Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

wealdroam

mrsmole wrote: »

Just quick question, I had booked tickets that are non-refundable on east midland trains to London on Thursday, meant to be a nice day out for 7 children, reckon the current climate would be ground for a refund or even a free transfer??

Well, sorry to sound harsh, but the train company are still running the trains, aren't they?

You can of course ask EMTrains, but be prepared for a refusal.

Are these Advance Singles?
If so, you can change the date to a later one, but that will be subject to a £10 fee. That's £10 per ticket I think.

mrsmole_2

wealdroam wrote: »

Well, sorry to sound harsh, but the train company are still running the trains, aren't they?

good point!
was thinking about all those who had probably arranged travel to wembley etc then was pondering the question with regards myself,
having seen the news tonight London might be the safest place in this country to be .....

dzug1

Virgin trains seem to be refunding tickets for those with proof of match tickets

Can't remember where I saw this or I'd post a link

wdw2003

Hi. Any tips for the cheapest for London-Ashford-Brighton-London on Monday. Am getting approx £55 for 3 singles. Need to be at Ashford by 11am and Brighton 4pm. Coaches don't seem feasible, so it must be by train.

wealdroam

wdw2003 wrote: »

Hi. Any tips for the cheapest for London-Ashford-Brighton-London on Monday. Am getting approx £55 for 3 singles. Need to be at Ashford by 11am and Brighton 4pm. Coaches don't seem feasible, so it must be by train.

A London to Eastbourne Off Peak Day Return would probably suit you.
That ticket is valid via either Ashford or Brighton.
Costs £19.45 when bought from Southern Railway's website.

The first train from St Pancras that you can use that ticket on leaves at 09:37 and arrives at Ashford at 10:15.

The only problem might be whether you are allowed to break your outward journey at Ashford. I don't know.

If you want to avoid that risk, and avoid any off peak restrictions, then an Anytime Day Return to Eastbourne is £27.10... about half the cost of your three singles. Buy at a station on the day at that price.
Also valid via either Ashford or Brighton, but without break of journey restictions.

wdw2003

Thanks wealdroam. That's was a great idea, so I phoned Southern to check the Anytime Return and they said that breaks aren't permitted. However, that seems at odds with their website - "On the day of travel, if you break your journey, you will be allowed to travel up to midday day on the following day."

Might need to phone again.

dzug1

wdw2003 wrote: »

Thanks wealdroam. That's was a great idea, so I phoned Southern to check the Anytime Return and they said that breaks aren't permitted. However, that seems at odds with their website - "On the day of travel, if you break your journey, you will be allowed to travel up to midday day on the following day."

Might need to phone again.

Then they are wrong - or answered the wrong question.

Anytime tickets always allow break of journey. Off peak ones sometimes do, sometimes don't on the outward journey but always do on the return

wdw2003

Probably the question wasn't crystal clear enough. Given that the Anytime Return to Eastbourne is only £3 more than the single to Ashford, it's worth a punt anyway. Thanks again, both.

Livingthedream

wdw2003 wrote: »

T so I phoned Southern to check the Anytime Return and they said that breaks aren't permitted.

Strange as the National Rail website says for that journey

You may start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel on Off-Peak tickets unless the ticket restriction for the journey you are making does not allow it. If you intend to start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station, please call 08457 48 49 50 to check if it is available on your specific journey

And the Off Peak day return; London to Eastbourne has a restriction code of B1 which covers timings and not restrictions on a break of journey.

dzug1

Livingthedream wrote: »

And the Off Peak day return; London to Eastbourne has a restriction code of B1 which covers timings and not restrictions on a break of journey.

B1 does cover break of journey - it is silent on the matter therefore it is allowed, both ways. If there was a restriction it would say so