Is it impossible to book a train ticket?

[SwansAreEvil]

I know, it’s against Covid regulations but I need to go to London to look after my granddad who is currently in hospital and won’t be able to manage alone when he’s sent back home next week. I’ve tried on 3 different websites to book a train ticket for end of next week but it’s impossible! Trainline just says “not available to buy” and when I enter today as the date (which I can’t do anyway but I was curious) it says sold out! Do I just have to go on the day and pay three times the advance price?? Is this an attempt to stop people from travelling even when it’s actually necessary? If someone knows a way around this please help!

They're probably fully booked, can you call the reservation line?

Bear in mind they can only pre book about a third of seats because they have to allow the social distancing gaps in seating. It's best to call if you can as they may not sell on the day if they have no availability.

I can't help re the ticket, but going to look after your grandad when he comes out of hospital is in no way against covid regulations! Care for the elderly and vulnerable is completely allowed so please don't worry about that 🙂

End of next week, as in easter weekend?

Easter weekend often has a tonne of engineering works as well - are there any coach tickets available instead?

Have you tried booking directly through the train operator website? Trainline is crap.
Aa mentioned upthread there are often engineering works around Easter. I know there's a lot of work at Kings Cross going on.

Where are you travelling from? Is it Easter weekend you're going or this coming weekend?

I've just had a look at this coming weekend as an example on the LNER website and you could travel from Leeds to London this Friday, returning next Wednesday and it's from £39.60 towards for a single, it just asks you to specify exact dates rather than open return.

If he really can't cope he shouldn't be being discharged without a package of care!

Go back to the hospital discharge liaison nurse and explain your concerns

The cheaper tickets are often only available 1week or more in advance this may be why they are not available

I know it obviously depends on the train line, but I've just checked with SWR as I use them the most, and they're full of tickets. Would help to know how far you're coming from

I've recently booked train tickets to visit my mum (for reasons allowed under Covid rules) on Trainline with no problem. As pp have said it may be due to Easter engineering works or similar.

advance tickets should go on sale at least 12 weeks before the travel date @olderthanilookapparently
Have you tried booking direct with the operator?

Thank you so much everyone for your input. I’m travelling from Manchester and it sounds like the train has just sold out which is a bit worrisome! I’ll have to find an alternate route...

I've been looking the other way to come up from London to Manchester 8th - 10th April - Showing timetable unconfirmed for the outward journey but can book to come back from Manchester fine?

I live on that train route. I've just put Manchester to London in on Rail Planner for both next Thursday and Friday and there are lots available.

@SwansAreEvil

The tickets haven't been released yet (between Manchester and London). See here: www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/timetables

Sorry I should say - advance (i.e. cheaper) tickets haven't been released yet. You might be able to get the expensive 'open' tickets on some websites, it depends how the booking system works for that company.

I tell a lie. I got the wrong week.

It looks like they still havn;t released the timetable for that week.

"Train times from Saturday 27 March onwards may not be available and current timetables are subject to change, please check back before you travel."

Oh thank you so much @AdventureIsWaiting - I really appreciate it!

@justchecking1

If he really can't cope he shouldn't be being discharged without a package of care!

Go back to the hospital discharge liaison nurse and explain your concerns

What shouldn't happen isn't exactly the same things as what does happen; and even with a care package, that doesn't mean that he won't need more than the minimal support that the state offers these days.

And you are not breaking covid regulations, travelling to provide care is allowed.

The London NorthWestern from Crewe is definitely running, it just takes 2.5 hours plus it would take you half an hour to get to Crewe from Manchester on the Transport for Wales train (I woulnd't advise the Northern one!).

But Avanti should hopefully release their timetable soon.

Hire a car? Might be cheaper and far more flexible for you.

Did you get it sorted?
I went through exactly the same anguish as you over my commute to Scotland for work.
Trainline have a Twitter account...very handy as they do get back to you if you have questions or frustratiiona like we have had.
Anyway the end of my saga was that the train tickets are only released a week before at the moment. But they are released! And there are some cheap tickets in there 😉
But it's VERY worrying when it says not released yet and then none for sale! What is that about. But one week before...that's what I learned .