Cheapest way to buy UK Rail tickets?

Spirogyra

Hi possibly Hollyhead to Brighton return (presumably via London), they all seem terribly expensive. I'm open to bus but my natural preference is for the train. (I don't fly).
Advice appreciated.
S

whomitconcerns

TheTrainline.com is your man. It's a long journey so it won't be the cheapest. Just book as early as possible

CeilingFly

Taking the train in the UK is horrendously expensive a lot of the time - it makes Irish rail full price fares seem a bargain.

As above thetrainline.com will be best option

Victor

If travelling from Ireland, SailRail should give you a good price. Check that it includes London Underground.

http://www.irishrail.ie/fares-and-tickets/sailrail
http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/specials-from-Ireland-to-Britain/sail-rail
http://www.stenaline.ie/ferries-to-britain/rail-sail
https://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/SailRail/

If buying in the UK, but in advance and try to avoid peak times. London-Manchester at 5pm Friday is going to be expensive if you buy at the ticket office, 10 minutes before leaving.

https://eurolines.buseireann.ie/ will get you to Reading or London.

CelticRambler

A second vote for Sail-Rail. Definitely the cheapest way to get from Dublin (or Rosslare) to any station in the UK (£46 Dublin to Brighton, one-way) 10-hour journey if you get the 08h45 Swift.

You don't need to worry too much about whether or not the tube is included - it won't be, end of story! But these days, you don't even need to buy a ticket - just use a contactless payment card, "tap in" when you go through the turnstiles at Euston, "tap out" when you leave Victoria.

If you use this National Rail journey planner, you can select Dublin as a departure point.

EverythingGood

Sail Rail is the way to go - we got Rosslare - Cardiff return for €82.

Spirogyra

Rang Stena Line -'Sail-Rail' yesterday but got no answer, will try again tomorrow and see what prices they quote. Brutal are the prices I've seen so far. Is that due to Margaret Thatchers Privatisation in the 1980's?.

CeilingFly

Book online with Irish Ferries €47/€53 each way

http://www.irishferries.com/uk-en/specials-from-Ireland-to-Britain/sail-rail

"Brighton" is in the third set of stations on the drop down list.

Victor

Spirogyra wrote: »

Rang Stena Line -'Sail-Rail' yesterday but got no answer, will try again tomorrow and see what prices they quote. Brutal are the prices I've seen so far. Is that due to Margaret Thatchers Privatisation in the 1980's?.

Click on my link, click on 'SAIL & RAIL TO ENGLAND OR WALES VIA HOLYHEAD' and you get.



There may be minor credit card charges.

Spirogyra

Thanks all

Vic_08

Spirogyra wrote: »

Hi possibly Hollyhead to Brighton return (presumably via London), they all seem terribly expensive. I'm open to bus but my natural preference is for the train. (I don't fly).
Advice appreciated.
S

The above sailrail fares are by far the cheapest you will find for that journey.

The Irish issued sailrail tickets are not valid for London Underground connections.

whomitconcerns wrote: »

TheTrainline.com is your man. It's a long journey so it won't be the cheapest. Just book as early as possible

CeilingFly wrote: »

As above thetrainline.com will be best option

trainline.com is NEVER the cheapest. They add on booking fees to the same fares all the train operating company websites sell without fees.

Stephen15

Just out of curiosity would flying not be cheaper or is that an option.

CelticRambler

Can't speak for the OP's journey, but I've usually found that S&R is considerably cheaper if you need to book close to your date of travel and/or at peak times. I remember one journey where I ended up in Stansted late in the day at the wrong time of year with no ticket to Dublin. I checked the last-minute prices, picked my jaw off the ground and went downstairs to the train station, bought a S&R ticket instead for a fraction of the price and got to Dublin the next morning before anyone at home had had their breakfast.

It's also easier to budget if you don't actually know your travel dates. I've had that experience too - hanging on, waiting for someone else to confirm things at their end in London and not being able to book anything, all the time watching air fares creeping up into triple figures. With S&R, it is what it is, making one less thing to worry about.

Victor

Stephen15 wrote: »

Just out of curiosity would flying not be cheaper or is that an option.

Not for everyone.

Spirogyra wrote: »

(I don't fly).

irishbloke77

How many of you are travelling, is there any children.

The reason I ask is that if there is a child travelling with you, it may save you some money to buy a friends and family railcard, it costs 30 euros and covers up to I think it's 2/3 adults and the same amount of kids.

I don't know what dates you are travelling, but I looked at the route you said for next monday July 3rd and returning the following Thursday July 6th.

I don't even know if the times/dates suit you, but with a railcard, 1 adult and 1 child can be GBP£90, plus the GBP£30 for the railcard.

Without a railcard, same dates/time/people travelling is GBP£160.

Obviously, this isn't for everyone, just thought I would post it. The card can be bought at Holyhead when you get there, but there must be at least 1 child travelling and they do inspect the railcard that got you the discount. Maybe of use to someone. Also, it's valid for a year if you go anywhere over there again.

Ponster

Always worth using www.splitticketing.com for UK rail travel. I have often saved up to 50% by getting 2/3 tickets instead of just 1.

Vic_08

irishbloke77 wrote: »

How many of you are travelling, is there any children.

The reason I ask is that if there is a child travelling with you, it may save you some money to buy a friends and family railcard, it costs 30 euros and covers up to I think it's 2/3 adults and the same amount of kids.

I don't know what dates you are travelling, but I looked at the route you said for next monday July 3rd and returning the following Thursday July 6th.

I don't even know if the times/dates suit you, but with a railcard, 1 adult and 1 child can be GBP£90, plus the GBP£30 for the railcard.

Without a railcard, same dates/time/people travelling is GBP£160.

Obviously, this isn't for everyone, just thought I would post it. The card can be bought at Holyhead when you get there, but there must be at least 1 child travelling and they do inspect the railcard that got you the discount. Maybe of use to someone. Also, it's valid for a year if you go anywhere over there again.

While that is a useful money saver for internal journeys, you are not including the ferry cost which is appx €80 per adult return.

Sailrail gives a return journey to any station in Britain for around €20 more than just the Dublin-Holyhead fare.


For completeness There are also Railcards for 16-25 year olds, over 60s, and two nominated persons travelling together which can be bought on the spot at manned rail stations, all giving 1/3 off many fares. https://www.railcard.co.uk/

Spirogyra

Just e109 return, Sail-Rail via Irish Ferries, that sounds very good, considering what trains alone are, thanks for that recommendation