Advice needed about emergancy travel to Newcastle

Soundgirlrocks

Hi, I'm hoping someone on here can give me some practical advice. My father has recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. I live in London and he lives in Blyth, near Newcastle. I have booked coach tickets for the weekends (travelling over night Friday and back Sunday night) which drops me in Blyth town centre so I can see as much as possible of him. I have a week’s holiday at the end of February which I am travelling up on the coach but haven't book the return trip as my partner will probably join me and hates the coach. I am wondering if it would be sensible to book a open return train ticket so I have a way of getting to Newcastle quickly should I need to. The open return only seem to be valid for one month. I have a nightmare image of something happening to Dad and me not being able to afford the on the day purchase of a train ticket. I thought I could go up on the train once a month so always having a open return available if I need to go.

Sorry if this is a bit long winded, I just want to be as practical as possible at the moment so there is less to worry about when the time comes (god that sound morbid)

Thanks

wealdroam

If you are considering fully flexible return tickets, either an off peak return or an anytime return, the price will be exactly the same whether bought on the day of travel or in advance.

It is only Advance Singles that are cheaper when bought in Advance.
But with these you need to travel on the booked train.
So perhaps not what you are looking for.

pmm1981

Right, if booking in advance for the train isn't an option then this only leaves buy on the day tickets.
There are a few different options and each 1 is valid for return 1 month later. Your options are
Super Off Peak Return - £110.70 only valid on off peak trains Mon-Fri.
Weekend Return - £166, valid for outward travel Fri or Sat, return with in 4 days but not a Friday.
Off Peak Return -£197.80, only valid on off peak trains Mon-Fri but not as restrictive as a Super Off Peak Return.

A cheaper way to do it could be
Kings Cross-Sunderland with Grand Central but there are only 4 trains per day Mon-Sat and 3 on a Sunday.
Off Peak Return - £81 - NOT valid from London on the 1650 departure, NOT valid from Sunderland on the 0641 departure MON-FRI ONLY
Anytime Return - £114 - Valid on any Grand Central service.

Sunderland-Newcastle
Anytime Day Single - £3 each way on train or Tyne and Wear Metro.

So if this route suits a return can be done for £87.