options for trains preston to london return

Narla

10 of us are going for a hen do 3-5th April. The girl organising has quoted £71 return. I think this is expensive (especially as I'll be paying for my daughter too)

I'm thinking of not going on the group booking and looking at the train options it seems i might be able to get tickets for just £12.50 each to take me and DD to London although it is saying reservations cannot be made. Looking at coming back on the Monday evening the sites that will give any quotes (because it's further than 12 weeks away) are stating approx £130 one way back to Preston. In which case the best option would be to go on group booking!

Not sure what to do - don't want to upset the group but neither do I want to spend more than I need to!

Any advice welcomed!

Thanks, Narla x

KeithP

Narla wrote: »

10 of us are going for a hen do 3-5th April. The girl organising has quoted £71 return. I think this is expensive (especially as I'll be paying for my daughter too)

I'm thinking of not going on the group booking and looking at the train options it seems i might be able to get tickets for just £12.50 each to take me and DD to London although it is saying reservations cannot be made. Looking at coming back on the Monday evening the sites that will give any quotes (because it's further than 12 weeks away) are stating approx £130 one way back to Preston. In which case the best option would be to go on group booking!

Not sure what to do - don't want to upset the group but neither do I want to spend more than I need to!

Any advice welcomed!

Thanks, Narla x

For the previous weekend, I can see Advance Singles from £12.50 per person each way.

£70.20 is the Off Peak Return fare which will be available on the day of travel.
No-one, including the rest of the party, should feel pressured into paying what is a walk-up fare.

IMHO, wait a week or so and see £12.50 tickets each way for your dates (although different times may be dearer). Keep checking everyday.

Info from East Coast Trains.

dzug1

An off peak return from Preston to London is £70.20. You can buy this on the day. On 3 April all trains are off peak. It's probably what the organiser is quoting, maybe allowing for a booking fee.

Advance singles are almost certainly going to be cheaper - you are not going to be able to book or even get quotes until 12 weeks - probably less - ahead of travel. They start at £10.50 each way.

I don't see how it can be £130 single to get back - the most you can pay on an off peak train is £69.20. On 5 April all trains are off peak

You best bet then is to wait for the advance singles to come out. If they total less than £70, buy them. If not buy the off peak ticket on the day.

Livingthedream

I think you need to have a quiet word with the girl organising the trip and see if you can influence her to book all of the party on the same train at the £10.50 or £12.50 advance singles described above, also explain that that the £70.20 fare will be available now and on the day of travel, so she has nothing to lose in waiting a week or so to see if she can get the cheap tickets.

The problem is, yes you could save a lot of money by get a cheap ticket there and back, but the train travel by the hen group will be a major part of the weekend and I don't think you want to miss out on that. So get around her place and show her this thread

Narla

Thanks for your replies. I hadn't realised they could be bought on the day for £70. I thought they'd get more and more expensive as the date came closer so we have nothing to lose trying to get cheaper tickets!

I have now volunteered to arrange the transport for the group - the organiser was greatful as she is pregnant and has arranged the accomodation and show - hope I don't let the group down!

Billy-no-Money

Virgin offer discounts for groups of 9 or more:
http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/group-travel/

They say 'up to 70%' but that's probably based on peak time fares - nevertheless, it'll be a lot easier to do it as one booking.