Glasgow - Sheffield Central

sioban_2

We have been invited to a wedding in Sheffield and would prefer to go by train as don't want to have to drive back having consumed alcohol the day before. I have always previously booked rail travel well in advance so have managed to get cheapest fare but have just got the invite and its in August. We need to travel Glasgow - Sheffield on 21st Aug (morning) and returning on 23rd Aug (afternoon). Its for 4 adults and 3 children. Any ideas on promotions available? Would we be best to get friends and family railcard? Any tips would be most welcome.

Thanks

jd87

Definitely, DEFINITELY get a family and friends railcard.

Looking at all the different routes available, it seems you could save a lot of money if you don't mind having to change trains a couple of times. For example, I've found that you can do your return journey for £98 (with the railcard) if you don't mind having to change a York. Still working on your outward journey.

jd87

Ok I've found the cheapest tickets I can for you: To find all of these use the nationalexpresseastcoast.com website. Fill in your journey details, include the family and friends railcard in the search. Then when the page comes up with the times and prices, go to the left hand side, click on "show slower routes" and tick ALL of the boxes except for "fastest services". Then click update, then click on the two boxes at the top (for out and rtn) with the cheap single tickets, and wait a good 30 seconds for the search to complete.

Outward journey:

Depart Glasgow Central 06:00
Arrive Sheffield 10:51
No changes
Advance single with F&F railcard - £77.05

Return journey:

Depart Sheffield 15:51
Arrive Glasgow Central 20:37
Change at York
Advance single with F&F card - £98.00

KeithP

Here is a thread about a discount on Family and Friends Railcard.

sioban_2

Thanks very much - will have a good look for fares now my kids are in bed and I have time to sort it out.

charley_177

First TransPennine Express are doing at 'Kids Travel Free' promotion, details here:

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/train-tickets-and-rail-offers/summer-offers.htm

You could use their Sheffield - Manchester, then Manchester - Glasgow service. Looking at those dates, you could do the following:

SHF-MAN depart 0911, arrive 1002, 4x Adult Advance = £20
MAN-GLC depart 1016, arrive 1331, 4x Adult Advance = £57

Outward total: £77

GLC-MAN depart 1506, arrive 1827, 4x Adult Advance = £57
MAN-SHF depart 1920, arrive 2008, 3x Adult Advance = £22.50 (last ones left)+£15.30 Off Peak Single, or;
MAN-SHF depart 2020, arrive 2108, 4x Adult Advance = £20

Inward total: £77 or £94.80

Grand total: £154 or £171.80

Voucher only valid when booking at staffed stations or FTPE telesales (0845 678 6974, quote KGF1 as promo code).

Roughly the same journeys, with the F&F Railcard, with the 10% online discount, works out approx £186.55, including £23.10 cost of buying railcard.

HTH

KeithP

Here is a much better link for a F&F Railcard at half price.

Note, you do not have to have the Railcard at the time of booking (although I guess there may be difficulties if buying at a ticket office), just at the time of travel. So if you can wait until 24 July...