Question about setting up train ticket alert on trainline

What date ?

June 27. Is it because it’s so far out possibly?

Maybe it has to do with the time difference between where you are and where your alert is for ? (I.e. U.S. west coast and Amsterdam is 9 hours -- or whatever, according to your location and desired trip)

I thought that, too, so when I plugged in June 26 (to help with the time delay from the US), the green box pulsated with a small arrow pointing to the 27th. It then showed up in the departure box as June 27. I thought I solved the issue, but then the next screen said I had an alert for the 26th. I’m going to wait a week or two and try again. Maybe there’s a glitch in the system.

Have you checked national rail website?

Hmmmmm....

I’m also hoping to determine if setting up an alert for advance ticket prices is the best thing to do. I’ve read that it can save money- which is appealing- but I wonder if the fact that you must travel on that particular day has its drawbacks for people on vacations. For us, we’re looking at going from London to Beachy Head, Windsor Castle, Cambridge and Richmond during our 10 trip day trip. So train wise we’re looking at purchasing tickets for the first three destinations.

I’ve put together what I think is a good itinerary, but if I buy advance tickets far out, then we can’t swap a day for another if say the weather is really hot, rainy, etc. Just curious if anyone has advice regarding this situation based on decisions they’ve made in the past. Are the advance tickets substantially cheaper for those distances/destinations? Thank you all for your help! As you may be able to tell, I’m very inexperienced in travel abroad, so thank you also for your patience!

Beachy Head (Eastbourne)- I wouldn't do advance tickets. I would buy a Southern Rail Daysave ticket-
https://www.southernrailway.com/tickets/ticket-types-explained/daysave
Yes you buy it 3 days ahead of travel for £22 (your cheapest option anyway, travelling off-peak) but you can go anywhere on the southern rail network that day as weather/whims etc dictate.
So if the weather was foul just ride the train all day. I've done that before!
Windsor- just turn up to Waterloo (for Windsor and Eton Riverside- the slow route) or Paddington (for W & E Central) and buy. There are no advance tickets and no other benefit to buying ahead of time.
Cambridge- the saving on buying advance tickets is less than £5, so I don't think it's worth it.
Turn up to King's Cross and buy an Off Peak return for £28.60 return.
The same fare applies to Thameslink trains on the same route but a bit slower. They have come from the South Coast so you can board at any of London Bridge, Blackfriars, City Thameslink, Farringdon or St Pancras International- whichever is closest to your hotel- all the same fare.

Only buy Advance specific train tickets for longer journeys - especially if just going one way. For the shorter journeys that you have mentioned - buy following the excellent advice given in post above.

You've had good advice above.

You are planning trips which are so short that either there isn't an Advance ticket available or it is insignificant.

Be aware that is you have a day return on London to Windsor you can't mix and match the routes. You'd need a Single each way which is more expensive.

The route from Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside is slower and more expensive, and when you get to the end of the line you have to walk up the hill from the station around the outside of the castle up into the town.

The route from Paddington to Windsor and Eton Central is faster and cheaper and when you reach the end of the line you just walk out of the station and across the street and the entry to the castle is right there. You do have to make a change at Slough. Towards Windor just hop off the big train at Slough and walk along the platform in the direction of travel and you will see the cute little train waiting there for you. You'll get glimpses of the castle from the left side of the little train as it loops around the town avoiding disturbing the boys at Eton.

If Waterloo or Paddington is much more convenient for you take that line. Otherwise, I always use the train from Paddington.

For Cambridge, the fastest trains are Great Northern trains from Kings Cross, at least one per hour is non-stop. There are others with more stops. Next fastest are Thameslink trains from St Pancras International (across a lane from Kings Cross and down a floor) or the few Thameslinks from Kings Cross. Slowest and slightly cheaper are the slow trains from Liverpool Street in the City.

As mentioned above, if another Thameslink station is more convenient for you - Farringdon (change to Elizabeth Line possible), City Thameslink, Blackfriars, London Bridge, you can start your journey there if you are happy with the Thameslink timings.

You all are the best! Thank you for the wonderful advice and links about our day trips. It really helps knowing that it’s not imperative we purchase ahead. I’d like to keep the door open for a little spontaneity and flexibility. I’ll have more questions I’m sure as we move closer to our trip! Truly getting excited now, though! Thanks again!

For Windsor route via Slough, you can use contactless. That will combine the fare and cap within London.

Richmond is within travel for London travel zones. Use contactless or oyster.

Southern DaySave is even cheaper if a group of 4 is formed. £44 for 3 /4 travellers.

I did neglect to note that for the return to Paddington you take the cute little train from Windsor and Eton Central but when you get to Slough you need to go up and over (stairs or lift) the tracks on a bridge to the platform into London. Sound worse than it is but it is needed.