Trains timetabled but no fares?

Shelldean

I've been trying for a few days to book return  tickets for my husband and I, to no avail.
 The journey is for the end of October, so less than 12 weeks away. So I'd usually be able to book.


I keep getting the train times but no fares available.
Have tried multiple operators all saying the same?

Below is the message from trainsplit

We're sorry.

Sorry - although there are trains timetabled to run, they are all either sold out or are not yet open for booking.

Any ideas or help please?

Shelldean

Just for information I'm trying to book London terminals to Blackpool North.
Going late afternoon Wed 26 Oct or the morning Thurs 27 Oct.
And returning after 10am on Sun 30 Oct.


BUT I can book for same dates London to Edinburgh???

KeithP

Yes, the company that (is supposed to) run the trains up and down the West Coast Mainline have totally alienated their staff and are now struggling to run many trains at all. It looks like they need their staff to volunteer for significant overtime in order to run a decent service and having lost the goodwill of their employees, they are struggling.

daveyjp

It appears to be an Avanti trains issue as fares are available if you book via Leeds using LNER and Northern.

Shelldean

daveyjp said:

It appears to be an Avanti trains issue as fares are available if you book via Leeds using LNER and Northern.

Will that be more expensive going via Leeds do you know?

Haven't booked accommodation yet as we just want a cheap break.
So if it's going to cost an arm and a leg will just find somewhere else!!!

Shelldean

daveyjp said:

It appears to be an Avanti trains issue as fares are available if you book via Leeds using LNER and Northern.

Thanks for this tip. Can now at least find fares.

Seems to be lots of warning for transpennine trains. And it mentions lots of short notice cancellations

daveyjp

Shelldean said:

daveyjp said:

It appears to be an Avanti trains issue as fares are available if you book via Leeds using LNER and Northern.

Will that be more expensive going via Leeds do you know?

Haven't booked accommodation yet as we just want a cheap break.
So if it's going to cost an arm and a leg will just find somewhere else!!!

You'll need to do the usual checks for fares using Trainsplit or similar once you decide your route.

It will take about 5 hours as the direct Leeds to Blackpool takes a scenic, but slow route along the Calder Valley.

Shelldean

Spoke to soon am getting g the no tickets available on the LNER site!

Can find prices on national rail but when the transfer me to the train operators site, it suddenly becomes unavailable.

Although it appears I can book via split ticket.

If I do book via split ticket will it be ok to get a refund if trains are cancelled etc??

I don't usually book through a third party site?

outtatune

Check on https://www.railforums.co.uk/ as they have routing experts there but if you get a regular return ticket from London to Blackpool N (as opposed to an advance ticket where you have to use a specific service) it should be valid a variety of routes, including Marylebone > Banbury > Birmingham > Warrington/Manchester, St Pancras > Sheffield/Leeds > Manchester.

Shelldean

outtatune said:

Check on https://www.railforums.co.uk/ as they have routing experts there but if you get a regular return ticket from London to Blackpool N (as opposed to an advance ticket where you have to use a specific service) it should be valid a variety of routes, including Marylebone > Banbury > Birmingham > Warrington/Manchester, St Pancras > Sheffield/Leeds > Manchester.

Thanks I'll have a look.

But wouldn't a regular ticket rather than advance be more expensive?