Advance train tickets - just how far in advance do you have to be?

sandieuk

I need to travel from Preston to London in the morning and back in the evening on 19th March. I checked the Virgin and National Rail websites on Boxing Day - exactly 12 weeks in advance, when the tickets become available. There wasn't a *single* cheaper advance fare to be had, just the normal Saver Returns. I put it down to the website not being updated because of the holidays and tried again today, but with the same result. I can't believe I'm going to have to pay full-price for a random midweek day when I'm booking so far in advance! I'd be genuinely surprised if they've sold out of every cheap single ticket for every train on that day by 8am, twelve weeks in advance...

So, any tips? Are they likely to have sold out and I'm going to have to shell out? Is the Manchester to London offer likely to be extended till then, and I should change there instead? Will the advance tickets go on sale later, and I should hold out? "Breaking" the journey into two bits doesn't seem to help, as there are so few stops.

All help gratefully received!

dzug

No they haven't sold out.

Tickets becoming available 'twelve weeks in advance' is a myth. It's the absolute earliest they go on sale - a lot of the time it's later, as you are finding out.

Tip - just be patient, don't panic. They will become available, but it could be well into the new year. You are not going to miss out by being a few hours, or even a few days, late.

Virgin West Coast are not booking beyond 2 March for weekdays yet

ticketcollector

If you look at the following link. This links to ATOCs booking horizons dates which is basicly what the Train Companies have open for booking.

Advance purchase tickets tend to go on sale around 12weeks before travel. some special event days (wembley, rugby union, football, concerts etc) may be specifically excluded.
They also can exclude some weekends when they know there is planned works.

http://www.atoctravelagents.org/clientfiles/File/TOC_BOOKING_HORIZONS_21_Dec_07.htm

moonrakerz

dzug wrote: »

Tickets becoming available 'twelve weeks in advance' is a myth. It's the absolute earliest they go on sale - a lot of the time it's later, as you are finding out.

Have to agree there ! I start looking at 12 weeks then re-visit every few days until the tickets I am after finally appear.

coral

I agree with dzug - no need to panic i've often picked up cheap tickets a few weeks or even days in advance, just check back every so often.

However at the times you are looking you are unlikely to get a cheap ticket to be honest - possibly on a late train from London in the evening.

Can you get a young persons railcard? Savers don't have time restrictions so it would be £43.85 return otherwise it will be an eye-watering £178 to get into London before 11.30!

Another option would be the overnight coach from Preston - £21.50, gets in rather early but its ok, I did it the other day.

derrick

coral wrote: »

Another option would be the overnight coach from Preston - £21.50, gets in rather early but its ok, I did it the other day.

Cheapest it comes up for me is £22.50,(without ins), and it has been that price for the last few weeks as I have been trying every few days to see if it would reduce, however after talking to N E on the phone yesterday, it won't come down but will increase if booked within 7 days of departure, and again if booked on day of departure.
I need to do it at the end of January.

Cheapest train fare was £65.70, that was up from £43.50 at the 12 week stage.