help train fare

jamos316

OK guys, as I am new to booking train tickets online and not really sure if I am going the right way about it to get the maximum discount I will show you my route journey and the prices i have been quoted so far and if you think i could get it cheaper by doing something else please let me know.

the journey starts at Brentwood in Essex and I need to get to Brighton. On my way back from Brighton i do not return to Brentwood but to Chelmsford in Essex.
the starting journey from brentwood needs to depart around 10am on the 19th March.
the returning journey from brighton needs to depart around 3pm on the 22nd March.

these are the fares i have been quoted:-
i will listed the train fare operator (as you cannont post links to the website itself), followed by the one way journey then the price.
raileasy - brentwood > london liverpool street - £7
national rail - london liverpool street > london victoria - £1.80
raileasy - london victoria > brighton - £5
raileasy - brighton > london victoria - £5
national rail - london victoria > london liverpool street - £1.80
raileasy - london liverpool street > chelmsford - £12.20
Total Price : £32.80

To be honest I am not that mift about all the prices except the last one going to chelmsford, i find that kinda steep saying that a longer distance (victoria to brighton) return is only £10!
I have a few ideas that may or may not be useful. what about a travelcard, will this take the price down a bit?
i am only going from victoria because i saw this deal advertised around the net and thought that going from any other station to brighton couldnt be any cheaper than £10 but I am open to suggestions.
i am 23yrs so there might be some sort of discount card that i could purchase which will overall reduce the cost of the journeys by a few quid maybe?

please help in any way

thanks, James

Livingthedream

The Off Peak return is only £33.50 and Railuneasy have quoted you £32.80 and thats before they've added their booking/card fees.

The Off Peak return ticket will give you alot more flexibility with the trains you travel on, then on the return journey either at the station(better option) or on the train get the ticket excess to Chelmsford which should cost around about a £5

jamos316

sorry a bit confusing. where do i buy the off peak tickets and the £5 one way ticket to chelmsford from london liverpool street?

I have now found that if you buy the one way tickets (victoria > brighton) from the southernrail website you can get the for £3 each. £6 return!

Livingthedream

Sorry, didn't mean to confuse, you can buy your tickets like you described in your OP from Southern (No fees and a Discount) and it will cost you £28.80 but with the £3 Victoria to Brighton tickets you have travel on certain trains.

The Off Peak Return you can buy from the station on the day or online and gives you more choice of trains (but expense)

'Excess' the ticket means you want to amend it, to travel a bit further or via a different route this can be done at the station of departure (sometimes) or by the Train Manager but this will take the price around £39 ish so it will be cheaper to go with your first option but don't buy from thetrainline.con or Railuneasy as both charge extra fees

Livingthedream

One last point IIRC the £1.80 London Liverpool street > London Victoria is the Oyster card price without Oyster card the price is £4 one way.