Where for the cheapest train ticket ?

[tigler]

This weekend I need to collect a new motorbike from Colchester. Have decided to travel there by train and ride it back.
Now I haven't used a train in years but I do know that tickets can be had cheaper using internet means, problem is, where from ?!
Is there anyone here that knows train travel that can help me out please ?

 

[W4yne]

Hi there, I always use these, http://www.thetrainline.com/buytickets/

I sometimes can get tickets up to Aberdeen for as little as £11 (single). Good luck.

 

[tigler]

Good grief !! £45 !!!

 

[Drew 13.]

It depends on the time of day and the day of the week. I've found the cheapest tickets are tuesday to thursday, 11am to 1pm.

 

[mike 109444]

Tigler is that Good grief as much as £45 or Good grief only £45 ?
Oh and by the way much like yourself it's been years since I used a train but my daughter travels on them quite often and she also uses thetrainline.com. She did piont out that booking well in advance gets a lower price and looking at off peek times pays. Also she said that the trains are nolonger steam powered Don't know what wacky power source they are now using?

 

[Drew 13.]

lol they also lean over when they corner now Mike!!!

 

[Shox Dr]

Also she said that the trains are nolonger steam powered Don't know what wacky power source they are now using?

Apparently they are using herbs now. As a bonus the trains now run on Thyme

 

[tigler]

Tigler is that Good grief as much as £45 or Good grief only £45 ?
Oh and by the way much like yourself it's been years since I used a train but my daughter travels on them quite often and she also uses thetrainline.com. She did piont out that booking well in advance gets a lower price and looking at off peek times pays. Also she said that the trains are nolonger steam powered Don't know what wacky power source they are now using?

It's good grief as in thats outrageous !! I only want a seat not the whole carriage to myself !
That price was for Saturday morning at 10.08am. Over 4 bloody hours and 2 changes aswell !!
I'll try those times mentioned hoping it may reduce the price. For obvious reasons I can't book too much in advance, the seller wants to close the deal within a reasonable time.

 

[Robotstar5]

Sorry, can't help with the ticket prices as I only tend to ride preserved lines these days!, what bike have you bought then?

 

[Photog Keith]

A great trick is to break your tickets into smaller journeys so that there are no gaps. You can get the costs down by 50%. I usually use the train line too. Pretty good site.

 

[SC_BK]

Hitch hike and save yourself £45

 

[tigler]

Sorry, can't help with the ticket prices as I only tend to ride preserved lines these days!, what bike have you bought then?

Now, if it were a steam train I would have paid that without comment !

The bike is a Sanglas 500 S2 V5. Very, very rare machine and I've been after one for years ! It was just about the last try at a modern big single.
Thankyou ebay

 

[mike 109444]

I think if I said to my daughter you only want A seat not the whole carrage she would laugh and say you'll be lucky to get a seat Expect to stand it's the norm or take a shooting stick, I would. Or you could ask to sit by the driver and offer to pull his whistle. I can't understand why you are expected to pay the full fare on trains or buses when you may have to stand throughout the journey (as my daughter has done on her trips)

 

[tigler]

Hitch hike and save yourself £45

I did actually consider that but whats the chance that I would manage to get to Colchester which is across the other side of the country from Worcester in a reasonable time ?

 

[tigler]

I think if I said to my daughter you only want A seat not the whole carrage she would laugh and say you'll be lucky to get a seat Expect to stand it's the norm or take a shooting stick, I would. Or you could ask to sit by the driver and offer to pull his whistle. I can't understand why you are expected to pay the full fare on trains or buses when you may have to stand throughout the journey (as my daughter has done on her trips)

If I'm standing on a Saturday I won't be amused ! More likely is the thing will be bloody cancelled because the driver didn't turn up !

 

[droopsnoot]

Try the booking office at your local station. I've done a few work trips to London and the booking office seem to have had access to better ticket options than either of the web sites I tried (trainline and Virgin themselves).

Apparently there's a certain number of cheap tickets available on all journeys (the number varies depending on which service it is, peak or off-peak, and so on), and once they're gone you have to have one of the dearer ones, and so on.

I don't know exactly where you're travelling from, but on VirginTrains.com from Birmingham to Colchester, leave Bham at 10:50, one way ticket is £23 at the moment, gets there at 13:46.

 

[tigler]

Thanks for that. I'm travelling from Worcester Shrub Hill, cheapest I can find is £45 which is probablly in line with the fare you found, considering it's for the whole journey.

 

[tigler]

Well I'm on the 11.11 from Worcester Foregate St to Paddington tomorrow, journey is a bit over 4 hours with 2 changes and £45. Hoping there won't be any delays !

 

[Robotstar5]

Well I'm on the 11.11 from Worcester Foregate St to Paddington tomorrow, journey is a bit over 4 hours with 2 changes and £45. Hoping there won't be any delays !

Then you'll be riding home to the music of "one bang every lampost"

 

[tigler]

Can't wait ! Have always loved big singles, although, to be honest 500 isn't that big !
Remember the Suzuki DR750 that became the DR800 !! The Sanglas is something quite special though, well, in my opinion ! Pushrod 500 with electric start, triple disc's, 250 watt alternator and proper lights but classic looks. Just had to look out all my semi cold weather riding gear, it might be nippy in the latter half of the journey back !