Train tickets - how can I get cheaper tickets?

mattastic

Hi Folks,

I currently travel from Birmingham to Preston using Virgin Trains, twice a month to see my girlfriend, It costs around £50 there and back. So I'm spending around £100 a month.

Can anyone tell me how I can get this cheaper?

I don't qualify for a railcard.

Any advice much appreciated.

wealdroam

mattastic wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I currently travel from Birmingham to Preston using Virgin Trains, twice a month to see my girlfriend, It costs around £50 there and back. So I'm spending around £100 a month.

Can anyone tell me how I can get this cheaper?

I don't qualify for a railcard.

Any advice much appreciated.

Have you read MSE's Cheap Train Tickets article?

You have given us no clues on days of the week you are travelling, or if you are coming back the same day.
The time of day also makes a difference.

But picking a couple of midweek days in mid June it can be done for £8.50 each way using Advance Singles.

I found this info by using LondonMidlandTrains website, but use any train operating company's site you like.

The best tip is... plan ahead.

And picking a couple of midweek dates in the middle of May, Megatrain wil get you there and back for £1 to £9 each way.

yorkie2

mattastic wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I currently travel from Birmingham to Preston using Virgin Trains, twice a month to see my girlfriend, It costs around £50 there and back. So I'm spending around £100 a month.

Can anyone tell me how I can get this cheaper?

I don't qualify for a railcard.

Any advice much appreciated.

If you're paying "about £50" per return trip, it is likely you are purchasing this ticket:

Origin: BIRMINGHAM STNS
Destination: PRESTON
SVR - OFF-PEAK R VWC
00000 - ANY PERMITTED

1 Adult @£ 44.30 = £ 44.30

Restriction : 2R
OUTWARD TRAVEL:
By any train except those
timed to depart
Mondays-Fridays before 0900.

RETURN TRAVEL:
By any train except those
timed to depart
Mondays-Fridays before 0900.

If you are returning same day (it is unclear from your post if this is the case or not) I would suggest:

BIRMINGHAM STNS to CHESTER Off Peak Day Return £17.10 (Valid at or after 0845, and valid to CREWE)
CREWE to WARRINGTON STNS Anytime Day Return £10.00
WARRINGTON to PRESTON Off Peak Day Return £10.60 (Valid at or after 0930)

TOTAL = £37.70

Note: the train(s) must call at Crewe and Warrington Bank Quay, for this combination of tickets to be valid. A cheaper combination may be possible.

If you are returning a different day, you probably won't be able to reduce the cost (by much) on your current ticket - unless you purchase Advance tickets and travel on the exact train(s) specified on the tickets you purchase. Only choose that option if you can be sure that you will be able to stick to that, and not change travel plans.

Livingthedream

mattastic wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I currently travel from Birmingham to Preston using Virgin Trains, twice a month to see my girlfriend, It costs around £50 there and back. So I'm spending around £100 a month.

Can anyone tell me how I can get this cheaper?

I don't qualify for a railcard.

Any advice much appreciated.

Another way to make this cheaper is to go via Liverpool Lime St, increases the journey time, but saves you some money.

Birmingham NS to Liverpool Lime St, Advance singles from £6 (x2 for return Advance single so £12)
Liverpool Lime St to Preston either Off Peak Day return if returning same day £11.30 or Anytime Return £15.10

With Advanced tickets you must travel on the booked trains so give yourself plenty of time to make your connections.

mattastic

Thanks for all your replies, thats really helpful.

I rushed my first post, let me tell you the whole story.

I travel every other weekend to blackpool, changing at Preston. If I go on the Friday night, and come back on the sunday, I can get all the tickets for around £38-45.

No matter how far in advance I book, I cant seem to get the cost below that.

However, on my way back from preston to birmingham, I overheard a couple saying they got their ticket for £6-50. I've never seen a ticket that cheap for sunday afternoon travel, its always full whack on their website, around £20.

Does anyone know how they get these random cheap tickets? Obviously i never got the chance to just ask them :-)

Many thanks again for all your replies

chuckley

go direct via VT's site. they have fares none of the others offer, even thought they use 'thetrainline' for payment. i saw london midlands fares for £4.60, granted it was first thing on a weekend, but the fares do exist and VT have them online until the night before travel unlike the past when it was for a few days.