Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

Bogof_Babe

Craig_W wrote: »

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.:)

Haven't looked into your query yet, but how about making it really special for them and taking them on a steam train?

http://www.ravenglass-railway.co.uk/

Don't know if it's local to you, but doubt it's too far away.

Craig_W_2

Thanks for your reply, BB.

Ravenglass railway is about 1 hour away from us but we've already been on the Lakeside-Haverthwaite steam railway which is even closer (we're spoilt for choice!). Now they want to go on a proper train.

Bogof_Babe

Craig_W wrote: »

Thanks for your reply, BB.

Ravenglass railway is about 1 hour away from us but we've already been on the Lakeside-Haverthwaite steam railway which is even closer (we're spoilt for choice!). Now they want to go on a proper train.

:eek: Stevenson willl be turning in his grave! :rotfl:

Sorry, will do tea then try to check out your options for a what you've asked!

Bogof_Babe

Right Craig, I have had a quick look on the East Coast booking site, and taking Saturday 17th April as an example (avoiding the weekends around the strikes), one adult and three children can get from Windermere to Manchester Oxford Road (changing at Preston but buying through tickets not split ones), depart 09.38, arrive at Manchester 11.23. Only 12 minutes connection time at Preston so not too much hanging around. Price for all four of you £26.25.

Returning same day, and assuming you want to spend a bit of time in Manchester rather than just turning around) there are several @ £22.50, departing 13.19, 14.19, 16.19, 18.19. On the 16.19 you don't have to change, all the rest change at Oxenholme. (If you really do just want a day out on trains there is a 12.19 departure @ £17.50 for your party - just time for a burger and back on the train home!)

If you play around with dates, times and splitting points yourself you may find better prices, but it's as easy for you to do this as for me, and you have more idea of when you want to go and how long you want to stay in Manchester. Same applies if you decide on Glasgow instead.

In case you can't find the East Coast website here's a link www.eastcoast.co.uk I generally use this site as they don't charge a booking fee or payment by card fee like some do.

Edited to add: All the above tickets mentioned are Advance Singles (not singles as in one person, the prices are for all of you).

KeithP

Craig_W wrote: »

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

The three year old travels free, so Bogof_Babe's fares will be somewhat less.

Craig_W_2

Bogof_Babe wrote: »

Right Craig, I have had a quick look on the East Coast booking site, and taking Saturday 17th April as an example (avoiding the weekends around the strikes), one adult and three children can get from Windermere to Manchester Oxford Road (changing at Preston but buying through tickets not split ones), depart 09.38, arrive at Manchester 11.23. Only 12 minutes connection time at Preston so not too much hanging around. Price for all four of you £26.25.

Returning same day, and assuming you want to spend a bit of time in Manchester rather than just turning around) there are several @ £22.50, departing 13.19, 14.19, 16.19, 18.19. On the 16.19 you don't have to change, all the rest change at Oxenholme. (If you really do just want a day out on trains there is a 12.19 departure @ £17.50 for your party - just time for a burger and back on the train home!)

If you play around with dates, times and splitting points yourself you may find better prices, but it's as easy for you to do this as for me, and you have more idea of when you want to go and how long you want to stay in Manchester. Same applies if you decide on Glasgow instead.

In case you can't find the East Coast website here's a link www.eastcoast.co.uk I generally use this site as they don't charge a booking fee or payment by card fee like some do.

Edited to add: All the above tickets mentioned are Advance Singles (not singles as in one person, the prices are for all of you).

Many thanks, BB and Keith. :A

That's fantastic and the price seems quite reasonable.

I will check out that link and have a play around.

chappy

hopefulfooluk wrote: »

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

Thanks guys for all the replies,

I think I will book the £21 advance ticket then

Thank you again
Jayne

bj-sailaway

The bargain berths seem to be available up to the 23rd June, I want 24th or 25th - does anyone know if they do them on Thurs/Friday? I'm wondering if they just aren't posted yet. I know I have to be quick, it'd be great to know how long in advance they put them up onsite - and even what time of day they appear!!! I know, I don't want much do I!

Bogof_Babe

Here's a potential money saving tip for those who like to book Advance tickets.

I'm going away with my husband the week after next, and managed to get us two outbound tickets for £12 each, which is the cheapest they do on this route (except for when there are bus replacements for part of the journey, or have to walk between two stations, or it's the middle of the night).

Anyway for our return I could only get two tickets @ £22 each, despite trying various routes and times. However a few days after booking I looked again, just to see if things had changed at all, and found that by putting in one person travelling not two, the price came up as £19 for the same train we're using!

Therefore, if you are not bothered about sitting together, try booking for one person, and in another window open a second application for the relevant website and book another one at the same time. If you do it in tandem you should be able to ensure that both of you get a seat reservation, and in practice you can often travel together anyway, if the train isn't fully reserved.

Bit gutted that I've wasted £6, but a lesson learnt for next time.

BURGH_LASS

dont know if anybody would be able to help at all.

We are looking to travel from Edinburgh Waverley down to Liverpool Lime Street on Thursday (8th April) returning Friday (9th April), i know it is last minute which is making it more expensive, the cheapest i've got is about £57 each.

Is there anyway of making this cheaper? x