How much in advance do you have to buy train tickets when buying online?

Knill

I'm just wondering because I have a journey tomorrow but I'm still not exactly sure where I am going so I don't want to buy my tickets right now.

If I remember correctly, I think it is two hours in advance if you want to be able to collect your tickets at one of the ticket machines.


Is this correct?

Alan_Bowen

Why not just buy at the station, the fare will be the same at that stage. You save money buying advance tickets on line, usually 12 weeks prior to travel but on the same day, the fares will be the same.

opinions4u

Very general rule of thumb here. Caveat that lots of different train companies and fares mean these "rules" are not set in stone.

Local services - makes no difference, just buy at the station on the day. I wouldn't book in advance as I suppose there's the risk of forgetting to take the card you booked with to the station and the machine rejecting you.

Longer distace:

10-12 weeks in advance = cheaper tickets than buying on the day
5-9 weeks in advance = cheapest tickets
0-4 weeks in advance (but not day of travel) = cheaper tickets than buying on the day
After 6pm the day before travel = most expensive options
Day of travel = most expensive options

Quite happy for people to pull the bones out of that with their own experiences.

PompeyPete

I do most of my rail travel on Southern Trains, usually from Portsmouth to Gatwick, Or London Victoria.

I always book online, and choose the 'Collect ticket at station' option, and always collect it on the day I'm travelling.

In the meantime, if my plans change, and because I haven't yet collected my ticket I can claim a FULL refund with no admin charges on-line.

dzug1

opinions4u wrote: »

0-4 weeks in advance (but not day of travel) = cheaper tickets than buying on the day

.

If there are any left - surprising how often there are on less popular trains

.

After 6pm the day before travel = most expensive options.

Again - if there are any left. A few companies cut off at midnight rather than 6pm.

.

Quite happy for people to pull the bones out of that with their own experiences.

dzug1

Knill wrote: »

I'm just wondering because I have a journey tomorrow but I'm still not exactly sure where I am going so I don't want to buy my tickets right now.

If I remember correctly, I think it is two hours in advance if you want to be able to collect your tickets at one of the ticket machines.


Is this correct?

With many ticket machines these days the two hours is out of date - it can be near instantaneous. Depends on the site you buy from and the machine. No doubt there are experts who can tell

Voyager2002

I have often been surprised at the bargains available on-line when buying in the evening for travel the following day. All I can suggest is that you look on-line as soon as you have decided where you are going.

BTW this part of the forum is for overseas travel: you might get a better response if you posted in the section for UK travel.