Cheapest way to get train to plymouth

mikeopvc

My daughter is going to visit her Aunty in Plymouth so we are looking for train tickets, BLIMEY ISN'T IT EXPENSIVE.
I havn't been on a train for years and never imagined it could cost that much just to sit on a seat for a few hours to get somewhere.
Cheapest price so far is £114.50 from The Trainline
Does anyone know of any alternatives?
Also how does a railcard work and would it be better to get one of those?

any advice would be great

Oh almost forgot to mention, are her travel times and destinations relevant at this stage? Please let me know if they are required.

thanks

geordieracer

Go to first great westerns website and try there for SINGLE tickets each way. Also if she is a student then a 16-25 railcard will give her a discount.
You dont say when she is going but like flights the later you leave it the more expensive it will be as people are savvy and will grab the cheapest ones when they get released.

KeithP

mikeopvc wrote: »

My daughter is going to visit her Aunty in Plymouth so we are looking for train tickets, BLIMEY ISN'T IT EXPENSIVE.
I havn't been on a train for years and never imagined it could cost that much just to sit on a seat for a few hours to get somewhere.
Cheapest price so far is £114.50 from The Trainline
Does anyone know of any alternatives?
Also how does a railcard work and would it be better to get one of those?

any advice would be great

Oh almost forgot to mention, are her travel times and destinations relevant at this stage? Please let me know if they are required.

thanks

Well you don't say where from, but I can say for certain that you can get that ticket cheaper.
Simply, don't use the trainline. Avoid their charges by buying you tickets from a train operator.

Give dates, times, and where from and where to, and someone will help you get the best fares.

A railcard will give 34% discount.

dzug1

Don't try to book TOO far ahead. More than 12 weeks (sometimes less) results in only top price tickets being on sale.

And yes - to give complete advice dates and start/finish stations are needed. Without those we can only waffle on in general terms.

The YP railcard isn't just for students - eligibilty is by age. It gives one third off most fares, including cheap advance ones.

mikeopvc

Apologies for the lack of info, she is 19 and is travelling on monday 16 november.
I just checked on first great western and it's coming in at the same price of £114.50
I think the railcard is the way forward as she will probably go visit again within a year.
How soon can she get a railcard though? is it available from the station?

robt_2

You REALLY need to say where from.

mikeopvc

More apologies:p post 3 and 4 came in while I was typing post 5
Ok here's the full details:

Monday 16th November - anytime from 07:30 am (don't really wan't my daughter hanging round platforms any early than that)
From - RHYL (N. Wales)
To - PLYMOUTH (Aunty lives in Launceston so will have to come and pick up, unless any of you clever peeps can come up with a better idea;))
Only single fare required as Aunty is returning with her in 2 weeks.
Daughter is 19 yrs old.

thanks

dzug1

The railcard can be bought on the spot at any staffed station. Can't remember if the YP one requires a photo or not

A one way ticket by National Express coach (change in Birmingham) is £69

Splitting tickets I am sure will work - one possibility (there will be others):

Rhyl 0941 Newport Gwent 1259 through train £24 advance single
Newport 1344 Plymouth 1656 change in Bristol £26.50 advance single

Even at full walkon fares splitting in Newport is £90ish - less than the through fare

The rail fares don't include the railcard discount so that could come off too.

underlay_guru

Hi,

Rhyl -- Newport Gwent --Plymouth as above sounds like the best bet to me, as long as you buy both tickets in advance. these fares are available from thetrainline:

Rhyl to Newport Gwent 0531 (arr 0901) @ £24.00
Newport Gwent to Plymouth 0944 (arr 1256) @ 26.50

=£50.50 - less than half the price of FGW....

dzug1

If Auntie is a bit reluctant to pick up in Plymouth there is a bus from there (stops outside rail station)

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/southwest/devon/timetables/timetable.php?day=1&source_id=2&service=76&routeid=850211&operator=6&source=sp

The last one is early though - 1637. Means an early start from Rhyl.

moonrakerz

There are some incredibly cheap fares available in the West Country, try splitting at Exeter, advance single from Exeter is £2.70 - bargain. !