Potters Bar - Birmingham - Croydon

[themeone]

I need to go from Potters Bar to Birmingham on Thurs 1 Sept departing after about 1500, then Birmingham to East Croydon on Fri 2 Sept departing after about 1600.

Fares appear to be £79.50 PBR-BHM and £47.50 BHM-ECR.

Any change of improving these? I don't want to go via Marylebone or Paddington as it takes too long.

 

[yorkie]

You quote the price of an Anytime Single (SOS) for the through outward journey and a walk-on Off Peak Single (SVS) for the through return journey.

For a start, if you book on the Virgin website in advance you can get a half - price Off peak Single (SVS - formerly known as Saver Half), which has the same validity as a walk-on single, it just has to be bought in advance.

Do you have to make your outward journey at that time? It would be a lot cheaper to avoid peak times out of Euston or to take a train from Marylebone, but if you want speed and no loss of flexibility then I am not really sure what to suggest.

Are you eligible for any sort of railcard?
Do you have a season ticket for part of this, or any other, route?
Are you prepared to change trains to take advantage of cheaper fares?
Can you specify specific trains in Advance? Advance tickets are a lot cheaper but are only valid on the specified train between Euston & Birmingham.

 

[themeone]

Yes unfortunately the travel would have to be at the times stated, yet I couldn't really commit to a specific train.

I don't have any railcard or season ticket.

 

[HST Power]

Would it not be possible for you to leave a little earlier for the BHM-ECR leg of the journey? That way you could take the 1510 train and change at London Bridge. The ticket is an off peak priced at £33.70. You arrive in East Croydon at 1759.

 

[yorkie]

All I can suggest is looking at splitting at somewhere like Milton Keynes, but not all trains stop there - would that be viable or do you want no loss in flexibility at all?

 

[OwlMan]

For a start, if you book on the Virgin website in advance you can get a half - price Off peak Single (SVS - formerly known as Saver Half), which has the same validity as a walk-on single, it just has to be bought in advance.

The SVS does not have the same validity as a walk on single - it can only be used as part of a return not as a stand alone single.

Virgin Trains Ticket – Off-Peak Single (web only)



Passengers who are unable to buy a Virgin Advance ticket for both the outward and return legs of their journey, or unable to specify an exact train for one leg of a return journey, are able to mix and match ticket types and buy an Off-Peak Single (web only) on Virgin Trains routes (at half the price of an Off-Peak Return) for either the outward or return leg of the journey. This money-saving facility is available for website and call centre bookings only.

Important - Ticket Refund conditions
This ticket is only valid as part of a return journey. If the other portion of the return journey is cancelled, this ticket (online Off-Peak single) must be cancelled at the same time. A GBP 10.00 administration fee will apply for any refund.
Don't worry if you forget, a reminder message will be displayed on the web site if the correct refund steps are not followed.

OFF-PEAK SINGLE (web only) has the following terms and conditions:

• Description: Flexible ticket only valid at specific off-peak times of the day.
• When can I use the ticket? The Journey must be on off-peak trains on the date displayed on the ticket.
• What trains can I use this ticket on? Any off-peak train on the permitted route.
• Off-peak times may vary by route - our journey planner only shows off-peak tickets on trains for which they are valid.
• Class: Standard class.
• Seat reservation: Optional (when making a booking you will be given the choice on whether to reserve a seat).
• Can I cancel the ticket? Yes. This ticket is only valid as part of a return journey. If the other portion of the return journey is cancelled, this ticket (online Off-Peak single) must be cancelled at the same time. A GBP 10.00 administration fee will apply for any refund.
  Click here to learn how to apply for a refund on Off-Peak tickets.
• Can I change the ticket? You can travel on any off-peak train on the date specified without you having to contact us. If you wish to change the date of travel click here. To change the route or class of ticket you will need to cancel these tickets and buy new ones.
• Discounts: Yes. Normal railcard and child discounts available.

 

[themeone]

In the end I split the tickets Potters Bar - Kings Cross single - walk to London Euston.

Then Euston - Birmingham return getting an Off Peak Single (web only) for the return leg, and will use Oyster PAYG for St Pancras - East Croydon.

Although it involves a bit of walking it seemed the best option I could see as I had to retain flexibility.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[HST Power]

In the end I split the tickets Potters Bar - Kings Cross single - walk to London Euston.

It's about ten to fifteen minutes walk. Come out of Kings Cross station, stay on the same side of the road and walk in a westerly direction towards St. Pancras, which is the large Victorian red-brick building on your right. Keep going along this pavement. You'll pass a firestation on your right, cross the next junction and you'll see Euston to your right.