Train question, possibly a stupid one!

manic111 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:25

Just a quick question about train prices really; National Rail offer so many options on their website that I don't know which one applies to me! I might need to be down in London on Thursday (returning the same day), but won't know until that morning and therefore can't book a train in advance. Which of the below prices shows how much I'll be charged if I pay on the day at the station? (I have a railcard by the way, which is why they're relatively cheap compared to normal!)

Swifty55 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:27

Anytime - Mon - Fri
Off Peak - Weekends/After certain time Mon - Fri
Advance - Pre Book.

How it works for me.

growse · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:28

Well, you can book any ticket on the day except an 'Advance', which you need to book in 'Advance'. So whatever's cheapest. Off-peak is off-peak, anytime is anytime. You'll need to check the details to find out when off-peak is - can't you click on the ticket name to find out what it's meant to be?

manic111 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:29

Cool cheers; I asked about this a while ago at the station though, and was told that with a student railcard it's always off-peak. Anyone know if there's any truth to this?

If it's £90 I think I'll tell them to stuff it!!!

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:29

You will be charged £27.55 on the day for any of those trains.

manic111 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:30

[TW]Fox;14836334 said:
You will be charged £27.55 on the day for any of those trains.

Thank you very much Fox!

So am I right in thinking that with a railcard you are never charged peak fares?

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:33

None of those trains are peak time trains except one of the evening ones and thats not an issue anyway.

manic111 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:35

[TW]Fox;14836376 said:
None of those trains are peak time trains except one of the evening ones and thats not an issue anyway.

I'll be returning in the evening though...does that not require an anytime ticket?

HangTime · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:40

Peak time just means in the morning usually, e.g. travelling before 10am on some commuter routes. You should have no problem using your railcard at those times.

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:42

manic111 said:
I'll be returning in the evening though...does that not require an anytime ticket?

Not on the return portion, no.

manic111 · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:42

Okey dokey, I'll take it at that and hope that Britain's public transport system does me a favour for a change

meghatronic · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:43

manic111 said:
So am I right in thinking that with a railcard you are never charged peak fares?

Well you can't use railcard peak times (without incurring min. fare).

[TW]Fox · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:44

meghatronic said:
Well you can't use railcard peak times

Yes you can.

(without incurring min. fare).

Exactly.

Missing.String · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:44

I think the real question is "if a fly hits a train..."

meghatronic · 7 Sep 2009 at 22:47

[TW]Fox;14836468 said:
Yes you can.

Exactly.

Well Bolton-Manchester without railcard peak is about £4. With it's about £20. Or something equally daft.

manic111 · 8 Sep 2009 at 00:27

meghatronic said:
Well Bolton-Manchester without railcard peak is about £4. With it's about £20. Or something equally daft.

True; but to the best of my knowledge minimum fare for a railcard is £20, so it won't affect my journey either way.

It's somewhat bizarre though!

Gackt · 8 Sep 2009 at 01:08

manic111 said:
True; but to the best of my knowledge minimum fare for a railcard is £20, so it won't affect my journey either way.

It's somewhat bizarre though!

I've used a 16-25 railcard on a £4 train ticket and got a discount, so there doesn't seem to be a minimum fare.