Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

KeithP

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

Thanks guys. I phoned FGW who said its simply that the APEX tickets haven't been released yet. Duh!!! The ones showing are open travel tickets, hence the price.

Miller, Bogof_Babe and Dzug1 all told you that you were too early.

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

I am now suitably embarrassed!

No Comment.


Nearer the time, it might also be worth looking at Megatrain.

The_One_Who

I am travelling to Cardiff (from Glasgow) later in the week and booked cheap advance tickets a while ago now. Because they are advance I can only use them on the specified train, but what happens if there is a delay or something? I have given myself a good amount of lee-way with the times, no five minute turn around or anything. I would still be able to use the ticket on the next available train without paying extra, right?

Bogof_Babe

The_One_Who wrote: »

I am travelling to Cardiff (from Glasgow) later in the week and booked cheap advance tickets a while ago now. Because they are advance I can only use them on the specified train, but what happens if there is a delay or something? I have given myself a good amount of lee-way with the times, no five minute turn around or anything. I would still be able to use the ticket on the next available train without paying extra, right?

If the delay between connections is not your fault they should allow you to travel on the next train, or on a suitable alternative route. I've had to do this when Arriva Trains drivers decided to strike one Sunday, and again when there was flooding on the Northern Rail line so I had to make a detour.

When you book your Advance ticket online, click on the little "i" next to your chosen journey, and copy down the connection times from the info box that opens. I always have these details with me, so if my first train gets in too late for me to catch my booked connecting train I can prove I followed exactly what the system told me to do.

KeithP

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

If the delay between connections is not your fault they should allow you to travel on the next train, or on a suitable alternative route. I've had to do this when Arriva Trains drivers decided to strike one Sunday, and again when there was flooding on the Northern Rail line so I had to make a detour.

When you book your Advance ticket online, click on the little "i" next to your chosen journey, and copy down the connection times from the info box that opens. I always have these details with me, so if my first train gets in too late for me to catch my booked connecting train I can prove I followed exactly what the system told me to do.

Bogof_Babe is right.

The only problem is when using Advance Singles and splitting your journey.
I.e. if you are travelling from A to B but have a ticket from A to C and another from C to B, then that is treated as two seperate journeys. If you are late arriving at C, then you may have trouble getting a later train from C to B.
Best to get the guard of the first train to mark your ticket and then speak nicely to the guard on the second train.

The_One_Who

Thanks to both of you. I unfortunately have two separate tickets (Glasgow - Crewe, Crewe - Cardiff) because that worked out cheaper than buying the one, but I would need to change there anywhere even if I had the one ticket. I have at least thirty minutes between connections, so hopefully everything should work out fine. I've never seemed to have a problem with Virgin before (I may be in the minority...) and never used the Welsh trains so I'm hoping for the best.

miller

Freebie_Hunter wrote: »

Thanks guys. I phoned FGW who said its simply that the APEX tickets haven't been released yet.

By the way FGW operate Exeter to Paddington via Reading, that is the quicker route. Nearer the time don't rule out going to Waterloo if its cheaper. You can upgrade to First Class for £5 with SWT at the weekend too.

lesley2004

Hi

I want to travel to london end of march can someone advise me when the cheaper fares are usually released. the date i want to travel is 12 weeks from now

AirlieBird

Take a look here, which lists when each operator are taking bookings to.

12 weeks is the date that Network Rail has to notify train operators of changes to the timetable, it is not necessarily the date that each train operator opens their reservations system.

McShambles

Does anyone know the cheapest return fare for two people (one with a 16-25 Railcard) travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on the 19th of February and coming back on the 22nd of the same month?

Thanks in advance.

KeithP

McShambles wrote: »

Does anyone know the cheapest return fare for two people (one with a 16-25 Railcard) travelling from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly on the 19th of February and coming back on the 22nd of the same month?

Thanks in advance.

McShambles, what have you found so far?

Advance Singles allow that journey to be done for £38.15.
That's the total price for the two of you.

Info from East Coast Trains.