Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

Spikey_2

b

kroads wrote:

What is the cheapest way to work out the best deal, its a minefield. I need to travel from Norwich to Torquay on Tuesday, 22nd August, return the next day.. Can someone help me work these out.. Many thanks. Ps Any hints on cheap fares, much appreciated..

found www.virgintrainsfares.co.uk the best in price at times..... worth a try..

HTH

Ps. also try http://www.chester-le-track.co.uk/

slonik

If you have some kind of a season ticket for the London underground (weekly/monthly/whatever), you can shave off a couple of quid off your train tickets out of London. You have to buy the tickets at the counter (machines don't have this option). When ordering ask for a ticket from "boundary zone two" (if you have a zone 1-2 card, or from whatever zone you are covered up to) to wherever you are travelling. That should be then printed in the "from" section of your outbound ticket - ie "boundary zone 2" -This seems to work on destinations in the South East - ones covered by the Network rail card, but may not work for journeys to other parts of the country. The station staff I asked weren't sure of the exact rules. But basically it saves around £1-2 off the ticket price, and you can still use your rail card or whatever. NB they will ask to see your season ticket at the counter. Hope that makes sense!

pompeyrich

kroads wrote:

What is the cheapest way to work out the best deal, its a minefield. I need to travel from Norwich to Torquay on Tuesday, 22nd August, return the next day.. Can someone help me work these out.. Many thanks. Ps Any hints on cheap fares, much appreciated..

You are right, it is a minefield, it depends on what your priorities are, flexibility = expense. If you want a fully flexible fare from Norwich to Torquay it is showing as £92 return. A flexible fare Norwich- London Paddington is £42 return inc tube, London to Torquay is best done as 2 singles at £12:50 each but you HAVE to travel on the train you book, this brings the fare down to £67. One railway are advertising singles to London for £5 but I cant find them on line, maybe best to ask at your local station, if you could get those it would work out at £35 +£6 for the tube. It really is just a case of playing with the route at a site like national rail.co.uk or the trainline and seeing what comes up.
A silly one I found was Portsmouth- Birmingham via Bristol was cheaper than Bristol- Birmingham but who in Bristol would think to try that to save money?

kroads

Cheers Pompey

I'm trying to get to Torquay for the Carling Cup, just waiting for the fixtures now. Do you go to pompey games on train?

Spikey_2

Got an email yesterday from GNER offering 10% off ...anyone else get this?

pompeyrich

kroads wrote:

Cheers Pompey

I'm trying to get to Torquay for the Carling Cup, just waiting for the fixtures now. Do you go to pompey games on train?

You must be a "proper fan" Norwich-Torquay on a tuesday night :T

Used to drive but with good forward planning it works out cheaper and more relaxing by train, take my 2 lads so get the family railcard discounts. Only problem is Sky moving k/o times willy nilly. Norwich works well by train, nice pubs, ground near station, Morrisons for supplies on the way home,got it for £25 for the 3 of us a couple of seasons ago, 2-2, Charlton, ex s****s, equalised right at the end.
Sorry if a bit off-topic but planning ahead and family railcard mentioned !!

kroads

Cheers Pompey

Yes bit of a "proper fan" never been to Torquay though will be my 83rd ground I think. I use a wheelchair as will so bit of a challenge. Trains are a pain to organise since privatisation, so many companies, so many different fares. Leeds away 1st game!

jenny_f

Anyone know the cheapest way to get from Huddersfield to Stevenage (with the possible option of going to Letchworth).

What I currently do is - Leeds>Stevenage on £19 return, or GNER's cheapest
And just buy on open return for Huddersfield >Leeds

Anyone got any better ideas?

Transpenine express do really good student deals so if getting to Stevenage would be cheaper from their most southerly station this is an option

cheers for any help guys

xx

Abbie

Hello. I need to get from Chester to Newcastle by train on 23 September, and back on 24 September. The cheapest fare I can find is £62. Has anyone got any tips on how I can get something cheaper / where I can break my journey to get it any cheaper?

Many thanks.

Abbie

evesham1988la

Abbie wrote:

Hello. I need to get from Chester to Newcastle by train on 23 September, and back on 24 September. The cheapest fare I can find is £62. Has anyone got any tips on how I can get something cheaper / where I can break my journey to get it any cheaper?

Many thanks.

Abbie

If your have or are eligible for a Young Person's RailCard - TransPennine Express who operate on the route between Manchester Piccadilly and Newcastle offer extra special discounts meaning a return fare for £18.70.

http://www.tpexpress.co.uk/mytpe/students.asp

A Saver return between Chester and Manchester Piccadilly would be £7.60

Total Cost: £26.30

However, if you are over 25 I will have a look at the alternatives.