I need to book a train from Hereford to Crewe and I'm a bit confused. When i go on the TrainLine website it says the lower fares aren't available yet (we're at 12 weeks out now). So, my question is do I wait or do I buy now? How do I know if it's true that the lower fares aren't available yet? Do I stand the chance of missing the lowest fare that I see now if I wait? I do see lower fares in the month of April, but my understanding was that the fares are just lower in April than they are in May. I don't know what to do.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11871 posts
I always research through this site and buy directly from the train company https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/.
Posted by
Lake District, England
8692 posts
Transport for Wales (whom you will be travelling on) open Advance Fares 8 weeks before travel- not all companies are 12 weeks before travel (Northern are another one on 8 weeks).
I believe that even the RS rail guide says a general 12 weeks- as does Man in Seat 61 last time I looked. The true story is more subtle.
By the way when Advance fares do become available you will often find that first class (on the trains which convey first class cars) is often the same price or sometimes even cheaper than standard class on that particular route. When it is more expensive the extra over is so small that it is a no brainer to take the first class fare.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, United States
221 posts
Ok. This makes sense then. I know the rate was the same on all websites, but I just wasn't sure if based on the message it would be coming down. I'll put the 8 week mark on my calendar. Thanks so much!
Posted by
2650 posts
Buying today to travel today, the fare is £28.00 or £33.60 1st class on most trains. Checking ahead for 12 March, the fare is £20.20 or £25.90 1st class - so that is roughly what you should be paying once the cheaper advance fares are loaded - non Railcard prices. The trains are hourly and those with 1st class are usually alternate hours.
Posted by
Surrey, UK
76 posts
Laurel, National Rail is not the train operating company, it is the brand name of the |UK's train system.
April, you sometimes get cheaper tickets from the individual train operators and these are often not loaded till several months out.
Trainline is a ticketing company which has an algorithm called split ticketing, which sometimes offers cheaper fares. For example, last week I booked a fare through them at £41, which was £49 on the train operator's site.