My wife and I are arriving in Manchester on the morning of July 31st. We are staying one night in York before heading to Scotland for two weeks. We have our other travel arrangements planned already, but I did not buy an advance train ticket for Manchester to York because I did not know how long it would take to get through customs, etc. Looking at the East Coast train website, it looks like I can buy tickets that are good for any time for about 60 pounds (whereas the advance tickets good for one service are about 22 pounds). My question is if we wait to buy tickets when we arrive, will they be cheaper than 60 pounds. Also, is it risky to wait because of full trains? Thanks in advance. Getting quite excited for our trip, we'll be our first time in Scotland! --Doug--
Posted by
Minneapolis, MN, USA
8700 posts
If you wait until you arrive, you will pay full fare. There are at least three trains per hour. The chances of any of them being sold out are slim to none. Have a great trip!
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
981 posts
I have never bought tickets in advance when traveling on trains in the UK and never had problems getting a seat (usually going Gatwick to London). Look on the National Rail website, you can get info on all the trains and prices. Also have a look at the National Express website - they operate the national coach service and you might get a better deal with them and they have buses running from the airport. Like the trains you need to book in advance for a specific time. Maybe one of the seasoned travelers on this forum can tell you how long it is likely to take you to get through Immigration at Manchester. (British Customs have you just walk through the Green Lane and you are unlikely to be stopped).
Posted by
South Yorkshire, UK; formerly St. Louis, MO, USA
317 posts
Doug - Another St. Louis poster! Excellent. :) To your question - finding seats should not be a problem at all. Plenty of service. (Wish we had the same between St. Louis and Chicago!) I do the Manchester Airport - Leeds run frequently, and never had any problems. Are you going from the airport itself, or Manchester Piccadilly? The reason I ask is that I've just had a look at the National Rail website (http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/), and I am seeing fares as low as 11GBP per person one way. I'm showing anytime fares from 29.80 GBP ppow (no restrictions on which train to take). My presumption was that your prices were for single tickets, but are you quoting prices for two tickets?