Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

dzug1

mrs_lds wrote: »

my american friend needs to now go to Wiltshire from London, anyone got any cheap fares they know of please

thank you

Wiltshire is quite big - where in particular? The offers will vary according to the destination. Megatrain serve some parts, others will best be served by advance singles if you can book in time.

ticketcollector

yorkie2 wrote: »

....

I look forward to September when it looks like you will not be able to persecute people in this way.

I also look forward to the new ticket names as it will make my life easier. But I am already hearing that the restrictions will still be the same as the restrictions are based on restriction codes and the ticket type.
E.g. Savers are most commonly 9A/9D restriction. So the Off-Peak will still have the same 9A 9D restriction on it.

yorkie2

ticketcollector wrote: »

I also look forward to the new ticket names as it will make my life easier.

are you sure?!

ticketcollector wrote: »

But I am already hearing that the restrictions will still be the same as the restrictions are based on restriction codes and the ticket type.
E.g. Savers are most commonly 9A/9D restriction. So the Off-Peak will still have the same 9A 9D restriction on it.

That is what I have heard, but it's certainly not true that most Savers will have that code, and there are dozens of codes.

If you mostly see 9A/9D's then you are probably based on one of the main Inter City TOCs from London to the north (ie, Virgin West Coast, NXEC or EMT mainline services) and you are either based in London or you travel to London.

What remains to be seen is what will happen to 8A savers. XC has already decided to impose a restriction on them, but thankfully it's "After 05:00" so for probably 99.9% (?) of people it makes no difference. The alternative would be to rename them as "Anytime" e.g. York to Sheffield, this would make sense as the Saver costs more than the Standard Day and there is no Standard Open.

p1an0player

isasmurf wrote: »

This break of journey question comes up time and again, so let's got through the tickets:

Advance: None allowed
Cheap day return: Out and Return
Saver Return: Return portion only
SuperSaver Return: Return portion only
Network Awaybreak: Return portion only
Off-peak Day travelcard: Out and Return
Business Saver return: Return only
Standard Day Return: Out and Return
Standard Open Return: Out and Return

Some questions if I may. I'd phone National Rail Enquiries or ask at a station but I know I'd struggle to get a comprehensive answer there.

I'll be travelling on the return portion of a Saver Return from Gatwick to Derby. I'd like to break my journey at Leicester.

How long can I break my journey for?
To get out and back in again at Leicester through the ticket barriers do I risk having to argue with the barrier staff?
Am I likely to encounter a problem on the train when I resume the journey?
Regarding the Gatwick to St Pancras portion of the ticket, am I allowed to travel on Gatwick Express?
How quickly am I obliged to go through London, ie can I spend 3 hours in central London before getting on a train from St Pancras?
Are there any time restrictions on this route with a Saver return?

And a more general question; for Travelcard tickets eg Guildford to London, obviously I can travel as much as I want in zones 1 - 6. What about between Guildford and zone 6, is it one journey allowed each way? Or can I make two return journeys in the day? If not, what about using the zones 1 - 6 part of the ticket after using the return portion? (eg I go to Guildford and back during the day and then get a lift back to London again in the evening and want to travel in zones 1 - 6).

many thanks.

dzug1

p1an0player wrote: »

Some questions if I may. I'd phone National Rail Enquiries or ask at a station but I know I'd struggle to get a comprehensive answer there.

I'll be travelling on the return portion of a Saver Return from Gatwick to Derby. I'd like to break my journey at Leicester.

How long can I break my journey for?
To get out and back in again at Leicester through the ticket barriers do I risk having to argue with the barrier staff?
Am I likely to encounter a problem on the train when I resume the journey?
Regarding the Gatwick to St Pancras portion of the ticket, am I allowed to travel on Gatwick Express?
How quickly am I obliged to go through London, ie can I spend 3 hours in central London before getting on a train from St Pancras?
Are there any time restrictions on this route with a Saver return?

Thanks.

As long as it's the RETURN half of the ticket:

As long as you like before the ticket expires - you shouldn't encounter any problems. Same in London. You might want to get it endorsed

Unless your ticket specifically allows the Gatwick Express, then no. It doesn't go to St Pancras anyway. You will have paid extra if it is valid.

There are probably time restrictions, certainly out of St Pancras. Don't know what they are. Playing about with the journey planner might identify them

ticketcollector

There are two types of Gatwick to Derby tickets coming up.
Route: EMT & FCC
Route: Any Permitted

The Any Permitted CAN be used on Gatwick Express. The EMT & FCC cannot and you must go via London Bridge. Both can be used on London Underground.

Your Gatwick to Derby Saver is coming up as a 9A restriction, this means that you can get on any train that leaves Gatwick and arrives into London Bridge/Victoria at or after 1039.

No problem on breaking your journey on the RETURN portion of your ticket, might have to argue your case with the staff on the barrier at Leicester. DO NOT put your ticket through any automated barriers other then at Derby or London Underground.

7A 9A Restrictions.

For travel FROM or VIA:
London Terminals, Milton Keynes, Watford, Stevenage, Reading, Kensington Olympia, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway.

London St Pancras International
Outward Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to DEPART:
Between 0901 & 1559 (inc.) and at or after 1901

Return Travel
You may travel on any train that is scheduled to ARRIVE:
At or after 1039

lisasheehy

Hello lovely moneysavers, I am trying to get to Leuchars from London on Mon, hopefully by train at about 1400. There is a train leaving at that time from kings x. I have a yp card which makes he journey 69 quid. Could be worse as it is quite last min and a long way but I am v short on cash. National Express coach is just 36 quid for a fun fare but is 11 hrs long! Not really worth it for just a few days....It is the aberdeen train with GXER. Tried split ticketing but no joy. Coming back on thur at about 11...... Any tips would be verrrry grateful.

dzug1

lisasheehy wrote: »

Hello lovely moneysavers, I am trying to get to Leuchars from London on Mon, hopefully by train at about 1400. There is a train leaving at that time from kings x. I have a yp card which makes he journey 69 quid. Could be worse as it is quite last min and a long way but I am v short on cash. National Express coach is just 36 quid for a fun fare but is 11 hrs long! Not really worth it for just a few days....It is the aberdeen train with GXER. Tried split ticketing but no joy. Coming back on thur at about 11...... Any tips would be verrrry grateful.

I think that's the best you will do - someone asked this question on the split ticketing board and the best advice (for money saving) is to put the trip off a week or two.

sk82

Hi!

I need to travel between Sheffield and Derby, can anyone help and tell me where I can find the cheapest tickets?

Thanks!

dzug1

sk82 wrote: »

Hi!

I need to travel between Sheffield and Derby, can anyone help and tell me where I can find the cheapest tickets?

Thanks!

Any rail website will sell the cheapest tickets. What they are depends on the date/time of your journeys. They start at £3.50 each way for an advance single.

On the day £8.20 cheap day £15.30 standard day returns