Train ticket prices.

MultiCat

Can't believe how quickly they're going up!

Usually I would pay £14 to get from Birmingham to Peterborough (or the other way around) and back. After not using the train for months I find that I need to again (friend's birthdays). Went on to the crosscountry website armed with my 10% NUS discount and railcard to find that it's now £14 each way.

So to get me and my partner down to Peterborough and back again is now going to cost £55 for an off-peak return or around £45 (with railcard) for 2 singles. Madness.

I know it's not a lot compared to some prices, but 3 different friends (who all know each other as well) are celebrating birthdays this month and want us to come down, that's £150.

I've asked for help in the cheap train tickets discussion, hopefully someone can find me something cheaper. I've tried split ticketing, going by coach, slower routes, etc. but they all seem to be much more expensive than the train.

If we do end up going then there won't be a lot left for drinks!

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Must have been a while ago to get £14 return for that journey..

anyway have answered your post in that thread

Owain_Moneysaver

why don't your 3 friends have a big joint birthday party?

marleyboy

I still find it odd that I can FLY to London from Manchester from between £60-£70 return, whereas a train would ramp the price to between £120-£130.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

marleyboy wrote: »

I still find it odd that I can FLY to London from Manchester from between £60-£70 return, whereas a train would ramp the price to between £120-£130.

I still find it odd that I can do that same trip next saturday returning sunday on the train from sity centre to city centre for £50 return

http://www.farefinder.virgintrains.co.uk/BestFares.aspx?orig=EUS&dest=MAN&out=20120317&rtn=20120318


so thats cheaper and doesnt need to include any transfers from airport to airport.

And I can still do it for £57 leaving tomorrow and coming back on thursday.

Amazing that when you finally do some research before posting on a forum.

marleyboy

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

I still find it odd that I can do that same trip next saturday returning sunday on the train from sity centre to city centre for £50 return

http://www.farefinder.virgintrains.co.uk/BestFares.aspx?orig=EUS&dest=MAN&out=20120317&rtn=20120318


so thats cheaper and doesnt need to include any transfers from airport to airport.

And I can still do it for £57 leaving tomorrow and coming back on thursday.

Amazing that when you finally do some research before posting on a forum.

Agreed, particularly considering the prices I have paid for them with Virgin. I assume those prices are off peak.

However I should learn to price compare better before booking I guess.

Still, I think its expensive in comparison to booking a flight.

But thanks for the link, I will ignore the sarcasm.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

I cant seem to find any peak fare prices for flights for tomorrow say but its around £180 return now by virgin as the fare finder has held the tickets I searched for on the outward leg already and will take a while to put them back in.

MultiCat

Jeff_Bridges_hair wrote: »

Must have been a while ago to get £14 return for that journey..

anyway have answered your post in that thread

It was only a few months ago that I could get that price. Thanks for the reply to my other post.