Londonlover

I was quoted $190 bucks for a roundtrip from York to London through britrail's website, and my fodor's book says it will cost 74 lbs to get to York.

I'm wondering if there is a cheaper way to get there and back in the same day? I was planning on just buying the tickets at King's Cross the same day, but I will book ahead if that's cheaper.

sashh

It is almost always cheaper to book ahead.

Also the time of day you travel can make a huge difference in price. Trains getting into London before 9 am are horrendously expensive.

Use national rail http://www.nationalrail.co.uk

to look for your prices. It has all timetables not just those linked to a particular company. When you have found a suitable fare it will link you to the train company that sells those tickets.

alanRow

London to York costs from £10 each way if booked some 8 to 12 weeks in advance.

Buying on the day costs around £80 return

You can use the NXEC website to book tickets for collection at Kings Cross

www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com

flanneruk

It's very difficult indeed to get a cheap same-day return to York on the day of travel. Time restrictions on this route are so onerous that there are virtually no trains such tickets are valid on that let you get there, do anything worthwhile and get back to London the same day.

Although same-day deals to most places within 100 miles or so of London are generally not THAT much more than booking well ahead, advance booking really is essential for an affordable day trip to York. The further ahead of time, the better the availability of the best deals.

GeoffHamer

A saver return is £79.20. That is valid on the 0930 train from Kings Cross and later trains, and you can come back on any evening train. This is a walk-up fare and can be bought at the station before travelling.
You are unlikely to get a cheaper fare by booking in advance. The cheaper fares are generally available for the less popular times. If you went in the afternoon, stopped overnight and came back the following afternoon, you could get a cheaper advance fare.
You can save money by buying separate tickets. A return from London to Newark is £35.30 and a return from Newark to York is £23.90, so the total fare is £59.20. The 0930 train from London to York stops at Newark. You could buy both tickets at Kings Cross, so you would not need to get off the train at Newark. Coming back, your tickets would only be valid if the train stopped at Newark.

alanRow

<<< You are unlikely to get a cheaper fare by booking in advance. The cheaper fares are generally available for the less popular times. >>>

September 25th -

London to York
07:30 - £15.60
08:30 - £15.60
09:30 - £15.60

York to London
17:55 - £21.60
18:30 - £21.60
19:13 - £21.60
19:35 - £21.60

Total cost - £37.20

October 21st

London to York
07:00 - £10
07:30 - £10
08:00 - £10
08:30 - £10
09:00 - £10
09:30 - £10

York to London
17:55 - £10
18:30 - £10
19:13 - £10
19:35 - £10

Total cost - £20

alanRow

2nd September

London to York
07:30 - £19.15
08:30 - £19.15
09:30 - £19.15

York to London
17:55 - £24.90
18:30 - £24.90
19:13 - £24.90
19:35 - £24.90
20:09 - £24.90

Total Cost - £34.05

Londonlover

I tried to book through national express websites for around 31 pounds round-trip for Sept 30, but it said my credit card information did not match.

alanRow

It generally means that what you said your address was when you registered isn't the same as what your CC company says it is

soogies

saving for me