ABB125
Established Member
I'm currently researching ticket options for a group of people for travel in late January. This will be for up to 16 people, but I don't yet know exactly how many. The journey in question is almost entirely on TfW services (the exception being a short suburban trip at the start of the outward/end of the return portion). All fares on the route are set by TfW.
I'm planning to make a group booking enquiry with TfW, to see what prices they can offer. However, I'm not expecting much as it's probable that everyone in the group will have a Railcard (and there may be some PRIVs as well); TfW's website says that groups get a 25% discount, so unless this is on top of Railcard discounts, not doing a group booking would save money. Furthermore, the website says that group tickets can only be purchased is a "standard day return" is available for the journey. Checking BRFares confirms that such a fare is available for the intended journey, and also lists the "small group day" ticket (which is the group one). (BRFares also seems to imply that there's no Railcard discount available on top.) Additionally, we won't be returning on the same day, so TfW's group option seems disappointingly rubbish.
Do other ToCs offer group options for journeys where they are not the primary operator concerned (or even not involved whatsoever, eg: booking Edinburgh-Aberdeen through Chiltern)? Are some better than others? Do the discounts offered vary between operators (and if so, which is the best value)? Is it cheaper to just use Railcards instead?
Thanks for any help.
I'm planning to make a group booking enquiry with TfW, to see what prices they can offer. However, I'm not expecting much as it's probable that everyone in the group will have a Railcard (and there may be some PRIVs as well); TfW's website says that groups get a 25% discount, so unless this is on top of Railcard discounts, not doing a group booking would save money. Furthermore, the website says that group tickets can only be purchased is a "standard day return" is available for the journey. Checking BRFares confirms that such a fare is available for the intended journey, and also lists the "small group day" ticket (which is the group one). (BRFares also seems to imply that there's no Railcard discount available on top.) Additionally, we won't be returning on the same day, so TfW's group option seems disappointingly rubbish.
Do other ToCs offer group options for journeys where they are not the primary operator concerned (or even not involved whatsoever, eg: booking Edinburgh-Aberdeen through Chiltern)? Are some better than others? Do the discounts offered vary between operators (and if so, which is the best value)? Is it cheaper to just use Railcards instead?
Thanks for any help.