Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

scimoon

Thx Livingthedream, can you tell me what web site you went on, and what you meant by spilt point stations
thx

Livingthedream

scimoon wrote: »

Thx Livingthedream, can you tell me what web site you went on, and what you meant by spilt point stations
thx

East Coast Website but any Train Companies' website will do or Redspottedhanky.com if you have any Tesco clubcard vouchers, but avoid other third party internet vendors as they charge fees ie; trainline or raileasy.

The split point station is where you break your tickets up at; ie instead of getting one ticket from Derby to Bristol TM you get 3 sets of tickets. One from Derby to Birmingham, another from Birmingham to Cheltenham and finally Chetenham to Bristol. However, to make the tickets valid the train must stop at the split point station, you don't have to change train unless you want/need to ; ie if the Birmingham train stops at Cheltenham then continues to Bristol then you can stay on the same train with your combo of tickets.

Just watch your Anytime/Off peak timings.

Livingthedream

Scimoon, more info on split tickets, Peak/Off Peak fares and other ways to get cheaper tickets can be found here;

MSE's Cheap Train Tickets: How to Find Hidden Fares

wolves10

Hi

I am looking for cheapest return for my daughter and her friend (both 16) to go to St Ives (cornwall) from Bristol Temple Meads, travelling dates are - out 7th july and return 11th july 2011.leaving around 9am and coming back about 5 ish?

And do they check to see if you have a rail card if you've booked your tickets with one and how can they tell from the ticket?
thank you

wealdroam

wolves10 wrote: »

Hi

I am looking for cheapest return for my daughter and her friend (both 16) to go to St Ives (cornwall) from Bristol Temple Meads, travelling dates are - out 7th july and return 11th july 2011.leaving around 9am and coming back about 5 ish?

How about...
7 Jul dep Bristol TM 09:13, arr St Ives 13:31. Advance Single = £21.50.
11 Jul dep St Ives 17:31, arr Bristol TM 21:47. Advance Single = £18.00.
That's per person each way.
With Advance Singles you must travel on the booked trains.

wolves10 wrote: »

And do they check to see if you have a rail card if you've booked your tickets with one...

Yes, usually.

wolves10 wrote: »

...and how can they tell from the ticket?

Here is a picture of a ticket bought with a Family and Friends railcard discount...
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRd1VeGjwnJH-SNBpakFRNrDTDUlG4bN_MEnPt7DWRAmR72ddhw
Notice the big FAM on the left hand side?

A 16-25 ticket will show Y-P there.

woohoo_postingid

Hi all, hope somebody could have more luck than I've had so far. The journey I need tickets for is this:

Ramsgate - Cardiff Central 20th August arrive around midday
Cardiff Central - Ramsgate 21st August leave anytime after 9am
4 adults, no children & 1 Network Railcard

Here's hoping !!

wealdroam

woohoo_postingid wrote: »

Hi all, hope somebody could have more luck than I've had so far. The journey I need tickets for is this:

Ramsgate - Cardiff Central 20th August arrive around midday
Cardiff Central - Ramsgate 21st August leave anytime after 9am
4 adults, no children & 1 Network Railcard

Here's hoping !!

You are a little bit too early for the really cheap tickets.

On 13/14 August (the weekend before) Advance Singles are available at £16 per person each way. That includes cross London travel.

Remember, with Advance Singles you must travel on the booked trains.

Keep looking. tickets for your dates should be released any day now.

Info from Southeasternrailway.

dzug1

And also remember that the Network railcard is not valid at Cardiff so won't make any difference to through fares

wolves10

wealdroam wrote: »

How about...
7 Jul dep Bristol TM 09:13, arr St Ives 13:31. Advance Single = £21.50.
11 Jul dep St Ives 17:31, arr Bristol TM 21:47. Advance Single = £18.00.
That's per person each way.
With Advance Singles you must travel on the booked trains.

A 16-25 ticket will show Y-P there.

Lovely thank you for taking the time to look for me.

What website was this from?

wealdroam

wolves10 wrote: »

Lovely thank you for taking the time to look for me.

What website was this from?

I used London Midland's website, but all the train operators will offer the same tickets.

Note that some third party vendors, e.g. thetrainline and raileasy, charge booking fees and/or creditcard fees and/or posting fees and/or collect at station fees, etc, etc.