Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

dzug1

scurr wrote: »

Any advice gratefully received - don't travel by train very often so no idea of cheap ways to do it!

I want to travel from Glasgow to Manchester on Saturday 20th November, leaving Glasgow around 10am and returning on Sunday 21st, leaving around midday - anyone have any great ideas for me?

Wait for the cheap fares to come out (another week or few)

Book cheap singles each way when they do.

jax.26

Hi,
I will be travelling from Glasgow Central (23/sep) to Manchester airport. Then returning 4th Oct and the only price I can find is £86. This is for 2 adults return.
Before I book I am wondering if anyone maybe has a promotional code for any train company?
Thanks

wealdroam

jax.26 wrote: »

Hi,
I will be travelling from Glasgow Central (23/sep) to Manchester airport. Then returning 4th Oct and the only price I can find is £86. This is for 2 adults return.
Before I book I am wondering if anyone maybe has a promotional code for any train company?
Thanks

Try splitting at Preston.

No idea what time of day you want to travel, but there are cheap Advance Singles available on your dates.

Several Advance Singles between Glasgow and Preston for £8.50 per person each way.

And there are several Advance Singles between Preston and Manchester Airport for £6.00 per person each way.

So trip could be done for £58.00 return for two... depending on time of day of travel.

Info from East Coast Trains website.

Also, see miller's post two posts above yours for other ideas.

hogshead

Been a while since we needed a train so a bit out of the loop & looking for a helping hand. I remember we used to be able to get cheap advance tickets & appreciate that given the timescale these will prob all have well gone.
Cheapest I can find is £22 ea way.

TRIP 1
Gloucester to Liverpool Lime St
Date Wed 25th Aug
Need to be there for 12 noon

TRIP 2
Gloucster to Liverpool Lime St
Date Wed 1st Sept
Need to be there for 8 am.

No valid railcards but if it works out to be worthwhile we could buy a student railcard.
I will continue to look but appreciate any help.
Thanks

miller

hogshead wrote: »

Gloucester to Liverpool Lime St

I cant get the full fare price down (its 46.50) by splitting. You might have some luck on advance tickets trying these: Cheltenham Spa, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Runcorn, Liverpool S Pway.

Might be best to avoid the ones in italics anyway as these are potential changing places (in case your connection leaves before you arrive).

Livingthedream

hogshead wrote: »

TRIP 2
Gloucster to Liverpool Lime St
Date Wed 1st Sept
Need to be there for 8 am.

I've got a few ideas but am having a hard time getting any trains to arrive into Liverpool for 8 am, is this time flexible?

dzug1

Livingthedream wrote: »

I've got a few ideas but am having a hard time getting any trains to arrive into Liverpool for 8 am, is this time flexible?

To get there by 0800 you need to leave the previous evening - that's what the £22 fare covers. There's a 5 hour plus wait in Birmingham overnight

Livingthedream

dzug1 wrote: »

To get there by 0800 you need to leave the previous evening - that's what the £22 fare covers. There's a 5 hour plus wait in Birmingham overnight

Wow :eek:, that's one serious waiting time, but never mind here's some advice for hogshead if he does this trip at that time to save money.

hogshead

Thanks for all your help guys. The overnight wait is not an option as he did this once before not through choice ( Glos to Chelt Spa was late which then effected his whole journey ) & it wasn't pleasant at all.

Against our better judgement we have decided to drive him, I've kept myself awake weighing up all the options & despite the inconvenience to us ( the parents ) this is a better option which we tried to avoid but needs must I suppose.

I appreciate all the help offered, thanks.

zawtowers

scurr wrote: »

I want to travel from Glasgow to Manchester on Saturday 20th November, leaving Glasgow around 10am and returning on Sunday 21st, leaving around midday - anyone have any great ideas for me?

To add what miller already posted, the direct trains on Transpennine Express are at their cheapest £12 advance each way = £24 return.

Direct trains around the time you specified are:

Saturday: leave Glasgow Central 1010 arrive Manchester Picc 1327
Sunday: leave Manchester Picc 1316 arrive Glasgow Central 1635

Splitting at Preston would make it more expensive, as it'd be £9 Glasgow to Preston and £5 Preston to Manchester.