Can anyone help with train fare pricing etc?

[Radley]

DH surprised me today by telling me that he wants me to book a 10 day break, in the UK, near where one of my best mates lives (YES oh wise mnetter, you know who you are).

But, try as I might, I've not been able to get trainfares for under 300.00 for 3 of us, surely i should be able to get it cheaper, we are going in August from Leeds to Portsmouth.

Anyone got any ideas?

£214.75 i make it. 10 day return leeds to portsmouth. 2 changes and 5 and half hours.
thats with 2 adults and one child aged 5-15.
let me know if you need help finding that.

It's so complicated eh???
Article about it in Observer recently.
They recommend paying for each leg of journey as apparently chaeaper (seemed a bit strange to me)
Go on Virgin website (sorry,no link) and tinker.
Do you have a family railcard for starters.
Might be worth getting one even for this one journey.

It may be worth you buying a Family Railcard. My brother bought one a couple of years ago, can't remember how much it was but it entitled him to half-price rail travel for a year - worth it for this journey alone in your case

you may be able to get an apex ticket which is a non amedible non flex ticket you need to phone the rail company for that.

Also if you give date and rough time you may be able to get a back - back ticket cheaper which often work out cheaper.

I recommend you get a family railcard. It costs £20 for the year but the savings are great. We have one because we are having to do monthly visits up to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

I typed in a few details regarding your trip and you could get it for as cheap as £129.75 for 2 adults and one child.