinion on the best choice, shaped by the facts above but still a judgment call.
Freshness and seasonal data
Every fact carries a verified date, and every destination, route and score shows when it was last checked. Seasonal services — summer ferries, winter closures, holiday timetables — are re-checked ahead of the season they affect, not left on a yearly cycle.
We flag last-service times specifically, because that's where trips actually go wrong — not missing the first connection, but the one home at the end of the day.
Corrections
Transport networks change faster than any single site can track alone. If you notice a schedule that has moved, a station that has changed, or a trail that is closed, tell us — reports from people who were actually there are one of our best sources.
We review every correction, update the fact and its date once confirmed, and keep the destination or route accurate for the next traveller.
What we don't claim
We don't promise a schedule will hold, a route will stay open, or a price won't change — those depend on operators, weather and public authorities beyond our control. We don't present estimates as measured fact, and we never let a booking partner's commission decide what we recommend.
Frequently asked questions
How do you verify your data?
By cross-checking operator timetables and official transit sources, reviewing published accessibility and pass information, and, where possible, on-the-ground checks of stations, stops and the walk to attractions. Each fact is dated when confirmed.
What's the difference between a fact and an estimate on your site?
A fact is confirmed against a timetable, official source or direct check and carries a date. An estimate is our best reading when that confirmation is not available — we still label it clearly so you know how much weight to give it.
What if something has changed since you last verified it?
It happens — transport networks move faster than any database. Check the verified date shown, treat anything close to travel time as worth a quick double-check with the operator, and let us know if you find a change so we can update it.
Do partner commissions influence your data or scores?
No. Scores and factual data are built from the transport database first; booking links are added afterward as a way to fund the site. The best-scoring option and the most profitable one are sometimes different — we show the honest one either way.