Pre-booking Train Tickets.

[NoMercy]

I'm thinking of buying train tickets online in advance from now on, as they seem to be much cheaper.

What is the procedure when booking in advance? Does one still have to go to the ticket office upon arrival at the departure station? Would I need to specify my departure time in advance?

I usually just go to the station and purchase my ticket ten minutes before the train departs.

Thanks.

[Buenchico]

Give me the dates, NoMercy, and I'll try to work out your best option.

Chris

[NoMercy]

The two possibilities are:

1. Hereford to Fareham (return) Tuesday 2nd Nov. Returning Friday 5th Nov. I think the last train for connection via newport is 18.47.

2. Hereford to Fareham Tuesday 2nd Nov. (single). Returning Reading to Hereford Saturday 6th (earliest possible train in the morning).

Thanks for all your help. x

[Buenchico]

Ooh, that's rather short notice. (The best advance deals are usually available about 6 weeks prior to travel). Travel on Fridays is also the hardest day to find any good reductions.

Your first way of doing it doesn't offer any good discounted fares unless you're prepared to travel back the long way round (Fareham > Basingstoke > Reading > Newport > Hereford) departing at 2124 and arriving back in Hereford at 0146. That part of your journey would then only cost you £14.00. You could combine that with outward travel for £19.00 (available on the 0945 service, changing at Newport, arriving at 1327) or £25.00 (available on the 1138 and 1238 service, changing at Newport, arriving at 1527 or 1627), giving a total return fare of either £33.00 or £39.00.

Using your second option, you've still got the £19 or £25 outbound services, as above. Regrettably, there are no discounted tickets available on the return service from Reading to Hereford on the Saturday morning. You'd have to pay £30 for an off-peak single. There are early morning services, via Newport, at 0554, 0654 and 0753 but it might be better to have a more leisurely breakfast and catch the 0854 train, as it runs direct to Hereford (arriving at 1142).

Chris

[NoMercy]

Thanks Chris - I guessed that would be the case.

I guess I will just have to stick to the Hereford to Fareham offpeak Return at £55.90. Bob and I can't plan too far in advance due to uncertain work commitments. Thanks for all your help. x

[jno]

this might be useful, though I've never tried it myself

http://www.bestvaluefares.co.uk/

[dzug2]

If you buy a flexible off peak return you can start your return journey at Reading, no problem

Main query is is it cheaper than the two singles?