Manchester-London Return late March

[Uncle Liam]

Hello,

getting messed around a bit trying to book cheapish tickets to London.

Departing March 27th, say 11ish but not fussed if it's later.

Returning 29th, again 11ish but not fussed.

No rail cards, nothing like that. Not particularly bothered about changes, but obviously the less the better.

Much appreciared.

 

[telstarbox]

For the 27th - the 10.55 and 11.15 trains both have Advances for £12.50 and you should book this now as they won't get any cheaper (just book the outward leg without putting in a return date).

http://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/MAN/EUS/270313/1100/dep

The reason you're getting 'messed around' is because the Advance tickets haven't been released for the 29th yet so NRE will only show walk-up return tickets for both legs together. Try again in a couple of days. They generally go on sale 12 weeks before the day of travel but this doesn't always happen straight away - see the dates on this page:

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/booking_horizons.html

 

[Uncle Liam]

I got a £14 single for the return journey, but then it vanished.

I also got a £19 single down, but would only let me book it if i paid a £36 journey back.

 

[telstarbox]

Are you sure you've got the right dates?

 

[Uncle Liam]

Yes, I had the right dates.

I've booked a single down for £12.50, and had the return down for £14. Tried to book it, but said it couldn't as the 'product' wasn't available.

So, the single has been booked, but I now can't get anything for the return cheaper than £36.

So this is 29th March, which I believe is Good Friday.

Thanks

 

[telstarbox]

Once again - VT haven't released the cheap advance tickets for this date yet.

At the moment you can get a £20 single by clicking 'Advanced search' and specifying via Chesterfield, which is an Advance using the following trains:

1135 London St Pancras - Sheffield (arrives 1400)
1411 Sheffield - Manchester Piccadilly (arrives 1502).

 

[Uncle Liam]

Ah right, excellent.

Thanks for assistance.