MoneySavingExpert.com Cheap Train Tickets Article Discussion

dzug1

EASTLEIGH33 wrote: »

...Several people have said that ALL rail websites offer the same fares and same prices, THIS UNFORTUNATELY IS NOT THE CASE..

Same goes for Leeds....NXEC will only list ITS tickets, ie direct......other sites using the advanced option vis sheffield will quote east midlands trains via Sheffield at lower prices.
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1. It SHOULD be the case (the odd owner only discount apart). Sometimes it's a case of knowing how to look for them as they don't always show up on the first level search. The advanced search is one way as you say; 'other slower trains' is another with the advantage you don't need to specify a route. (Most sites default to the fastest route). I'd assert that all sites WILL have all fares IF you know how to induce them to show you them. I'd also admit that that ain't always easy.

2. It's easy enough to get NXEC to show the East Midlands trains - just click on 'show slower routes' and tick East Midlands trains. Granted you have to know to do it.

EASTLEIGH33

LOL..Oh the joys of living in say, Finland, where train fares are set against a table of distances..ie look up the distance and you can work out the fare!"....Admittedly usually higher than here tho!.......Or one I find funny, that despite working in the rail industry for years, that i can use PKP-the Polish railways website--IN POLISH!..AND NO! I hardly speak Polish! easier than some of the nonesense websites here!.....Joy!

traveller2

Please can anyone explain why I can buy a single Advance from Reading to Southampton airport pretty cheap, but it it impossible to get return leg of the journey unless I pay 3 times as much!?

There are no advance fares!!! I've been keeping an eye on the railwebsites fairly closely. I want to travel back on a Saturday late August. it's not Reading festival or anything as thats the week before.

If anyone knows of a split ticket route that would be good. I've looked but no luck

Thanks

dzug1

traveller2 wrote: »

Please can anyone explain why I can buy a single Advance from Reading to Southampton airport pretty cheap, but it it impossible to get return leg of the journey unless I pay 3 times as much!?

There are no advance fares!!! I've been keeping an eye on the railwebsites fairly closely. I want to travel back on a Saturday late August. it's not Reading festival or anything as thats the week before.

If anyone knows of a split ticket route that would be good. I've looked but no luck

Thanks

That's because Saturday and Sunday cheap fares (on Cross Country) have not been released yet beyond mid-August.

As to split ticketing - Eastleigh Winchester and Basingstoke are the intermediate stops. I doubt if they will help though.

EASTLEIGH33

Yes unfortunately you are right...my guess engineering work going on and timetables not yet finalised by Notwork Rail---keep checking mate, they should get released eventually!

sandbyte

Southern offer this DaySave £10 off peak ticket for travel within its area, but it is only available online and must be booked 7 -14 days before the travel date. Order a Group ticket and up to 4 adults can travel on the £20 ticket, plus up to 4 children per adult for £1 each. We use it for day trips to London from the south coast.

http://www.southernrailway.com/buytickets/daysave/DaySave.php?sEvent=TicketDetails

• Southern DaySave costs just £10 per adult, or in a group (valid for up to four passengers who must travel together) DaySave costs just £20
• Accompanied children travel for only £1 each (maximum 4 children per paying adult or group ticket)
• Southern DaySave is only available online and must be purchased a minimum of 7 days before travel
• During seasonal holiday periods, tickets may have to be purchased a minimum of 14 days before travel
• If booking from outside of the UK tickets must be purchased a minimum of 14 days before travel
• Southern DaySave offers you unlimited off-peak travel on Southern services on the day validity, subject to the following restrictions.
• DaySave can be used as follows:
  - Anytime on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays
  - Not before 10:00 Monday to Friday
  - Not between 16:45 and 19:15 Monday to Friday from London stations (Victoria, London Bridge and Clapham Junction)
  - Not valid from London Waterloo or north of London Bridge
• Group tickets are valid for up to four people (adults or children) who must travel together at all times.
• Tickets cannot be exchanged or refunded

Missus_LDP

Hi Everyone,

I seem to be having trouble getting a saving from splitting the tickets for the above journey and wondered if anyone could help? I posted this message in the split ticketing thread, but to take the belt and braces approach -

I need to arrive in Blackburn before 11:00h on Monday 14th July. I'll be looking to return the same afternoon, proboably around 16:00h

At the moment the only tickets I seem to find include Virgin Trains' service from London Euston to Manchester and the prices are really high, it's looking like around £200 for the return journey!!

Any help from MSE'ers would be much appreciated!!

dzug1

You might save a bit by split ticketing - Gatwick/London zone 1; Euston - Manchester and Manchester - Blackburn. It won't be a lot - you are looking at £120 ish for London - Manchester for example on Virgin's site then (I'm guessing - you can look them up) £20 return for each of the local journeys.

The short notice and (to a lesser extent) the peak hour outward travel do make things expensive unfortunately.

(You do need to use Virgin's site to get a 'half-saver' for the return leg)

Missus_LDP

Thanks dzug1, I have actually decided to drive up. I know it's not environmentally friendly but driving 600 miles in my economical little diesel works out cheaper than taking the train, even including an overnight stay in a local Travelodge (I don't fancy doing all 600 miles in one day!)

an2003dy

It's all so confusing!!! I'm looking at travelling from Brough (East Yorks) to Worthing (West Sussex). I'm looking for the cheapest fares possible. Will it be cheaper to get a single to London Kings Cross,then a single from London to Worthing? Can you book a return journey,single for the way back at the same time??? Help!!!