Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

HenryTownes

I just had a quick question, please....does anyone know why a train fare would over triple in price in November? A particular journey I'm looking at costs £23 in October, but in November the cheapest is around £87....??

I could understand if it was closer to the holidays, but this is ridiculous...

Stompa

HenryTownes wrote: »

I just had a quick question, please....does anyone know why a train fare would over triple in price in November? A particular journey I'm looking at costs £23 in October, but in November the cheapest is around £87....??

I could understand if it was closer to the holidays, but this is ridiculous...

Sounds odd, what's the journey?

HenryTownes

It's Chesterfield to Folkestone, 'round 16 November. I'm getting the quotes from the Southeastern Trains website.

Stompa

HenryTownes wrote: »

It's Chesterfield to Folkestone, 'round 16 November. I'm getting the quotes from the Southeastern Trains website.

Hmmm, if you go the the National Rail website it says: "We only hold journeys 12 weeks in advance.". So perhaps the Advance (which I guess would be cheapest) tickets haven't been released yet?

dzug1

Stompa wrote: »

Hmmm, if you go the the National Rail website it says: "We only hold journeys 12 weeks in advance.". So perhaps the Advance (which I guess would be cheapest) tickets haven't been released yet?

Correct - East Midlands trains (which could be the best place to look for it - they do have internet specials) have only released advance fares to 6 November at the moment - and not as far as that at weekends

HenryTownes

dzug1 wrote: »

Correct - East Midlands trains (which could be the best place to look for it - they do have internet specials) have only released advance fares to 6 November at the moment - and not as far as that at weekends

Ah ha! So that explains it. I'll check again next week sometime. Cheers to you both!

nausea

I have a Rail Easy ticket with a timed Departure, can anyone advise as to how stringent the conductors / barrier inspectors are regarding me catching a later train (4 hours). It will cost me £10 just for the change of ticket with Raileasy plus the difference in price! It's Paddington to Bristol btw

KeithP

nausea wrote: »

I have a Rail Easy ticket with a timed Departure, can anyone advise as to how stringent the conductors / barrier inspectors are regarding me catching a later train (4 hours). It will cost me £10 just for the change of ticket with Raileasy plus the difference in price! It's Paddington to Bristol btw

Asssuming its an Advance Single...
They are very strict. Not worth taking the chance. It will cost you the price of a single ticket from London to Bristol... thats the minumum.

Btw, if you do this journey often, maybe a good idea next time to get your ticket cheaper from First Great Western for their 10% off and avoid raileasy's charges.

Armbase

HI All This probably applies to all west coast scottish tickets.

My wife and I are going to Arisaig. Glasgow to Arisaig fare is £95 return each £50 single each way.

Or Dumbarton to Arisaig on same train £25.20 single each way and £70 return. Saving about £45 each (1/2 price).

Train from Glasgow to Dumbarton is £6-7 single or £11 return but it is 25 mins to the train station in the middle of glasgow or 25 mins drive from the house.

Even going from Partick in Glasgow instead of queen street saves a whack :-) £29 single. :-)

Cheers
Bob:D

KeithP

Armbase wrote: »

HI All This probably applies to all west coast scottish tickets.

My wife and I are going to Arisaig. Glasgow to Arisaig fare is £95 return each £50 single each way.

Or Dumbarton to Arisaig on same train £25.20 single each way and £70 return. Saving about £45 each (1/2 price).

Train from Glasgow to Dumbarton is £6-7 single or £11 return but it is 25 mins to the train station in the middle of glasgow or 25 mins drive from the house.

Even going from Partick in Glasgow instead of queen street saves a whack :-) £29 single. :-)

Cheers
Bob:D

The Anytime Return fare from Glasgow to Arisaig is £47.50 per person.
I.e. £95.00 for two people.

It is £27.50 single, each way, per person.

I haven't bothered to check your other figures, as that may not be necessary.

:beer: