I have been working out scheduling on the National Rail website and I have a question. What is the difference between a "Cheap Day Return" and a "Standard Day Return". We will be in London in February and I am trying to plan out two day trips, one to Canterbury and on to Portsmouth. I see the price difference, but what are the restrictions on the Cheap Day Return? Thanks! Susan

It can vary by train operating company, but generally cheap day returns are available for travel after 9:30 on weekdays and anytime on weekends. When you actually go to buy a ticket (or pretend to buy) on trainline or qjump, it will be clear whether a CDR is available for a specific journey.

Ben, where are you?

Putting the full name of Ben Haines will typically be enough to ensure that he will retrieve a post. I think he typically does a search on Haines at intervals, if not every time he comes here.

Best wishes,

Rex

If you are making day trips from London, there is little difference in price, but the cheap day return is only available after the morning rush hour. If you are making a day trip to London, the morning trains will be busy with commuters and the early morning fare will be much higher than one for later in the day. These tickets do not have limited availability so do not need to be bought in advance. Just go to the station, buy the ticket and get on the next train - in the south east of England, most services are at least hourly or half-hourly.