Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

[dzug]

Hiya, I plan to go to bournemouth from the 5th may, no return needed.

its from london. I found a £12 ticket from megatrain, and thats not too bad but I found one with better timing but its called APEX train single fare at 17.80.

Whats Apex? and do you know any cheaper journeys?


Apex means advance purchase excursion.

You might find megaBUS cheaper and maybe National Express, but you won't get a cheaper train fare.

[jenny_f]

anyone know the cheapest way to go from york to stansted airport (avoiding london).

cheers

[dzug]

anyone know the cheapest way to go from york to stansted airport (avoiding london).

cheers

The cheapest train ticket changing at Peterborough is £10.65 each way on a GNER Advance ticket. Saver return (any off peak train, buy on the day) is £64

You can also do it by coach changing at Milton Keynes but that takes twice as long and is only marginally cheaper (£59.50) than the saver ticket on the train

[Whats_my_age_again]

Hi I am looking to travel by train from Aberdeen to Bristol in June. When is the best time to look to purchase tickets, ie. when will they be at their cheapest. At the moment on Virgin I can get an Advance Single for my journey back for £40 but can't get similarly low price for journey down (it was coming out at around £80).

Also am I likely to get a ticket any cheaper than £40 each way?

[echox22]

Hi I am looking to travel by train from Aberdeen to Bristol in June. When is the best time to look to purchase tickets, ie. when will they be at their cheapest. At the moment on Virgin I can get an Advance Single for my journey back for £40 but can't get similarly low price for journey down (it was coming out at around £80).

Also am I likely to get a ticket any cheaper than £40 each way?

Mate, the cheapest way I can think to do this since you are booking well in advance (and it is a very roundabout way):

Train Aberdeen to Edinburgh Waverley; £15 at the trainline (use code LTTL5D, do not use credit card). It may be cheaper to use GNER website if you catch a GNER train (10% off tickets), but probably not if you book now.

Megatrain Edinburgh Waverley to Manchester Piccadilly from £2.50.

Arriva Trains Wales Manchester Piccadilly to Newport, Gwent (or Cardiff), £15, buy on the trainline using the same code. If you have a young persons railcard DO NOT USE as this will make the tickets £18 and not eligible for £5 discount. NB YOU MUST BOOK THESE TICKETS BEFORE LATE MAY otherwise the price will go up. I just checked and you can book them for June though.

First Great Western Newport, Gwent or (Cardiff) (Newport should take less time) to Bristol NOTE: most of the trains go to PARKWAY, but a few go to Temple Meads for the same price. The bus fare from parkway souldn't be extortionate though. Around £8 if you book in advance.

ALL PRICES QUOTED ARE RETURN=c.£40 RETURN

This may or may not help, depending on whether you want to go a roundabout route and change a lot of times. I actually don't know if it is logistically possible so PLAN your journey meticulously, and buy as early as possible. If one of your trains is late I don't know if they will let you on a different service for the next part of the route but you can plead your case.

Any further questions post here. Regards.

[dzug]

Hi I am looking to travel by train from Aberdeen to Bristol in June. When is the best time to look to purchase tickets, ie. when will they be at their cheapest. At the moment on Virgin I can get an Advance Single for my journey back for £40 but can't get similarly low price for journey down (it was coming out at around £80).

Also am I likely to get a ticket any cheaper than £40 each way?

The cheapest possible Virgin fare is £24 each way.

The time to buy if you can is when the cheap fares come out - they don't normally get added to later. They are all published at once - obviously the cheaper ones go first.
Occasionally weekend fares will come out later than weekday ones - if engineering work is late in being finalised.

[Whats_my_age_again]

Thanks for replies - I will thank you when I get home - work PC does not allow me to do it!

Does anyone know when the £24 fares would be come available? I am looking to go down on the 19th June. The £24 fares are listed on Trainline but there is not an option to select them - have I missed the boat or am I too early?

[dzug]

Thanks for replies - I will thank you when I get home - work PC does not allow me to do it!

Does anyone know when the £24 fares would be come available? I am looking to go down on the 19th June. The £24 fares are listed on Trainline but there is not an option to select them - have I missed the boat or am I too early?


Are there any other (more expensive) cheap fares listed and available on 19 June? The answer is yes, (£40 or £41) so you have missed the boat.

They become available 8-12 weeks in advance. The £24 ones may well be few and far between.

[AP]

Tips for local rail travel around Sheffield:

Download the Avantix Traveller program from this website for future research and reference:

http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk/wordpress/2007/03/08/advantixtraveller/

(Suggest cut and paste the link onto the browser or highlight address and press return if forbidden message comes up)

This is essentially the National Fares Manual and contains all the rail fares between any two stations in the whole country.

Sheffield to Doncaster: Standard Day Single £3.50
Dore (one stop before Sheffield) to Bentley (one stop after Doncaster): Standard Day Single £2.50

Sheffield to Swinton: Cheap Day Return £3.00
Dore to Mexborough (one stop after Swinton): Cheap Day Return £2.90

Sheffield to Wakefield Stations: Cheap Day Return £6.50 (not via Doncaster)
Sheffield to Castleford (two stops after Wakefield): Cheap Day Return £6.00 (any permitted route)

Doncaster to Leeds: Standard Day Return £9.10
Split ticket between:
1. Kirk Sandall (one stop before Doncaster) to Wakefield Stations: Standard Day Return £6.30, and
2. Wakefield Stations to Cross Gates (one stop after Leeds): Cheap Day Return £2.15
Total = £8.45

Sheffield to Leeds: 1 month season ticket £168.20 (or £165.60 for not via Doncaster)
Sheffield to Howden (via Leeds): £157.10

Sheffield to Baildon: Standard Day Single £9.80
Split ticket between:
1. Dore to Wakefield Stations: Standard Day Single £5.80
2. Wakefield Stations to Baildon: Standard Day Single £2.90
Total = £8.70

Sheffield to Manchester Stations: Cheap Day Return £13.60
Sheffield to Stalybridge (via Stockport): Cheap Day Return £12.70 - under National Routeing Guide Easement no. 36 - 'Journeys from Stockport to Stalybridge may go via Manchester. Journeys via Stockport and Stalybridge may go via Manchester. These easements apply in both directions'

Sheffield to Birmingham Stations/Aston (return on the same day): Standard Saver Return £30.80
Split ticket between:
1. Derbyshire Wayfarer (valid between Sheffield and Burton on Trent): £7.90
2. Derby to Shenstone: Cheap Day Return £6.60 (any permitted route) - under National Routeing Guide Easement no. 97 - 'Journeys from Lichfield Trent Valley, Lichfield City, Shenstone, Blake Street, Butlers Lane, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Wylde Green, Chester Road and Erdington to Derby or via Derby may go via Birmingham. This easement applies in both directions.'
Total = £14.50

NB. Tested and worked on 05/05/07 with tickets inspected at Birmingham New Street and Aston stations

Details of all National Routeing Guide Easements can be found on:

http://www.atoc.org/rsp/_downloads/R.../easements.htm

[trubster]

<H1>Forbidden

You do not have permission to access this document.

Web Server at theticketcollector.co.uk </H1>Doesnt seem to work with the top link, please post the link in parts so it does not have the ..'s in

Think this will work, here goes

Download atoc_fares_cdrom_win_98.zip (http://www.filecrunch.com/file/~1j17ec)

[AP]

</H1>Doesnt seem to work with the top link, please post the link in parts so it does not have the ..'s in

Think this will work, here goes

Download atoc_fares_cdrom_win_98.zip (http://www.filecrunch.com/file/~1j17ec)

The link in parts is as follows:-

www.theticketcollector.co.uk/

wordpress/2007/03/08/advantixtraveller/

[trubster]

Really great program, been playing for hours, wicked and quick for finding cheaper routes... THANKS!!!

[trubster]

Anyone have any ideas on Sheffield to Poole, I need to get the train to POOLE arriving before 12! 54.85 was the cheapest I found but it was NOT LONDON, I would prob go back via london.

Thats with a Y-P Railcard

Thanks

[Sabrina]

Hi I need to travel from Cambridge to Leuchars on Fri 22nd June, arriving at around 5pm, and returning the next day (!) as late as possible. I've found one ticket via Leeds on the way up, but with a 3 hour wait at Leeds station, and an ok priced ticket back, adding up to about £35 - is it possible to beat this price/ make the journey a little more user friendly?

Many thanks

PS. This with with a Young Person's Railcard...

[trubster]

It should be £66.40 for a Saver Return with a railcard, Go 1 day rtn 1 month, looks like you have an advance purchase special. try www.thetrainline.com (http://www.thetrainline.com)

[silver_haze20]

I'm planing on going to Cambridge to Heathrow Arrivals (presumably terminal 1) on the 31st of May and was wondering the cheapest way of doing so. Train is preferable, but coach isn't out of the question, it just depends on the money:time ratio!

Thanks in advance...

[dzug]

I'm planing on going to Cambridge to Heathrow Arrivals (presumably terminal 1) on the 31st of May and was wondering the cheapest way of doing so. Train is preferable, but coach isn't out of the question, it just depends on the money:time ratio!

Thanks in advance...

You can do it for a fiver if you are prepared to spend 6 hours on a 3 leg journey but that's a bit extreme. I take it you are more sensible than that.

Coach to London and tube out is probably cheapest, followed by rail to London and tube out and coach all the way. It's not a journey there's very much scope for saving money on.

[silver_haze20]

Haha yeh that's a bit much, I wouldn't mind being awake to meet the girl when she arrives!

I rarely catch trains/use public transport in general, because i live in Cambridge, I just cycle everywhere and until very recently all my friends have lived here. So I get easily confused by trains. I guess that's also why I posted here. I don't want to end up on a journey somewhere else (not beyond the realms of possibility, this is the man who got stuck on a train because he couldn't open the door :undecided!)

Any sites you can recommend or should I stick to nationalrail? If there's isn't much difference in the price, I'll probably just stick with the train.

Thanks for the quick reply

[Wrongside99]

Hi there,

I am trying to book a ticket for the Sat 11th of August as soon as it comes out, however I went on the website 12 weeks before the 4th of August to check likely prices,and the tickets are all standard price fares...yet there are plenty of cheap saturday fares in June and july.

I thought they only released cheaper fares at the 12week advance date? as i don't want to book a standard fare 12 weeks out and then find a load of cheaper ones released nearer the time. Or is August just mega expensive?

[sockospice]

Hi there,

I am trying to book a ticket for the Sat 11th of August as soon as it comes out, however I went on the website 12 weeks before the 4th of August to check likely prices,and the tickets are all standard price fares...yet there are plenty of cheap saturday fares in June and july.

I thought they only released cheaper fares at the 12week advance date? as i don't want to book a standard fare 12 weeks out and then find a load of cheaper ones released nearer the time. Or is August just mega expensive?

Weekend tickets are often released later because train companies often don't receive information about the engineering work Network Rail intend to do until maybe 8 weeks before. They can't release tickets until they know what trains they'll be able to run.

[dzug]

Haha yeh that's a bit much, I wouldn't mind being awake to meet the girl when she arrives!

I rarely catch trains/use public transport in general, because i live in Cambridge, I just cycle everywhere and until very recently all my friends have lived here. So I get easily confused by trains. I guess that's also why I posted here. I don't want to end up on a journey somewhere else (not beyond the realms of possibility, this is the man who got stuck on a train because he couldn't open the door :undecided!)

Any sites you can recommend or should I stick to nationalrail? If there's isn't much difference in the price, I'll probably just stick with the train.

Thanks for the quick reply


Avoid the trainline if you are paying by credit card as they charge a fee - the others don't

But you might as well pay on the day - haven't checked, but wouldn't expect there to be a cheap adnavce purchase tickets.

Buy a one day travelcard if travelling off-peak - it will get you all the way to Heathrow at less cost than buying separate tube tickets. Check the price - it might be worth buying a second one for your girl to travel back to Cambridge with you on.

[James21]

Want cheap train tickets for me n my gf, i have a young persons card thing...

Stockport(Greater Manchester) to Bangor(Wales) 1st june after 18:00 and come bak 3rd June after 13:00.


Any tips?

[trubster]

Want cheap train tickets for me n my gf, i have a young persons card thing...

Stockport(Greater Manchester) to Bangor(Wales) 1st june after 18:00 and come bak 3rd June after 13:00.


Any tips?

TBH mate, I dont think you will get cheaper than a saver return, I looked and it was £30 for no railcard, but £20 with a railcard!!! Its valid all day both directions and you go on a set date and come back any time in a month!

Personally I think its a bargain to say it costs more than that to go sheffield to newcastle:money:


ORIGIN: STOCKPORT.
DESTINATION: BANGOR (GWYNEDD)
RAILCARD: YOUNG PERSONS RCD
ADULTS:1 CHILDREN:0
SVR - SAVER RETURN ATW
00000 - ANY PERMITTED
1 Adult @£ 20.75 = £ 20.75

[odds-n-sods]

Hi All: I haven't read all the posts, and I am a train conductor, so here are my comments!

If your ticket hasn't been stamped by the conductor for any reason, but you still have made the journey, trying to get a refund back from the train company is fraud. I know of 1 case where a man had done this for over 30 tickets; he was found out, and now is facing over 30 individual counts of fraud: 'Obtaining a service by deception' and faces £1,000 fine (minimum) + 10 years in jail on each count.

also, on most train companies, you can't use your railcard to buy a ticket on the train and must buy a full-fare (Standard Open) ticket, or the highest priced ticket for your journey (No Cheap Day Returns) <font color=red>IF the ticket office at the station you get on is OPEN</font> If the ticket office is closed (usually at smaller stations) you may by the ticket of your choice on the train, with a railcard.

Also, if you don't have your railcard on you, you will have to pay the difference from the price of your ticket and the full fare, so if you've bought, for example, a 7 day advance single from Leicester to Peterborough for £3.30, you'd have to pay the difference to a Standard Open Single of £16.10. Not a saving, then! And if you tell the conductor you dont have any money they can ask for your name and address + ID for an Unpaid Fares Notice, (gives you 10 days to pay) and if you refuse, that is an arrestable Offense, as is not having a Valid ticket (out-of date, ticket isn't valid for that train, or time).

Some train companies are stricter than others: Virgin, GNER, First Capital Connect. if you have a journey booked on a specific train and would like to travel earlier, they will charge you a full price ticket. Others: Central Trains, ONe Anglia, are not as picky, but do ask the conductor before boarding, esp. in the early weekday mornings!

Buy tickets before you get onthe train, and buy in advance, get a railcard if you are eligible, and make sure you have it on you. Also, if you are travelling in multiples of 3 or 4, ask for groupsave tickets; 34% off for 3, and 50% for 4 on certain types of tickets, but not advance ticekts!

[Voyager2002]

If there is a long queue at the ticket office, or for some other reason you don't want to buy your ticket before travelling, then ask permission from anyone yuo can find in railway uniform. You then have "authority to travel" and so should be able to buy the same ticket from the conductor on the train as you would have bought from the ticket office.

[neiljc]

Mother and father in law are going on a cruise on Friday.

FIL has been to hospital and they say he cant drive for two months!

he has to get to Southampton from Newark Northgate and GNER s cheapest appears to be saver return at £136 each:eek:

any body got any tips on cutting this down?

Neil

[pompeyrich]

Mother and father in law are going on a cruise on Friday.

FIL has been to hospital and they say he cant drive for two months!

he has to get to Southampton from Newark Northgate and GNER s cheapest appears to be saver return at £136 each:eek:

any body got any tips on cutting this down?

Neil

What time do they have to be there? If they dont mind an early start, they could get the 06:08 Newark - Birmingham for £26:40 open return then the 09:03 MEGATRAIN (http://www.megatrain.co.uk) from Birmingham arriving at 11:40 for £10 single. You didnt give a return date so you would have to check the Megatrain site for a suitable return journey to Brum. Also try from Nottingham as a saver return from there is only £65 plus about £8 from Newark to Notts. These fares are per person

[AP]

Want cheap train tickets for me n my gf, i have a young persons card thing...

Stockport(Greater Manchester) to Bangor(Wales) 1st june after 18:00 and come bak 3rd June after 13:00.


Any tips?

Stockport - Bangor: Standard Saver Return £20.75 with YP RCD

Split ticket at Shotton - change at Chester for a train that stops at Shotton:

Stockport - Shotton: SVR £8.25 with YP RCD
Shotton - Bangor: SVR £9.55 with YP RCD
Total = £17.80 - Saving £2.95 with YP RCD per person.

[trubster]

If your ticket hasn't been stamped by the conductor for any reason, but you still have made the journey, trying to get a refund back from the train company is fraud. I know of 1 case where a man had done this for over 30 tickets; he was found out, and now is facing over 30 individual counts of fraud: 'Obtaining a service by deception' and faces £1,000 fine (minimum) + 10 years in jail on each count.


Ohkay, this forum in no way suggests that this should be done, it is SPLITTING TICKETS and is perfectly legal! I have a YP Railcard and use it all the time, for example, this forum is designed to tell people tips like this one I use all the time.

DONCASTER (DON) to NEWCASTLE (NCL) SAVER RETURN (SVR) £30.75 With YOUNG PERSONS RAILCARD (YNG)

=OR=

DONCASTER (DON) to YORK (YRK) CHEAP DAY RETURN (CDR) £6.40 With YOUNG PERSONS RAILCARD (YNG)

AND

YORK (YRK) to NEWCASTLE (NCL) CHEAP DAY RETURN (CDR) £13.45 With YOUNG PERSONS RAILCARD (YNG)

That only comes to £19.85, saving you £10.90 and you dont even have to move from your seat!

Nowhere on this forum (That I have read) does anyone suggest getting refunds for them or trying to get away with a non existant railcard or even trying to avoid paying all together, as you rightfully stated, this IS fraud.

[AP]

Hi All: I haven't read all the posts, and I am a train conductor, so here are my comments!

If your ticket hasn't been stamped by the conductor for any reason, but you still have made the journey, trying to get a refund back from the train company is fraud. I know of 1 case where a man had done this for over 30 tickets; he was found out, and now is facing over 30 individual counts of fraud: 'Obtaining a service by deception' and faces £1,000 fine (minimum) + 10 years in jail on each count.

No offence mate - we are just a bunch of clever people knowing how to beat the system in the light of the forever increasing train fares. As trubster rightly says, this forum in no way suggests that this (getting refund from tickets already used) should be done. What we are trying to do are all done within the National Rail Conditions of Carriage, perfectly legal and above board.

If you don't already know how to do this, why don't you join us and do the same?

Of course everyone needs to have a ticket which is valid for the journey made. However, the 'From' station does not necessary have to be the one where the passenger gets on and also the 'To' station does not necessary have to be the one where the passenger gets off under certain circumstances - and money can be saved by buying tickets in this way. See my earlier post on:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5036692&postcount=510

[sockospice]

If there is a long queue at the ticket office, or for some other reason you don't want to buy your ticket before travelling, then ask permission from anyone yuo can find in railway uniform. You then have "authority to travel" and so should be able to buy the same ticket from the conductor on the train as you would have bought from the ticket office.

Interesting one. How would you prove to the conductor that you have been given 'authority to travel'?

[leicesterguy22]

Hi there been lurking on this great forum for ages but finally decided to join.

Looking to go from Derby to Newcastle 15th June 10am onwards

Return from Newcastle to Derby 17th June arrive before 21:30

Best I can get so far is £43.10 Saver/Cheap Day Return with a young persons railcard, anyone know and cheap splits. Notice there are no value advances available, I assume this is because of engineering works and they have not been released yet, should I purchase now or hang fire and wait to see if any value adavance get released? Got the same journey for £18 in November of last year!

[AP]

Hi there been lurking on this great forum for ages but finally decided to join.

Looking to go from Derby to Newcastle 15th June 10am onwards

Return from Newcastle to Derby 17th June arrive before 21:30

Best I can get so far is £43.10 Saver/Cheap Day Return with a young persons railcard, anyone know and cheap splits. Notice there are no value advances available, I assume this is because of engineering works and they have not been released yet, should I purchase now or hang fire and wait to see if any value adavance get released? Got the same journey for £18 in November of last year!

Derby - Newcastle: £43.10 SVR with RNG

Split ticket at York
Derby - York: £20.75
York - Newcastle: £20.15

Total = £40.90 SVR with RNG
Savings = £2.20 (not a lot, but every little helps!)

Plus: Free tea and coffee on Midland Mainline trains (not Virgin or Central Trains) between Derby and Sheffield;

and get 20% off food & drink at railway stations across the country with Bitecard - see: http://www.bitecard.co.uk/ for details

Welcome aboard!

[pompeyrich]

Best I can get so far is £43.10 Saver/Cheap Day Return with a young persons railcard, anyone know and cheap splits. should I purchase now or hang fire and wait to see if any value adavance get released? Got the same journey for £18 in November of last year!

May as well "hang fire" as the saver fare you quote is available to buy on the day so wait and keep checking for the VA tix.

[jumpingjackd]

Looking to go GLASGOW - ELGIN. Friday - Sunday 25- 27 May.
1 adult 1 child.

Cheapest I can get is £49.85 saver return with family railcard.

Anyone any ideas on how to get the price down a bit more.

Thanks in advance.


EDIT: Scotrail has CLUB 55 tickets (travel for over 55's)
for £14 return (£18 first class). I put a search for 1 adult and 1 child and its letting me book 2 tickets @ £36. Does anyone know if these will be valid. i.e can one under 55 travel with an over 55 if you know what I mean. Doesn't say anything about this in t&c.

[windswept]

What's the cheapest way of getting from stoke (or crewe) to london on a saturday , and back with a 2 night stay?
looking to book for mid june.
thanks.

[dzug]

What's the cheapest way of getting from stoke (or crewe) to london on a saturday , and back with a 2 night stay?
looking to book for mid june.
thanks.

It's likely to be an advance purchase single on Virgin trains in each direction. Alternatively if you can get to Derby, Midland Mainline also have similar deals.

[spence1906]

First post so please forgive any mistakes:

Right here goes travelling from Liverpool on the 28th may to Sheffield 1 adult 1 child any time after 10.am. I then wish to go to London (wembley) on the 28th 2 adults 1 child arriving before 2pm. I will then need to return to Sheffield the same day 28th, 2 adults 1 child probably about leaving London about 7.30pm . I will then be returning back to Liverpool on the 29th, 1 adult 1 child need to arrive at Liverpool before 1pm.

Would it be possible to purchase 1 ticket for the whole journey ie Liverpool, sheffield london-london sheffiled Liverpool for myself and child even though it is over a number of days or break it down itno smaller journeys?

any help would be greatly appreciated, travelling from the Isle of Man, these new fangled trains are so complicated;)

[AP]

First post so please forgive any mistakes:

Right here goes travelling from Liverpool on the 28th may to Sheffield 1 adult 1 child any time after 10.am. I then wish to go to London (wembley) on the 28th 2 adults 1 child arriving before 2pm. I will then need to return to Sheffield the same day 28th, 2 adults 1 child probably about leaving London about 7.30pm . I will then be returning back to Liverpool on the 29th, 1 adult 1 child need to arrive at Liverpool before 1pm.

Would it be possible to purchase 1 ticket for the whole journey ie Liverpool, sheffield london-london sheffiled Liverpool for myself and child even though it is over a number of days or break it down itno smaller journeys?

any help would be greatly appreciated, travelling from the Isle of Man, these new fangled trains are so complicated;)
Split ticket at Sheffield

Liverpool - Sheffield: £21.95 Standard Saver Return (1 Adult + 1 Child with Family Railcard)

Sheffield - Wembley Central: £90.50 Standard Saver Return (2 Adults + 1 Child with Family Railcard - Route +Chesterfield, i.e. fare includes transfer from St Pancras to Euston by underground)

Total = £112.45

There is a Virgin Low Saver Return from Douglas Isle of Man to Wembley Central at £72.00 for 1 Adult and £20.00 for 1 Child with Family Railcard i.e. £92.00 in total but I don't know what the terms and conditions/restrictions are for this ticket.

Unfortunately, if you leave Liverpool after 10am by getting the 1014 to Sheffield changing at Manchester Piccadilly, you won't be at Wembley Central until 1638 - getting the 1238 from Sheffield changing at Grantham to King's Cross and then tube to Euston for the 1617 Silverlink train to Wembley Central.

In order to get to Wembley Central by 2pm, you will need to get the 0956 from Sheffield direct to St Pancras, which means getting the 0747 from Liverpool Lime Street direct to Sheffield.

You will then need to get the 1925 from Wembley Central to Euston, get the tube to St Pancras to connect to the 2030 from St Pancras to Sheffield, arriving Sheffield at 2316.

[spence1906]

cheers-much apppreciated

[odds-n-sods]

'If there is a long queue at the ticket office, or for some other reason you don't want to buy your ticket before travelling, then ask permission from anyone yuo can find in railway uniform. You then have "authority to travel" and so should be able to buy the same ticket from the conductor on the train as you would have bought from the ticket office.'


You can't get 'authority to travel' and buy teh ticeket of your choiceunde those circumstances, though you may bully the conductor into doing it to shut you up. If you have had your wallet stolen and have a police crime number, you will be asked for your details for an unpaid fare notice.

Ticket prices go up for several reasons: operating costs; fraudluent travel, % of faredodgers, and inflation.

I agree, yes try to find the cheapest ticket, but NOT by telling someone that if they've travelled and their ticekt hasn't been stamped that it's OK to get a refund for it, it is not - it IS fraud. This was posted early on in the thread and was what made me post in the first place.

[odds-n-sods]

I jsut foun dit again: from post #50:
'Refunds
Many people aren't aware that if you don't use your ticket, (or if your ticket is not stamped by the conductor) you can get a refund on it. This can be useful if you buy a return ticket, but then somebody offers you a lift home. It is less cost-effective with saver tickets, since they refund you the difference between a single and a standard return (minus an admin fee).'

The highlighted bit is the fraudulent act.

[Moon~Shadow]

I'm looking to travel from Grantham to Elgin on 28 July & returning 29th - need to be up there by 18:00 and looks like only 1 train going and 1 departing.

I've looked at splitting the ticket at Edinburgh and getting a mega bus but it doesn't go that far.

I have a YPR but prices seem to be around £200 + for 2 Adults - no single fares either.

Any help to 'split' the tickets and get a cheaper fare much appreciated.

[mcallister1]

Hi- not sure if this is new news or not- First Great western have just sent me an email saying railcards can now save 34% on their firstminute advance fares as well as their normal ones.

[dzug]

I'm looking to travel from Grantham to Elgin on 28 July & returning 29th - need to be up there by 18:00 and looks like only 1 train going and 1 departing.

I've looked at splitting the ticket at Edinburgh and getting a mega bus but it doesn't go that far.

I have a YPR but prices seem to be around £200 + for 2 Adults - no single fares either.

Any help to 'split' the tickets and get a cheaper fare much appreciated.

There seems to be reasonable availability of advance purchase singles to/from Edinburgh - eg £13.50 for the outward journey. A saver on to Elgin looks the best bet.

[wigan rl till i die]

Hi there can anyone give me a website for cheap train tickets?

There are 15 of us after going to london euston (or near wembely stadium) from wigan or manchester on the 25th august

Thanks

[pompeyrich]

Hi there can anyone give me a website for cheap train tickets?

There are 15 of us after going to london euston (or near wembely stadium) from wigan or manchester on the 25th august

Thanks


£12:50 each way to/from Euston at the moment, National Rail site HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/index.html) no refunds if any Dragons spoil the day !!

[wigan rl till i die]

£12:50 each way to/from Euston at the moment, National Rail site HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/index.html) no refunds if any Dragons spoil the day !!I dont think they will, thank you very much

[karmapolice]

I bought train tickets on thetrainline many many weeks ago for tomorrow going from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington (on the firstminutefare £10 single) on a service running at 10.04. But I checked the train times today and my train is now not listed anywhere! I'm really confused- I obviously don't want to get to the station tomorrow to find that my train doesn't exist!! Any ideas? Or am I worrying about nothing?

[p1an0player]

Details of all National Routeing Guide Easements can be found on:
http://www.atoc.org/rsp/_downloads/R.../easements.htm

Very interesting to learn about "easements". I have a couple of questions (I admit to not having read the whole thread):

1) Taking advantage of an easement could mean "travelling short", is this likely to cause problems if tickets are collected at the end of the journey either through turnstiles or by a person?

2) Splitting tickets: do ticket counter staff let you buy tickets from other stations, and do they not try to be awkward if they realise what you are doing? Any Conditions of Carriage to be quoted in case of argument?

[AP]

Very interesting to learn about "easements". I have a couple of questions (I admit to not having read the whole thread):

1) Taking advantage of an easement could mean "travelling short", is this likely to cause problems if tickets are collected at the end of the journey either through turnstiles or by a person?

2) Splitting tickets: do ticket counter staff let you buy tickets from other stations, and do they not try to be awkward if they realise what you are doing? Any Conditions of Carriage to be quoted in case of argument?

Condition 16 of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage says:

"16. Starting, breaking or ending a journey at intermediate stations

You may start, or break and resume, a journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) at any intermediate station, as long as the ticket you hold is valid for the trains you want to use. You may also end your journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) before the destination shown on the ticket. However, these rights may not apply to some types of tickets for which a break of journey is prohibited, in which case the relevant Train Companies will make this clear in their notices and other publications."

Generally, you are not allowed to 'travel short' with the outward portion of a saver return or any advance purchase tickets. Other tickets with 'walk-up' fares e.g Standard Day Return/Cheap Day Returns are OK.

It is also your right to ask for any ticket/combination of tickets you want. The ticket staff are legally obliged to sell them to you even though they may not be valid from the station where you commence your journey. It would be your problem if you have to pay an excess fare on the train. They may try to be awkward (especially at Birmingham New Street station) but be persistent, make a fuss or ask to speak to the manager. Alternatively, buy your tickets through: https://www.virgintrainsfares.co.uk/Buy_Tickets/Login/login.asp?T2ID=6938_20053268026 or use the touch screen 'Fast-Ticket' machines when you can pick any destination you want.

You may be interested in the following article which gives a number of examples illustrating the general principles in buying tickets this way:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6442947.stm

[samf1971]

Not sure im in the right thread ?
Im looking at the above journey on Scotrail on June 28th coming back the same day
2A dults travelling up and 2 adults and 2 children coming back , i think the cheapest is £50 or so return ???????????/ If thats the case i might as well drive but a day or so earlier ive drove from Yorkshire to Scotland ! so id love to let the train take the strain and avoid the A9 !
Can anyone see this journey cheaper ? Or just thinking could i not get a ticket Edinburgh toInverness return on a special deal they do and get on at Pitlochry ????
Many thanks

[mspencer29]

This forum is great!
Is there any way I can find out about split ticketing myself? I do have several journeys I plan to make over the next 2 months.
thanks

Martyn

[mspencer29]

Tips for local rail travel around Sheffield:

Download the Avantix Traveller program from this website for future research and reference:

http://www.theticketcollector.co.uk/wordpress/2007/03/08/advantixtraveller/

(Suggest cut and paste the link onto the browser or highlight address and press return if forbidden message comes up)

This is essentially the National Fares Manual and contains all the rail fares between any two stations in the whole country.

Sheffield to Doncaster: Standard Day Single £3.50
Dore (one stop before Sheffield) to Bentley (one stop after Doncaster): Standard Day Single £2.50

Sheffield to Swinton: Cheap Day Return £3.00
Dore to Mexborough (one stop after Swinton): Cheap Day Return £2.90

Sheffield to Wakefield Stations: Cheap Day Return £6.50 (not via Doncaster)
Sheffield to Castleford (two stops after Wakefield): Cheap Day Return £6.00 (any permitted route)

Doncaster to Leeds: Standard Day Return £9.10
Split ticket between:
1. Kirk Sandall (one stop before Doncaster) to Wakefield Stations: Standard Day Return £6.30, and
2. Wakefield Stations to Cross Gates (one stop after Leeds): Cheap Day Return £2.15
Total = £8.45

Sheffield to Leeds: 1 month season ticket £168.20 (or £165.60 for not via Doncaster)
Sheffield to Howden (via Leeds): £157.10

Sheffield to Baildon: Standard Day Single £9.80
Split ticket between:
1. Dore to Wakefield Stations: Standard Day Single £5.80
2. Wakefield Stations to Baildon: Standard Day Single £2.90
Total = £8.70

Sheffield to Manchester Stations: Cheap Day Return £13.60
Sheffield to Stalybridge (via Stockport): Cheap Day Return £12.70 - under National Routeing Guide Easement no. 36 - 'Journeys from Stockport to Stalybridge may go via Manchester. Journeys via Stockport and Stalybridge may go via Manchester. These easements apply in both directions'

Sheffield to Birmingham Stations/Aston (return on the same day): Standard Saver Return £30.80
Split ticket between:
1. Derbyshire Wayfarer (valid between Sheffield and Burton on Trent): £7.90
2. Derby to Shenstone: Cheap Day Return £6.60 (any permitted route) - under National Routeing Guide Easement no. 97 - 'Journeys from Lichfield Trent Valley, Lichfield City, Shenstone, Blake Street, Butlers Lane, Four Oaks, Sutton Coldfield, Wylde Green, Chester Road and Erdington to Derby or via Derby may go via Birmingham. This easement applies in both directions.'
Total = £14.50

NB. Tested and worked on 05/05/07 with tickets inspected at Birmingham New Street and Aston stations

Details of all National Routeing Guide Easements can be found on:

http://www.atoc.org/rsp/_downloads/R.../easements.htm

can you post a new link to the easement parts if you have one please?
thanks

[TimothyEBaldwin]

Condition 16 of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage says:

"16. Starting, breaking or ending a journey at intermediate stations

You may start, or break and resume, a journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) at any intermediate station, as long as the ticket you hold is valid for the trains you want to use. You may also end your journey (in either direction in the case of a return ticket) before the destination shown on the ticket. However, these rights may not apply to some types of tickets for which a break of journey is prohibited, in which case the relevant Train Companies will make this clear in their notices and other publications."

Generally, you are not allowed to 'travel short' with the outward portion of a saver return or any advance purchase tickets. Other tickets with 'walk-up' fares e.g Standard Day Return/Cheap Day Returns are OK.


You generally are allowed to travel short on the outward portion of a saver return as the conditions don't prohibit it, the National Conditions of Carriage state that is travelling short is banned it would be stated in the conditions of the tickets, there is no such restriction in the conditions of Saver returns.

[trubster]

although it does say that you cant break your journey unless it is a train change.

[sandy2]

We need to purchase 2 one way tickets from Gatwick to Southampton for mid-October to travel early afternoon. Husband is over 65 but I´m not. I'm just totally confused by the range of tickets etc available and the thought of ringing enquiries....well you get a different answer every time
my questions are>
1 can we purchase over internet?
2 when is the best time to buy, now, month before journey, what?
3 what ticket is best?
4. Will they need proof of husband´s age (national express didn´t when we bought tickets on internet, just ticked the relevant box, If I´d known I could have said I was over age too and got a discount:rolleyes: )
Is there any other info we should know? Thanx

Hope this is the right thread or should I have started a new one?

Sandy

[foxmeister]

My wife and I are going to London (travelling from Leeds or Doncaster) on the 21/9/07 coming back on 22/9/07.I set a reminder on my phone to book exactly three months before this date hoping to get the cheapest fares and having just checked trainline I was shocked at the £150 quoted return price!!We would like to depart at lunchtime on the Friday and come back same time on Saturday.I would have expected the price to be no more than £25 each.Is this normal? Can I expect the price to go down over the next few days?Is there some special event on in London over this weekend?Many thanks, Foxy.

[CharleneUK]

Hi all.

I'm taking my daughter to a cheerleading competition as a surprise on the 8th July! Can't wait! :D

We're travelling return from East Croydon --> Brighton. The cheapest price I've been quoted is £23.40 return for the both of us!!

Does anyone know of any cheaper tickets I could get from somewhere?

[goodsteakdinner]

Hi CharleneUk 1 Adults 1 Child Or 2 Adults What time to go & time to come back.

[goodsteakdinner]

Hi CharleneUk 1 Adults 1 Child Or 2 Adults What time to go & time to come back.

[dzug]

Hi all.

I'm taking my daughter to a cheerleading competition as a surprise on the 8th July! Can't wait! :D

We're travelling return from East Croydon --> Brighton. The cheapest price I've been quoted is £23.40 return for the both of us!!

Does anyone know of any cheaper tickets I could get from somewhere?

http://www.southernrailway.com/main.php?page_id=189

if you buy online in advance. £11 or £20 total depending on your daughter's age

[CharleneUK]

Hi CharleneUk 1 Adults 1 Child Or 2 Adults What time to go & time to come back.
Hi there, my daughter has just turned 11.

We need to get there before 10am and the competition finishes at 4pm

Many thanks! :D

[CharleneUK]

http://www.southernrailway.com/main.php?page_id=189

if you buy online in advance. £11 or £20 total depending on your daughter's age
Cheers for that! Off to view the link now :D

ETA: Sorry for multiple posting tonight, but thank you SO MUCH! We meet all the criteria and I can't imagine there being a cheaper ticket than £11. You're a star.

x

[1Foxylady]

Hi everyone

Does anyone know where I can book really cheap tickets for london to warrington (manchester) return?

A friend told me that they knew someone that used to pay £12.50 return but have lost touch with them so they can't find out how they got the tickets so cheap.

Does anybody else know?

[dzug]

Hi everyone

Does anyone know where I can book really cheap tickets for london to warrington (manchester) return?

A friend told me that they knew someone that used to pay £12.50 return but have lost touch with them so they can't find out how they got the tickets so cheap.

Does anybody else know?

On the Virgin Trains website. I doubt if it will be £12.50 return but I'd guess you could do it for that each way if you book well in advance

[shelleyblake]

Hi there


I am new to this site and need some help!

I am travelling with my husband from weymouth to london 7/7 -8/7 need to leave early morning and need cheap fares, the only ones I can find are £106!

I would be eternally grateful if someone could help!

thanks
shelley

[AP]

can you post a new link to the easement parts if you have one please?
thanks

The link is:

http://www.atoc.org/rsp/_downloads/Routeing_Guide/easements.htm

Try copy shortcut and paste it into the address bar or refresh it if it does not work.

[AP]

You generally are allowed to travel short on the outward portion of a saver return as the conditions don't prohibit it, the National Conditions of Carriage state that is travelling short is banned it would be stated in the conditions of the tickets, there is no such restriction in the conditions of Saver returns.

Unfortunately this is not allowed. e.g. If you buy a Standard Saver Return ticket from London to Glasgow - £98.20 which is valid (to Scotland only) on an early morning train and try to get off at Carlisle when you need a Standard Open Return for £236.00, an inspector can legitimately charge you the difference if your ticket get inspected when you get off the train. See the following from The Trainline.com regarding the restrictions of a Saver Return

http://www.thetrainline.com/Buy_Tickets/matrix/display_ticket_terms.asp?ticket_type=SVR

It specifically says that:

"
BREAK OF JOURNEYBreak(s) of journey are allowed on the return leg of the journey only - necessary changes of train are permitted at any time"

[shelleyblake]

I have a family railcard, can I use it if there are no children travelling? It works cheaper for our 2 adult trip by adding 1 child,(but he wouldn't travel)?

thanks

[AP]

although it does say that you cant break your journey unless it is a train change.

This is absolutely true. e.g. a Standard Saver Return from Sheffield to Aberdeen is £105.40. However, one from Stockport to Aberdeen (Route York) is £102.20. You can buy the Stockport ticket and get on at Sheffield - without starting your journey from Stockport as long as you book yourself on a train which requires changing at Sheffield and then go on via Doncaster to York, but not one that requires changing at Manchester Piccadilly and then go on via Huddersfield and Leeds to York.

Alternatively, if both legs of your journey are on either a Saturday or Sunday, then you can buy a ticket Route Lancaster for £91.10 and go via York instead because under National Routeing Guide Easement No. 30072:

"Journeys travelling route Lancaster may travel via York. The easement applies Satudays and Sundays only and applies inboth directions."

So if you plan your journeys right, you can buy a Standard Saver Return ticket from Stockport to Aberdeen Route Lancaster for £91.10 and go from Sheffield to Aberdeen Route York (£105.40), saving £14.30!

[dzug]

Unfortunately this is not allowed. e.g. If you buy a Standard Saver Return ticket from London to Glasgow - £98.20 which is valid (to Scotland only) on an early morning train and try to get off at Carlisle when you need a Standard Open Return for £236.00, an inspector can legitimately charge you the difference if your ticket get inspected when you get off the train. See the following from The Trainline.com regarding the restrictions of a Saver Return

http://www.thetrainline.com/Buy_Tickets/matrix/display_ticket_terms.asp?ticket_type=SVR

It specifically says that:

"
BREAK OF JOURNEYBreak(s) of journey are allowed on the return leg of the journey only - necessary changes of train are permitted at any time"





But you are not breaking your journey (which implies continuation) - you are abandoning it.

[dzug]

Hi there


I am new to this site and need some help!

I am travelling with my husband from weymouth to london 7/7 -8/7 need to leave early morning and need cheap fares, the only ones I can find are £106!

I would be eternally grateful if someone could help!

thanks
shelley

It looks as though you are out of luck as the advance purchase bargain fares on your outward journey have sold out.

If you specify route Westbury you'll get a marginally cheaper fare (£52 each) but I don't know what the service is like.

You could also try rebooking at Southampton or Basingstoke - it MAY work out a little cheaper.

[CharleneUK]

dzug (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=93825) Is it possible to share which site you get your information from as I'm off to Stansted airport from East Croydon soon!

[AP]

I have a family railcard, can I use it if there are no children travelling? It works cheaper for our 2 adult trip by adding 1 child,(but he wouldn't travel)?

thanks

The minimum number of people in the 'group' travelling using a family railcard is one adult and one child (aged between 5 and 15), though the adult and the child do not have to be related. Alternatively, you can have one adult and one infant (under 5) and buy a child's ticket for the infant to take advantage of the family railcard discount. Again the adult and the infant do not have to be related.

The family railcard is not valid if no child or infant are travelling.

[dzug]

dzug (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/member.html?u=93825) Is it possible to share which site you get your information from as I'm off to Stansted airport from East Croydon soon!

Alas it doesn't come from a single site but from various bits of knowledge gathered over the years and knowing where to look to check I've remembered right. Spose I'm a timetable anorak really....

For Stansted this site http://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/stansted_easybus.htm
summarises the possibilitiesfrom Central London. Easiest for you is probably train to Victoria and then coach,

[cd02]

hi.. seriously looking for help please.. i was going to buy some tickets from trainline lastnight but decided to put it off.. gone to do it tonight but the prices have increased by £60.. anyone know how i can get my tickets cheaper ?


i'm trying to get 2 adults from cheltenham to liverpool on the 6th July and returning on the 8th July. Last night I could get the whole lot for less then £50 all in.. now its coming up as £110 give or take a couple of pence..

any help appreciated..

[pompeyrich]

hi.. seriously looking for help please.. i was going to buy some tickets from trainline lastnight but decided to put it off.. gone to do it tonight but the prices have increased by £60.. anyone know how i can get my tickets cheaper ?


i'm trying to get 2 adults from cheltenham to liverpool on the 6th July and returning on the 8th July. Last night I could get the whole lot for less then £50 all in.. now its coming up as £110 give or take a couple of pence..

any help appreciated..

Cheltenham-Birmingham, central trains advance 7 fare, £5pp each way, then Brum-Liv for £10 o £12 pp single seems about the best now, So £60/£64 total return for you both is possible still from HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/), Learn from it and book em soon !

[CharleneUK]

Dzug you are a star, many many thanks!

[cd02]

Cheltenham-Birmingham, central trains advance 7 fare, £5pp each way, then Brum-Liv for £10 o £12 pp single seems about the best now, So £60/£64 total return for you both is possible still from HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/), Learn from it and book em soon !

thanks for that.. i can find the prices out bound but not coming back ??

[cd02]

sorry for double post.. i've found the prizes.. thanks a dozen.. all i want to know is if i order them, what happens if my trail is delayed and i don't make that time train ? will they let me get another one ?

[pompeyrich]

sorry for double post.. i've found the prizes.. thanks a dozen.. all i want to know is if i order them, what happens if my trail is delayed and i don't make that time train ? will they let me get another one ?


That's always the worry, not really sure to be honest. I would like to think if it happened they would apply some common sense but as it is 2 different train companies that might be a bit niave. If it happened to me and I had left a reasonable amount of time between trains, Birmingham is an awkward station to change at in a hurry so allow a bit of time, I would ask at the help desk for authorisation, in writing, before getting on the next train. I know Virgin only sell full priced tickets on board their trains and if the ticket guy decided to be funny it could work out expensive. That is only my opinion, as I said dont know really :confused:

[cd02]

That's always the worry, not really sure to be honest. I would like to think if it happened they would apply some common sense but as it is 2 different train companies that might be a bit niave. If it happened to me and I had left a reasonable amount of time between trains, Birmingham is an awkward station to change at in a hurry so allow a bit of time, I would ask at the help desk for authorisation, in writing, before getting on the next train. I know Virgin only sell full priced tickets on board their trains and if the ticket guy decided to be funny it could work out expensive. That is only my opinion, as I said dont know really :confused:

i know new street like the back of my hand so that doesn't bother me too much.. just with the weather recently etc nervous of missing the connection.. think i'll wait til the morning and call someone.. thanks for all the help ppl :O)

[trubster]

The minimum number of people in the 'group' travelling using a family railcard is one adult and one child (aged between 5 and 15), though the adult and the child do not have to be related. Alternatively, you can have one adult and one infant (under 5) and buy a child's ticket for the infant to take advantage of the family railcard discount. Again the adult and the infant do not have to be related.

The family railcard is not valid if no child or infant are travelling.

You can buy a child ticket and not use it, you need to present all tickets with family railcard. the fact there is no children is irrelevant (Or at least thats what the staff said at sheffield station when I mystery shopped them.

[crazy_guy]

i know new street like the back of my hand so that doesn't bother me too much.. just with the weather recently etc nervous of missing the connection.. think i'll wait til the morning and call someone.. thanks for all the help ppl :O)

Hope i've got the end of the stick but i've bought Central value tickets from which is only valid on central value trains but have so many times missed this connection. But i just get on GNER and transpennine express (the other route to manc) and i've explained that i missed my connection due to a delayed train so i could not get that train. Its hardly your fault that they cannot run on time and on this remark they never make me pay for another ticket.

On another subject - i'll be travelling mon-fri soon from manchester piccadilly to chester - a monthly ticket is £188 - is there any way except from hiding in the toliet to avoid such a high ticket cost?

[chardonnay]

hi, we just won a free holiday to pontins southport:j

we will be travelling on 2nd july and returning on 6th july.

the cheapest total i can find for 2 adults is £26, each way - which seems good but can i get it cheaper?

many thanks for any suggestions

ps if we buy tickets what will happen if the rail strike goes ahead on the 6th july?

[RAGSTORICHES]

Hi,I too have just won a holiday at southport and I live at Clacton in Essex. It is from 9th to 13th july.I would really like to go as i have never been to this part of country, however I am worried about travelling costs as our car is heavy on petrol.I haven't been on a train in years and wouldn't know where to start it would be just my husband and myself, we are over 50 and I am disabled.I would appreciate any ideas.

[AP]

You can buy a child ticket and not use it, you need to present all tickets with family railcard. the fact there is no children is irrelevant (Or at least thats what the staff said at sheffield station when I mystery shopped them.

That's interesting! However, the terms and conditions in:

http://www.family-railcard.co.uk/terms_conditions.htm

do mention 'Group Size' as follows:-

"2. Group size: To enable discounted tickets to be used the minimum group is one child and one named Railcard holder. The maximum group who can travel on one Railcard is both named holders, two other people aged 16 years and over and four children aged over five and under 16 years."

It would appear to me that the discounted child ticket will not be valid if the child is not present.

I don't know if anyone has travelled with a child ticket for an 'invisible' child using the Family Railcard has got away with it. Did you get the name of the person at Sheffield station who gave you this piece of information?

[shelleyblake]

When I travelled with my 2 year old with the rail card they told me to pay for him even though technically he is free, as it worked out cheaper, Under there own conditions this would be incorrect, although no one questioned it on the train?

Not too sure if I am brave enough to do it for this trip without him but it does save £26.!

would be helpful to know name of person insheffield who advised it was OK though as back up!

shelley

[pompeyrich]

When I travelled with my 2 year old with the rail card they told me to pay for him even though technically he is free, as it worked out cheaper, Under there own conditions this would be incorrect, although no one questioned it on the train?

Not too sure if I am brave enough to do it for this trip without him but it does save £26.!

would be helpful to know name of person insheffield who advised it was OK though as back up!

shelley


The buying a ticket for a child under 5 is ok and covered by the T&Cs, taken from APs link above

"Don't forget children under five travel free and each adult may take up to two 'under fives' with them. If the only child in the Family Railcard group is aged less than five years of age, the Railcard holder may purchase a discounted ticket for that child in order that the accompanying adult(s) can qualify for the discount on their tickets."

Doesn't solve the "invisible" child question but clarifies it for you Shelley

[pompeyrich]

Hi,I too have just won a holiday at southport and I live at Clacton in Essex. It is from 9th to 13th july.I would really like to go as i have never been to this part of country, however I am worried about travelling costs as our car is heavy on petrol.I haven't been on a train in years and wouldn't know where to start it would be just my husband and myself, we are over 50 and I am disabled.I would appreciate any ideas.


It would be worth you applying for a disabled persons railcard, it costs £18 for a year but gives you and another adult 33% off your fares. However these have to be applied for by post and it maybe too late for this trip.

There also doesn't seem to be any cheap fares for the 13th, if you were happy to stay over, maybe in a B&B until the 14th, you could both travel by train for £53 with a railcard or £80 without but on the 13th it would be £109 with card or £165 without.

A good place to start looking is HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/), you have to change trains a couple of times and get across London from Liv St to Euston so maybe not the easiest trip for you either.

[RAGSTORICHES]

thanks for taking time to help me I will have a look at link now

[wendiewoo]

Dont forget you can also book free assistance on your journey to help you.
This can be booked at your nearest station http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/disabled_passengers/

with regards to family railcard you cannot have an invisble child, if you have a child under five you are allowed to pay for the child using a family railcard , to make savings, a family railcard states one adult and one child minimum must travel.
It isnt the conductors you need to look out for its the undercover police and revenue protection officers who travel on trains looking out for fare dodgers, who hide in toilets, pretend to be asleep or have dolls as babies!!!
And remember most trains have cctv now too!!!!

[Flimber]

1 x Adult travelling from Leeds to London Sunday 22nd July (anytime), returning 24th July by 9-10pm. I've been trying to look but it's a pain looking at all the different sites etc. Could someone help me out here to try and get the cheapest fare ?

Thankyou !

[dzug]

1 x Adult travelling from Leeds to London Sunday 22nd July (anytime), returning 24th July by 9-10pm. I've been trying to look but it's a pain looking at all the different sites etc. Could someone help me out here to try and get the cheapest fare ?

Thankyou !

You don't need to look at multiple sites - they will all tell you the same thing as they use the same database.

For Leeds just use the GNER site - SOMETIMES they give you a discount, depending on the ticket.

[shelleyblake]

I have a question, can I use my brothers network railcard for disount travel?

[dzug]

I have a question, can I use my brothers network railcard for disount travel?

Not legally, no.

Unless you are travelling with him.

[shelleyblake]

I understand that legally its a no, but are they likely to ask me for ID? is it really risky?

[dzug]

If Shelley is a girl's name (sorry - don't know) there's a fair chance they will spot you are not a Mr.

Otherwise unlikely to be spotted.

[shelleyblake]

hi there, my brothers card actually says Dr on it so should be passable i guess? and yes shelley is in this instnace a girls name!

[trubster]

isnt it just worth paying the £20 for the railcard anyway? im sure you will save iver £20 over the year

[dzug]

hi there, my brothers card actually says Dr on it so should be passable i guess? and yes shelley is in this instnace a girls name!

Not if it says Dr John Smith, which it ought to if they've completed it correctly.

[Burlesque Babe]

Help please!!

I was supposed to be flying from Southampton to Blackpool in September but theyhave withdrawn the route, so I'd like to see how much I can save by split ticketing or any other method.

The journey is

Friday 14 September Poole to Blackpool - travelling about 9am if that makes a difference to prices.

Monday 17 September return - travelling lunchtime, but flexible

my preference would be via the Birmiingham route to cut out the hassle of the tube.

[dzug]

Help please!!

I was supposed to be flying from Southampton to Blackpool in September but theyhave withdrawn the route, so I'd like to see how much I can save by split ticketing or any other method.

The journey is

Friday 14 September Poole to Blackpool - travelling about 9am if that makes a difference to prices.

Monday 17 September return - travelling lunchtime, but flexible

my preference would be via the Birmiingham route to cut out the hassle of the tube.

Virgin Value singles in each direction are likely to work out cheapest - £22 each way currently. Book fast as there's not many trains left at that fare.

There is a megatrain service between Bournemouth and Birmingham - from £1 each way - but the timings are such that connecting to/from Blackpool the same day is not possible.

[Burlesque Babe]

Big gold star and a huge hug dzug!

Got tickets for £22 each way on trains exactly when I wanted to travel.

Huge thanks!

[shopndrop]

I want to travel by train from Liverpool or Chester to Newbury on the morning of 19 July. I will only need a single ticket, what is the best way to get the cheapest ticket? Is it cheaper to book on line or over the phone?

[TLR]

Hi,

I need to go for Liverpool/Warrington to Maidstone East to pick up a Motorcycle, I will be riding it back so I only need a single!

Cheapest Ticket I can find it for £70!

Can anyone help please? I think I need to go Liverpool/Warrington > Euston > Victoria > Maidstone East

Thanks!

T

[lindos90]

hi, hope im putting this request in the right place if not please tell me! Planning a 'show' trip to london with other half, without the kids (yipee) (Husband has already sorted the show and hotel-was supposed to be a surprise but I accidently found out!!!!)
Completely bamboozled re train ticket prices, train ticket names and how to get the best deal, if anyone who is more savvy with the system can help I would be VERY greatful.

Traveling from Chesterfield to London, would prefer direct train if possible,
going on friday 10th August arriving between 12 noon and 2pm, returning saturday 11th august any time after 12 noon.

Husband says we may be able to 'push the boat out' and do first class, depending on prices, so would be nice to compare these!

Thank you MSErs!

[Crabman]

hi, hope im putting this request in the right place if not please tell me! Planning a 'show' trip to london with other half, without the kids (yipee) (Husband has already sorted the show and hotel-was supposed to be a surprise but I accidently found out!!!!)
Completely bamboozled re train ticket prices, train ticket names and how to get the best deal, if anyone who is more savvy with the system can help I would be VERY greatful.

Traveling from Chesterfield to London, would prefer direct train if possible,
going on friday 10th August arriving between 12 noon and 2pm, returning saturday 11th august any time after 12 noon.

Husband says we may be able to 'push the boat out' and do first class, depending on prices, so would be nice to compare these!

Thank you MSErs!
Hey there :D

Good news - book two single journeys i.e. Chesterfield - London, then London - Chesterfield. That way, standard class is £7 per person and, wait for it, First Class is just £14 per person. :T

Compare that with a return Standard of £131 and First Class at £153 :eek:

Just enter the journey details as a return journey (dates, times, etc.) and it'll show you the prices for single fares too along with the expensive return fares. Only thing is that you'll need to travel on a specific train... make sure you don't miss the train otherwise you will pay dearly!

www.nationalrail.co.uk (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk) - have fun :D

[dzug]

You should be able to get the same deals on line or by phone. A Virgin Value, if available, will probably be cheapest.

Another possibility is a Central Trains cheapo (though I'm not certain what they actually do) to Birmingham and a VV from there.

If there are no VV for the entire journey try rebooking at Reading.

[pompeyrich]

Hi,

I need to go for Liverpool/Warrington to Maidstone East to pick up a Motorcycle, I will be riding it back so I only need a single!

Cheapest Ticket I can find it for £70!

Can anyone help please? I think I need to go Liverpool/Warrington > Euston > Victoria > Maidstone East

Thanks!

T


Looks like a good case for splitting your tickets, Warrington-London, £12:50, quite a bit of Availability, Might be worth booking through to London Victoria, from £15:50, which is £1 cheaper than buying a £4 tube ticket and you wont have to queue at Euston. Then a single from Victoria-Maidstone East at £13:90, which seems expensive but seems to be the best available £29:40 total, better than £70 for a through ticket.

[TLR]

Sorry, where are you getting these £12.50 tickets from?

Thanks,

T

[dzug]

Any of the rail booking sites should show them - the further ahead you book the more likely you are to get them.

[trubster]

Also the Vermin Trains have "1st Value Advance" tickets, £13.85 with Y-P railcard each way if booked early enough in advance (I booked 3 days in advance and got 2)

This was between Doncaster and Newcastle = Saved over £100!

[TLR]

Whoops sorry I thought I mentioned this, I need to be there earlyish tomorrow as well

I think National Express is looking like my best option there's a 6.30am from Liverpool for £18 return.

T

[dbappa]

Can anyone find me a good deal please? Need a return (leaving early evening tonight and returning at midday on friday) from Lingfield to Stoke-On-trent. Got a student railcard.

[trubster]

. . . there is no such thing as a student railcard!

[pompeyrich]

Whoops sorry I thought I mentioned this, I need to be there earlyish tomorrow as well

I think National Express is looking like my best option there's a 6.30am from Liverpool for £18 return.

T


Sorry to build your hopes up, I assumed you were going at the weekend, so put those dates in HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/) to get the £12:50 fare. Short notice travel, although you can get lucky, tends to be more expensive, looks like its the coach then, or wait til saturday!

[pompeyrich]

. . . there is no such thing as a student railcard!


If you check the National Rail site, on the dropdown list for adding a railcard it offers "young person railcard(student railcard)" so yes it is officially a YP card but commonly referred to as a student card. It is also available for mature students over 25 so not solely for young people or students.

[trubster]

there you go, learn something new every day, but I am sure it is not called a "Student Railcard" it is a "Young Persons Railcard" and issued complimentary by banks etc. to students

[lindos90]

Hey there :D

Good news - book two single journeys i.e. Chesterfield - London, then London - Chesterfield. That way, standard class is £7 per person and, wait for it, First Class is just £14 per person. :T

Compare that with a return Standard of £131 and First Class at £153 :eek:

Just enter the journey details as a return journey (dates, times, etc.) and it'll show you the prices for single fares too along with the expensive return fares. Only thing is that you'll need to travel on a specific train... make sure you don't miss the train otherwise you will pay dearly!

www.nationalrail.co.uk (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk) - have fun :D

WOW crabman that is a fantastic tip, its first class all the way for us!!! :beer:
thank you very much for taking the time to post that for us, Im sure hundreds of others have asked a similar thing.

I cant get my head around the pricing system though, why would anyone buy a return ticket, even an advance return ticket is significantly more expensive than two advance singles, what am I missing, whats the catch? I do understand the restrictions for the advance ticket, that it is for a particular train, and you cant just hop on the next one if you miss it, I get that bit, and will watch the time. But why is the pricing system so complicated? actually I dont care now Im getting to london first class for £14:rotfl: :rotfl:
THANK YOU AGAIN CRABMAN!!!

[dzug]

Well they might buy the advance return when the singles are sold out.

Remember that ALL the ticket options are displayed - so you might have 3 sets of advance singles for a journey on sale at once at different prices. Only a fool will buy the more expensive ones when the cheaper ones are still available. (I've no doubt there are fools about....).

[kacy75]

Myself and two children 2 and 3 years are hoping to spend July and August travelling on trains all over the north of England. Is there a cheap way to do this ie travel for a month for a set price.

Hope you can help Kacy

[dzug]

Myself and two children 2 and 3 years are hoping to spend July and August travelling on trains all over the north of England. Is there a cheap way to do this ie travel for a month for a set price.

Hope you can help Kacy

You could see if there's anything here:

http://nrekb.nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/rangers_and_rovers.html

Your children will travel free.

If you are not doing a lot of travelling each day then PAYG might be cheaper. Consider a family railcard for this (£20 gives 33% off fares, but you'd have to pay for one child at I think 60% off)

[shopndrop]

Thanks. Managed to get a Virgin Value fare.

[kacy75]

hi dzug thanks for the advice will have a look at the link, ubfortunately nr enquiries always seems impossible to download or is that just me lol We will hopefully be travelling around every 3-4 days as hubby is away at the minute and I didnt want to brave a holiday by myself with two young children so going on lots of day trips instead, and drag so poor unsuspecting soul along for the ride!

[coral]

I noticed something today, if you are travelling into London for the day on routes via Gatwick Airport, it is often cheaper to split the ticket there.

e.g. Brighton - London All Zones Tcard £20.00 (FCC)

Brighton - Gatwick - Cheap day return £8.00 (FCC)
Gatwick - London All Zones Tcard (FCC or Southern) £10

You should always use FCC towards London to save a bit of money, if you require Victoria change at East Croydon as the travel card portion of your ticket becomes valid for Southern services (or buy a southern Tcard and change at Gatwick)

[8835]

Please Please help me. My wife starts university this september and has a daily communte manchester to leicester. Its a nightmare cant find a direct train and the season tickets cost a fortune. Has anyone any solutions regarding cheapest tickets

Many thanks

[burnleypingu]

We are looking for cheap fares from Burnley to Hastings going on Friday 10th August and coming back on Wednesday 15th August.

The cheapest fare we could find is £117 for both which we think is pretty reasonable but we were just wondering if there are any ways of getting further discount on that price.

All help will be much appreciated

BP :j

[dzug]

We are looking for cheap fares from Burnley to Hastings going on Friday 10th August and coming back on Wednesday 15th August.

The cheapest fare we could find is £117 for both which we think is pretty reasonable but we were just wondering if there are any ways of getting further discount on that price.

All help will be much appreciated

BP :j

£25 a head each way via Leeds and GNER any good? Availability looks OK at the moment if you are flexible on times. And booking on the GNER website might get a small reduction on that.

I can't find a £117 fare - it would help if you said what the fare was you had found if only to know where to look for something better.

[burnleypingu]

the 117 fare is as follows:

BURNLEY MANCHESTER ROAD 11:28 Train NORTHERN RAIL LEEDS 12:39 13:05 Train GNER LONDON KINGS CROSS 15:40 15:40 Foot KINGS CROSS THAMESLINK 16:28 16:28 Train FIRST CAPITAL CONNECT BRIGHTON STATION 17:54 18:30 Train SOUTHERN HASTINGS 19:33


really long way round but no other options, they must be doing rail works somewhere as we normally go preston london euston, charing x hastings.

[dzug]

Gotcha.

You can still get it down to £100 total - for two presumably? - by coming back earlier on the Wednesday

The Virgin tickets look to have either sold out or not been released. Given that there IS one on the Wednesday probably the former.

[trubster]

Hi, Is there any tips on getting cheaper fares to Manchester Airport from Sheffield, Leaving 1011 and with a Y-P Railcard. Standard class, but wont say no to first if not much difference... lol

[dzug]

Hi, Is there any tips on getting cheaper fares to Manchester Airport from Sheffield, Leaving 1011 and with a Y-P Railcard. Standard class, but wont say no to first if not much difference... lol

There's an airgetaway ticket, but there is no railcard discount on it so can't think of anything to help you.

[alanrowell]

I've had success in the past booking a ticket to Manchester then a separate ticket to the airport

alternatively get a National Express coach instead

[trubster]

How much is the "Airgetaway" ticket, I cant see it on Avantix

[Dane gerous]

Can anyone PLEASE help me??

I am on the bones of my !!!!! but I need to make a trip to London to attend a relatives exhibition and I can find a cheap train option. I am scared the longer I leave it the more expensive tickets will become. The cheapest I can find is around £75 but I was hoping for around half that price. _pale_

My itinerary is as follows:

From: Barrow-in-Furness
To: London
Go: Friday 21st September 2007
Time: Want to travel as early as possible ie 6am - 8am
Return: Sunday 23rd September 2007
Time: Flexible.
Travellers: 5 Adults

I have a young persons railcard and 2 other travellers would buy one if it was worth there while.

I am new to this so if anyone could please help me I would be forever grateful!!

Dane

[Crabman]

Can anyone PLEASE help me??

I am on the bones of my !!!!! but I need to make a trip to London to attend a relatives exhibition and I can find a cheap train option. I am scared the longer I leave it the more expensive tickets will become. The cheapest I can find is around £75 but I was hoping for around half that price. _pale_

My itinerary is as follows:

From: Barrow-in-Furness
To: London
Go: Friday 21st September 2007
Time: Want to travel as early as possible ie 6am - 8am
Return: Sunday 23rd September 2007
Time: Flexible.
Travellers: 5 Adults

I have a young persons railcard and 2 other travellers would buy one if it was worth there while.

I am new to this so if anyone could please help me I would be forever grateful!!

Dane
Return Fares

Barrow-in-Furness - Lancaster (Transpennine Express) = £8.00 pp return (using a young person railcard)
Lancaster - London (Virgin Trains) = £37.00 pp return (using a young person railcard)

Total per person = £45.00 (your £75 is for not using a young person railcard!)

5 Adults = £225.00 :o

I tried looking for the cheap advance single tickets too but they seem non-existent on this journey :wall:

[8835]

Someone please help

Manchester to Leicester return as a daily commute to university and return.

Will have a students railcard (although i'm 36)

Please help out with the cheapest options realy need to be in leicester for 9am and have the return openish for the day to return any time

Many thanks for your help

[dzug]

How much is the "Airgetaway" ticket, I cant see it on Avantix

£16 return if I remember right from last night - advance booking only and TPX only

[p1an0player]

Someone please help

Manchester to Leicester return as a daily commute to university and return.

Will have a students railcard (although i'm 36)

Please help out with the cheapest options realy need to be in leicester for 9am and have the return openish for the day to return any time

Many thanks for your help

I think your railcard can't be used before 9:30am, although there might be exceptions.

I think you'll need to buy a season ticket (weekly or monthly), I think the prices are available at www.nationalrail.co.uk (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk). It's going to be expensive, I'd say £150 per week as a very rough guess.

Actually you may find it cheaper to stay in a cheap B&B/houseshare during the week.

What's more, a journey of that length every day will be exhausting.

[trubster]

MANCHESTER STNS to LEICESTER

OUTWARD TRAVEL
By any train at after 0900.
RETURN TRAVEL
By any train after 0900.

Saver Return £22.10 with Young Persons Railcard
----------------------------------------------------
Open Return (No Restrictions) £28.70 with YP Railcard (No Time Restrictions and Railcard OK Before 10)
----------------------------------------------------
Season Tickets

£121.90 7 Days (7 Days=£17.42) OR (5 Days=24.38 Per Day)
£468.10 1 Month (31 days=£15.10 per day) OR (23 Days=20.35 Per Day)
£4876.00 1 Year (365 Days=13.35 Per Day), you can work the rest out.

HTH

Kev

[*Adam*]

Planning a trip to see a mate, no specific dates/times yet:

Little Sutton/Chester/Liverpool (whichever one is easiest) to Bury St Edmunds.

Will buy a railcard if useful. Cheapest I've found is £70!

[BBB]

I've got a mate at work who is having to travel back and forth to London to see his mum who is ill. He goes for a week at a time so fri-thur for example. He's got a young persons railcard but it's still £40ish everytime, any one got any tips?

[pompeyrich]

I've got a mate at work who is having to travel back and forth to London to see his mum who is ill. He goes for a week at a time so fri-thur for example. He's got a young persons railcard but it's still £40ish everytime, any one got any tips?

Where from?

[BBB]

sorry! Manchester

[hjd]

Anyone know the cheapest tickets for my daughter (aged 17) and me please? We live near Woking and are going to Edinburgh (university open day) on Thurs 6 Sept any time, returning Fri 7 Sept. Not yet sure what time we will be returning but will probably be leaving Edinburgh 3.30 or later.
I have a Family railcard but she is too old to qualify.

[mutley74]

Family Railcard Question:

Q. If i book a trip for me and my young son for end of August now and book tickets now online saying we have a family railcard. but only buy the card a few days before travelling is that acceptable? (just to avoid losing alomost a months use and so we dont miss the cheap fares for end of aug).

thanks

[dzug]

Family Railcard Question:

Q. If i book a trip for me and my young son for end of August now and book tickets now online saying we have a family railcard. but only buy the card a few days before travelling is that acceptable? (just to avoid losing alomost a months use and so we dont miss the cheap fares for end of aug).

thanks

That's fine. The railcard needs to be valid when you travel, not when you buy the tickets.

[jonnyb1978]

That's fine. The railcard needs to be valid when you travel, not when you buy the tickets.

I actually work on the railway and although there is no harm in doing this,
people have been fraudulently buying tickets this way and workers on the railway have been advised that the customer has to produce a valid railcard before a ticket can be sold. This is usually using our discretion so be aware you might have to buy the railcard when you buy the ticket.

Edit: Also when booking online im pretty certain you need to have your railcard number as this is printed on your tickets.

[mutley74]

Edit: Also when booking online im pretty certain you need to have your railcard number as this is printed on your tickets.


can anyone else verify this info please before i start making plans and booking tickets? (as i was going to buy the family railcard using the £5 voucher from daily mail)

[jonnyb1978]

Anyone know the cheapest tickets for my daughter (aged 17) and me please? We live near Woking and are going to Edinburgh (university open day) on Thurs 6 Sept any time, returning Fri 7 Sept. Not yet sure what time we will be returning but will probably be leaving Edinburgh 3.30 or later.
I have a Family railcard but she is too old to qualify.

You will beed to buy 2 adult tickets. As you are not going until September its impossible to give you a cheapest price. You can get a Saver Return. This is a walk up ticket. (Buy on the day). My advice is to go online or contact Virgin trains (Any station can do this aswell) when you are willing to buy the ticket. As you could get a cheap one tonight but its gone tomorrow as these advanced tickets are based on a first come first served basis on once gone there is another level of pricing.

[jonnyb1978]

can anyone else verify this info please before i start making plans and booking tickets? (as i was going to buy the family railcard using the £5 voucher from daily mail)

Go through the methods of buying your ticket and you should find out. If you have to put in CC details before hand you will not need the railcard. If it asks you to give the railcard number before the CC details then you have your answer. Im sure this is the case tho.

[diddlydum]

You'll need to buy two adult tickets as the family railcard's not valid if not used to travel with a child under the age of 16.

A Young Person's railcard is £20 for the year, so it would probably be worth getting one for your daughter, as the saving would probably pay for it in one journey.

You can now search for the cheapest tickets for a journey on the National Rail website here (http://ojp1.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/fo1) so have a look and see what's best for you.

PS: I've never had to put in my railcard details when buying online.

[diddlydum]

I don't know if these have ever been mentioned before, but if you're doing a repetitive journey in one area of the country (e.g. Newcastle-Sheffield, Manchester-Carlisle), and you don't mind travelling after 9am, there's a little known type of ticket called a Rail Rover (http://nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/rangers_and_rovers.html). They're split up into different regions, or you can buy an all-line rover, and the all-line rover doesn't have time restrictions.

They usually provide savings for repeat journeys, and can sometimes be cheaper for one-off journeys too. Railcard discounts apply, and you can buy them on the day of travel.

I do apologise if they've been mentioned before, but it's a good enough trick to be repeated.

[frisbee]

Hi, we are not big train travellers, there are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 children, we are wanting to travel from bradford, west yorkshire to didcot near oxford, on saturday 28th july and returning monday 30th july, which would be the cheapest way to do this.

[dzug]

I too can confirm that I have never had to quote a railcard number when booking on line.

Also when booking at a station or buying on the train the railcard number has never been printed on the ticket - but thay have always wanted to to see it

[dzug]

Hi, we are not big train travellers, there are 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 children, we are wanting to travel from bradford, west yorkshire to didcot near oxford, on saturday 28th july and returning monday 30th july, which would be the cheapest way to do this.

If there are any left, Virgin Value singles will be cheapest.

If you are forced into a full priced ticket (which will be a saver) then a family railcard will probably pay for itself on this trip - maybe even with the value tickets

At the moment the line is closed by flooding at Banbury so you wouldn't be able to make the trip (except via London) anyway

[dezzi_83]

Hi I am going to the V festival on the 17th august from holyhead to stafford and comin back 21st aug. I have found £44 fare does anyone know of any codes or even a cheaper website? :) thanks:D


ps vote for me in the comp its nearly ended!!!

www.maxfreshphoto.com (http://www.maxfreshphoto.com)

we are on the 2nd page at the bottom gallery 2 girls in front of a sunset!! Thanks xxx:T

[richt71]

You can try Martin's tip of buying different legs on the same train. So check holyhead to the next major station...that station to the next one. Obviously if it stops loads you'll probably only need 3 tickets to get the cheapest fair. I've used this tip to save about 15% of the cheapest return between york and liverpool before. By the way if you buy your tickets at a station they can get funny with you for doing this. As far as I'm aware they can't stop you though.

[dzug]

An advance standard A fare is £20 each way - if you choose the right trains you can get it on your dates.

A saver return - buy on the day - is £43.50, so that's 50p saved on your fare. Heaven knows where you got it from. It's not listed anywhere I know.

Try the rebooking as well - it may or may not work. It doesn't always.

[cazzy1905]

has anyone come across a train ticket split for manchester to london Please?

[dzug]

has anyone come across a train ticket split for manchester to london Please?

Birmingham is one possibility, particularly if you get a Chiltern cheap ticket for the Birmingham - London sector. Does slow the journey, but can be a lot cheaper.

[AP]

has anyone come across a train ticket split for manchester to london Please?

Split your ticket at Stoke on Trent as a Saver Return between Manchester and Stoke on Trent (£12.30) is valid at any time of the day with a Cheap Day Return (£9.50) valid after 9.00am Monday to Friday.

Prices from Stoke on Trent to London Terminals are as follows:-

Standard Open Single - £91.00
Standard Open Return - £182.00
Standard Saver Single - £48.00
Standard Saver Return - £49.00

See also examples 5 and 10 on the following article:

http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6442947.stm

[trubster]

I don't know if these have ever been mentioned before, but if you're doing a repetitive journey in one area of the country (e.g. Newcastle-Sheffield, Manchester-Carlisle), and you don't mind travelling after 9am, there's a little known type of ticket called a Rail Rover (http://nationalrail.co.uk/promotions/rangers_and_rovers.html). They're split up into different regions, or you can buy an all-line rover, and the all-line rover doesn't have time restrictions.

They usually provide savings for repeat journeys, and can sometimes be cheaper for one-off journeys too. Railcard discounts apply, and you can buy them on the day of travel.

I do apologise if they've been mentioned before, but it's a good enough trick to be repeated.

Thanks for that, did a bit of research, I found this.


Adult:
7 Day Rover £78·50
4 in 8 Day Rover £68.00
Child:
7 Day Rover £37·50
4 in 8 Day Rover £34.00
Concession:
7 Day Rover £51·80
4 in 8 Day Rover £44.90
Senior, Young Persons and Disabled Railcards.
Flat fare for a child travelling on a railcard is not applicable.

So, I travel 4 days to Newcastle from Sheffield, I would pay £33.20 for a Saver Return and the above option would be a lot cheaper, that is if the consession is valid for young persons railcards (what it looks like)

Even travelling between Retford to Durham costs about £20

All prices are with Y-P Railcards.

Thanks a lot for that, I had no idea I was throwing my money away...

[auslaender]

I need to go to London from Warrington on Sep 6 (return in night) and best I can find on Virgin's website is standard 29+ each way.

I gave thought about taking a detour to Birmingham and then to London (Chiltern 5 pounds) but it will take too much time. In fact, I won't be able to take connecting trains. Any input/suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

[auslaender]

I need to go to London from Warrington on Sep 6 (return in night) and best I can find on Virgin's website is standard 29+ each way.

I gave thought about taking a detour to Birmingham and then to London (Chiltern 5 pounds) but it will take too much time. In fact, I won't be able to take connecting trains. Any input/suggestion is appreciated.

Thanks in advance.


Now I have got a return single for 12.50 (It wasn't there on website when I made the first post) but Warrington to London single /return is now 58.70 / 59.70:confused:

[pompeyrich]

Now I have got a return single for 12.50 (It wasn't there on website when I made the first post) but Warrington to London single /return is now 58.70 / 59.70:confused:


How early do you want to arrive in London? There is a £12:50 from Manchester at 10:15 arrives London at 12:31. Add £5 or so from Warrington-Man.

[auslaender]

Thanks mate.

I would have loved to spend as much time as possible in London. But, with $ constraints, this should do. My other option is 7:00 am National Express bus that reaches London around 11:30 am.

[saxonrosecliff]

Can anyone answer my query? Normally I book train tickets on line using the tips read on here. However I have just found out I may have to travel next Monday. With the ongoing postal strikes I am dubious about any posted tickets arriving on time so what I am wondering is: is the price paid if you turn up at the railway station on the day the same as if I purchased it on the internet? The type of ticket is a standard day return and its a fairly local journey so not much moneysaving to be done!

[dzug]

Can anyone answer my query? Normally I book train tickets on line using the tips read on here. However I have just found out I may have to travel next Monday. With the ongoing postal strikes I am dubious about any posted tickets arriving on time so what I am wondering is: is the price paid if you turn up at the railway station on the day the same as if I purchased it on the internet? The type of ticket is a standard day return and its a fairly local journey so not much moneysaving to be done!

If it is a standard day return it's the same price at the station on the day as on the internet.

Even advance purchase tickets are the same price at the station in most cases - you still have to buy in advance of course.

[beautifullybroken]

hiya,
i need to go from glasgow to carlisle for two on the 11th aug returning on 13th aug,
travelling on the 11th would have to be after 1pm as my flight into glasgow doesnt get in til 11:30 am, please could someone help me as were on a tight budget


thanks in advance

ruth

[*Adam*]

Hi, I need to get from Little Sutton to Luton, date leaving 9th August (arrival must be before 2pm), returning 13th August (leaving hopefully around 1pm.)

Cheapest I can find is Saver Return at £53.xx. Can someone help with regards to cheap singles both ways/split ticketing?

Thanks!

[sisyphus]

i've done quite well previously by splitting journeys or buying singles. i thought i'd book my tickets to Manchester from High Wycombe as close to three months in advance as i could. i can't get any significant improvement over the bog standard 56.90 return fare. :confused: Have gaps been closed?

i need to get to Manchester (any city station) Friday evening, returning on Sunday evening. i can't even save much by driving to Aylesbury, Maidenhead, Reading, or Banbury. Going via London is more expensive, but if anyone can suggest a viable alternative split i'd be very grateful.

(i could drive, of course. The journey would cost me £30 in fuel (diesel). If i take three friends (there's a group of us going) then it would cost (you've guessed it) £7.50 each. And it would be quicker. Why would i go by train? Well, i can't be bottomed to drive for three hours, that's why, and i'd rather have a clear environmental conscience. Mind you, what's the consumption/pollution per passenger from a diesel train?)

TIA.

[trubster]

Hi, I need to get from Little Sutton to Luton, date leaving 9th August (arrival must be before 2pm), returning 13th August (leaving hopefully around 1pm.)

Cheapest I can find is Saver Return at £53.xx. Can someone help with regards to cheap singles both ways/split ticketing?

Thanks!

Available from Virgin Trains

VALADV 2 SGL C - VWC & CONNECTNS
1 Adult @£ 16.50 = £ 16.50
Standard Class Single

Thats the cheapest advance single you could get, you would be a lot safer with the saver return as you are not tied onto one train. Also, these tickets are not available on all trains and its first come first served... TBH I would get the saver unless there is a split that saves you money, at the end of the day, The difference is under £20, and it would cost more than that if you missed your train for any reason.


SVR - SAVER RETURN VWC
00700 - NOT LONDON
1 Adult @£ 53.10 = £ 53.10
__________
£ 53.10
Standard Class Return

[dzug]

i've done quite well previously by splitting journeys or buying singles. i thought i'd book my tickets to Manchester from High Wycombe as close to three months in advance as i could. i can't get any significant improvement over the bog standard 56.90 return fare. :confused: Have gaps been closed?

i need to get to Manchester (any city station) Friday evening, returning on Sunday evening. i can't even save much by driving to Aylesbury, Maidenhead, Reading, or Banbury. Going via London is more expensive, but if anyone can suggest a viable alternative split i'd be very grateful.

(i could drive, of course. The journey would cost me £30 in fuel (diesel). If i take three friends (there's a group of us going) then it would cost (you've guessed it) £7.50 each. And it would be quicker. Why would i go by train? Well, i can't be bottomed to drive for three hours, that's why, and i'd rather have a clear environmental conscience. Mind you, what's the consumption/pollution per passenger from a diesel train?)

TIA.

I would have thought that splitting in Birmingham was an option, though the timings of the really cheap fares may get you a really late arrival inManchester on Friday evening.

[sisyphus]

dzug,

I would have thought that splitting in Birmingham was an option, though the timings of the really cheap fares may get you a really late arrival inManchester on Friday evening.

Aye, it is an option. i can get the cost down by just under £5. Thanks for the suggestion - i'll keep trying (it takes so long, i'd willingly pay someone that £5 to do it for me :)).

[seftonsun]

Can anyone answer my query? Normally I book train tickets on line using the tips read on here. However I have just found out I may have to travel next Monday. With the ongoing postal strikes I am dubious about any posted tickets arriving on time so what I am wondering is: is the price paid if you turn up at the railway station on the day the same as if I purchased it on the internet? The type of ticket is a standard day return and its a fairly local journey so not much moneysaving to be done!


If your station or a convenient station has one, the fast ticket machine will allow you to collect tickets bought online. You just need your booking ref and the card you paid for them. You can collect them at any station where there's a machine not just the station you are travelling to/from. But, you must nominate the station where you want to use the fast ticket machine at the time of booking.

[eltonroad]

One advantage of doing it that way is that you can get Nectar points on any train ticket.

Go to the Nectar web site, log in and go to Nectar e-stores. TheTrainLine is one of the Nectar e-stores. Just click through and grab some extra points!

You could do this on the day you travel but you need to allow two hours between buying the ticket online and collecting it through the machine at the station.

Hope that's helpful for someone. Apologies if it's been posted before - I'm new to the site.

[eltonroad]

hiya,
i need to go from glasgow to carlisle for two on the 11th aug returning on 13th aug,
travelling on the 11th would have to be after 1pm as my flight into glasgow doesnt get in til 11:30 am, please could someone help me as were on a tight budget


thanks in advance

ruth

The cheapest I could find this for was £15.90 each, Saver Return, but you have to travel via Dumfries which adds about 1 hr 10 mins onto the journey. But it's a lot cheaper.

11th August dep Glasgow 1303 arr Carlisle 1528
13th August dep Carlisle 1107 arr Glasgow 1329 or dep 1309 arr 1533

A Saver Return via the direct route is £39.30.

The cheapest Virgin Value single Glasgow to Carlisle is £10.50 (hence return is £21) so the Saver via Dumfries, which doesn't tie you to specific trains, looks like your best bet.

[Badger_Lady]

I went online today to pick up a 4-day return ticket from Newport (Wales) to Southampton at particular times to meet a ferry, and was shocked when theTrainline returned a cheapest price of £146!

Using my Young Person's Railcard, this still came to nearly £100...

I hopped onto the National Rail website to have a play around, and discovered that I could buy an "open return" ticket for £35-ish, and that the ticket then enabled you to travel at any time.

I then went back to theTrainline and, purely by searching in a different way, found the deal for £25 (including my railcard discount). I then made a decision to catch a marginally later train (although this also meant catching a later ferry), for the bargain price of £21.10.

What a difference!!! :rotfl:

[pompeyrich]

I then went back to theTrainline and, purely by searching in a different way, found the deal for £25 (including my railcard discount). I then made a decision to catch a marginally later train (although this also meant catching a later ferry), for the bargain price of £21.10.

What a difference!!! :rotfl:


How did you alter your search to get such a great price? It never ceases to amaze me how many anomallies there are when trying to get the best price on rail websites.

[Badger_Lady]

I genuinely don't know - I just spent ages fiddling about :-( I did the "search for best fares" at one point, and read the "terms of carriage" and "ticket type" information to try and work out which ones would be allowed.

I wish I could provide instructions, but I think it's just trial and error sometimes!

[alanrowell]

How did you alter your search to get such a great price? It never ceases to amaze me how many anomallies there are when trying to get the best price on rail websites.
All the train booking websites default to taking you the fastest route so avoid any slower routes that may be cheaper unless you force it to look at the slower routes. This can be done in several ways

Step 1 of 7 in the booking process on thetrainline gives you options to route via or to avoid certain stations

Step 2 of 7 has a line that says "There may be alternative, slower routes with cheaper tickets. Click here for more information (http://www.thetrainline.com/Buy_Tickets/Matrix/Advanced_Search.asp).

For example London to Bath, the normal route is direct from Paddington to Bath Spa. However you can also go from Waterloo via Salisbury. Unless there's something wrong with the Paddington route the Salisury route never shows up unless you use the above.

The National Rail website has "advanced search options" (http://ojp1.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/asfc) which give the above and a lot more though how you then convert that into a booking is problematical

[MiserlyMartin]

We are short of a lift to take us to Gatwick so we are considering the train! The cheapest I've found is via Virgin trains from Milton Keynes to Gatwick, £32.00 return (each). The same price also via national rail enquiries (silverlink trains and then Victoria - Gatwick via Underground) . I can't seem to find any book early save £££'s deals on this route despite following Martin's tips. Is this just a route that hasn't got any deals? Or am I not looking enough?

[dzug]

We are short of a lift to take us to Gatwick so we are considering the train! The cheapest I've found is via Virgin trains from Milton Keynes to Gatwick, £32.00 return (each). The same price also via national rail enquiries (silverlink trains and then Victoria - Gatwick via Underground) . I can't seem to find any book early save £££'s deals on this route despite following Martin's tips. Is this just a route that hasn't got any deals? Or am I not looking enough?

There are no book early deals on this route but it can be done considerably cheaper by avoiding London. Get a train to Watford Junction or Harrow and change to the hourly Southern service to Gatwick (via Kensington Olympia) A saver return is £19.70 and on a quick look doesn't seem to have any time restrictions.

[Anomaly]

I need help, please.
I need to travel to Gatwick airport on the 5th November departing from Preston. I need a one-way fare which leaves Preston at around 10-11am. I've searched on thetrainline and virgin's website but all I find is rediculous £70 fares and I cannot afford that. I'm usually great at this kind of stuff but this time it's got the better of me, could someone see what they could do? I'd be very grateful, thanks.

[Crabman]

I need help, please.
I need to travel to Gatwick airport on the 5th November departing from Preston. I need a one-way fare which leaves Preston at around 10-11am. I've searched on thetrainline and virgin's website but all I find is rediculous £70 fares and I cannot afford that. I'm usually great at this kind of stuff but this time it's got the better of me, could someone see what they could do? I'd be very grateful, thanks.
Hi :)

Found a £20 single advance fare - however, the catch is that I couldn't search for 5th Nov as the Virgin Trains site & the National Rail site said they only hold journeys 12 weeks in advance.

To check whether an advance ticket was an option - I searched for mid october and was shown the £20 advance option, hopefully this will be available when your date enters the 12 week timeframe :D

Route:

Preston - London Euston (Virgin)
London Euston - London Victoria (Tube)
London Victoria - Gatwick (Gatwick Express)

[Anomaly]

Thanks a lot Crabman. The thing is, I did the same, I realise they only go upto 12weeks in advanced so altered the date to a weekday in the end of Oct. The £20 one-way fares were there, as was a £17 one but they didn't have the small circle to select that fare, only the £70+ ones were selectable. Am I doing something wrong?
Cheers again.

[Crabman]

OK, it looks like you need to be on a direct train Preston - London for the cheap advanced fares to apply.

Found a £34.50 fare on a 09:49 departure:

http://i17.tinypic.com/6fpipzo.jpg

And £20 on a later train though this may be a bit late for your flight:

http://i13.tinypic.com/53sww3a.jpg

Remember though that they allow excessively long periods of time for connecting via the underground so you could shave a bit off the final arrival time. Try again hopefully you'll be able to select the fares as I've done :D

[pompeyrich]

I genuinely don't know - I just spent ages fiddling about :-( I did the "search for best fares" at one point, and read the "terms of carriage" and "ticket type" information to try and work out which ones would be allowed.

I wish I could provide instructions, but I think it's just trial and error sometimes!


Tell me about it!! I have spent many a long hour on the nationalrail website trying and usually finding the bargain fares. There are so many quirks in the system, I reckon you would need a degree to work out all the options. I was trying to get from Portsmouth-Birmingham, tried splitting it at Bristol but it was twice as expensive than a through fare from Portsmouth, 90 miles further away but half the price, would anyone in Bristol thought of trying to book a ticket from Portsmouth as a cheaper option?? I doubt it, so nothing surprises me anymore.

[toozie]

Was wondering one of you kind souls could help me find this cheaper.

2 adults (not young and not old-so no rail card!)

Holyhead to Birmingham and back

Leaving 19th August

return 21st August

Any time will do

I've got it down to £44.00 for outward single (Hhead Bham))

But it's very messy for the return single, £10 here, £15.00 there, £17.00 etc, so confusing.

Help!!!!!!!:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[lisle]

i have come up with the following breakdown for this direct train journey

winchester - birmingham £15.20
birmingham - wolverhampton £2.40
wolverhampton - manchester £7.50

costing £25.10 instead of £44.20 (with railcard)

can someone please put my mind at rest that this a valid use of tickets, as it's for my 18yr old travelling alone

thanks
lisle

[eltonroad]

Was wondering one of you kind souls could help me find this cheaper.

2 adults (not young and not old-so no rail card!)

Holyhead to Birmingham and back

Leaving 19th August

return 21st August

Any time will do

I've got it down to £44.00 for outward single (Hhead Bham))

But it's very messy for the return single, £10 here, £15.00 there, £17.00 etc, so confusing.


The Saver Return is £51.70 per person. There's an advance Virgin fare at £22 each which was available going out but not coming back, when I checked.

Probably better going for the Saver but check the return restrictions from Birmingham - sometimes peak hour restrictions apply.

[Anomaly]

Thank you Crabman, I appreciate your help, I'll have a look around once I am able to search for trains on the 5th Nov (which should be Monday).

[hjd]

You will beed to buy 2 adult tickets. As you are not going until September its impossible to give you a cheapest price. You can get a Saver Return. This is a walk up ticket. (Buy on the day). My advice is to go online or contact Virgin trains (Any station can do this aswell) when you are willing to buy the ticket. As you could get a cheap one tonight but its gone tomorrow as these advanced tickets are based on a first come first served basis on once gone there is another level of pricing.

Worked out at £129 (total for the singles) from Woking to Edinburgh - but from the GNER website, with the 10% off, have just bought singles for 2 from London to Edinburgh for a total of £56 (£14 each single). Woking to London isn't that expensive!

[mouse_potato]

Worked out at £129 (total for the singles) from Woking to Edinburgh - but from the GNER website, with the 10% off, have just bought singles for 2 from London to Edinburgh for a total of £56 (£14 each single). Woking to London isn't that expensive!

It is expensive if you aren't able to book in advance/all the cheaper tickets have gone.

A Saver Return costs £106.20 each :(

[hjd]

It is expensive if you aren't able to book in advance/all the cheaper tickets have gone.

A Saver Return costs £106.20 each :(

Not from Woking to London it doesn't!
Singles £8 each, so even with 4 of them still a lot cheaper in total than the through price!

[mrs lds]

Please help

Complete novice at this. I need to get to Manchester on thursday from Euston and return the same day but with 2 children on the return sector. Please could someone help for the cheapest route fares etc. I appreciate your help in advance.

[harz99]

Here goes then:
1) Book as early as your plans or the rail companies will allow.

2) Use the Network rail enquiries site for basic routings and as your benchmark or price to beat.

3) Always check the train operating company's (Virgin, GNER etc.) own website for best prices.

4) For return journeys on the long distance routes always try pricing two singles as well as a return.

5) Don't forget Megabus/train.com.

6) And finally, check the "promotions" section of the National Rail website for any special offers.

Happy hunting!

[dzug]

Please help

Complete novice at this. I need to get to Manchester on thursday from Euston and return the same day but with 2 children on the return sector. Please could someone help for the cheapest route fares etc. I appreciate your help in advance.

You've asked this question several times - and got replies. What's the problem?

[mouse_potato]

Not from Woking to London it doesn't!

Oops. Sorry, I misread your post.

I read it as Woking to Edinburgh isn't that expensive, rather than Woking to London.

The £106.20 in my post was the Saver Rtn price from Woking - Edinburgh.

Cheapest I've paid from Wok - Edin is £46 Rtn.

[trubster]

I originally posted this in the wrong place, dont know if this is right butshere is one way NOT to save money, buy tickets in advance!!!
----------------------------------------------------

When my partner went to buy a train ticket for tomorrow, to avoid the ridiculously long queues in Sheffield station, she was first told she had to buy a Standard Day Return, even though she said she was getting the 1144 train to Worksop.

She has learning difficulties and she is dyslexic, she could not understand why they were insisting she had to pay the extra (albeit a few pence!) but out of principle she refused to pay more than she had to, they finally agreed to issue the Cheap Day Return with her Disabled Railcard but they scribbled this at the top... "NOT VALID BEFORE 920"

http://www.mysteryshoppingforum.org/shfwrk.JPG

Now, really is that necessary? I really do not understand why they had to make her look like a thief/dishonest person by writing that at the top of the ticket, when the conductor on the train knows exactly when the ticket is valid from.

I am furious about this because it confused my partner and she thought she did something wrong by getting this ticket in advance.

Any hints on who to complain to and things to include in letters would be great.

[toozie]

I would write to the train company (virgin Trains etc??) with a copy of the ticket, or the actual ticket it's self if she has it back after travel.

Basically say what you've told us, laying it on a bit thicker though-especially regarding the clerks treatment of a disabled person-this is definately a customer service issue.

She should at least get an apology and a full refund.

I've done this many times, when the trains have been delayed, and I've missed the next connection, and always had a voucher for a certain % of what I paid sent by the train company involved.

I think actualy she will need to send the actual ticket, if she still has it-once they told me they couldn't issue compensation without it. Obviously if a machine has eaten it up, explain why you are only sending a copy in the letter.

Good luck

[burnleypingu]

Looking for cheap trains for Hastings to Blackpool return

It will be 2 Adults and 1 Child travelling

Looking at two times to travel

First option
Going on the 22nd August and coming back on the 28th August

Second Option
Going on the 28th August and coming back on the 1st September

Really looking for cheap deals. All info will be appreciated.

Burnleypingu :j

[burnleypingu]

Also, info on cheap hotels would be much appreciated :)

[bootman]

At the information points at stations they have a self addressed envelope for complaints for Virgin. You just fill it out and enclose your ticket. I think they were addressed customer services. They are pre paid as well.

I filled one out a couple of weeks ago when we had the floods. I got a reply really quickly saying complaint received and then a few days later full refund.

[burnleypingu]

Looking for cheap trains for Hastings to Blackpool return

It will be 2 Adults and 1 Child travelling

Looking at two times to travel

First option
Going on the 22nd August and coming back on the 28th August

Second Option
Going on the 28th August and coming back on the 1st September

Really looking for cheap deals. All info will be appreciated.

Burnleypingu :j

Have had a look and we were getting prices around the £230 mark which seems expensive

[johnandjoan]

Hi all...Four adults will be going to a wedding in Glasgow on the 07/09/07 and returning on the 09/09/07 by train..is someone able to advise of the cheapest method of travel by train and the best stations to change/split tickets ??...we will be looking to go from the Brighton area.

Best Regards

[bigreg]

Trying to get from Manchester to London on 13th October but it seems as though there are no cheap single tickets available for anywhere in the country on this day. Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks in advance.

[dzug]

My guess is it's a weekend and they are not released yet. They often come out later for weekends if engineering work is expected but not confirmed.

I can save you a full £2 on the saver single but that's not what you want.....

[OoOGazOoO]

Hi all.

Looking for same day return -

15th Sept 2007.

Peterborough to Kings Cross.

Anyone get any cheaper than £34 please? ? ?

Thanks.

[coral]

johnandjoan

I think the best way to do this journey will be to head into London and then look for advance singles to Glasgow. By the looks of things you could do London - Glasgow for around £70 return.

Be aware that services on the Sunday are disrupted by engineering work - looks like you are being routed via Edinburgh onto GNER services which will get pretty busy. You could consider flying this leg, easyjet & BA fly glasgow - gatwick, looks about £70 one way BA or EJ evening departure, but an extra £30 is worth it (especially with a post-wedding hangover!)

[Neonoptic]

I wonder if anyone could help me?

Next Thursday (23rd) I'm wanting to travel from Leeds to London Kings Cross to accompany my Grandmother on a trip (who is having her travel paid for and has her ticket).

I need to be in London by 11am ish, and I'd probably get a train home departing London around 7pm the same day

The cheapest price I can find is around £76 (nationalrail.co.uk), and I'm just refusing to pay that much - I can't believe how expensive it is. I would normally drive down as I could get there on about £40 worth of petrol, but my Gran has to go by train.

Any help would be really appreciated.

[dzug]

I wonder if anyone could help me?

Next Thursday (23rd) I'm wanting to travel from Leeds to London Kings Cross to accompany my Grandmother on a trip (who is having her travel paid for and has her ticket).

I need to be in London by 11am ish, and I'd probably get a train home departing London around 7pm the same day

The cheapest price I can find is around £76 (nationalrail.co.uk), and I'm just refusing to pay that much - I can't believe how expensive it is. I would normally drive down as I could get there on about £40 worth of petrol, but my Gran has to go by train.

Any help would be really appreciated.

Can't see anything cheaper unless you are prepared to arrive in London around 1pm and leave a little later in the evening

[dzug]

Hi all.

Looking for same day return -

15th Sept 2007.

Peterborough to Kings Cross.

Anyone get any cheaper than £34 please? ? ?

Thanks.

A cheap day return is £19 - £22.50 if you throw in a travelcard for the tube, etc. Definitely worth it if you plan ANY tube travel.

This is on FCC (stopping trains) - but GNER are only £3-4 more expensive. As it's a Saturday there are no time restrictions

Buy on the day - nothing to be gained by advance purchase.

[davebff]

I wonder if anyone could help me?

Next Thursday (23rd) I'm wanting to travel from Leeds to London Kings Cross to accompany my Grandmother on a trip (who is having her travel paid for and has her ticket).

I need to be in London by 11am ish, and I'd probably get a train home departing London around 7pm the same day

The cheapest price I can find is around £76 (nationalrail.co.uk), and I'm just refusing to pay that much - I can't believe how expensive it is. I would normally drive down as I could get there on about £40 worth of petrol, but my Gran has to go by train.

Any help would be really appreciated.

The best I can see is

Journey Leeds London Kings Cross
OUT 08:05
£9.50 Leeds -> Peterborough : GNER Standard Advance 1
£49.50 Peterborough -> London Kings Cross : Business Saver Return
RET 18:00
£12.00 Peterborough -> Leeds : GNER Standard Advance 2

total £71.0

Which is not much of a saving really.

Cheers D

[chapmandu]

A very little known fact is that if you wish to travel by Eurostar then you can buy special tickets to a destination called 'London International' which are significantly cheaper than normal tickets but more importantly are also sold under European ticketing rules (CIV). This means that if your connecting train is late, you get put on the next Eurostar, and if your Eurostar is late you get put on the next connecting train. The special prices are always available so you can book the day before if required.

The only problem is that you can only buy these from a station as you have to show your Eurostar tickets and the ticketing person is highly unlikely to know what you're going on about. Best bet is to do a search on National Rail Enquiries and print this out so that you can show them. Even then it can be a difficult conversation <sigh>.

But, as an example I got tickets from Macclesfield for £32 travelling on the 7.09am train down and 18.05 train back. As these are peak time trains I'd have had to pay the full open fare otherwise of £248. Ouch.

To get cheap Eurostar tickets for £59 return simply book the maximum 120 days ahead. Returns will always be cheaper than singles.

Loads of information on international train travel on the excellent http://www.seat61.com.

[p1an0player]

Eurostar connecting tickets

Incredible that such a good ticket option is not advertised anywhere..
Can you buy Eurostar tickets from any station or just stations that Eurostar goes through? It would be easier to buy the Eurostar ticket and connecting tickets at the same time.
What if I go to Eurostar at Waterloo and buy a Eurostar ticket for a future date, can the same desk also sell me a CIV ticket?

[stevros88]

Wanting to travel from Lancaster to Wembley Stadium on October 13th, arriving before 2pm; can anyone find a combination of tickets for less than £44?

[dzug]

Wanting to travel from Lancaster to Wembley Stadium on October 13th, arriving before 2pm; can anyone find a combination of tickets for less than £44?

One way or return?

[stevros88]

One way or return?

Just one way, then I'm coming back to Huddersfield after 5:15pm. Alternatively I could go to Wembley from Huddersfield.

[chapmandu]

Not sure if you can buy Eurostar tickets from normal stations to be honest, but the online service is very quick and easy, better than the Trainline. Not sure if you'd be able to get the connecting ticket from the Eurostar office, but you'd certainly be able to get the connecting ticket from the normal Waterloo ticket office on the same trip. I'm going on Eurostar next month so I'll try to find out if I remember.

I agree, the lack of information on this is crazy, I just don't understand it. In fact I've never seen it advertised anywhere, even after hunting the national rail and Eurostar websites. I only found out through the seat61.com website.

Hopefully when they move to St Pancras and have a big media blitz they'll think to mention it then - they have said that they intend to sell tickets from any UK station, so perhaps they just didn't want to muddy the waters?

[KMxRetro]

Hi all,
I've been searching all morning for ways of getting from Exeter to Lancaster for less than the £110 (return) quoted price from the train companies. Does anyone know of any split journeys or routes that are cheaper?

I'm looking to travel on a Friday and come back on a Monday - time isn't really a problem. Can anyone help?

Thanks in advance,
KM

[Nick_C]

Live on the South Coast and commute to London? Southern's Annual Season Ticket to London is the same price anywhere between Bexhill and Warblington! I live in Worthing, and originally bought a season Worthing to London Terminals, which currently costs £3240. I later found out that for the same money I can get a season from Warblington to London. This gives me free leisure travel east bound as far Warblington and up the mid Sussex line, meaning free trips to Arundel, Chichester, Horsham etc. And if I want to go to Portsmouth for the day it is £3.20 for an add-on instead of £10.70.

So if you live West of Brighton, get your season from Warblington, if you live East of Brighton, get it from Bexhill, and if you live in Brighton itself then make your own choice!

[peterstannard]

Looking for the cheapest train fare from Doncaster to Blackpool at around the times below although its flexible.

Out: 1st Sept @ 11:54
Return: 2nd Sept @ 13:13

Thats the cheapest ATM @ £26.60 on a Saver Return.

[jonny1974]

Anyone know of a cheap way to get a day return to London from St.Neots. The best I can do is £16 CDR to Finsbury Park and then use my Oyster Card around London.

[neiljc]

Looking to get 2 tickets for my mum and dad from Glasgow Queen street to Newark Northgate travelling on Friday12th October and returning Thursday 18th October.

Cheapest I can get is 37.50 each if they travel later on the return journey.

any way of getting this down?:confused:

[bribri]

I am going form Stratford (London) to Ipswich tomorrow - 31st August.
I can get the 16:37, change at London Liverpool street and get to Ipswich at 17:58. This will cost on the day £33. I can't get to Stratford before the 16:28 and I have another trian at Ipswich which leaves at 18:13.

But

It seems that I can go from Startford to Ipswich without going in to Lonodn and thus probably using a Network railcard. I tried combinations on Trainline and it looks like I change at Shenfield, Colchester or Manningtree or perhaps I don't. My head is spinning. I think Manningtree is the last stop in the Network area.

The One Railway site doesn't seem to give timetables which don't show connections to the London train.

Suggestions welcomed.

Thank you

[dzug]

Anyone know of a cheap way to get a day return to London from St.Neots. The best I can do is £16 CDR to Finsbury Park and then use my Oyster Card around London.

One possibility is a CDR (£11) to Potters Bar, get the bus to Cockfosters (takes 10 mins off-peak) and join the tube there. Whether the saving is worth the extra time is up to you

[bolo]

Hi all, can anyone give me any tips for this trip, london to manchester return. I need to make the trip on the 23rd September. The best i can find is 59.50. As 4 of us are going this is quite expensive and i might have to rent a car instead. Can really be flexible about the times unfortunately, as i am going up to watch the football at old trafford!

Thanks

[dzug]

Hi all, can anyone give me any tips for this trip, london to manchester return. I need to make the trip on the 23rd September. The best i can find is 59.50. As 4 of us are going this is quite expensive and i might have to rent a car instead. Can really be flexible about the times unfortunately, as i am going up to watch the football at old trafford!

Thanks

From the look of the train times on 23 September (Sunday - is that right?) there's engineering work going on - 4 hours for a through train!

I doubt if you will do better than the £59.50 - which is the walkup fare, so no need to book in advance.

Splitting might be a possibility - but as the trains won't be on their normal route it might be quite difficult to find out where to experiment with...

[parkemitch]

Hi everyone,

I dont really know where else to ask this but...

The cheapest I can find is £118.00 for

21/10/2007 OUTWARDS > Sandwell and Dudley -TO- Kensington Olympia

22/10/2007 RETURN > Kensington Olmypia - Sandwell and Dudley

(MAXIMUM 1 CHANGE)

Its more expensive than the hotel itself :eek: and im travelling with a person whos less able walking than myself and this is the closest station to the hotel.

I would really appreciate any tips or cheaper fare.

Thanks !

[pompeyrich]

Hi everyone,

I dont really know where else to ask this but...

The cheapest I can find is £118.00 for

21/10/2007 OUTWARDS > Sandwell and Dudley -TO- Kensington Olympia

22/10/2007 RETURN > Kensington Olmypia - Sandwell and Dudley

(MAXIMUM 1 CHANGE)

Its more expensive than the hotel itself :eek: and im travelling with a person whos less able walking than myself and this is the closest station to the hotel.

I would really appreciate any tips or cheaper fare.

Thanks !

According to the National rail site HERE (http://nationalrail.co.uk/), a saver return is £29:80 each, with a change at Watford Junction. A saver return can be bought at the station on the day of travel. There may be cheaper options but if you dont want many changes this is probably easiest.

[barker77]

This is my first post so hoping im not being too cheeky!

Ive started travelling down to Hatfield (Hertfordshire) from Burton on Trent quite a lot however the train seems expensive at £35.90 return with my young persons rail card. Does anyone know of a cheaper way i can get there by going to a different station thats not too far away etc? Also the journey seems to take 3+ hours where as in the car it only takes 2 so if that could be made shorter than great however what im more concerned about is the cost!

Any ideas ?

Thanks
Paul

[The One Who]

Is it possible to get from Glasgow to Cambridge and back cheaply? I'm wanting to go a weekend in November (although the dates are not 100% set). I could leave on Friday at 1pm at the earliest although after 4pm would be best.

As for coming back, I'd like to leave sometime in the afternoon but all the prices I've seen have been close to £100 mark and there is no way I can afford that. I could probably leave on Monday but it would have to be my absolute last resort.

I have a student rail card if that helps. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[dzug]

Can anyone help with Liverpool to London? I think I may have left it too late to get a decent price :(

Travelling A.M. on Oct 13th, single. I need to arrive between 11.30 - 1.00.

All I can find is about £38 with my Young Person's Railcard.

Thank you!

Is there something on in London that afternoon? Cheap fares suddenly become available if you leave after midday.

The fare you have found can be bought on the day so it might be worth hanging on to see if anything cheaper mysteriously appears.

Otherwise try splitting at Birmingham and getting a Chiltern cheapie on to London. Remember you'll have to change stations in Brum - there is a free bus.

[Prodigal Son NZ]

Hi, I've lived in New Zealand for past ten years and making first trip back since I left! Am going to be travelling extensively between London, Southampton, Bristol, South and North Wales, and Coventry and am ok for that as can get lifts or will browse Megatrain.com but I'm stuck for a way to find cheap fare from Coventry to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Anyone got anything to help?

Cheers.

[dzug]

Hi, I've lived in New Zealand for past ten years and making first trip back since I left! Am going to be travelling extensively between London, Southampton, Bristol, South and North Wales, and Coventry and am ok for that as can get lifts or will browse Megatrain.com but I'm stuck for a way to find cheap fare from Coventry to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Anyone got anything to help?

Cheers.

There should be a Virgin trains cheap single if you book far enough in advance. Otherwise National Express bus - also (sometimes) cheaper booked ahead of time.

[tubechallenger]

I've found another lot of tricks on the SWT network (although it should work anywhere within the Southern Region) which takes advantage of the Advance Purchase fares and their routing 'OPERATOR+CONNECTIONS' - I purchased a Virgin Value C single (to travel in the morning peak) for Bournemouth to Nuneaton to travel between Bournemouth and Waterloo - saves me about £20 on the single fare. :)

[samf1971]

Hi i have checked Gners website and im looking at around £80 or so return , i will hopefully be going up in a few weeks or so , can any one help please with a cheaper fare or put me to a website which maybe i can get a cheaper ticket say Leeds To Edinburgh then Edinburgh to Inverness ?
Many thanks

[dzug]

Hi i have checked Gners website and im looking at around £80 or so return , i will hopefully be going up in a few weeks or so , can any one help please with a cheaper fare or put me to a website which maybe i can get a cheaper ticket say Leeds To Edinburgh then Edinburgh to Inverness ?
Many thanks

Answered on the other thread

[trubster]

Please can someone help me find a cheaper ticket... I am going from Retford (Could be Lincoln or Doncaster if Cheaper) to Dumfries on 17/10 any time after 12 and returning 18/10 after 5pm.

Cheapest I can get is £99.90 splitting at newcastle with virgin value tickets + Super Saver to Dumfries. ( 3 Adults and 1 Child with Family Railcard)

Thanks

Kev

[tubechallenger]

I've found Doncaster to Carlisle for £91.75 return (this fare can be purchased on the day) but is routed via the Settle & Carlisle line so has a reasonably long journey time. I think that £99 is probably the best luck you are going to have on that one.

Tom

[CharleneUK]

Hi all, can anyone help?

I want to take a train from East Croydon on the 5th -->7th October to Newcastle.

Any ideas the best prices I can get? Just 1 adult, travelling after 10am both ways.

[Taffyscot]

Thanks all of you for your help. Taffy

[pompeyrich]

Hi all, can anyone help?

I want to take a train from East Croydon on the 5th -->7th October to Newcastle.

Any ideas the best prices I can get? Just 1 adult, travelling after 10am both ways.


Best price I can see is 2 x singles for the Kings X- Newcastle bit at £26:45 each way, then an open single from EC-KX at £3:80, maybe an oyster single for this bit, so around £60.

[hogshead]

Having rarely used trains before in our household my son (uni student) will be needing a journey from Liverpool to Gloucester return for the odd weekends he choses to honour us with his presence.
He doesn't have a rail/coach card but that's not to say he won't get one given the savings it may offer.

Can anyone direct me to the cheapest means of travel ( but not taking 7 hrs to complete )

Thanks in advance.

[tubechallenger]

The cheapest way to do this journey would be to purchase Virgin Value (soon to be Arriva Advance I'm told) singles between Liverpool and Gloucester allowing travel via the direct Cross-country route. That's more than likely the quickest route - the only other route would be Liverpool to London and thence onto Gloucester on First Great Western utilising their Firstminutefare scheme.

At the current fare rates - the cheapest single between Liverpool and Gloucester is £10, then £15 then £19.50 in each direction. You would get some savings by having a young persons railcard on that fare though (34% rounded up to nearest 5p).

[CharleneUK]

Best price I can see is 2 x singles for the Kings X- Newcastle bit at £26:45 each way, then an open single from EC-KX at £3:80, maybe an oyster single for this bit, so around £60.

Thanks for that!! Not as bad as I thought, really.