Trains

[Cuchilo]

I think the last time i was on a train was about 20 years ago but thought it may be a cheaper way to get to york and back than driving myself . £106 return isnt cheaper .
As i may be doing regular journeys i wondered if there was a cheaper alternative to cover that journey ? Maybe a season ticket or something along those lines ?

 

[ianrauk]

Season tickets are weekly, monthly and yearly.
You can calculate the cost of a season ticket here

 

[Cuchilo]

Thats silly money ! No wonder everyone drives everywhere in this country !

 

[ianrauk]

It sure is

This weekend I am moving to deepest darkest Kent (Maidstone). For a half hour journey by train I will have to take I will have to pay £318 a month.

 

[spen666]

book in advance?
You can book 12 weeks in advance normally and get far cheaper tickets than £106 return

Alternatively try Grand Central if going London to York

 

[vickster]

Coach?

£106 return might be more expensive than the cost of fuel, but it's a less stressful way to travel and likely quicker than driving. Depends what your time and sanity is worth

As above, buy in advance, travel off peak, sign up to the train company's mailshots for offers

Shop around, sometimes the Trainline might be cheaper than the train company's own website, sometimes not

 

[Threevok]

book in advance?
You can book 12 weeks in advance normally and get far cheaper tickets than £106 return

Indeed. I can get a return journey from Cardiff to Lockerbie for £70 and sometimes less

Advance booking is no good for daily journeys though

You may want to look into split tickets, which sometimes works

One of the guys here at the office just bought a student season ticket for his daughter, who started at Cardiff High. In excess of £1000 !!!!

 

[Markymark]

Book in advance if you can. Got a return to NotLondon 1st class for £70

 

[snorri]

I like this website to plan a journey, but it is more expensive for buying tickets than the TOC (Train operating Company) websites. http://tickets.redspottedhanky.com/rsh/en/JourneyPlanning/FaresView
I see they are offering a single York to Kings Cross for £29. Big savings can be made if you can be flexible with travel times. Check single and return fares, 2 singles can be cheaper than a return. Sometimes by breaking your journey mid way you can save on the single end to end ticket.
Only rich people will accept the first rail ticket price offered, but seeking out the cheapest fare can be quite challenging.

 

[mark st1]

It sure is

This weekend I am moving to deepest darkest Kent (Maidstone). For a half hour journey by train I will have to take I will have to pay £318 a month.

And riding a silly boys bike to compound the misery

 

[NickNick]

If you know fairly ahead of time what days you will be travelling, as others have mentioned advance tickets can slash the cost (I can get from Birmingham to London for £5.50 - £12 with Chiltern as opposed to £30 for a standard off peak).

The other one is rail cards they cost £30 but then give you iirc 1/3 off ticket price, they are available for 16-25yo (mature students>25 are also eligible); senior (>60yo); disabled; network (for those travelling in the south east); and also familly/two together for if travelling with others regularly.

https://www.railcard.co.uk/