What are the best train booking websites now?

[Class 33]

I used to use EastCoast which was good, as for £255 spent on train tickets you could use your Rewards points to claim a single ticket for a long distance train journey such as London-Edinburgh. The replacement Virgin Trains EastCoast is nowhere near as good. Spend £250 and it's only worth just a measly £2.50!!

Are there any other good train booking websites, where you get something back for the money you spend?

 

[Domh245]

I hear that thetrainline.com always get you the cheapest fare *removes tongue from cheek*

In all seriousness though, with the decline of East Coast Rewards, I don't think that there are any reward schemes on a similar level to it, i'm afraid that you'll have to settle for the best of the rest

 

[CockneySparrow]

I book mine now through Quidco, and get cash back from EMT and First Trans Pennine, also you get the Nectar points with First, other than that there isn't any good site

 

[Kite159]

Virgin Trains East Coast for booking VTEC journeys (online discount)
East Midland Trains for booking EMT advances (£1 discount, plus cashback)

FTPE gives cashback as well as nectar points

 

[Bletchleyite]

If booking a VWC journey use a Trainline based site (not Trainline itself) so the SVHs are available.

For Advances, try the TOC site (or Megatrain) in case there is a special.

 

[Paul Kelly]

If booking a VWC journey use a Trainline based site (not Trainline itself) so the SVHs are available.

trainsplit.com and takethetrain.co.uk also sell the SVH fares, and neither of them charge a booking fee.

 

[D6975]

trainsplit.com and takethetrain.co.uk also sell the SVH fares, and neither of them charge a booking fee.

Trainsplit charge a percentage of the saving.

 

[yorkie]

Trainsplit charge a percentage of the saving.

True, but that's not a booking fee, and it only applies if there is a saving!

 

[CockneySparrow]

Trainsplit charge a percentage of the saving.

Has anyone found whether that site works

 

[Paul Kelly]

Has anyone found whether that site works

What do you mean? Works in what sense?

 

[Merseysider]

Has anyone found whether that site works

Does it sell tickets? Yes
Does it come up split ticket combinations? Yes
Does the website function as a normal website does? Yes

 

[jrh2254]

Always use Topcashback with EMT. Works for me.

 

[mikeg]

I like takethetrain, especially if you're taking an alternative route where it can produce an itinerary for you

 

[talldave]

Quidco cashback on the Gatwick Express website is increased to 7.5% today (2 April). This works for all ticket sales from Southern's website as well. Just jump to http://tickets.southernrailway.com/sn/en/JourneyPlanning/MixingDeck once quidco has redirected you to the Gatwick Express site.

 

[D6975]

Does it sell tickets? Yes
Does it come up split ticket combinations? Yes
Does the website function as a normal website does? Yes

Does it come up with the cheapest possible tickets - No

At least not in my experience. For every trip I have made in the last 12 months I have not failed once in coming up with splits of my own that are cheaper. The first leg of my last trip (Bristol-Doncaster) it couldn't come up with anything under £40 for the day I wanted. Doing it myself I got it down to £31.25

edit(2): I actually got it down to £28.10, but didn't like the route so paid the extra £3.05 to go the way I preferred.

(Misremembered one of the fares)