Scotrail Club 55 Question

Be_Happy

We used Club 55 special £15 fare for the first time last year and saved quite a bit on our rail journey.

We're travelling up to Inverness again in May, but notice the present Club 55 offer finishes on 31 March. Does anyone know if the offer only happens in low season, or does it pop up again throughout the year.

littlereddevil

It is usually from the second week in January til end of March and this past year it ran from end of September I think til early in December. It is never on in the summer.

Be_Happy

Thanks. I thought this might be the case. We'll just have to find the cheapest ticket price.

stroppyjock

Keep your eyes peeled for club55 to start again, it does run in summer months but the dates have not been released yet. Cheapest Ticket will prob be an "Advance" ticket, but be warned these are very restricted ie you have to sate exact train, time etc etc with no refunds if you change your mind. If youre over 60 and use the trains often then consider a senior railcard as well. Enjoy your trip.

Be_Happy

Thanks. I'll hold off a bit yet before booking to see if anything comes up.

As regards Senior Railcard, we were able to save considerably on this by qualifying for a Disabled Railcard based on OH "wearing a hearing aid". Seems incredible that he has had recent heart attack, has vascular disease and difficulty walking due to arthritis, but none of these count, it is only his hearing aid. Anyway, Disabled Railcard gives him 1/3 off rail travel AND also gives a travelling companion 1/3 off their fare.

When looking at timetables, I see the Edinburgh - Inverness one is only up to 22 May. Any idea when the Summer Timetables usually come out?

Was talking to elderly couple at bus stop today who were telling me of the wonders of using Megabus to Inverness. Free (apart from 50p booking fee) to Concession Card holders and the journey is 1 hour quicker than City Link, so I'll have to look into this too.

charliegirl_3

Hi, Club 55 starts again from the 1st May til the 20 June, still £15 return travel between any 2 stations in Scotland. Return travel must be made within a month of the outward, even if it is after 20 June.

Summer timetables are now available as well, you should call 0845 601 5929 if you would like one sent to you.

hope this helps x

Be_Happy

Thanks. I got letter from Scotrail with new Club 55 brochure.

However, I've taken the plunge and booked us on the Megabus from Fife to Inverness. With our OAP concession cards we only pay the 50p booking fee, so it's cheaper than the £30 with Club 55.

Probably not so comfortable, but is an almost non-stop journey unlike the train which seems to stop every 10 minutes with the constant hassle of people retrieving their luggage from above your heads.

Deciding factors were that the direct Megabus journey takes almost the same time as the train journey, we can leave our car parked free of charge for the 5 days we're away at the bus 'park and ride' and probably most importantly we can get a bus back on the Sunday we return from Inverness at a suitable time in the morning, unlike the infrequent Sunday train journeys.

Have read horror stories of Megabus, but will take a chance on this.

I'll update after our journey at end of May.

view

Hi Be Happy

Just wanted to say that we have taken the Megabus on this route Ferrytoll to Inverness a few times. It is fine. Just don't drink too much on the bus as some of them don't have toilets! The buses we have had so far are all coaches with quite comfy seats. I don't mind the journey actually. Perhaps we have just been lucky - no horror stories when we've taken them. Have you booked your actual times or an open return? I definitely recommend booking actual times - we have seen people turned away from two buses as they were already booked and full by people booked on that actual time. have fun.

Gizasmum

My husband is 56 and I am 51. Would it only be him that would be able to get the cheap ticket or would I qualify as his travelling companion? Also what proof of age do you have to provide?

Be_Happy

GoldenJill wrote: »

Hi Be Happy

Just wanted to say that we have taken the Megabus on this route Ferrytoll to Inverness a few times. It is fine. Just don't drink too much on the bus as some of them don't have toilets! The buses we have had so far are all coaches with quite comfy seats. I don't mind the journey actually. Perhaps we have just been lucky - no horror stories when we've taken them. Have you booked your actual times or an open return? I definitely recommend booking actual times - we have seen people turned away from two buses as they were already booked and full by people booked on that actual time. have fun.

Well we did the journey at the end of May. Journey up was on older bus, basic, toilet door didn't shut and was 'guarded' by passengers sitting nearby. I think I heard someone say the water had run out. Return was on newer bus and more comfortable journey. Timing was excellent, fairly flew along the road.

Started off with slight problem though. Bus arrived and bus station supervisor loaded suitcases into bus. Went to board bus, carrying booking ref e-mail and concession pass and was informed by surly driver that we would have to wait for the next bus as his ticket machine wasn't working and we couldn't travel on his bus. I pointed out that I had a booking for that bus and station supervisor arrived to see what problem was, so driver said OK we could get on. Don't know what the ticket machine had to do with anything, but I think he told the same story to passengers trying to board at next 'unmanned' stop because some people seemed to change their minds about getting on bus. Next bus would not only have been an hour later, but would have been the 'non-direct' service and would have taken an hour longer.

Return journey was complete contrast. Jovial driver gave students a talk about no alcohol or smoking and got off bus to help passengers with luggage.

Overall it was value for money but basic. OH found the seats uncomfortable, but he is just fussy.

charliegirl_3

What are the rules re ages?
My husband is 56 and I am 51. Would it only be him that would be able to get the cheap ticket or would I qualify as his travelling companion? Also what proof of age do you have to provide?

Only your husband can get the Club 55 ticket. You don't need proof of age to buy the tickets but need to take it with you when travelling to vaidate them. Acceptable forms of proof are a driving license, birth certificate or passport.

Club 55 will be running again n the summer (July/August, exact dates tbc) but at the more expensive rate of £22, however this is still good value for money for the busy period.