dune Posted 4 July, 2012 Share Posted 4 July, 2012 I'm seriously considering cancelling my airport parking and getting the train which works out cheaper than the parking from the searches i've done and that's without taking into account the fuel i'd use driving. But i'd still like to get a cheaper train price. Who's best to book with? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 4 July, 2012 Share Posted 4 July, 2012 Try Megatrain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy Diamond Posted 4 July, 2012 Share Posted 4 July, 2012 I'm just about to discover the joys of travelling to London having got a new job. A season ticket bought through National Rail will set me back around £440. I don't think you can get huge differences by shopping around, it's all about how in advance you do that. I'm sure you knew that of course, what with being an airline customer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 July, 2012 Share Posted 4 July, 2012 (edited) I'm seriously considering cancelling my airport parking and getting the train which works out cheaper than the parking from the searches i've done and that's without taking into account the fuel i'd use driving. But i'd still like to get a cheaper train price. Who's best to book with? Depends what line you're on. Edited 4 July, 2012 by View From The Top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I've always found National Express coaches more convenient than trains if having to use public transport to airports. Depends on where you live, and which airport of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 5 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I've always found National Express coaches more convenient than trains if having to use public transport to airports. Depends on where you live, and which airport of course. National express isn't practical for me as it'd mean a 10 mile journey to catch the bus and in any case there's no route back for when my plane lands (i've checked). As for the train prices every site has given the same figure for super off peak returns so i'm gonna nip down to the station and book the tickets there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I thought that there were supposed to be discounts for booking in advance. With SW Trains it seems there aren't any, except when booking on the day. Is this the same all round the country or is it different for us because we live in the affluent South? Costs me about £40 day return to London travelling at **** times. Easier for me to jump in the motor and potter the 90 miles or so up to town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pedg Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 If you have to go into london and out again, or any sort of change for that matter, we have found that at times it has been cheaper, even having to use oyster cards for the between station bit, to buy two sets of tickets rather than one as, for example, though the initial stage may be in peak the later stage may not be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petersfield Saint Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 Dune, I use The Trainline (them of the annoying adverts) - not because of the adverts but because I get Quidco cashback from them. You definitely need to book as far in advance as possible though and go for the non-refundable tickets for the cheapest possible price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I find http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/ provides the best prices and the most options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 5 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 5 July, 2012 If you have to go into london and out again, or any sort of change for that matter, we have found that at times it has been cheaper, even having to use oyster cards for the between station bit, to buy two sets of tickets rather than one as, for example, though the initial stage may be in peak the later stage may not be. I'm in and out of St Pancras so no tube needed thankfully. I hate using public transport in London as it is because I always think i'm gonna get pick pocketed or a bag snatched, and am one of these people you see fumbling about in his inside pocket at the tube ticket turnstiles and then fumbling about putting it back once through. I'm bad enough in an airport FFS what with all the holiday money and passports etc on me. I've got one of those granny alarms connecting my wallet to my inside pocket zip. I'd recommend them - ideal for such situations and for use in general especially in busy foreign cities http://www.stoppashop.co.uk/self-defence-products/personal-attack-alarms-and-sprays/sureguard-electronic-purse-alarm.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 There is an app called ticketysplit If you have a spur of the moment train journey from say, Southampton to Birmingham. It is cheaper to use that app and buy tickets for individual parts of the journey than but one tickets from Southampton central. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 Just go on the website of whatever train company runs on the line you need. Book as far in advance as possible and choose the non-refundable option. Don't use sites like Trainline as they charge a booking fee and offer the exact same service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I'm just about to discover the joys of travelling to London having got a new job. A season ticket bought through National Rail will set me back around £440. Check out the cashback sites like TopCashBAck and Quidco as they often have a small % cashback on online purchases with the train operators such as SWT. It's often not really worth it for everyday purchases but if you're buying monthly or annual season tickets, that 2.5% cashback will buy you a good few beers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 if you're going from Southampton to London and aren't in a particular hurry, it's worth checking the Southern trains to Victoria. Mrs ecuk268 got a return for £10.00 booking about 2 weeks in advance (it is 2.5 hours each way though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevegrant Posted 5 July, 2012 Share Posted 5 July, 2012 I thought that there were supposed to be discounts for booking in advance. With SW Trains it seems there aren't any, except when booking on the day. Is this the same all round the country or is it different for us because we live in the affluent South? Costs me about £40 day return to London travelling at **** times. Easier for me to jump in the motor and potter the 90 miles or so up to town. SWT do offer discounted advance fares, but not on trains between key stations. Southampton Central and Southampton Airport are both among their key stations on the Waterloo to Weymouth line. It means it can often be cheaper to buy an advance ticket from Waterloo to Brockenhurst than it is to buy an advance ticket from Waterloo to Southampton Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 6 July, 2012 Share Posted 6 July, 2012 if you're going from Southampton to London and aren't in a particular hurry, it's worth checking the Southern trains to Victoria. Mrs ecuk268 got a return for £10.00 booking about 2 weeks in advance (it is 2.5 hours each way though). Indeed. Southampton to Gatwick is much cheaper on Southern, which is direct, than SWT which involves a change at Clapham Junction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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