Train help plz

comalley2015

Hi,


I am travelling by train between Birmingham International and Horsham (via London) on Friday 3rd August. Does anyone have an idea of the cheapest way to do this (should I purchase a one-day travelcard, split tickets etc)? I will need to be at Horsham before 9am and leave Horsham around 3:45pm.


Thanks,




Christian

agrinnall

The good news is that tickets for that date aren't available yet, so you have a week or two to get answers to your question. You may need to keep an eye on the release date to be ready to buy as soon as they are available in case the best option has limited numbers.

jbuchanangb

The response from agrinnall assumes that advance purchase tickets would help you with this journey but your timings and route are such that they probably won't. The best journey I can see to get you from Birmingham International to Horsham by 9am is 5.40 from Birmingham, change at Watford Junction and Clapham Junction, arrive Horsham 8.27. You can return departing Horsham 15.50 change at Clapham Junction and Watford Junction and arrive Birmingham International 18.33.

new.trainsplit.com comes up with a fare for this journey of £95.23 using Friday 13 July as the date of travel. It does involve 6 individual single tickets. Because they are all flexible tickets, there's no advantage in booking weeks in advance.

I just noticed that you stated in your original request that you want to travel via London, whereas the optimal route avoids central London, by using the service from Watford to Clapham. It takes longer to go that via London. In your case taking the 05.40 from Birmingham will only get you to Horsham at 8.57, and to get back to Birmingham at 18.33 you would have to leave Horsham at 15.25. The next later journey back is an hour later. On the other hand advance tickets for specific trains would be available. Trainsplit offers an option at £72.20 on 13 July.

You will have to balance the longer journey times for travelling via London against the possibility of lower fares which have limitations to specific trains.