Cheapest Train Fares Discussion Area

andyrules

Hi

I've just had an email from GNER offering cheap fares to London, but when I click the link I'm just directed to the normal rail enquiry with no cheap fares! Does this mean that there may have been some ages ago (if so why an alert now?) or what? I've tried to email GNER but you only get an automated response which doesn't answer the query. Annoying. Anyone any idea if these fares exist? Thanks

caliston

Usually the cheap fares are in the normal fares database so you can book them online in the normal way. There's no special privileges by being the recipient of the email - everyone can book them by selecting trains on which they're available. Try the 'show cheaper fares' link on Qjump to find them. As always it's 'subject to availability' so there are only cheap fares on a selection of (usually less-busy) trains.

Sometimes Trainline, Scotrail or others do offers where you have to click a special link in an email or enter a promotion code, which does get you a cheaper range of fares not available to everyone else. These are often highlighted on the Trainline trains screen in a different colour to emphasise this. Usually the instructions about how this works are given in the email.

michael_iain_elliott

Hi,

Would you believe the following:

GNER - ticket from Aberdeen to Kings Cross, then tube, then ticket from Victoria to Canterbury (my hometown): cheapest fare in advance: ~£31


GNER - all in one ticket from Aberdeen to Canterbury (my hometown), including tube ticket: cheapest fare in advance: ~£29

Mixture - all in one ticket - ScotRail Aberdeen-Glasgow QS, Virgin Glasgow Central-Euston, tube, and Victoria-Canterbury: cheapest fare in advance: ~£17

It may take 3 hours longer, and Virgin's trains may suck, but for £12 saving each direction, it's a far better deal!

I'm sick and tired of GNER screwing me, especially since fare structure has changed. Used to be able to get a Bargain Return for £38 (i.e. £19 single) from Kings Cross to Aberdeen. Now the cheapest return (in two singles) you can get is £19.50 (Aberdeen-London) + £24.50 odd (London-Aberdeen) since there is no £19 fare from London any more = £44 = +£6. Even with their 10% web deals. Anyone else utterly peeved at this?

OK sorry for the rant...

Mike

andyrules

Thanks Caliston, looks like the cheaper fares have long gone. I don't expect any privileges just for registering with gner, but why bother send me a flashy ad if there are no fares left? It just made me think more seats had been released. Thanks for the link to qjump, no good this time but I'll look up in future.

michael, I pick up that train about 2/3 down your route to London and my ordinary saver is roughly the same as your whole fare to Canterbury (31) !! No wonder we are all confused!!

amcluesent

>Anyone any idea if these fares exist?<

They do (will have done) but I don't recall GNER ever listed them out, you just have to 'think lucky' with the usual timetable planner.

P.S. I don't have any faith in GNER's e-mail system after it alerted me to Xmas tickets being available - that was a week after I'd actually bought them!

caliston

They should, I think. You can sign up to be told when they release their cheap ticket quotas:
http://www.gner.co.uk/GNER/Tickets/advancesingletickets.htm
'inventory release service'

GNER are I think the only TOC that do this, so I'm surprised you've had trouble. Maybe you had a generic marketing email ('cheap tickets exist; subject to availability') rather than one for travelling on specific days?

Luddite_2

I have been trying to use the National rail line site to book my student son a ticket to get home for Christmas :rolleyes: Although it gives me a selection of times it won't do the next step as I have put in to much info. I have put in the least info I can manage and asked for the cheapest ticket. Any suggestions? It is a return to Aberystwyth from Winchester - anyone have any suggeswtions for the cheapest way. I have chosen Saturday after 10 and return on Tuesday after 11.00.

MarkyMarkD

If, by Tuesday, you mean Boxing Day, the Trainline's website indicates that there is a timetable fault meaning that Boxing Day trains can't be booked right now.

travelnaive

could someone advise on the cheapest way to get from Balham (zone 3) to windsor, by using this split the journey technique. I dont want to have to shell out £800 for a season ticket thats only valid for 4 months! thanks..

isasmurf

It won't show them because Arriva Trains Wales and Virgin are not operating any services on Boxing Day.

http://nationalrail.co.uk/service_bulletins/index_xmas_week_info2006.html