Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

ravenjet

KeithP wrote: »

If you absolutely must travel on those trains, then I think you have probably found the best fares.

If you can be a bit flexible, maybe consider travelling via Birmingham. Very cheap fares from Birmingham to London from £5. Maybe short walk from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Snow Hill needed.

But don't be panicked into buying that £81.30 Off Peak Return... it will still be available on the day of travel.

Thanks, those trains are not an absolute must so I will look into other options you have suggested.
Thanks

JohnBd

KeithP wrote: »

How about...
19Feb dep Aberdeen 07:42, arr London Kings Cross 14:57. Advance Single £48.50.
or dep Aberdeen 09:07, arr London Kings Cross 16:45. Advance Single £48.50.

21Feb dep London Euston 15:25, arr Aberdeen 23:33. Advance Single £37.40.

Total = £85.90.

Info from You must book via that website to get those prices.

If you are eligible for a railcard then get one. The price will drop by a third.

Oh... and train operators do not charge the fees that Raileasy and Thetrainline do.

p.s. have you thought about flying?

Bloomin flip Keith, you don't mess about, that's very kind of you. I'll see if I can get that booked. I often look at flying, but the fares aren't great and when I factor in transport to and from airports plus the extra stress, I just don't find it to be worth it. And I actually like travelling by train. I'm 42 so I don't think I qualify for a railcard.

EDIT: I just tried and the east coast site is doing what it did last night (I think); it offers me the cheap Aberdeen-London (£48.50), but the return is expensive: £87.20 (only 1st class advanced singles left it would appear). Maybe I've missed the cheaper ones? As well as 'all stations' I tried selecting Euston specifically, but no go. Seems unlikely, but I don't suppose the companies take IP addresses (locations) into account and charge accordingly?

KeithP

JohnBd wrote: »

EDIT: I just tried and the east coast site is doing what it did last night (I think); it offers me the cheap Aberdeen-London (£48.50), but the return is expensive: £87.20 (only 1st class advanced singles left it would appear). Maybe I've missed the cheaper ones? As well as 'all stations' I tried selecting Euston specifically, but no go. Seems unlikely, but I don't suppose the companies take IP addresses (locations) into account and charge accordingly?

Yes, that £37.40 ticket does appear to be still available... just a bit difficult to find.

When you've done your search on East Coast Trains website, click on 'show slower routes' down the left side of the page. In the list that appears, tick all the boxes, then click on the 'update' button. That bargain fare should now appear.

ccluedo

Hi, trying to find cheap rail travel for friends from Wickford to Malton on Monday 12th April returning Wed 14th April 2010. (Wickford to York would also suffice.)
Cheapest I can see is £86.50/£91.30 depending on website I use.

I am not familiar with the route and wondering if anyone knows of any cheaper ways to do the trip..maybe split tickets etc?

Travel times are reasonably flexible tho they would like to be in York by lunchtime if poss. Return is also reasonably flexible anytime after 10am.
Altho it's 12 weeks out they would like to book asap.

Any help gratefully received.

Tnx

KeithP

ccluedo wrote: »

Hi, trying to find cheap rail travel for friends from Wickford to Malton on Monday 12th April returning Wed 14th April 2010. (Wickford to York would also suffice.)
Cheapest I can see is £86.50/£91.30 depending on website I use.

I am not familiar with the route and wondering if anyone knows of any cheaper ways to do the trip..maybe split tickets etc?

Travel times are reasonably flexible tho they would like to be in York by lunchtime if poss. Return is also reasonably flexible anytime after 10am.
Altho it's 12 weeks out they would like to book asap.

Any help gratefully received.

Tnx

A little bit early for the cheapest tickets.

For example, East Coast Trains are selling Advance Singles from Wickford to Malton (and vice versa) on 5/7 April (the week before the one you want) at £29.35 each way.

ccluedo

KeithP wrote: »

A little bit early for the cheapest tickets.

For example, East Coast Trains are selling Advance Singles from Wickford to Malton (and vice versa) on 5/7 April (the week before the one you want) at £29.35 each way.

Yeah Keith, I had seen that fare for the previous week.
We are now 12 weeks out (just) and the 12th/14th has just come on for advance booking so had hoped the fare would be similar and an earlier train. Will just keep checking I guess and hope it comes down.

Thanks Keith, appreciate u looking

KeithP

ccluedo wrote: »

Yeah Keith, I had seen that fare for the previous week.
We are now 12 weeks out (just) and the 12th/14th has just come on for advance booking so had hoped the fare would be similar and an earlier train. Will just keep checking I guess and hope it comes down.

Thanks Keith, appreciate u looking

This National Rail website may help. It shows that East Coast Trains are only up to 9 April so far.

JohnBd

KeithP wrote: »

Yes, that £37.40 ticket does appear to be still available... just a bit difficult to find.

When you've done your search on , click on 'show slower routes' down the left side of the page. In the list that appears, tick all the boxes, then click on the 'update' button. That bargain fare should now appear.

Unless I'm doing something stupid (not beyond the bounds) the cheap fare seems to have gone; I selected slower routes, ticked all boxes under slow, updated and there is now one £37.40 fare being offered, but it's a 14 hour marathon leaving at 2015 Any of the half sensible times are over £100 one way. How frustrating. I'll continue to fiddle and, thanks Keith again, it's much appreciated.

KeithP

JohnBd wrote: »

Unless I'm doing something stupid (not beyond the bounds) the cheap fare seems to have gone; I selected slower routes, ticked all boxes under slow, updated and there is now one £37.40 fare being offered, but it's a 14 hour marathon leaving at 2015 Any of the half sensible times are over £100 one way. How frustrating. I'll continue to fiddle and, thanks Keith again, it's much appreciated.

That's all I can see now. I did see this earlier, but eventually the 15:25 departure appeared at £37.40. Don't know why yet.

Have you considered the sleeper?
Dep 21Feb Euston 20:55, arr Aberdeen 07:35. Bargain Berth £49.00. Book here.

ccluedo

KeithP wrote: »

This National Rail website may help. It shows that East Coast Trains are only up to 9 April so far.

Ok tnx Keith, will keep an eye on that