Cheap Train Fares guide discussion

SallyUK

I would have liked to travel from Manchester Piccadilly to Edinburgh Waverley on 23rd - 25th May. However, when I found a cheap single for £16 for the outward journey, I was a happy bunny. Only to find that the return journey on the Sunday is sooo expensive, no matter what time I travel home.

I had signed up for the alert for cheaper tickets, however the email didn't arrive until after I had gone to bed that night, so wasn't much good to me as there weren't any cheap tickets available on the following morning when I checked.

I do enjoy travelling by train, but boy it's so expensive and confusing.

Sal
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cosmojohnson

It's possible that not all train operators have released tickets for that Sunday yet (e.g. according to this page TPE haven't yet, and they run direct services between the two.

SallyUK

I hope you're right - thanks for replying.

Sal
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cosmojohnson wrote: »

It's possible that not all train operators have released tickets for that Sunday yet (e.g. according to this page TPE haven't yet, and they run direct services between the two.

miller

cosmojohnson is correct I believe. I vaguely recall we have had this scenario before where multiple operators are involved.

This is best illustrated by looking at Edinburgh to Leeds on 25 May. The direct services on CrossCountry are showing as they have released their advance tickets. The ones with a change onto a TPE service are greyed out.

SallyUK which website did you sign up for the alert from? I would just keep checking until TPE release theirs (that National Rail page can take a while to update even when the tickets are released).

Just as an additional reassurance, the week before (18th May) where TPE have released their tickets, £16 fares are available, not the 100 odd quid full fare which you probably saw.

miller

Also, as it is a TPE ticket 4.54% cashback is available when the time comes:
http://www.topcashback.co.uk/first-transpennine-express/

SallyUK

Hi Miller

I signed up to the train line website for the alerts.

Sal
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miller wrote: »

cosmojohnson is correct I believe. I vaguely recall we have had this scenario before where multiple operators are involved.

This is best illustrated by looking at Edinburgh to Leeds on 25 May. The direct services on CrossCountry are showing as they have released their advance tickets. The ones with a change onto a TPE service are greyed out.

SallyUK which website did you sign up for the alert from? I would just keep checking until TPE release theirs (that National Rail page can take a while to update even when the tickets are released).

Just as an additional reassurance, the week before (18th May) where TPE have released their tickets, £16 fares are available, not the 100 odd quid full fare which you probably saw.

mathsus

Can I just check with you experts? I am considering whether it's worth getting a 'two together' railcard for work. I sometimes travel with a certain colleague. Am I right that as soon as the cost of our tickets goes over £45 each, we would be better off using this card? I know we can only use it for travel after 09.30 Monday to Friday. We often get two singles for journeys when that's cheaper so, am I right that we would have to book the two journeys separately using the card just for the-off peak leg? Thanks

cosmojohnson

mathsus wrote: »

Can I just check with you experts? I am considering whether it's worth getting a 'two together' railcard for work. I sometimes travel with a certain colleague. Am I right that as soon as the cost of our tickets goes over £45 each, we would be better off using this card? I know we can only use it for travel after 09.30 Monday to Friday. We often get two singles for journeys when that's cheaper so, am I right that we would have to book the two journeys separately using the card just for the-off peak leg? Thanks

If the cost of your tickets was over £45 each in a year, then yes it would be worth it.

Anytime ('peak') returns are usually around (or just under) twice the Anytime single fare; so even when there's no off-peak fare for the return leg you should make a saving

Obviously if you are making the same journey every day then a season ticket works out cheaper and is more flexible.

cosmojohnson

'Free' £8 at redspottedhanky (£8 for a £16 e-voucher)

https://local.amazon.co.uk/Southwest-London/B00IR988K0

miller

SallyUK wrote: »

Hi Miller

I signed up to the train line website for the alerts.

Sal
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I have emailed them about this error in their system.