Great Western Coffee Shop

I'm planning a trip to York next weekend (19th-22nd Oct), probably departing from Bristol Parkway, I plan top stay 2 nights, which could be Thurs/Fri or Fri/Sat. Best fare I can see is an off-peak return at  £95.40 with railcard discount. Have I missed something obvious?

Looks like you might be able to save a tenner or so by using split tickets.  A ridiculous seven different tickets required for that though!

https://www.traintickets.com/?/

Train split has Thurs to Sat of that weekend at £90.86
Out 6.44 to 10.29 direct.  Return 15.50 to 19.57 2 changes.

Fri to Sunday is £86 something.
Out 9.44 -13.30 direct.  Return 15.51 - 19.54 2 changes.


I've occasionally been looking at York fares too for the railway museum.  Will probably look further ahead for advanced tickets as a museum visit there isn't weather dependent.

NOT going to work on this one, I expect - but I found the cheapest for a trip to the North East was a Sheffield or Retford ticket and then a north east rover

At the moment the national rail site has... advance Bristol TM on the 19th leaving 07:55 to Manchester via Hereford £25:65, and another advance back, leaving Manchester 16:30 for the same price. Then an off peak and flexible return Manchester to York for £23.25, so a total of £74.55?

Mark

OK, thanks everyone. I'll have a think!

Not sure what happens on the day but realtimetrains lists both the Newport to Manchester leg and the return as loco and coaches.

Mark

Possibly try via London/Corby?.

This is part of the rail travel problem.
Several choices, with many restrictions.
How is the 'average 'passenger supposed to deal with this without ticket office assistance?

Rhetorical question, I know.  But perhaps the answer is "they aren't".  People are supposed to find a choice that fits them, not necessary the cheapest but something that will cover their needs.  Just as there is no call on the supermarkets to ensure that you know about and can buy the cheapest product, so there is no right to ensure you are offered the cheapest ticket combination.

Hmmmmm..........in a supermarket all the options are generally on display with their respective prices.......

Yes ... but it's really much more complex.

* It is not obvious in a supermarket when it would be cheaper to buy multiple products and make up your own - packet of sausages and some potatoes v ready bangers and mash meal.  Split ticket comparison?

* On things kept behind the counter - e.g. pharmacy - I'm not sure if you ask whether you'll be given the lowest cost generic product or the named brand, especially if you ask by the commonly known name

* Have you tried online ordering from Dominos?  The range of deals and specials seems almost designed to confuse. At least their checkout software applies a deal if it can.

Big issue is really the complexity of fares ... I would still do the North East with GWR / Hull Trains advanced to Retford, and then a North East Rover is travelling round from a York base (and on past form I would stay in the much cheaper Darlington and have the pleasure of some high speed trains, even if no longer High Speed Trains!)

On pricing, the models are all so different that we're really comparing chalk and oranges - or whatever the saying is!