Advances on a particular train - don't mind about the date!

[Hassocks5489]

I don't often buy or search for Advance tickets, so this may have an obvious answer! Is there any easy way to search for Advance fares on a particular train across a number of days? i.e. I know which train I'd like to travel on, but I can travel on pretty much any day so I would like to find the cheapest

The train in question, incidentally, would be the 1730 Edinburgh Waverley > London Kings X on a weekday. I could check every day individually, but I'm interested in (more or less) any time in May, June or July, so a single site/webpage etc. to compare dates on would be handy. Cheers!

 

[Panceltic]

I don't often buy or search for Advance tickets, so this may have an obvious answer! Is there any easy way to search for Advance fares on a particular train across a number of days? i.e. I know which train I'd like to travel on, but I can travel on pretty much any day so I would like to find the cheapest

The train in question, incidentally, would be the 1730 Edinburgh Waverley > London Kings X on a weekday. I could check every day individually, but I'm interested in (more or less) any time in May, June or July, so a single site/webpage etc. to compare dates on would be handy. Cheers!

Maybe this can be of help: http://www.thetrainline.com/farefinder/BestFares.aspx?orig=EDB&dest=KGX&out=20140506

 

[hassaanhc]

I remember the much-hated TheTrainline having a feature to search across a specified date range for the cheapest fares

 

[Hassocks5489]

Yes, that looks perfect. Many thanks!

 

[extendedpaul]

I've travelled a few times on that particular service and a first class fare of £47.50 from the East Coast Trains website is usually available and good value, as is standard for £24.

Not seen those fares any cheaper recently.

 

[Hassocks5489]

I've travelled a few times on that particular service and a first class fare of £47.50 from the East Coast Trains website is usually available and good value, as is standard for £24.

Not seen those fares any cheaper recently.

Thanks, that's good to know about the First Class fare. I'll include that in my searches as well (hadn't even considered First Class actually!)

 

[telstarbox]

It's safe to assume the Friday will be busier than the other weekday evenings, and so Advances will sell out more quickly.

 

[Hassocks5489]

True - I'll try to avoid Fridays and look for something like a Tuesday. It's one of those rare situations where it really doesn't matter in the slightest what day I do it on, so a "quiet" day would suit me perfectly! ("It", incidentally, would be a day trip to Edinburgh, flying from Gatwick [on the airline equivalent of a PRIV, hopefully ], investigating some of the new ticket machines in the area - Haymarket, principally - then taking a trip out to Glasgow via Shotts and back via Caldercruix. Not your average day trip, I'll admit!)

 

[extendedpaul]

On such a day trip I'd say that a fare £47.50 for first class from Edinburgh to London is an absolute bargain. For many journeys of that length, and during the evening peak, the first class premium is much much more.

As well as the added space and comfort you should get a decent hot meal, at least three alcoholic/soft drinks and plenty of tea/coffee and snacks.

 

[bb21]

£47.50 without a Railcard? That's the cheapest tier isn't it?

Excellent value if I may say so.

 

[andythebrave]

Please correct this if incorrect but the (useful) cheapest fare finder will only find the cheapest fare within set time bands and not on a specific train. Having had cause to look at a very similar journey recently it brought up the 1430 and 1830 services only.

Or is there another way of doing it?

 

[gordonthemoron]

it's a pity the trainline tool doesn't work on more routes

 

[extendedpaul]

Please correct this if incorrect but the (useful) cheapest fare finder will only find the cheapest fare within set time bands and not on a specific train. Having had cause to look at a very similar journey recently it brought up the 1430 and 1830 services only.

Or is there another way of doing it?

For fares on East Coast Trains I think you have to search on their own website to find the lowest available prices.

On the Edinburgh - London route there used to be some availability at £17 for standard class but for a while I've only found £24 fares, whereas the lowest tier on first class has stayed at £47.50 . Even without a railcard it's worth the extra and now that the OH and I have our Two Together Railcard it's a real bargain