do trainline train tickets have a fixed time?

cisko65

Need to book a train ticket from Stansted airport, and the Trainline prices are good. But can I only take the train I booked for? What happens if the flight is late and I can only take a later train? Thanks.

El_Torro

You usually have the option to buy a ticket for a specific time or a flexible ticket. Flexible tickets tend to be more expensive, though as you say the tickets for a specific time are only valid for that time. If you use them at another time you could be fined for not having a valid ticket.

cisko65

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095620#Comment_82095620

Thanks, I was hoping there was sthg I wasn't aware of. The "any off-pick" price is the same I wood pay to GreaterAnglia.

Emmia

Personally I'd book direct, I like the LNER app, which will sell you tickets on pretty much any route in the country. I think the Trainline adds a booking fee LNER and other company apps do not.

cisko65

Thanks, but LNER seems to ask the time you want the ticket for and it costs the same as greateranglia.

Emmia

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095685#Comment_82095685

Yes, they would - the point I was trying to make is that the Trainline isn't necessarily money saving. Use the app from an operating company... GWR, LNER, Greater Anglia etc..all a better choice.

I'd also give trainpal a hard swerve.

daveyjp

There may be loyalty discounts with some sites, but the ticket prices are the same regardless of which site you use. A train operating company site is always preferred as its simpler if things go wrong.

SiliconChip

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095685#Comment_82095685

That will be it's default ticketing position, I find that to get a ticket that's not for a specific time you have to first select times then once you've gone past those screens you can scroll down to find other types of ticket which will include, for example, off peak returns. They are likely to be more expensive than the cheapest single timed tickets but sometimes not by much and it can give you a lot more flexibility.

cisko65

Thanks everybody.

I think that for a Stanstead-Tottenham Hale ticket I will have to spend £19 if I buy it from nationalrailways/GA, and trainline too, as it charges the same price for an open ticket (+ booking).

Gosh, the train ticket will cost me a fifth of my flight!

sammyjammy

I just get a cheap single ticket and then buy a ticket when I am ready to come back. Worth the risk.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82095840#Comment_82095840

Strange how those fare boundaries always change just before the airports.

My favorite is the Edinburgh Tram journey from Ingliston to the Airport, just less than a mile, £7.50.

An all-day ticket for the rest of the line and all the buses is £6 (albeit that the thing is buggered at the moment).