Cheap Train Fares guide discussion

miller

Splitting does not yield any results and the singles don't look much cheaper than the returns so even commiting to an advance ticket in one direction probably wont help.

If you can travel on Virgin Trains' services only the return is £13.10 instead of £16.30, but you probably already know that.

martindow

staffsuk wrote: »

Hi all

I frequently travel from Stoke > Manchester > Stoke. Well I say frequently - around 2 - 3 times / month. I always travel off-peak and often at the weekend but rarely return the same day. Also I am never sure exactly what times I will be returning so I am averse to having to book a specific time train.

I wondered what would help me save on the journeys? A Railcard? Any Apps / sites that perhaps offer last minute trains at a good price? Any other money saving tricks?

Thanks!

A railcard would offer a reduction - are you eligible for one?

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/46540.aspx

s4mmy

I've just read back through the last few pages and amazed at the savings that people can make.As my daughter has surprised me with theatre tickets I now need to book the train and hotel for an unexpected trip to London. Please can anyone give me some advice regarding the cheapest way to book tickets for the train journey - we will be travelling from Yarm Darlington or Eaglescliffe to London on 28th January and returning on 29 th.
Thanks x

pogofish

s4mmy wrote: »

I've just read back through the last few pages and amazed at the savings that people can make.As my daughter has surprised me with theatre tickets I now need to book the train and hotel for an unexpected trip to London. Please can anyone give me some advice regarding the cheapest way to book tickets for the train journey - we will be travelling from Yarm Darlington or Eaglescliffe to London on 28th January and returning on 29 th.
Thanks x

Did post one of this thread not give you practical advice?

Which is what its there for...!

yorkie2

s4mmy wrote: »

I've just read back through the last few pages and amazed at the savings that people can make.As my daughter has surprised me with theatre tickets I now need to book the train and hotel for an unexpected trip to London. Please can anyone give me some advice regarding the cheapest way to book tickets for the train journey - we will be travelling from Yarm Darlington or Eaglescliffe to London on 28th January and returning on 29 th.
Thanks x

I'd try trainsplit.com (which will check if "splitting" may be cheaper) and compare the cost from all three.

Darlington will give direct trains operated by Virgin Trains East Coast.

Yarm will mean a change at York.

Eaglesciffe will give direct trains operated by Grand Central; fewer journey opportunities with GC but you may find a cheaper fare with GC.

slopemaster

I am hoping someone can help me here, as I cannot get my head around the different types of train ticket.

I will arrive in Gatwick airport 28th Feb, get a train into London (probably Victoria but maybe Charing Cross) at around 13.30. Then at around 22.30 same day I will get a train back to the airport. These times need to be a bit flexible – I cannot commit to a specific train.

It appears Gatwick express is expensive, and ordinary trains cheaper and nearly as fast.
But I cannot understand how the fares work.
This site
https://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable#Journey/GATWICK%20AIRPORT/LONDON%20VICTORIA/28/02/17/13/30/Leave%20After/28/02/17/22/45/Leave%20After/1/0//
shows me “Off-Peak Day Return” for £15.80.
It says “any off-peak train” but it’s not clear which trains are “off-peak” or how I find out. And it makes me tick which time trains I will travel on, and invites me to reserve a seat. So does that mean it is only valid on those specific trains?

I would be very grateful for help here, this is beyond me!

wealdroam

slopemaster wrote: »

I am hoping someone can help me here, as I cannot get my head around the different types of train ticket.

I will arrive in Gatwick airport 28th Feb, get a train into London (probably Victoria but maybe Charing Cross) at around 13.30. Then at around 22.30 same day I will get a train back to the airport. These times need to be a bit flexible – I cannot commit to a specific train.

It appears Gatwick express is expensive, and ordinary trains cheaper and nearly as fast.
But I cannot understand how the fares work.
This site
https://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/combinedmatrix.aspx?Command=TimeTable#Journey/GATWICK%20AIRPORT/LONDON%20VICTORIA/28/02/17/13/30/Leave%20After/28/02/17/22/45/Leave%20After/1/0//
shows me “Off-Peak Day Return” for £15.80.
It says “any off-peak train” but it’s not clear which trains are “off-peak” or how I find out. And it makes me tick which time trains I will travel on, and invites me to reserve a seat. So does that mean it is only valid on those specific trains?

I would be very grateful for help here, this is beyond me!

For the times you have mentioned, you need an off peak day return at £15.80.

p00hsticks

slopemaster wrote: »

It says “any off-peak train” but it’s not clear which trains are “off-peak” or how I find out. And it makes me tick which time trains I will travel on, and invites me to reserve a seat. So does that mean it is only valid on those specific trains?

It's only asking you to tick times in order to give you the opportunity to reserve a seat - you don;t need to travel on a specific train with an off-peak return

slopemaster

OK thats great, thanks for the help

miller

BTW other ticketing websites can sell you what you need without the booking fee.