Rail: Singles only available for return journeys?!

RedLichtie_2

Hello folks,

I'm due to take a one-way train journey later in the week. When I try to book online a one-way journey costs £54. However, when I go to book a return I am given the option of booking two single fares @£32 each.

Why can't I book these singles when trying to book a one-way journey?
Surely these single fares are not really single fares if they must be bought to form a return journey... they seem a bit misleading!

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Ian

moonrakerz

That shouldn't happen.

Try using another TOC's website, the layout of some is not very clear. I use FGW's.

If that doesn't work, write down the name of the fare, the train you want and the price. then go and ask for it over the counter !

Livingthedream

That is very strange, if you don't mind could you please give us some more details if possible, ie from/to? and dates? and what website gave you those results?

RedLichtie_2

Hi thanks for the replies.

I'm due to travel on the 1431 25/10/09 from Liverpool Lime St to Edinburgh Waverley. Using that the cheapest option is an Anytime Single @£54.

Using the above as a return with an outward from Edinburgh, 1052 23/10/09 then you get Off-Peak Singles available for £30 a piece.

I've tried thetrainline.com, raileasy, virgintrains and firstgreatwestern, all the same, so I suspect it's me making the snafu!

It does seem odd to me!

Thanks again!
Ian

Livingthedream

I think it could be a Virgin Trains Half return ticket that you have found;



Virgin Ticket - Saver Half Return



[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Passengers who are unable to buy a Virgin Advance ticket for both the outward and return legs of their journey, or unable to specify an exact train for one leg of a return journey, are now able to mix and match ticket types and buy a Saver Half Return (at half the price of a Saver Return) for either the outward or return leg of the journey. This money-saving facility is available for website bookings only.[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Important - Ticket Refund conditions[/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]If the return ticket consists of 2 different types of ticket then please first request a refund for the return portion first. [/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Don't worry if you forget, a reminder message will be displayed on the web site if the correct refund steps are not followed.[/FONT]


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Link
[/FONT]

skoda38

hi, try a split ticket via preston. about £40 i think

KeithP

Livingthedream wrote: »

I think it could be a Virgin Trains Half return ticket that you have found;[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]
[/FONT]

But interestingly, the Virgin website lists it as an Off Peak Single.

I can't find the £30.00 single on the NXEC website though.

Livingthedream

KeithP wrote: »

But interestingly, the Virgin website lists it as an Off Peak Single.

I can't find the £30.00 single on the NXEC website though.

If I remember correctly there's two main types of train fare search engines on the internet at the moment
Trainline's (Virgin trains, ATW, FGW) and others
NXEC's (NXEC, NXEA, Southern) and others
That could be why it shows on one and not the other, however, I could be mistaken:beer:

RedLichtie_2

Thanks for the advice folks. So it means the cheapest I can get is £40 by splitting the ticket?

I'd thought about splitting at Preston, or taking the return journey and getting a refund on the first part (+£10 admin fee). That too would work out at £40 all in.

Anyway, less hassle, unless I can actually get the £30 ticket, I'll get a split ticket. Happy days!

Thanks again folks!
Ian

moonrakerz

Red,

before you go - don't use thetrainline.com ! Use one of the TOCs, they don't charge extra.

silvercar

RedLichtie wrote: »

Hello folks,

I'm due to take a one-way train journey later in the week. When I try to book online a one-way journey costs £54. However, when I go to book a return I am given the option of booking two single fares @£32 each.

Why can't I book these singles when trying to book a one-way journey?
Surely these single fares are not really single fares if they must be bought to form a return journey... they seem a bit misleading!

Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Ian

I had exactly the same happen to me. Booking London to Manchester on the virgin website. The return journey appeared as two off peak singles, but I couldn't book an off peak single one-way on its own.

I then thought I may need to cancel and phoned up, they told me it was two singles and would cost £10 x 2 to cancel.