First ever solo train journey - really silly question

Buzzybee90

wealdroam wrote: »

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.

Just turn up, buy a return, get on the train and come back. Simple as that.

giraffe69

Just turn up, buy a return, get on the train and come back. Simple as that.

Poor advice as costs can change according to flexibility. Any rail operator site will offer you alternatives. As a 2nd class return from, say, London to Manchester can vary from under £30 to £200+ this is not the best advice ever given.

Mr_Toad

giraffe69 wrote: »

Poor advice as costs can change according to flexibility. Any rail operator site will offer you alternatives. As a 2nd class return from, say, London to Manchester can vary from under £30 to £200+ this is not the best advice ever given.

Not poor advice at all.

However, part of me wants to agree with you, part of me knows that if you know what trains you want to travel on and can travel outside the morning and evening rush then bargains can be had. But, if the OP doesn't want to be constantly worrying about the meeting running on or getting the station at a particular time then 'turn up at the station, buy a return ticket, go and come back' might not be the cheapest option but it's the most flexible and worry free advice for someone who, by their own admission, is not a seasoned rail user with no fixed timetable.

MrsSippi

Thank you everyone for the replies, they have all been really helpful. I will be reimbursed for travel by work so I am not too concerned about the travel costs (obv I don't want to pay top whack but I am more concerned about travelling on the correct train etc than trying to save a few pennies). I think I might try buying the ticket in advance (I live fairly close to the station so can easily drop in) then at least it is one less thing to worry about on the day. I have had a look on the Southern website and it looks as though (as someone kindly advised) a Anytime Day Return ticket is my best option as I won't be tied in to a return time.

prowla

The easiest thing to do is to go up to the counter and say to the ticket officer "I'd like a return ticket to XXX, coming back this evening, please." and "Can you tell me if I have to change trains, what time the trains are, and when the last train back is, please?"

duchy

Good idea to buy it in advance. Saves the stress of standing in line on the day as invariably the person in front of you in the queue will not be a quick transaction if buying on the day.

yorkie2

What is your origin and destination?

If it's to London, do you require a Travelcard?

Are you returning the same day?

What time do you want to leave?

If you can answer the above questions, we can give the best possible advice.

Avoriaz wrote: »

Try this site.

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

AVOID that site - it charges fees!

MrsSippi

yorkie2 wrote: »

What is your origin and destination?

If it's to London, do you require a Travelcard?

Are you returning the same day?

What time do you want to leave?

If you can answer the above questions, we can give the best possible advice.


AVOID that site - it charges fees!

I will be travelling from Brighton to Chichester, so won't need a travelcard. I am returning the same day and I expect to get one of 2 trains - either the one minutes before 9am or the one minutes after.

dzug1

The one just before 9 is £15.70 anytime day return - the one just after £13 off peak day return


No restrictions coming back on either ticket


A bit pointless buying the anytime ticket to arrive just a few minutes earlier

MrsSippi

dzug1 wrote: »

The one just before 9 is £15.70 anytime day return - the one just after £13 off peak day return


No restrictions coming back on either ticket


A bit pointless buying the anytime ticket to arrive just a few minutes earlier

Thanks for this. I popped in today to get the ticket and the ticket agent said exactly what you have. I explained what I wanted and what time I wanted to travel (literally minutes after 9am) and he said the off peak day return was best. I'm glad I did get the ticket in advance too as the queue was ridiculously long and would probably have made me late on the day.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful advice.