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Help with getting train tickets for my mother

yumyums
yumyums Posts: 686 Forumite
I need to buy some train tickets for my mother and was wondering if there was a way I could pay for them online and she could collect them at the station (she doesn't live in this country and she's coming to visit me). I've always had to give my credit card when collecting tickets and was wondering if there's a way around this. I've booked plane tickets and coach tickets for her in the past but the trains are a pain!

Also, does anyone happen to know if there's a way to get from Harwich (essex) to Bristol without having to take the tube? Doubtful, I know but thought someone might be able to help!

Thank you :)
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Comments

  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The only way that I know of is for you to buy and collect them and post them to her.

    It's possible to get from Harwich to Bristol without using the tube:

    the 205 bus runs between Liverpool Street and Paddington stations

    or there is a circuitous rail route via Ipswich, Cambridge and Birmingham

    and probably there is an equally circuitous coach route
  • yumyums wrote: »
    I need to buy some train tickets for my mother and was wondering if there was a way I could pay for them online and she could collect them at the station (she doesn't live in this country and she's coming to visit me). I've always had to give my credit card when collecting tickets and was wondering if there's a way around this. I've booked plane tickets and coach tickets for her in the past but the trains are a pain!

    You could buy the tickets for your mother, then get them posted out to you or pick them up from the station and then post them out to your mother.
    yumyums wrote: »
    Also, does anyone happen to know if there's a way to get from Harwich (essex) to Bristol without having to take the tube? Doubtful, I know but thought someone might be able to help!

    Thank you :)

    Your mother could change at Stratford International on to a London Overground service to Clapham Junction (or Richmond if easier) then catch a train from there to Reading but this would need multiple split tickets, might be easier and cheaper just to get a taxi from Liverpool St to Paddington.
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  • yumyums
    yumyums Posts: 686 Forumite
    Thank you. I'll tell her about the bus from Liverpool street to paddington as she'll probably prefer this. I have no way of posting the tickets to her as where she's coming from, the post takes weeks to Gw
  • yumyums
    yumyums Posts: 686 Forumite
    Sorry takes weeks to get there if at all! I guess she'll have to pay the on-the-day ticket price unless maybe I can use her card to book it for her. Thanks again
  • agrinnall
    agrinnall Posts: 23,344 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    If she has a card is there no way she can book the tickets herself, or get some help from someone more internet savvy if she isn't? Then she could just collect at the station using her own card.
  • You could buy the tickets for your mother, then get them posted out to you or pick them up from the station and then post them out to your mother.



    Your mother could change at Stratford International on to a London Overground service to Clapham Junction (or Richmond if easier) then catch a train from there to Reading but this would need multiple split tickets, might be easier and cheaper just to get a taxi from Liverpool St to Paddington.


    That should be Stratford not International as the Overground doesnt run from International.

    Get her card details off her and book it yourslef using them and then send her the reference number - but make sure she remembers to take the same card with her.
    "If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna
  • yumyums
    yumyums Posts: 686 Forumite
    I'm hoping she has a card I can use! She's one of those cash people...
  • Jeff_Bridges_hair
    Jeff_Bridges_hair Posts: 6,330 Forumite
    Copntact Greater Anglia HERE and speak to them about your problem and see what they say is available to you. They dont do print at home tickets yet but they may come up with a novel solution to your problem.
    "If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna
  • There may be some agents abroad who will get her UK rail tickets and she could pay cash for them there.
  • dzug1
    dzug1 Posts: 13,535 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    There may be some agents abroad who will get her UK rail tickets and she could pay cash for them there.

    There are - but generally they don't sell the cheap advance tickets and put a hefty premium on full price ones
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