Cheap Trains- When do i book?

alexani

I am looking to book a return journey from Scotland to Manchester Airport at the start of July. There are train times and prices available on the Train Line right now. Question I have is, it says that the advance tickets which are released 12 weeks out are the cheapest but am I gambling on either not getting the seats as they may be limited availability or the price difference may not be that different from taking the price offered right now?

bagand96

The price offered now is a standard price so won't change whether you book them today, in May, or turn up on the day. You have nothing to lose by waiting.

This site tells you how far forward Advance tickets are on sale by train operator so is worth checking regularly http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/44703.aspx

You can sign up for an Advance ticket reminder on the trainline.com You put in your route and dates and they'll email you the day the Advance fares go on sale. http://www.thetrainline.com/ticketalert/

Pay_me

Just to say check the train operator website direct as sometimes certain tickets and different pricing structure can be in use

As an example:

I booked return tickets today to London in April

Thetrainline.com prices were either 2 x singles at £31 and £36 or an off-peak return at £82.40

The exact same journey on the same train and times booked through the Virgin trains website cost £20 return 2 x £10 singles and no booking fee.

I have also booked tickets to York on Trans Pennine services again cheaper through the train company direct.

Just thought I put that out there

mgdavid

Scotland isn't foreign yet, and this is the overseas travel board. You'll get better answers in the UK travel section.

daveyjp

Easy enough to compare prices, just pick a date 10-11 weeks from now and see how much you would need to pay.

Depending where you are in Scotland, there are potentially plenty of routes from Scotland to Manchester Airport, both East and West coast lines. East Coast via Newcastle, York, or Leeds, so you may need to do a few searches to find the cheapest price.

AlexMac

and book direct with the rail operator; Trainline charge a fee; operators often don't. I also saved 30% or so the other day by booking direct as Trainline didn't show that particular operator's group discount for booking 3 people travelling together!