We’re going in two weeks. Do we need to book tickets early to save money, or can we just turn up at the station (or buy online the day before)? We fly in the evening before we catch the train. Thank you kindly.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8381 posts
Here is the link to the National Rail Website. You can use it to compare ticket prices on different routes, dates, and times.
https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/
A quick glance at it made it appear that there would not be a significant difference in price between buying 2 weeks in advance and buying 1 day in advance.
Use that website above to help plan your trip. It will give you a great deal of useful information.
Posted by
UK
501 posts
Tickets called Advance are cheaper - but you have to commit to exactly the train you’ve booked.
Play around with times on www.nationalrail.co.Uk to see the range of prices.
If you don’t want to commit to a time, an off-peak ticket which you can buy on the day will be more expensive but don’t sell out and you won’t have any trouble just turning up and getting on a train.
Off-peak can be about double the cost of Advance for the Oxford journey.
Posted by
Stratford upon Avon
470 posts
You will certainly save money by booking now
The tickets you should be looking for are called Advance Single where you have to travel on booked train
I am seeing £5.40 on 30 May. An off Peak Ticket bought on the day would cost £29.90
You should search from London All Stations are there are two routes from Paddington and Marylebone
You you consult www.seat61.com for information on rail travel in UK
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32757 posts
to reinforce - if you have Advance tickets, you must use only the exact train that you have bought, at the exact time on your ticket. If you are early or late for that train and can't get on it, for whatever reason, that ticket you have is now a bookmark or souvenir and you must buy the correct ticket for the train you are boarding before you travel.
To be clear - the ticket for the train you missed is worthless.