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Trying to Save Money on Train Travel...

Posted by on

(I searched thru the forum topics but did not find this particular subject addressed. Please be patient if I am re-hashing a worn subject!)

I have been using the National Rail journey planner to look up potential routes and costs for a trip in May. The advance tickets are just about to be available (12 weeks prior to travel dates for purchase). In researching specific routes sometimes it is less expensive to buy an 'anytime' ticket through to the final destination (with a calling point mid-route that I want to use) than two individual tickets from original destination to mid-point and mid-point to final destination (either anytime, advanced or off-peak). Specifically: London Paddington to Woodstock. Calling point is Slough. My questions are if I purchase the anytime tickets: 1 - can I get off and get back on another train on the same route, but several hours later? 2 - If a calling point is listed; does the train necessarily stop at it? The times of arrival/departure are the same which leads me to think that they do not. Can you request the train to stop? Must I purchase Individual tickets?

Thank you for your insight!

Posted by
2600 posts

With an anytime ticket "You may start, break and resume, or end your journey at any intermediate station along the route of travel"

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/46544.aspx

If a calling point is listed then the train will stop at that station. Exceptions would be small, uncommon request stations where you ask the conductor to stop the train.

The arrival and departure times are the same because the train does not stop for very long -maybe less than a minute. The train will definitely stop at Slough.

London to Woodstock threw me as there is no Woodstock station.

Posted by
4 posts

Thank you ramblin' on....Woodstock i.e. Hanborough. You have answered my questions perfectly! I feel much better about purchasing tickets now.

Posted by
205 posts

You are not getting off at Slough? If so check the works of John Betjeman ( and Ricky Gervais' The Office)

Posted by
4 posts

Yes, melsmith1962. Planned to get off at Slough to travel to Windsor/Eton and back on to continue to Woodstock (Hanborough) to overnight and see Blenheim Palace the following day.

Posted by
5466 posts

You would need to buy a Slough to Windsor return as well as your ticket to Hanborough. You may be aware of that but haven't referred to it.

You can break journeys on nearly all off peak returns too.

Posted by
4 posts

Thank-you, Marco, for another bit of useful information (about off-peak trains). That can be a money-saver, too! I understand about needing tickets to Windsor and back; thank you; I appreciate any and all advice, though! I believe we will be traveling through your town on our way; please wish for good weather for us!

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