Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

KeithP

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

Can't get ticket info on Eastcoast site. Been trying for an hour and keep getting "Problem loading page" when I have entered my journey details and try to search for ticket info.

Anyone else, or is it just me?

The connection was reset



The connection to the server was reset while the page was loading.


* The site could be temporarily unavailable or too busy. Try again in a few
moments.

* If you are unable to load any pages, check your computer's network
connection.

* If your computer or network is protected by a firewall or proxy, make sure
that Firefox is permitted to access the Web.

Works ok for me... also using Firefox.

Any other websites affected?

Try re-booting your router.

Bogof_Babe

All other websites fine. Will shut down and re-start computer (I assume that's what you mean by re-booting my router lol ).

Edit: Did that, got in once, went back to amend search (alternative route) and started getting same problem again.

Must be a bit flaky tonight. I'll try tomorrow.

mollycat

Hello everyone. Can i ask a question that has probably been done to death, but which i cant find on the forum?!!

Basically, what is the optimum time to buy tickets to get the best discount?

Im going to london in May,(tickets not available yet, i know!), and had always thought the sooner you buy the better the price.

To give myself an idea of prices i looked as far ahead as possible, (March)....but these prices are extortinate compared to prices for next week, next month etc.

HELP!!

KeithP

mollycat wrote: »

Hello everyone. Can i ask a question that has probably been done to death, but which i cant find on the forum?!!

Basically, what is the optimum time to buy tickets to get the best discount?

Im going to london in May,(tickets not available yet, i know!), and had always thought the sooner you buy the better the price.

To give myself an idea of prices i looked as far ahead as possible, (March)....but these prices are extortinate compared to prices for next week, next month etc.

HELP!!

Not more than twelve weeks in advance. Often, particularly at weekends, a lot less than that.

The National Rail website will give you a good idea of when cheaper tickets get released.

But its not an exact science. You must be prepared to keep looking for your bargain.

mollycat

Cheers Keith, did the same Dundee--London journey in Dec and got really good discount. Not a novice with rail travel by any means; just a bit surprised at March's prices!

Thanks; i'll keep a look out.

tashmatthews

Dont suppose anyone can help again please

Exeter St Davids to York on 30/12 return on 2/1 with a family and friends discount card, 2 adults 3 kiddies, preferably morning journey? Getting quoted £252.00!!! Which I know its short notice but still a huge amount, lol

Thankyou all

Livingthedream

tashmatthews wrote: »

Dont suppose anyone can help again please

Exeter St Davids to York on 30/12 return on 2/1 with a family and friends discount card, 2 adults 3 kiddies, preferably morning journey? Getting quoted £252.00!!! Which I know its short notice but still a huge amount, lol

Thankyou all

Hope this help, best I could done at short notice, but it involves spliting at London and Long connection times:eek:;

Exeter to London Kings X 05:46 30th Dec arrive 08:38 £41.35 advance single
London Kings X to York 14:30 30th Dec arrive 16:21 £47.90 advance single

York to London Kings X 13:34 2nd Jan arrive 15:42 £47.90 advance single
London Kings X to Exeter 18:36 2nd arrive 21:56 £41.60 advance single

Total for 2 adults 3 children with F&F railcard £177.85

to get better tranfer times then just get a off peak return London Kings X to York for £115 (£19.20 more expensive)

dzug1

mollycat wrote: »

Cheers Keith, did the same Dundee--London journey in Dec and got really good discount. Not a novice with rail travel by any means; just a bit surprised at March's prices!

Thanks; i'll keep a look out.

March tickets will currently be full price ones for most TOCs as the cheaper ones are not released. Start looking 12 weeks out but don't panic if there's nothing there. (The full price tickets never sell out and can be bought on the day if it comes to it)

John89001

tashmatthews wrote: »

Exeter St Davids to York on 30/12 return on 2/1 with a family and friends discount card, 2 adults 3 kiddies, preferably morning journey? Getting quoted £252.00!

I'm surprised at that quote. The Off-Peak Return (SVR) route Not London is only £223.25 (2 adults @ £77.95 + 3 children @ £22.45). This is valid on outward and return legs "By any train except those scheduled to depart before 0500" so that should not be a significant restriction! There are hourly direct Exeter - York trains by this route.

The £223.25 fare can be reduced £199.95 by splitting:
Exeter - Bristol £42.60
Bristol - Cheltenham £27.35
Cheltenham - Birmingham £36.70
Birmingham - Derby £25.80
Derby - Sheffield £31.90
Sheffield - York £35.60
(all prices for 2 adults + 3 kids with family railcard).
For all these tickets, there are no time restrictions on 30 Dec and 2 Jan.
On these dates, all Exeter - York trains call at all the splitting points above.

It may be worth paying £199.95 for the extra flexibility, rather than £177.85. If you do this, it's probably best to book all the tickets online and pick them up from a ticket machine at Exeter St Davids. There will be over 60 coupons!

Livingthedream wrote: »

to get better tranfer times then just get a off peak return London Kings X to York for £115

This £115.30 fare is "Grand Central only" and there are only 4 of these services daily, so that does not increase flexibility very much.

Livingthedream

John89001 wrote: »

There will be over 60 coupons!

Don't leave this to the last moment to collect your tickets, it takes a long time to print off 60 coupons

John89001 wrote: »

This £115.30 fare is "Grand Central only" and there are only 4 of these services daily, so that does not increase flexibility very much.

More flexiblity than an advance ticket, which does help with shortening connection times

But its all down to the OP whether he wants Flexibility (Expensive) or Restrictions (Cheap)