Aaaargh trying to book a train ticket

[YipeeChooChoo]

I’m normally a car driver and am trying to book quite long distance train tickets for half-term - I’m so confused re pricing. This is all new to me.

For two people, cheapest tickets are approx 70 each way for both (so £140 return) however the price dipped down to £80 return for about 1/2 an hour earlier and then shot back up again.

I was trying to book through Trainline but for some reason they wouldn’t allocate me two seats together (travelling with small child so this is essential unless some other unsuspecting traveller wants to sit next to a v lively 3 year old) so was faffing about redoing it to see if I’d get different seats allocated. I even tried “priority seating”. I’ve since checked the rail provider website and there’s loads and LOADS of space on both trains.

A) I don’t understand why, as I was booking two seats and there is availability why they didn’t automatically allocate two seats together - people travelling together generally want to sit together don’t they?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

2. Why did the cost suddenly drop massively then go up again? I’ve checked and the trains have tons of space…is it worth holding off for a cheaper price? Travelling on Tues the 25th Oct.

3. Why on Earth do they make it so hard? I’m now tempted to just drive instead.

what is your “AIBU”??

and if “3” is the case anyway, then why all this?

Please look at this travel card for 2 people travelling together. Last I checked, it cost £30, but saved me £60 travelling to/from London/Edinburgh. It lasts a year incase you and the other adult ever travel by train in the next 12mths. I think there are time limits and you can't travel at peak hour, but its still worth it for longer journeys. I always assumed travel concessions were just for older people, on benefits etc, but 2 together is really worth looking into.

There is a site which advises whether its better to buy a ticket from A-B, or to buy shorter hops of the exact same journey for a better price- A-E, B-C, C-D etc. I can't recall the name, but hopefully someone else can.

www.twotogether-railcard.co.uk/

Is it just you and your 3 year old travelling. You don’t have to buy a ticket unless you absolutely want to reserve a seat. Is it worth it if loads of room on train?

Are you and a 3 year old travelling?

If you do want to get a ticket for a child check out what price will be with a family rail card and if worth getting one. You can triple up your Tesco vouchers to get one too.

Can't advise on pre booking but your 3 year old should travel for free (under 5s are free).
However.... I think this means he isn't entitled to his own seat.
What route is it? Some routes you don't really need to pre book. You just turn up and pay (some train companies don't even do seat reservations) No guarantee of a seat but if you are traveling at a quiet time it would be fine.
Also usually better to go through the actual train company rather than Trainline.

I assume it's because your 3 yo doesn't need a ticket as they're free.

Try ticketysplit website may find you a better deal

Is it possible to ask at your local station? They sometimes come up with things like ‘split-ticketing’ to make it a bit cheaper. It’s always very time-consuming, navigating the complicated world of rail fares!

I second the suggestion of going to your local station for their help. Also I think moneysavingsexpert.com have a section of train tickets.

Also this.

www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/46494.aspx

id actually use National rail site. I hate train line

As i understand it as under 5s travel free your child won't be able to have a reserved seat. To do that you'd have to buy a child ticket. As PP says if there is plenty of room you can risk it.
I'd prob reserve one seat. And use that with child on lap if the train was rammed or just sit in 2 unoccupied seats. And also be prepared to give the child's seat up if it got really busy.....

I use the TrainSplit app. Usually works out cheaper (they work out the cheapest combination of sections of journey, but it makes no difference to the traveller) than going through the rail companies, and cheaper than Trainline.com as they make a charge too.
Definitely buy asap, prices go up the closer you get.

It might be cheaper to get a Family railcard. You need to then get a child ticket for 3yo... but it can work out cheaper.

Go through any of the train operating companies websites rather than Train line as they dont charge a booking fee. Or use a ticket splitting website if its long distance, normally a lot cheaper to split tickets enroute.
It may be cheaper to get a family and friends railcard then book an adult and a child ticket which will enable you to reserve two tickets, generally together and the tickets will be discounted if not travelling at peak time on the outward journey

Family Railcard would be well worth it.
Advance purchase &/or ticket splitting for sure as well as the rail card, and travel off peak times.

Look at split my fare, it checks how to get the cheapest fares by splitting the fares across the stations x

Sorry I wasn’t clear, we will be one adult, another “adult” 17 year old with a 50% off 16-17 railcard. DS is 4 so won’t have a ticket but will 100% disturb anyone who is lucky enough to sit next to him, hence why I want to book two seats next to each other so he can sit in the middle and can hopefully only bother us.

Don’t use The Trainline. Go direct to the train operating company (TOC) which runs the line you want to travel on. That will give you the cheapest options.

DS is 4 so won’t have a ticket

If you want to ensure he has a seat you will need to book him a ticket. Otherwise, if the train is crowded you’ll need to be prepared to have him in your lap.

I don’t understand why prices apparently go up when the train looks pretty empty….surely they should go down if no one is booking?!

Its priced on whether you are travelling at peak or off peak time, Off peak is cheaper, I assume your later time price was in peak times.
it will also depend whether you are buying a ticket for a specifc train or if you need to be flexible, flexible tickets are more expensive

you can also have no idea whether a train is empty or not. Trains aren’t like planes where you all get on and get off at the same place.
There are multiple stops, all where people get off and on. An individual seat may be booked several times over different parts of the journey

Book direct with the train company if you can. Much better than The Trainline.

I don't own a car so go everywhere by train with my kids and we have always been sat together! Sometimes seats next to each other aren't consecutive numbers, sorry if that's really obvious and I'm being condescending 🙈 is that what happened?

Also sometimes the discounted advance rate only shows up from the big main stations. I often have to book my advance tickets from London and then just pay to do the short journey in from my suburb on the day.

@YipeeChooChoo trainline works on dynamic pricing. If there is interest in the tickets they will increase the fare to ensure a better profit.