Question about train travel prices

bossymommy

Have just posted this on Uk days out board, but think it's better off in here....
Hi there. I may be travelling to Teignmouth, from Birmingham, next week for a few days. I have looked at the prices online, and just wondered if these prices would be the same on the the day, if i bought my tickets from the train station? Also, I would be buying a Friends and family railcard on the day. Would i be able to get the discount straight away or do i have to wait for the card to come in the post?

McKneff

First of all you have to have the card if you book at a railway station.
They only take a few days to arrive but i believe that you can book online without having to wait for it to arrive.
I did this with my OH railcard.
Dont actually travel without it because it is checked on the train along with your ticket.

Prices on the day are horrendously expensive.

Do some research,

Look at split ticketing, if you have to change trains, buy separate tickets,
Returns are usually more expensive than single tickets.

Give yourself a couple of hours and play around with it.

bossymommy

I have been looking for months! lol. The prices havnt changed at all. It's definetly cheaper for me to buy return tickets. And it makes no difference if i say i am travelling today, tomorrow or next month. So thats what made me wonder if they would be the same price if i bought at the train station on the day. Also with the railcard, i have printed a form off, from the website, that says i can take this into any manned station and buy it there. Would i be given a card there and then, or still have to wait for it to come in the post?

dzug1

bossymommy wrote: »

I have been looking for months! lol. The prices havnt changed at all. It's definetly cheaper for me to buy return tickets. And it makes no difference if i say i am travelling today, tomorrow or next month. So thats what made me wonder if they would be the same price if i bought at the train station on the day. Also with the railcard, i have printed a form off, from the website, that says i can take this into any manned station and buy it there. Would i be given a card there and then, or still have to wait for it to come in the post?

If those fares are described as anytime or off peak they will be the same price at the station on the day. You will be able to buy and be issued with the railcard on the spot as well. Just allow a little extra time (10 minutes?) to do it.

Split ticketing at Cheltenham Bristol and Exeter would probably work on this route

bossymommy

Thankyou :-)

Call me a snob, but i really want a direct train (child and suitcase in tow) so don't really want to end up changing trains all day. I have got the cost to £110, return (3 days later) for 1 adult and 1 child. If i buy the railcard it will reduce it to £88, including the cost of the railcard. No all i need to do is find a hotel or caravan park ;-)

johnnyroper

bossymommy wrote: »

Thankyou :-)

Call me a snob, but i really want a direct train (child and suitcase in tow) so don't really want to end up changing trains all day. I have got the cost to £110, return (3 days later) for 1 adult and 1 child. If i buy the railcard it will reduce it to £88, including the cost of the railcard. No all i need to do is find a hotel or caravan park ;-)

split ticketing does not mean changing trains,you could get ticket new street to chelt then chelt to btm then btm to exe and stay on the same train then exe to teign it just works out cheaper to do it this way than newstreet to teign.
you would still use the same trains no matter what way you do it.

dzug1

Split ticketing doesn't mean changing trains - and in this case the £110 comes down to £93

Brum Chelt £29.10 off peak return
Chelt Brissle £21.45 off peak return
Brissle Exeter £33.60 off peak return
Exeter Tmth £4.95 off peak single each way (there are no returns)

All for one adult one child without the railcard

You can stay on the same train and do this if you've got the tickets ahead of time - only problem could be different seats (if you've reserved) on each leg.

10JH

For the journey I do (chester - London), the prices are the same for 6 months in advance, as they are on the day.

Though I have a young person's railcard. Which may make a difference to fixed prices.

bossymommy

Oh i see....sorry i didnt realise you could do this lol. Thanks for all the help :-)