Cheap train/coach travel when you can't book far in advance?

snowleopard61

I am likely, sadly, to need to attend a funeral in my extended family within the next few weeks. I will need to travel by public transport, and if at all possible without staying overnight. The journey will take around 8 hours by coach each way, less by train though the costs of the latter are probably prohibitive. Obviously in the circumstances I have no choice what dates to go, nor can I book very far in advance. I'm not entitled to any age-related concessions. Can anyone suggest how to keep travel costs down? My best solution so far is to travel during the night (by coach) for as much of the time as possible since this at least avoids the need to pay for accommodation.

wealdroam

If you could perhaps give some idea of the journey then maybe someone can offer something more useful.
For example, Scotrail are offering 50% off some tickets.

How many people travelling?

snowleopard61

The journey would be from Southampton to the Liverpool/Wirral area and I'd be travelling alone - many thanks.

wealdroam

I would seriously consider Megatrain.

Just looking at next Tues/Wed:

Southampton - London by train or bus is less than £10 each way.
As is the London to Liverpool leg.

Even looking at tomorrow/Fri, there are several Southampton to Waterloo train tickets left at £8 each way.
And £13 is possible London to Liverpool each way by bus.

So short notice may not be too expensive, and if you can find suitable trains on the Megatrain site, it will obviously be quicker.

snowleopard61

Thanks very much for this - I'll look into it. I have used Megatrain for travel to London itself before and did investigate this when I last visited my family (with more advance planning) a while ago, but the timings made the method impractical then - definitely worth a try though.