do i need to buy advance train tickets in england
Jun 24th, 2008, 12:43 PM
#1
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do i need to buy advance train tickets in england
i'm goin to england next month and plan to take trains to brighton and cambridge from london. do i need to buy them in advance to get the cheapest fare.
Jun 24th, 2008, 12:57 PM
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go to www.nationalrail.co.uk and you'll see all the various fares and all the conditions and then all your answers will be there
that said on short rides like this usually a day return or some kind of restricted fare is easily available the day of travel - one thing you do not want to do is just go up and ask for a ticket to Cambridge - fully flexible ticket can cost a lot more.
But it's all on nationalrail.co.uk.
And with these two day trips you should also investigate the Days Out of London railpass - which gives two unlimited travel days on practically any train in a 100-mile radius or so of London, including to Cambridge and Brighton and also a round trip airport transfer to heathrow or Gatwick or Stansted that you can use outside of the normal 8-day validity of the pass. Could save you money and then you just need show up at the train station and hop any train anytime. www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com are two great sites that have lots on British trains and passes like this one than the usual pass prices and click to add to cart button.
that said on short rides like this usually a day return or some kind of restricted fare is easily available the day of travel - one thing you do not want to do is just go up and ask for a ticket to Cambridge - fully flexible ticket can cost a lot more.
But it's all on nationalrail.co.uk.
And with these two day trips you should also investigate the Days Out of London railpass - which gives two unlimited travel days on practically any train in a 100-mile radius or so of London, including to Cambridge and Brighton and also a round trip airport transfer to heathrow or Gatwick or Stansted that you can use outside of the normal 8-day validity of the pass. Could save you money and then you just need show up at the train station and hop any train anytime. www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com are two great sites that have lots on British trains and passes like this one than the usual pass prices and click to add to cart button.
Jun 24th, 2008, 12:58 PM
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Go to Nationalrail.co.uk to check the schedules and prices for your trips. If there are cheap fares available, those are usually advance purchase tickets that are non-cancellable and non-refundable.
Jun 25th, 2008, 06:47 AM
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If you are certain about your dates, buy them now to get the best prices. Walk-up fares (purchases made on the day of travel) are ridiculously high.
When travelling by train in the UK, I always buy them 2-3 months out of the travel dates to get the best fares.
When travelling by train in the UK, I always buy them 2-3 months out of the travel dates to get the best fares.
Jun 25th, 2008, 07:04 AM
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For short journeys like these on trains with no seat reservations, there are no cheap advance fares and no reason to buy tickets in advance.
From London to Cambridge, for example, fast trains run every half hour. A saver return (valid on all except peak-hour trains) is £27 and an open return (valid on every train) is £35.80.
If you are going there and back on the same day, a cheap (off peak) return is £18 and a standard day return is £25.
From London to Cambridge, for example, fast trains run every half hour. A saver return (valid on all except peak-hour trains) is £27 and an open return (valid on every train) is £35.80.
If you are going there and back on the same day, a cheap (off peak) return is £18 and a standard day return is £25.
Jun 26th, 2008, 01:14 PM
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Off-peak usually means after 9:30am Mon-Fri - OK for most tourists since you have to get to the station, etc.
But yes as Geoff says just buy these tickets at stations and always ask for a day return or return ticket - just ask the ticket window for the cheapest ticket.
But yes as Geoff says just buy these tickets at stations and always ask for a day return or return ticket - just ask the ticket window for the cheapest ticket.
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