I need a cheap train ticket

jonathan63 · 29th March 2017, 15:53

to get me to Leamington Spa. After googling cheap train tickets, there are loads of sites. Anyone recommend a particular site?

RPWC · 29th March 2017, 15:55

My daughter makes regular trips home from Chester Uni, and always uses the trainline.com

jonathan63 · 29th March 2017, 16:03

Thanks RPWC. I only use trains about once every 2 years so havent got a clue. I'll try your site.

topman · 29th March 2017, 16:19

Try buying tickets for each leg. So if you were going from london to York, buy one ticket from London to leeds then another from leeds to york.

planenut · 29th March 2017, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan63

to get me to Leamington Spa. After googling cheap train tickets, there are loads of sites. Anyone recommend a particular site?

If your ticket is going to be over £90 then get a railcard as that will give you a third off the price - cost £30, though there are some online codes available giving the price then as £27 - good luck.

StewartIngram · 30th March 2017, 06:59

NEVER use trainline.com or any other booking website - they add hidden charges. Always use the TOC that operates the major part of the journey for the cheapest fare.
A quick explanation:
Each part of the rail network, though owned by Network Rail, has TOC's (Train Operating Companies) operating services over it; there may be more than one over each section. They are (with minor exceptions) all given a franchise by the Government. The fares to be charged are based on those inherited from the old BR days (obviously with inflation added). The main TOC for the route was allocated the original fare and other TOCs on that section have to adhere to that. Many fares are "protected" by the Govt and cannot be changed, during the annual price reviews. However within limits the TOC is allowed to deviate, some can be cheaper with others more expensive, to give the overall average demanded (very complicated to understand!).
If you book online, the main TOC for your journey is ALWAYS the cheapest for that section, as they may give reduced fares/offers that others are not permitted to do, and they don't charge booking fees etc. An additional add on journey on another TOC's section may only be a few pence extra(!), or it may be the same as the other TOC. If you check with the other TOC they may have a cheaper offer, so split ticketing can work.
Their are pitfalls with split tickets however.
TOC-A may sell you a bargain fare for a journey on a specific train, if that train is late and you miss a connection, the ticket is still valid on the next leg of the journey only if you have a through ticket. If you have a split ticket, and you are late for the connection, the 2nd TOC's ticket (if only valid for a specific time train) will not be valid on any other time train - you will have to pay full fare for that next leg. Also, split ticketing only works if the train you are on actually stops at the station where the two legs meet (you don't need to get off however).
Complicated subject, I work in the industry and still don't always get it right!

Stewart

Simondi · 30th March 2017, 07:12

I use the Scotrail. App.

My daughter got 1st class to Hull and back for £40 - no railcard

Rev Jules · 30th March 2017, 07:55

I always use Cross Country Rail.

Rev

Gareth.Richards · 30th March 2017, 08:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonathan63

to get me to Leamington Spa. After googling cheap train tickets, there are loads of sites. Anyone recommend a particular site?

Try redspottedhankey.com they search all of the TOC's to get the best price and no booking fee!
Good luck!
Gareth

dad1uk · 30th March 2017, 09:20

I use East Midlands Trains with great success!!

29th March 2017, 15:53	#1
jonathan63 This is my second home CDTi Conniosseur SE HLNav Tourer and a Personal Line CDT Conniosseur SE Tourer..for the time being. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cumbria Posts: 3,639 Thanks: 340 Thanked 423 Times in 294 Posts	I need a cheap train ticket to get me to Leamington Spa. After googling cheap train tickets, there are loads of sites. Anyone recommend a particular site?

29th March 2017, 15:55	#2
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,177 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	My daughter makes regular trips home from Chester Uni, and always uses the trainline.com __________________ Cheers. Rich…

29th March 2017, 16:19	#4
topman This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 5,493 Thanks: 372 Thanked 647 Times in 534 Posts	Try buying tickets for each leg. So if you were going from london to York, buy one ticket from London to leeds then another from leeds to york. __________________ Like being creative? http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/toys/dailymail/

30th March 2017, 07:12	#7
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	I use the Scotrail. App. My daughter got 1st class to Hull and back for £40 - no railcard __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

30th March 2017, 09:20	#10
dad1uk Loves to post No Rover at the moment = Vauxhall Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Birmingham Posts: 278 Thanks: 99 Thanked 75 Times in 55 Posts	I use East Midlands Trains with great success!! __________________ Simon.

29th March 2017, 16:03	#3
jonathan63 This is my second home CDTi Conniosseur SE HLNav Tourer and a Personal Line CDT Conniosseur SE Tourer..for the time being. Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cumbria Posts: 3,639 Thanks: 340 Thanked 423 Times in 294 Posts	Thanks RPWC. I only use trains about once every 2 years so havent got a clue. I'll try your site.

30th March 2017, 06:59	#6
StewartIngram Gets stuck in Rover 75 Connoisseur 2.5 V6 auto Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chatteris, Cambridgeshire Posts: 904 Thanks: 320 Thanked 159 Times in 127 Posts	NEVER use trainline.com or any other booking website - they add hidden charges. Always use the TOC that operates the major part of the journey for the cheapest fare. A quick explanation: Each part of the rail network, though owned by Network Rail, has TOC's (Train Operating Companies) operating services over it; there may be more than one over each section. They are (with minor exceptions) all given a franchise by the Government. The fares to be charged are based on those inherited from the old BR days (obviously with inflation added). The main TOC for the route was allocated the original fare and other TOCs on that section have to adhere to that. Many fares are "protected" by the Govt and cannot be changed, during the annual price reviews. However within limits the TOC is allowed to deviate, some can be cheaper with others more expensive, to give the overall average demanded (very complicated to understand!). If you book online, the main TOC for your journey is ALWAYS the cheapest for that section, as they may give reduced fares/offers that others are not permitted to do, and they don't charge booking fees etc. An additional add on journey on another TOC's section may only be a few pence extra(!), or it may be the same as the other TOC. If you check with the other TOC they may have a cheaper offer, so split ticketing can work. Their are pitfalls with split tickets however. TOC-A may sell you a bargain fare for a journey on a specific train, if that train is late and you miss a connection, the ticket is still valid on the next leg of the journey only if you have a through ticket. If you have a split ticket, and you are late for the connection, the 2nd TOC's ticket (if only valid for a specific time train) will not be valid on any other time train - you will have to pay full fare for that next leg. Also, split ticketing only works if the train you are on actually stops at the station where the two legs meet (you don't need to get off however). Complicated subject, I work in the industry and still don't always get it right! Stewart

30th March 2017, 07:55	#8
Rev Jules This is my second home Rover 75 Tourer+ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Radcliffe on Trent Posts: 10,711 Thanks: 7,308 Thanked 3,929 Times in 2,051 Posts	I always use Cross Country Rail. Rev