paulg1

Hi all
Am I missing somthing here. Even if im first in to book (3 months in advance) there is absolutley no bargain fares to be had on the East or West coast mainline between london and glasgow. Im looking away ahead at 19 september. £101 is the cheapest fare even at offfpeak times. When I select any other day, say the 18 or 17 or 16th its the same. I dont ever remember it being as bad as that. I dont fly so I choose to travel from glasgow down to the south of france and its now becoming a nightmare to co-ordinte. Has anyone got any ideas.
Many Thanks

doonhamer

The "cheap" fares are only available 12 weeks in advance, so if you're looking further out than that, all you'll get is the regular fares. Best to leave it until nearer the time of travel.

paulg1

hi
ive just realised its 12 weeks in advance but it still seems to be the same fares on offer if i check from 12 sept backwards
Thanks

TimS

I just checked the Virgin site for direct London-Glasgow trains and also ound no discount fares even within the 12-week period.

However, I did find £14 advance fares for London-Edinburgh at www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com. A ticket from Edinburgh to Glasgow is fairly cheap.

PalenQ

The TimS route would be easy to do

but if you want flexibility to hop any train consider the BritRail Flexipass at $329 p.p. for 4 unlimited travel days over a 2-month period - if 101 pounds is actually the cheapest for the route then that's $200 each way making the pass cheaper and you'd also have two other unlimited travel days to use in Scotland or for heathrow or gatwick express trains, etc. And the pass is good on any train any time - just hop on - no need advance planning and there are so many trains. If you buy any BritRail Pass before June 30 you get a 5th day free - so it would be a five day pass that can be used for up to 8 months after June 30. I always recommend www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com for sites that explain a lot about British trains rather than the usual site just listing pass prices. But as TimS points out if you do not desire flexibility and go thru Edinburgh and change (not hard to change IME) then that would be by far the cheaper way to go.

janisj

PQ: Since the OP doesn't fly, can we assume he is in the UK? If so, a Britrail pass is not possible. Also since he doesn't fly, the HEX/GEX doesn't apply.

paulg1: TimS is on the right track - look into traveling to Edinburgh. Edinburgh to Glasgow is a quick add on and if it saves you £££ it is definitely worth the little extra hassle.

paulg1

Thanks for all your replies.
Many Thanks TimS for the info on London to Edinburgh fares. I have found loads of £14 single fares.For the last week i,ve been totaly stressed out by the fact I would have to pay £203.00 for 2 virgin "Saver" singles. Again many thanks. What a great website.

wellididntknowthat

Hi Paulg1

Single fare from Waverly to Glasgow Queen St is £10.80. Trains run every 15 minutes.

PalenQ

janisj - yes i often assume anyone asking this question must be an American or foreigner

Ironic that a Yank TimS had to instruct a Brit about how to buy train fares - hopefully the new simplified fare structure will straighten out the current byzantine mess of fare structures.

paulg1

hi
just a quick follow up
if i put from london to edinburgh the fare is £14. I tried london to glasgow and it seems to give me my connection from edinburgh to glasgow for free. Still £14

PalenQ

So it would cost you about three times as much to take a taxi to the London station as it would to go all the way to Glasgow - these cheap fares are hard to believe (but i am not doubting them - hop on it as they will not always be available as the train gets closer perhaps)