Cheap Train Fares guide discussion

luckwudaveit

LynnD wrote: »

Hi I'd ideally like to go from Penrith to London on 10/8 first thing, then up to Oxford later that day and back to Penrith on 12/8. Obviously this is a bad time to travel, I might have to miss London if it costs too much in which case I need a return to Oxford - I plan to book a seat as am expecting it to be chockablock - its looking like £97 for a return to Oxford and a lot more if I want to do the London bit - any advice? It's just for one adult - I don't have a rail card - age 32.

First train PNR - EUS is at 0557, arriving 0904 and costing £68.00. I haven't checked split ticketing on this journey.

Cheapest London to OXF is from Paddington at 1649, into OXF at 1750 at £10.50. Later trains are available at 1922, 1950, 2020 and 2148 at £12.00.

Return from OXF as per post above.

luckwudaveit

wealdroam wrote: »

An Off Peak Return from Penrith to London is £91.20 and is valid via Oxford.

Wow, that is some validity. Virgin trains is showing an off peak return a quid cheaper at £90.20, just to be Mr.Pernickety.:money:

wealdroam

luckwudaveit wrote: »

Wow, that is some validity. Virgin trains is showing an off peak return a quid cheaper at £90.20, just to be Mr.Pernickety.:money:

Are you sure about that?

Cheapest I can see is £91.20 for an Off Peak Return or two Off Peak Singles.

luckwudaveit

wealdroam wrote: »

Are you sure about that?

Cheapest I can see is £91.20 for an Off Peak Return or two Off Peak Singles.

My bad, schoolboy error. Apologies

LynnD

Thank you all, that's great - I'm still not sure about the London to eus valid via Oxford - how do you know and is this bought from Virgin trains?
You are all brill

luckwudaveit

LynnD wrote: »

Thank you all, that's great - I'm still not sure about the London to eus valid via Oxford - how do you know and is this bought from Virgin trains?
You are all brill

I don't mean to steal wealdroam's thunder here, but it comes from the exceptionally complicated routeing guides on the Association of Train Operating Companies website:

http://www.atoc.org/about-atoc/rail-settlement-plan/routeing-guide

Go there if you dare!

You can buy from Virgin Trains, yes. No booking fees.

LynnD

Thank you!

wealdroam

LynnD wrote: »

Thank you all, that's great - I'm still not sure about the London to eus valid via Oxford - how do you know and is this bought from Virgin trains?
You are all brill

You can also verify the 'via Oxford' stuff by using a journey planner on one of the many train company's websites.

For example, on the Virgin trains website, under the heading Extra journey requirements (optional) just put Go Via and Oxford in the two appropriate boxes.
You will then see that the Off Peak Return fare via Oxford is exactly the same.

Just to clarify, you are effectively starting the return leg of you journey with the trip from London (Paddington not Euston) to Oxford.

SHEILA54

Hi

I want to take my 2 grandchildren to see my brother in Sheffield. I have a family and friends railcard but would like to travel out on Sunday 5th or Monday 6th August, preferably around 10.30 out and return 2 days later to get back to London before the rush hour. Please can anyone find split / cheap fares?

Thanks

dzug1

SHEILA54 wrote: »

Hi

I want to take my 2 grandchildren to see my brother in Sheffield. I have a family and friends railcard but would like to travel out on Sunday 5th or Monday 6th August, preferably around 10.30 out and return 2 days later to get back to London before the rush hour. Please can anyone find split / cheap fares?

Thanks

One possibility - out on the 0930 from St Pancras on the Sunday £24.95 (the 1030 is a few ££ more)


Back on the 1427 from Sheffield on the Tuesday - £18.70

Total prices for 1 adult and two children with a railcard

There may be a slight reduction if you book direct with East Midlands Trains

I can't see any split bettering those fares. You need to book them now - they are limited availability advance fares