First Great Western cheapest fares - when are they available?

matty_art

I'm considering arranging a trip to Brussels so need to book a return from Bridgend to London on the 1 & 3 June.

Currently however none of the cheap advance singles (which now seem to be called FirstMinuteFares) seem to be available, with no information that I can reveal on their website that says when or even if they'll be available.

Does anyone have any knowledge of when they become available? I'm not planning to travel until about 10am on Friday, so it shouldn't be peak.

mountainofdebt

I would have thought they were available now - I know you can't prebook more than 3 months in advance. The only other reason Ican think of there being none available is that they are all sold?

matty_art

Hmmm maybe, I don't know. I did check a range of times and none had any of the several single advance ticket types available, it strikes me as slightly odd.

I would help if it had "sold out" or some other relevant message displayed, instead of just a blank box. I've tried phoning them before and they haven't been able to confirm whether they were any tickets, or will be any in the future. All in all, customer service isn't their forté.

I have been told before though when trying to reserve for someone else and only returns being available that cheaper single fares may become available but only a certain time in advance; trouble is no one is able to tell me when.

dzug

My interpretation is that they are not available yet - there are none at all on your days and a few days either side. A couple of weeks earlier and there are plenty.

Confirmed from their website:

These tickets are subject to availibilty on selected trains. They are currently available for booking up to and including Saturday 19 May.

(from ticket and fares page - ticket options)

Voyager2002

Cheap tickets generally go on sale about six weeks before the date of travel.

However, if you have your Eurostar tickets you should ask about tickets to 'London International'. These are low-priced flexible tickets that are available only to Eurostar passengers, and might be exactly what you need.

matty_art

Thanks for your help guys, that information was nicely tucked away, well done for finding it