When to buy cheapest ticket

[louismarelise]

Hi,
I have two questions please: I am travelling from Chester to Euston, London and I have seen single tickets available for as low as £15 unless it's within one month before travel. I wanted to book a ticket for Sat. or Friday the 29/30th of May and I see that the cheapest tickets are £65 per adult. I am booking it 2 months ahead! Should I wait with the hope that they make special fares available?
2) My husband and I are travelling with two 3 year olds. Is there a travel card that we can buy to make fares cheaper?
Thank you.

 

[mathmo]

According to nationalexpresseastcoast.com there are tickets for £8 single Chester-Euston on Saturday 30th May, provided you want to travel in the afternoon (advance tickets must have sold out for the morning). Advance tickets aren't yet available for travelling on the Friday.

Since you have two children you could get a "Family & Friends Railcard" to get discounted tickets - but if you get £8 single tickets then it's probably not worth it!

 

[clagmonster]

Theoretically, 3 year old children (any up to 5 years old) do not need to pay. However, a family railcard gives 1/3 off the adult fare for up to 2 adults, and 2/3 off the child fare for up to 4 children. Therefore, particularly if you travel regularly, you could well be best off buying a railcard, and paying for 2 adults and just 1 of the children, letting the other go for free.

 

[First class]

Strictly speaking, a family railcard is only valid when the child is 5-15 years of age. Indeed, the minimum 'combination' is one adult and one child aged 5-15.

If you're under 26/, get a YP railcard, 1/3 of rail fares, including advance ones.

Try booking Liverpool-Euston, and just get a Merseyrail service to Liverpool.

 

[csilke]

Strictly speaking, a family railcard is only valid when the child is 5-15 years of age. Indeed, the minimum 'combination' is one adult and one child aged 5-15.

Are you sure? See question 2 at http://www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/faqs/eligibility#2

 

[louismarelise]

According to nationalexpresseastcoast.com there are tickets for £8 single Chester-Euston on Saturday 30th May, provided you want to travel in the afternoon (advance tickets must have sold out for the morning). Advance tickets aren't yet available for travelling on the Friday.

Since you have two children you could get a "Family & Friends Railcard" to get discounted tickets - but if you get £8 single tickets then it's probably not worth it!

Hi, thank you for your answer. You say that advance tickets must not be available yet for the Friday. Do you have any idea how long before the time they become available?
Thanks