cheap tickets on EMT - book how far in advance?

canonbeck

Hello all,
I commute into LDN twice a week and am buying cheap advance tickets from EMT's website, usually 8-12 weeks in advance. However, I've just noticed that these same cheap fares are available as little as 1 week into the future. Does anyone know if there are any hard and fast rules about at what stage the cheap fares become available? I'm thinking that I could manage my cash flow better by buying only, say, 4 weeks in advance. But, If i'm likely to come unstuck doing this then I'll stay put on the usual 8-12 weeks ahead of time. Any and all help/advice/experience would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Livingthedream

You can see when the cheap tickets are released up to, here on National rail Booking Horizons and look at the East Midland trains.

Once these tickets are released, normally the Thursday or Friday that week, then the price only goes up as each tier of the Advance ticket range is sold out, but on some route ie; not as busy routes some cheap advance tickets can be found up to the night before.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

You can book them up to 1800 the previous day. Whether they have any left for that train your wanting to travel on is another thing. If you dont mind the length then always book as early as you can to make sure you get what you want.

dzug1

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

You can book them up to 1800 the previous day. Whether they have any left for that train your wanting to travel on is another thing. If you dont mind the length then always book as early as you can to make sure you get what you want.

Some reports say until midnight the previous day

Some EMT trains have Megatrain tickets - these are available from about 6 weeks out to - well I'm not sure when. A few hours before departure I think - the list has to be printed out and given to the train crew.

Livingthedream

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

You can book them up to 1800 the previous day.

dzug1 wrote: »

Some reports say until midnight the previous day.

I've seen that as well and known people to buy them at that late at night for travel next day, think it depends on Train Company and route. Might see if I can find an example tonight.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Livingthedream wrote: »

I've seen that as well and known people to buy them at that late at night for travel next day, think it depends on Train Company and route. Might see if I can find an example tonight.

yeh ive seen that some now do but i wouldn't reccomened it to be honest with you..

next thing you know there'll be people on here complaining our advice didnt work and they had to pay a lot more

Livingthedream

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

yeh ive seen that some now do but i wouldn't reccomened it to be honest with you..

Totally agree, by the time it get to the night before, normally the combined cost of 2x advance singles is greater than the Off peak return, unless your very lucky.

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

next thing you know there'll be people on here complaining our advice didnt work and they had to pay a lot more

I think I know what on about (cheap train disc ), also noticed that one of my post in reply was deleted for some reason,perhaps to close to the truth.

wealdroam

This MSE article gives some questionable advice on the subject...

...get last minute early booking discounts!

Everyone knows advance train tickets are much cheaper, but many folks don't realise you can often buy advance tickets the night before or even on the way to the station. So the golden rule is:

Always check if advance tickets are still available, even if you're on the way to the station.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Livingthedream wrote: »

Totally agree, by the time it get to the night before, normally the combined cost of 2x advance singles is greater than the Off peak return, unless your very lucky.



I think I know what on about (cheap train disc ), also noticed that one of my post in reply was deleted for some reason,perhaps to close to the truth.

Really? Thats bad form then.. As the OP knows what 2 days he is going then I would advise just to stick to what they are doing now - I dont like the risky nature of last minute unless you really are travelling last minute.

dzug1

Livingthedream wrote: »

I've seen that as well and known people to buy them at that late at night for travel next day, think it depends on Train Company and route. Might see if I can find an example tonight.

Well a quick look earlier this evening (but well after 6pm) showed advance fares still available for tomorrow from Virgin, East Coast, Chiltern, and South West but not from Southern, NXEA, FGW and East Midland.

I'm sure if I check in the morning (won't have time though) they won't be there. And I ain't staying up past midnight to check exactly when they disappear.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

dzug1 wrote: »

Well a quick look earlier this evening (but well after 6pm) showed advance fares still available for tomorrow from Virgin, East Coast, Chiltern, and South West but not from Southern, NXEA, FGW and East Midland.

I'm sure if I check in the morning (won't have time though) they won't be there. And I ain't staying up past midnight to check exactly when they disappear.

Chiltern always have loads available.. mind you its dirt cheap to get a return to brum from them off peak anyway