Train tickets advice

[Lesonthewest]

Decided to go to Edinburgh for a last minute few days break on Tuesday but don't know wether to book now or leave it see if price drops at the last minute tomorrow, cheap skate fecker I am. At the moment it's quoting 186 quid for 2 returns Tuesday to Friday, any advice would be appreciated.

[GazLaz]

The don't get any cheaper. I use trainline.com and book specific trains as they are a lot cheaper usually than open returns.

[drfc1951]

Its best to try and book 12 weeks in advance.Ive noticed since virgin took over from east coast there aren't as many cheap advance fares.

[GazLaz]

Virgin are a set of shithouses. Worst thing that ever happened them getting the contract.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Les. Try two singles instead of a return.

Just on a quick look, leaving Tues 09:01 (change York) and return 18:30 (direct) you can get 2 singles for 2 people for about £160.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Virgin are a set of shithouses. Worst thing that ever happened them getting the contract.

East Coast was being run excellently by the Govt, decent ticket offers AND it was making a profit. But that's not supposed to be able to happen so they had to re-privatise it to that set of ribbing Kitsons. They were an obscenity when they ran the X-country service. I once paid £240 for a second class return from Sheffield to Poole and spent 4 hours of the return trip sat outside the shitter because the seat reservation signs weren't working and the train was rammed full.

I wouldn't piss on Branson if he was on fire. Unless I'd been drinking petrol.

[Lesonthewest]

Cheers fellas & thanks for the info, looks like we'll have to bite the bullet to the robdogs as hotels booked, don't fancy driving. thanks again.

[Dagenham Rover]

Yes as a pretty frequent traveler to London there is a difference in advance tickets since Virgin took over

[Rios]

Virgin are a set of shithouses. Worst thing that ever happened them getting the contract.

East Coast was being run excellently by the Govt, decent ticket offers AND it was making a profit. But that's not supposed to be able to happen so they had to re-privatise it to that set of ribbing Kitsons. They were an obscenity when they ran the X-country service. I once paid £240 for a second class return from Sheffield to Poole and spent 4 hours of the return trip sat outside the shitter because the seat reservation signs weren't working and the train was rammed full.

I wouldn't piss on Branson if he was on fire. Unless I'd been drinking petrol.

You do realise that East Coast is mostly owned by Stagecoach (90%) with Virgin having a small stake and letting them use the name because Stagecoach are an even bigger set of shithouses!

[GazLaz]

I've just been looking at train prices from London to Donny over the next month or so, they are definitely a lot higher on average than they were. The London to Manchester service of Virgin's has always been expensive when I have used that as well. I went up to my old dears in Manchester one Christmas Eve on it and I had to sit on the roof with 50 others and a goat. It was like the Delhi to Kolkata express.

[BillyStubbsTears]

Rios

No, I didn't know that. It's like Satan fronting for Fred West.

[drfc1951]

I thought eastcoast was owned by government,they took over the running from national express who couldn't afford to run it anymore.

[Rios]

I thought eastcoast was owned by government,they took over the running from national express who couldn't afford to run it anymore.

It was, they re-privatised it a few months ago and it went to Stagecoach/Virgin.

I've just been looking at train prices from London to Donny over the next month or so, they are definitely a lot higher on average than they were. The London to Manchester service of Virgin's has always been expensive when I have used that as well. I went up to my old dears in Manchester one Christmas Eve on it and I had to sit on the roof with 50 others and a goat. It was like the Delhi to Kolkata express.

Living over here it was obvious very quickly that Virgin don't really like doing cheap tickets.  They get around it by offering them all during the week between 11 and 2 and then severely limiting them at any other time.  I can get from Manchester to Donny and back for just over £20 if I pay on the day, yet going to London can be nearly £200 if paid on the day despite the train never being anywhere near full.

[BillyStubbsTears]

East Mids trains are superb if you can be flexible. I've got an afternoon meeting in London tomorrow. Leaving Sheffield at mid-day and getting the 20:55 train back, I got a first class ticket for £58. Less than a tenner more than second class and for that you get unlimited free coffee and snacks, free wi-fi and a very good seat. And it only takes 2 hours.

Anyone wanting to travel from Donny to London who's on a tight budget and not so tight on time would be well advised to have a look at that alternative.

[drfc1951]

The don't get any cheaper. I use trainline.com and book specific trains as they are a lot cheaper usually than open returns.

Ithink youre  better off booking direct with train operator, as they don't charge booking fee unlike trainline.com

[Savvy]

If your travelling within the same week the only option as far as I'm concerned is a ticket split. For the journey mentioned I'd have gone Donny - York, York - Newcastle, Newcastle- Edinburgh!!!

[Underwood]

I wonder if Doncaster will even keep its London link once HS2 is operational.

[jucyberry]

Split your tickets, It's a bit of a pain in the bum juggling a wallet full of tickets but the savings can be substantial.. Plus it's a challenge..

[hoolahoop]

I wonder if Doncaster will even keep its London link once HS2 is operational.

Good question must admit that had crossed my mind too. However by the time they've pissed about with it - I will probably be long gone.

[Metalmicky]

Cheers fellas & thanks for the info, looks like we'll have to bite the bullet to the robdogs as hotels booked, don't fancy driving. thanks again.

Driving is easy - you can do it in 4- 4.5 hours and it's basically a straight road.  Not sure where you're staying, but I would recommend the busses also.  I think they were £1.20 a trip last time I was up and they are reliable and regular. Wouldn't advise you drive into the centre though....

[Lesonthewest]

Thanks again, we were at the Royal British across from Waverley station, that's mostly why I didn't drive up with it being in the centre & having somewhere to park up for the duration. As you said did find the buses cheap for getting around though.

Cheers fellas & thanks for the info, looks like we'll have to bite the bullet to the robdogs as hotels booked, don't fancy driving. thanks again.

Driving is easy - you can do it in 4- 4.5 hours and it's basically a straight road.  Not sure where you're staying, but I would recommend the busses also.  I think they were £1.20 a trip last time I was up and they are reliable and regular. Wouldn't advise you drive into the centre though....