Help with a convoluted commute

[SDF_regular]

A long time follower and reader of the forum, I was wondering if anyone had any advice to help me save money on the commute I complete every week or so. It is a little convoluted involving 4 ToCs, to get to my destination, a stay for two nights and travel to the office, then a return journey. It started a few months ago, and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, and is generally a long, but fairly enjoyable journey (though made worse by the RRB I have to catch from Carmarthen in the evening!)

Every week or so my journey is

Day 1: SDF -> CSY (Off peak) either via CDF or BPW
Day 2: CSY -> BHM (Peak)
Day 2: BHM -> CSY (Off peak)
Day 3: CSY -> BHM (Peak)
Day 3: BHM -> SDF (Off peak) usually via BPW, sometimes via CDF

To complete the journey, I usually buy :

- an off peak open return from SDF -> CSY @£111.70,
- a peak return from CSY -> BHM @ £9.50
- a single peak ticket from CSY -> BHM @ £5.60

Coming in at a grand total of £126.80
I am sure there is some way of saving money on the journey, but the advances available normally make very little difference, and are more difficult to deal with during disruption. Any advice on splitting would be gratefully received- I suspect there may be something available around Bristol or on the West Midlands boundary.

As a side note, I am very much looking forward to the station statistics when they are released next year, as I reckon my family moving to that area will have a substantial effect on the ridership from Saundersfoot!

My apologies- ignorance of the rules on my part there.

SDF = Saundersfoot
CSY = Coseley
BHM = Birmingham New Street
CDF = Cardiff Central
BPW = Bristol Parkway

 

[sheff1]

Have you tried the forum ticket site: https://tickets.railforums.co.uk/
for an example Saundersfoot to Coseley or Birmingham journey Day 1 out / Day 3 return ?

It is possible to search for flexible tickets only.

 

[SDF_regular]

It does come up with a few slightly cheaper options- thank you. I am also looking to see if a Pembrokeshire railcard would help, thus splitting, at I assume Swansea. The information about that railcard is limited though, and doesn't seem to appear as an option in the railcard dropdown on the forum ticket site, though it does on others like the Virgin ticketing app.

 

[Anonymous10]

It does come up with a few slightly cheaper options- thank you. I am also looking to see if a Pembrokeshire railcard would help, thus splitting, at I assume Swansea. The information about that railcard is limited though, and doesn't seem to appear as an option in the railcard dropdown on the forum ticket site, though it does on others like the Virgin ticketing app.

It'll come up on the tfw app too. I have one myself. It can be purchased at Swansea, Carmarthen or Haverfordwest and requires a proof of residence in Pembrokeshire. You would be entitled to 1/3 off any journey in Pembrokeshire as well as to stations between Carmarthen and Swansea.

If you are under the age of 30 or over 60 there are other railcards you can purchase. Another excellent app for split tickets is trainline. If your able to get a lift / drive to the likes of Whitland you may also find cheaper tickets as all 3 pembrokeshire lines run through the station.

 

[SDF_regular]

Ah, thank you for the information about the card, I'll look to pick one up next week- that is the only one I'd be entitled to when travelling on my own. Unfortunately I don't drive so can't get to Whitland, but am aware how much easier it is to travel from there or Carmarthen.