London - Manchester and back

[Deerfold]

Howdy - had a friend come to me for advice as "I'm good with tickets".

He's not good at asking in good time though even though I keep telling him to get the bargains I get for myself I need reasonable notice - he keeps thinking there'll be some "last minute" deals.

So to details.

He will be travelling with his son from London Euston to Manchester (preferably Oxford Road though I'm sure he could get the free bus from Picadilly) on Wednesday October 31st. He cannot leave Euston before 1700 and would like to arrive in Manchester at "a reasonable time".

They return on Thursday November 1st. Again, they can leave any time after 1700.

My friend is not entitled to any railcards. His son is 17 and has a 16-25 card.

Off offpeak returns are the best I've found for £122.

Are there any cheaper ways of doing it - he doesn't mind being tied to an advance if there's a reasonble saving.

 

[yorkie]

Yes there are cheaper ways to do this journey, the usual trick is to split at Stoke, using LM only London <> Stoke and Virgin Only Stoke <> Manchester. It can save a lot but the journey time is slower, whether it is a "reasonable time" is debateable! There is a LM direct service to Stoke at 1829.

For the Off Peak tickets on Virgin - which is much faster than the cheaper method above - bear in mind that Railcard discounted Off Peak tickets can be used at any time on Virgin Trains however peak restrictions do apply to the passenger without a Railcard.

There are also Advance fares on EMT & Connections, this is also slow (but scenic in parts) - you may need to specify "via Hope" if specifying "via Sheffield" doesn't find them.

 

[oversteer]

They might be able to get London Midland Great Escape tickets

http://www.londonmidland.com/great-escape/great-escape/

£15 for an adult unlimited travel, £9.90 for a railcard, for the Euston to Stoke-on-Trent section.

Add on £14.80 for an off peak return from Stoke to Manchester and their journey would be done for approx. £75

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The off-peak fare is £74.20, valid on the 1900 ex Euston arr Piccadilly 2107.
You can use any afternoon/evening train back next day.
Railcard discounts apply.
I don't see how you can do any better than that. The few advances seem very expensive.
The fares ex St Pancras or Marylebone are similarly restricted in the evening, and take significantly longer.
Given LM's current cancellation nightmares I wouldn't risk going with LM-only to Stoke and splitting.

 

[Deerfold]

Well he's going for a more expensive one!

He's going for 1st advances on the 1900 (which is the first one there's a reasonable fare on anyway and he'll have absolutely no trouble making) with the Virgin half coming back so he's unrestricted on returning.

Sadly there's almost no advances via Sheffield and the time penalty for LM is too high (and I think possibly impossible to get back that way at the time he wants to).

I do this route myself occasionally but I usually have plenty of notice and more flexibility in my timings...

Thanks for your help.

 

[telstarbox]

I've had some success going Euston - Warrington Bank Quay - walk to Central - Oxford Road (or Picc) before.

The cheap London-WBQ advances don't seem to sell out as quickly as those to MAN - but it depends if your friend wants the hassle.

 

[Deerfold]

I've had some success going Euston - Warrington Bank Quay - walk to Central - Oxford Road (or Picc) before.

The cheap London-WBQ advances don't seem to sell out as quickly as those to MAN - but it depends if your friend wants the hassle.

Thanks - I suspect he doesn't. I did mange to find him a £26 return on the coach for both but that didn't interest him...