I am buying tickets from London to Penzance and back (April 18th, April 22nd) and previously asked about prices changing closer to day of travel, with no clear answers about how prices are managed. Someone somewhere at a ticket booking agency told me that ticket prices for a particular class or type, should not go up (say like plane tickets do). I understand that reservations may be filled, but as I understood a particular class of ticket, if still available, would not change in price. The train I want to take went up for advance and standard tickets from 44.50 to 50.00 in the last few days. I'm waiting to coordinate others and see whether my father will be able to make the trip. Anyway, standard and advance are the same price. I"m thinking of buying standard for flexbility if my overseas flight is late (right now there is about a 3 hour period between flight arrival and train leaving). If I need to take a later train, or if my father needs a refund, standard single adult tickets should afford that, versus the restrictive advance tickets. True? These probably seem like silly questions for someone who understands the system, but I need to coordinate by email by people in different time zones and with different opinions, and trying to nail down some firm information. I would greatly appreciate information from someone who understands the pricing to help me. Thank you!
Posted by
Ferndale, Wa, USA
20 posts
I found out the hard way some advance prices do go up. 2months out I could have bought tickets from London to aberystwyth, wales for 26 gbp., They went up to 76 gbp purchasing the day of travel! I about fell over. Look at some prices 2 or 3 months out, then price again a ticket for traveling the same route tomorrow. that might give you an idea.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23626 posts
English rail system, because it has been almost completely privatized, is the most expensive in Europe. My experience is that they have studied the US airline pricing system so the Brits are equally confusion and unpredictable. Maybe a local can explain it.
Posted by
Tilburg, Netherlands
2829 posts
This trend - of variable pricing - is spreading, but I think it is for good. I just commented on how Trenitalia adopted a similar scheme. ..-
I like the idea of pricing varying by the minute. Sure, it makes things less certain, but why should rail prices be fixed anyway? Bring it the dirty cheap fares, let those not planning in advance pay more to travel at the last moment just showing up at the sation.
Posted by
Napa, CA
3580 posts
It may be possible to buy a Senior Discount Card for cheaper tickets for those over 60 or 65. In the past, I have bought a discounted ticket to Bath for anyone over 60, and without using a Senior Discount Card. These deals change frequently. I will be in London in a couple of weeks and plan to purchase my ticket to Penzance (a few days later) the day I arrive in London. It is difficult to figure out just what period "advance" covers. It used to be you got a break just buying your tix a day in advance.
Posted by
Durham, UK
55 posts
Hi there, The British rail ticketing system can be confusing, but despite what British people (or the media) may tell you, train tickets in the UK are not the most expensive in Europe. If purchased in advance, tickets are amongst the cheapest per mile, much like domestic US air travel. Basically there are three types of ticket: Advance, off-peak and anytime. These are available for both classes. Advance tickets are nearly always the cheapest, but, as you rightly point out, tie you to a specific train. Train guards are very punctilious about this and a delayed plane would most likely not be an excuse to catch a later train. However, the trade off is the often excellent deals available. Off-peak tickets vary by route, but are usually only valid for journeys after about 1000, and not journeys leaving London between about 1530 and 1900. Though again, these vary. Off-peak tickets are usually a lot cheaper than fully open tickets. However, you are not tied to a specific service and you can reserve seats for free on all Intercity services and most rural trains. If you miss your reserved train, it doesn't matter, you just won't be guaranteed a seat. Anytime tickets are the most expensive and allow you to travel on any train at any time. Again, seat reservations are free. And again, it doesn't matter whether you miss your reserved train, as you just won't be guaranteed a seat. First class fares are usually twice the standard fare and are not often worth it, however to Penzance, you do get a markedly higher quality of service than in Standard. Check First Great Western's website (who operate this route) for full details.
Posted by
Durham, UK
55 posts
It is also worth mentioning, that if you are taking your father and some extras and you are all travelling on the same train, then you might be able to buy GroupSave tickets, which mean 4 travel for the price of 2. I hope this hasn't muddied the waters too much! I'd also suggest, given your circumstances, that you buy standard adult tickets. Buy returns and not singles, as two singles are always more expensive than a return, when not advance tickets. A return will be valid for one month from the outward date.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
Be careful of using the word standard in relation to British tickets. Standard is that class which is not First Class. A full fare ticket is an Anytime ticket as described above. Any ticket type could be standard as long as you don't want the First Class benefits. So a standard First Class ticket wouldn't make any sense....