Cheap rail tickets

[KARL]

When the rail fare increases were in the news these lat days there was one person on air saying travel between London and Edinburgh could be had for as little as twelve pounds - it was not clear whether this was one way only and, even perhaps, the opposite direction would be cheapest at ten times that (or an even greater multiplier, Ryanair style). Can anyone tell me how one gets such cheap fares and what the catch is - there must be one in terms of conditions, etc.

[squarebear]

Yes and you have to catch a certain train at a certain time. We do it all the time and get some right bargains.

[dzug]

The only catch is that you must book in advance (between approx 12 weeks and the day before**) and can only travel on the trains booked. No refunds, but changes are possible (for a fee, plus any extra fare for the new train). They are available in both directions, mainly on midweek off peak trains (0345 on a Wednesday is a bit of an exaggeration though....)

** though you'd be very lucky if these fares hadn't sold out long before then

[Bigfellah]

Another point is that if using www.thetrainline.com they have now started charging a booking fee of £1 - not a lot but a bit cheeky as it has only recently been introduced without any warning.

So for better value look at www.eastcoast.co.uk and you will get a 10% on line discount. I have bought tickets for £12 one way before now. But one has to be very lucky to get that price.

Also another tip if booking a return, and the return portion is a lot more expensive, try booking just the outward journey and check the prices over the next few days for the return journey - invariably the prices drop. This has been my experience when buying tickets from London to Edinburgh for my student daughter.

Good luck.