Scandalous Fares !!

[smallzoo]

My wife and I live near Crewe and we have taken the kids down a few times to London and it has always been a great day and affordable ( £100+ )

I was going to take my wife on Wednesday for the day so went on both nationalrail and virgin and could NOT believe what I found. leaving after peak time (09:29) and coming back before peak time (15:40) the fare for a 1hr35min journey is a staggering £294 !!

How can the rail companies warrant such stupid fares for such a short journey and at good times !!!

I await an answer.. I see a complaint coming !

 

[SS4]

Virgin class 15:40 as peak. If you're going to complain the please complain about 15:01 being peak because that's ridiculous!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
If time is not of the issue get a London Midland train and change at BHM

£30 off peak STD (on the 1554) or £36 1st Advance

 

[ainsworth74]

Your problem is the strict restrictions on VT services on that route. The off-peak return for two adults (no railcards) is £127.20 but is not valid on trains that arrive into Euston between 07:20 and 11:29. It is also only valid from Euston between 09:26 and 15:00 and from 18:45 onwards. The reason your ticket is so expensive is that you are looking at the anytime fares which are extortionate.

If you want to do it cheaply then you would have to buy London Midland only tickets, but that journey takes 3 hours each way but only costs £66 for an off-peak return (two adults no railcards) which is valid for arrival into Euston after 10:00 and can return at anytime (I think not 100% on that).

 

[wintonian]

Crew to London Terminals off-peak return on London Midland is £31.00 each

This is valid on trains due to arrive in London at or after 10:00 and returning on trains timed to depart at or after 08:45. No break of journey allowed except to change trains and can be bought on the day of travel at the station.

I can't find a return fare at £147 so I assume this must be made up of advance fares which are more expensive during peak times
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Just had a look with Virgin and they are £73.50 advance fares.

I really do not like virgins booking engine as it only gives fares for its services unless you click on the small "There may be alternatives with other operators." link at the bottom and even then I can't work out how to get to give me return fares, as such they appear to only sell singles?

 

[LexyBoy]

Does a Family and Friends Railcard qualify for Virgin's relaxation of time restrictions on Off Peak tickets?

Also, if you don't already have one, you really should get one, it will pay for itself on a single trip

 

[wintonian]

Yes they do and it may help the OP in the future when taking the kids but as they are only traveling with their wife it won't on this occasion.

 

[Daz28]

Yes they do and it may help the OP in the future when taking the kids but as they are only traveling with their wife it won't on this occasion.

It's worth some enterprising under 16s making themselves available to accompany adults just to get the reduced fares on Virgin.

Is it worth me registering hireachild.com?

 

[bnm]

Is it worth me registering hireachild.com?

Only if you want some attention from the police!

 

[wintonian]

Just stick this at the bottom of your site:

Disclaimer:
You must have the permission of a parent or guardian.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Your problem is the strict restrictions on VT services on that route. The off-peak return for two adults (no railcards) is £127.20 but is not valid on trains that arrive into Euston between 07:20 and 11:29. It is also only valid from Euston between 09:26 and 15:00 and from 18:45 onwards. The reason your ticket is so expensive is that you are looking at the anytime fares which are extortionate.

If you want to do it cheaply then you would have to buy London Midland only tickets, but that journey takes 3 hours each way but only costs £66 for an off-peak return (two adults no railcards) which is valid for arrival into Euston after 10:00 and can return at anytime (I think not 100% on that).

Drive to Flint for the 0817 and you will find the restrictions are magically eased - for the off-peak (SVR) £70 fare you can be in Euston by 1038. This train is barred from Chester and Crewe, but travel from North Wales is allowed. You are only barred from the 1610 return from Euston. And the car park is free (if you can find a space...)

 

[bengolding]

However, I would refrain from using the LM only tickets between Crewe and Euston at present, as there are several cancellations/terminations at Northamption dur to the ongoing driver action, as is the case today. This effectively can add an hour to the already excessive journey time.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Noted that the proposed itinerary is for just a four-and-a-half hour stay in London.

If a slightly shorter three-and-a-quarter hour visit is acceptable, then travelling on the 0956 Virgin Trains service from Crewe (arrive Euston 1138) and returning on the 1500 Virgin Trains service from Euston (arrive Stoke on Trent 1624, change there for the 1634 East Midlands Trains service from Stoke on Trent, arriving Crewe 1659) would cost £63.60 per person.