Cheapest train tickets online??

[blueskydrinking]

I'm hoping to book train tickets for a day trip to London next week (midland mainline to St Pancras) but the fares are ridiculous on the trainline . com.

Does anybody know a way to get hold of bargain tickets?! I guess the times I'm looking to travel at are going to have to be peak, which doesn't help.

Have you tried Megabus?

Thanks, hocuspontas .

Prices are MUCH better but no good for a day trip - earliest we could get there would be midday.

I'll keep that site in mind in the future, though.

You could try again in a few days. I bought tickets to Birmingham (from London area) the other week, on Monday it would have cost £45 for 2 of us, on Wednesday some cheaper tickets were released making it £17. Alternatively could you stay over at a travel lodge or YHS hostel, it might be cheaper than peak travel.

Ooh I'll do that then - thanks.

It might be easier just to drive down to Cockfosters and tube in from there... but I want to take DS on a train...

:)

PS a stupid question - is there a concessional price for 2 year olds or do they pay the same as an adult? On megabus it said that concessions are only available in Scotland. It's a long time since I've been on a train in the UK!

2 year olds are free.....but it can be cheaper to get a friends and family railcard and then pay for the 2 year old as it can end up cheaper that way as you will save on your ticket and pay not much for his. Railcard costs £24 for a year.

The trainline also charges a fee which other websites like redspottedhanky and eastcoast don't.

ASG is right my friends and family railcard is fantastic. just go onto the trainline site and type in that you have a card and check out the difference in prices. once you have one you will get lots of use out of it i guarantee you.

Thanks for the replies. I looked at the website but the F&F card is for children 5-15 as far as I can see? Why it doesn't include younger children I'm not sure so maybe I read it incorrectly...

You are allowed to have one if your child is under 5, you just need to buy them a ticket (which you wouldn't normally do if they are under 5) but it means your ticket will also be much cheaper than it otherwise would. I think it does mention it somewhere, but it definitely can be done.

Here's what is says on their website

"All kids under five travel free - and each adult may take up to two 'under fives' with them. However, if the only child in the group is under five, you'll need to purchase a discounted child ticket to qualify for the adult Railcard discount. All child fares are subject to a £1 minimum fare"

try the Virgin site too - prices should be the same, they don't charge any fees & it doesn't have to be one of their routes

it'll be too late for next week but you can buy \link{http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=2022&bci=4294967191|Travel*4294966445|Trains%20%26%20Buses\railcards with clubcard vouchers} (half price)

& you can use them for \link{http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=1916&bci=4294967191|Travel*4294966445|Trains%20%26%20Buses\redspottedhanky} at 3 for 1

& also \link{http://www.tesco.com/clubcard/deals/product.aspx?R=1327&bci=4294967191|Travel*4294966445|Trains%20%26%20Buses\megabus} at 2 for 1