Cheap Trains

[Scruffmonster]

Hey,

This may be the wrong place but I figure Commuters know trains... Or at least how expensive they are.

I'm looking for some collective knowledge on train fares. Looking to expand my weekend rides a little to stop doing the same roads over and over. Decided to ride to the coast. Ride there, train back into town. Settled on Hastings as it only costs £3.30 to get back. This, to me, is insane.

So I got to thinking, there must be a treasure trove of cheap tickets like this, and asking people is a lot easier than entering stations one at a time and hoping for the best.

So, if anyone knows of cheap London to Anywhere (or the reverse journey) that's good to cycle to, or around, let me know.

Cheers,

Lee

 

[cloggsy]

If you have an iPhone, there's a new App (poss Android too?) available called 'Tickety Split' which may help you find cheaper fares?

As I'm Ooooop Norffff I couldn't possibly comment further

 

[Scruffmonster]

Thats only for walk on fares, but thanks. It's a brilliant app. Kind of shows how immoral train companies are.

(Only used online at the minute)

 

[Tim Hall]

I don't think it's immorality as such, just a whole mish mash of different companies trying to interact.

Anyway, my top tips for cheap fares are:
Get a network rail card (don't think this works all over the country, but should be ideal for you). Walk on fares at weekends are then, umm, 30% or is it more, cheaper.

Try and book ahead. Use the National Rail enquiries website and look for "Advanced" fares. Example: Walk on from Three Bridges to Victoria is about £11.20. Advanced fare is £5.00. However you will be tied to a specific train.

To save even more, book it on line. That £5.00 advanced fare booked online through Southern is now £3.60. You don't need a Network card to get the Advanced fare.

Look out for special offers. Last year Southern had a sale which meant I could get the same Advanced fare to Victoria for 45p. That's nine shillings. Last weekend London Midland had a sale so a single from Euston to Northampton was three quid. Again that was an Advanced Fare.

Split your journey. I got a ticket from Three Bridges to Lodon Bridge for £5.60 return, rode to Euston, then a single from Euston. A through ticket was a lot more.

 

[Scruffmonster]

I think you're being rather kind. There is zero transparency in the railway industry.

It's this kind of thing that gets me (Below).... The website scrapes the operators and finds a £16 fare from London to The Lake District, but will not show you it. It makes you jump through hoops changing dates and times and you have to chance upon this magical combination to find what you need.

They go 99% of the way to being helpful. Also bear in mind that their 'Cheap fare finder' is an extra button. It's not part of their main fare finder. What's up with that?!?!?

The first person to make a SkyScanner type effort for rail fares will make a killing.

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

Settled on Hastings as it only costs £3.30 to get back.

Is this Hastings to London and did you walk on and pay or book in advance? My in-laws live in Rye and we quite often change at Hastings and the cheapest ticket that I can get in advance and using my Network Gold Card is about £18 return or £30+ on the day without said card and it all mounts up when there's two of us travelling.

I might visit them a bit more if it didn't cost so much to get there.

 

[Scruffmonster]

Is this Hastings to London and did you walk on and pay or book in advance? My in-laws live in Rye and we quite often change at Hastings and the cheapest ticket that I can get in advance and using my Network Gold Card is about £18 return or £30+ on the day without said card and it all mounts up when there's two of us travelling.

I might visit them a bit more if it didn't cost so much to get there.

Hastings to London, booked 7 days in advance. National Rail Enquiries shows £5 cheapest fare, but when you click through it comes out at £3.30.

I would note that it's travelling with Southern, not South Eastern. Journey time is 2 hours Vs 1 hour but that bothers me little. 60 miles in my legs, food and beer on the train, cheeky kip. Easily worth the £22 saving.

 

[StuartG]

London to Birmingham 50p return or 25p each way. Free WiFi, nice trains. Only until May 26th
http://chilterntrains.co.uk/eveningstandard50

I don't think you will find a better bargain. There is some fine cycling south of Brum