Cheap Train Fares guide discussion

CarolynCh

Does anyone know if there is a ticket finding service which will show the cheapest fares over a few days (similar to Ryan*ir's flight one)? I want to travel from Manchester to London but don't have specific dates to stick to - I would choose depending on when I can get the cheapest tickets. Whenever I try any of the ticket finding sites recommended by Martin they force you to state specific dates, then display prices (e.g. from £12.50) for which there is never any trains on that day. Or is the only way to keep trying different dates?

Thanks

p00hsticks

CarolynCh wrote: »

Does anyone know if there is a ticket finding service which will show the cheapest fares over a few days (similar to Ryan*ir's flight one)? I want to travel from Manchester to London but don't have specific dates to stick to - I would choose depending on when I can get the cheapest tickets. Whenever I try any of the ticket finding sites recommended by Martin they force you to state specific dates, then display prices (e.g. from £12.50) for which there is never any trains on that day. Or is the only way to keep trying different dates?

Thanks

For that route, have you tried the Virgin best Fare finder ?(bottom right on the link here)

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/

Although it asks you to put in a date to start with, that's just used as a rough guide - you actually get a weeks worth of days centred on the day you put in, and can then go further back or forward. The display highlights the best fares found for morning, afternoon and evening sessions for each day and if you find a date/time and fare you like you can then go and purchase it from the site with no booking fee

CarolynCh

p00hsticks wrote: »

For that route, have you tried the Virgin best Fare finder ?(bottom right on the link here)

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/tickets-offers/

Although it asks you to put in a date to start with, that's just used as a rough guide - you actually get a weeks worth of days centred on the day you put in, and can then go further back or forward. The display highlights the best fares found for morning, afternoon and evening sessions for each day and if you find a date/time and fare you like you can then go and purchase it from the site with no booking fee

Exactly what I wanted - thank you so much!

TheCookieMan

one_step_at_a_time wrote: »

New to train travel... need help please?!

Am intending to travel Wigan to London departing sat 23 /2 returning Mon 25/2. My child is 4 years old. I understand the operator is Virgin. How do I find the best deals? As my child is 4 and therefore essentially travels free does this mean I cannot book him a seat so we can sit together? I will pref need use of a power socket so I can use a laptop to keep him entertained - any advice gratefully received as never done this before!!

Yes i don't think you can book a seat but if you are off peak and ask nicely most people will move to make room for you to sit on separate seats!

The virgin finder is quite good if you are flexible - once you have worked out the best time to go check out some split tickets; I just checked (on fare ferret) for those dates and you could save a few quid.

Nual

My DD is about to move to Edinburgh - from Swansea. Can anyone suggest the cheapest split ticket or what ever for us to get to see each other in future?
Many thanks

miller

It will depend on further details such as the date and route taken (plus the usual caveats about split ticketing should be observed), but a simple answer is:

Leominster, Warrington Bank Quay and Preston.

redux

As well as train all the way, you might consider flying.

Booked ahead, you can fly from Cardiff to Edinburgh with Flybe for from £45, and south again from £34

£8.20 train from Swansea to Cardiff off-peak. I haven't looked up buses to the airport

Edit: there's a station at Rhoose, £6.40 off-peak single from Swansea, 905 shuttle bus from there

salwar

With £14 in tesco vouchers you can get a friends and family, 16 - 25 or senior railcard. Tesco's send you a code to use on railcard website, really easy, just done it for 2nd year running.

thelawnet

Nual wrote: »

My DD is about to move to Edinburgh - from Swansea. Can anyone suggest the cheapest split ticket or what ever for us to get to see each other in future?
Many thanks

A straight walk-up ticket costs £165, return. Valid for one month.

Routeing options:

Swansea - Crewe (Arriva Trains Wales service to Manchester)
Crewe - Edinburgh (Virgin)

Swansea - Manchester (Arriva Trains service to Manchester)
Manchester - Edinburgh

Swansea - Bristol Parkway (First Great Western)
Bristol Parkway - Edinburgh (CrossCountry)
(avoid this one)

You can also consider

Swansea - Paddington (First Great Western)
Kings Cross - Edinburgh (East Coast)

However this isn't valid on a Swansea - Edinburgh ticket - you would need to buy separate Swansea - London and London - Edinburgh tickets.

Advance fares for Swansea - London and London - Edinburgh will vary substantially depending on day of the week (probably cheapest midweek, out of rush hour).

I believe the cheapest route is Swansea - Manchester - Edinburgh, and you can it for around £74 return using Advance fares (these are sold 12 weeks in advance, and prices will rise subsequently)

A few considerations:

http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/Club55/

will get you from Swansea to Manchester or Crewe, return, for only £17. This is much better than an Advance, and cheaper too.

You can also get from Carlisle to Edinburgh for £19 return under the same scheme

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/club55

which would leave you needing Crewe or Manchester - Carlisle tickets.

Also a Young Person's Railcard, if eligible, cuts all fares by 1/3, as would a Senior Railcard, if eligible (this won't cut the Club 55 fares).

miller

Redspottedhanky are doing a Fantasy Grand Prix league where loyalty points can be earnt for discounts off future purchases. More details on their page:

http://fantasygp.games-redspottedhanky.com/?utm_source=redspottedhanky&utm_medium=banner&utm_term=&utm_content=home%20page%20&utm_campaign=gpgame