Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

KeithP

jimbo444444 wrote: »

Hi, I am travelling from Manchester to London on Sunday 01/08/10. I need to get to London approx 12:00pm and will be returning at around 7:00pm. I have looked on the Virgin Trains site and can get the tickets (Manchester Picadilly to London Euston plus return) for £85 total (for 2 adults with 1 x 16-25 railcard). Is there a cheaper option anywhere? Any help would be greatly appreciated .

KeithP wrote: »

Megabus... £15 out, £18 back. Total return for two = £33.50.

epm-84 wrote: »

It'll be 3am when you get back to Manchester if you use that method.

Not true.

If you are prepared to arrive back in Manchester at 3am, the trip can be done by Megabus for £26.50.

Leaving London at 18:30 (OP said around 7pm), bus arrives at Manchester at 11pm.

I am just proposing an option.

Of course, it is for the OP to decide... a really cheap price with a bit of inconvenience, or over double that for a better experience.

aleksander

cabbage wrote: »

Hi Rail bods

there are 8 of us wanting to travel from Alfreton (ALF) to Bradford Interchange (BDI) and return, on 22 September. Would like to spend a few hours in Bradford but not fussy on times . Any tips on how to get the cheapest fares for this journey

Anytime Return Alfreton to Bradford Interchange is £182.40

By splitting at Leeds, £100 Northern Duo from Alfreton to Leeds (first Off Peak train for this ticket 9:40).
£28.80 Off Peak Day Return Leeds to Bradford Interchange

You can return at any time.
Total £128.80

ktd1990

HI i'm lookin for train ticket from truro to sheffield leavin on the 8th october at anytime and returning on the 10th anytime i have seen fairs at £80 with a 16-25 railcard which i cnt really afford and wondered if anyone cld find them cheaper or find an alternative way for me to get there

dzug1

ktd1990 wrote: »

HI i'm lookin for train ticket from truro to sheffield leavin on the 8th october at anytime and returning on the 10th anytime i have seen fairs at £80 with a 16-25 railcard which i cnt really afford and wondered if anyone cld find them cheaper or find an alternative way for me to get there

You are trying to book too early and are just getting the standard fare that you can buy on the day

Wait a week or so and there should be some advance singles that will hopefully be cheaper. (Given that it's Cross Country it's not certain....)

Mike_J

catflea wrote: »

Quick hint, you will most likely need to get a cab from any of the Southampton stations (the uni is walkable from any of them IF you know where you are going, but can take 40 mins or from Central) you will find the cab fare is cheapest from Swaything (although you may have to call to book one)

Thanks for that. The university are running free buses from the stations but at least we now have an idea on how long it will take

jm2k

i just booked my travel tickets and wanted to share my savings
Bridgend South Wales to Gillingham Dorset. Monday morning booked online with thetrainline.co.uk.
So.....ONE ticket from Bridgend to Gillingham £35.
HOWEVER...... booking all SINGLES Bridgend>Bristol>Salisbury>Gillingham and having a slight play around with changes (instead of Cardiff>Salisbury i used Bristol>Salisbury) i got it for £21.50 plus £1 bf so £22.50!!!
it took me an hour to work out, but it has more than paid for my lunch!

KeithP

jm2k wrote: »

i just booked my travel tickets and wanted to share my savings
Bridgend South Wales to Gillingham Dorset. Monday morning booked online with thetrainline.co.uk.
So.....ONE ticket from Bridgend to Gillingham £35.
HOWEVER...... booking all SINGLES Bridgend>Bristol>Salisbury>Gillingham and having a slight play around with changes (instead of Cardiff>Salisbury i used Bristol>Salisbury) i got it for £21.50 plus £1 bf so £22.50!!!
it took me an hour to work out, but it has more than paid for my lunch!

Well done.

You could've had an extra coffee with your lunch if you had bought your tickets from a train operating company.

You noticed that the trainline charge a booking fee.
Most Train Operating Companies do not charge a fee and they also sell tickets at the same prices, or sometimes cheaper than, the trainline.

epm-84

KeithP wrote: »

Leaving London at 18:30 (OP said around 7pm), bus arrives at Manchester at 11pm.

An 18:30 service didn't show when I typed in 19:00. Of course, jimbo hasn't said what part of London they'll be in when they want to go back so 18:30 might be OK for them from one of London but 19:05 might be too early departing from the other side of London.

cabbage

aleksander wrote: »

Anytime Return Alfreton to Bradford Interchange is £182.40

By splitting at Leeds, £100 Northern Duo from Alfreton to Leeds (first Off Peak train for this ticket 9:40).
£28.80 Off Peak Day Return Leeds to Bradford Interchange

You can return at any time.
Total £128.80

Thanks for the information

Is it best to book this via the trainline?

regards

jamesbrownontheroad

cabbage wrote: »

Is it best to book this via the trainline?

It is never best to book via thetrainline!


thetrainline add booking and delivery/collection fees. Book via any train operator's website (although East Coast's is one of the best, and you'll save an extra 10% on East Coast's own Advance fares) and avoid the fees.