So, on Sept 3, we are travelling from Chiswick (CHK) to Portsmouth/Southsea (PMS). Southwest is showing cheapest ticket price of 31.10#. I was doing some noodling about as the next day we are going back into Lon Victoria. What I discovered was we could go from CHK to VIC for 4.10# and then VIC-PMS for 8# - of course, these are at certain times of the day, so I know it is a specific time train. So with a savings of almost 40# for the two of us, I'm very tempted to do this. I'm not worried about it taking a little longer if I can save the equivalent of $60-70. The return trip from PMS to VIC is showing as 10# cheapest.
So, my question is for those that know about the trains - will these prices be available on the day we travel, or should I purchase the tickets ahead of time? My niece in Portsmouth says she's never seen prices of 8# to PMS from London (then again, maybe she's never checked going from VIC). Is there a glitch in the Matrix? Am I missing something very important but obvious? (OK, I am noticing the cheaper tickets are with Southern and the more expensive are a combo of Southern and South West...difference?)
Some background - we are going to Portsmouth for only one night to visit my sister and collect my mother. We are going back to London Vic on the 4th as I have tix for the Gatwick Express from there to catch our flight to Italy. Initially, my mom was going to take the bus and we weren't going to go to Portsmouth, but she was too worried about messing up the bus, and by then I had already purchased adv tix for the Express (3 for the price of 2!), hence the overnight to Portsmouth.