Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

wealdroam

marky1982 wrote: »

Hello all:)

I've bought two megatrain tickets from Warrington Bank Quay to Glasgow (£2 each return!!) but there is a slight problem - we cannot get a train back to St Helens from Bank Quay in the evening, so I thought of going from Wigan North Western instead (which is the next stop along from Warrington) and where we can get a train from in the evening. However, i've been on the megatrain site and it warns against boarding at a different station to the one on the ticket. It mentions East Midlands Trains and SWT as issuing penalty fares for doing this but not Virgin (who we're travelling with). Part of me thinks we should take the risk as it is only one stop but I don't want to get hit with a penality fare! Any advice?

So you are going from Warrington BQ outward, but want to get off the returning train at Wigan NW.

Technically not allowed, but I imagine you will have no problem unless you try to leave the station.
Make sure you have your onward ticket from Wigan before hand and remain inside the station.

theonlywayisup

Think this link needs to go here.

Free Family Railcard for 2 months - please thank beckster84

jamesbrownontheroad

Mids_Costcutter wrote: »

Thanks James, are you referring to booking via the Stena Line site? I wonder why other railcards e.g. Family & Friends aren't accepted too?

This is pure speculation, but F&F railcards might encourage larger groups? Although the Stena HSS generally has plenty of spare capacity, ScotRail usually only have two or four carriages on their Glasgow / Stranraer line. I came back from Belfast last night and it was the usual crowded experience of drunk Ulster folk off for a weekend in Glasgow...

pmm1981

alisont wrote: »

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!

Your choices are (with your railcard)
Stourbridge jn-bristol any permitted off peak rtn £27.70
Stourbridge jn-bristol via worcester off peak rtn £21.30
Stourbridge jn-cheltenham spa any permitted off peak rtn £11.60 OR via worcester off peak rtn with £9.00 AND
cheltenham spa-bristol any permitted off peak rtn £9.45 OR if returning same day a off peak day rtn £4.90

Total via worcester £9+£4.90=£13.90 (day rtn)/£9+9.45=£18.45 period rtn
Any permitted route £11.60+£4.90=£16.50 (day rtn)/£11.60+£9.45=£21.05 period rtn.

Mrs_Bond

Hi I am looking to see if I can beat the cost of tickets I have found from Darlington To Bristol return with Cross Country. Two single ticket at end of June until 5th July £61. The journey has to be with no changes as for my 74yr old dad

terryw

Mrs_Bond wrote: »

Hi I am looking to see if I can beat the cost of tickets I have found from Darlington To Bristol return with Cross Country. Two single ticket at end of June until 5th July £61. The journey has to be with no changes as for my 74yr old dad

Assuming this is Temple Meads, with senior railcard this is coming up at £22.45 each way with lots of availability depending on exact day and time. This is using:
http://www.eastcoast.co.uk/

Mrs_Bond

I do not have a rail card for my dad and it was Parkway

terryw

Mrs_Bond wrote: »

I do not have a rail card for my dad and it was Parkway

The odd one showing at £27 each way without railcard to Bristol Parkway on the East Coast site.

Mrs_Bond

Thanks I will have a look the dates I am after are 30th June to 5th July

stocksy6

Anybody help with a journey from Long eaton to exmouth departing 19th August after 0900 and returning probably Monday 23rd August after midday time. Best I have managed so far after extensive research is 87 quid. Bit disappointed really as spent ages researching and found nothing cheaper. Its about a fiver cheaper if I purchase a rail card (i'm 25) plus I'm travelling with my little boy (he's 4) so he goes for nothing!!