Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

dzug1

Two main routes - Cross Country from Leeds to Reading, normally changing at Birmingham New Street. Then a local train to Maidenhead

Or East Coast to London Kings Cross, underground to Paddington and local train to Maidenhead.

The first route goes through Oxford, but you wouldn't normally need to change there. The second route is normally slightly quicker but can be a pain in London. Birmingham's no paradise though.

Don't know where Norwich comes into it - it's miles in the wrong direction

Both routes should have decent advance fares if you book early - you'll need to specify via Birmingham to find them for that way

jeppy

Thank you for that. Its my husbands 50th!! I want to do something, possibly around water, but due to finances will have to follow the bargain!

I thought perhaps Norwich and then hie a boat on the Norfolk Broads.

We were looking at the Lake District initially, but it is just too dear. We usually drive, but it would be nice for my husband to relax and not have to concern himself with the drive home!!

Thanks again, I'll keep checking those routes.

Jeppy

dzug1

jeppy wrote: »

Thank you for that. Its my husbands 50th!! I want to do something, possibly around water, but due to finances will have to follow the bargain!

I thought perhaps Norwich and then hie a boat on the Norfolk Broads.

We were looking at the Lake District initially, but it is just too dear. We usually drive, but it would be nice for my husband to relax and not have to concern himself with the drive home!!

Thanks again, I'll keep checking those routes.

Jeppy

Norwich is an alternative destination then and not a route? Hope so - if not I'd check where Marlow is and make sure you've got the placename right.:)

amjad.khan

Help please guys

going to Portsmouth and southsea from peterborough on the 18th April and returning on the same day..wondering if there anything cheaper got quoted £46.90 so far by phone. thanks in advance

rich_shot2003

amjad.khan wrote: »

Help please guys

going to Portsmouth and southsea from peterborough on the 18th April and returning on the same day..wondering if there anything cheaper got quoted £46.90 so far by phone. thanks in advance

You can do the London to Portsmouth bit on MegaTrain from a £1 each way if you book early enough.

KeithP

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

You can do the London to Portsmouth bit on MegaTrain from a £1 each way if you book early enough.

No Megatrain to Portsmouth on Sundays. 18th April is a Sunday.

amjad.khan wrote: »

Help please guys
going to Portsmouth and southsea from peterborough on the 18th April and returning on the same day..wondering if there anything cheaper got quoted £46.90 so far by phone. thanks in advance

You can shave that £46.90 fare down to £44.25 by booking online via East Coast trains.

Alternatively,
Off Peak Day return Peterborough - London with Travelcard (allowing cross London travel) = £29.50.

For the south of London bit maybe a Southern Daysave ticket at £10.00 when booked online via Southern Trains. Downside is you must use Southern trains, maybe travel from Victoria, which will take a bit longer.

jeppy

dzug1 wrote: »

Norwich is an alternative destination then and not a route? Hope so - if not I'd check where Marlow is and make sure you've got the placename right.:)

Yes its Marlow on Thames.

We are pretty much open to ideas, we are looking for a bargain.

I have Tesco points and 30,000 Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza points too!

KeithP

jeppy wrote: »

I have Tesco points and 30,000 Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza points too!

That's good.
I don't think you can use them to buy train tickets though. But I may be wrong.

You did notice that this is the Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets thread, didn't you?

dzug1

KeithP wrote: »

Alternatively,
Off Peak Day return Peterborough - London with Travelcard (allowing cross London travel) = £29.50.

The travelcard may be unnecessary. An off peak day return to Kings Cross with FCC is £23, £26 if you want the flexibility to use an East Coast train.

If you can get across London in one bus it's £2 each way. £1.20 if you get a PAYG Oyster. Tube on PAYG Oyster is £1.80 each way.

But having looked at the timetable for that day you are in for a horrendous journey - there are engineering works until late morning which means a bus from Biggleswade to Stevenage and a doubled journey time.

dzug1

catflea wrote: »

Does anyone know if theres any oppertunity for split ticketing between Fareham (hampshire) and Brighton?

I doubt it - it's really not the sort of route in terms of conflicting operators that is likely to have such opportunities. You can always check for yourself if you want, but, to put it bluntly, the chances are so small that I can't be bothered to do it for you. Not intending to be rude - just realistic. I could always be wrong....

However there are cheap fares at the moment - 50% off off peak tickets booked on the Southern site. Expires 11 April.