London to Cambridge by train!

Thomask

Hi

I'm new to the world of MSE with trains!

I need to book a one way trip from London to Cambridge for my mother on 5 Dec. She needs to be there around 3pm. She doesn't have any discount cards nor is she eligable to recieve 'senior citizens' fares if they exist.

The cheapest I've found is 13 pounds via a company called One Railway. Is this an actual train operator or booking website or what? I've tried booking online but I get errors saying I'm not able to book and something about becoming a member. Their 2 pound credit card surcharge is pretty harsh too! Would they charge this if I used a debit card? Also, would they accept an international credit card (mother is from NZ) ?

Can anyone find fares lower than 13 pounds? How about discount codes for One Railway - do these exist?

Thank you so much!

davey4444

'One' run from Cambridge to Liverpool St on this route and I don't believe they have too many discounts. I'd look on https://www.thetrainline.com as this will give you more routes too as I think you can also go to King's Cross with another company.

dzug

Both the London to Cambridge lines are suburban routes and don't in general do discounts other than for off-peak return travel.

There is no reason other than convenience to book in advance - you save nothing, there are no reserved seats, and you risk a cancellation charge if your plans change.

She just needs to buy the ticket at the station before travelling, either from a machine or (possibly less confusing) at the ticket office.

alanrowell

The train from Liverpool Street is cheaper - and slower - than the one from Kings Cross

melancholly

with national express there are still one way tickets for £5 that arrive in cambridge at 3pm - takes longer but is probably the cheapest way of doing it.

Voyager2002

Just to confirm: One Railway is a genuine Train Operating Company. You can buy their fares on the websites of other companies (eg VirginTrains) to avoid the credit card surcharge. And some of these sites do accept international credit cards, but only if you first register giving a UK address.

needmore75

£13 is as low as it goes.. Unless you buy a Network Rail card. EXCELLENT value.. Your ticket would be around £9, maybe £8.
Network Rail cards are £20 per year and save you a 1/3 off the fares in off peak. Save you a bucket if you travel regularly within England. Honestly worth it if you Mum even makes 4 trips a year. One thing is though that you need to have a photo card - so she'll need a passport photo.You can pick up a form anywhere. I'm sure there would be something on MSE about it..
Sarah

Thomask

Thanks everyone. Ended up booking her a NE Funfare - 5 quid plus a further 1 quid for insurance. People say the coaches are quite nice (National Express Coaches that is).

Can she get a Rail Card if she lives in New Zealand? She has a UK address she could have things sent to if necessary.

dzug

Yes she can get a railcard - buy at any staffed station here on the first day of use, doesn't need to be sent anywhere.

Note that the network railcard does not cover the whole of England - only (very generously interpreted) London suburban services

needmore75

http://www.railcard.co.uk/network

Yes, Network Rail Card covers South East England. I obviously don't get away a lot!
It is good for us lot!
:cool:

solloway

FORGET about The Trainline!

For cheap tickets between London Liverpool Street and Cambridge go to:

http://www.mobitix.thetrainline.com/one/advancepurchase.aspx

Tickets are SIX pounds each way - cheaper than the 4 pound bargain fares on National Express coaches.

Mobitix can be printed (pdf) or sent to your phone.

These prices are not advertised clearly on the National Express Train website, you must click on the 'digitix' link to get them.