Any tips for cheap train tickets?

[swee'pea99]

My eldest has just been asked to come up to Sheffield for interview in 9 days time. Anyone have any tips on getting the cheapest possible deal on train tickets, given the lack of time? Thanks.

 

[classic33]

My eldest has just been asked to come up to Sheffield for interview in 9 days time. Anyone have any tips on getting the cheapest possible deal on train tickets, given the lack of time? Thanks.

From where?

 

[swee'pea99]

Sorry, should've said - London.

 

[Saluki]

The Train Line is probably your best bet. A quick call to your local ticket office might be good too. They do deals at the ticket office but you have to ask, they tend not to offer.

 

[classic33]

Like this?

 

[nickyboy]

Given you're not booking months in advance, key is flexibility on time of travel. Often being willing to hang around for an hour or two going or coming allows you to get a much cheaper off peak or advance ticket.

Frankly all the train booking websites access the same database so thetrainline, virgin etc etc all give same pricing. At least that seems to be the case every time I book Manchester - London. I save money by shifting stuff around so I can get the first off peak return which saves a lot. Same on the outbound

 

[KneesUp]

I'm in Sheffield. My friend who travels to London at her own expense informs me that the coach can be ridiculously cheap.

 

[nickyboy]

I'm in Sheffield. My friend who travels to London at her own expense informs me that the coach can be ridiculously cheap.

Why didn't I think of that. I train it only because I need to get there, do a load of stuff and get back. Coach is too slow for me. But if it's a student who is only going up for an interview it sounds ideal....unless the interview timing rules out a coach from London

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

Can get as low as £17 for the outward bound journey of they are on the 5:45am train.
You don't mention is am or pm interview.

Coach is either £5 or £12 each way depending on if you take the 2hrs 15 mins journey (£12 single) or the 3hr 30 min journey. That's with no discounts or cards applied. Using www.Megabus.com

 

[Joshua Plumtree]

I'm in Sheffield. My friend who travels to London at her own expense informs me that the coach can be ridiculously cheap.

.

My lad came back from Sheffield Uni for the week-end. To Norfolk via London!!! cost him ten pounds.

 

[brand]

Why didn't I think of that. I train it only because I need to get there, do a load of stuff and get back. Coach is too slow for me. But if it's a student who is only going up for an interview it sounds ideal....unless the interview timing rules out a coach from London

Coach is not slow it is this ridiculous hub and spoke methods used by coach companies. I would use them if my journey didn't involve a stopover which doubles the journey time. Coming from London to Sheffield there might be no stop over. So definitely worth a look. PS I don't find national express significantly cheaper than the train but I have got a disability card and there is no peak time Grimsby to Manchester. When they do an old fart (55 plus) month I have travelled to Manchester and back for £12.
Maybe worth buying a student card?

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks all. Lots of good suggestions there. I did consider the coach, but she has to be actually walking in the door just after 11, so I thought a coach would probably mean getting up at the crack, and she's working late shifts at the moment, which means she won't actually get back the evening before till gone 11, so...

Anyway, like I say, many thanks. I shall get on with me homework now...

 

[Cycleops]

+1 for The Train Line. Last year I got a first class ticket (one way) from London to Sheffield for £16! That was with my over 55 card.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Jump the turnstile and run like ****!

 

[swee'pea99]

Thanks again. Thetrainline came up trumps - £44 all in...pretty damn reasonable I thought. Especially if you consider "You saved £136.60 with thetrainline compared to buying your ticket at the station on the day of departure." Eye-watering or what?