Cheapest Train Fares Discussion Area

pistjordy

http://giveaway.virgintrains.co.uk/
Apologies if this has been already posted.

Put in 3 destinations for up to 2 people and you could win free tickets. Please note Sunday's are not included in this offer.

REGI_MENTAL_REG

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pompeyrich

REGI_MENTAL_REG wrote:

Please could someone help me. I want to travel from Manchester to Birmingham on 23rd Dec. Need to arrive at Birmingham for around 1.30pm at latest and looking for same day return at around 19:00hrs ish. Whats my cheapest option ??


Thanks

Looks like 2 singles at £8 each from HERE, need to book them as soon as and there is no flexibility to change to a different time train, for full flexibility go for the Saver return at £27:90, you don't have to book this in advance and can use any train. These fares can be discounted if you have a railcard.

garria10

Not sure if anyone else has spotted this - if you are buying an annual gold card season (for instance the Ryde Esplanade and Ryde St John's Road trick, which by the way goes up to £116 in the new year) you can also buy your 'partner' a Network railcard for £1. see the quote below from the Southern Rail website www.southernrailway.com/main.php?page_id=186

"Annual Season tickets “Gold Card” are based on the price of 40 weekly season tickets, giving you 12 weeks of free travel.
Gold Card holders are entitled to additional benefits and discounts. Your friends and family can travel with you and save 1/3 off the price of most standard fares* at weekends, on public holidays and after 10:00 Monday to Friday and 4 children may accompany you for just £1 each.
If your partner would like to receive travel benefits, you can purchase a Network Railcard for £1 (recommended retail value £20) by presenting your Gold Card at the ticket office.
* Applies only within London and the South East and Network Railcard areas"

CarlaKoala_2

Another thing to bear in mind, along with the cost of £1.50 per booking by credit card on The Trainline and £0 on virgin, is that is you have to change your journey details, I think the Trainline charge you £10 `admin fees' and Virgin only £5.00. That certainly used to be the case.
Carla

Feebee_2

Have been checking out the recommended sites but dont seem to be getting much joy as I want to book a ticket for my son who (although he's 17) I dont want to have to change trains. I'm looking for Basingstoke or Reading to Preston in Lancashire on a specific day between xmas and New Year am I wasting my time and should I just cough up the open single price of 60.00 do you think? Would welcome suggestions please

p1an0player

Feebee wrote:

Have been checking out the recommended sites but dont seem to be getting much joy as I want to book a ticket for my son who (although he's 17) I dont want to have to change trains. I'm looking for Basingstoke or Reading to Preston in Lancashire on a specific day between xmas and New Year am I wasting my time and should I just cough up the open single price of 60.00 do you think? Would welcome suggestions please

Between Christmas and New Year is a busy time to travel, so there are probably fewer cheaper tickets than normal.

I guess the normal route is via Birmingham. You could try looking for one ticket from Reading to Birmingham, and another from Birmingham to Preston (doesn't necessarily mean changing trains).

Or, you could try looking for an advance ticket from London to Preston (and buy a single on the day from Reading to London) - but that means changing in London of course.

How about the coach? National Express may run an airport service from Heathrow to Preston without changing, possibly for about £30.

An even cheaper option would be National Express (or possibly Megabus) from central London to Preston.

Hodsock

In the main article Martin refers to the credit card booking fee and insurance charged on the Trainline web site. A way to avoid this is to use the GNER web site, https://www.gner.co.uk - this uses the same engine (no pun intended) as Trainline but is badged GNER and they don't charge the credit card fee and I don't recall the insurance either. You can use the GNER web site for all routes whether GNER or not and the available trains and fares are identical.

Teddy3

I was too late to get the cheapest fares for Christmas but still managed to save alot by going 1st class!
I travel using 2 different companies - On Midland Mainline it was cheapest to get 2 single tickets & 1st class was £18 instead of £43 for standard & on Southwest trains it was cheapst to get an apex return. It took ages to work it out but it was worth it to save over £150 & I'm more likely to get a seat!

louise24769

Hi There,
I'm REALLY RUBBISH at finding cheap rail tickets. Can someone help?
Need to travel on the 10.02.07 and return on the 17.02.07. Going to CARLISLE from BIRMINGHAM and back. Traveling around mid-day ish. Cheapest I've found is about £61 return. Does anyone know of any bargains?