Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

wealdroam

Carrera74 wrote: »

Can anyone help with trying to get my upcoming train journey any cheaper….

I’m travelling from Preston to London (Wembley Arena) on 25 February and stopping overnight at the Premier Inn next to the arena.

There are 2 adults and the cheapest I can find is £149.00. Am I likely to get it any cheaper?

Thanks in advance J

I would like to offer a slight improvement on the excellent response by Pmm1981.

On the way out stay on the London Midland train to Euston. Same price as to Watford Junc.
Walk to Euston Square underground station... 2 - 5 mins.
Metropolitan Line to Wembley Park. Takes 20 minutes and costs £5 cash... same as Watford Junc to Wembley Central.

Do something similar in reverse for your return trip.

Wembley Park tube station is much much nearer the Premier Inn than Wembley Central station.

Wembley Park station is right next door to the hotel.
Wembley Central station is a good twenty minutes walk.

Lemonade_Pockets

Hi another request please.

Brentwood to Manchester 21/2/2011
Manchester to Brentwood 22/2/2011

Best i have found is £44.55 with a YP travel card.

Time of travel is flexible but i would like to be there for mid afternoon on the 21st and back at a sensible hr on the 22nd (before 10pm).

Thanks for your help.

wdw2003

Hi. First post on this board from a completely clueless person. An unemployed friend needs to travel Edinburgh-East Midlands Parkway on Monday for an interview. She wants the 08.11 down and 16.53 back, as there's only one change. The price is £121.80, which is a lot in her situation, so is there any safe way of reducing this cost? Thanks for your help.

wealdroam

wdw2003 wrote: »

Hi. First post on this board from a completely clueless person. An unemployed friend needs to travel Edinburgh-East Midlands Parkway on Monday for an interview. She wants the 08.11 down and 16.53 back, as there's only one change. The price is £121.80, which is a lot in her situation, so is there any safe way of reducing this cost? Thanks for your help.

By specifying the train you want to travel on, you are severely limiting your options.

Yes, £121.80 is the best price on those trains.

But by being prepared to travel out earlier and getting back to Edinburgh later, £18-odd can be saved at a stroke.

Info from East Coast Trains website.

Is the jobcentre sending her?
Can they help with travel costs?
Has she considered coach? National Express?

Is she eligible for a railcard?

wdw2003

Thanks wealdroam, I see what you mean. She chose these trains because there's only one change, which reduces the chance of missed connections.

No help from the job centre, I'm afraid, as they would only contribute if she literally hasn't a penny in the bank and then it involves all sorts of horrendous form-filling and letters. I don't think the bus would be any use because of the odd location and longer times involved. Thanks for your advice anyway.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

wdw2003 wrote: »

Thanks wealdroam, I see what you mean. She chose these trains because there's only one change, which reduces the chance of missed connections.

No help from the job centre, I'm afraid, as they would only contribute if she literally hasn't a penny in the bank and then it involves all sorts of horrendous form-filling and letters. I don't think the bus would be any use because of the odd location and longer times involved. Thanks for your advice anyway.

It shouldnt be lots of form filling or horrendous letters.

go to job centre. They fill out the form there and then. Goes to the credit dept and they issue a rail warrant. can be done in a day 2 tops. Plus the Job centre will pay for the most flexible fare.

wdw2003

Thanks Jeff Bridges hair. She asked them before for another interview, but the advice given was don't bother if you already have the cost of the fare in your bank account, plus confirmation from the prospective employer would be required that the interview took place and that they don't reimburse travel costs. Maybe it's different in Edinburgh. It would be a huge bonus if she was able to get assistance as easily as you say.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

wdw2003 wrote: »

Thanks Jeff Bridges hair. She asked them before for another interview, but the advice given was don't bother if you already have the cost of the fare in your bank account, plus confirmation from the prospective employer would be required that the interview took place and that they don't reimburse travel costs. Maybe it's different in Edinburgh. It would be a huge bonus if she was able to get assistance as easily as you say.

they are talking out of their ar5es.. Now whilst they dont always sanction fares - if the job is at the other end of the country(though sometimes they will) they should never expect you to pay out of your own pocket.

Was down with me mate when he went to get one the other week and he filled out the form - then went back later and got the rail warrant.. admittedly his journey was only 2 hours away but they still gave him it.

wdw2003

Thanks again. I'll pass that on. Hopefully it's not too late and they'll do the decent thing this time. Pity she's already lost about £250 doing other trips.

pmm1981

wdw2003 wrote: »

Hi. First post on this board from a completely clueless person. An unemployed friend needs to travel Edinburgh-East Midlands Parkway on Monday for an interview. She wants the 08.11 down and 16.53 back, as there's only one change. The price is £121.80, which is a lot in her situation, so is there any safe way of reducing this cost? Thanks for your help.

0700 Edinburgh - Doncaster 1003 £32.05 (advance single with web discount)
1024 Doncaster - Sheffield 1105 £5.30 (off peak day return)
1147 Sheffield - Derby 1219 £8.80 (off peak day return)
STAY ON SAME TRAIN
1220 Derby - East Midlands Parkway 1234 £4.30 (off peak day return)

RETURN

1653 East Midlands Parkway - Derby 1709 (return portion of ticket)
STAY ON SAME TRAIN
1718 Derby - Sheffield 1752 (return portion of ticket)
1824 Sheffield - Doncaster 1853 (return portion of ticket)
1928 Doncaster - Edinburgh 2223 £19.60 (advance single with web discount)

Total fare
32.05
05.30
08.80
04.30
19.60

---

70.05

So with 2 changes each direction its now £70.05.

The tickets are available from www.eastcoast.co.uk and are correct as of 1514 09 feb '11