AIBU to ask for help with booking trains?

[clicknclack]

I want to book a train that goes through London (PAD-EUS) when I search for fares the cheapest it gives me allows 45 minutes to get through London (lunchtime-ish) which doesn't seem all that long. If I ask for extra time it charges me a boatload more. If I book the fares separately it costs 30 pounds or so more (ACK!) but it doesn't make much of a difference which train I take to PAD so it is crazy the cheapest way only allows one particular train.

Why do they make this so difficult?

Also if I book the two legs separately does it mean I have to buy a tube ticket?

I'm middle aged and am traveling alone so apparently railcars are out unless I suddenly become a student in the next half hour.

I will of course be needing a bag for my seat and sitting in any quiet car while talking loudly on my phone. I might take my shoes off and put my feet on the table for good measure while complaining that people are looking at me.

seat for my bag. Too early in the morning here.

Lots of info in your post! To clarify , are you wanting to travel from Paddington to Euston on a weekday lunchtime?

Have a look at the Citymapper app, that'll give you a good idea of how long to allow for getting across London.

If you buy an advance ticket, and miss your train, you'll have to buy a fresh ticket at full price, which will be eye-wateringly expensive. Personally, I'd pay more to have a decent cushion of time.

We need to know where you're travelling to/from and the dates.

It's really not very far - city mapper says best route as attached, only 4 stops

I'd just go with it

Marklah, I'm taking a train into London from the West and out of London going North so I need to travel across London. Sorry to be vague, trying to not add too much personal info.

Goring, that's what I'm worried about, paying an insane price to rebook if I miss it. It seems to double the price of my ticket to add more time though.

Oh and what is with eleventy billion different booking sites. In my day in olden times you rang British Rail and they told you how much it was. All these new fangled interwebthingies.

It only takes 20 minutes to get from Paddington to Euston.

Wittery, I don't live in the UK anymore so I don't have a contactless debit card or oyster card.

Queen, thanks!

Betty, I'm traveling mid week at the end of next month.

Only use the national rail website, it doesn't charge you any booking fees

If you do choose to book both legs seperately, then use a contactless credit or debit card touched to the reader for the tube bit. But as above, it's only 4 stops away so 45 mins is plenty

It would be cheapest, I think, to get an oystercard. You can get one that you just top up when you need to. It'll cost about £3 to get across London on it.

If you're going Paddington to Euston you can go on the tube. It will take 20-30mins.

It should take about 20 minutes from Paddington to Euston (take the H&C or circle line to Euston Square and it's a few minutes walk from there to the station). But I can see you might want to leave yourself plenty of time and the booking system sounds particularly frustrating.

I would say that gives you enough time to make the journey. However, if you are worried or would rather have more time then book the two separate journeys and either use a contactless bank card to travel on the tube (c.£2.40 you just touch in and touch out) or buy a ticket which will be less than a tenner. Have a good trip - train pricing and organisation in this country is

Gin, some of the websites say that Euston is having escalator nervous breakdowns and to allow extra time. Plus I have to do the clueless American tourist thing which should take some time.

www.rome2rio.com/s/London-Paddington-Station/Euston-Station

all options here :)

You might be able to save on your train fares through split ticketing - give this site a go - doesn't charge booking fees, just a % of any savings from splitting. Can often save substantial amounts. Good luck and enjoy the journey - hope the London bit isn't too stressful!

ooh crispbutty, now I'm hungry, I want one on a really soft bap with cheap margarine. AIBU to eat one for breakfast now?

Oyster card... can I order one in advance and have it sent through the post?

Thank you everyone!

The Tube goes into Euston Square, and the MLS is a 5-minute walk from there.

Do you have to go via London? Often cheaper not to but not always possible depending on time of day.
Best prices are come from booking early but that makes the train a fixed time. If you book straight through and miss your connection due to a late train you're usually okay to get a later one (just lose your seat reservation) but if you book separately you're doomed ;)

my californian friend was here last year and bought an oyster card at the airport :)

If you have a contactless card don't bother paying for an Oyster card.

i dont think many americans have the contactless cards yet

We don't have chip and pin yet either, we only just got chip. I blame Trump.

you cant blame trump .. yet lol!

Mad hair, I tried that site and it cost more and is making me go through WOLVERHAMPTON. The indignity.

Crisp, that orange-faced baboon has been around forever, I'm pretty sure there is no time limit on blaming Donald.