Rail Ticket Costs

[bednobs]

i need to make a journey from newbury to exeter on 28th jan, returning on 29th jan, times are flexible, but i would like to go direct if possible 2 adults and 4 year old travelling. Looking on national rail website, the tickets are going to cost £65 each for the adults! Is there any way of getting them cheaper?

[Buenchico]

The only cheaper way to do it is to travel out on the very first train (0719 ex Newbury, arriving Exeter St David's 1015, with a change at Reading), which would cost £19 for each of the adults.

Then return on any of the following services for £32.50, making a total of £51.50 per adult. (The 4yo child travels free anyway):
1644 (arr 1833, direct)
1852 (arr 2028, direct)
1917 (arr 2205, change Reading)
2031 (arr 2219, direct)

That, of course, assumes that the adults aren't eligible for Senior Railcards (requiring them to be at least 60 years of age).

Alternatively, if it's likely that the adults with be travelling with the child (or, indeed, with up to 4 children and with up to 4 adults in the party) in the future, then it might be worth investigating getting a Family & Friends Railcard. (Note that, whereas TWO Senior Railcards would be required for both adults to get discounted fares, only ONE Family & Friends Railcard would be needed). To make the card valid, a ticket would need to be purchased for the child but the adults would only pay 66% of the normal fares and the child would only pay 40% of the child fare (= 20% of the adult fare). A Family & Friends Railcard costs £30 per year.

[Buenchico]

Hang on a moment though. I've just tried some fare splitting:

If you travel out on the 0859 (arr 1053) you can buy tickets from Newbury to Castle Cary for £12.50 and from Castle Cary to Exeter for £10.50, making £23.00 per adult outbound.

Returning at 1644 (arr 1833), again splitting the fares at Castle Cary, again gets you £10.50 + £12.50 = £23.00, giving a return adult fare of £46.00 (with the 4yo travelling free).

[bednobs]

thanks for looking - looks like its probably better value to drive then

[anneasquith]

What about bus bednobs ?

[bednobs]

nah i have a squiry 4 year old, who'll probably tramp up and down the bus bossing people around

[anneasquith]

Car it is then.

[Buenchico]

>>> What about bus

Even if there was a direct bus, I'd hesitate to travel 145 miles in one with a 4-year-old. Travel would actually have to be via Heathrow Airport anyway, totalling 5 hours 40 minutes for the journey, and costing at least £90 (for the three passengers) just for the outward journey.

So probably not a good idea!

[Buenchico]

Oops!

Crossed posts!

. . . but similar thoughts ;-)

[diddlydo]

Unless you're able to do some very clever ticketing, it's always cheaper for 2 adults to travel by car. Mad but true in my opinion.

[bednobs]

ridiculous!

[anneasquith]

Just think how comfortable you all will be in the car:-)

[ummmm]

It is ridiculous. I flew back from Ireland last month for £9.50.