Plymouth - Leuchars (any tips for keeping the cost down)

[whole diary]

[amiddl]

We shall be travelling mid week in October and staying two days. At the momenmt the anytime return which seems to be about ^150 per person seem sthe only option. Does anyone have any tips/ideas for cutting the cost.

[JayMac]

Actual dates and times will help in finding Advance purchase options. Booking horizons are currently mid October for most operators so if your travel dates are later than that then I can only look at walk-up ticket options.

Prefer CrossCountry or via London?

1st Class if cheap enough?

Do you have a Railcard of any sort?

[amiddl]

Two travellers one has young person railcard. Happy to consider any route as long as cheap

Thanks

[JayMac]

Still can't look for anything meaningful without dates.

[amiddl]

Out 12 October back 14th October - basically going for a meeting on the 13th.

[matt473]

Advance tickets are only available in the meantime up to October 13th.

[JayMac]

Should be able to easily beat the CrossCountry walk up fare of ^172.20 with split Advances via London. Give it a couple more days and I'll look at the options for you. Booking horizons for FGW^▸ (First Great Western) aren't quite there yet. I've got the Kings Cross-Leuchars ADV fares but I'll hold off until I can give you total prices.

[amiddl]

fantastic thanks for help much appreciated.

[inspector_blakey]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but there is a potential risk with splitting advance fares via London, that being that if your train to London in either direction is delayed and you miss the connecting train, the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) operating your second train is not obliged to let you travel. They may be nice, but equally they may not and would be within their rights to make you purchase a new ticket. You're safer in that regard if you can find a through ticket, which there are for journeys via London (route described as +AP LONDN READING, where the + indicates that it includes cross-London transfer on the Underground, and AP indicates advance purchase).

[devon_metro]

Have you considered Groupsave? (if it is available)

[paul7575]

Have you considered Groupsave? (if it is available)

There are only two travelling.  Possibly not your best idea...

Paul

[JayMac]

I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but there is a potential risk with splitting advance fares via London, that being that if your train to London in either direction is delayed and you miss the connecting train, the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) operating your second train is not obliged to let you travel. They may be nice, but equally they may not and would be within their rights to make you purchase a new ticket. You're safer in that regard if you can find a through ticket, which there are for journeys via London (route described as +AP LONDN READING, where the + indicates that it includes cross-London transfer on the Underground, and AP indicates advance purchase).

Of course I'll factor in about 90 minute between Paddington and Kings Cross (which incidentally is the connection time on a couple of services that the OJPs^▸ (Online Journey Planner) throw up.) Maybe a bit excessive, but I take your point about split Advances. I'm looking at various options for amiddl - which he chooses is up to him but I will qualify the split advances with reference to your post, blakey.

[Phil]

Am I the only one who keeps glancing at the title of this thread and mistaking it for "Plymouth Lechers"?

Sorry, not particularly helpful I know....

[inspector_blakey]

No, no, no, the lechers aren't in Plymouth, they're all in south Wales, apparently

[JayMac]

amiddl. I'm still waiting for the Advances from London to Plymouth on the 14th October to be come available. Should have an answer in the next cople of days.

In the meantime I've been looking into the potential pitfalls of using split advances if you are delayed on one service, and subsequently miss the 2nd service.

This thread on RailUK Forums covers the issue pretty well with some good advice as well as a robust argument about the legal position. What it appears to boil down to is TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) offering good customer service as long as you adhere to minimum connection times, but their is a very small risk of a staff member playing hard ball and refusing to endorse travel on a later service. No anecdotal evidence that this has ever happened though.