Should I buy train tickets in advance?

dllive

Hi

Im planning on travelling from Exeter to Beaconsfield on 29th April (friday) and coming back 1 May (sunday). What the most economical way of doing this? Should I book in advance? Should I travel off-peak? (when is off-peak?). Look like Ill need to go form Exeter to Bakeloo, then Chiltern Line to Beaconsifeld. Do I have to get each ticket seperately or can I get an 'Exeter to Beaconsfeld' ticket?

Thanks

MSE_James

Yes you can buy a through ticket, but it's possible that it would be cheaper to break the journey down into components. 

Do you have (or are you eligible for) any railcard(s)? 

A Network Railcard is available to anyone regardless of age and would give you a third off the walk-up fare for your journey, provided you stuck to the slower South Western Railway route from Exeter to Waterloo, rather than GWR to Paddington.

However, depending on your exact circumstances, Advance tickets could be cheaper (these are not discounted on the Network Railcard, but are on other types of railcard). 

dllive

Hi @MSE_James, apologies for my tardy reply.

I dont have any railcard. Ive just looked on the https://www.railcard.co.uk and it seems railcards are good if you travel regularly (which I dont). I envisage Ill only make 1 journey by rail this year. Based on this, is there a railcard that would suit my purpose?

Im just looking on https://www.southwesternrailway.com/ and it seems - oddly - that the fast Padidngton train is £5 cheaper than the slower Waterloo train.

It looks like the through ticket is about £15 more than if I broke it down into components. 

Looking at this page: https://www.southwesternrailway.com/train-tickets/ticket-types/advance-tickets it seems Advanced tickets arent available for my route yet (?)

I do think getting an off-peak ticket is good as its cheaper and gives me flexibility. I suppose getting an Open ticket will be a lot more.

Sorry for all the questions!

MSE_James

If you want flexible tickets not tied to a particular train, then a Super Off Peak Return at £106.90 (valid via Paddington) might be an appropriate ticket, depending how early you want to leave Exeter on the Friday.

As it's a bank holiday weekend when things are likely to be busy, there may not be as many cheaper Advance tickets available as there might be on a 'normal' weekend.

dllive

Lovely - thanks James!

katejo

MSE_James said:

Yes you can buy a through ticket, but it's possible that it would be cheaper to break the journey down into components. 

Do you have (or are you eligible for) any railcard(s)? 

A Network Railcard is available to anyone regardless of age and would give you a third off the walk-up fare for your journey, provided you stuck to the slower South Western Railway route from Exeter to Waterloo, rather than GWR to Paddington.

However, depending on your exact circumstances, Advance tickets could be cheaper (these are not discounted on the Network Railcard, but are on other types of railcard). 

I had a network railcard for 1 year and it was a waste of money. It wasn't helped by reduced travel opportunities during lockdown but it was ineffective when I tried to use it. Here is 1 example: I did a day return journey on a route where actual return tickets are not available so I had to buy 2 singles (total value £26). I got no discount with the network card despite spending over £13. I queried it and was told that it was because I had paid for 2 single journeys not a return! I am never going to buy a Network card again. 

dllive

Are tickets from https://www.southwesternrailway.com/ more than https://www.thetrainline.com/ ? Ive just done exactly the same journey and trainline is showing Exeter > Beconsfield at £99 whereas southwesternrailway.com is showing as £106.90!

daveyjp

Be careful when comparing prices across platforms as they may not be direct comparisons in terms of ticket types, journey etc.

There will be a reason for the difference and you need to satisfy yourself why.  Have Trainline automatically split your ticket without you being aware?

dllive

Hmm, Im not sure. What does that mean 'split the ticket'?

martindow

I think £106.50 is the fare  using GWR to Paddington.  If you put in via Basingstoke it forces the planner to give you SWR trains and a fare of £99.

Regarding railcards, if you are eligible for one you will get a third off the fare.  The saving is slightly more than the cost of the card and you may decide do another journey in the year.

MSE_James

The other thing to keep in mind is that Trainline charges a booking fee (unless you are buying on the day of travel) whereas train operating companies' own websites do not charge such fees.  

There are a few caveats for special offers, but in principle the fare should be the same whichever website you use.