Train Fares

jewii

jewii

jewii

Associate
Joined
12 Jul 2010
Posts
334
Hey guys,

Wondered if anyone has had experience with paying on the train for long distances compared to booking in advance online?

Reason been that my university has requested us all to be present 2 weeks after the end term for a possible meeting with an external examiner to which they'll release the list of students who are actually required on the day before IN THE AFTERNOON. Unfortunately I have to be unavoidably at home for various reasons and the train fair is roughly ~£80 online (short notice) for a return trip which is quite a large fee for something i may not be required to attend. Even more ironic is that I'm out of the country only 2 days later ...

Any other advice would be great! :(
 
Just clarifying, is the day there asking you to attend after the university term ends, or just a day that you don't have anything on?
 
Pretty sure you can't actually pay on the train these days unless your departure station doesn't have any ticket facilities.

So if you try it, you'll probably get fined.

If they do let you buy a ticket, the fare will probably be extortionate, since you don't really have any choice but to pay it.

Tell them you have other plans/need longer notice/cant afford it/want your expenses paid.

What are they going to do if you don't turn up?

Other option (if you drive) could be to hire the cheapest car possible, as soon as you hear, you could probably get some grotty little supermini for ~£20-30 for 24hrs (obviously this depends on the distance, if it's 400 miles then the petrol cost will be more than the train :p)
 
Get the cheapest one you can in advance and if you don't need it just sell it on. Like laying off a bet, you should make a profit if you sell it on after all the advance tickets are gone.
 
Tuppy_Glossop said:
Get the cheapest one you can in advance and if you don't need it just sell it on. Like laying off a bet, you should make a profit if you sell it on after all the advance tickets are gone.
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how/where would you do that ? curious 'tis all.
 
Tuppy_Glossop said:
Get the cheapest one you can in advance and if you don't need it just sell it on. Like laying off a bet, you should make a profit if you sell it on after all the advance tickets are gone.
Click to expand...

Efour said:
like this ?

Thats pretty cool i never thought of looking on Ebay for train tickets. Although it would be very random lucky to get the right one/date.
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I seem to remember reading somewhere that it's technically illegal (or at least against the train operator's T&Cs) to sell your ticket on! Of course they'd have to catch you :p
 
Thanks for the replies.

To clarify, The meeting date is on the very last day of term but exams/university technically finishes 2 weeks earlier.

unfortunately there isn't any information at all about why/what the meetings are for, since I'm unofficially being awarded a Beng (continuing for masters (Meng)) at the end of this term, i can't afford to jeopardize my degree by skipping this meeting.

So I'll email the guy organizing this event for the possibility of been exempted or at least an earlier notification to allow me to buy the tickets online if necessary otherwise it's a £80 financial hit (with a rail card) with the possibility of a 16 hour round trip journey... :(
 
Haggisman said:
Pretty sure you can't actually pay on the train these days unless your departure station doesn't have any ticket facilities.

So if you try it, you'll probably get fined.
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I often travel without buying a ticket beforehand, and all that happens is you pay the full fare. Which is the same as is if I used the machine at the station.
 
Ahleckz said:
I often travel without buying a ticket beforehand, and all that happens is you pay the full fare. Which is the same as is if I used the machine at the station.
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Probably depends on the operator, I know with London Midland, if you don't buy a ticket before getting on the train (without a good excuse such as ticket machine broken and desk closed) they'll fine you (unless you're very lucky!).
 
Haggisman said:
Probably depends on the operator, I know with London Midland, if you don't buy a ticket before getting on the train (without a good excuse such as ticket machine broken and desk closed) they'll fine you (unless you're very lucky!).
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I guess that makes sense. Never heard of anyone being fined by Scotrail. Some operators are harsher than others I suppose.
 
Not a chance in hell I would attend any meeting so far away and at such short notice. You do exams and they get marked. Tell them they can call or Skype you if absolutely necessary.

jewii said:
Even more ironic is that I'm out of the country only 2 days later ...
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That's not irony by the way.
/pedant
 
its like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
...
And isn't it ironic... don't you think?
 
Try booking it on southernrailway, I'm pretty sure if you don't collect your tickets from the machine they refund you. However, I'm unsure if Advance tickets are included.
 
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