Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

salt_and_pepper

i need to go from Sheffield to Truro on Fri Aug 6th and return on Fri 13th. I need 4 adults and 2 kids with one family railcard. I have been playing about with cross country and i think i can get an off peak return Sheffield to Exeter for £311.40 and then single Exter to Truro at 14.09 for £18.10. Tottalling £347.60. Does this sound ok? or would i be better waiting a while to see if it gets cheaper 12 weeks in advance?

KeithP

salt_and_pepper wrote: »

i need to go from Sheffield to Truro on Fri Aug 6th and return on Fri 13th. I need 4 adults and 2 kids with one family railcard. I have been playing about with cross country and i think i can get an off peak return Sheffield to Exeter for £311.40 and then single Exter to Truro at 14.09 for £18.10. Tottalling £347.60. Does this sound ok? or would i be better waiting a while to see if it gets cheaper 12 weeks in advance?

Definitely wait until the cheap tickets become available.

As an example... using dates of 14 May out and 21 May back...
Dep Sheffield 06:50, arr Exeter St Davids 10:46. Advance Singles = £87.60.
Dep Exeter St D 11:19, arr Truro 13:55. Advance Singles = £18.10.
Dep Truro 13:33, arr Exeter St D 16:00. Advance Singles = £18.10.
Dep Exeter St D 16:25, arr Sheffield 20:19. Advance Singles = £87.60.

So that trip can be done for £211.40.
Probably a lot cheaper.

Info from East Coast Trains.

Firewallrob

Not sure if there is anyone who doesn't know about this, but we always get one of these when visiting the south west (sorry about the link size).....

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/promotions/pra7ebd70a04000400ab63191d753a5b/details.html

It covers the whole area from South Wales, Worcester, cheltenham downwards. If you get the 8 from 15 (3 from 7 also a/v), it lets you travel down and back, plus have 6 days out in Cornwall/Devon/South Wales etc.

I simply get a return to Cheltenham and Bob's your uncle

Kaybenson

Can somebody help check ticket via train or flight for these 2 trips
1) Daily on 5th and 6th may. Must arrive gloucester from london by 5pm and leave gloucester by 10pm

2) London to Birmingham 12th and 13th May with the same time.

Cheers.

I have no rail card

Simon11

Regarding point 2:

Best option is to look at the best fare finder on Virgin Train's website. Pick your destination, then you'll able to look at the best fares for different times!

Book in advance as much as possible, because for example when the train reaches 50% of capacity, prices will rise to the next ticket level ect! So get in there fast!

Book with Virgin also because there's no charge for booking and you can collect your tickets at the fast ticket machines are the station!

KeithP

Kaybenson wrote: »

Can somebody help check ticket via train or flight for these 2 trips
1) Daily on 5th and 6th may. Must arrive gloucester from london by 5pm and leave gloucester by 10pm

2) London to Birmingham 12th and 13th May with the same time.

Cheers.

I have no rail card

Kaybenson, what have you found so far?

Kaybenson

The 2 prices were very reasonable. Recall that i need to attend a 2 evenings event in both cities.

I am just trying to compare if there will be any difference if i decided to stay their till second day. If the B&B's can allow me to check-out at 3pm(instead of their usual 12pm).

Anyone knows if there is a ridiculously cheap B&B in both cities?:D That will allow me to check-in 10pm and leave 3pm next day?

N.B : If i decided to stick with original plan, i will buy daily tickets but will arrive late to london etc

I dont know if i made myself clear:D

KeithP

Kaybenson wrote: »

Can somebody help check ticket via train or flight for these 2 trips
1) Daily on 5th and 6th may. Must arrive gloucester from london by 5pm and leave gloucester by 10pm

2) London to Birmingham 12th and 13th May with the same time.

Cheers.

I have no rail card

Kaybenson wrote: »

The 2 prices were very reasonable. Recall that i need to attend a 2 evenings event in both cities.

I am just trying to compare if there will be any difference if i decided to stay their till second day. If the B&B's can allow me to check-out at 3pm(instead of their usual 12pm).

Anyone knows if there is a ridiculously cheap B&B in both cities?:D That will allow me to check-in 10pm and leave 3pm next day?

N.B : If i decided to stick with original plan, i will buy daily tickets but will arrive late to london etc

I dont know if i made myself clear:D

The Gloucester trips...
If you travel both days,
5 May, dep Paddington 13:48, arr Gloucester 15:44, Advance Single = £11.50.
or dep Paddington 14:15, arr Gloucester 16:32, Advance Single = £11.50.
There are several evening returning trains where an Advance Single = £9.00.

6 May, dep Paddington 13:48, arr Gloucester 15:44, Advance Single = £9.00.
or dep Paddington 14:15, arr Gloucester 16:32, Advance Single = £16.50.
There are several evening returning trains where an Advance Single = £9.00.

The Birmingham trips...
Advance Singles are available each way on both days for £6 or £7.

Info from East Coast Trains.

Sorry, cannot help with the B&B bit.

Timbo85

I'm not sure if this has been posted but i recived and Email from Virgin Trains saying that there going to charge £1 to anyone who has there tickets sent through the post, but it's still free to collect them from the Fast Ticket Machines.

alisont

Does anyone know about peak and off peak times? Ive always travelled off peak on longer journeys but need to travel on a Friday evening from Stourbridge Junction to Birmingham - on London Midland then from Birmingham to Bristol on Virgin trains. Not sure what time Il finish work so cant book advance tickets but was going to get an off peak return about £27 with my student railcard, anytime return shoots up to £52!

I would be roughly starting my journey between 4.30 - 5pm depending on when I leave work. Think London Midland charge more between 3.30 -6 but dont know if Virgin charge more during certain times to Bristol from Birmingham?

Maybe Id need to book Brum to Bristol and pay the 'anytime' ticket from Stourbridge to Brum as that would be about £5?

Really hope I can find a better deal than £52!