Leeds to London June 4th

[Condor7]

Myself and my wife want to travel to London for the day on the 4th June. (Tuesday)
We want to travel first class, and I (only) have a senior rail card. (My wife is 52)

Time wise we are reasonably flexible, just not too early in the morning or too late at night on the return.

It appears if we leave after 10:00 and return before 14:35 it would be cheapest.
Leaving after 10:00 is no problem, but we would want to stay until later than 14:35, but as mentioned above flexible so long as it is not to late.

The cheapest I can find is £159.65p, catching the 10:15 from Leeds, and returning on the 17:03.

Can anyone let me know if there is anything I have missed to get it cheaper.

Thanks.

 

[Crossover]

Just checked the EC site and I get £150.80 for the services you mention.

Cost can be reduced by £20 but it uses the 20:00 service from Kings Cross, which may be too late for you.

 

[Ze Random One]

Yes, if you're intending to travel with East Coast, it's always wise to use their website, because they offer a discount for some of their fares on their site.

 

[142094]

Depends on what you're looking for in 1st class - Grand Central from York or Bradford would no doubt be cheaper but you'd not get the same benefits as EC.

 

[maddeningcrowds]

"Via York" sometimes has cheaper fares.

Try "Via Barnsley" also (that would be East Midlands Trains as far as Sheffield, which has good first class but no free food; no first class from Sheffield to Leeds; and it takes about an hour longer).

 

[rp91]

"Via York" sometimes has cheaper fares.

Try "Via Barnsley" also (that would be East Midlands Trains as far as Sheffield, which has good first class but no free food; no first class from Sheffield to Leeds; and it takes about an hour longer).

Except Cross Country?

 

[ainsworth74]

Except Cross Country?

Not if you're going via Barnsley.

 

[Deerfold]

Except Cross Country?

In my experience the booking engines will always "book" you on the slower Northern semi fast which generally leaves Leeds before XC and arrives at Sheffield after it. Not a good plan on an advance to get the XCC without a seat reservation.

This was using "via Barnsley" or "via Chesterfield" - sometimes you'll be offered a connection at Chesterfield off the Leeds - Nottingham service.

 

[maddeningcrowds]

There is no quota and hence no reservations available for an advance ticket via Sheffield including travel on CrossCountry, except at weekends. The result is that few or no advance fares will come up. Hence why I suggest putting in "Via Barnsley". It does not work all of the time, but you can sometimes get a cheap ticket into London mid morning or lunch time.