Anyone know the best site to buy rail tickets?

Question

hi. had a look at prices for a return family of 3 southampton/waterloo and every site was the same price of £83. they were all saying they were the cheapest. is it worth looking at more sites.does anyone know of a good place to look?

Answer 1

Ignore the previous answers, if none of them look any different, as they are copies of each other, all be it with different companies liveries/colours to make it look like it's their own website.

There are 2 online train ticket systems currently available for public use:

The first, basic one, is the same basic system which everyone else has pointed you to- a copy of The Train Line's website, all be it with the different branding etc

However, if you want to use this system, use www.virgintrainsfares.co.uk , instead of The Train Line, and avoid the Postal/Fast Ticket charges.

The second, slightly more complicated system, is a rather new one, which is only available from National Express East Coast (Previously GNER).

http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com/

This is alot different than the more basic first system, and allows you to view fares more simply, and may make it easier for people like yourself wanting to find the cheapest ticket for a journey, and not the most flexible.

Note that NXEC's website also allows you to reserve bike spaces, and book assistance getting on/off trains, which I don't think is available on any other internet booking system at all. (Previously restricted to telephone/station booking)

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

As far as i know these sites show the same because they all come through the same company. I got a return ticket to London for £28 i booked this over a month in advance. If you go to www.nationalrail.co.uk then you will see their normal prices, cheap fares and the special advanced fares. When you click to buy it gives you a choice of sites to buy from and they are either the same or cheaper to the price thats been quoted

Answer 3

http://www.centraltrains.railsaver.co.uk...

maj

Answer 4

Rail fares in the UK are regulated so the fare you see on one site is the fare you will see on them all. Train companies issue advance fares which can be rearly cheap if you book well in advance leave it to late and all you get is the standard expensive walk on fares so go to the train companies website

which will be south west trains http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/

and use there ticket booking service book in advance to get the cheap fares

Answer 5

Nationalrail or thetrainline are about the best Ive found. Most trains and gives you options of times and prices available

Answer 6

Check out your local library or tourist information centre.  Believe it or not for some strange reason rail tickets are cheaper there where I am from (Luton) than any website I have found!  They tend to get lots of deals on i.e. 4 for the price of 2 etc.

Happy hunting!

Answer 7

Virgin's a good site to go on, plus if you buy a Family railcard although there about £25. The discount is far greater & the railcard is valied for 12mths.& you can have 2 adult names on,either are able to use the card along with a child or children. Even if you only use it 2 or 3 times it's paid for it's self in fare discounts.

Answer 8

thetrainline.com

Answer 9

www.trainline.co.uk

Answer 10

I use www.nationalrail.co.uk and it gives lots of options on prices.

Answer 11

See my answer to your previous question, explained there, hope it helps.