Optimum time to purchase Rail Tickets ?

EycplUK

Hi All , we are lucky enough to have seats for the new Miss Saigon in London in May our query is that because one of us uses a wheelchair we need to make travel arrangements as far in advance as possible so as to accommodate the wheelchair on the train , looking at the train ticket websites most only go up to the end of April and the prices seem sky high ( £180 return Hull/London with Railcard in one instance ) so can you advise as to when the May tickets become available and when the optimum time period is best for cheapest tickets ?
We hope you can help

wealdroam

EycplUK wrote: »

Hi All , we are lucky enough to have seats for the new Miss Saigon in London in May our query is that because one of us uses a wheelchair we need to make travel arrangements as far in advance as possible so as to accommodate the wheelchair on the train , looking at the train ticket websites most only go up to the end of April and the prices seem sky high ( £180 return Hull/London with Railcard in one instance ) so can you advise as to when the May tickets become available and when the optimum time period is best for cheapest tickets ?
We hope you can help

I guess you are yet to read MSE's Cheap Train Tickets guide.

In there you will find the answer to your question, and many other tips to getting cheap tickets.

But simply, it is about 12 weeks before travel... less for weekends.

Try looking at dates in say the middle of March to see what prices you can expect.

Have a look at this National Rail Enquiries webpage for ticket release dates.

dzug1

The optimum time to start looking is about 12 weeks before travel but to wait until ADVANCE tickets become available. In general even April tickets being 'sold' now will be full price, non advance tickets without reservations.


This site:


http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/44703.aspx


will give a rough idea of what's available. It can be a little bit slow updating so it's not gospel


For May advance tickets I'd guess you'll need to wait another 4-6 weeks.

yorkie2

EycplUK wrote: »

looking at the train ticket websites most only go up to the end of April and the prices seem sky high ( £180 return Hull/London with Railcard in one instance ) so can you advise as to when the May tickets become available and when the optimum time period is best for cheapest tickets ?
We hope you can help

I'm not sure where £180 came from. £151 is the highest priced standard class return ticket with a Railcard, and is the Anytime fare, valid on any train operating company, by any permitted route, outward travel must be within 5 days, return travel within one month. Purchasable immediately before travel and refundable (less admin fee).

Advance fares, valid on the booked train only, which are non-refundable, will become available for the first few days in May in approximately 4 weeks time. East Coast let you sign up for alerts on their website (tickets are generally, though not always, released on Fridays). Hull Trains tickets may go on sale shortly before, or shortly after, the East Coast tickets, but are likely to be around the same time.

Advance fares start from £6.60 on Hull Trains, or £7.45 on East Coast (approx £6.80 if booked on the East Coast website) for unpopular, less busy services, but will be higher priced for the busier services. As the quota at each price level is filled, the fare will increase to the next level of fare.

EycplUK

Thanks for all the good info Guys ( and Gals ) it certainly is an eye opener on fares differences at different times & dates !
Regards

yangptangkipperbang

If one of you is in a wheelchair, with one disabled rail card BOTH of you can travel at discounted rate.
It costs £20 - if your companion doesn't have a card, it may well be worth getting one for this trip.

http://www.disabledpersons-railcard.co.uk/

Mids_Costcutter

Optimum time to buy rail tickets? 1970!

EycplUK

Well after wading through the advice and various links we finally got 2 returns Bridlington / London KC at £36.80 well happy with that so thanks to all who contributed to our query
Regards