Cheap Train Tickets

[TonyGribben]

Hi, does anybody know a good web site for booking cheap train tickets approx. a month in advance. Thanks.

[dzug2]

You can't go wrong by booking on the website of the company that runs the trains on which your journey is.

All websites should show the same fares if you ask the question right (OK that sometimes is not easy) and some companies offer a discount on some fares on their own trains.

What's the journey? you might get some tips and tailored advice

[TonyGribben]

Hi dzug2, thanks for your prompt reply. I am asking for an elderly neighbour of mine who is travelling from Manchester Piccadilly to Birmingham international on the last weekend in November using a senior railcard.

[Yorky Lass]

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/

[mushroom25]

will depend on day, and time of day, but with a senior card, the journey can be done for as little as £18.00 (for 2 singles).

[Buenchico]

Never even consider booking on the websites of independent companies, such as Trainline.com. They haven't got access to any fares which aren't available elsewhere and are likely to add on a booking fee (making them more expensive than booking directly with train operators). Further, I used to run a railway station and I got fed up of having to explain to customers that their tickets, issued by such firms, won't valid for travel. (For example, I seen tickets issued based upon a fare only offered by Company A on a train operated by Company B and with seat reservations on a service that didn't even offer them!).

Start here:
http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
ALL available (direct) fares are shown on that website. When you find one to suit you, you can click through to the train operator's website to make your booking.

However you can occasionally make savings by 'ticket splitting' (e.g. instead of booking from A to C, book from A to B and then from B to C). This site claims to help you look for such option but I've not tried it:
http://www.splityourticket.co.uk/

Lastly, as Dzug2 says, there are quite a few people on this site who are good at finding the best bargains (Dzug2, Mushroom25 and myself among them) so you could try telling us about your intended travel plans.

[ladyalex]

I find redspottedhanky.com a very good site for cheap fares.

[boxtops]

I use the National Rail site too - you can pay online, then go and pick up your tickets from the station using the code they give you.

[Buenchico]

I've been typing slowly, Tony, (while eating a meal!) so I didn't see your post about your neighbour's travel plans.

Could you be more precise, please? Do you, for instance, mean out on Saturday morning and back on Sunday evening, or is it perhaps just a day trip?

[bednobs]

sorry to bung in but i need to get from midgham to bristol temple meads on 30th october 2013, no railcard. Need to be there by about 1:30 but could be a little later, or little/lot earlier and leaving about 4:30, or could hang around. Would one of the wonderful people tell me my cheapest fare?

[bednobs]

meant to add, return too please. Could possibly get a bus to reading if that was cheaper, or car to a nearer station of there was parking

[boxtops]

Bednobs, as you can be so specific, go to the national rail site given and enter your details - the cheapest option will show in the right hand column.

[bednobs]

well i know i was sort of being lazy - i did look but it was so expensive i couldn't believe i was doing it right!

[boxtops]

If I'm doing it right, and using the Cheapest Option tab, it's £17.80 return http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/cheapestFare/MDG/BRI/231013/1200-1300/arr/231013/1600-1800/dep

[boxtops]

^ no it's not, it's cheaper to buy 2 singles, £17.80 each way, sorry (£35.60 in all)

[ladyalex]

redspottedhanky is giving the same results as you, boxtops

[bednobs]

thanks, i need to go on 30th though

[bednobs]

also, does anyone else think that's shockingly expensive?

[Buenchico]

Bednobs:
The normal return fare is £42.50.

Outward travel at 1024 gets to to Bristol at 1215 for £16.10, with 1 change.

Going back at 1630 (or 1641 with 2 changes) costs £17.80 but there's a £16.10 fare available at 1800, 1830 or1841 (2 changes). If you can wait until 1930 there's a £13.90 fare available. For an even cheaper return fare you'd have to wait until 2030 or 2235, paying just £11.10 but having to endure a replacement bus service.

[ladyalex]

redspotted hanky are also offering a Standard return for £27 but you have to leave Midgham at 7:09

[boxtops]

OK, here's the 30th, it actually saves you some money but there is only one train each way http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/cheapestFare/MDG/BRI/301013/1200-1300/arr/301013/1600-1800/dep

No I don't think it's expensive at all, not for a nearly 2-hour journey. It costs us over 50 quid to get up to London which is the same duration.

Is this for your interview? - aren't they offering you interview travel expenses....?