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off-peak train times less expensive because of time of train?

Posted by (CA, USA) on

we are looking at train prices from London to Canterbury in June. There are direct trains that take about an hour but prices vary significantly. For example one leaves St Pancras at 9:12am and costs £43.70; it is also labeled in a pulldown as an "Anytime Day Single". A train leaving an hour later at 10:12am costs £15.20 and is labeled Advance (Standard Class).

So if we wanted the 10:12 train do we need to buy it now/soon? I'm not clear if the lower price is because it's off-peak travel and we could get that rate even on our day of travel, or because a limited number of cheaper fares are sold and they might have already sold out for the 9:12am train.

Posted by
21224 posts

Yes, "Advance" means you need to buy it now as the price could go up without notice. You will be have to travel on that particular train, although you can change without fee up to 6 pm the day before, however there may be a price difference you will have to cover.

Anytime fares are fully flexible. Travel anytime you want on any train of that operator. You can also do stopovers. Either there are no "Advance" fares left or they simply are not offering them.

Posted by
16416 posts

Simple to understand...

Advanced Single has to be used only on the train for which it was booked. You book the 10:12 with Advance Single and it's only good for that train. You miss it, you buy a new ticket.

Anytime Day Single means it can be used on any train that day on that route. You miss your intended train, you just get on the next one.

Posted by
2600 posts

The buy at the station ticket for the 10.12 train is called Off-Peak (trains after 9.30) which will be less expensive than an Anytime ticket. These tickets do not sell out.

Advance tickets must be bought in advance and can rise in price as the travel date approaches. They do sell out.

Posted by
6113 posts

The route you mention is HS1, the quick trains on the new(er) line. As an alternative, there are trains from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge and Cannon Street using the older, slower line. Although these trains are slower than HS1, if you are staying near one of these, by the time you have travelled to St Pancras, the door to door times will be similar. These trains are often cheaper. Operated by Southeastern trains.

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