Hello All!
Another transportation question about summer travel in Europe. My husband and I will be taking the train from Paris to Calais then the Ferry to Dover. We will then spend the next several days traveling around southern Britain by train. Should we buy these tickets in advance (nationalrail.co.uk is what I have been looking at) or just wait until we are there? Most of the tickets seem to be all day anytime tickets.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Stephanie, BritRail tends to be one of the most expensive in Europe. Hopefully Nigel will spot this Thread, as he'd be the best one to provide information on pre-purchase of tickets. Depending on where you're going in the U.K., using National Express Coach is also a very cost effective travel method if time isn't a factor. The Coaches also cover more destinations than rail. You may find it helpful to have a look at This Excellent Website that has LOTS of information on rail travel. Happy travels!
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
You may get some discount, but in general same-day fares for England south of London aren't too expensive, as long as you don't go west of Salisbury.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33848 posts
Tickets can vary in price depending on when and where they are purchased. The very cheapest are when purchased on relevent company (TOC) websites during sales. It is always woth looking at those websites to see what is in the offing. For southern England, depending how far west you will go, look at websites for Southeastern, Southern, Southwest Trains, First Great Western and Cross Country. There are Ranger Tickets and Rover Tickets. Rangers allow unlimited travel on a particular day in a particular region on particular TOCs after a particular time, usually 9:30, and can be a good value. They are walkup. Rovers are like Rangers but are for longer periods. For example, there is a "Kent 3-Day Rover" which is good in central Kent, only on Southeastern, after 9:30 M-F, all day Sat Sun BH, for 3 days for £38 per adult, kiddoes £5. There are many examples. Another is DaySave, which gives unlimited travel over all Southern Railway trains after 10:00 M-F (OK all day weekends) and not valid (in London Zones 1-6 for trains leaving London main stations 16:45 - 19:15 M-F); only £12, on the internet from Southern. You can get a DaySave-Peak with no time restrictions for £30. "Advance" tickets are for longer distance flows, available on the internet or at stations, depending on capacity, up to 1800 the prior day to travel. They can be very cheap but are for a specific train at a specific time on a specific TOC and are non-refundable and non-changeable. They can be as low as £6 all the way across England but you should get them as soon as you can commit. "Anytime" are the most expensive - walk up and good all day even peak hours. "Off Peak" are not valid in AM or PM peaks but can be quite reasonable, especially "Returns" which are round trip, either same day or within 30, which often are only £1 more than one way.