Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

exeterben

Hi all,

Hopefully somebody out there can help. We have friends coming down to Exeter from Manchester and at the minute we are having trouble finding a cheap way of getting down.
They want to come down on Friday, October 30th, and then return to Manchester on Sunday, November 1st.
Cheapest tickets we have found so far have been around £50 each. Anybody know of any cheaper tickets than that, any offers going?

Thanks in advance.

dzug1

exeterben wrote: »

Hi all,

Hopefully somebody out there can help. We have friends coming down to Exeter from Manchester and at the minute we are having trouble finding a cheap way of getting down.
They want to come down on Friday, October 30th, and then return to Manchester on Sunday, November 1st.
Cheapest tickets we have found so far have been around £50 each. Anybody know of any cheaper tickets than that, any offers going?

Thanks in advance.

That actually looks a cheap price for this route to me - about half the walkon fare. It may already have gone - on a quick look I can't see anything under about £72 for two advance singles.

KeithP

exeterben wrote: »

Hi all,

Hopefully somebody out there can help. We have friends coming down to Exeter from Manchester and at the minute we are having trouble finding a cheap way of getting down.
They want to come down on Friday, October 30th, and then return to Manchester on Sunday, November 1st.
Cheapest tickets we have found so far have been around £50 each. Anybody know of any cheaper tickets than that, any offers going?

Thanks in advance.

30 Oct, dep Manchester Piccadilly 12:07, arr Exeter St.Davids 16:18. Direct train. Advance Single = £22.00.
01 Oct, dep Exeter St.D 16:23, arr Manc.Piccadilly 16:23, change at Brmingham New St. Advance Single = £22.00.

I.e. £44.00 return per person.

This info from the NXEC website.

StudentSavySaver

Hi Guy's.

I'm traveling to Winchester leaving Clapham Junction on 17/09 @ 14:12 = £22 (Off-Peak)

However if I purchase the ticket to end my journey at Bournemouth the cost is £9. This would be exactly the same train that would arrive at Winchester however goes two stations further.

I spoke to National rail and they said it's just the way the system works, i.e ripping you off.

This is just ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense, has anyone purchased a ticket and ended there journey at a station before?

Cheers

B

miller

StudentSavySaver wrote: »

This is just ridiculous and makes absolutely no sense, has anyone purchased a ticket and ended there journey at a station before?

Unfortunately, they (South West Trains) only seem to offer Advance fares on the longer routes. You are not permitted to end your journey short on an Advance ticket (there are ticket barriers at Winchester now).

On an entirely separate note, a single from Shawford to Winchester is £2.10.

squawkbox

Something that might be useful to Scottish users. ScotRail is running their promotion with Sainsburys again this year. When you shop in the store, you get a voucher allowing you a flat fare of £15 return anywhere in Scotland:

From 30 September to 20 October 2009, if you shop at a Sainsbury’s store in Scotland you will receive a Scotland by Rail voucher which entitles you to purchase up to two of the following tickets in one transaction:

• £15 flat fare anywhere in Scotland;
• £15 flat fare anywhere in Scotland plus free travel for one child (5-15 years).

Details: http://scotrail.co.uk/sainsburys

Terms:

1. Each voucher entitles the holder to purchase up to TWO of the following tickets in one transaction: £15 flat fare anywhere in Scotland; £15 flat fare anywhere in Scotland plus free travel for one child (5-15 years).
2. Travel is valid on all operators’ services (except Caledonian Sleeper services) between any two stations in Scotland.
3. Outward travel is valid between 30 September and 13 December 2009 inclusive.
4. Return travel is valid up to one month from the date of outward travel.
5. Please note there are major rugby matches in Edinburgh on Saturday 14, 21 and 28 November 2009.
6. Trains to and from Edinburgh on these dates will be very busy and seating cannot be guaranteed.
7. There are no travel restrictions at the weekend. Monday to Friday, travel is valid after 0915.
8. This restriction does not apply for journeys on the Glasgow Queen Street-Oban/Fort William/Mallaig, and Inverness-Kyle/Wick/Thurso routes.
9. No further Railcard or concessionary discounts are available.
10. Tickets are valid for Standard Class travel only. Upgrades to First Class, including Weekend First are not permitted.
11. This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.
12. Full refund is available on unused tickets before the date of outward travel, subject to a £10 administration fee.
13. Break of journey or changes to travel plans are not permitted.

girleight@

Fame
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/sep/11/rising-train-fares

Joppers78

Can anyone help with my journey..?

I like to regularly travel to Carlisle from London to visit family but even if I try to book well in advance, the tickets are always about £90 return.. I usually travel after 5pm on a Friday, returning Sunday afternoon - I know these are probably peak times but it's just so frustrating that even the "book in advance" rule doesn't apply.. Petrol is almost cheaper but the drive can be an absolute nightmare!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

KeithP

Joppers78 wrote: »

Can anyone help with my journey..?

I like to regularly travel to Carlisle from London to visit family but even if I try to book well in advance, the tickets are always about £90 return.. I usually travel after 5pm on a Friday, returning Sunday afternoon - I know these are probably peak times but it's just so frustrating that even the "book in advance" rule doesn't apply.. Petrol is almost cheaper but the drive can be an absolute nightmare!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Welcome to the forums.

I've just looked for weekend 25/27 Sept on NXEC website.
Dep Kings Cross Fri at 18:00, Arr Carlisle 23:01. Advance Single £24.05. Change at Newcastle.
Many departures from Carlisle Sun pm for £48.05, again Advance Single.

And for weekend 13/15 Nov...
Dep Kings Cross Fri at 18:00, Arr Carlisle 23:01. Advance Single £16.45. Change at Newcastle.
Dep Carlisle Sun 16:12, Arr Kings Cross 21:25. Advance Single £32.95. Change at Newcastle.

To get these prices you must book online via NXEC website.

Livingthedream

Joppers78 wrote: »

Can anyone help with my journey..?

I like to regularly travel to Carlisle from London to visit family but even if I try to book well in advance, the tickets are always about £90 return.. I usually travel after 5pm on a Friday, returning Sunday afternoon - I know these are probably peak times but it's just so frustrating that even the "book in advance" rule doesn't apply.. Petrol is almost cheaper but the drive can be an absolute nightmare!! Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

As this is a regular journey and if booking in advance doesn't work then try split tickets. You can also try using the station in Bold as a 'via' option in most train fare search engines.

London KX to Leeds - Leeds to Carlisle
London KX to Newcastle - Newcastle to Carlisle
London St Pan to Sheffield - Sheffield to Carlisle
London Euston to Birmingham NS - Birmingham NS to Carlisle
London Euston to Manchester Pic - Manchester Pic to Carlisle
London Euston to Crewe - Crewe to Carlisle

You are travelling an V Peak times but hopefully a mix and match of the above might save you some money and if you don't mind taking a bit longer than travel London to Crewe by London Midland instead of Virgin they charge £20 Super off peak Retun for that part of the journey.