Rail Travel: Tips on Cheap Tickets

dzug1

Go to Ashford station and buy it is one way

jermaindefoe

dzug1 wrote: »

Go to Ashford station and buy it is one way

of course, but is not the most cost effective way is it...

miller

I could get Southern to offer the ticket if it was dated far enough in advance to allow enough time for it to be posted, but:

a) no cashback for Southern on TCB as far as I could see
b) photocard number still required (i.e. trip to the station to get the photocard)
c) not sure I would want 6 grand of ticket put through the post
d) http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/season_tickets.html generally says the earliest new applications can be made is 12 noon the day before in most cases - not sure how the Southern website circumvents this

...so maybe try other WebTIS sites, not sure about trainline powered ones (SWT for example only appears to offer renewals via the website)

Edit: I think ticket offices still accept AMEX, might be worth getting one with a juicy cashback rate just for this purchase.

Edit: Just tried SWT again and it did start going through the motions of issuing a new season ticket (having clicked on "renew" season ticket from the homepage). They are currently offering 2.6% via Topcashback, so in conjunction with a cashback credit card, there could be some potential savings to be made.

miller

Once you get your annual season there are some other benefits as well:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/season_tickets/goldcard.html

Daisyduke1311

Hi

I'm looking to book two tickets from Haywards Heath to Norwich from Friday - Sunday next week. Can anyone suggest the cheapest website or the cheapest route to go?

Mant thanks

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Ive just had a look on Southerns website and you're looking at about £50 return for that journey.

http://tickets.southernrailway.com/sn/en/JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck

dzug1

Well an off peak return is £56.70 each - you can buy that on the day. You can get it for £55 by buying 2 advance singles at £27.50 each way but that severely limits your flexibility

You might be able to get it a bit cheaper by splitting in London - use the Southern Railway site (JBH has linked it above) to London as they give a discount on some of their own fares. After that it doesn't matter - just choose a site that doesn't charge fees as they all charge the same fare. Southern is as good as any and better than some. Don't forget to factor in the cross London transfer which is pricey - a single tube ticket is £4.30 (the through fares above include the tube)

I should warn that the return journey is going to be slow and drawn out - bus for much of the journey or an indirect slower rote

spikejrt

You can save money on the tube far by having an oyster card topped up with a low amount to get the £2 oyster single or book a ticket (if splitting at London) that is something like (for instance) Haywards Heath to London Zone 1 as that would include the tube single.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

jermaindefoe wrote: »

of course, but is not the most cost effective way is it...

Im not sure any site will give you any cashback on a season ticket. There is no cost effective way unless you split which may or may not give you a small saving.

hemophobic

Going to London on Sat and returning Sun. I have found SE Weekend which allows us to return any time on Sun for £72.20 for 2 adults. Is this cheapest? Looks good enough for me!

With the tube tickets which we would probably use 3 or 4 times each day I take it we would be better buying a day pass each day rather than topping up oyster cards (which we don't have)?