Do train ticket prices ever decrease closer to the travel date?

emski1234

I'm travelling from the SE coast to Edinburgh in just over 3 weeks (yep - the fringe festival). I only just found out that im going so couldn't make the most of the 12 weeks in advance low cost guideline. I've followed all the advice on here, even the ticketysplit app but cant find any way to reduce the cost (about £150 standard off peak return). I'd like to get booked today, but just wanted to make sure that prices aren't likely to go down at all at the last minute? I'm pretty sure train prices only go up, but my friend said that sometimes the 1st class seat prices drop at the last minute as no one's buying them. I really wanted to treat myself to 1st class (I never go anywhere and its a big treat that i'm going so thought i'd pay the extra if it's a tenner or so, but in this case it's about £70 difference each way if I do it in 2 singles, or £484 if I were to buy a 1st class return - HA!!!).
I don't want to book today and then find out I would have been better off waiting. I know i'm travelling during an exceptionally expensive time thanks to the festival. Thanks in advance. (PS I'm not eligible for any of the railcards, except the family one but I wont have my little one with me).

yorkie2

Without knowing the date and time requirements (ie, the earliest you can depart your origin station, and the latest you can arrive at your destination station) we can't give the best advice.

But, to answer the question, fares are unlikely to reduce in price. But it can happen, for example if there is an error (South Yorkshire to Kent Super Off Peak Returns were £8.60 instead of £86.00 for a week!) or a sale/promotion.

Owain_Moneysaver

Fares are unlikely to reduce in price, and on this route and at this time it's very unlikely.

Off peak return equivalent to £75 each way is actually pretty good value and allows you considerably flexibility of when to travel.

emski1234

Thanks for the feedback. I'm thinking of getting the 8:33 am on a friday, and then around 4:30 or 5:30pm from Edinburgh coming home on a sunday.
Thanks again. I've just checked my clubcard account and have more vouchers than I thought, so will be transferring them to redspottedhanky vouchers to save a bit of money. Still can't afford 1st class though - no cooked breakfast, unlimited drinks and free wifi for me. Never mind!

flea72

Can you not travel off-peak on the friday, as that should make a difference to the price.

If you have tesco vouchers, might work out cheaper to use them to buy a railcard and get 30% off, rather than converting to RSH vouchers and paying full price

yorkie2

flea72 wrote: »

Can you not travel off-peak on the friday, as that should make a difference to the price.

The OP is travelling (super) off-peak. I wouldn't travel any later, as the later trains are going to be even busier in the afternoon and evening, on a Friday.

I don't know the origin station, so I will randomly choose Glynde as there's an 0833 from there and it's on the South Coast.

There are no cheap Advance fares on these days, which is unsurprising if there's a major event in Edinburgh, and given it's the Summer Holidays and Fridays & Sundays are going to be busy anyway.

So I'd go for the £149.50 Super Off Peak Return. http://www.brfares.com/#!faredetail?orig=GLY&dest=EDB&ldn=1&tkt=SSR

On the Friday this is valid by any train from origin to London, and for a cross-London transfer (by LU or FCC Thameslink), and any train out of King's Cross between 0906 and 1459 inclusive, and also at or after 1815. On the Sunday, it is valid any train.

This particular ticket is no cheaper on the East Coast site, so if you have RSH vouchers, it makes sense to use RSH for this purchase.

flea72

yorkie2 wrote: »

The OP is travelling (super) off-peak. I wouldn't travel any later, as the later trains are going to be even busier in the afternoon and evening, on a Friday.

Where i live, on weekdays Off peak isnt until after 9.30am. Super off peak, is after midday

emski1234

Great thank you - yes I'll be travelling super offpeak, and that's the price I found too, looks like i'll have to go with that. Thank you for your research.
Also, regarding the travelcard - good idea to purchase one with Tesco clubcard vouchers, but again i'm not eligible for any of them except the family one, but i'll be travelling alone so I wouldn't be able to use it.
Thanks everyone. At least I know i'm not missing a trick.

yorkie2

flea72 wrote: »

Where i live, on weekdays Off peak isnt until after 9.30am. Super off peak, is after midday

Where do you live?

Wherever it is, I bet you I can find you a Super Off Peak or Off Peak ticket that is valid much, much earlier than that!

The restrictions are not just set by the origin station but by the destination too!