Traveling in a couple of weeks. Our itinerary is London > Oxford > Moreton-in-Marsh > Windsor. What is the best option for buying train tickets? The 3 train trips will happen within 5 days. Is there a discounted pass? Do we buy tickets separately? In advance?
Appreciate your help!!
Buy separate tickets for each trip. Buy in advance to get the cheapest fares., since you are going in only "a couple of weeks" ypu have left it a bit late to get the cheapest fares, buy ASAP.
You can buy from the National Rail site, which is the joint site of all the railway companies: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
For more info read here: https://www.seat61.com/UK-train-travel.htm
Hello from Wisconsin,
If you have difficulties with the natiobal rail site when buying tickets you can try, loco2. No extra charge. And for peace of mind take your time when buying to make sure you select your wagon (car) and seat number.
Wayne iNWI
This is the actual train company that you will be travelling with from London (Paddington). You may like to book with them. The short journey from PAD to Windsor will be the same price for pay on the day. Compare the pay on the day prices for the other journeys v pre-book specific train(s) for the dates you intend to travel. I take it that you are returning to London each day rather than staying out west? https://www.gwr.com
Note that for Windsor that you take a train from PAD to Slough where you change for the short branch line to Windsor Central.
Thanks, all!
Is the benefit of buying ahead just the price? If so, how much cheaper? I'm just wondering if it is worth giving up the flexibility in schedule. I'm assuming there isn't a threat in any of the trains not having seats, but maybe that's not right.
James - we're actually staying out west rather than coming back and forth. Thanks for clarifying.
Just one example. The cheapest Advance fare for London to Oxford on a specific service is £5 or so depending on offers. The cheapest on the day single is £27.30, valid after 9:30.
Good to know! If I purchase in advance, do I print tickets off? How does that work?
If you buy in advance you sometimes get self-print tickets. The more usual option is collect at the station.
See this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82lg6fu1Qio
Janelle, where are you staying that you call west?
The main benefit of buying Advance tickets several weeks before travel (buying ahead is not the same thing) is that they have discounted prices and included is a preferred seating position, Advance fares are priced dynamically, as they sell out prices increase, when they're gone they're gone,
Not all routes have Advance fares or seat reservations.
Disadvantages are, you are tied to a specific train time, you will be clock watching, if you're having a nice day out and want to return later you'll have to cut it short, if the weather mis behaves on your chosen day your are still committed to go, if you want to change your plans late on, you are stuck with the tickets,
There is something called Groupsave for off-peak walk up tickets, an automatic discount for I believe 3+ travellers,
There are various 12 month concession National Railcards (16-25/senior/two Together/disabled)you can purchase, but for short visits and few train rides they won't be viable, some have peak time restrictions too.
Dennis, we're staying in Oxford, Moreton-in-Marsh, and Windsor as opposed to making these day trips out of London. There are three of us, so if there are significant savings, we'll have to weigh the pros and cons. I like the idea of having flexibility, but it appears that, in at least in some cases, there is a significant savings to buy ahead of time,
You can get a day pass that covers the trip from Oxford to Moreton-in-Marsh and the bus in the Cotswolds for 10.50 GBP
https://www.cotswoldsaonb.org.uk/visiting-and-exploring/cotswolds-train-station/discoverer-one-day-pass/
