First time train commuter advice!

wallofbeans

So there's not a national rule about what times 'peak' means and that 'super off peak' are always between 12noon and 4pm or whatever..?

wealdroam wrote: »

The price and the time of day they can be used.

It is probably easiest to use a train conpany's journey planner to see which tickets are available for the time you wish to travel.

I usually use Southern's journey planner, but choose one you are happy with.

duchy

You assume correctly

Have you looked at coach as an alternative ?

wealdroam

wallofbeans wrote: »

So there's not a national rule about what times 'peak' means and that 'super off peak' are always between 12noon and 4pm or whatever..?

Certainly not. That would be far too simple. It varies dramatically across the country.

wallofbeans

So I should just google to find out the specific times related to those terms for the journey I am making. It's crazy. They try very hard to make it as complicated as possible for anyone to figure out the best and cheapest way to travel.

wealdroam wrote: »

Certainly not. That would be far too simple. It varies dramatically across the country.

wallofbeans

Wont that take a billion hours? Getting out of London taking the longest...

duchy wrote: »

You assume correctly

Have you looked at coach as an alternative ?

jbuchanangb

If you haven't worked it out yet, you need the Abellio Greater Anglia TOC website to get the best deals on this route. Occasionally they have ticket sales when they offer Advance Purchase tickets for flat rate of £5

wallofbeans

I didn't know that - thank you!

Is that just the site on their website or something else? I assume it's that but suddenly wondered what 'TOC' means and if there's a different site that has better access to the good prices... I've always found going via the Virgin Trains site shows the cheaper prices than Train Line (even if not booking a Virgin Train)... so maybe this is similar...

jbuchanangb wrote: »

If you haven't worked it out yet, you need the Abellio Greater Anglia TOC website to get the best deals on this route. Occasionally they have ticket sales when they offer Advance Purchase tickets for flat rate of £5

wealdroam

wallofbeans wrote: »

I didn't know that - thank you!

Is that just the site on their website or something else? I assume it's that but suddenly wondered what 'TOC' means and if there's a different site that has better access to the good prices... I've always found going via the Virgin Trains site shows the cheaper prices than Train Line (even if not booking a Virgin Train)... so maybe this is similar...

TOC = Train Operating Company.

You will always save money buying from a TOC rather than the trainline.

It is also a good idea to see what the TOC that is running the trains for your journey is offering. As has been mentioned above, they often offer 'deals' for their own services.

wallofbeans

My wondering partly came because it says "National Rail accredited" on it... which made me think it might not have the best deals!

wealdroam wrote: »

TOC = Train Operating Company.

You will always save money buying from a TOC rather than the trainline.

It is also a good idea to see what the TOC that is running the trains for your journey is offering. As has been mentioned above, they often offer 'deals' for their own services.

yorkie2

wallofbeans wrote: »

So I should just google to find out the specific times related to those terms for the journey I am making. It's crazy. They try very hard to make it as complicated as possible for anyone to figure out the best and cheapest way to travel.

What journey(s) are you making? I'm happy to look them up...

(Also any chance you can reply below quotes please? It makes it easier to follow. Thanks! )