I am researching train tickets for part of our trip in September. I get different prices from National Rail and RailEurope sites for the same trains. Is one or the other of these sites more reliable? Perhaps the difference in price is just "service fees"? How far in advance would you recommend I purchase train tickets, if at all in advance? My travel legs are both one way, once from London to Bournemouth, and the other from Cambridge to London. Many thanks!
Posted by
Royaume-Uni
2708 posts
Use National Rail, and it will direct you to the train companies; buy tickets from them.
The type of ticket can affect the price, Anytime (more expensive) or Advance (least costly). Look for Advance tickets if you can commit to a particular time and want to save money.
I see single tickets from London to Bournemouth midweek in September for about £18, which seems good value, so you can buy those now.
Posted by
Arctophilia, Northamptonshire, England
35430 posts
there a fair difference in price between trains from Cambridge going fast to London Kings Cross and not quite so fast to London St Pancras International and the somewhat less expensive and somewhat slower Cambridge to London Liverpool Street.
There will a difference between peak time (what you might call rush hour) and off-peak.
There will be a significant difference between Anytime (available until right before travel, usable any time on that day and refundable before travel) and Advance (which much be purchased somewhat in advance, very cheap, non-refundable and non-changeable) tickets. National Rail will show you all the options. It is unlikely that Rail Europe will show you the cheaper tickets.
Posted by
Freedonia
17636 posts
Rail Europe is a third party reseller and not very good. Use National Rail.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
THank you all so much - this really helps!