Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

IamJen

Keith...thanks for that. Whenever I asked about it at the rail station, they said it was only good on standard tickets. I said, so the Leisure Advance (least that's what they used to be called) aren't eligible, and he said no.

However, this was also the station though, where someone told me that I had to have my LA ticket and seat reservation stapled together. when I asked how I was supposed to put my stapled ticket through the machine/turnstile, he says that I have to show it to the guard at the gate, that it wouldn't work in the machine. I mentioned that I'd done it easily 100 times, and he said that I must be really lucky. (roll eyes)

I'm in London at least once a week during term time (often twice), so I'll definitely have to look into a rail card. For this trip, I can break it up into two sections perhaps. I'm not eligible for any of the other cards, because there are no kids traveling with my middle aged self.

catflea

dzug1 wrote: »

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.

Thanks for that, I thought there was a possibility as theres a southern/south west trains crossover but I couldn't find anything obvious. I'm fully aware of the off peak tickets bit though Currently paying £5.70 a day (with railcard) for a Journey that would cost £18 on the day without a card

chappy

Hi,

I have been looking at train fares from London to Nottingham for the Sunday 6th June early afternoon,

Is £21 advance fare to much to pay? this is with East Mids Trains

I am going to wait a while to see if I can get a cheaper fare with Megatrain for Friday 4th June Nottingham to London, I have been checking Megatrain for Sunday 6th but they don't seem to run on a Sunday.

Thanks all
Jayne

rich_shot2003

chappy wrote: »

Hi,

I have been looking at train fares from London to Nottingham for the Sunday 6th June early afternoon,

Is £21 advance fare to much to pay? this is with East Mids Trains

I am going to wait a while to see if I can get a cheaper fare with Megatrain for Friday 4th June Nottingham to London, I have been checking Megatrain for Sunday 6th but they don't seem to run on a Sunday.

Thanks all
Jayne

Megatrain tickets for June are not on sale yet as they are only on sale till May 23rd at mo but the june tickets should be on sale start of April.

chappy

rich_shot2003 wrote: »

Megatrain tickets for June are not on sale yet as they are only on sale till May 23rd at mo but the june tickets should be on sale start of April.

I know I have been checking daily but there is never any fares coming up for a Sunday, so I am trying to book my return first this is why I am asking if £21 advance fare on a Sunday from London to Nottingham is to much to pay or will there be cheaper available nearer the time?

Don't want to wait then end up paying more, sorry for all the questions but it's been twenty years since I last went on a train.

Thanks for the reply rich-shot

jamesbrownontheroad

chappy wrote: »

I know I have been checking daily but there is never any fares coming up for a Sunday, so I am trying to book my return first this is why I am asking if £21 advance fare on a Sunday from London to Nottingham is to much to pay or will there be cheaper available nearer the time?

Don't want to wait then end up paying more, sorry for all the questions but it's been twenty years since I last went on a train.

Thanks for the reply rich-shot

Friday & Sunday are generally the hardest days to find cheaper Advance fares, because that's when the world and their dog goes away / comes back for the weekend. £21 single isn't the best, but it's not bad for a Sunday. If you want to check the general price range of Megatrain tickets before the open up, try the next available Sunday and see what's available. In my experience you'll only find Megatrain tickets on lesser used off-peak and weekday trains.

KeithP

chappy wrote: »

Hi,

I have been looking at train fares from London to Nottingham for the Sunday 6th June early afternoon,

Is £21 advance fare to much to pay? this is with East Mids Trains

I am going to wait a while to see if I can get a cheaper fare with Megatrain for Friday 4th June Nottingham to London, I have been checking Megatrain for Sunday 6th but they don't seem to run on a Sunday.

Thanks all
Jayne

According to their timetable page, Megatrain only serve that route on Monday to Thursday. Rather strange that, as there are clearly Friday and Saturday fares showing. Might be worth contacting Megatrain on this point.

hopefulfooluk

chappy wrote: »

Hi,

I have been looking at train fares from London to Nottingham for the Sunday 6th June early afternoon,

Is £21 advance fare to much to pay? this is with East Mids Trains

I'd say that was pretty good for a Sunday afternoon (which can be very busy on the trains).

redagila

Southern Railway are currently offering 50% discount on off peak travel booked online. You also qualify for extra discount if you have a discount card. Children travel for 50p.
The offer closes on 11 April.

We used to go to London yesterday and with a Times £5 meal had a cheaper day out than usual.

Craig_W_2

I've got three little Thomas the Tank Engine fans (aged 7, 5 and 3) desperate to go on a proper train journey.

We live near Windermere in Cumbria and I'd like to take them for a day trip to Manchester or Glasgow. We could travel pretty much any time during school holidays and weekends.

The problem is I haven't travelled by train for years (and I adore train travel ) and am utterly confused by the plethora of ticketing options and train companies.

I would be really grateful if one of the train travel experts on here could help find the cheapest options (with "split-tickets" if needed) for us.

Please help make me a popular dad! :kisses:

Many thanks.:)