First ever solo train journey - really silly question

MrsSippi

I have got to get the train for a work meeting next week. I have been on the train before but someone else has always booked tickets etc (not because I've avoided it, just because it has always seemed to work out that way). Anyway, I have looked online for the times, cost of tickets etc and I am a bit confused. It is asking for details of the return journey (i.e. times etc) but I am not sure what time I am coming back as I am not sure how long the meeting will be. Can I just buy a return ticket without specifying a return time? How does it work?

FBaby

If you can stick to a specific time return your fare is likely to be cheaper. Otherwise you need to get an open return or daily return.

prowla

There are also cheap returns which may not be valid on peak time trains.

bluebeary

yes you can probably get an open return but when you get to the station for your return journey make sure you book a seat, at no extra cost, just show them your open return ticket

the reason i say this is because even if you have an open return, which means you can board any train or bus during that day, there might not be seats available for the train/ bus you want and have to wait and see, as i discovered on a recent trip from inverness to glasgow, i was lucky and was able to board as there were a few seats left, if not i would have had to wait for the next one

Mr_Toad

Short answer is yes but not one of the cheap on-line offers, to get the cheaper tickets you usually have to travel outside peak times and specify which train you'll be on. You ticket will only be valid for that train, if you catch another, due to the meeting over running, you need to buy a new ticket.

I use the trains regularly and an open return, the sort you buy at the station on the day you can use on any train but you pay a premium for this.

For me an open return to London is £149.

If I buy on-line and travel outside peak times I can get a 1st class to London for £30ish and a 1st class back for £32ish.

Sounds great but, that means traveling down in the late afternoon on the day before the meeting, staying in a hotel then coming back later the following evening.

Now this suited me perfectly, I'd go down on the 15:30 stay over, go to the meeting then go and have a meal while the evening rush died down then return home on the 20:30

alwaysonthego_2

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Billy-no-Money

All you need to do is buy the cheapest ticket that:
- allows you to travel at the time you want
- is flexible enough

As you can't commit to a specified train for the return journey, and I assume work's paying, then you'll most probably want one of the 'open' returns.

For medium/long distance these are likely to be:
"Anytime Return" - any train, any operator
"Off Peak Return" - any off-peak train, any operator

The rules for anytime/off peak vary but as long as the booking website offers the ticket for that journey it's valid.

On shorter journeys you might instead be offered various day returns, but similar rules apply.


The website needs to ask for return details to be able to offer valid tickets, but on the above tickets you don't need to book a specific train. You CAN include a reservation, but you DO NOT have to use it (which is one reason why so many reserved seats often turn out to be unused).

If you're not sure, try calling at a local station and asking - if you go outside peak time they'll be able to talk it through with you.

Most importantly - if you're not sure which train you're getting, do not book an advance fare.

agrinnall

bluebeary wrote: »

yes you can probably get an open return but when you get to the station for your return journey make sure you book a seat, at no extra cost, just show them your open return ticket

the reason i say this is because even if you have an open return, which means you can board any train or bus during that day, there might not be seats available for the train/ bus you want and have to wait and see, as i discovered on a recent trip from inverness to glasgow, i was lucky and was able to board as there were a few seats left, if not i would have had to wait for the next one

I think somebody was having you on, I've never known any UK TOC prevent people boarding a train simply because all of the seats have been taken, only if the train is already so crowded that it would be impractical to allow anyone else to board.

Avoriaz

Try this site.

It should give you all your train times, ticket and price options.

Voyager2002

MrsSippi wrote: »

I have got to get the train for a work meeting next week. I have been on the train before but someone else has always booked tickets etc (not because I've avoided it, just because it has always seemed to work out that way). Anyway, I have looked online for the times, cost of tickets etc and I am a bit confused. It is asking for details of the return journey (i.e. times etc) but I am not sure what time I am coming back as I am not sure how long the meeting will be. Can I just buy a return ticket without specifying a return time? How does it work?

I suggest that you telephone one of the train operating companies (for example Southwest Trains, Virgin Trains..). They can make sure you get an appropriate ticket and either sell it to you over the 'phone or guide you through a website booking. The fare will be exactly the same. Do NOT use "TheTrainline" since it adds on extra fees for booking, card use and ticket collection, all of which are free from the TOCs.

You can reserve a seat at no additional charge and it does not matter if you don't use your reserved seat on the way back (in case you decide to take a different train, for instance). You can almost always board a train and just look for a vacant seat, or a reserved seat that is not being used. What you cannot do is make a reservation immediately before you travel.

wealdroam

Avoriaz wrote: »

Try this site.

It should give you all your train times, ticket and price options.

I would advise against buying tickets from the train line.

They charge booking fees, card fee, etc, etc.

Every ticket that they sell can be bought from a train operating company without paying the extra fees.

I usually use Southern Railway, simply because they have a rather good money back guarantee.

Might be worth reading MSE's Cheap Train Tickets article, where you will find details of all those third party ticket sellers' charges, and lots of other good stuff.